Patents by Inventor Viorel Mirica

Viorel Mirica 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: 8348447
    Abstract: A sign-type lighting fixture assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes an illuminating lighting fixture, a canopy, and a canopy lock. The lighting fixture has a housing with a perimetrical wall. The perimetrical wall includes a fixture opening therein. The canopy secures the lighting fixture to the canopy. The canopy has a canopy opening for passage of electrical wires. The canopy further includes a pair of inwardly deflectable fingers for insertion into the fixture opening for resilient securement to the perimetrical wall of the lighting fixture. The canopy lock is configured to be inserted into the canopy opening. The canopy lock is disposed between the pair of deflectable fingers of the canopy to prevent inward deflection of the fingers of the canopy to prevent removal from the lighting fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Kelley McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20110023339
    Abstract: A sign-type lighting fixture assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes an illuminating lighting fixture, a canopy, and a canopy lock. The lighting fixture has a housing with a perimetrical wall. The perimetrical wall includes a fixture opening therein. The canopy secures the lighting fixture to the canopy. The canopy has a canopy opening for passage of electrical wires. The canopy further includes a pair of inwardly deflectable fingers for insertion into the fixture opening for resilient securement to the perimetrical wall of the lighting fixture. The canopy lock is configured to be inserted into the canopy opening. The canopy lock is disposed between the pair of deflectable fingers of the canopy to prevent inward deflection of the fingers of the canopy to prevent removal from the lighting fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Kelley McAlpine
  • Patent number: 7753552
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for attaching a sign-type lighting fixture to an electrical box. The assembly includes a lighting fixture having a mounting plate affixed to the electrical box, an illuminating sign, and a canopy affixed to the lighting fixture, allowing the canopy and the mounting plate to attach quickly. The method first includes affixing a mounting plate to an electrical box and affixing a canopy to a sign-type lighting fixture. Next, the canopy is secured to the mounting plate by inserting at least one wing tab from the canopy through at least one holding tab on the mounting plate. Then, the electrical wiring is connected. After that the wing tab and holding tab are separated. Finally, the wing tab is inserted into at least one offset on the mounting plate, and the canopy is secured to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Patrick Martineau
  • Publication number: 20090225535
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for attaching a sign-type lighting fixture to an electrical box. The assembly includes a lighting fixture having a mounting plate affixed to the electrical box, an illuminating sign, and a canopy affixed to the lighting fixture, allowing the canopy and the mounting plate to attach quickly. The method first includes affixing a mounting plate to an electrical box and affixing a canopy to a sign-type lighting fixture. Next, the canopy is secured to the mounting plate by inserting at least one wing tab from the canopy through at least one holding tab on the mounting plate. Then, the electrical wiring is connected. After that the wing tab and holding tab are separated. Finally, the wing tab is inserted into at least one offset on the mounting plate, and the canopy is secured to the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Patrick Martineau
  • Patent number: 7226195
    Abstract: A compact and cost-efficient lamp assembly includes cold-cathode fluorescent lamps in a variety of edge-lit display sign applications specifically, in edge-lit emergency lighting signs. The lamp assembly includes in one self-contained module a lower housing unit and an upper housing unit shaped to cover the lower housing unit. The lower housing unit is divided into a lower frame and an upper frame disposed on top of the lower frame. The upper frame has at least two inverters disposed within. The lower frame is a parabolic shape reflector frame supporting at least two cathode lamps in line with the two inverters, each of which is connected to each lamp for providing high voltage to power up the lamps. Additionally, an edge-lit panel having a front and back side is disclosed in the present invention. The backside includes a semi-transparent frosted surface with a white opaque lamination glued on the frosted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International
    Inventors: Radu C. Rapeanu, Viorel Mirica, Zhigang Xing, David Blier
  • Publication number: 20060018108
    Abstract: A compact and cost-efficient lamp assembly includes cold-cathode fluorescent lamps in a variety of edge-lit display sign applications specifically, in edge-lit emergency lighting signs. The lamp assembly includes in one self-contained module a lower housing unit and an upper housing unit shaped to cover the lower housing unit. The lower housing unit is divided into a lower frame and an upper frame disposed on top of the lower frame. The upper frame has at least two inverters disposed within. The lower frame is a parabolic shape reflector frame supporting at least two cathode lamps in line with the two inverters, each of which is connected to each lamp for providing high voltage to power up the lamps. Additionally, an edge-lit panel having a front and back side is disclosed in the present invention. The backside includes a semi-transparent frosted surface with a white opaque lamination glued on the frosted surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Radu Rapeanu, Viorel Mirica, Zhigang Xing, David Blier
  • Patent number: 6527466
    Abstract: The present invention provides an easily assemble swivel mount for supporting a fixture from a support. This swivel mount is of a design such that no tool or special device is needed to either initially position the fixture at a desired location or to change or re-position the fixture should such be desired. A continuous wire passageway is provided through the swivel mount so that no obstacles need be avoided thereby eliminating the possibility that a wire may become kinked within the swivel mount. Such continuous passageway also makes for easy wire insertion through the swivel mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Blier, Viorel Mirica, Laszlo Pallai
  • Patent number: D611547
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Viorel Mirica, Patrick Martineau, Amiel Lapalme