Patents Examined by Meghan K. Dunwiddie
  • Patent number: 7819551
    Abstract: A mounting system and method for a light source includes a light source support structure. The light source support structure positions the light source with respect to a source of electrical power which, when connected to the light source, will cause the light source to emit light energy. Further included in the mounting system and method of present invention is a mounting for a pair of electrical contacts which enable connection between the source of electrical power and the light source. Still further included in mounting system is a heat sink which is attachable to the light source support structure for conducting heat energy away from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Luciter Lighting Company
    Inventor: Pat Ward
  • Patent number: 7819538
    Abstract: The inventive rotating lamp comprises a substrate, a translucent globe mounted on the substrate, a shaft portion set in the substrate, a rotatable member rotatably supported by the shaft portion, a main reflecting mirror, arranged on the upper surface of the rotatable member, having a light reflecting surface constituted of a paraboloid, a light-emitting diode and a drive portion rotating/driving the rotatable member, and the optical axis of the light-emitting diode and the reflecting surface of the main reflecting mirror intersect with each other. Thus, a rotating lamp employing a light-emitting diode capable of delivering light emitted from the rotating lamp to a distance place by improving reflection efficiency can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Arrow Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Nobayashi, Takashi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7815350
    Abstract: Headlamp systems are provided that form desired beam patterns from light supplied by semiconductor light sources. The present invention is headlamp system for a vehicle including at least one first light source, at least one second light source, and a first lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one first light source to provide a spread portion of a desired beam pattern. The present invention also includes second lens system having at least one lens operably associated with the at least one second light source to provide a hot spot portion of the desired beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Valcamp, Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7815349
    Abstract: A rear light assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The rear light assembly is disposed on a rear portion of the motor vehicle and includes a signaling device and one or more light devices. The signaling device can be either a reflector or include a light. In some cases, the signaling device can be centrally mounted. In some cases, the light devices can be mounted next to the signaling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7810970
    Abstract: In the vehicle lighting control apparatus and method, it is determined that the user's steering wheel is returned from a steering angle existing in a saturated steering angle region toward a neutral steering angle region at a given speed or more. If such a steering condition is found, a swivel angle is calculated based on a swivel-angle control characteristic showing a monotonic decrease in the swivel angle when the steering angle decreases from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering angle range to a third preset angle. The third preset angle is an angle from which the swivel angle decreasing from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering range becomes zero. This calculated swivel angle is used to control the swivel angle of light irradiated from on-vehicle headlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7806551
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a bowl having an opening. The opening includes a plurality of movable members movable between a first position and a second position. The first position is a closed position in which the movable members are connected and support items in the bowl. The second position is an open position and allows a hand to enter the opening. The apparatus includes a circuit that includes a switch operably connected to said moveable members such that a light turns on upon said moveable members being in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Jackson River Phipps
  • Patent number: 7806568
    Abstract: Reconfigurable lighting fixtures, household apparatuses and household fixtures include fixed components and a plurality of removable and interchangeable decorative adornments. The adornments each include at least one magnet that magnetically couples the adornment to a portion of the fixture or apparatus. Some or all of the set of interchangeable adornments may be interchanged to provide the fixtures or apparatus with a different appearance. The adornments may be of different shapes, sizes, and colors and they may be coupled to various non-fixed locations. The adornments may include multiple pieces coupled together and to the magnet using wire, string, chain or metal links. The fixtures or apparatus may be easily disassembled and reassembled by removing and replacing the adornments for cleaning or to change the appearance thereof. The fixture/apparatus may be a chandelier, candle holder, sconce, lamp, bobeche, tract lighting, ceiling fan, curtain rod, lampshade and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Magnificent Trimmings, Inc.
    Inventor: Colleen Nielson
  • Patent number: 7802900
    Abstract: A calorimetric pupil light reflex testing device for diagnostic assessment of the ocular and central nervous system diseases based on melanopsin and non-melanopsin spectral light properties. The device employs blue and red light emitting diodes emitting light at wavelengths of approximately 472 nanometers and 630 respectively to elicit pupillary constriction. The light emitting diodes are each provided within a handheld light wand, allowing the light emitting diodes to be hand held. The light emitting diodes provide intense light and the predetermined wavelengths, thereby eliminating the necessity of a light meter or colored filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Sebastian S. Suba
  • Patent number: 7794103
    Abstract: A solar-powered parking space barrier block is configured as a one-piece molded housing of a high strength, transparent plastic material in which a photovoltaic solar panel and a DC energy storage module are inclosed. A pair of white light LED lamps provide end panel marker illumination, two yellow light LED lamps provide hazard warning illumination and a rechargeable supercapacitor storage module provides operating power. A power control circuit enables use of the solar panel as a photosensor to automatically energize the LED lamps when ambient skylight falls below a predetermined safe visibility level, and removes operating power from the LED lamps when ambient skylight rises above a predetermined safe visibility level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Scott C. Hoover
  • Patent number: 7794126
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices, and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. The reflector is partitioned into a plurality of light emitting areas that are radially formed around an optical axis extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle. Each of the semiconductor light emitting devices is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of one of the light emitting areas respectively. Each of the reflecting surfaces of the reflector is provided in one of the light emitting areas respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Shohei Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7784975
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) serves for linear illumination of a moving product web (6), the apparatus (1) having at least one light source (4) emitting light. In order to achieve high luminance in a linear subregion of the product web (6), at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source (4) is reflected towards the product web (6) by at least one tubular reflector (5). The tubular reflector (5) in this case has at least one light exit slit (7) which is assigned to the product web (6). Moreover, the tubular reflector has at least one observation slit (8) which lies opposite the light exit slit (7). The illuminated product web (6) can be observed through this observation slit (8) by means of a line camera (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Texmag GmbH Vertriebsgesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Krebs, Alfred Eder, Juergen Eisen, Lars Zwerger
  • Patent number: 7784954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.
    Inventor: Zane Coleman
  • Patent number: 7784971
    Abstract: LED module assemblies and luminaires that reduce thermal issues associated with LED lamp energy dissipation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optimized conduction path from the LED to the exterior of the luminaire is created through the use of heat pipes integrated into the LED module assembly and luminaire. In this embodiment, a significant reduction in thermal transfer to the interior of the enclosure may be implemented, while allowing maximum energy dissipation from the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jay Dorogi
  • Patent number: 7775677
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adapter device for enabling the use of a compact fluorescent lamp in a lighting apparatus having a socket for an incandescent lamp. The adapter device includes a fastening structure, a cap, green and red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and a Direct Current (DC) power supply. The fastening structure fastens the compact fluorescent lamp. The cap supplies Alternating Current (AC) power to the fastening structure. The green LEDs emit light in a wavelength range of 498-530 nm, and the red LEDs emit light in a wavelength range of 620-700 nm. The LEDs are installed around the compact fluorescent lamp. The Direct Current (DC) power supply supplies DC power to the green LEDs and the red LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Hang Jae Yu
  • Patent number: 7771075
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic apparatus for use in a vehicle, the apparatus including: a connector further including at least two electrical connection points and a mechanical connector; an adaptation portion coupled with the connector; a housing adaptively coupled with the adaptation portion; and an electronic portion housed at least partly in the housing, the electronic portion electrically coupled with the at least two electrical connection points, wherein the adaptation portion is facilitative for orienting the housing in a plurality of positions relative to the connector. In an embodiment, the adaptation portion includes a pivot having a mechanical memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Eastek International Corporation
    Inventors: James Joseph Luyckx, Michael D Luyckx
  • Patent number: 7771094
    Abstract: Electrical fixtures, such as junction boxes or recessed luminaires, include mounting brackets that support the fixtures from structural members while fasteners, such as screws or nails, are driven through the mounting brackets, thereby facilitating mounting the fixtures. Each of the mounting brackets has a general U-shape that includes at least three generally planar sides. The top side is generally perpendicular to the other two sides, and the top side connects the other two sides and together. The three sides define (in cross-section) a structural member receiver opening. An inside dimension of the structural member receiver opening is such that bracket fits snugly around at least a portion of a commonly sized wood or metal structural member, such as a furring strip or joist, used in ceiling construction. In one embodiment, two of the sides of the structural member receiver opening define an acute dihedral angle to hood around the edge of a metal furring strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: John A. Goode
  • Patent number: 7771099
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing having a half-mirror region molded into the housing, and a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the half-mirror region to an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Massaro, William Adam Gralewski, Brittany Davis
  • Patent number: 7771091
    Abstract: A light control film having a refractive index n and an uneven, irregular surface pattern provides a reasonable level of light diffusion without a glare problem provided, for any cross-section perpendicular to the base plane of the film, the average of absolute values of slope ?ave of a curve along the edge of the cross-section contoured by the rough surface pattern (profile curve) is at least 78-34 n degrees and no higher than 118-34 n degrees, or the average of absolute values of slope ?ave of a profile curve to the length L1 of a straight line defined by the intersection of the base plane and the cross-section satisfies the following formula (3) or (4) for substantially all cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kimoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Etori
  • Patent number: 7771109
    Abstract: A lamp for a light string has a socket, multiple electric cords, an insulating partition, a leaf spring and a bulb assembly. The electric cords are mounted in the socket and have electrodes. The insulating partition is mounted in the socket and has a cavity and at least one stopper formed in the cavity. The leaf spring is mounted in the insulating partition, is V shaped, is held in place by the stopper and protrudes through a top of the insulating partition to selectively and respectively contact the electrodes. The bulb assembly is removably plugged into the socket and has a separator. The separator pushes the leaf spring into the insulating partition to stop the leaf spring from contacting the electrodes. When the bulb assembly is removed from the socket, the leaf spring returns to an original shape by resilience to contact the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Jetmax Industrial Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chih Huang, Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 7766523
    Abstract: A lamp unit 18 is provided with a reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign and a light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign. The reflecting face 25b for an overhead sign reflects light from a light source 23a and is provided on an upper side of the light source 23a and rearward from a rear side focal point F of a projector lens 11. The light receiving face 28 for the overhead sign is provided on a front side of a movable shade 30 arranged between the projector lens 11 and the light source 23a. The light receiving face 28 forms overhead sign irradiating light P2 by reflecting light from the reflecting face 25b for the overhead sign to the projector lens 11. Illuminance reducer for reducing a portion of irradiating light is provided at a position of a vicinity of an upper end of the movable shade 30 of the light receiving face 28a for the overhead sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kinoshita, Akinori Matsumoto, Takehiko Tajima