Patents by Inventor Leonard A. Thomas

Leonard A. Thomas 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).

  • Ruggedized lamp construction, and method
    Patent number: 8432093
    Abstract: An arc tube light source supported by a discontinuous two-part (top and bottom) frame inside a bulb of an HID lamp is ruggedized to reduce weld breakage under vibration and shock. Each of the top and bottom frames is substantially U-shaped, with the open end of the U-shape being attached by a strap to a pinch of the arc tube. For ruggedization a bracing strap is fixed to, and extends between, two sides of the frame and is welded to a lead wire extending from the pinch. Strength is enhanced if two lead wires extend from the pinch, and the bracing strap is welded to both. Advantageously the two lead wires are sides of a U-shaped wire such as a “U-pin”. Further stabilization may be achieved by using braces attached to both of the top and bottom frames and extended out against surrounding parts of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: EYE Lighting International of North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard A. Thomas
  • RUGGEDIZED LAMP CONSTRUCTION, AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110279010
    Abstract: An arc tube light source supported by a discontinuous two-part (top and bottom) frame inside a bulb of an HID lamp is ruggedized to reduce weld breakage under vibration and shock. Each of the top and bottom frames is substantially U-shaped, with the open end of the U-shape being attached by a strap to a pinch of the arc tube. For ruggedization a bracing strap is fixed to, and extends between, two sides of the frame and is welded to a lead wire extending from the pinch. Strength is enhanced if two lead wires extend from the pinch, and the bracing strap is welded to both. Advantageously the two lead wires are sides of a U-shaped wire such as a “U-pin”. Further stabilization may be achieved by using braces attached to both of the top and bottom frames and extended out against surrounding parts of the bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: EYE LIGHTING INTERNATIONAL OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Leonard A. Thomas
  • Polarized threaded lamp base
    Patent number: 4610498
    Abstract: A polarized screw base assuring constant angular orientation of a lamp has a polarizing locator for engaging a stop in a mating socket. The locator consists of a length of metal rod welded lengthwise on the crest of a base thread with multiple spot welds to assure adequate shear strength. The leading end of the locator is formed with a hooked or alternatively with a balled end to achieve a locking effect with the stop in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Leonard A. Thomas