Patents Examined by Y. Quach
  • Patent number: 5918970
    Abstract: An outdoor luminaire assembly adapted to be attached to a mounting stanchion that includes an optical assembly having a lamp for generating light, an arm for supporting the optical assembly from the mounting stanchion, and a ballast which is enclosed within the arm. The optical assembly is adapted to receive and support a cover member which is selected from a group of differently shaped cover members. The cover member is made of a plastic material in order to provide design flexibility. The arm has a removable panel which allows for maintenance-ready access to the ballast and other electrical componentry which is enclosed within the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Holophane Corporation
    Inventors: Bonnie J. Brohard, David W. Roberts, John C. McCartney
  • Patent number: 5915826
    Abstract: A decoration lamp device has a lamp holder, a socket receiving the lamp holder, a bulb dispopsed on the lamp holder, and a base plug disposed on a bottom of the socket. The lamp holder has a bottom notch and two copper threads. The socket has two opposite inner walls. Each inner wall has a recess, a bottom protrusion, a groove, and a channel communicating with the groove. The base plug has a separation plate, two hook lugs, and two blocks. A connection portion is disposed between the separation plate and the respective hook lug. Each hook lug has an opening. Each block has a slot. Two electric wires are inserted in the socket. Each electric wire is connected to a conductive plate. Each conductive plate is inserted in the respective recess. Each copper thread contacts the respective conductive plate. The separation plate is inserted in the grooves. Each connection portion is inserted in the respective channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Mei-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 5906428
    Abstract: A reflector 11 to which a discharge bulb 16 is attached is made of a conductive material, and a casing (turn-on circuit casing 30) made of a conductor is attached to a rear-side opening portion of a lamp body enclosing the reflector so that the opening is closed. A grounded shielding tube 21 is provided to enclose the discharge bulb 16, and a grounded extension reflector 3B is disposed at the opening of the reflector 11. At least the reflector 11 and the casing 30 are collectively grounded so that it becomes possible to suppress the electromagnetic waves radiated from the discharge bulb 16 to its circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hori, Hitoshi Takeda, Masatoshi Yoneyama, Hirokazu Endo, Yoshio Suehiro
  • Patent number: 5904416
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a headlight or a lamp to one or more vehicle parts in which the headlight or lamp is retained in an opening formed by at least two body parts by spring forces acting between the vehicle parts and the body parts forming the opening and/or by catch elements, making it possible to fasten a headlight or a lamp in an opening formed by two body parts, thus compensating differential heat expansions due to different materials of which the body parts are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Michael Muller
  • Patent number: 5897199
    Abstract: A device for positioning a trouble light to cast light on a desired work area utilizing an adjustable rotational friction mechanism, and a support plate having a flat surface on its periphery and a hook rigidly attached to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Norris
  • Patent number: 5897195
    Abstract: The illuminator has a cylindrical or truncated-conical array of LEd's producing collimated light beams that are directed onto axially-spaced, inclined surfaces formed on the outer periphery of a hollow, similarly shaped (i.e., cylindrical or truncated-conically shaped) Fresnel-like diffuser which refracts and directs rings of light beams onto the surface of a workpiece at angles of incidence ranging anywhere from 15.degree. to 80.degree.. The array of LED's surrounds the associated Fresnel-like diffuser coaxially thereof, and in turn is surrounded by a circuit board which supplies power selectively to illuminate LED's in the array thereof. The Fresnel-like diffusers have in the outer peripheral surfaces thereof circumferential grooves forming on their outer surfaces annular, prism-shaped projections which differ in shape depending upon the desired angle of incidence of the light beams that are to be projected thereby onto a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Optical Gaging, Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert G. Choate
  • Patent number: 5893626
    Abstract: The present invention provides a safety light having a easily recognizable and colorful rotating illumination pattern. The safety light consists of a housing containing at least one group of secondary lighting elements arranged substantially around a primary lighting element. The lighting elements are covered by a translucent face having a central portion overlying the primary lighting element and a group of colored elements overlying each group of secondary lighting elements. Circuit means power the lighting elements such that the secondary lighting elements are illuminated in a rotating sequence, producing a distinct light pattern. The safety light is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including vehicles and recreational and service activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Thurman Quentin Poling
  • Patent number: 5890796
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide which illuminates a unitary thin sheet optic having a diffractive optical element portion, a manifold section, and a kicker section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, David Allen O'Neil, Timothy Fohl
  • Patent number: 5882108
    Abstract: An EMI shielding lens for a lamp, e.g., an automotive lamp. The lens includes a transparent, unitary, polymeric lens blank and a thin, heat transferred grid layer including an electrically conductive grid pattern disposed on the lens blank inner or outer surface. The grid pattern may be formed from indium tin oxide or from a conductive, heat transferable, inks or polymer. The grid layer may also include colored or opaque indicia. Linear elements of the grid pattern are spaced apart by less than 1/2 .lambda. of the EMI to be shielded. Also discloseed is an electromagnetic interference shielded lamp assembly including an electrically conductive housing, a light source within the housing, the EMI shielding lens fixed to the housing, and grounding means. Methods for fabricating the lens and the lamp assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert L. Fraizer
  • Patent number: 5873649
    Abstract: A combination flashlight and flashlight support is provided, wherein the generally tubular support releasably attaches to the flashlight body. The support is constructed and arranged to attach at at least one end of the flashlight. The support projects the flashlight at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the flashlight body, and maintains the flashlight in an elevated position. When not in use, the support is securable to the body in a coaxial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Alwin Krauer
  • Patent number: 5833352
    Abstract: A briefcase light is provided that consists of a base unit, a flexible arm and a light/power source unit. The light/power source unit contains a light emitting device, a battery and a switch, all electrically connected. The flexible arm allows the user to direct the light provided in any direction without the need for the user to hold the light in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Faith M. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5772313
    Abstract: An optical system operable to focus an annular beam of light onto a spot 16 comprises a paraboloidal reflector 10 with a lamp 12 at its focus, a coaxial annular convex lens 13 and a coaxial internally silvered conical mirror 15. A parallel beam of light formed by reflection by the reflector 10 of light from the lamp 12, is formed into a convergent annular beam by the lens 13 and reflected by the mirror 15 which is located between the lens 13 and its focus so that it converges to the spot 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Nicholas John Taylor
  • Patent number: 5707137
    Abstract: A portable flashlight in which the illumination section is detachably connected to one end of a flexible arm, and the battery casing are detachably connected to the other end of the flexible arm, whereby the light may be brought in close proximity with objects to be inspected or worked upon but which are located as to require an angled or bent probe. The flexible arm permits the flashlight head to be stably mounted in an infinite number of positions. The intermediate flexible arm may be removed such that the battery casing and the illumination section may be directly connected together to provide a handheld flashlight capable of use in confined areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: GSL Rechargeable Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ellis Hon
  • Patent number: 5653532
    Abstract: A lamp device includes three resilient blades extended downward from a housing. The housing includes a lower peripheral flange extended radially inward and having an opening. A switch is secured to a panel of a plate which is fixed in the housing. A cover of light transmissible material is engaged in the housing and has a peripheral rib extended radially outward for engaging with the peripheral flange of the housing so as to be supported in the housing. The resilient blade is engaged with the peripheral rib of the cover so as to stably retain the cover in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Bobby Chan
  • Patent number: 5641225
    Abstract: A thin illumination device providing uniform luminance distribution on the diffusing plate comprising a reflecting plate, linear light sources arranged in the vicinity of the reflecting plate and a diffusing plate arranged on the opposite side of the reflecting plate with regard to the light sources, section of the reflecting plate having a shape of continuous curves having different curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Katoh, Nobuhisa Noguchi, Teruo Hoshi
  • Patent number: 5641223
    Abstract: A compact portable horticultural lamp that is easily assembled and disassembled. The lamp consists of a stand, lamp assembly, including a lamp housing and reflector shade, and a lamp assembly adjuster for raising and lowering the lamp assembly. The base of the stand forms an area in which a plant growth environment can be placed. The plant growth environment suitably includes seeds, a growing medium, plant containers, and a watering system, including a water reservoir and wicking mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Tetrad, Inc.
    Inventor: Susan K. Rustebakke
  • Patent number: 5639153
    Abstract: A light head assembly for directing light generated by a remote light source and transmitted through a light pipe. The light head assembly has at least one optic deflector with a convex reflective surface for intercepting and redirecting the light beam emitted from the end of the light pipe. The thus redirected light is incident upon a larger primary reflector having a concave reflective surface which subsequently redirects the light toward the ambient environment. The optic deflector is supported at a desired distance from, and with an appropriate orientation to, the end of the associated light pipe so as to substantially eclipse the beam of light discharged from the light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Bibbiani, Harold W. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5613771
    Abstract: The invention provides illumination and may provide magnified viewing of an object using a means which may be located directly in front of a seated or reclining individual, while providing for the means to pivot out of the way for easy egress from the sitting or reclining position. The invention provides a counter weight at a fixed radius for stability, and to facilitate the user's easy assessment of whether the counterweight will contact or interfere with nearby objects. The use of the fixed radius counterweight provides utilities that are not achieved when using a variable radius counterweight, or a weighted base configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Michael M. Siverling
  • Patent number: 5613752
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an improved forensic light source comprising a source of light and support structure for supporting the source of light is provided. A light guide having first and second ends is coupled to the source of light at the first end to receive light from the source of light and transmit the light to the second end. The light guide is mounted on the support structure. A filter support member supports a plurality of filters. A movable light directing assembly is mounted on the second end of the light guide for movably supporting the filter support member for movement to a plurality of positions. Each of the positions corresponds to the coupling of a selected one of the filters to the second end, whereby the light is filtered by the selected filter. A heat sink may be coupled to the first end of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Instruments SA, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Vezard
  • Patent number: RE35983
    Abstract: A coach lamp or other exterior lamp or ornament is mounted on the exterior surface of a building having horizontal aluminum siding by means of a pedestal having a faceplate portion and a continuous peripheral skirt which is deeper than the steps in the siding. The pedestal is secured to a conventional electrical outlet box and the faceplate portion provides a flush mounting surface for the base of the lamp or ornament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Charles H. Crowley