Patents Examined by Richard R. Cole
  • Patent number: 5335157
    Abstract: A compact and highly efficient warning light for producing high intensity light pulses which are radiated in accordance with a desired directional pattern includes a light source and a pair of reflectors disposed within a lens cover. The reflectors each include plural parabolic reflective surfaces distributed about an axis with the surfaces having a common focal point located on the axis. The two reflectors are coaxial and the common focal points of the surfaces thereof coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Whelen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold W. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5331530
    Abstract: An operating theatre lamp comprises a housing provided at the bottom with a light outlet opening (12) and in which a light source (13) is centrally arranged. The light source emits light all around toward a main ring concave reflector (14) which is mounted in the housing and deflects the incident light rays towards the light outlet opening (12) and concentrates them on a site of operation (15). At least one auxiliary ring reflector (17, 18) is provided between the light source (13) and the main reflector (14) outside of the light rays extending from the light source (13) toward the main reflector (14) which receives the light rays which would normally pass at the side of the main reflector (14) and deflects them toward locations of the main reflector (14) at which they are deflected toward the site of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Manfred Scholz
  • Patent number: 5331518
    Abstract: A covered vehicle accessory such as a vanity mirror visor includes a socket for receiving at least one pivot axle of the cover. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a generally C-shaped spring compressibly engages a mirror frame on one side and a cam extending from the cover on a side opposite the front of the frame. The C-shaped spring includes first and second legs which respectively engage the frame and cover. The spring is locked in place in part by a tab formed in the frame and an aperture formed in the spring for receiving the tab and mating inclined walls of the frame and leg segment of the spring. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, also, the cover includes at least one pivot axle having an extension with an electrical contact which engages an electrical contact associated with the frame to define a switch which allows the application of operating power to a lamp associated with the illuminated vanity mirror structure upon opening of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey O. Roark, Peter V. Styke, Robert L. Mattingly, Drew G. Jelgerhuis
  • Patent number: 5325281
    Abstract: An adjustable lighting fixture has a power transfer means interposed between a lamp holder and the point of mounting. The power transfer means has an input shaft, which may be offset from the point of mounting, such as a fixture mounting pole, or in line therewith, and an output shaft which rotates in response to the rotation of the input shaft about its own axis. When the axis of power input is in line with the point of mounting, a physical rotation of the power transfer means will cause the rotation of the lamp holder about an axis extending through the point of mounting. When the axis of power input is offset from the point of mounting, an orbital input about the axis of the power input, or in other words an orbiting of the power input shaft about the axis extending through the point of mounting, will cause rotation of the lamp holder about said axis extending through the point of mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald P. Harwood
  • Patent number: 5321586
    Abstract: The lighting device for a vehicle has at least one central reflector (10), which is formed as a substantially closed hollow body. The reflector (10) is formed from two reflector parts (11, 12), which have light outlet openings facing each other. The reflector parts (11, 12) are shaped like portions of an ellipsoid of revolution and are arranged so that their first focal points (Fl) coincide and their second focal points (F2) lie on the peak of the opposing reflector part (11, 12). The light emitting body (16) of the light source is arranged in the vicinity of the first focal points (F1). Because of this structure of the reflector (10) almost all of the light issuing from the light emitting body (16) is concentrated on the second focal points (F2) of the reflector parts. A light guide (18) is positioned to guide light away from each reflector part in the vicinity of its second focal point (F2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Hege, Rainer Neumann, Alfred Bruder, Helmut Sautter
  • Patent number: 5319531
    Abstract: An illuminated, translucent flying disc includes electronic lighting and a lighting control. A plurality of high intensity light sources are centrally located below the disc in a protective center hub enclosure. The light sources distribute their alternating high intensity light rays radially outward along the top and bottom of the disc to the rim, flooding an angular area and rim of the disc with their alternating colored light rays, thus producing a high glowing effect through the opaque or translucent disc body. The controller for alternating the illumination of the light sources uses square wave timing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Mark R. Kutnyak
  • Patent number: 5317489
    Abstract: An illuminated horseshoe set comprising, in combination a plurality of illuminated horseshoes, each horseshoe including an elongated upper member comprised of an elastomeric material and having a bend adjacent to its center, an elongated lower member comprised of an elastomeric material and having a bend adjacent to its center, a plurality of screws coupling the upper member to the lower member to define a hollow U-shaped member having an upper exterior surface, a lower exterior surface, a major bend adjacent to its center with the major bend aligned with the bends in the upper and lower members, a pair of legs extending in a generally common direction from the major bend with the legs defining a space therebetween, an inner edge located adjacent to the space, an outer edge located remote from the space, and a hole centrally disposed on the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventors: Sal Delli Gatti, Barbara Delli Gatti, Frank Delli Gatti
  • Patent number: 5317491
    Abstract: A holder for a string of electric lights which includes a flat mounting plate on at least one side of which is provided first and second sets of mounting elements for mounting a series of lamps and lamp sockets of said string of electric lights in first and second rows at opposite ends of the mounting plate. Third and fourth sets of mounting elements may be provided on the opposite side of the plate. Each of the sets of mounting elements includes a row of uniformly spaced tabs between which are provided a row of uniformly spaced slots and a row of projecting pairs of elements providing another row of uniformly spaced slots therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 5317486
    Abstract: The present invention envisions a headlamp calibration assembly for use with an adjustable headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly includes a housing, a reflector adjustably retained in the housing and horizontal and vertical aiming devices. The housing has a viewing port formed therethrough for viewing inside of the housing for observing the movable headlamp component, for example the reflector. The calibration assembly includes an adjustably mounted lens positioned over the viewing port, horizontal position indicia on the reflector positioned for viewing through the lens and viewing port including a zero adjustment indicator represented by a selected one of the horizontal position indicia, and sight means on the lens in the form of indicia or the like for sighting and alignment with the horizontal position indicia to attain zero adjustment as discussed above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5315490
    Abstract: A light fitting for a high intensity source has a reflector (10) specifically adapted to give a beam of a predetermined shape. An aperture (16) is provided through the reflector at a zone where a majority of the light from the source and impinging on that zone is reflected back towards the source, and a fibre optic coupler (14) fitted the end of a fibre optic loom (15) is mounted to cooperate with the aperture, to receive light from the source and which would otherwise be reflected back to the source. The projected beam from the fitting is thus hardly affected, and the fibres of the loom can be arranged to provide distracting secondary sources in the vicinity of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Rodney C. Bastable
  • Patent number: 5315492
    Abstract: An illuminated holiday window display ornament formed by a ring frame having ornamentation including LED lights attached to one side with support stanchions projecting through the ornamentation and having glass panel attaching suction cups at the ends thereof. A housing at the bottom of the frame contains a battery compartment, on/off switch and music sounding chip and speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Donald J. Davenport
  • Patent number: 5313792
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system includes a transition metal/zeolite first catalyst, a three-way second catalyst, and a noble metal-type third catalyst arranged in that order in the direction of exhaust gas flow in an exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine capable of fuel combustion at lean air-fuel ratios. NOx which has not been purified by the transition metal/zeolite first catalyst is oxidized by the three-way second catalyst into NO.sub.2, which the noble metal-type third catalyst can easily decompose into N.sub.2 and O.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Katoh, Satoshi Iguchi, Tetsuro Kihara
  • Patent number: 5313377
    Abstract: A lighting unit having a source of illumination on a support with there being simulated vegetation on the support. The support includes a base that simulates a natural stem for the vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: George C. Kasboske
  • Patent number: 5313376
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an illuminated multifunctional pocket knife/light. The casing or handle has at least one hollow channel within which is disposed at least one light bulb, and one power source out of contact with one another. Activation of switch completes electrical circuit thus activating the light source/s. Alternative embodiments illustrate different positions for various switch components. The handle can be partially or entirely constructed from a light transmissive or optical wave dispersing material which guides light through the handle and assists in illuminating the blade/implement and its surrounding work surface. The casing supports the desired tool/implement in the field of light. The casing houses at least one chamber in which one or more blades/implements are connected. Blades/implements are fixed in permanent position or folding/collapsible for the purpose of storing and protecting the implements until use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Kirk W. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5313379
    Abstract: An asymmetric luminaire for illuminating large outdoor areas, such as an athletic field, wherein glare and light spillage is minimized and controlled. The luminaire includes a reflecting surface of a generally parabolic configuration, and an arc light source is located within the luminaire, the length of the light source being disposed at approximately 45.degree. with respect to the parabolic axis. A visor is used at the peripheral rim of the luminaire to control vertical and lateral light spillage, and the visor includes light source shields to prevent vertical spillage from the upper region of the luminaire. The luminaire reflecting surface includes a plurality of elliptical light reflecting ridges for restricting the near light beam height, and the upper portion of the reflecting surface can include substantially conical concentric light reflecting flute surfaces for accurately directing the light to target locations remote from the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Qualite Sports Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lemons, Kenneth M. Spink
  • Patent number: 5311413
    Abstract: A device (10) for instantaneously energizing glow bait (22), is described. The device has a container (12) with a reflective chamber (16) mounted inside. The reflective chamber has a reflective layer (18) surrounded by a transparent layer which allows light from a flash circuit (32) to reflect off the reflective layer and onto the glow bait to be energized. The flash circuit is mounted within a lid (26) pivotably mounted to the top (14A) of the handle (14) adjacent the top portion (12H) of the container. In the closed position, the lid completely covers the top opening (12D) of the container and upon activation, the flashbulb (38) of the flash circuit directs a flash of light down into the reflective chamber containing the glow bait. The flash circuit is activated by a switch (44) located on the top of the handle of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the reflective layer (116) is mounted directly to the interior surface (112F) of the container (112) of the device (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventors: Franklin D. Farmer, Gordon J. Alspaugh, Victor O. Castle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5311412
    Abstract: This invention relates to a structure of a variable triangular warning light for a third braking light in a rear turbulence plate of an automobile, in particular, to an "LED" third braking light which is hidden within the rear turbulence plate, and can be formed into a flashable triangular failure warning light by means of pulling-out, folding and locking means to indicate a failure when the automobile is in failure, characterized in that the rear turbulence plate is provided with a receiving groove, receiving tubular holes and springs, and a three-section typed "LED" third braking light of an elongate strip shape having hinges is a foldable structure; live lock member can be used as disengagement/engagement means for the outward pulling or inward inserting of the three-section typed third braking light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Chang-An Yang
  • Patent number: 5311417
    Abstract: An illuminative sucker includes a decorative back portion formed on a back portion of a sucker cup portion adhered on a flat surface, a lamp selected from a light-emitting diode and an incandescent bulb fixed on a lamp socket secured to the back portion of the sucker cup portion for illuminating the decorative back portion for decorative display or warning purposes. A plurality of the illuminative suckers may be assembled to be a string adhered on a flat surface for wide-area decorative, display or warning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Mao-Lin Heh
  • Patent number: 5309342
    Abstract: A recessed lighting trim comprises a reflector, a circular frame connected to the reflector, and a circular translucent plate mounted in the frame. The translucent plate is retained in the plate by tabs of the frame which are bent onto the translucent plate. The frame includes hooks adapted to be received in slots formed in the reflector to enable the frame to be installed and removed by being rotated relative to the reflector. A chain connects the frame to the reflector to prevent the frame from falling after being removed from the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Heinen, Sr.
  • Patent number: RE34634
    Abstract: A device for providing an illumination of an object includes first and second optical integrators disposed on an optical axis in spaced-apart relationship. Light rays emitted from a point light source formed by an elliptical reflector mirror having a light-emitting source are incident on the first optical integrator, which forms a plurality of secondary images of the point light source. The second optical integrator receives luminous fluxes emitted from the secondary light source images to form a multiplicity of secondary images of the secondary light source images formed by the first optical integrator. Luminous fluxes from the secondary images formed by the second optical integrator are superimposed by a condenser lens on the object for illuminating the latter with light beams of uniform intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Kogaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Konno, Masashi Okada