Patents by Inventor Kevin F. Leadford

Kevin F. Leadford 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: 20040218392
    Abstract: A substantially bell-shaped light fixture component for use with a lighting fixture, the light fixture component having upper and lower openings and curved or undulating segments on the light fixture component body that diffuse light from the light source used in connection with the light fixture component. The outer surface of the light fixture component body also has a plurality of curvilinear prisms for reflecting light by internal prismatic reflection. The inner and outer surfaces of the light fixture component create an even distribution of light that emanates from the light fixture component in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin F. Leadford
  • Patent number: 6419375
    Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux with improved uniformity, the invention provides in certain embodiments a shielding device or flux manager which produces target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light. Performance optimization is further provided in embodiments using the flux manager through additional use of a multi-faceted reflector insert which re-aims light which would have been incident on portions of the reflector structure and which light is blocked by the flux manager. The improved light distribution of the several embodiments of the invention allow use of the flux management concept in lighting fixtures of varying type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Jeffrey M. Quinlan
  • Patent number: 6213625
    Abstract: Light-transparent lens structures typically formed of conventional synthetic acrylic resins and intended for use as lenses in a lensed fluorescent troffer or similar lighting fixture, the lens structures of the invention are characterized by repeating patterns of conical or pyramidal depressions formed in the lens with upper portions or apices thereof being inverted. The lens structures of the invention preserve the angular relationships of lens material to air interfaces of conventional conical lens patterns, for example, and further preserve angular beam shaping capabilities while substantially reducing the amount of material needed to form the lens structures per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Carl Timothy Gould
  • Patent number: 6190023
    Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux to a playing field with improved uniformity, the invention provides primary reflector structures having shaped facets, the several reflectors being capable of maximizing lumen delivery onto the playing field when considered relative to economy of manufacture. In certain embodiments of the invention, a shielding device or flux manager is employed for producing target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Jeffrey Mansfield Quinlan
  • Patent number: 5800050
    Abstract: Downlight and downlight wall wash reflectors particularly useful with compact fluorescent lamps and other large-area light sources, the reflector optics of the invention maximize the efficiency of the luminaire while providing brightness control and avoidance of high angle glare or "flash". Downlight reflectors according to the invention provide a truly uniform illuminance distribution across the illuminated area when applied in a rectangular grid with maximum use of available light by providing an upper amplifying reflector section which reflects normally underutilized light to a lower distribution reflector section which radiates a large percentage of generated light effectively from the bottom of the light source, thus reducing the apparent size of the light source and increasing optical control. The lower reflector section reflects light only into zones where the light is needed and avoids high angle zones, most of the light being reflected into zones from 35.degree. to 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin F. Leadford
  • Patent number: D402075
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Christopher Hudak, Scott David Wegner, Kenneth Marion Bowen, Kevin F. Leadford