Patents by Inventor Thomas T. Nagano
Thomas T. Nagano 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).
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Publication number: 20110075413Abstract: The present invention is an improved lighting system. In particular, the present invention is directed to an LED lighting system with replaceable circuit boards. The lighting system comprises a printed circuit board with a set of LEDs on top and two electrical contact surfaces on the bottom that snaps into a module assembly. The module assembly has an exterior element with two contact windows on its surface with a set of fingers extended to hold the circuit board to two electrical contacts. The electrical contacts pierce two electrical leads inside channels in an interior element of the module assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 7144139Abstract: A system with a pair of flange extrusions and a base extrusion having a channel for electrical leads and lighting. A preferred embodiment has a base extrusion of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of 89–98 Duro on the Shore OO scale. The base extrusion is connected, on opposite sides of the channel, to a first flange extrusion and a second flange extrusion of PVC with a hardness of preferably of 90 Duro. Electrical leads are placed in the channel. A lens is inserted into the channel over the leads. A replaceable LED module having a circuit board secured to a module base is attached to the leads. The circuit board preferably has a gasket or seal, an LED and two contact teeth that make electrical contact with the leads.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Inventors: Eric W. Kramer, Thomas T. Nagano, Kiem Lee
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Patent number: 7063441Abstract: The present invention is a soft light fixture. In particular, it is an LED soft light fixture. The preferred embodiment of the soft light fixture has a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on a perimeter ring aimed to emit light into a light-mixing chamber. The perimeter ring supports a light deflection cap with a lens, preferably translucent. The ring, deflection cap and lens define the light mixing chamber which blends light from the plurality of light emitting diodes into a single light source.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Inventors: Eric W. Kramer, Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 5918962Abstract: A light fixture housing extrusion that includes a horizontal step plate intersecting a vertical riser plate and having first and second channels for mounting string light fixtures beneath removable translucent covers, the channels including grooved wall structures to facilitate securing of the covers and either a pair of tangs or a pair of interior recessed walls for receiving and retaining a spring-biased wedge clip lamp carriage. Other features include an improved wiring scheme with individually-fused light strings, a diode for dimming the light output of selected strings, and a riser lens cover having a unitarily-extruded extended shield which prevents viewing the direct glare from elevated lighting fixtures. An alternative glare reduction is provided by an opaque lens cover located directly above one or more lamps, the lens cover being mounted in a translucent extrusion structure, which mutes the lamp light, thus providing muted illumination on either side of the opaque lens cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc.Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 5785411Abstract: An improved track lighting system wherein a plurality of lamps are mechanically connected to a flexible track by metal connectors which also serve as the electrical connection for the lamps. The connectors include a stem which mounts along a central groove in the flexible track and have resiliently opposed arcuate members to releasably mount a conical or cylindrical end of the lamp. The electrical connection is achieved by a leg member which extends from the top of one of the arcuate members to the side of the track, where a foot member contacts an electric wire disposed within the side of the track. Each side of the track has a wire extending longitudinally along its length. When alternating connectors contact the two wires, an electric current can be generated through the lamp. The connectors can be selectively located anywhere along the track to place the lamp in a desire position, and the connectors are easily removed and replaced in the central groove.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc.Inventors: Neil M. Komai, Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 5436816Abstract: First and second light fixtures, each mounting a fluorescent lamp, are interconnected by a flexible conduit which conducts electrical interconnections between the lamps and a ballast located in one of the fixtures. The flexible conduit permits orienting the respective fixtures to accommodate positioning along a variety of curved paths at the installation site. A three-part lamp support structure featuring a pair of resiliently-biased receptacle arms for receiving a twin tube fluorescent lamp is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc.Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 5430627Abstract: A light fixture housing extrusion that includes a horizontal step plate intersecting a vertical riser plate and having first and second channels for mounting string light fixtures beneath removable translucent covers, the channels including grooved wall structures to facilitate securing of the covers and either a pair of tangs or a pair of interior recessed walls for receiving and retaining a spring-biased wedge clip lamp carriage. Other features include an improved wiring scheme with individually-fused light strings, a diode for dimming the light output of selected strings, and a riser lens cover having a unitarily-extruded extended shield which prevents viewing the direct glare from elevated lighting fixtures.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1993Date of Patent: July 4, 1995Assignee: Tivoli Lighting, Inc.Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: 5045981Abstract: A low-voltage light fixture to facilitate the insertion and removal of light bulbs, where the light bulb is inserted in a socket which is releasable secured to a carriage. The electrical contact to a pair of leads on the light bulb is made by a pair of acruate terminals fastened within the carriage. The terminals have one free end so that they may bend freely upon insertion of the socket within the carriage. The socket includes a depression configured to conform to the shape of the arcuate terminals, so that the terminals snap into the depression when the socket is inserted into the carriage. The leads extend acros the depression to improve the electrical contact. The socket is further secured to the carriage by a pair of grooves which mate to the carriage's guiding rails. The invention further comprises a retrofitting cover and spring-clip mechanism for holding such cover to the housing of the string-lighting system.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc.Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano
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Patent number: RE36961Abstract: First and second light fixtures, each mounting a fluorescent lamp, are interconnected by a flexible conduit which conducts electrical interconnections between the lamps and a ballast located in one of the fixtures. The flexible conduit permits orienting the respective fixtures to accommodate positioning along a variety of curved paths at the installation site. A three-part lamp support structure featuring a pair of resiliently-biased receptacle arms for receiving a twin tube fluorescent lamp is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc.Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano