Patents Issued in January 31, 2006
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Patent number: 6991312Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a less costly print head maintenance mechanism featuring a compact, simple construction and negating the need for a widthwise increase of space for permitting vertical movement of the print head maintenance mechanism. The mechanism is designed to utilize the rotation of first cams and second cams for switching cap holders and wiper holders to a printing mode position for permitting a normal printing operation, a capping mode position for sealing a nozzle surface at a print head with the cap, and a wiping mode position for cleaning by wiping the nozzle surface with the wiper.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Uwagaki, Ryoichi Kawai
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Patent number: 6991313Abstract: In an ink jet printer, a print head having a plurality of nozzles, ink cartridges that accommodate respective inks for printing, and ink supply tubes that connect the respective ink cartridges to the print head are provided. The ink cartridges have ink accommodation chambers and air chambers (on which air pressure is exerted) that are separated from each other by flexible film members, respectively. Also provided are an air pump for producing pressurized air, an air supply tube for guiding the pressurized air produced by the air pump to the air chambers, and an orifice for exhausting part of the pressurized air. The orifice is provided in the vicinity of the air-pump-side end of an air supply tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiko Sasa
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Patent number: 6991314Abstract: The recording medium guide member is placed along the main scanning direction scanned by the carriage mounted with a recording head, and ink-receiver holes for receiving ink discharged from the recording head are formed on the guide member in positions beyond the edges of the recording medium being conveyed. Ink absorbing materials are placed in said ink-receiver holes, and a discharged ink accumulating means that cumulatively counts the amount of ink discharged into the ink absorbing materials is provided. The amount of ink discharged into the ink-receiver holes can be controlled by the discharged ink accumulation means so that contamination of the left and right edges or the top and bottom as well as left and right edges of the recording medium, caused by excessive ink collecting in the ink-receiver holes, can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Hayakawa, Takahiro Naka, Shigenori Fukasawa
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Patent number: 6991315Abstract: In an ink jet apparatus for manufacturing a color filter 1, ink jet heads 22 having a plurality of nozzle 27 are disposed in a linear manner. Filter element member is ejected to a motherboard 12 from a plurality of nozzles 27 four times so as to form the filter element 3 in a predetermined thickness. By doing this, it is possible to prevent difference in the thickness in a plurality of the filter elements 3 and to equalize light transparency in planar manner. Thus, in an ejecting apparatus, a color filter can be formed in more common way at low cost and more efficiently. Also, it is possible to provide an ejecting apparatus which can equalize factors such as electrooptic characteristics of the electrooptic members, color displaying characteristics by the liquid crystal apparatuses, and illuminating characteristics by an EL surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Yamada
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Patent number: 6991316Abstract: The invention prevents a pattern arising from periodicity of dot arrangements from appearing as noise, such as a streak, when a plurality of different dot arrangements are used repeatedly in a unit of a predetermined number of the dot arrangements for the same level of gradation of input image data, and thereby makes it possible to print a high-quality image. To this end, when input image data quantized to one of multivalued levels of gradation is allocated to a dot arrangement of M×N, a matrix of A×B created by combining a plurality of different dot arrangements each displaying the same level of gradation of the input image data in a raster direction and in a column direction is used as a minimum unit, and the dot arrangement of this matrix is allocated to the input image data.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akiko Maru, Hiroshi Tajika, Yuji Konno, Daisaku Ide, Takeshi Yazawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama
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Patent number: 6991317Abstract: A pagewidth printhead is provides which comprises a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit includes a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry and a plurality of nozzle arrangements positioned on the substrate for ejecting ink onto media. Each nozzle arrangement includes a static structure extending from the substrate and an active structure defining an ink ejection port which form a nozzle chamber. The active structure is displaceable relative to the static structure towards and away from the substrate respectively to reduce and increase the nozzle chamber volume, thereby ejecting ink in the nozzle chamber from the port. At least two actuators are connected to the drive circuitry and are operatively arranged to displace the active structure on receipt of an actuating electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The actuators are configured and connected to the active structure to impart substantially rectilinear movement thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991318Abstract: An inkjet printhead device includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink passages. Drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate. An array of inkjet nozzles is arranged on the substrate. Each inkjet nozzle includes a nozzle chamber structure that defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with a respective ink passage and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An elongate actuator extends from the nozzle chamber structure to be anchored to the substrate at one end. The array is arranged on the substrate according to a pattern that is defined by a replication hierarchy in which a first stage rotates an inkjet nozzle by an acute angle, a second stage replicates the inkjet nozzle without rotation a predetermined number of times and a third stage replicates the nozzles of the second stage a predetermined number of times with a rotation of substantially 180 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991319Abstract: A method for printing includes estimating ink usage for printing with a first color scheme and a second color scheme, and selecting between the first color scheme and the second color scheme for printing according to the estimating of the ink usage. An apparatus includes a first sensor to measure a level of a first ink, a second sensor to measure a level of a second ink, and a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to estimate usage of the first ink and the second ink using a first color scheme and a second color scheme and configured to select the first color scheme or the second color scheme for use in printing according to the estimate of the usage of the first ink and the second ink.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wendy L. Zerza, Vincent C. Skurdal, Boyd R. Wilkes
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Patent number: 6991320Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical device embodied within an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that is caused to move an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm is disclosed. The paddle is located in an ink chamber and the actuating arm passes through an actuator aperture in the chamber. The actuating arm including the paddle is moved to eject a droplet. The chamber includes a plurality of vents for venting to atmosphere air bubbles which may form in the chamber when the device operates to eject droplets of ink.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991321Abstract: A printhead chip includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet conduits. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is positioned on the substrate and defines nozzle chambers in fluid communication with respective ink inlet conduits and nozzle openings in fluid communication with respective nozzle chambers. A nozzle guard is positioned on the substrate, is spaced from the nozzle assemblies and defines a plurality of apertures in alignment with respective nozzle openings. A plurality of containment walls is interposed between the substrate and the guard member to define a plurality of containment chambers with at least one nozzle assembly being positioned in each containment chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991322Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles and one or more heater elements 10 corresponding to each nozzle. Each heater element 10 is configured to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 in the printhead to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle, to effect printing. In each nozzle, the gas bubble 12 displaces less than 4 nanograms of the ejectable liquid 11 to cause the ejection of the drop. This configuration provides for very efficient operation because less energy is required for the ejection of a small mass.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991323Abstract: A multi-channel array droplet deposition apparatus has a base sheet comprising a layer of piezo-electric material poled normal thereto, an array of parallel, open-topped droplet liquid channels provided by upstanding channel separating walls formed in the layer, electrodes on channel facing surfaces of the walls, a channel closure sheet bonded to the walls, nozzles respectively communicating with the channels and a droplet liquid supply connecting with the channels, the closure sheet having an array of parallel conductive tracks thereon paced at intervals corresponding with the channel spacing and located parallel to and opposite the channels and bonds, which preferably are solder bonds, mechanically and electrically connect each track to the electrodes of the channel facing walls of the channels opposite thereto and seal the closure sheet to the channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Xaar Technology LimitedInventors: Stephen Temple, Mark Richard Shepherd
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Patent number: 6991324Abstract: In a solution emitting head for emitting a solution through an outlet, having a main body including a cavity, a cover attached to the main body in such a manner that the cover covers the cavity to form a chamber so that the solution is stored in the chamber temporarily before being emitted from the outlet, and a solution pressurizing device for pressurizing the solution in the chamber, the cover is fixedly attached to the main body by one of metal-to-metal bonding and an adhesive dissolution-resistant against the solution between the cover and the main body.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Industries Co., Ltd., JSR CorporationInventors: Naoki Watase, Hironori Toyoshima, Tsuneyoshi Shimizu, Makoto Nakahara, Daisuke Ikesugi, Takatoshi Kira, Yoshihisa Ohta
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Patent number: 6991325Abstract: A port for replenishing ink on the side of a main ink tank advances and the nose or tip end of a main body of a pipe enters an ink replenishing opening on the side of a sub ink tank. When a valve body in the main body of the pipe and a valve on side of the sub ink tank are pressed with each other, a communicating port is opened by the valve body. When the main body of the pipe is further inserted into the ink replenishing opening, the valve is separated from a projection portion of a gasket, and a space therebetween starts to be widened. At this stage, as a lip portion of the gasket is not in contact with an outer peripheral portion of the main body of the pipe, an ink channel is opened to the atmosphere, the ink which is remained in or adhered to the outer peripheral portion of the main body of the pipe or an inside of the ink replenishing opening is absorbed into the sub ink tank dye ti a negative pressure in the sub ink tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Oda, Tatsuhiro Ishize, Ichiro Tomikawa, Katsushi Amarume, Takeshi Yoneyama
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Patent number: 6991326Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink containing section including an ink absorbing body made of a porous material for retaining ink. The ink cartridge satisfies 200?N·R?320, where N is the cell density, expressed in the number of pores per inch, of the ink absorbing body before the ink absorbing body is contained in the ink containing section; and R is a compressibility, which is a volume ratio of the ink absorbing body when the ink absorbing body is contained in a compressed state in the ink containing section to the ink absorbing body before the ink absorbing body is contained in the ink containing section.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Matsushita, Hirokazu Nakamura, Naozumi Ueno, Hisashi Yoshimura, Takashi Goto, Hiroshi Ishii
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Patent number: 6991327Abstract: An ink jet recording method effects recording on a recording material by ejecting ink comprising coloring material and reaction liquid reactable with the ink from an ink ejection portion for ejecting the ink and a reaction liquid ejection portion for ejecting the reaction liquid. The method includes a recording step of effecting the recording selectively in a first recording mode in which no margin is provided at least one end portion of the recording material and a second recording mode in which margins are provided at all of the end portions of the recording material. A recording condition in the first recording mode and a recording condition in the second recording mode are different.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumitaka Goto, Kentaro Yano, Masao Kato, Mitsuhiro Ono
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Patent number: 6991328Abstract: A follower roller is brought into press contact with a driving roller by a load having a predetermined value, thereby being rotated in accordance with a rotation of the driving roller to transport the medium clamped therebetween in a first direction. The follower roller includes a shaft portion and a roller body provided so as to surround the shaft portion. The follower roller is configured such that a value of a ratio f/F is not greater than 0.03. Here, F is a force transporting the medium in the first direction which is generated by the load, and f is a resistance force generated in a second direction opposite to the first direction by a friction loss of the shaft portion of the follower roller which is generated by the load.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takayuki Ishii
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Patent number: 6991329Abstract: Production of a permanent ink-jet image with a fusible, wettable, colorant-containing toner and ink-jetted clear fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Makarand P Gore
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Patent number: 6991330Abstract: Disclosed are an ink-jet recording material for proof including a water-resistant support and at least one ink-receptive layer containing inorganic fine particles and a hydrophilic binder provided on the support, wherein the water-resistant support has a center line average roughness Ra75 with a cut off value of 0.8 mm according to JIS-B0601 of 1.0 ?m or less, and an uppermost ink-receptive layer farthest from the water-resistant support contains a colorless or white matting agent having an average particle size of 1 to 10 ?m and a colored pigment having an average particle size of 1 ?m or less, and use of the same for proof.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills LimitedInventor: Iwao Maekawa
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Patent number: 6991331Abstract: This invention relates to a recording apparatus, comprising an opening delivering a recording medium after completion of recording and a cover capable of closing the opening in moving pivotally and a holding rib formed at the cover for holding a rear end as well as both sides of the delivered recording medium. The holding rib comes to be exposed when the cover is opened.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Kagami, Koichiro Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 6991332Abstract: A digital hand stamp that can print multiple images on a supporting surface. The digital hand stamp includes a frame member, an ink jet printing head, a non-volatile memory, an image selection button, a display area, and a printing control circuit. The frame member has a cavity. The ink jet printing head has one or more nozzles. The ink jet printing head can be activated to slide inside the cavity of the frame member when the digital hand stamp is pressed against the supporting surface. The non-volatile memory can store a plurality of images. The image selection button can select an image from the plurality of images stored in the non-volatile memory. The display area can display the image selected by the selection button. The printing control circuit controls the nozzles on the ink jet printing head to project an ink pattern on the supporting surface when the ink jet printing head slides inside the cavity of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: Nong-Qiang Fan, Jie Xiao
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Patent number: 6991333Abstract: Eyewear with a replacement lens include an elongate center member, a pair of temple arms, and a pair of connecting members. Each connecting member is secured to one of the temple arms and to the center member, and has a slot formed in a surface thereof. A lens is received in the slots of the connecting members, with a rear surface of the lens along an upper edge of the lens being spaced from the center member so as to form a gap therebetween. A nosepiece may be secured to a lower edge of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Dylan S. Van Atta, Robert Barnette, Robert M. Bruce, Mark J. Eastwood
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Patent number: 6991334Abstract: A polarization beam splitting optical system is disclosed which reduces components of the P-polarization direction that are contained in polarized light that is analyzed upon being incident on a polarization splitting film in an inclined manner with respect to an optical axis of an optical system. This optical system includes a polarization splitting film, which guides polarized light from a first optical system to a reflection type image display element and then analyzes and guides polarized light from the image display element to a projection optical system. When ? is the phase difference of P-polarized light and S-polarized light at the polarization splitting film, the polarization splitting film satisfies the condition: 120°?|?|?180°.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Atsushi Okuyama, Masayuki Abe
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Patent number: 6991335Abstract: In order to perform high efficient cooling without boiling cooling liquid and to improve maintainability such as replacement of a lamp, the present invention provides a liquid crystal projector including a light source lamp, a liquid crystal panel, a power source, a fan for removing heat generated by the power source and the lamp, a water-cooling jacket provided on an inner surface of an external wall portion opposed to the lamp in the liquid crystal projector, a metal pipe arrangement for radiation which is placed in the external wall portion, and a pump for driving cooling liquid to flow in the water-cooling jacket so that the cooling liquid receiving the heat from the lamp circulates in a circulation path through the water-cooling jacket, the metal pipe arrangement, and the pump to emit the heat to the outside through the metal pipe arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Kondo, Nariaki Shigyo, Katsunori Nakatani, Tatsuo Morita
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Patent number: 6991336Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprise a light control member configured to perform changing the path of light from light emitters to be directed to an illuminated area and/or moving of the light emitters, a movement unit configured to allow the light control member to operate, and a light selector control unit configured to control the movement unit and/or a lighting unit, which is configured to cause the light emitters to emit light so that the intensities of light emitted by them can be adjusted, so as to select light to be directed to the illuminated area from light of the emitters. The light selector control unit controls the lighting unit to cause an emitter to emit light when it is positioned in the vicinity of a light concentration area of an optical system by the operation of the light control member.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Shinzo Matsui
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Patent number: 6991337Abstract: An image display apparatus discloed includes a condensing optical system changing illumination light from a light source converging light; separation optical system having separation optical member reflecting color light component in specific wavelength range of the converging light and transmitting color light components the other wavelength ranges; a plurality of image display devices illuminated by a plurality of color flight components separated by the color separation optical system, respectively, color combination optical system image light components from the plurality of image plurality combining colors emanating and display devices; projection optical system for projecting image light components combined by the color combination optical system on surface on which projection is performed, light incident color separation optical member forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees with a normal to light incident surface of the color separation optical member.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Kodama, Atsushi Okuyama
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Patent number: 6991338Abstract: A projection optical system having a plurality of reflecting surfaces is disclosed in which a sufficiently large angle is provided between an incident side reference axis and an emerging side reference axis while tilt angles of the respective reflecting surfaces can remain small. The projection optical system projects luminous flux from an image forming element which forms an original image onto a projection surface. The incident side reference axis and the emerging side reference axis of the projection optical system are oblique to each other. The projection optical system has a plurality of reflecting surfaces each having a curvature. The reflecting surfaces are arranged such that the reference axis has at least one intersection in the projection optical system.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiro Sunaga, Katsumi Kurematsu, Takayuki Ishii, Yoshiaki Kurioka, Sawako Chatani
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Patent number: 6991339Abstract: An electro-optic device is disclosed having a self-cleaning, hydrophilic optical coating. The electro-optic device preferably forms an external rearview mirror for a vehicle. The optical coating preferably includes photocatalytic layer(s), a hydrophilic layer, and a color suppression coating. The electro-optic device is preferably an electrochromic mirror. The disclosed optical coating exhibits a reflectance at the front surface of the reflective element that is less than about 20 percent, and has sufficient hydrophilic properties such that water droplets on a front surface of the optical coating exhibit a contact angle of less than about 20°. The mirror exhibits a C* value of less than 25.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, David J. Cammenga
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Patent number: 6991340Abstract: A device for reflecting an image to a user's eyes that includes a viewing member having an interior mirror positioned in angled alignment with the user's eye; and an exterior mirror positioned in spaced alignment to the interior mirror. The exterior mirror is adjustable with respect to the interior mirror. The device further includes a pair of interior mirrors positioned in angled alignment to the user's eyes; and a pair of exterior mirrors in spaced alignment to the interior mirrors.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: Ray Theodore Townsend, Jr., Liansuo Xie
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Patent number: 6991341Abstract: An improved illuminable umbrella that automatically produces light on the apex of umbrella when in its open position. The hollow shaft (50) contains two electric wires (92, 94) that connects the conductive plates (32a, 32b, 44) at each end of hubs, to the power supply (66) at the stump of the umbrella, and the light emitting device (20) at the apex of umbrella. The conductive plates at each end of the hubs are aligned to contact when the pivotable hub slides, upward along the shaft, toward the stationary hub. When in contact, the electric circuitry is complete to activate the light emitting device. A manual controller (62) installed at the stump of the umbrella allows user to selectively turn off light emitting device when the umbrella is in open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventor: Fong Yong (Jane) Khor
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Patent number: 6991342Abstract: Described herein is footwear and an inner sole for footwear, supplied with a lighting system that emits light at each step of the person who is wearing them only for the time necessary to see the path in front, and to turn off when he stops; and a lighting device for footwear supplied with means of fastening to footwear.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: C & C Design S.r.l.Inventor: Cindy Gonet
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Patent number: 6991343Abstract: The illuminated chest protection device includes a chest protector assembly including a front upper torso plate member, a back upper torso plate member, shoulder protection members being attached to the front upper torso plate, and connectors interconnecting the shoulder protection members to the back upper torso plate member; and also includes light-emitting elements being disposed in the front and back upper torso plate members; and further includes a light control unit being attached to the chest protector assembly and being connected to the light-emitting elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: John K. Langley, Michelle J. Langley
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Patent number: 6991344Abstract: A flashlight having a light-emitting diode light source with first and second leads extending therefrom, a power source, a power source frame enclosing at least a portion of the power source; a housing containing the light source and power source, a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, and wherein one or all of the following may be included 1) a keyring extension extending from a power source frame or the housing with the keyring extension having an opening whereby an article can be attached to the keyring extension and includes a keyring lock wherein upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring lock is opened to permit the article to be attached to the keyring extension; 2) the housing is comprised of translucent material; and 3) the housing includes at least one side cover which is not integral with the housing and the at least one side cover being selected from anodized aluminum, anodized metal, anodized metType: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Armament Systems & Procedures, Inc.Inventor: Kevin L. Parsons
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Patent number: 6991345Abstract: A light source is disposed in a cosmetic housing. One or more mirrors are disposed between the cosmetic housing and a cover that opens to expose the mirror(s). The light source is manually or automatically activated. The light source is activatable over any angle between the cover and the rest of the housing, thus an angle for turning on the light source is selectable.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventor: Jacek Helenowski
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Patent number: 6991346Abstract: A compact signal light is provided with LEDs arrayed across its front face, and a magnet and/or suction cup on its rear face so that a user may readily mount it on a refrigerator door or the like. The front face of the signal light may bear the name and telephone number of a delivery or emergency service so that a user may resort to the signal light when making an emergency or delivery call. The user may then turn on the signal light so that its LEDs are illuminated (with one or more of the LEDs preferably flashing), and place the signal light on a door or window where the delivery or emergency service is to be rendered, so that the location is more easily found by the delivery or emergency personnel without “hunting.” The signal light provides a particularly valuable tool for pizza delivery companies and the like because it serves as an advertising tool reminding the consumer of the company, as well as providing the company with a way to more quickly and efficiently render its delivery services.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Beacons LLCInventors: Alex Saban, Ned F. Lafon
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Patent number: 6991347Abstract: A multi-wavelength light source for use in a banknote validator comprises a housing containing a plurality of LEDs and a window for releasing light emitted by the LEDs. Visible wavelengths have a direct path to a diffuser located in the window. Infra-red wavelengths have to be diffusively reflected by the interior of the housing before they reach the diffuser, and thereby suffer greater attenuation that the visible wavelengths. The diffuser acts as a substantially point-like light source.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Mars, IncorporatedInventor: Christian Voser
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Patent number: 6991348Abstract: A light cover, such as a prismatic lens, includes a generally planar rectangular floor with curved walls rising from a periphery of the floor. The curved walls terminate in outwardly turned flanged-type lips create an upper periphery or opening of the lamp cover. A pair of parallel or spaced apart rails extend around the upper periphery. An interstice is formed between the pair of rails. When the outwardly turned flange-type lips are urged against a sealing or washer-type material, the sealing or washer-type material is urged into the interstice thereby forming an improved watertight seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Paraflex Lighting NordexInventor: Brian V. Titmarsh
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Patent number: 6991349Abstract: A fixing apparatus for a light source conductive wire, suitable for use to fix the light source conductive wire. The fixing apparatus has an attaching part, a holding part and a wire protruding part. The attaching part and the holding part are both attached to the light source conductive wire to a backlight module, while the wire protruding part is connected between the attaching part and the holding part to hold the light source conductive wire. The wire protruding part has a wire outlet allowing protrusion of the light source conductive wire. The fixing apparatus prevents the light source conductive wire from being detached during the iron frame assembly of the backlight module, so as to enhance the product yield.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventor: Yao-Tung Wang
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Patent number: 6991350Abstract: A housing for a light source, the housing having: an outer shroud, the outer shroud including an outer surface, a front edge, and a hollow inner surface; and an inner shroud, the inner shroud including a front edge and a concentric bore within which the light source is affixed, the inner shroud fitting concentrically within the inner surface of the outer shroud and the front edge of the inner shroud being offset back from the front edge of the outer shroud; wherein the radius between the outer edge of the concentric bore and the outer edge of the inner shroud shades the front edge of the outer shroud from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Delphitech CorporationInventor: Rodney McInnis
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Patent number: 6991351Abstract: An illumination system has a mounting plate, a plurality of thermally conductive circuit boards in thermal contact with the mounting plate, a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically and thermally communicating with the circuit board strips, an optical lens formed as a translucent dome covering the circuit boards and light emitting diodes, and a lamp base operatively coupled to the mounting plate and circuit boards. The light emitting diodes receive power from an external electrical source entering the system through the base and the circuit boards.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: TWR Lighting, Inc.Inventor: John T. Petrick
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Patent number: 6991352Abstract: A light fixture having a support system for holding the light fixture during installation, thereby allowing the user to have both hands free for wiring. The system includes a bracket configured to be mounted to an electrical box. A tether extends from the light fixture and has a connecting element for releasably attaching the tether to the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Quoizel, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Garber, Gregory H. Winch
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Patent number: 6991353Abstract: In a conventional vehicle headlamp, when improvement in the visibility at the time of turning the vehicle is attempted by turning the light distribution characteristic, if a part of the light is turned, the quantity of light becomes insufficient as a whole, and if the whole light distribution is turned, the visibility straight ahead becomes insufficient.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroo Oyama
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Patent number: 6991354Abstract: The invention relates to a light-emitting diode module for a vehicle headlamp, which has a carrier for a number of light-emitting diodes and which carrier has a lateral surface of axially symmetrical design relative to a longitudinal axis, a number of light-emitting diodes being arranged on the lateral surface of the carrier, and the carrier being provided with at least one light directing means in order to direct in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer elektrische Gluehlampen mbHInventors: Wilhelm Brandenburg, Oliver Hering, Thomas Reiners
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Patent number: 6991355Abstract: An LED light source has a housing having a base. A core projects from the base; is substantially cylindrical and is surrounded by tubes. The core and the base are arrayed about a longitudinal axis. A circuit board in the base supports LEDs. Each of the LEDs is positioned with one of the tubes in a one-to-one relationship at one end of the core. A heat sink is positioned in a heat-transferring relationship with the circuit board and a first reflector is attached to another end of the core. To direct the light emitted by the LEDs from the source to the reflector, the interior of the tubes can be plated with a highly reflective material. In one embodiment, each of the tubes is fitted with a light guide, each light guide extending from a position immediately above one of the LEDs to a position adjacent the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Coushaine, Michael Tucker, Thomas Tessnow
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Patent number: 6991356Abstract: A light source which may be used as part of a dental curing lamp is comprised of at least one, and preferably a plurality, of LEDs. To increase the efficiency of the light output the LEDs are encapsulated in a beam converger including an extractor portion and a collimator portion. Light rays leaving the collimator portion have an angle which matches the entrance angle input requirements of an associated light guide. In another aspect, cooling of LEDs is accomplished by reservoirs located in a hand piece and in a base station. In another aspect of the invention, cooling is achieved by use of a heat pipe and a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket may contain a material having a high latent heat of fusion at a phase change temperature suitable for cooling the LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: Efraim Tsimerman, Emil Chouster
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Patent number: 6991357Abstract: A lamp, in particular a motor vehicle lamp, comprises a light distribution device (14, 14?) into which the light of at least one light source (6) is fed in such a way as to produce a light flux which is firstly propagated through the light distribution device substantially parallel to a light exit surface defined thereby. Components are deflected out of the light flux by means of coupling-out structures (16, 16?) for delivery through the light exit surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: FER Fahrzeugelektrik GmbHInventors: Frank Wimbert, Horst Deichmüller
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Patent number: 6991358Abstract: A light guide plate has a hologram pattern on a light exit surface. The hologram pattern anisotropically diffuses light in the direction parallel with a light incident surface of the light guide plate. On a back surface of the light guide plate are formed mirror-polished prism structures extending parallel with the light incident surface. A downward-pointing prism sheet with a given prism apex angle is placed on the light exit surface of the light guide plate. The use of the downward-pointing prism sheet together with the light guide plate having the anisotropic diffusion hologram pattern integrally formed thereon produces a liquid crystal display device with enhanced luminance properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Advanced Display Inc.Inventor: Toru Kokogawa
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Patent number: 6991359Abstract: A surface light source (3, 4, 5) includes a light guide plate (32, 42, 52), which defines an incident surface (321, 421, 521), an emitting surface and a bottom surface (323, 423, 523) opposite to the emitting surface; and a light source (31, 41, 51) adjacent to the incident surface of the light guide plate for radiating light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface. A multiplicity of generally rectangular dots (328, 428, 528) and generally circular dots (329, 429, 529) is formed on the bottom surface of the light guide plate. The rectangular and circular dots reflect and scatter the light beams in directions toward the emitting surface. The rectangular dots are distributed on the bottom surface corresponding to lower luminance areas of the light guide plate, so that the luminance over the whole emitting surface of the light guide plate is uniform.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Charles Leu, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Cheng Yu
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Patent number: 6991360Abstract: A flashlight having features that align the light source of a lamp with the principal axis of a reflector, such flashlight having a head assembly that includes a reflector and a lens. The reflector has a central opening that surrounds the principal axis of the reflector. The light source of the flashlight is held by a lamp base and an axis of the lamp base is aligned with the light source. Particularly, the hottest portion of the light source may be aligned with the lamp base axis. The self-centering characteristic of the lamp base is configured with a non-cylindrical feature to be seated in a base receiver. The base receiver includes a receiver axis that is aligned with the principal axis of the reflector. The lamp can include a pair of electrodes and a filament light source extending between the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Maglica
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Patent number: 6991361Abstract: A portable concrete plant for producing ready mix concrete proximate to a location where the ready mix concrete is used. The portable concrete plant includes storage regions for storing components used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant also includes a slurry mixer for preparing slurry that is used in the ready mix concrete. The portable concrete plant further includes conveying systems for conveying the components from the storage regions and from the slurry mixer to a system discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Advanced Concrete Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Flood