Patents by Inventor R. Michael Datz

R. Michael Datz 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: 11326756
    Abstract: A vehicle LED lamp having a housing with a front lens of lens elements, a circuit board with LEDs, each providing light of one of three different colors, in which each LED is positioned with respect to a different one of the lens elements. A controller for operating the LEDs of a first color to indicate one or more of brake application (stop), activation of headlights, or turn signal, a second color to indicate reverse vehicle motion, and a third color to provide visual warning signals of one of solid on or flashing patterns. The LEDs of each of the different colors are positioned along the circuit board to substantially enable an entirety of the front lens to provide illumination from the lamp in each of the first, second, and third colors by the controller actuating those ones of the LEDs of the first, second, and third colors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, James J. Cronmiller
  • Patent number: 10309595
    Abstract: An LED beacon has a base and four vanes upon the base extending radially outward from a central axis which lies perpendicular to an upper surface of the base. The vanes are formed using two circuit boards that intersect each other at a right angle, in which each of the circuit boards provides two of the vanes extending outwards in opposite directions from the central axis. Each vane has two opposing surfaces, and upon each such surface are mounted, in proximity to the central axis, one or more LEDs producing same color or different colors of light. A controller enables the LEDs to output light in multiple modes of solid on, flashing and/or rotating patterns along the 360 degree extent of a lens upon the base, and substantially along the height of the lens, for projection preferably as collimated light. LED beacons thus having mono-color and multicolor operation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, Andrew T. Mack
  • Patent number: 9676323
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a lamp having a plurality of different types of mounting members. One of the mounting members is a rigid tray mountable by fasteners flush upon a surface of a vehicle to enable an on-surface mounting mode, and other of said mounting members, such as a grommet or bracket, are mountable at least partially in an opening or hole when present along such surface of a vehicle to enable an inset mounting mode. The different mounting members each engage a common shape housing of the lamp, such as round or oval, so that by selection of one of the mounting members, on-surface or inset mounting of the lamp can readily be achieved. One or more common engagement features are provided along the housing to facilitate engagement of the housing of the lamp by mounting members in on-surface and inset mounting modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHG & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, James Cronmiller, Michael A. Barbato
  • Patent number: 9631779
    Abstract: An optical system is provided having a first optical element for directing LED light received outwards, and two second optical elements each disposed to receive a portion of the light from a different one of two opposing ends of the first optical element so that the second optical elements redirects such portion of the light received outwards. Light from the optical system is preferably collimated along a first dimension, and non-collimated along a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The first optical element and second optical elements are disposed in an integrated structure to facilitate mounting of the optical system upon a circuit board having LEDs which provide light to the first optical element. A light bar is also provided having multiple sets of LEDs on circuit boards, where each set provides light to a different one of the optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventor: R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: 9409528
    Abstract: A universal system for mounting lightbars on any vehicle's roof curvature without the need for changing parts in the mounting. The mounting system comprises two mounting assemblies. Each assembly has a first bracket attached to the roof, particularly in the gutter or door jamb, which runs along the edge of the roof, a second bracket attached to the underside of the lightbar, and a third bracket coupled to said first bracket by a flexible strip or strap. The third bracket is movable laterally with respect to the second bracket to a fixed position to stretch the strip so that it lies flush upon the roof. Two of the mounting assemblies are attached to the lightbar at opposite ends thereof for mounting the lightbar along the right and left sides of the roof of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventor: R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: 9291328
    Abstract: An interior lens is provided for a light bar mountable onto the roof of a vehicle. The interior lens has a plurality of fluted lenses or lens segments forming a ribbon shaped to receive illumination prior to exiting the light bar outer dome. The fluted lenses extend vertically parallel to each other and are each shaped to increase the horizontal viewing angle of light from the light bar. The ribbon of fluted lenses may continuously extend within the light bar around the optical assembly to improve performance of light projected from different sides of the light bar, thereby providing an improved optical assembly for a light bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy L. Andrew, Stephen T. Vukosic, R. Michael Datz, Elvis Pacavar, Andrew Mack
  • Publication number: 20150049482
    Abstract: An optical system is provided having a first optical element for directing LED light received outwards, and two second optical elements each disposed to receive a portion of the light from a different one of two opposing ends of the first optical element so that the second optical elements redirects such portion of the light received outwards. Light from the optical system is preferably collimated along a first dimension, and non-collimated along a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The first optical element and second optical elements are disposed in an integrated structure to facilitate mounting of the optical system upon a circuit board having LEDs which provide light to the first optical element. A light bar is also provided having multiple sets of LEDs on circuit boards, where each set provides light to a different one of the optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: R. MICHAEL DATZ
  • Publication number: 20140293637
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a lamp having a plurality of different types of mounting members. One of the mounting members is a rigid tray mountable by fasteners flush upon a surface of a vehicle to enable an on-surface mounting mode, and other of said mounting members, such as a grommet or bracket, are mountable at least partially in an opening or hole when present along such surface of a vehicle to enable an inset mounting mode. The different mounting members each engage a common shape housing of the lamp, such as round or oval, so that by selection of one of the mounting members, on-surface or inset mounting of the lamp can readily be achieved. One or more common engagement features are provided along the housing to facilitate engagement of the housing of the lamp by mounting members in on-surface and inset mounting modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: R. MICHAEL DATZ, JAMES CRONMILLER, MICHAEL A. BARBATO
  • Patent number: 8840268
    Abstract: An LED beacon has a plurality of LEDs for emitting light of the same or different colors mounting along an upright member within an optical system. To provide a beacon illuminating selectively in one or more colors, the plurality of LEDs are in different groups of two or more LEDs, at least one LED in each group being of a different color. Each group of LEDs are mounted together circumferentially spaced from each other around a central axis. Each of the LEDs when activated projects light there from through the optical system provided by a collimating lens and a condensing, coupling lens. The optical system provides enhanced illumination distributed in a cylindrical beam emanating from the collimating lens. By selectively activating LEDs of the same colors or different color at different times different sequences or patterns may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, Stephen T. Vukosic, Andrew Mack
  • Patent number: 8662702
    Abstract: An LED beacon has a plurality of LED's mounted on opposite sides of a square post in the same horizontal plane. Each LED projects the light there from through an optical system. The optical system is provided by a collimating lens, preferably a cylindrical fresnel lens and a condensing, coupling lens for each LED also mounted on the post. The optical system provides enhanced illumination distributed in a cylindrical beam emanating from the fresnel collimating lens. The illumination is enhanced in that the condensing lens shifts the focus of the collimating lens to the location of the LEDs. Nominally, the fresnel collimating lens is focused at the center of the array of LEDs (the middle of the post).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, Stephen T. Vukosic
  • Patent number: D693035
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern, Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, J. Douglas Richardson, Stephen T. Vukosic
  • Patent number: D707579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventor: R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: D712086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Barbato, Stephen T. Vukosic, R. Michael Datz, J. Douglas Richardson
  • Patent number: D716481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Jacobs, Tracy L. Andrew, Stephen T. Vukosic, R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: D760104
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Jacobs, J. Douglas Richardson, Tracy L. Andrew, Stephen T. Vukosic, R. Michael Datz, Corey Weterrings
  • Patent number: D774686
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventors: Steven W. Neufeglise, R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: D775407
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN CO., INC.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, Stephen T. Vukosic, James J. Cronmiller
  • Patent number: D943802
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventor: R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: D943803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventor: R. Michael Datz
  • Patent number: D952493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. Michael Datz, Stephen T. Vukosic