Patents Examined by Mohammad Y. Sikder
  • Patent number: 6045231
    Abstract: A Light-weight low cost mirror for astronomical purposes and a method of manufacturing said light-weight mirror is disclosed. The light-weight mirror is comprised of an optical plate a backing plate and a core disposed between said optical plate and said backing plate. The core is comprised of a plurality of core strips. Said core strips are assembled in an arrangement wherein the core strips, the optical plate and the backing plate form cavities by the intersection of the core strips with the backing and the optical plate. The cavities are open the outside diameter edge of the mirror. A method is also disclosed for manufacturing the mirror by fusing the core to opposing faces of the optical plate and backing plate. Melt support assemblies are used to support the unfused backing plate and core strips. The unfused assembly is heated to the glass melting temperature to fuse the core to the optical plate and backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Phillip R. Martineau
  • Patent number: 6039458
    Abstract: Systems for housing and supporting, then either deploying or storing, light strings comprising stringing a light within a connectible series of hollow rigid or semi-rigid sub-sleeves that are essentially transparent or translucent, said sub-sleeves having sufficient rigidity to support and protect said light string when attached at points to a support structure while having sufficient flexibility to permit cornering and angular positioning as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: Wayne L. Coates, Jr., David M. Fisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6039448
    Abstract: A new side rear view mirror device for providing lighting thereon for aiding the visibility of the driver and others. The inventive device includes a housing with a cover lens covering a front opening in the housing. The cover lens has an upper lens and a lower lens. The upper lens of the cover lens is generally transparent while the lower lens of the cover lens has a translucent colored front region and a generally transparent bottom region. A reflector member is provided in the interior of the housing and has upper and lower reflector portions. Upper and lower light sources are also provided in the interior of the housing. The upper light source is mounted to the upper reflector portion while the lower light source is mounted to the lower reflector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Florin I. Oprea
  • Patent number: 6036332
    Abstract: An illuminated centerpunch designed to illuminate the area on a workpiece where a punch mark is to be made. The centerpunch includes a hollow, cylindrical-shaped main body. Attached to the proximal end of the main body is a replaceable striking cap. Disposed inside the main body is a bulb holding collar acts as a switch and which holds a plurality of bulbs. Attached to the distal end of the main body is a post assembly designed to hold a replaceable tip and the bulb holding collar inside the main body. Attached over the distal end of the main body and around the replaceable tip is an optical end assembly. The optical end assembly includes a ring plate with a plurality of radially, spaced-apart arms which extend distally and curve inward from the main body. Located inside each arm is a fiberoptic capable of transmitting light produced by the bulbs located inside the main body to a desired point on the work surface. Disposed inside the main body are batteries electrically connected to the bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Charles B. Antal
  • Patent number: 6033083
    Abstract: A non-corrosive airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas, variable length extension means for rotatably adjusting height and azimuth by a vertical displacement, and non-corrosive mounting means on the adjustable fixture extension for mounting the airport inset light on the rotatably adjustable fixture extension. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional, prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6033079
    Abstract: An all-refelctive optical system for a projection photolithography camera has a source of EUV radiation, a wafer and a mask to be imaged on the wafer. The optical system includes a first concave mirror, a second mirror, a third convex mirror, a fourth concave mirror, a fifth convex mirror and a sixth concave mirror. The system is configured such that five of the six mirrors receives a chief ray at an incidence angle less than substantially 12.degree., and each of the six mirrors receives a chief ray at an incidence angle of less than substantially 15.degree.. Four of the six reflecting surfaces have an aspheric departure of less than substantially 7 .mu.m. Five of the six reflecting surfaces have an aspheric departure of less than substantially 14 .mu.m. Each of the six refelecting surfaces has an aspheric departure of less than 16.0 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Russell Hudyma
  • Patent number: 6030085
    Abstract: An adjustable stuffed animal mirror support assembly is provided to facilitate viewing of a rear facing infant in the back seat of an automobile. The stuffed animal's body carries a convex mirror. A support strap is connected to the rear side of the body and extends upwardly to the back side of the head. An anchor strap connects to the back of the head and is also connected to a weighted bag. The mirror is adjusted by adjusting the weighted bag on the rear deck of the automobile and by manipulating the support strap relative to the anchor strap, each of which carries a strip of Velcro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: Heather West Leam, Robert J. Leam
  • Patent number: 6027218
    Abstract: An improved viewing system for lap top computers with a first reflective surface member, a hinged holding bracket for the first reflective surface member, a second reflective surface member, a pair of second brackets to hold the second reflective surface member. The hinged holding bracket is capable of fitting behind and wrapping around the screen housing of the lap top computer and is comprised of a flat plate terminating at each end in a hinged triangular shaped plate, each said triangular plate having a pair of raised ribs capable of receiving the corner of said first reflective surface member. The second brackets are capable of being affixed to the top edge of said lap top computer and have upwardly angled ribs capable of receiving the bottom edge of said second reflecting surface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Amy Kupniewski
    Inventors: Amy Kupniewski, Kenneth Tarlow
  • Patent number: 6027219
    Abstract: A new ear mirror for permitting self-examination of an ear by a user. The inventive device includes a handle and a reflective member. A pivot arm is outwardly extended from the reflective member and is pivotally coupled to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Robert J. Arambulo
  • Patent number: 6024459
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle including an extendable mirror for improved rearward viewing is disclosed. Several embodiments of the rearview mirror assembly each comprise a mirror housing, a mirror disposed in the mirror housing, and some structure to allow extension of the mirror between an inboard position and an outboard position. In one embodiment, the mirror assembly includes structure to allow rotation of the mirror between inboard and outboard positions. The mirror may comprise a post disposed in a mirror shell and extending along a longitudinal horizontal axis which extends through a plane defined by the mirror, offset from a central vertical axis of the mirror. In another embodiment, the means for rotating the mirror comprises a pivot part having a shaft disposed in an aperture in the mirror shell, which is disposed along the longitudinal horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Jimmie L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6022115
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical system for measurement of a three dimensional device. The optical system is designed and configured to meet telecentric and f-.theta. requirements. The system employs primary and secondary mirrors operating in conjunction with a tertiary deflector mounted on a pivot. Light from a light source produces a beam which is deflected off the deflector and the secondary and primary reflectors respectively. The beam is then transmitted to the surface of the object to be measured. Deflection of the tertiary deflector on the pivot results in scanning of the light beam across the surface of the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Universite Laval
    Inventors: Ermanno Borra, Simon Thibault, Stan Szapiel
  • Patent number: 6023367
    Abstract: An illuminator system for a film scanner of the type having a linear image sensor, a film gate through which an area of film to be scanned can be positioned, and an aperture at the film gate for defining the area of film to be scanned. The illuminator system includes a light source which produces a light beam; an optical condenser between the lamp and the film gate to condense and shape the beam; and optics adapted to diffuse and direct the light beam so as to produce a uniform line of controlled diffuse illumination at the film gate. A spherical relay lens between the lamp and the optical condenser has a focal length nominally equal to a distance between the relay lens and the optical condenser to constrain the beam within the entrance pupil of the optical condenser. A spectral filter is between the lamp and the film gated to remove unwanted wavelengths of radiation from the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6022116
    Abstract: A support device for temporarily supporting a mirrored surface from flat or uneven surfaces on a tow vehicle, the tow vehicle having a towing coupling, the device being temporarily mountable near the tow attachment in order to allow the viewing of the towing coupling while connecting the towing coupling to an object to be towed. The support device includes a mirror, a support for holding the mirror about an axis. The support being connected a first leg having a first section and a second section, the first section being connected to the second section by a hinge that allows pivoting of the first section relative to the second section from a first position where the second section is proximate to the mirror and a second position where the second section extends away from the mirror, the first section being releaseably attachable to the axial support. The second section further includes a support for attaching the second section to a surface of the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Edward Osborn
  • Patent number: 6022127
    Abstract: A novel multi-function switching head for use with handheld illumination devices for switching electrical current to multiple illumination sources and for selecting from multiple battery power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Mark Howard Krietzman
  • Patent number: 6012818
    Abstract: A retroreflective sheet comprises a film having a substantially flat surface and a large number of pyramidal projections having retroreflectivity on the opposite surface, and a colored layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the surface of the film having the projections. The adhesive layer comprises a heat-sensitive adhesive containing an acrylic polymer and a phenolic resin, and exhibits an elastic modulus (by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, compression mode) at 30.degree. C. ranging from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to 1.times.10.sup.8 dyn/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Yoshinori Araki
  • Patent number: 6010224
    Abstract: A reflector assembly is provided for efficiently collecting and forming the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source into a desired beam pattern. The reflector assembly uses a smaller non-symmetrical generally convex reflector and a larger non-symmetrical generally concave reflector. The generally convex reflector intercepts a large fraction of light emitted by the source that would otherwise escape without interacting with the assembly and redirects this light onto the generally concave reflector for eventual inclusion in the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Narkis E. I. Shatz
  • Patent number: 6007206
    Abstract: A comb mirror for improving health of a human body is disclosed. A plurality of far infrared ray lamps are installed in the inner space of the comb mirror body, By a first switch within the body, the first switch will control the on and off states of the far infrared ray lamps. A protecting web is installed in front of the inner space for isolating the far infrared ray lamps for providing the user to contact the far infrared rays lamps. Each of two sides of the body is installed with a respect mirror door which may rotate with the body. Each outer surface of the mirror door is installed with a plan mirror. The inner surface of the mirror seat is installed with concave mirror. By opening the mirror door, far infrared ray will be emitted. The concave mirror serves to focus the far infrared ray to the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Kwei-Tang Chang
  • Patent number: 6007208
    Abstract: A scanning optical microscope which includes an optical fiber which serves as a point source of light and for collecting reflected light is disclosed. A lens for focusing the light from the optical fiber onto an image plane and for gathering light reflected from the image plane and focusing it into the optical fiber is also disclosed, together with a scanning mechanism for scanning the light to scan a field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: David L. Dickensheets, Gordon S. Kino
  • Patent number: 6005724
    Abstract: A mirror, mirror coating utilized with same, and mirror assembly are described and wherein the mirror coating has a primary region which reflects visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and a secondary region or multiple secondary regions which passes a portion of the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting a given percentage of the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the average reflectance of the entire surface is greater than about 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: K. W. Muth Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Todd
  • Patent number: 6003999
    Abstract: A mirror recoil preventing device suitable for a camera has a mirror and a mirror support frame. The mirror support frame movably supports the mirror in movement from a first position to a second position. In a camera having a photographic lens and a range finding element, the mirror guides light from the photographic lens to the range finding element when positioned at the second position. As a first alternative, the mirror support frame has a U-shaped groove at one end thereof. A regulating member is located in the vicinity of the second position to engage with the U-shaped groove when the mirror support frame is at the second position. As a second alternative, the mirror support frame has a leading edge and a trailing edge such that in movement from the first position to the second position, the trailing edge trails the leading edge. A first regulating member is located to be immediately adjacent to the leading edge of the mirror support frame when the mirror support frame is at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kitaoka, Kosho Miura