Patents by Inventor Richard A. Bierma

Richard A. Bierma 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).

  • Flexible fiber optic illuminator and method
    Patent number: 5367440
    Abstract: A flexible fiber optic illuminator 10 for inspecting an interior space, comprises a thin fiber optic element 12 composed of a plurality of optic fibers 20 arranged in at least one substantially planar layer having front and back sides 32,34. Thin stiffner members 24,26 are arranged adjacent to the optic fibers 20 to provide reinforcement. First and second layers 28,30 of adhesive material having adhering means on one side only, are fixedly adhered to the back and front sides of the planar layer 22. A protective jacket 36 for optic fibers 20 and stiffner members 24,26 is therefore defined by first and second adhesive layers 28,30. A light source 14 coupled to the fiber optic element 12 is provided for illuminating the optic fibers 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David W. Gruszczynski, Russell J. Palum, Sarah R. Welch, Andrew D. Thompson, Richard A. Bierma