Patents by Inventor Andreas Dankelmann

Andreas Dankelmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10024526
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Mark D. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20180187868
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Mark D. Kelley
  • Patent number: 9909743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Mark D. Kelley
  • Patent number: 9565769
    Abstract: An LED lighting kit comprises an extrusion (300), an LED strip (100), a tapered wedge (1500), and a mounting clip (1200). The extrusion itself may have a recessed linear groove of sufficient width and depth to seat the LED strip. The clip is sized and shaped to springably engage ledges (320) in a first channel (310) of the extrusion when the strip is mounted. In one aspect, two extrusions are butted end-to-end and are aligned by inserting the tapered wedge into the first channel of each extrusion prior to butting them together. The extrusion contains a second channel (315) that houses the LED strip. A translucent diffuser (900) is springably inserted into the second channel, thereby diffusing light that is emitted by the LED strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Randall Holleschau
  • Patent number: 9537274
    Abstract: A modular lighting system for use with shelving and a variety of other applications. A power track is adapted to be disposed within an upright support of a shelving unit. A power plug with vertically-aligned prongs inserts through existing openings in the upright support to reach conductors within the power track. The power plug has connecting structure to connect to a cable, and frangible portions that allow the cable to exit in a number of positions. Light bars carry the same connecting structures, can connect to the cable and snap together to extend continuously across a shelf. A second power track and second plug may provide power to the power track within the upright. The second plug carries the same connecting structure as the other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Russell Petersen
  • Patent number: 9279544
    Abstract: An LED lighting kit comprises an extrusion, an LED strip, a tapered wedge, and a mounting clip. The clip is sized and shaped to springably engage ledges in a first channel of the extrusion when the strip is mounted. In one aspect, two extrusions are butted end-to-end and are aligned by inserting the tapered wedge into the first channel of each extrusion prior to butting them together. The extrusion contains a second channel that houses the LED strip. A translucent diffuser is springably inserted into the second channel, thereby diffusing light that is emitted by the LED strip. End caps are inserted into the ends of the extrusion to complete the light kit. At least one of the end caps has a hole to admit electrical wires to power the LED strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Mark D Kelley
  • Patent number: 9239136
    Abstract: An LED connector half (500) mates with a wire connector half (300) to connect a light strip (100) comprising LEDs (115) to a pair of wires. The LED half includes a hinged top (700) with an opening (705) to admit an end LED on the strip when the top is closed, securing the strip to the connector half without blocking the LED. The wire half secures a pair of wires (315) to terminals (305) in a housing (310). The wire half is inserted into the LED half, connecting the Electrodes and terminals. The halves are held together by a tongue (320) and socket (800). In another aspect, a connector (1100) joins two light strips by capturing the LEDs at the ends of the strips in openings (1110) and clamping conductive electrodes (1140) against the strips by closing a lid (1105) against the body, without obscuring LED light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Elemental LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Petersen, Mark Kelley, Andreas Dankelmann
  • Publication number: 20150241034
    Abstract: An LED lighting kit comprises an extrusion (300), an LED strip (100), a tapered wedge (1500), and a mounting clip (1200). The extrusion itself may have a recessed linear groove of sufficient width and depth to seat the LED strip. The clip is sized and shaped to springably engage ledges (320) in a first channel (310) of the extrusion when the strip is mounted. In one aspect, two extrusions are butted end-to-end and are aligned by inserting the tapered wedge into the first channel of each extrusion prior to butting them together. The extrusion contains a second channel (315) that houses the LED strip. A translucent diffuser (900) is springably inserted into the second channel, thereby diffusing light that is emitted by the LED strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Randall Holleschau
  • Publication number: 20150241035
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to connectors for connecting strips of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) end-to-end and for connecting a single strip of LEDs to a power source. The connectors define a compartment to receive a strip of LEDs. Tabs extending inwardly from the sides of the connector retain the strip. Electrical contact with the strip is made by a pair of spring clip contacts that bear against electrical terminals on the strip. A hinged lid has an opening positioned so as not to obstruct the last LED on the strip, and carries a downwardly-facing block that bears against the spring clip ends to keep them in contact with the terminals of the strip. In a strip-to-power connector, the connector defines one compartment for each conductor, and each conductor carries connecting structure. Ends of the spring clip connectors carry complementary connecting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Dankelmann, Mark D. Kelley