Patents by Inventor Brian E. Richardson

Brian E. Richardson 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: 5176442
    Abstract: A light projector is presented including a wireless power coupling mechanism and infra-red communications coupling mechanism which provide a portion of the projector with the capability of complete full-circle rotation about its pan-axis. A stationary base is provided which includes a first transmitter and receiver means for transmitting control signals to and receiving information signals from a second transmitter and receiver means on the rotating portion of the projector. A pan-axis shaft includes the second transmitter and receiver means for transmitting information signals to and receiving control signals from the transmitter-receiver means on the stationary base, and is operative to rotate the rotatable portion of the projector. The infra-red coupling mechanism and wireless power coupling mechanism eliminate the need for hard-wiring between the base and rotating portion of the projector, greatly facilitating continuous and efficient motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5126886
    Abstract: A color changer (20) comprising a component hue saturation filter (30) including an elongated flexible substrate (32) having a surface with a gradient axis (GA) and which includes a graded portion (G) supporting a uniform concentration of a selected hue filtering material (50) distributed in a continuously graded average density in beam-size areas around points along the gradient axis. The component hue saturation filters may be embodied in separate substrates positionable in parallel planes to be intersected serially by a beam of light. Alternately, dual-hue filters (68) may be formed by two primary hue component filters embodied in respective substrates each also embodying duplicate third primary hue component filters producing the same effects. Saturations of each selected hue of light appear evenly distributed in the output beam without the need for color components to be further commingled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Richardson, John R. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4984143
    Abstract: Spectral filter means (20) in which filter elements (22) have elongated planar surface areas covered with patterns of filtering material (44, 84, 94). Filter elements are independently movable parallel to their respective surface planes to positions (32) where a given density pattern of filtering material is intersected by a beam of light and filters a given component of the light. Separate filter elements (22a, 22b, 22c) for each of the primary colors and an additional element (22d) for dimming all colors are used to control the color and intensity of a beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4914556
    Abstract: Spectral filter means in which filter elements have elongated planar surface areas covered with patterns of filtering material. Filter elements are independently movable parallel to their respective surface planes to positions where a given density pattern of filtering material is intersected by a beam of light and filters a given component of the light. Separate filter elements for each of the primary colors and an additional element for dimming all colors are used to control the color and intensity of a beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4891738
    Abstract: A lighting system aperture mechanism formed by a movable carriage including a frame with openings for aperture means. The frame is moved to position a selected opening around a beam of light, and an aperture means disposed in the selected opening may be rotated as desired to produce special effect patterns in the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Richardson, John R. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4862336
    Abstract: A truss unit having an elongated frame and rows of lights suspended downwardly from the frame. The lights are mounted on rods for displacement in a sliding motion in a direction transverse to the elongated frame. A first rigid lateral member is pivotally connected to a first side of the frame at a hinge joint, while the second rigid lateral member is pivotally hinged to a second side opposite the first. The first and second lateral members each have a longitudinal extension at least as great as that of the rows of lights. The truss unit has an operation configuration in which the lateral members extend upwardly to display the rows of lights. In the operation configuration the lights are moved to an extreme spaced apart position and the lateral members are locked in place by diagonal braces. Prior to transport, the truss unit may be moved to a transportation configuration with the first and second lateral members extending downwardly to protect the rows of lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Richardson, John Richardson
  • Patent number: 4855884
    Abstract: A variable beamwidth stage light relying upon an axially movable reflector for changes in beamwidth. The reflector has a plurality of radially outwardly and axially forwardly extending leaves in side-by-side relation to define a bowl-shaped reflector surface. A stationary support flange is in frictional contact with the radially outward surface of each leaf. The reflector leaves are sandwiched between a base member and a ring member at the base of the reflector. A motor driven lead screw is attached to the base member to cause axial movement of the reflector relative to the support flange. The reflector defines a first and a second focal point along the axis of the reflector. A light source is fixed at the first focal point, which remains substantially fixed relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4662039
    Abstract: Presented is a gripping device incorporating a "live" and integral resilient blade for normally retaining the two elongated levers of the gripping device spaced apart at one end and in gripping relationship at the opposite end. The gripping device also incorporates an auxiliary holding device to which an element may be secured for relative rotation in relation to the gripping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: D324431
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Richardson, John R. Richardson