Patents by Inventor Steven J. Altamura

Steven J. Altamura 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: 8668358
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Publication number: 20140042903
    Abstract: A resistor bypass circuit for a series lighting circuit includes a plurality of serially connected light sources and a bypass resistor being connected in parallel with at least one of the respective light sources, each respective light source being low wattage and being capable operating on a one hundred percent duty cycle as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Altamura
  • Publication number: 20120224377
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Seasonal Specialties LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Patent number: 8177393
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Publication number: 20120074854
    Abstract: A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Seasonal Specialities, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Neuman, Steven J. Altamura
  • Patent number: 8072152
    Abstract: A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Neuman, Steven J. Altamura
  • Patent number: 7934850
    Abstract: A decorative light display includes a plurality of light source assemblies, each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies having a known power requirement and at least one power supply operably coupled to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies for supplying power from an external power source to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies, the at least one power supply providing power to each respective light source assembly, which power satisfies the known power requirement thereof. A method of displaying decorative lighting is further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, George Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110062875
    Abstract: A resistor bypass circuit for a series lighting circuit includes a plurality of serially connected light sources and a bypass resistor being connected in parallel with at least one of the respective light sources, each respective light source being low wattage and being capable operating on a one hundred percent duty cycle as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Steven J. Altamura
  • Publication number: 20110038158
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Patent number: 7851981
    Abstract: Ornamental light strings are commonly made of a plurality of miniature light bulbs connected together, often in series, to make a light string. This invention is directed to optimizing the perceived brightness while reducing heat in each bulb. This is a particular problem where resistor bypass circuits are used where a bypass resistor being connected in parallel with at least one of the respective light sources, each respective light source being low wattage and being capable operating on a one hundred percent duty cycle as desired. Improvements are accomplished by changes in placement of the filament, its windings and materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Altamura
  • Patent number: 7819552
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Publication number: 20100096999
    Abstract: A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Neuman, Steven J. Altamura
  • Patent number: 7649322
    Abstract: A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seasonal Specialties LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Neuman, Steven J. Altamura
  • Publication number: 20090015167
    Abstract: A decorative light display includes a plurality of light source assemblies, each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies having a known power requirement and at least one power supply operably coupled to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies for supplying power from an external power source to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies, the at least one power supply providing power to each respective light source assembly, which power satisfies the known power requirement thereof. A method of displaying decorative lighting is further included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, George Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080211415
    Abstract: A resistor bypass circuit for a series lighting circuit includes a plurality of serially connected light sources and a bypass resistor being connected in parallel with at least one of the respective light sources, each respective light source being low wattage and being capable operating on a one hundred percent duty cycle as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Steven J. Altamura
  • Publication number: 20080130284
    Abstract: A light unit includes a bulb having a light source with lead wires and a separator, a switch member that includes a support member and a pair of spring terminals, and a socket having two or more conductive terminals and adapted to receive the bulb and the switch member. The switch member is adapted to cause the pair of spring terminals to contact one another to form an electrical short circuit across the pair of conductive terminals and the light source when the bulb is completely or partially removed from the socket. The lead wires form an electrical connection across the conductive terminals and the separator breaks contact between the pair of spring terminals when the bulb is seated in the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, Robert C. Neuman, Dennis Wang
  • Publication number: 20080116816
    Abstract: A limited flicker decorative light-emitting diode (LED) string includes a power plug adapted to connect to an alternating current (AC) power source and supply AC power to the LED string, a first pair of LEDs and a second pair of LEDs, a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series to form an LED series, and a plurality of rectifying diodes. The plurality of rectifying diodes provides full-wave rectification of the AC power to the LED series and half-wave rectification of the AC power to the first and second pair of LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Robert C. Neuman, Steven J. Altamura
  • Publication number: 20080094832
    Abstract: A decorative light display includes a plurality of light source assemblies, each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies having a known power requirement and at least one power supply operably coupled to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies for supplying power from an external power source to each respective light source assembly of the plurality of light source assemblies, the at least one power supply providing power to each respective light source assembly, which power satisfies the known power requirement thereof. A method of displaying decorative lighting is further included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Steven J. Altamura, George Tsai
  • Patent number: 5018290
    Abstract: In an exit sign, a plurality of rugged low voltage incandescent lamps are mounted on a printed circuit board to provide proper illumination. The lamps are positioned to provide indirect illumination to the "EXIT" stencilling of the exit sign. The exit sign can be adapted for use with both low voltage alternating current and low voltage emergency direct current. Because the lamps are driven at low voltage and are resistant to failure due to vibration, etc., they can be expected to attain a long life in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Dual-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Kozek, Charles R. Ruskouski, Steven J. Altamura