Patents Examined by Sharon E. Payne
  • Patent number: 7628503
    Abstract: An illuminated key casing assembly includes a light transmissive casing having a top and bottom side, a key ring hole, and a slot between the top and bottom side extending to the key ring hole that is configured to receive a key. The light transmissive casing includes a first cavity holding a single battery, and a second cavity that receives a light emitting device. Disposed between the first and second cavities are first and second protrusions, wherein light that is transmitted from within the second cavity through the first protrusion is dispersed through the light transmissive casing. The second protrusion has a mounting hole and an arcuate-shaped slot. The light emitting device has a first leadwire force-fit between a sidewall of the first cavity and battery so as to secure the battery, and a second leadwire received within the arcuate-shaped slot to provide a free end positioned over and spaced apart from the battery. A cover is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin M. Pumm
  • Patent number: 7446319
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus with high spatial resolution including semiconductor radiation detectors arranged on a wiring board capable of detecting ?-rays by separating their positions in the direction of incidence of ?-rays is provided. A semiconductor radiation detector is constructed by including five semiconductor devices made up of, for example, CdTe rectangular parallelepiped plates, a cathode electrode on one side of the semiconductor device, an anode electrode on the other side of the semiconductor device and an insulator for coating five semiconductor detection devices from the outside. The semiconductor radiation detector is mounted on a wiring board using an anode pin and a cathode pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihito Yanagita, Hiroshi Kitaguchi, Takafumi Ishitsu, Kensuke Amemiya, Yuuichirou Ueno, Katsutoshi Tsuchiya, Shinichi Kojima, Kazuma Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7380972
    Abstract: Luminance irregularities caused by the weight of the optical members in a backlight apparatus are reduced. A lighting apparatus comprises optical members 1 and 2, a casing in which the optical members 1 and 2 and a lamp 4 are disposed, a first member 1a formed in optical members 1 and 2, and a second member 3a formed in the casing for attaching the optical members 1 and 2 to the casing by cooperating with the first member 1a. The first and second members 1a and 3a are provided in positions such that no upward stress is applied to the optical members due to their own weights at the bottom in a vertical direction in the plane of the display screen, both in a basic position and a first stop position of the lighting apparatus, the latter position being reached by rotation of the apparatus from the basic position in the plane of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7377661
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and arrangement for illuminating an under mount sink disposed subjacent a counter. A light source is disposed below a top surface of the counter and proximate to the under mount sink. The under mount sink is affixed to the underside of the counter and power is supplied to the light source. The under mount sink is illuminated by the light source when the power source is activated. The invention also provides a device that may be used for illuminating an under mount sink, while keeping the light source from contact with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John Michael Douglass
  • Patent number: 7370990
    Abstract: For lighting equipment for illumination of theatre and show stages and platforms there is designed an equipment for change of rotary gobos comprising a carrier disc supporting interchangeable segments with the gobos. The individual segments (2) are attached at the carrier disc (1) by central holding means, each segment (2) being provided with means for setting the segment (2) on the carrier disc (1). Each segment (2) is provided with a lamella (3) for attachment in the central holding mean holding means comprise a system of flexible fingers (10) in a fan-shaped arrangement, the fingers (10) being at inside ends fixed to the carrier disc (1) and on the outside free ends adapted to allow for insertion of the segment lamellas (3) between the fingers (10) and the carrier disc (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Pavel Ju{hacek over (r)}ík
  • Patent number: 7370988
    Abstract: A hydrological barrier plate for in-grade light fixture housings and a housing for use with light fixtures to prevent water entry into the water sensitive compartments of the light fixture. The barrier plate has a plate body with an opening in which is sealably disposed an anti-syphon wire pass-through valve for electrically connecting the components on one side of the barrier plate with the wires in the junction box on the opposite side of the barrier plate. The barrier plate is sealed around its outer edge against the housing wall. The pass-through valve is configured to prevent water from wicking along the wires and to prevent water from passing around the valve. The barrier plate is installed without tools and an effective seal is easily obtained. Using the barrier plate, water is prevented from migrating between the junction box and the primary housing compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: B-K Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Hagen
  • Patent number: 7367694
    Abstract: A lamp housing for a projector is for accommodating at least a lamp, and a heat-dissipating fan disposed at one side of the lamp housing. The lamp housing includes a housing body, and a baffle plate. In this case, the housing body has a first opening, and the wind blown by the heat-dissipating fan flows from the first opening into the housing body. The baffle plate is disposed between the housing body and the lamp. The baffle plate and the direction of the wind blown by the heat-dissipating fan form an included angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Prodisc Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Fu Chen, Don Liang
  • Patent number: 7364340
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a flat panel display and a flat panel display apparatus having the same. The backlight unit for a flat panel display displaying a predetermined image includes: a light source which emits light; a light guide panel having an incident surface facing the light source and which totally reflects light incident through the incident surface toward the flat panel display; and a holographic pattern that includes a plurality of diffraction gratings that are continuously repeated on at least one of an exit surface of the light guide panel and the opposing surface and diffracts light incident into the light guide panel. A depth of the diffraction grating progressively increases away from the incident surface along a length direction of the light guide panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-sun Choi, Jin-Seung Choi, Jee-hong Min, Jin-hwan Kim, Su-mi Lee
  • Patent number: 7364339
    Abstract: Provided is a backlight unit for a key of an input device. The unit includes a light guide plate and at least one light emitting unit. The light guide plate is formed of flexible transparent resin and has a light guide pattern portion in which a plurality of engraved patterns are formed in a plurality of requirement character shapes so that light can be diffused and scattered at desired luminance from a necessary light emitting portion, using a minimal number of light sources. The light emitting unit is installed at a side wall of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LS Tech Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong jin Park
  • Patent number: 7364336
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a plane light source device having enhanced efficiency of use of light and high brightness uniformity. A plane light source device of the present invention is provided with a housing having an opening section, a scattering plate arranged at the opening section for scattering incoming light and a light source arranged at one side face in the housing, wherein a regular reflection section for regularly reflecting light incoming from the light source is provided in the vicinity of the light source at the bottom surface of the housing that is opposite to the scattering plate and a scatter reflection section for irregularly reflecting light incoming from the light source is provided so as to be adjacent to the regular reflection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Mori, Seiji Sakai, Toshiyuki Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7364338
    Abstract: A system for providing a backlight module has a light guide plate and at least a light source set positioned adjacent to the incident surface. The light source set contains a plurality of light sources stacking along a direction parallel with the incident surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: TPO Displays Corp.
    Inventor: Chi-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 7360927
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic apparatus which comprises a circuit module, a tray, and a filling material. The module comprises an electric insulating circuit board, and a plurality of electric components mounted on the board. The tray houses the module. The tray includes a raised bottom formed to project toward the circuit board. The filling material has waterproof properties and electric insulation. The circuit board and the electric components are buried to fill the tray with the filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeharu Oka, Kenichi Kohari, Tsutomu Araki, Koji Suzuki, Kiyoteru Kosa, Daisuke Ogino, Shinichi Karasawa
  • Patent number: 7360918
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved high-efficiency solar-charging electric window candle comprising a base adapted to sit securely upon a window sill. The base includes a footer formed with a battery compartment accessible through a bottom hatch, and a riser protruding upwardly from the footer with upwardly inclined side surfaces. The riser also has a compartment for enclosing a circuit board, and a vertically-oriented collar. A rechargeable battery is mounted in the footer of said base, and a hollow cylindrical candle body is inserted in the collar of the base riser, and a bulb assembly comprising a white LED is mounted atop the candle body. A circuit board is enclosed in the riser and includes two circuits: a current pump for supplying a pulsed current, and a photosensing circuit for sensing ambient light levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Vince Trombetta, Kevin Trump
  • Patent number: 7360926
    Abstract: A flash adornment includes a base, a shining mechanism held in the base, and an upper lid secured over the base; the base has several connecting holes near to the edge; the shining mechanism includes a circuit board, and light emitting elements; the circuit board has through holes facing respective connecting holes of the base; the upper lid has a hollowness, over which a transparent protective cover is secured; the upper lid has several fixing parts and posts on an edge of an inner side; each fixing part has a fitting room therein, which holds a respective one of the light emitting elements; the posts each have a hole, and they are passed through respective ones of the through holes of the circuit board; screws are passed through the connecting holes and into the holes of the posts to secure the upper lid to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 7357543
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting device in which a housing having a concave portion, which is opened forward, and a lens for covering a front opening of the housing are joined together by a laser welding, wherein the housing is formed of a thermoplastic resin of a chromatic color, and carbon of 0.01 to 0.1% is contained in the thermoplastic resin of the chromatic color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Ikeda, Yoshihiro Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7357545
    Abstract: The headlamp assembly having low beam and high beam operation modes includes a light source, a reflector surface adapted to reflect light from the light source outward to a condenser lens positioned at a distance from the light source. An opaque shield is positioned between the light source and the condenser lens and is moveable between a first position, where a portion of the reflected light is blocked from reaching the condenser lens, and a second position, where substantially all of the reflected light is allowed to reach the condenser lens. The condenser lens has a first segment and a second segment wherein, when the opaque shield is in the first position, light is reflected almost entirely to the first segment of the condenser lens, and when the opaque shield is in the second position, light is reflected to the first and second segments of the condenser lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Stefka, Marek Olivik, David Hynar, Tomas Kreml
  • Patent number: 7354180
    Abstract: An illuminated sign includes a plurality of sections. Each section includes a mesh of conductors having illuminating pixels located at conductor intersections. The mesh is surrounded by a frame connected to the frame of another section. Once frame sections of the display are unfolded, the display can be supported by a structure attached to a car or other vehicle. A support structure for an illuminated display includes a base which is placed on the ground and over which the tire of a vehicle (e.g., a police car) is parked. A column extends from the base, and a display can be attached to the top of that extending column. The support structure can take the form of a collapsible stand having a trunk which is pivotally attached to a base and which contains a telescoping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: RKS Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravl K. Sawhney, Kurt Botsai, Lance G. Hussey, Craig R. Steele, Simon Risley, Michael S. Schuffert
  • Patent number: 7350948
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens which is placed on an optical axis extending in a front and rear direction of a vehicle, a light source which is placed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector which reflects light emanated directly from the light source in a forward direction and toward the optical axis, and a light-dark boundary forming plate which is placed between the projection lens and the light source. The light-dark boundary forming plate extends rearward and obliquely downward from a vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a light-dark boundary forming portion is formed on a front end portion of the light-dark boundary forming plate. The light-dark boundary forming portion shields a part of the light reflected from the reflector and forms a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohi Nino, Takayuki Iwaki, Tomoyuki Moritani, Akinori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7350939
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with a pre-aligned light source for use with a light gathering reflector are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt A. Stahl
  • Patent number: 7347580
    Abstract: An adapter device, for enabling installation of an electrical light fixture to a ceiling mounted electrical box by one person, includes an opening into which a plurality of bendable tabs and a cover screw engaging yoke extend. The adapter device is affixed in an electrical access hole in the body of the electrical light fixture and enables the light fixture to be temporarily suspended from the partially unscrewed cover screw on the electrical box. The temporarily suspended light fixture may be readily aligned with adjacent walls, etc., rotated to enable installation of permanent support anchors, and repositioned to permanently secure it to the installed support anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: American Fluorescent Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Blackman, Gary Stabelfeldt