Patents by Inventor Karl A. Vick

Karl A. Vick 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: 9816679
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9599308
    Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David A. Ender, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jennifer J. Sahlin, Michael E. Griffin, Karl A. Vick, Bing Hao, Scott M. Schnobrich
  • Publication number: 20160299280
    Abstract: Lightguides are disclosed. In particular, lightguides including extractors with directionally dependent extraction efficiency are disclosed. The lightguide may include a series or array of directionally dependent light extractors. Certain configurations enabling the display of indicia and exemplary light extractor shapes are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Ender, Michael A. Haase, Bing Hao, Michael E. Griffin, Jeremy K. Larsen, Karl A. Vick
  • Publication number: 20160215950
    Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Ender, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jennifer J. Sahlin, Michael E. Griffin, Karl A. Vick, Bing Hao, Scott M. Schnobrich
  • Publication number: 20160047521
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9200775
    Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source (18), an outer light cover (12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20150330593
    Abstract: A taillight article (100) including a light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and a rear surface (114) and a plurality of light extraction features (116) on or within the light guide (110), configured to direct light out through the emission surface (112), is described. A first light source (120) indicing a first signal function is configured to direct light in a first direction into a side surface (118) of the light guide. A second light source (130) indicating a second signal function is configured to direct light in a second direction into a second side surface (119) of the light guide, the second direction being different than the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy K. Larsen, David A. Ender, Jennifer J. Sahlin, Karl A. Vick, Michael E. Griffin, Scott M. Schnobrich, Bing Hao
  • Publication number: 20150316227
    Abstract: A taillight article (100) including at least two optically clear light guides (110, 130) stacked on each other to provide vehicle signal function is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jennifer J. Sahlin, Scott M. Schnobrich, Jeremy K. Larsen, Michael E. Griffin, Bing Hao, Karl A. Vick, David A. Ender
  • Publication number: 20120039084
    Abstract: Light assembly (10) having reflector (16), light source(18), an outer light cover(12), and a curved transflective surface (15). Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley