Patents Examined by Sandra O'Shea
  • Patent number: 7374310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garage light assembly having a housing with a lamp mounting surface wherein a main high intensity discharge lamp and an auxiliary circular high output fluorescent lamp are mounted. The auxiliary lamp is mounted centrally within the assembly and above the light emitting portion of the high intensity discharge lamp so that the light pattern emitted from the auxiliary lamp is symmetrical and the auxiliary lamp does not shadow the light emitted from the high intensity discharge lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Claude Barozzini, Robert Summerford
  • Patent number: 7374309
    Abstract: Waterproof miniature LED device including a cylinder having a first housing part with an internal thread and a second housing part with an external thread and rotatably coupled to the first housing part via engagement of the threads, an LED light assembly mounted to the cylinder and a dome connected to the cylinder and covering the LED light assembly. The cylinder defines a chamber for receiving batteries. Each housing part is conductive to enable formation of an electrical circuit including the batteries, LED light assembly and conductive portions of the housing parts. Illumination provided by the LED light assembly is controlled by rotating the housing parts relative to one another causing formation or interruption of the electrical circuit. An elastic ring covers a space between the housing parts alongside the threads to prevent water from entering between the threads into the interior of the cylinder and interrupting the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Horizon Group - USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Judy Cutler-Bass
  • Patent number: 7374320
    Abstract: A control unit of a vehicular headlamp apparatus can selectively perform steering angle control and navigation-cooperative control. The steering angle control operates a drive mechanism based on a steering angle and a speed of a vehicle to control a headlamp's swivel angle. The navigation-cooperative control operates the drive mechanism using a navigation unit to control the swivel angle. When a current position of the vehicle reaches an entry control start point, the control unit starts navigation-cooperative control at the entry into a curved road. The control unit finds a target swivel angle based on a curvature radius and curved road direction information about the curved road. While the vehicle moves from the entry control start point to a curved road start point, the control unit operates the drive mechanism to gradually change the headlamp's swivel angle to the target swivel angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Horii, Junichi Hasegawa, Toshio Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7374306
    Abstract: A device for fastening the lighting units in a backlight module is provided. A rigid board partially laps over the adjacent lighting unit or units. The rigid board and the backboard have holes respectively such that a bolt is passed through the holes and locked on a nut. Accordingly the rigid board exerts a compressing strength to fasten the adjacent lighting unit or units onto the backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Pang-Hsuan Liu
  • Patent number: 7374327
    Abstract: A flat planar light fixture formed of a translucent panel with for the transmission of light is illuminated by a plurality of high brightness LEDs disposed along the edges thereof. A layer of reflective material on a back surface of the panel facilitates reflection and dispersion of light that occurs within the panel through a front surface thereof. The LEDs are powered by low-voltage direct current and coupled with an emergency backup battery that is maintained in a charged condition by household current. The light fixture may be operatively connected with a signal receiver that controls the light intensity and turns the LEDs on and off responsive to signals transmitted from a remote signal transmitter. The LEDs may be provided in different colors to allow the user to vary the color of illumination. The light fixture may also be operatively connected with an alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Craig J. Schexnaider
  • Patent number: 7367695
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a battery housing, a lamp seat, a lamp unit, a heat-conductive casing, and a heat-dissipating plate. The lamp seat is mounted on one end of the battery housing. The lamp unit includes a substrate having a first side provided with a metal layer, and an LED lamp mounted on a second side of the substrate opposite to the metal layer. The heat-conductive casing is attached to the battery housing, and is disposed around the lamp seat and the lamp unit. The heat-dissipating plate is sandwiched between the lamp seat and the metal layer of the substrate, and is in contact with the heat-conductive casing. Heat generated by the lamp unit is dissipated via the metal layer, the heat-dissipating plate, and the heat-conductive casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Shiau
  • Patent number: 7367701
    Abstract: A motorcycle headlight assembly that has simplified structure that cost less to manufacture and assemble than a conventional headlight. The headlight assembly may enhance the rigidity of the headlight assembly and decrease the number of components. The headlight assembly can include a headlight, a right indicator, left indicator and a bodywork cover. The bodywork cover is connected to the headlight cap and configured to overlay the front part of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 7367706
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a lighting unit (UT) comprising a light guiding plate (3), a light source (2), a reflector (4), a reflecting sheet (5) and a housing (10), and a liquid crystal display panel (1). In the liquid crystal display device, increase in temperature of the light source (2) is prevented by providing an opening portion (S1) on the housing (10) such that the opening portion (S1) reaches the reflector (4). In the liquid crystal display device, light emission intensity of the lighting unit (UT) is not lowered during operation of the device, and further, a lifetime of the light source (2) is not shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Ura
  • Patent number: 7367705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited
    Inventors: Timothy A. McCollum, Jeffery R. Parker, Robert Bourdelais, Cheryl Brickey, Chris Brophy, Junwon Lee, Ronald J. Sudol
  • Patent number: 7367689
    Abstract: An adjustable light includes a base member, which is a shell-like member, having a circuit board and a battery set therein and having a pivot portion and a magnet at an end thereof. The base member can be attracted on a surface, which is made of a magnetic attraction material, by the magnet. A pivot base is pivoted on pivot portion of the base member, on which a switch is provided. An illuminating tube member has a transparent tube and a lamp in the tube. The tube has two lids to close two ends thereof. A shaft is inserted through one lid to pivot the illuminating tube member on the pivot base, and a hook mount is pivoted on the other lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hiever Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Huang
  • Patent number: 7367707
    Abstract: A backlight module comprising a light guild plate, at least one lamp, a lower frame, at least one turning holder, a locating block and an upper frame is provided. The lower frame is used for carrying the light guild plate and the lamp. The light guide plate has light incidence planes and light emergence planes, and the lamp is disposed beside at least a part of the light incidence planes. The lamp has at least one turning angle, and the turning holder covers the turning angle of the lamp. The locating block is disposed on the turning holder, and the upper frame is disposed on the lower frame and exposes the light emergence plane. The upper frame has a locating opening, and the locating block is embedded in the locating opening. The backlight module provides three-dimensional preservation to preserve the lamp from the damage caused by external impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Peng, Cheng-Min Liao
  • Patent number: 7364333
    Abstract: In a vehicle headlight system with a light source (2) and at least one reflector (1) for shaping the light emitted by the light source into a high beam and a low beam, and with a shield (7) adjustable via an actuating element (9) between a position in which the light from the light source (2) is blocked across a maximum cross section and an essentially transmissive position in which this light is substantially allowed to pass through, the actuating element (9) adapted for adjusting the shield (7) in a plurality of intermediate positions between the maximal blocking and the essentially transmissive position in which intermediate position the blocked cross section is less than the maximal cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Kurz, Volker Oltmann, Reinhold Schoeb, Bernd Woltermann
  • Patent number: 7364323
    Abstract: A pool light mounting system includes a circular band formed of resilient material. The band has first and second adjusting brackets at either end. The brackets have substantially planar surfaces located orthogonally to the band. The planar surfaces have first and second apertures penetrating the surfaces. The apertures are sized to fit slidably over a threaded stud. First and second nuts are threaded to fit the threaded stud and located on the stud located within the first and second apertures. First and second mounting brackets are attached to the band having third and fourth planar surfaces spaced forwardly from and parallel to a front edge of the band. The third surface has a receiving notch for a mounting hook. The fourth surface is located opposite the first mounting bracket along the band and has a threaded hole sized and shaped to accept a threaded mounting screw for a lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Alain Francois
  • Patent number: 7364315
    Abstract: A tubular Electro-Luminescent light device offers desired bending directions with super brightness based on the predetermined width of a panel incorporated with a proper inverter system. The panel has a much narrower width than a tube means containing the panel to allow the panel to bend in any direction and angle within the tube means to provide desired light effects. The panel can be flat or twisted within the tube means, which in turn may have a desired colored, transparency, wall thickness, diameter, shape, or length. The device may incorporate non-elastic means, magnetic means, a tube holder, sensor means, and/or integrated circuit to add a wide variety of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 7364317
    Abstract: In an object verifier having a housing and an object holder, an object may be placed in the object holder for observation by an operator. The object is illuminated using a collimated beam of white light that is generated by a light generator. The collimated beam of white light is passed through a beam splitter with the two portions of the collimated beam of white light presented to the object at a 90 degree angle one from the other. The interior of the housing includes a reflective surface for maximal illumination of the object. The observer may view the illuminated object through a viewing window and/or through a magnification window. The magnification window provides for the viewing of the object in greater detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: Joel N. Bock, Ronald R. Erickson, Eliezer D. Sandler
  • Patent number: 7364318
    Abstract: An illumination chamber for activating a photoluminous object includes a chamber assembly defining an interior, substantially fully enclosable chamber defined by a chamber assembly inner margin, the chamber assembly including an illuminator port opening into the chamber and a substantially sealable object port opening into the chamber, the object port having a hingedly shiftable lid, the lid presenting an inner margin defining in part the chamber when in a closed disposition, and the chamber assembly inner margin, including the lid inner margin, presenting a substantially contiguous reflective surface to the chamber, the reflective surface defining substantially the full chamber, exclusive of the illuminator port. A method of illumination of a photoluminous object is further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Tony Cruze
  • Patent number: 7364316
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a case; a plurality of fluorescent lamps on the case, each fluorescent lamp having ends arranged in one direction, and having first and second electrodes provided at respective ends; a first power supply line connected with the first electrode; a second power supply line connected with the second electrode; a common electrode PCB arranged adjacent to the ends of the fluorescent lamps; a first common electrode on the common electrode PCB and connected with the first power supply line; a second common electrode on the common electrode PCB and connected with the second power supply line, the first and second common electrodes being spaced apart from each other; and an inverter to apply voltages to the first and second common electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoon Jang, Jong Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 7360934
    Abstract: A light supply unit comprises optical fibers, LEDs, optical connectors, and a controller. The optical fibers constitute optical fiber groups which extend to their respective illumination positions different from each other. The optical connectors optically connect one ends of the optical fibers to the respective LEDs. The controller controls light emissions of the respective LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sakurada
  • Patent number: 7360920
    Abstract: A lighting device (10) which is adapted to be converted between a flashlight mode and an area light mode includes a housing (14) to receive a power supply (28), a light source (46) associated with the housing (14) and a tubular lens (34) surrounding the light source (46), a reflector (52) mounted to said device (10) so as to slide relative to the tubular lens (34), the reflector (52) including an aperture (68) through which the light source (46) can pass, the aperture (68) having a shutter (70) associated therewith whereby the shutter (70) closes the aperture (68) when the reflector (52) is in a position which allows the device to be used in the area light mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Dalton, John R. Brown, Angelo Kotsis
  • Patent number: 7360936
    Abstract: A light extraction plate can be used with a light emitting diode (LED) to efficiently extract and provide control over the spatial distribution of extracted light in terms of intensity and angle. The extraction plate can have millions of optical micro-elements and can be manufactured independently of the LED using conventional integrated circuit (IC) fabrication techniques. The extraction plate is preferably attached or bonded to an LED surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Nayef M. Abu-Ageel