Patents by Inventor Kurt Wilcox

Kurt Wilcox 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: 20160348884
    Abstract: A LED fixture is provided, the lamp comprising a LED board having a thermally conductive periphery, the LED board comprising at least one LED operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from a base; and a heat sink assembly thermally coupled to the thermally conductive periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Bart P. Reier, Curt Progl, Daniel J. Van Epps, JR., John R. Rowlette, JR., John Adam Edmond, Kurt Wilcox, David Power
  • Publication number: 20160298826
    Abstract: An LED bulb with a down-reflecting optic is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention can provide for an omnidirectional intensity distribution in the vertical plane for a vertically oriented solid-state lamp. In example embodiments, an optically transmissive enclosure is installed on the driver base. A plurality of LEDs are mounted on a mounting surface of the driver base, and an optical arrangement is disposed at least partially in an optical path from the plurality of LEDs to a central area of the optically transmissive enclosure to down-reflect at least some light from the plurality of LEDs. The optical arrangement can include a TIR optic with a spline-driving surface to down-reflect the at least some light from the plurality of LEDs, or a substantially flat mirror. Either may include a central aperture, and the optical arrangement may include a diffuser or diffusive areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Jin Hong Lim, Troy Trottier, Kurt Wilcox, John Roberts
  • Patent number: 9441824
    Abstract: An LED floodlight fixture LED light fixture including a plurality of heat-sink-mounted LED-array modules, each module engaging an LED-adjacent surface of a heat-sink base for transfer of heat from the module, and at least one venting aperture through the heat-sink base to provide air ingress to the heat-dissipating surfaces adjacent to the aperture. The LED light fixture may include a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink with its own heat-dissipating surfaces and heat-sink base which has one of the LED-array modules engaged thereon. The heat-sink base is wider than the module thereon such that the heat-sink base includes a beyond-module portion. The venting aperture(s) is/are through the beyond-module portion of the heat-sink base. The inventive light fixture may include a housing and an LED assembly which includes the heat-sink-mounted LED-array modules. The LED assembly and the housing form a venting gap therebetween to provide air ingress along the heat-sink base to the heat-dissipating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, Alan J. Ruud, Kurt Wilcox, David P. Goelz
  • Publication number: 20160245479
    Abstract: A lens for distribution of light from a light emitter. The lens has thick and thin wall portions between inner and outer lens surfaces. The thick wall portion(s) are at least twice as thick as the thin wall portion(s). At least one of the inner and outer surfaces has a texturing for diffusion of emitter light passing therethrough. The lens may include at least one interface between two materials with different indices of refraction. At least one surface of the interface may have a texturing for diffusion of emitter light passing therethrough. And, a method for manufacturing of the lens by forming a lens region with a textured surface portion by injecting the thermoplastic elastomer into an injection-molding cavity defined by a shape-forming configuration with a texturing in at least one area of the cavity. The shape-forming configuration is configured to shape a thermoplastic elastomer into such thickness that the set elastomer retains the texturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Craig Raleigh, Corey Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9410674
    Abstract: A lens for primarily forward distribution of light from a light emitter which has an emitter axis in a front-to-back centerplane. The lens has a base surface which is adjacent the emitter and forms a light-entrance opening, an inner surface which defines a light-receiving cavity and includes front and back regions extending from the light-entrance opening, and an outer surface which has front and back regions adjoined by a middle region. The back region includes a back portion configured for forward total internal reflection (TIR) of rearward light received from the inner surface. The back portion extends transverse to the front-to-back centerplane away from the base surface from positions which are closer to the base surface than the innermost cavity region and terminates with a distal end which is closer to the base surface than outermost positions of the front region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Goldstein, Kurt Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20160223167
    Abstract: An LED apparatus which includes (a) an electrical circuit board having an electrically-insulated substrate with conductive zones laminated thereon, (b) a selectively-applied dielectric layer, such as a solder-mask layer, deposited or otherwise adhered to portions of the circuit board, the dielectric layer having a thickness and material composition sufficient such that the fire and electrical enclosure requirements of UL8750, UL746E and UL746C are met, and (c) one or more LEDs connected to the circuit board at designated connection sites thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Mark Dixon, Jason Taylor
  • Patent number: 9328876
    Abstract: A LED lamp includes a plurality of red LEDs and a plurality of blue LEDs, a phosphor covering at least the plurality of blue LEDs, where the lamp has an LPW of at least 200 in a steady state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Ashish Ekbote, Nalini Gupta
  • Publication number: 20160096296
    Abstract: An injection-molding apparatus for article formation. The injection-molding apparatus includes a single mold base supporting at least one grouping of a plurality of shape-forming configuration sets. Each set includes at least one cavity and is shaped for forming one of first-formed, intermediate-formed and last-formed regions of the article in the cavities by a corresponding one of injection-molding shots. Each cavity retains each article region formed by the preceding injection-molding shot(s). The single mold base includes a movable part which moves internally within the single mold base with respect to a stationary part such that relative positions of the shape-forming configurations are advanced for each set to form a subsequent article region in the cavities. Each subsequent injection-molding shot may at least partially over-mold the article region formed in the preceding shot. Each subsequent shot may be prior to full cooling of the article region formed in the previous shot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Raleigh, Michael G. Balles, Craig S. Hubertz, Kurt Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20160061416
    Abstract: An LED light fixture includes a heat-sink, a circuit board thereon with a plurality of spaced LED light sources, and a one-piece optical member with a plurality of secondary lenses over corresponding LED light sources and having a lens flange surrounding the lenses and integral with each lens. The optical member includes a polymeric carrier portion surrounding the lenses, overlapping with and molded onto the lens flanges across such overlapping, and extending therefrom to a peripheral edge portion. The optical member has an outer surface infused with an ultraviolet inhibitor to increase long-term weathering performance. The infused outer surface includes an outer layer of each lens and extends to form an outer layer of the lens flanges and therebeyond to form an outer layer of the carrier portion. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing such infused optical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Raleigh, Kurt Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9273833
    Abstract: An LED light fixture includes a heat sink structure, at least one LED board in thermal engagement with the heat sink structure, the at least one LED board having at least one LED emitter thereon, and an on-board connector on the LED board for connecting electrical wiring to the LED emitter(s). At least one enclosing member forms with the heat sink an interior space enclosing a corresponding LED board, the rigid enclosing member defining a wiring aperture therethrough in alignment with the on-board connector. The LED light fixture also has an exterior wireway structure including a one-piece duct which has an end portion engaged with the wiring aperture and forms a channel for wires to the on-board connector. The wireway structure further includes a single-piece rigid cover secured with respect to the enclosing member and enclosing the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Andrew Bendtsen, Dan Quella
  • Publication number: 20160047528
    Abstract: A lens for primarily forward distribution of light from a light emitter which has an emitter axis in a front-to-back centerplane. The lens has a base surface which is adjacent the emitter and forms a light-entrance opening, an inner surface which defines a light-receiving cavity and includes front and back regions extending from the light-entrance opening, and an outer surface which has front and back regions adjoined by a middle region. The back region includes a back portion configured for forward total internal reflection (TIR) of rearward light received from the inner surface. The back portion extends transverse to the front-to-back centerplane away from the base surface from positions which are closer to the base surface than the innermost cavity region and terminates with a distal end which is closer to the base surface than outermost positions of the front region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Goldstein, Kurt Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9261271
    Abstract: An LED light fixture a housing, a heat sink secured with respect to the housing, the heat sink has a base with front and back surfaces, and an LED arrangement mounted at the front surface of the heat sink. The back surface of the heat sink is open to water/air flow thereover. The LED light fixture also includes at least one closed channel extending along the base and spaced therefrom for receiving wire connections for the LED arrangement. The at least one closed channel receives wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The LED arrangement may include at least first and second LED modules, the first LED module being proximal to the housing with the at least one closed channel receiving wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The first and second LED modules may be in end-to-end relationship to one another such that the second LED module is distal from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, Alan J. Ruud, Kurt Wilcox, Don Miletich
  • Publication number: 20150325759
    Abstract: Solid state fixtures and packages are disclosed that include an optical element, such as an encapsulant, having an integrated indicator which indicates one or more characteristics of the package to a user, such as package orientation, polarity, chip-type, etc. The host optical element can be substantially symmetrical but for the indicator. Indicators can be additive, such as a bump, or subtractive, such as a hole. The indicator can be visible to the human eye, and/or can be machine detectable, such as by pick-and-place technology. Indicators can be formed by many processes including molding and laser ablation/imprinting, which is particularly suited for use with a hard host material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Theodore Lowes, Corey Goldstein, Jason Taylor, Chandan Bhat
  • Publication number: 20150308630
    Abstract: A LED lamp for use in an existing light fixture having an electrical receptacle comprises an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure and a base having an external size that may be the same size or smaller than an external size of the electrical receptacle. A LED assembly is operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The base comprises a universal mounting mechanism for mounting the lamp to the light fixture. A surge protector and an electrical connector are positioned at least partially in the base and are in the electrical path. A heat sink comprises a first portion in the enclosure for supporting the LED assembly and a second portion external of the enclosure for dissipating heat. The base is connected to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bendtsen, Kurt Wilcox, Curt Progl, Brian Kinnune
  • Publication number: 20150267879
    Abstract: A LED lamp includes a plurality of red LEDs and a plurality of blue LEDs, a phosphor covering at least the plurality of blue LEDs, where the lamp has an LPW of at least 200 in a steady state operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Bernd Keller, James Ibbetson, Ashish Ekbote
  • Publication number: 20150252999
    Abstract: An LED light fixture a housing, a heat sink secured with respect to the housing, the heat sink has a base with front and back surfaces, and an LED arrangement mounted at the front surface of the heat sink. The back surface of the heat sink is open to water/air flow thereover. The LED light fixture also includes at least one closed channel extending along the base and spaced therefrom for receiving wire connections for the LED arrangement. The at least one closed channel receives wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The LED arrangement may include at least first and second LED modules, the first LED module being proximal to the housing with the at least one closed channel receiving wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The first and second LED modules may be in end-to-end relationship to one another such that the second LED module is distal from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, Alan J. Ruud, Kurt Wilcox, Don Miletich
  • Publication number: 20150241021
    Abstract: An LED lensing arrangement for lighting fixtures includes (1) a rigid light-transmissive outer structure having an outwardly-facing light-exit surface and an outer-structure light-input surface, (2) an optically-clear molded polymeric inner structure having a light-entrance surface and a light-output surface which is adhered to the outer-structure light-input surface, the inner structure being of a material which is pourable upon molding, one example being a liquid silicone rubber (LSR) material, and (3) at least one LED light source secured with respect to and optically coupled to the inner-structure light-entrance surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Craig Raleigh, Mario Alberto Castillo
  • Publication number: 20150176770
    Abstract: A tube that is at least partially optically transmissive. An LED mounted on a substrate is positioned in the tube and is operable to emit light through the tube when energized through an electrical path. Pins are in the electrical path. An electrical conductor electrically couples the pins to the electrical path, the electrical conductor is biased into engagement with an electrical contact on the substrate. The substrate may be secured to the tube by an adhesive. The substrate may be secured to the end caps and be suspended in the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Andrew Bendtsen, Mark Dixon
  • Patent number: 9039241
    Abstract: An LED light fixture a housing, a heat sink secured with respect to the housing, the heat sink has a base with front and back surfaces, and an LED arrangement mounted at the front surface of the heat sink The back surface of the heat sink is open to water/air flow thereover. The LED light fixture also includes at least one closed channel extending along the base and spaced therefrom for receiving wire connections for the LED arrangement. The at least one closed channel receives wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The LED arrangement may include at least first and second LED modules, the first LED module being proximal to the housing with the at least one closed channel receiving wiring extending to/from the second LED module. The first and second LED modules may be in end-to-end relationship to one another such that the second LED module is distal from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, Alan J. Ruud, Kurt Wilcox, Don Miletich
  • Patent number: D751240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Wilcox, Dan Quella