Patents Examined by Stephen Husar
  • Patent number: 6877876
    Abstract: A variable beam flashlight has a housing with an exterior control knob that is movable by thumb. A light assembly in the housing includes a casing having a cylindrical guide housing within a bore, the inner surface defining the bore having a helical grove. Within the guide housing is cylindrical bulb extension member in which the bulb is fitted to one end. The bulb extension member has a groove member that extends through a slot in the guide housing and into the helical groove, such that when the control knob is rotated by the thumb, the guide housing is rotated. The rotating guide housing slot displaces the groove member causing the groove member to follow the helical groove. As it follows the groove the bulb extension member is moved longitudinally within the guide housing, causing the bulb to be positioned at variable distances from the front lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen C Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6877888
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a reflective mirror element for viewing by a user of the mirror assembly, a lip formed from moldable polymeric resin selected to expand sufficiently when heated to allow snap in insertion of the reflective mirror element while the lip is warm and flexable, a carrier located to the rear of the reflective element such that the carrier is closer to a windshield of the vehicle than the mirror element when the mirror element is mounted in the vehicle, at least one electrical accessory, and an electrical connector adapted to receive a connector from the vehicle electrical system with the electrical accessory connected to the electrical connector. Preferably, the electrical accessory is supported by the carrier and is selected from a variety of electrical devices, lamps, lights, sensors and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. DeLine, Roger L. Veldman, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 6877882
    Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating an object includes a light source and a lens array system. The light source includes an illumination element emitting light rays and surrounded by a parabolic reflector. The lens array system includes a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate. The first lens array plate includes a matrix of lenslets where, in one embodiment, each lenslet has a shape matching the aspect ratio of the object to be illuminated. The second lens array plate includes a radial pattern of wedge shaped lenslets each corresponding to a lenslet in the first lens array plate. Each wedge shaped lenslet in the second lens array plate has dimensions that are selected to provide a radial and theta collection angles matching the maximum divergence angle of the light source and the maximum divergence angles of the corresponding lenslet in the first lens array plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Haven, Rolf S. Vatne
  • Patent number: 6877873
    Abstract: A structure of an illumination apparatus is described. The structure has a light guide rod arranged at one lateral side of a light guide plate, and plural light sources located below the light guide rod. The light guide rod has at least one tilt plane formed thereon in order to guide the light emitted from the light sources to the light guide plate such that uniform planar light could be generated therefrom. A plurality of notches is formed in the tilt plane, and a plurality of depressed or protruding dispersion dots is formed on an out-going plane of the light guide rod. The structure further includes an anti-reflection layer positioned between the light guide rod and the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Che-Kuei Mai, Hong-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 6877883
    Abstract: An ornamental sphere includes a base and a transparent or translucent sphere mounted on the base. The sphere is completely filled with rheoscopic fluid. A driving apparatus within the sphere is energized to agitate the rheoscopic fluid to thereby create currents or movements that are visible to an observer through the sphere. In addition, a light source is mounted within the sphere to illuminate the rheoscopic fluid and enhance the appearance and visibility of the current movement. The light and/or the driving apparatus can be activated by a plurality of systems. Alternatively, the sphere can be filled with two immiscible fluids having different refractive indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Lau Ting Yup, Jeff Wilkie
  • Patent number: 6874919
    Abstract: An emergency lighting system for an aircraft has photoluminescent material arranged to define an escape path to the exits. The photoluminescent material is encapsulated within a track of predetermined length for securing to the floor of the aircraft. The track comprises a one piece housing formed with a longitudinally extending slot and the photoluminescent material is provided by an insert that is a push-fit in the slot from one end of the housing. The housing is closed at both ends to seal the slot and prevent ingress of dirt or fluid. In a modification the housing is compressed with the insert in place to reduce the height of the track and optionally to provide the track with anti-slip characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: SAF-T-Glo Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Stokes, Peter Winstanley Bodle
  • Patent number: 6874902
    Abstract: A light source device having a light guide (3) for guiding light emitted from a primary light source and emitting light obliquely from a light emission face (33) thereof, and a light deflecting device (4) disposed so as to be adjacent to the light emission face. Plural elongated prisms are arranged in parallel to one another at a light incident surface (41) of the light deflecting device. Virtual elongated prisms (I) each having a vertical angle ? of 50 to 70° arranged in the same arrangement pitch as the elongated prisms are assumed so that the peak emission light in the light emission distribution of light emitted from the light emission face is incident on one virtual prism face of the virtual elongated prism, internally totally reflected by another virtual prism face and then emitted in a desired direction from a light emission surface (42) of the light deflecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Yamashita, Issei Chiba
  • Patent number: 6874914
    Abstract: An adjustable lighting system which is particularly applicable for efficiently and effectively lighting areas of limited ceiling height such as parking garages and the like. A lamp base is supported within a housing in a manner so that it may be vertically adjustable with respect to a lower reflector carried by the housing. An upper reflector, which is vertically adjustable with respect to both the lamp base and the housing, is selected to provide a desired pattern of lighting for a particular installation. Although the lighting system may be employed with a plurality of different lamps, use of an induction lamp is preferred, and when an induction lamp is used, the combination of it with a novel, upper reflector of combined curvature having a central frustoconical downward section, is particular advantageous and provides excellent uniform distribution of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sage Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Albert L. Desanto, Jerry L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6874908
    Abstract: A flashlight comprises a housing having, for example, a tapered portion and a hole at a forward end thereof with a flexible/bendable extension including a solid state light source extending through the hole at the forward end thereof. A switch, preferably in a tail cap, selectively connects the solid state light source and at least one battery in the housing in circuit for causing the solid state light source to produce light. The flexible extension preferably makes electrical contact with the housing and/or preferably includes an insulating cover having an end retained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Robert A. Kline
  • Patent number: 6874905
    Abstract: A light fixture for use in low voltage outdoor lighting systems that comprises a lens assembly with a reflector, lens and lens support and a socket assembly with a lamp, socket and socket housing, which are mounted on a post. Connection of the lens assembly and socket assembly is provided by the combination of a taper fit and multiple O-rings which provide a frictional fit that is sealed against dirt and moisture intrusion, avoiding metal-to-metal contact. Attachment of the lens assembly to the socket assembly is achieved by pressing the two parts together in an axial direction. Disassembly is achieved by twisting to overcome the friction generated by the O-rings and pulling the two assemblies apart. A locking screw may be used to prevent accidental separation of the lens assembly and socket assembly. The post can be attached to a ground spike for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Patent number: 6871979
    Abstract: A back light module disposed under a display panel has at least a light source generator for generating light beams, a diffusing plate for scattering the light beams to the display panel, a light guide plate (LGP) for scattering the light beams to the diffusing plate, a reflecting sheet for scattering the light beams to the light guide plate. The reflecting sheet has at least an opening for dissipating heat generated by the operation of the light source generator of the back light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Che-Kuei Mai
  • Patent number: 6869200
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a jack-o-lantern lid mounted candle holder in the form of a shaped rod. The shaped portions of the rod are formed in integrally connecting segments. A candle mount portion, a candle base support portion, a vertical hanging portion, and a lid attachment portion form the candle holder. The rod material forming the candle mount portion is shaped to be substantially circular having one end of the rod overlapping and completing the circle where the candle base support portion begins. The overlapping end of the circular portion allows the user to adjust the compressible, extendable rod firmly to hold candles of different diameters. A candle may be placed within the candle mount portion by extending the candle mount portion outwards to enlarge the diameter of the candle mount portion's circular segment. The candle base support portion has a vertical leg segment that begins at the candle mount portion and extends vertically to a straight edge segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Northwest Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: James P. Graham
  • Patent number: 6866408
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a light source, a reflector possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The reflector and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining the optical axis of the headlamp. The headlamp is intended to generate a light beam exhibiting high intensity along the optical axis and a limited extension below the optical axis. A first area of the reflector extending in the vicinity of an axial vertical plane generates, in a focal plane of the lens, images of the source the center which is substantially offset with respect to the focus of the lens, while two second areas of the reflector located on either side of said first area generate, in the same focal plane, images of the source the centers of which pass close to or onto the focus of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6866403
    Abstract: A lamp for use on a table or a floor comprises a base, an intermediate spacer coupled to the base and rotatable with respect thereto, a light source, and a shade disposed over and about the light source. The shade has a surface shaped to insinuate a lipstick and additionally has a partially translucent portion acting to diffuse light emanating from the lamp. The lamp operates such that rotation of the intermediate spacer causes the lamp shade to move along a linear axis. A method for adjusting the light pattern emanating from such a lamp further comprises energizing the light source, rotating the intermediate spacer, and moving the shade along the linear axis while maintaining the light source energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Adesso Inc.
    Inventor: Amanda L. Schaak
  • Patent number: 6866405
    Abstract: A variable intensity illuminator lens may comprise a generally elongate transparent body having a first converging power at a first position on the generally elongate transparent body and a second converging power at a second position on the generally elongate transparent body, the first converging power at the first position on the generally elongate transparent body being different than the second converging power at the second position on the generally elongate transparent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6863419
    Abstract: An illumination optical system that illuminates a plurality of image display elements comprises; a color separating optical system that separates light emitted from a light source into a plurality of color light components; and a plurality of light-guiding optical systems, each of which guides light component to a corresponding one of the plurality of image display elements. An illumination area on the image display element that is illuminated by at least one of the plurality of light-guiding optical systems is larger than those on the image display elements illuminated by the other ones of the plurality of light-guiding optical systems. This provides a compact projection type image display apparatus which can project bright images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kodama, Atsushi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6863414
    Abstract: A front light module includes a light guide plate having opposite ends and a front surface and an opposite back surface connected to each other by the ends. The front surface forms sets of raised ridges, each raised ridge having opposite inclined faces. The front surface also forms a recessed trough between adjacent sets of ridges. Each trough has opposite inclined faces. A light source is mounted to each end of the light guide plate for projecting a light into the light guide plate. A reflector is arranged adjacent to and spaced from the back surface of the light guide plate for accommodating a display board between the reflector and the light guide plate. The light from the light source is incident onto the inclined faces of the troughs and reflected thereby toward the reflector. The troughs have different depths whereby the inclined faces thereof are of different surface areas for reflecting different amount of light in order to provide a uniform brightness over the whole module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Quanta Display Incorporation
    Inventor: Yi-Chun Ho
  • Patent number: 6863426
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector which provides for good ventilation of a light source located in the said reflector and facilitates the passage of the reflector on production lines for the purpose of covering an internal surface of the reflector with powder. To this end, there is proposed according to the invention a reflector in which a reflector and a lamp holder are produced separately, prior to being interlocked. The reflector produced thus comprises a set of supports which are arranged such that a light source subsequently fitted in the reflector can be ventilated in a satisfactory manner. The lamp holder is interlocked with the reflector on the supports by means of centering pins and assembly studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-François Delourme
  • Patent number: 6863424
    Abstract: Brackets received in an elongated base support both lens portions and internal light bar components. Lens portion longitudinal edges penetrate the outer portion of a gasket channel to engage a gasket member. Lens retainer straps sandwich gasket layers to seal the longitudinal butt ends of lens portions. The lens retainers also penetrate the gasket channel to engage the gasket member. The brackets provide multiple locations for mounting warning light units and related light bar components within the space defined between the base and the lens portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 6863427
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a source, a mirror possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The mirror and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining an optical axis of the headlamp, and the headlamp further includes a mask located in the region of the focus of the lens, in order to project a beam an upper cut-off of which is defined by said mask. Finally, the mirror concentrates the light, in the vertical direction, towards a vertical focusing baseline extending substantially horizontally and transversely to the optical axis and passing close to the focus of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou