Patents Examined by Sharon E. Payne
  • Patent number: 7448768
    Abstract: An elongated perimeter light comprising a linear array of light sources (LEDs) that are electrically illuminated. The array of light sources is disposed within an elongated transparent tube, with the tube transmitting and dispersing the light from the array giving the appearance that said array of light sources is a continuous light source. The array of light sources is capable of being cut at intervals down its length to shorten it. The light sources that remain in the array continue to emit light and the tube can be cut to match the length of said array. Systems for lighting structural features comprising a plurality of elongated perimeter lights electrically coupled in a daisy chain with the electrical power at each of the perimeter lights being transmitted to the successive light. Each of the perimeter lights can be cut at intervals down its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, James J. Sloan
  • Patent number: 7445353
    Abstract: A low cost under-cabinet and display case lighting system that permits the highest degree of flexibility in the installation and location of luminaires for under-cabinet and display case lighting. The system consists of a high-frequency power source, an interconnection cord, and one or more high-frequency luminaires. The high-frequency power source is powered from a source of 50 or 60 Hertz power. The interconnection cord is connected to the high-frequency output of high-frequency power source. The high-frequency luminaires are mounted in the desired locations under the cabinets or display case shelves. Any number of high-frequency luminaires (within the capacity of the high-frequency power source) may be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Dale E. Fiene
  • 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: 7441914
    Abstract: Various phosphorescence charging systems are provided for charging a phosphorescent wheel. The wheel is attached to the frame of a vehicle with nighttime or low light operation capability. The phosphorescence charging system directs electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light, onto phosphorescent portions of the wheel so as to cause subsequent phosphorescent emission therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Lunasee, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse N. Palmer, Barry L. Allen
  • Patent number: 7441922
    Abstract: A LED lamp tube is disclosed to include a tube that admits light, circuit boards respectively mounted inside the tube, each circuit board carrying an array of LEDs, two end caps respectively capped on the ends of the tube to hold the circuit boards inside the tube and connectable to connectors of a conventional fluorescent bulb holder to secure the tube to the conventional fluorescent bulb holder, and a power cord extending from the circuit boards out of the tube for connection to power supply to obtain the necessary working voltage for the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ledtech Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Chung Huang, Yu-Yang Liu, Fu-Hsung Ou, Ying-Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7431487
    Abstract: An illuminated assembly such as an illuminated electronic input control assembly adjusts to the shape of a receiving assembly. The illuminated assembly includes an illumination source module and an illuminated module. Advantageously, the illumination source module and the illuminated module are moveably attached in a manner allowing relative motion which facilitates alignment when the illuminated assembly is placed within a receiving assembly. A garage door opener utilizes this adjustable design. A method of assembling the illuminated assembly is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: John Burca
  • Patent number: 7427153
    Abstract: A fiber optic lighting device is formed by adhering fiber optic strands onto a backing material in a radial pattern. The radial pattern projects from a centralized illumination receiving port within a perimeter of the backing material. The centralized illumination receiving port transfers light from the illuminating source into the fiber optic strands. The fiber optic strands can include a surface finish, which enhances the intensity of the light emitting from the fiber optic strands. The fiber optic lighting device provides a non-linear sheared edge along the entire perimeter of the backing material. The fiber optic lighting device includes multiple arrangements of the fiber optic strands, each grouping illuminated in a manner to distinguish one arrangement from another. This provides the ability to sequence through the illumination process with the result being an animated presentation. Colors can be utilized in the illumination process to further accentuate the animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: William Alan Jacobs, Brian N. Nover
  • Patent number: 7416320
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that makes it possible to make following cars aware when a door is open and simultaneously illuminate a feet area, including, a lens that is attached at a door position that faces the feet area when a vehicle door is open, and a light guide member that is attached at a door position that faces following cars. One or more LEDs for the feet area are provided on the inner side of the lens, and one or more LEDs for the rear direction are provided that irradiate light on the light guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Toyota Gosei Co.,Ltd
    Inventors: Koji Sakiyama, Hiroshi Iwata, Shigeru Yabuya, Takahiko Sato
  • Patent number: 7407315
    Abstract: A light guide panel is disclosed. The panel comprises a plate for dispersing light and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) coupled to the plate for providing the dispersed light. When the panel is coupled to a keyboard, the at least one LED is under a portion of the keyboard such that when the at least one LED is illuminated, the light from the LED does not distract a user. Accordingly, by strategically placing LEDs within the panel and providing the LEDs under appropriate portions of the keyboard, the device utilizing the keyboard can be smaller than when a conventional light guide panel is utilized. In addition, a further improvement in illumination is provided when a mechanism is provided which reflects light escaping from the edges of the panel back into the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Porter Hotelling
  • Patent number: 7407314
    Abstract: A light guide (20) for illuminating keys of a keyboard or keypad of a portable electronic device, includes an array of apertures (22) and a groove (21) at one end of the light guide. The apertures are configured to illuminate the keys via a light source (10). The light source is disposed adjacent to the groove. A peripheral wall around each aperture is configured partially as a reflecting surface, and partially as a transmitting surface. The reflecting angle of the reflecting surface is larger than a critical total internal reflection angle so as to transfer the light farther. The light guide has a desired uniform light by means of a light source. This provides the portable electronic device consuming little power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sutech Trading Limited
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsu, Wen-Feng Cheng
  • Patent number: 7404657
    Abstract: A light source is movable between a reference position located on an optical axis on the rear side of a rear side focal point of a projection lens and a forward shift position located on the forward side of the reference position. At a predetermined position of the reflecting surface of a reflector on the lower side of the optical axis, an auxiliary reflecting surface having a vertical section of substantially an elliptical shape is formed which has a first focal point set at the center of the light source at the forward shift position, and a second focal point set at the rear side focal point of the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takada
  • Patent number: 7401961
    Abstract: In order to improve visibility and hence to reduce the risk of accidents, a load-carrying rope, for example a wire rope, is equipped with a number of luminous elements. A luminous element may in this case assume the position of a wire or of a braid, may be integrated in an insert, or may be guided in the spaces between wires or braids and preferably within the theoretical rope circumference. The luminous element may also itself be composed of luminous elements which are twisted together, spiralled, or laid in so as to form braids. For strain relief, the luminous elements may be equipped with a reinforcement in the form of a strand, or with a mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Fatzer AG, Huber + Schner AG
    Inventors: Bruno Longatti, Thomas Cantz
  • Patent number: 7390109
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) component includes a circuit board, an LED chip installed on the circuit board for emitting light, and a light direction-changing unit. The LED chip is composed of a plurality of light-emitting points. The unit has a covering surface covering the LED chip, and a reflecting surface having a plurality of reflecting points. A smallest included angle of a plurality of included angles between a normal line of at least one of the reflecting points and a plurality of connection lines passing through the reflecting point and the light-emitting points is larger than sin?1(1/n), where n is the reflection index of the light direction-changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Zhi-Feng Li, Yung-Fu Wu, Po-Hsien Lee
  • 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: 7374313
    Abstract: A luminaire with improved lateral illuminance control comprising a light pipe with a longitudinal center is disclosed. A light-extraction means applied to a radial swath of the light pipe has a longitudinal portion having dimension along its length, centered about a slice on the light pipe longitudinally; said slice being orthogonal to the longitudinal center and located in a propagation plane through which light propagates to a virtual target area intersecting the propagation plane. The light pipe intervenes between the radial swath and the target area. A first average efficiency point of the light-extraction means corresponds to the minimum distance to the target area being at least approximately 20% less than a respective, second average efficiency point corresponding to a respective maximum distance to such area. The light-extraction means efficiency varies from the first average efficiency point to the second average efficiency point though more than one non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Energy Focus, Inc., Optical Research Associates
    Inventors: William J. Cassarly, Thomas L. R. Davenport, John M. Davenport, Chris H. Jenson
  • 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