Patents by Inventor Bruce Quaal
Bruce Quaal 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).
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Patent number: 8506116Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses, systems, and methods for lighting devices used in shelving, displays, and the like. Some embodiments provide lighting device comprising elongated extrusions with a first surface and a second surface proximate the first surface. The second surface may be reflective. One or more light emitting devices may be mounted at the first surface of the extrusion. The first surface is angled with respect to the second surface such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting devices reaches the second surface. If the second surface is reflective, at least a portion of the emitted light will be reflected from the second surface. A protective and possibly light diffusive lens may be provided between the first and second surfaces. In other embodiments, lighting systems may be provided with a plurality of lighting devices as described above.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Patent number: 8487537Abstract: A retained and a removable circuit connect together to form a closed circuit. A switching mechanism is connected between the retained and removable circuits and to a circuit break load. Upon disconnection of the circuit break load and/or the removable circuit, the switching mechanism automatically switches from an open circuit to a closed circuit to form a closed circuit with the retained circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: The Sloan Company, IncInventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20130077300Abstract: A lighting system comprising a system housing, a plurality of lighting units and first and second conductors electrically connected to said plurality of lighting units. The lighting units comprising a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, a plurality of light emitting elements on a printed circuit board (PCB) within said housing. The top portion and bottom portion adapted to be coupled together to form the housing and form a seal to protect the components within the housing. The top portion further configured to comprise light altering characteristics so as to direct and shape emitted light from the plurality of light emitting elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Aaron Meyer, Timothy Drew Ferrie, Bruce Quaal
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Patent number: 8398262Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing. In another embodiment, a low profile housing with a first casing and second casing surrounding a majority of the first casing may be provided. At least one light emitting device, such as a double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs, may be provided in the first casing.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20130058090Abstract: A lighting system comprising a light box housing, a plurality of lighting units including a housing, a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on a PCB within the housing. The light emitting elements arranged on an angled surface such that the light emitting elements emit light in a sideways direction from the lighting units. The lighting units can also be interconnected in a daisy-chain configuration, such that the lighting units form a row of lighting units. The row of lighting units adapted to be mounted within the light box housing, wherein the light box housing comprises one or more rows of lighting units.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventors: Timothy Drew Ferrie, Aaron Meyer, Bruce Quaal
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Patent number: 8388173Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing to a mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Patent number: 8376576Abstract: An elongated perimeter light comprising an array of light sources that are illuminated by electric power. An elongated tube is included having a lumen along its length, with the tube being substantially solid except for the lumen. A blocking element covers a lower portion of the tube along its length, with the blocking element blocking light emission from the lower portion. The array of light sources is arranged within the lumen and transmits light through the tube and from an upper surface of the tube. The tube disperses the light from the array giving the appearance that the array of light sources is a continuous light source. The array of light sources is cuttable at intervals to shorten the array while allowing the remaining light sources in the resulting cut pieces to emit light. The tube and blocking element are cuttable to match the length of the array.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20120299498Abstract: The present invention generally provides a power control unit adapted to provide adjustable levels of a controlled output power signal, such as but not limited to a pulse width modulated signal or a serial binary signal. One embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention comprises a housing holding internal electronic components. This housing further comprises input and output wiring extending out of the housing and internally connected to the electronic components. The electronic components further comprise circuitry capable of providing at least 2 levels of the controlled output power signal. The present invention also includes lighting systems incorporating a power control unit according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Bruce Quaal, John Koteles
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Patent number: 8215786Abstract: An elongated flexible lighting system according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources that are illuminated by electric power. It further comprises an elongated translucent extrusion of flexible material. The array of light sources is integral to the extrusion with said extrusion transmitting and dispersing the light from the array such that the lighting system gives the appearance that the array of light sources is a continuous light source. The elongated lighting system can be used for many different applications including, but not limited to, the lighting of structural features and illumination of sign features.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20120140459Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing. In another embodiment, a low profile housing with a first casing and second casing surrounding a majority of the first casing may be provided. At least one light emitting device, such as a double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs, may be provided in the first casing. One or more end caps may be provided for sealing both the first and second casings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: THOMAS C. SLOAN, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20120063125Abstract: The present embodiments provide channel letter lighting devices and/or systems. A lighting unit, comprising: a housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the housing and having a plurality light emitting elements on the PCB which emit light when an electrical signal is applied to the light emitters; and a plurality of reflectors, each of which comprised of an at least one partial parabola which reflects light substantially away from the housing, the plurality of reflectors over the PCB and the light emitters such that each of the light emitters is surrounded by at least one of the plurality of reflectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Bruce Quaal, Brandon Brooks
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Patent number: 8083370Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing. In another embodiment, a low profile housing with a first casing and second casing surrounding a majority of the first casing may be provided. At least one light emitting device, such as a double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs, may be provided in the first casing. One or more end caps may be provided for sealing both the first and second casings.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20110209368Abstract: The present embodiments provide channel letter lighting devices and/or systems. A lighting system, comprising a plurality of electrically connected lighting units, comprising conductors to provide an electrical signal to each of the units. Each of the lighting units comprise a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the housing and having a plurality of tabs and a plurality light emitting elements on the tabs. The tabs are angled in relation of the remainder of the PCB or housing. The electrical signal applied to the light emitting elements causes them to emit light substantially away from said housing. The lighting system further comprises a sealant within the housing filling cavities around the light emitting elements and the cavity around said PCB and a mounting mechanism for mounting the unit to a structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Bruce Quaal, Drew Farrie, Aaron Meyer
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Publication number: 20110194284Abstract: The present embodiments provide channel letter lighting devices and/or systems. A lighting system, comprising: a plurality of electrically connected lighting units, comprising conductors to provide an electrical signal to each of said units, each of which comprises: a housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within said housing and having a plurality of light emitting elements, the electrical signal applied to said light emitting elements causing them to emit light substantially away from said housing, said PCB conducting and dissipating heat from said light emitting elements, further comprising a sealant within said housing filling cavities around said light emitting elements and the cavity around said PCB; and a mounting mechanism for mounting said unit to a structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Bruce Quaal, Drew Ferrie
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Publication number: 20110084627Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses, systems, and methods for lighting devices used in shelving, displays, and the like. Some embodiments provide lighting device comprising elongated extrusions with a first surface and a second surface proximate the first surface. The second surface may be reflective. One or more light emitting devices may be mounted at the first surface of the extrusion. The first surface is angled with respect to the second surface such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting devices reaches the second surface. If the second surface is reflective, at least a portion of the emitted light will be reflected from the second surface. A protective and possibly light diffusive lens may be provided between the first and second surfaces. In other embodiments, lighting systems may be provided with a plurality of lighting devices as described above.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20110007514Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing. In another embodiment, a low profile housing with a first casing and second casing surrounding a majority of the first casing may be provided. At least one light emitting device, such as a double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs, may be provided in the first casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20100238655Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing. In another embodiment, a low profile housing with a first casing and second casing surrounding a majority of the first casing may be provided. At least one light emitting device, such as a double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of LEDs, may be provided in the first casing. One or more end caps may be provided for sealing both the first and second casings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20100181919Abstract: A retained and a removable circuit connect together to form a closed circuit. A switching mechanism is connected between the retained and removable circuits and to a circuit break load. Upon disconnection of the circuit break load and/or the removable circuit, the switching mechanism automatically switches from an open circuit to a closed circuit to form a closed circuit with the retained circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Publication number: 20100149811Abstract: A channel letter lighting system comprising a plurality of lighting units that are interconnected by a conductor. Each of the units is coupled to the conductor such that an electrical signal applied to the conductor causes the lighting units to emit light. The length of the conductor between said units is adjustable to vary the distance between adjacent ones of the lighting units. In other embodiment the lighting units comprise a plurality of emitters. A conductor is included for carrying an electrical signal with the lighting units connected to and interconnected by a conductor. An electrical signal applied to the conductor causes the emitters emit light. The lighting units are separable into sections each of which comprise at least one of the plurality of emitters and each of which remains connected to the conductor. The length of the conductor between the sections can be adjustable to vary the distance between adjacent ones of the sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
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Patent number: 7714225Abstract: A modular power supply particularly adapted for mounting to standard junction boxes in a system to provide a solid state lighting system compatible power signal. One embodiment of a modular power supply for mounting to a junction box according to the present invention includes a housing holding internal electronic components and a first extension integral to the housing for mounting to a junction box. The extension has an opening to the interior of the housing with primary wires passing from the interior of the housing through the extension. The first extension is positioned so that the power supply is capable of being mounted to the mounting surface of a junction box when the power supply is at different orientations.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal