Patents Examined by Sandra L. O'Shea
  • Patent number: 7815357
    Abstract: A high quality surface light source in which various kinds of unevenness in luminance due to use of small number of spot-like primary light sources for reducing power consumption is eliminated, and a light guide for use therein. The planar light guide (4) guides light emitted from a plurality of spot-like primary light sources (2) and has an incoming end face (41) of lights emitted from the primary light source (2) and an outgoing face (43) of guided light. A high light diffusion region (431) extends substantially along the direction of directivity of light entering the light guide (4) in a plane extending along the outgoing face (43), in the vicinity of the incoming end face of at least one of the outgoing face (43) and its rear surface (44) on the opposite side. The high light diffusion region (431) has a mean inclination angle larger than that of an adjacent region (434).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hayashi, Tomoyoshi Yamashita
  • 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: 7815343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting device which has high reliability and long service life by suppressing the sealing resin from peeling off the inner edge of the opening of the recess of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuya Nii, Hiroaki Ukawa, Nobuhide Kasae, Toshimasa Takao
  • 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: 7815341
    Abstract: A low-profile strip illumination device comprises a substrate supporting an elongate heat conductor and positively and negatively energized elongate rails. A plurality of spaced apart light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted so as to be powered by the elongate rails. The LEDs are arranged generally adjacent the elongate heat conductor so that a heat flow path is defined from each LED to the elongate heat conductor and to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Permlight Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Steedly, Fernando Lynch, Chris Werner
  • 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: 7810955
    Abstract: A linear LED light module and system includes a heat sink, a printed circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, a power supply housing, a flexible electrical conductor, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a power supply. The heat sink is elongated in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis that is parallel with a greatest dimension of the heat sink. The PCB is in thermal communication with the heat sink and includes circuitry. The plurality of LEDs mount to the PCB and are in electrical communication with the circuitry of the PCB. The power supply housing connects to the heat sink. The flexible electrical conductor includes at least two wires that are configured to accommodate an AC line voltage of at least 120 VAC. The first electrical connector is at a first end of the electrical conductor. The second electrical connector is at a second end of the electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lumination LLC
    Inventors: Tomislav Stimac, Shawn Du, Matthew S. Mrakovich, Mark Mayer
  • Patent number: 7806555
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a body, a battery pack held in the body, a rear cover joined on the body, and a push-button switch in the rear cover; the push-button switch includes positive and negative electrodes, and a button part facing a through hole of the rear cover; the battery pack includes a casing, a battery set in the casing, and a socket facing a through hole of the casing; the battery pack includes positive and negative electrodes, which are connected to positive and negative electrodes of the socket; a first elastic component is positioned between and connected to the positive electrodes of the push-button switch and the battery pack; a second elastic component is positioned between and connected to the negative electrodes of the switch and the battery pack; the battery pack can be charged through a charger plugged in the socket while it is still held in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Yun-Zhao Liu
  • Patent number: 7806548
    Abstract: A multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly includes a magnetic base section with a unitary and single body provided with a planar bottom surface and a power cable provided with an adaptor removably mated directly thereto. The assembly further includes a power-operated light-emitting source electrically mated to the power cable and directly coupled to the base section in such a manner that the light-emitting source is selectively adjustable along an arcuate path oriented above the base section. The light emitting source further includes an anchor shaft and an illuminable light source. The assembly further includes a mechanism for removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools to the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Sergio Ayala
  • Patent number: 7806550
    Abstract: A lighting system has a sealable housing with a lamp cavity, a junction box and a partition wall there between with the junction box being laterally from beneath a lens opening. The system further includes a closure to close an access port in the partition wall which includes a conical wall with a circular plate truncating the wall. The plate extends across the bottom of the housing and a vertically extending sealing flange receives the closure. A ballast assembly is also located from beneath the lens opening. A formed seal is positioned about a lens which extends inwardly to capture optic components beneath the lens. A locking ring is restrained from compressing against the mounting flange of the lens. A lighting system employing an LED board array and LED power control includes a heat sink beneath the board array extending downwardly to a radiator for transfer of heat from the array downwardly to the lamp cavity for dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Glenn M. Tyson, Richard M. Schuler, Michael P. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 7806572
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly which employs semiconductor light sources includes an optics chamber that is isolated from the surrounding environment to prevent the ingress of water, dirt, or other foreign materials into the optics chamber. At the same time, the headlamp assembly includes a plenum chamber, separated from the optics chamber, and airflow through the plenum chamber provides the necessary cooling for the semiconductor light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: James R. McFadden, Chad D. Lambert
  • 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: 7806573
    Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle includes a lighting unit and an extension for covering a clearance between a lamp body and the lighting unit in a lighting chamber formed by the lamp body and a cover. The lighting unit includes a light source bulb and a reflector for reflecting a direct light emitted from the light source bulb in a forward direction. The extension includes a first extension having a bottom side front end taking a substantially dogleg-shaped section in which a bent portion is turned in a forward direction of the vehicle, and a second extension positioned behind the first extension and having a front edge on an internal surface of a bottom side lighting unit positioned below a rear edge of the internal surface of the lighting unit in a bottom side front end of the first extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Terada, Tomoharu Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7806582
    Abstract: A luminous module for mounting in a household appliance has a housing that is embodied in such a way as to receive a luminous element. The luminous module further contains a first optical wave guide having a light admission surface via which light emitted by the luminous element enters the first optical wave guide, and a light output surface via which the light emerges from the luminous module. The housing is embodied in such a way as to alternatively receive a first luminous element and a second luminous element that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Mayer, Roland Vetter
  • Patent number: 7806557
    Abstract: An assembly of a lighting unit and a receptacle unit includes at least one receptacle unit and at least one lighting unit. The receptacle unit has an outer housing provided with at least one first connection portion and at least one second connection portion electrically connected to the first connection portion in the outer housing. The lighting unit is electrically connected to one of the first and second connection portions of the receptacle unit, so that the lighting unit and the receptacle unit can be independently rotated in relation to each other along a connection axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ledtech Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Liu, Chien-Hung Tsai, Hsuan-Hui Chen
  • 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: 7806574
    Abstract: An LED-based lighting system includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having conductors on a front-side thereof, one or more LEDs mounted with the conductors, and a structural element. The PCB is mounted with the conductors near to the structural element so that heat dissipation from the LEDs is primarily through the conductors and the structural element. A method of dissipating heat generated by an LED-based lighting system includes configuring a PCB with conductors on a front-side of the PCB, such that when one or more LEDs mounted to the conductors generates heat, the heat dissipates from the one or more LEDs to the conductors. The method also includes integrating a structural element such that at least portions of the conductors face the structural element, and the heat dissipates from the conductors to the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Albeo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Van Laanen, Jeff Bisberg
  • Patent number: 7806563
    Abstract: A convection cooling system for high-output Light Emitting Diodes in outdoor illumination applications. The cooling system takes advantage of wide-angle LED output so as to allow placement of cooling fins directly on the shaded underside of the molded or extruded support structure. Accordingly, the cooling system provides a relatively large convective surface area with a substantial portion of that surface shaded from solar radiation so as not to collect solar heat during daytime periods while still expelling heat as it is collected from finned portions that are exposed to sunlight and so do collect solar heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Intencity Lighting, Inc
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Bruck, Patrick Stuart Mullins
  • 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: 7802907
    Abstract: A vehicle that is able to improve visibility of the light member (turning indicator) mounted to the front side of the motorcycle body, is preferably an underbone type motorcycle, and includes an engine, a head pipe disposed above the front of the engine, a main frame extending downward in the rear direction from the head pipe and disposed above the engine. In addition, the vehicle includes handlebars disposed above the head pipe, a cover member for covering the handlebars, a headlight disposed at the front sides of the cover member, a cover member for covering the front side of the head pipe, and width indicators and turn signals disposed at the front side of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Uemura, Yoshiharu Matsumoto