Patents by Inventor Paul Pickard

Paul Pickard 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: 8573816
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enhanced composite lens, which is formed from a material, such as thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polycarbonate, acrylic glass, and the like. To form the composite lens, a resin of the desired thermoplastic material is formed in the desired shape of a lens. To facilitate light diffusion within the body of the resultant lens, diffusive additives are added to the thermoplastic resin when forming the composite lens. As such, the diffusive additives are dispersed throughout the body of the composite lens and light diffusion occurs volumetrically within and throughout the body of the composite lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20130280945
    Abstract: A connector for a light source comprises a first cam having a contact surface that is mounted such that the contact surface is extended and retracted relative to the housing. An electrical contact is provided and positioned to contact an electrical terminal in the socket. A conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical contact where the conductor is connected to a light source. An actuator rotates the cam to the retracted position. The connector may be inserted linearly into the socket and the actuator released to mount the light source in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Chobot, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20130265772
    Abstract: A method for providing an optical element may include providing an optical feature in the optical element that spreads or distributes light passing through the optical element. The method may also include providing a texturing in at least a portion of the optical feature of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: DONG JENNA LU, MARK EDMOND, MARK DIXON, PAUL PICKARD
  • Publication number: 20130241392
    Abstract: Lighting devices include a semiconductor light emitting device and first and second spaced-apart lumiphors. The first lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and radiation emitted by the luminescent materials in the first lumiphor. The first lumiphor is a leaky lumiphor in that the luminescent materials therein wavelength convert less than 90% of the radiation from the semiconductor light emitting device light that is incident on the first lumiphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Antony P. Van de Ven, Ronan P. LeToquin
  • Patent number: 8441179
    Abstract: Lighting devices include a semiconductor light emitting device and first and second spaced-apart lumiphors. The first lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and radiation emitted by the luminescent materials in the first lumiphor. The first lumiphor is a leaky lumiphor in that the luminescent materials therein wavelength convert less than 90% of the radiation from the semiconductor light emitting device light that is incident on the first lumiphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Antony Paul Van de Ven, Ronan P. LeToquin
  • Publication number: 20120327665
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp comprises a reflector defining a geometric curve, a reflective surface that is separable from the reflector defining the geometric curve, and a solid state light emitter. The solid state light emitter is positioned to direct light rays towards the reflector defining the geometric curve and to direct light rays towards the reflective surface. The reflective surface is configured to direct light rays from the solid state light emitter into the geometric curve. The geometric curve is configured to reflect light rays received from the solid state light emitter away from the lamp and is configured to reflect light rays received form the reflective surface away from the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Dong Lu
  • Publication number: 20120327670
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The assembly includes a multilayer FR4 printed circuit board and a metal heat spreader assembled with the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The assembly is configured to mount a plurality of solid state light emitters. The multilayer FR4 printed circuit board defines an aperture and a least a portion of the metal heat spreader is positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The portion of the heat spreader positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board is in communication with heat dissipation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Curt Progl
  • Publication number: 20120327657
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp comprises a reflector and a plurality of solid state light emitters directing light rays towards the reflector. For each solid state light emitter of the plurality of solid state light emitters, the reflector defines a segmented parabola and a mirrored wall associated with the light emitter. Each solid state light emitter is positioned in the lamp at a focal point of the segmented parabola associated with the solid state light emitter. For each solid state light, the mirrored wall associated with the solid state light emitter directs light rays from the solid state light emitter into the segmented parabola associated with the same solid state light emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120327664
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp includes a housing and a solid state light emitter. The housing defines an interior region and an air passageway, the air passageway passing through the housing and the interior region. The solid state light emitter is positioned adjacent to a perimeter of the air passageway. The air passageway is configured to provide cooling to the lamp when the sold state light emitter is energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120236572
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enhanced composite lens, which is formed from a material, such as thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be polycarbonate, acrylic glass, and the like. To form the composite lens, a resin of the desired thermoplastic material is formed in the desired shape of a lens. To facilitate light diffusion within the body of the resultant lens, diffusive additives are added to the thermoplastic resin when forming the composite lens. As such, the diffusive additives are dispersed throughout the body of the composite lens and light diffusion occurs volumetrically within and throughout the body of the composite lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald H. Negley, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20120146503
    Abstract: A linear LED lamp is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention can provide an LED-based replacement lamp for a linear or “tube-type” bulb or a bulb with a linear filament or element. By filling the void within the lamp with an optically transmissive fluid to cool the LEDs without the use of a traditional heat sink, the light blocking effects of such a heat sink can be avoided. Thus, the LED replacement lamp can emit light in a substantially omnidirectional pattern. In some embodiments, the optically transmissive fluid medium is a liquid. In some embodiments, the optically transmissive fluid medium is a gel. An index matching medium can be used as the optically transmissive fluid medium. A color mixing treatment can optionally be included to eliminate color tints in cases where multiple LEDs of different colors are used to produce white light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Gerry Negley, Antony Paul van de Ven, Paul Pickard
  • Publication number: 20120057327
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: LONG LARRY LE, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van de Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20120051041
    Abstract: An indirect troffer. Embodiments of the present invention provide a troffer-style fixture that is particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as LEDs. The troffer comprises a light engine unit that is surrounded on its perimeter by a reflective pan. A back reflector defines a reflective interior surface of the light engine. To facilitate thermal dissipation, a heat sink is disposed proximate to the back reflector. A portion of the heat sink is exposed to the ambient room environment while another portion functions as a mount surface for the light sources that faces the back reflector. One or more light sources disposed along the heat sink mount surface emit light into an interior cavity where it can be mixed and/or shaped prior to emission. In some embodiments, one or more lens plates extend from the heat sink out to the back reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Edmond, Dong Lu, Paul Pickard, Nick Nguyen, Gerald Negley, Gary David Trott
  • Publication number: 20110273079
    Abstract: Lighting devices include a semiconductor light emitting device and first and second spaced-apart lumiphors. The first lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second lumiphor has a first surface that is positioned to receive radiation emitted by the semiconductor light emitting device and radiation emitted by the luminescent materials in the first lumiphor. The first lumiphor is a leaky lumiphor in that the luminescent materials therein wavelength convert less than 90% of the radiation from the semiconductor light emitting device light that is incident on the first lumiphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Antony Paul Van de Ven, Ronan P. LeToquin
  • Publication number: 20110215699
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Patent number: 7845103
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated sign mounting system and methods for mounting an illuminated sign to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Logan, Paul Pickard, Mark Wedell
  • Publication number: 20080106907
    Abstract: A lighting device, comprising a housing and at least one mounting clip. The housing comprises an electrical connection region engageable in an electrical receptacle. The mounting clip is pivotable from a first position, where an end region of the mounting clip does not extend beyond a periphery of the housing, to a second position, where the end region extends beyond the housing periphery. Also, a lighting device, comprising a housing, a trim element and at least one mounting clip. The mounting clip is pivotable, such that if the mounting clip is in a second position and then the trim element is rotated, the mounting clip will pivot to a third position, where the mounting clip engages the housing such that the trim element is biased toward a ceiling or other structure in which the lighting device is mounted. Also, methods of installing housings and/or trim elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary TROTT, Paul PICKARD
  • Patent number: D660990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: D679035
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: D679848
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nick Nguyen, Mark Edmond, Jenna Lu, Gerald Negley