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).

  • Publication number: 20100039813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: THOMAS C. SLOAN, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7604376
    Abstract: An elongated flexible lighting system according to the present invention includes an array of light sources that are illuminated by electric power. It further includes 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7520628
    Abstract: A high-power LED lamp comprises a cylindrical housing having a cavity and an open end with the housing made of a heat conductive material. One or more high power LEDs are mounted within the cavity such that at least some of the light from the LEDs is directed out the open end of the housing. An encapsulating material fills the cavity and surrounds the LEDs with the encapsulating material providing a waterproof covering over the LEDs and at least partially transmitting light from the LEDs out the opening. Heat from the LEDs conducts away from the LEDs and through the encapsulating material and the housing to dissipate in the ambient around the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20080084656
    Abstract: 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 comprises 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20070274067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20070171640
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7241031
    Abstract: A channel letter lighting system according to the present invention comprising a channel letter housing with a translucent channel letter cover. A plurality of electrically connected lighting units are mounted to the channel letter housing and conductors provide an electrical signal to each of the units. Each of the units comprises a lighting unit housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within said housing. The PCB has a plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes, with the electrical signal applied to the light emitting elements causing them to generate light substantially away from the housing. The PCB conducts and dissipates heat from the light emitting elements, the unit further comprises a space between most of the PCB and the lighting unit housing to allow heat from the PCB to dissipate into the surrounding ambient. A mounting mechanism is included for each unit to the channel letter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20070153517
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool. One embodiment of a bent elongated perimeter light according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources and an elongated tube bent to match a curve or shape. The array of light sources is disposed within the tube and the tube transmits and disperses the light from the array to give the appearance that said 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 array to emit light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7234838
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool. One embodiment of a bent elongated perimeter light according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources and an elongated tube bent to match a curve or shape. The array of light sources is disposed within the tube and the tube transmits and disperses the light from the array to give the appearance that said 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 array to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7213941
    Abstract: An elongated flexible lighting system according to the present invention includes an array of light sources that are illuminated by electric power. It further includes 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7192157
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20060133076
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20050231947
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20050231943
    Abstract: A channel letter lighting system according to the present invention comprising a channel letter housing with a translucent channel letter cover. A plurality of electrically connected lighting units are mounted to the channel letter housing and conductors provide an electrical signal to each of the units. Each of the units comprises a lighting unit housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within said housing. The PCB has a plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes, with the electrical signal applied to the light emitting elements causing them to generate light substantially away from the housing. The PCB conducts and dissipates heat from the light emitting elements, the unit further comprises a space between most of the PCB and the lighting unit housing to allow heat from the PCB to dissipate into the surrounding ambient. A mounting mechanism is included for each unit to the channel letter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 6932495
    Abstract: A channel letter lighting unit according to the present invention comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of linearly mounted light emitting elements. Input wires transmit a power signal to the PCB to illuminate the plurality of light emitting elements, and output wires transmit the power signal from the PCB. The PCB is mounted in the extrusion and the light emitting elements transmit light away from the extrusion. The extrusion promotes the dissipation of heat from the light emitting elements. A mounting mechanism is included for mounting the extrusion within a housing. A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a plurality of channel lighting units electrically connected to one another so that a power signal applied to the lighting system is transmitted to each of the plurality of lighting units. A still further embodiment according to the invention comprises an illuminated channel letter system having a housing in the shape of a letter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sloanled, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20050068770
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool. One embodiment of a bent elongated perimeter light according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources and an elongated tube bent to match a curve or shape. The array of light sources is disposed within the tube and the tube transmits and disperses the light from the array to give the appearance that said 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 array to emit light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Publication number: 20030063463
    Abstract: A channel letter lighting unit according to the present invention comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of linearly mounted light emitting elements. Input wires transmit a power signal to the PCB to illuminate the plurality of light emitting elements, and output wires transmit the power signal from the PCB. The PCB is mounted in the extrusion and the light emitting elements transmit light away from the extrusion. The extrusion promotes the dissipation of heat from the light emitting elements. A mounting mechanism is included for mounting the extrusion within a housing. A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a plurality of channel lighting units electrically connected to one another so that a power signal applied to the lighting system is transmitted to each of the plurality of lighting units. A still further embodiment according to the invention comprises an illuminated channel letter system having a housing in the shape of a letter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: SLOANLED, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal