Patents by Inventor Michael Anthony Marinelli

Michael Anthony Marinelli 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: 6036340
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a light source for generating light and a unitary optical element having a light collimating surface, a plurality of stepped surfaces projecting from the collimating surface, each stepped surface having a reflective surface angled with respect to the collimating surface for receiving collimated light, a dispersal surface angled with respect to the stepped surfaces, the dispersal surface having a plurality of dimples aligned with respect to the reflective surfaces for dispersing collimated light, and a kicker adjacent the surface having a plurality of reflective facets adapted to receive and redirect the dispersed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
  • Patent number: 5890796
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide which illuminates a unitary thin sheet optic having a diffractive optical element portion, a manifold section, and a kicker section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, David Allen O'Neil, Timothy Fohl
  • Patent number: 5857770
    Abstract: A lighting system for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide which illuminates a thin sheet optical element tail lamp having a manifold portion, a kicker portion adjacent and substantially parallel to the manifold portion, and a turning prism adjacent to and in optical communication with the manifold and kicker portions for receiving light from the manifold portion and internally reflecting and redirecting light to the kicker portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, David Allen O'Neil, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
  • Patent number: 5796904
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system, which includes a remote light source having an interlock circuit, an optical element, and a fiber optic light guide having a coextensive electrically conductive wire, the light guide electrically coupled to the light source and optical element so that if the light guide should become disconnected or severed, the interlock circuit will prevent power from being transmitted to the remote light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard, Timothy Fohl
  • Patent number: 5791757
    Abstract: A lighting system for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide bundle which illuminates a uniform thickness thin sheet optical element having a plurality of micro-optical wedges formed thereon and a plurality of diffractive optical elements disposed intermediate the fiber optic light guide bundle and the uniform thickness thin sheet optical element for receiving light and redirecting the light to predetermined regions of the plurality of micro-optical wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen O'Neil, Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
  • Patent number: 5771326
    Abstract: A fiber optic light guide for a vehicle lighting system has a light transmissive core and a cladding provided circumferentially about the core. A light absorptive viscous fluid is disposed intermediate the light transmissive core and the cladding, so that if the fiber optic light guide is severed, and the light transmissive core is exposed, the viscous fluid will flow over and cover the exposed light transmissive core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard
  • Patent number: 5700078
    Abstract: A tail lamp assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light pipe which illuminates a unitary thin sheet optic having an input section, a manifold section, and a kicker section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Fohl, Michael Anthony Marinelli, Jeffrey Thomas Remillard