Patents Examined by Sandra O'Shea
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Patent number: 7407310Abstract: A vehicular headlamp 1 including a projection lens 16 installed on the optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle a light source 12a provided behind the rear side focal point F of the projection lens 16, and a reflector 14 that reflects direct light from the light source 12a forward and toward the optical axis Ax; and in this headlamp, an additional lens 30, which deflects and directs light from the light source 12a to the front is provided around the outer perimeter of the projection lens 16, and grooves 33, which have side faces that direct at least a part of the incident light toward the side of the vehicle, are formed in the outer surface of the additional lens 30.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Motohiro Komatsu
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Patent number: 7407313Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, light guides coupled to the light source, each including an input surface and an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from at least one light guide, and a first interference reflector positioned between the emissive material and the output surfaces of the light guides is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The first interference reflector substantially transmits light having the first optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the second optical characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Craig R. Schardt, John C. Schultz, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, John A. Wheatley, Michael F. Weber, Kenneth A. Epstein, James E. Watson
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Patent number: 7404651Abstract: A renewable energy flashlight includes a flashlight housing, a light emitter carried by the housing, and a power source carried by the housing and powering the light emitter. The power source includes a charging magnet, at least one induction coil, and first and second repulsion members, all carried by the housing. The housing is configured to allow movement of the charging magnet between first and second positions within the housing. The induction coil carried is configured to allow movement of the charging magnet therethrough, thereby inducing current through the induction coil. Each repulsion member includes an elastic rebounding material reflexively seeded with at least one internal magnet. The first repulsion member is secured at the first position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet. The second repulsion member secured at the second position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: RSGA International, Inc.Inventors: Jon Darin Long, Qian Tianming
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Patent number: 7401945Abstract: A light source arrangement includes an electric input adapter for electrically connecting with a power source and a light head including a supporting frame and a luminary unit. The supporting frame has a dissipating end and a peripheral surface provided thereon. The luminary unit includes a circuit board provided on the peripheral surface of the supporting frame and electrically connected with the electric input adapter, and at least a luminary element, having two terminal electrodes, which is supported by the supporting frame and electrically connected to the circuit board for emitting light when the terminal electrodes are electrified. Therefore, the heat generated by the luminary element directly dissipates at the dissipating end of the supporting frame so as to prevent the light head from overheating.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: A L Lightech, Inc.Inventor: Long Bao Zhang
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Patent number: 7401950Abstract: An assembly for vertically positioning a lamp-shade suspended by a cable comprises a socket member, a swivel cap adapted to engage the upper end of the socket member. The swivel cap has an off-center hole to receive the cable therethrough, the cap being adapted to be swivelled until the socket member has reached a vertical position. The assembly also includes an element for securing the cap and the socket member to one another when a vertical position is reached.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Eclairage ContrasteInventor: Michael Larouche
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Patent number: 7399102Abstract: A portable self contained light generating device which is powered by a flow of granular material falling under the influence of gravity to impinge upon and cause a paddle wheel to rotate thereby turning a small generator producing electricity to power one or more light emitting diodes for illumination. The device equipped with a multi-position power/illumination control switch and in some embodiments also provided with a battery providing supplemental power.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Inventor: James E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7399097Abstract: A modular filtering and reflective system for photographic use is herein disclosed which provides for the precise modification of virtually any type of light pattern. The system is particularly adapted for use with conventional soft boxes, or a bendable panel frame that is disclosed herein. The filtering system is comprised of a plurality of bendable panels of varying opacity and reflective or refractive color tones which are contiguously interconnectable in order to form a panel which is adapted for placement proximate the front opening of the soft box. Each bendable panel also includes a circumferentially disposed edge stiffener for retention of the shape thereof, yet sufficiently pliable to allow selective bending to any user desired shape. The bendable panels may be used as stand-alone hand held, or free standing devices and may also find utility as photographic flags, dots, or fingers.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Inventor: Xavier DeLaPaz
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Patent number: 7396141Abstract: A flashlight includes a first or top section attached to a second or base section. The top section has one or more elements that are axially moveable relative to the base section, for focusing light. This movement may be achieved, for example, by having the top and base sections joined via screw threads, and by rotating one section relative to the other. One or more lenses are supported in the top section. An LED or other light source is supported on the base section. As the sections move relative to each other, the lens moves relative to the LED, focusing light from the LED. The base section has a housing forming a battery compartment for holding at least one battery. Contacts may be provided on the base section for charging the battery, without removing the battery from the flashlight.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
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Patent number: 7393127Abstract: A light-guiding structure including a plurality of light pipes, a plurality of connecting portions and a fixing socket is provided. The light pipes are disposed on the fixing socket, and the light pipes are connected together by the connecting portions. At least one to-be-destroyed portion is formed between the connecting portions. In addition, the fixing socket has at least one destructive structure for disconnecting the connecting portions from each other by destroying the to-be-destroyed portion. Therefore, the interference caused by the light wave passing through the connecting piece is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventor: Chia-Ju Ho
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Patent number: 7393120Abstract: A flashlight includes a battery and two switches each being for operating a light emitting source of the flashlight. The switches are linked 3-way switches and have momentary-on functionality. There are contacts on an intermediate portion of the barrel for contact with a recharging device. There is a spring member between the switching device above the barrel and the top of the battery and a spring member on the base of the barrel at the bottom of the battery. An enlarged head is located above the barrel and there is the intermediate portion between the head and the barrel. The intermediate portion receives part of the first switch. The second switch is located in part of the tail cap of the flashlight.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.Inventors: Sukwon Greg Kang, Kiem T. Lee, Shahid Ali
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Patent number: 7387402Abstract: A multiple lens LED flashlight is disclosed and comprises a quick release opening mechanism combined with a slow release battery mechanism for easy replacement of batteries. A reverse tapered handle provides a secure grip and ensures proper and safe use of the multiple lens LED flashlight. Various different lens designs refract light emitted from the LEDs and create one or more of a wide angle of projected light as well as concentrated narrow beam of light.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Inventor: Chun Wai Lui (Phillip)
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Patent number: 7387406Abstract: A modular light emitting diode (LED) mounting configuration is provided including a light source module having at least one LED. The module includes a heat conductive body portion adapted to conduct heat generated by the LED away from the LED. As a result, the LED can be operated with a higher current than normally allowed. Thus, LED brightness and performance is increased without decreasing life expectancy. An adhesive connects the LED module to the mount surface. A plurality of such LED modules can be pre-wired together in a substantially continuous fashion and provided in a dispenser, such as a roll or box. Thus, to install a plurality of such LED modules, a worker simply pulls modules from the dispenser as needed, secures the appropriate number of modules in place, and connects the assembled modules to a power source.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Permlight Products, Inc.Inventors: Jagath Swaris, Scott Van Ness
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Patent number: 7387397Abstract: A vehicle backlit panel includes a base substrate, an electroluminescent element and an outer substrate. The electroluminescent element is disposed on one side of the base substrate. The outer substrate overlies the electroluminescent element. The outer substrate includes a translucent substrate portion having areas of different thicknesses as measured in a direction of illumination through the outer substrate to form a three-dimensional graphic image with a three-dimensional appearance resulting from different translucency levels of the areas of different thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventors: Heather S. Konet, Jason M. Gray, Michael R. Miller, Jennifer J. Sterling
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Patent number: 7384165Abstract: A water feature having a housing with an electronics section and a water channel. A printed circuit board with an at least one light emitting diode (LED) where at least a portion of the at least one LED is in direct contact with the water while the electrical section remains waterproof.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Inventor: Kevin Doyle
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Patent number: 7384179Abstract: A planar light source unit includes: a light source; an upper case having an opening through which the light is emitted from the light source; a lower case fitted with the upper case and including a hole; a light guide plate disposed inside the upper case and the lower case; a resin frame including a first surface that holds the light guide plate, a second surface opposed to the first surface, a first restriction member penetrated through the hole of the lower case, the first restriction member including a first portion extending from and substantially perpendicular to the second surface, and a second portion contacted with a portion of the first portion and having a third surface substantially parallel to the second surface; and a first member, a part of which is inserted into a clearance defined by the second surface, the first portion and the third surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Seiji Sakai
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Patent number: 7384170Abstract: A counter light fixture has a fixture housing with a downward facing reflector and lamp sockets under the reflector, and a window panel hinged to the housing for access to the lamp sockets. The fixture housing is formed as a continuous extrusion including a wiring compartment which extends the length of the housing. The extrusion has a downwardly facing concave top section joined to an upwardly facing concave rear section. The reflector is under the downwardly facing concave top section, one or more lamp sockets are mounted under the reflector, the window panel is supported between opposite end caps of the housing under the downwardly facing concave top section, and the electrical wiring is contained in the upwardly facing concave rear section. The window panel slides away from a closed condition and then swings down to an open condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Troy-CSL Lighting, Inc.Inventor: Maer Skegin
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Patent number: 7380952Abstract: In a front panel apparatus for an electric apparatus including a volume knob partially exposed outward from an operating port opened at a front panel of a casing of a disk drive, and a light emitting diode for emitting light based on a starting signal of the disk drive, the volume knob is molded by a light transmitting synthetic resin, the light emitting diode is arranged rearward from the volume knob, and light is made to be incident on the volume knob from the light emitting diode.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Miyamoto
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Patent number: 7380964Abstract: A recessed luminaire having a moisture barrier is disclosed. The recessed luminiare has a socket cup which receives a removable and deformable moisture barrier gasket, the moisture barrier gasket forming a seal along an inner diameter of an aperture which receives a lamp. The recessed luminaire has a moisture barrier which isolates the electronic compartment area of the socket cup of a luminaire and prevents moisture access therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLCInventor: Craig S. Nevers
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Patent number: 7377672Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which rotation of a lighting device chassis is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Cooper Technologies CompanyInventor: Jerold Tickner
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Patent number: 7377679Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, light guides coupled to the light source, each including an input surface and an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from at least one light guide, and an interference reflector positioned such that the emissive material is between the output surfaces of the light guides and the interference reflector is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The interference reflector substantially transmits light having the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the first optical characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Schultz, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Craig R. Schardt, John A. Wheatley, Michael F. Weber, Kenneth A. Epstein, James E. Watson