Patents by Inventor John Nichols

John Nichols 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: 10466409
    Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes a light source and component thermally coupled to the component. The device further includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of strips extending from an area of the film. The array of strips is positioned adjacent the array of protruding teeth, the component thermally conducts heat from the light source, and the component at least partially restrains the film relative to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20190226159
    Abstract: A millable, recyclable, paving fabric interlayer system for the construction and repair of roadways and other load-bearing surfaces and method of using such a fabric is disclosed. The paving fabric includes thermoplastic materials and is combined with asphalt cement to provide a flexible, stress relieving, waterproofing layer for roadways. Because of the thickness and asphalt cement absorption of the fabric, the system provides a stress absorbing interlayer to resist fatigue and reflective cracking in pavements. The system also acts as an effective moisture barrier due to the enhanced capability to retain sufficient asphalt cement when paved onto a roadway. Such a system has the required strength and elongation to be installed on smooth or milled surfaces yet is easily milled and recycled owing to the uniquely engineered tensile and tear strengths of the fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Lee MARIENFELD, Noah John NICHOLS, Gregory Harding RADER
  • Publication number: 20190187360
    Abstract: A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator having a reflective surface, a lightguide comprising a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region comprising a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region to frustrate totally internally reflected light propagating within the core layer such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region into the first cladding layer. A light redirecting optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer and includes a plurality of light redirecting features directing frustrated totally internally reflected light from the plurality of light extraction features toward the reflective spatial light modulator. In some embodiments the largest dimension of the light emitting region divided by the average thickness of the core layer in the light emitting region is greater than 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Publication number: 20190170928
    Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes a light source and component thermally coupled to the component. The device further includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of strips extending from an area of the film. The array of strips is positioned adjacent the array of protruding teeth, the component thermally conducts heat from the light source, and the component at least partially restrains the film relative to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 10215905
    Abstract: A lightguide, formed from a film with a thickness not greater than 0.5 mm, includes an array of coupling lightguide strips with bounding edges, a light mixing region, and a light emitting region. The coupling lightguides are folded such that the bounding edges are stacked together, and a light source is positioned to emit light into the lightguide through the stacked bounding edges, to conduct light into the light mixing region and then into the light emitting region. At least a portion of the light mixing region of the lightguide is wrapped around the stack of coupling lightguides such that it surrounds the stack of coupling lightguides and/or is in contact with at least two sides of the stack of coupling lightguides. The light mixing region might include a cladding with a pressure sensitive adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 10175413
    Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes at least one light source and an array of coupling lightguide strips continuous with a lightguide region of a lightguide formed from a film, light extraction features, a cladding layer in the light emitting region of the film, and a light input surface defined by the stacked bounding edges of the coupling lightguide strips, wherein an area percentage of the light input surface comprising a core region is at least 98 percent. In another embodiment, the light from the at least one light source is not directly coupled into the cladding layer at the light input surface. In a further embodiment, a total thickness of the coupling lightguide strips at the light input surface is less than (n) times a thickness of the lightguide region of the lightguide where (n) is the number of coupling lightguide strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20180372036
    Abstract: A filter cartridge and filter assembly using the filter cartridge is provided. The filter cartridge having a contoured end member to angularly orient and/or axially orient the filter cartridge, and particularly a seal thereof, relative to a filter housing. The filter housing is reconfigurable to allow it to be used in different locations having different spatial configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Von Seggern, Trenton Yendra, Daniel Copley, John Nichols, Jason LaMarr Tate, Brian T. Ehrenberg
  • Publication number: 20180318745
    Abstract: A filter element includes a filter media having opposite first and second faces, and an outer face extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular from the first face to the second face. An undulating sealing element is directly bonded to the outer face at a location closer to and offset from the first face. The undulations of the sealing element define an offset region of the outer face of the filter media from the first face, the offset region being defined by an amplitude of the undulations. The filter element may be incorporated into a filter assembly including the filter element enclosed by a filter housing. The sealing element may be made of urethane and be compressible within a mating groove in the filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: John NICHOLS, Josh SMITH, Randy HARBUR, Daniel COPLEY
  • Publication number: 20170235036
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises a lightguide formed from a film having an array of coupling lightguide strips extending from a lightguide region of the film, the coupling lightguides are folded and stacked and a light source is positioned to emit light into edges of the stacked coupling lightguides to propagate into a light mixing region and then into a light emitting region, wherein the light mixing region wraps completely around the stack of coupling lightguides such that it surrounds the stack of coupling lightguides. In one embodiment, the light mixing region wraps is in contact with at least two sides of the stack of coupling lightguides. In another emobidment, the light mixing region comprises a cladding comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Flex Lighting II LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 9651729
    Abstract: A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator having a reflective surface, a lightguide comprising a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region comprising a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region to frustrate totally internally reflected light propagating within the core layer such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region into the first cladding layer. A light redirecting optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer, and includes a plurality of light redirecting features directing frustrated totally internally reflected light from the plurality of light extraction features toward the reflective spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Flex Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Publication number: 20170045669
    Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes at least one light source and an array of coupling lightguide strips continuous with a lightguide region of a lightguide formed from a film, light extraction features, a cladding layer in the light emitting region of the film, and a light input surface defined by the stacked bounding edges of the coupling lightguide strips, wherein an area percentage of the light input surface comprising a core region is at least 98 percent. In another embodiment, the light from the at least one light source is not directly coupled into the cladding layer at the light input surface. In a further embodiment, a total thickness of the coupling lightguide strips at the light input surface is less than (n) times a thickness of the lightguide region of the lightguide where (n) is the number of coupling lightguide strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9557473
    Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a front light having a lightguide formed by an array of film-based lightguides coupled into a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of lightguides, with light extraction features frustrating totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide through a cladding region toward a light redirecting optical element that redirects the light toward a reflective spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Flex Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 9371673
    Abstract: A lock consists of an elongated track which is attached to the panel of a door. A slider runs in the track from a retracted position in which the slider is spaced apart from the knob which operates the deadbolt to an engaged position in which the slider is in contact with the knob and prevents it from turning. The slider can be locked in that position by means of a locking pin. The pin may also be used to immobilizes the slider in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: John Nichol
  • Publication number: 20150253487
    Abstract: A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator having a reflective surface, a lightguide comprising a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region comprising a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region to frustrate totally internally reflected light propagating within the core layer such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region into the first cladding layer. A light redirecting optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer, and includes a plurality of light redirecting features directing frustrated totally internally reflected light from the plurality of light extraction features toward the reflective spatial light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 9110200
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a film lightguide. The lightguide includes a lightguide region and an array of coupling lightguides continuous with the lightguide region, each terminating in a bounding edge and folded such that the bounding edges define a light input surface. A light source emits light into the light input surface. Light propagates within each coupling lightguide to the lightguide region, with light from each coupling lightguide combining with light from one or more other coupling lightguides and totally internally reflecting within the lightguide region. One or more light extraction features frustrate the totally internally reflected light such that light exits the lightguide in a light emitting region. Surface relief features on a surface of a low contact area cover are adjacent to a region of the lightguide with one or more of the surface relief features contacting the lightguide. A method of producing a device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Publication number: 20150219834
    Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a frontlight. The frontlight includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of coupling lightguides continuous with a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of coupling lightguides. Light from each coupling lightguide combines and totally internally reflects within the lightguide region. Light extraction features frustrate totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide through a cladding region toward a light redirecting optical element that redirects the light toward a reflective spatial light modulator. A method of producing a display is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 9028123
    Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a frontlight. The frontlight includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of coupling lightguides continuous with a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of coupling lightguides. Light from each coupling lightguide combines and totally internally reflects within the lightguide region. Light extraction features frustrate totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide toward the reflective spatial light modulator in a light emitting region of the film. A cladding region is optically coupled to the lightguide so light from the light source propagates into the cladding region. A light extracting region is operatively coupled to the cladding region opposite the lightguide, and light in the cladding region is extracted. A method of producing a display is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Publication number: 20150078035
    Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a component having a frame and an array of protruding teeth extending from the frame. Each tooth of the array of protruding teeth has an angled edge. The device also includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of strips extending from an area of the film. The array of strips is positioned adjacent the array of protruding teeth, and the component at least partially restrains the film when each strip of the array of strips is folded across an angled edge of a corresponding tooth of the array of protruding teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 8917962
    Abstract: In embodiments of this invention, light emitting devices comprise film-based lightguides comprising at least one light input coupler and an array of coupling lightguides that are folded or bent and disposed substantially above one another. The edges of the coupling lightguides may form part of a light input surface. The light emitting device may comprise more than one light input coupler and the film may be less than 500 microns in thickness. In embodiments of this invention, methods of manufacturing lightguides and light input couplers comprise steps that translate linear fold regions of the coupling lightguides relative to each other such that the coupling lightguides are bent or folded above each other. In other embodiments of this invention, an electroluminescent sign, light fixture, frontlight for a reflective display, or a backlight for a transmissive display comprises a lightguide and light input coupler comprising coupling lightguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Flex Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Coleman
  • Patent number: 8764262
    Abstract: A film sheet having a series of strips extending from an edge may have the film strips gathered and folded into a stacked array wherein the strips are in parallel abutment. The collected ends of the stacked strips are then suitable for receiving light for transmission into (and emission from) the body of the film sheet. A pair of frame members, when urged toward each other about the strips, may automatically collect and fold the strips into a parallel spaced array. This array may then be gathered by hand, or by a cover member translating adjacent the frame members, to generate the stacked array of parallel abutting strips. The resulting illumination device is particularly useful for illumination of display panels such as liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, or simply signs formed of paper, plastic, and/or other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Shawn Michael Pucylowski