Patents Issued in March 13, 2007
-
Patent number: 7188934Abstract: Various systems and techniques are disclosed for stopping, selectively controlling, and optimizing a flow of particles in a flowing stream. The systems and techniques utilize a multi-electrode assembly and various voltage waveforms applied to those electrodes. The particles flow past or near the electrode assembly and their flow is controlled by the configuration and arrangement of the electrodes and the voltage waveforms applied thereto. An additional strategy for countering particle leakage flow is also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Meng H. Lean, John J. Ricciardelli, Osman T. Polatkan, Michael J. Savino, Armin R. Völkel
-
Patent number: 7188935Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an array of nozzles formed on one side of a wafer substrate, an array of corresponding ink inlets formed in the other side of the wafer, each of the ink inlets individually associated with one of the nozzles and, a fluid path extending between each of the ink inlets and each of the ejection apertures respectively. With individual ink feed channels to each of the nozzles, there is a high level of fluidic drag that eliminates any ink pressure cross talk between adjacent nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 7188936Abstract: An ink cartridge (1) for supplying the ink in an ink reserving chamber (3) via an ink supply port (4) into a recording head (21) has a differential pressure valve mechanism (5) disposed between an ink flow port (7) and the ink supply port (4) in the ink reserving chamber (3), whereby the ink is supplied an adequate amount to the recording head (21) by opening or closing the differential pressure valve mechanism (5) in accordance with an ink pressure of the recording head (21). As a result, it is possible to supply the ink at a substantially constant pressure to the recording head without regard to the variation in the amount of ink or the movement of the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Minoru Usui, Hisashi Miyazawa
-
Patent number: 7188937Abstract: A printing-fluid container includes a reservoir and an air-interface on the reservoir. The printing-fluid container also includes a separation assembly configured to block escape of printing fluid through the air-interface and to allow movement of air through the air-interface.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: John Farrar Wilson, David Olsen, Daniel W. Petersen
-
Patent number: 7188938Abstract: An ink jet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution member that defines a longitudinally extending recess, a plurality of ink outlets opening into the recess and a plurality of distribution conduits in fluid communication with respective ink outlets. A printhead chip is mounted in the recess and has ink inlets in fluid communication with respective ink outlets of the ink distribution member. An ink storage assembly is mounted on the ink distribution member and defines at least one ink storage chamber in fluid communication with the distribution conduits of the ink distribution member. Data and power communication circuitry is mounted on the ink storage assembly and is connected to the printhead chip to provide data signals and power to the printhead chip. A positioning arrangement is mounted on the ink storage assembly. The data and power communication circuitry is engaged with the positioning arrangement to ensure correct positioning of the data and power communication circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 7188939Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a sliding member and a float portion. The sliding member includes a signal blocking portion, and the signal blocking portion is configured to move in a first direction from a first position within a translucent portion to a second position based on the amount of ink within the ink chamber. Moreover, the float portion is operationally coupled to the sliding member, and the float portion is disposed within the ink chamber. The float portion is configured to move independent of the first portion in a second direction from a third position to a fourth position based on the amount of ink within the ink chamber. For example, the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction or may be slanted with respect to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toyonori Sasaki
-
Patent number: 7188940Abstract: Apparatus include a liquid container body defining a reservoir and having a vent aperture defined therethrough, and a quantity of expandable foam disposed within the aperture. The cured expandable foam can act as a vent plug to prevent liquid from leaking out of the container body through the aperture, while also allowing air or other such gases to pass through the aperture for venting of the reservoir. Methods include steps of installing a plug into a vent aperture defined through a liquid container body. The steps can consist of dispensing a quantity of expandable foam into the vent aperture.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.Inventor: Ari Feliciano
-
Patent number: 7188941Abstract: A valve for a printing apparatus that uses liquid ink includes a valve seat, a valve stop and a valve member interposed between the valve seat and the valve stop.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David P. Platt, Edward F. Burress, James M. Bonicatto
-
Patent number: 7188942Abstract: A filter for a printhead assembly includes a frame having an opening and a fluid passage communicated with the opening formed therein, filter material enclosing the opening and the fluid passage of the frame, a first fluid port communicated with the fluid passage of the frame, a permeable material communicated with the first fluid port, and a second fluid port spaced from the first fluid port and communicated with the fluid passage of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Mark Haines, Mark A. Devries, Rhonda Wilson, Craig Malik
-
Patent number: 7188943Abstract: An ink set for inkjet printing includes a cyan ink having a first lightness value, a magenta ink having a second lightness value, and a blue ink having a third lightness value, wherein the cyan ink and the magenta ink mix to form a composite blue having a fourth lightness value, wherein the fourth lightness value is approximately twice the third lightness value.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.Inventors: Jay S Gondek, Charles G. Dupuy, Alexey S Kabalnov, Matthew A. Shepherd
-
Patent number: 7188944Abstract: A combination cartridge apparatus includes a housing, an inkjet pen and a media cartridge. The combination cartridge is configured to hold the inkjet pen and media cassette adjacent to each other external of a printer. The inkjet pen and media cassette are configured to separate when the cartridge is installed in a printer and to rejoin when the cartridge is withdrawn from the printer.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Craig D. Sunada, Pierre Kaiser, Jeffrey Bingham
-
Patent number: 7188945Abstract: A pair of eyeglasses comprises a frame and at least one ear extension support pivotably connected to one end of the frame. At least one lens is rotatably affixed to the frame. At least one bezel is also rotatably affixed to the lens. A means for rotating the lens and the bezel while attached to the frame is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Jason T. Grecco
-
Patent number: 7188946Abstract: Novel eyewear are disclosed which comprise a lens and a sealing frame. The lens is adapted to cover at least one of a user's eyes. The frame has an adhesive side and is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the lens. A first portion of the adhesive side is disposed at the perimeter of the lens forming a seal between the frame and the lens. A second portion of the adhesive side extends laterally beyond the perimeter of said lens to provide adhesive attachment of the eyewear to the face of the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: SharkLids EyeGear, LLCInventor: Michael James Bleau
-
Patent number: 7188947Abstract: A lens combined with a soft eyeglasses rim includes a lens and a soft eyeglasses rim. The lens is provided with plural holes spaced apart near a circumference in advance, and then placed in a mold for making the soft eyeglasses. Then the soft eyeglasses rim is injected molded in the mold with the finished lens previously placed. Thus the soft eyeglasses rim is formed with plural projections corresponding to and fitting in the plural holes of the lens as fused to keep the rim with the lens in a stable and secured condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Chin-Jen Chen
-
Patent number: 7188948Abstract: A spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens provides a vision correcting area for the correction of a wearer's refractive error. The viewing correction area provides correction for non-conventional refractive error to provide at least a part of the wearer's vision correction. The lens has a prescription based on a wave front analysis of the wearer's eye and the lens can further be modified to fit within an eyeglass frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: E-Vision, LLCInventors: Ronald D. Blum, Dwight P. Duston, Dan Katzman
-
Patent number: 7188949Abstract: An ophthalmic lens for providing a plurality of foci has an optic comprising an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optical axis. The optic has a first region and a second region. The first region has a refractive optical power and comprises a multifocal phase plate for forming a first focus and a second focus. The second region has a refractive optical power and comprises a monofocal phase plate for forming a third focus. The multifocal phase plate and the monofocal phase plate may be disposed on first and second base curvatures, respectively, that may have different radii of curvature. The ophthalmic lens may also have an intermediate phase plate located between the multifocal phase plate and the monofocal phase plate, the intermediate phase plate comprising a third plurality of echelettes disposed on a third base curvature having a third radius of curvature.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.Inventors: Mark H. Bandhauer, Alan J. Lang
-
Patent number: 7188950Abstract: A method of making corrective eyeglasses is disclosed. One embodiment is a method of making corrective eyeglasses. The method includes obtaining vision parameters of a patient's eyes, obtaining an eyeglass frame comprising at least one mounted optical element, and programming the optical element to define a pattern of refraction that is associated with the vision parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.Inventors: Andreas W. Dreher, Jagdish M. Jethmalani, Laurence Warden, Shui T. Lai
-
Patent number: 7188951Abstract: Photographic conditions of a plurality of retinal images photographed in one photographing routine are recorded in relation to the photographed images, respectively. Any image is selected from the plurality of images as a reference image, and using the photographic condition of the reference-image as a reference, a correction is made so that other images are expressed as images equivalent to an image photographed under the photographic condition of the reference image.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoru Okinishi
-
Patent number: 7188952Abstract: Disclosed is a reflection-type micro display projection system having a polarization beam splitter with an optimized structure. The reflection-type micro display projection system includes a light source, an optical system, a reflection-type liquid crystal display panel, a projection lens, and a screen. When the incident angle of the light beam, which is output from an illumination lens of the optical system and input to a polarization beam splitter on the basis of the normal of the boundary face of the polarization beam splitter, is ?, the refractive angle of the light beam refracted inside the polarization beam splitter is ?, and the refractive index of the polarization beam splitter is n, n×sin ?=sin ?. The refractive index n is larger than 1.6 and smaller than 2.0. The refractive angle ? is smaller than 75°.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jong Myoung Park
-
Patent number: 7188953Abstract: A projection apparatus has an illumination section that provides first, second, and third light sources for providing first, second, and third illumination beams. First, second, and third component wavelength modulating sections modulate the corresponding illumination to provide first, second, or third modulated component wavelength beams respectively. Each component wavelength modulating section uses a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel that has been segmented into at least a first, second, and third portion. A component wavelength polarizer in the path of the component wavelength illumination directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Barry D. Silverstein, Joshua M. Cobb
-
Patent number: 7188954Abstract: An image displaying apparatus is capable of maintaining the contrast ratios of displayed images even if the f-value of an optical system of the apparatus is lowered to provide bright images, efficiently utilizing a beam from a light source, minimizing the size and weight of the optical system, and being easy to manufacture. The image displaying apparatus includes first to third reflective polarizing plates (120, 121, 122) provided for first to third reflective spatial light modulators (130, 131, 132), respectively. The reflective polarizing plates polarize and separate beams to be injected into the reflective spatial light modulators. In the image displaying apparatus, a color separating optical system has a larger effective diameter than a color composition prism (140).Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Victor Company of Japan LimitedInventors: Tetsuji Suzuki, Satoru Moriya
-
Patent number: 7188955Abstract: A reflective lighting optical system minimizes a back focusing distance and a depth of the system, and improves a lighting efficiency by disposing a wire grid type PBS (Polarized Beam Splitter) at an oblique angle with respect to a short side of an imager.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Ho Joong Kang
-
Patent number: 7188956Abstract: A heat-conductive frame (448) is provided extending between a holder frame (446) and a fixing member (447) of an optical device (44). Additionally, a heat-conductive member (450) is provided, which abuts on a dust-proof glass on the light-irradiation side of a liquid crystal panel (440) and the fixing member (447). The holder frame (446) and the fixing member (447) are fixed by a heat-conductive agglutinate. Besides, a heat-conductive member (452) is attached extending between a light-irradiation surface of a transparent member (443A) of an irradiation-side polarization plate (443) and the fixing member (447). A heat-radiation fin (449) having a plurality of fin members (449B) is attached to an upper plate body (447C) of the fixing member (447).Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Nobutoshi Otsuka, Zenta Kosaka
-
Patent number: 7188957Abstract: A projection system for both color and monochromatic displays includes a color wheel having filter portions of different colors and a clear portion; and a drive system configured to keep the color wheel moving while keeping a projection light beam shining through the clear portion of the color wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Matthew Beasley, James R. Cole, David Meados
-
Patent number: 7188958Abstract: A projector arrangement (1) is proposed wherein a first, back or illumination part (10) and a second, front or image projection part (20) are detachably attachable with respect to each other so as to form a unit at least in an operation mode of said projection arrangement (1) and to be separable or separated from each other in a non-operation mode of said projection arrangement (1) and to thereby realize a modular arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbHInventors: Evangelos Zoidis, Frederic Ludley
-
Patent number: 7188959Abstract: A lamp receiver includes a first member, and a datum structure having a plurality of first reference surfaces for alignment with respect in a first direction, a plurality of second reference surfaces for alignment in a second direction, and at least one third surface for alignment in a third direction. The first reference surfaces are formed on the first member.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Stephan R. Clark, Eugene Buican
-
Patent number: 7188960Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective sheeting.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Kenneth L. Smith
-
Patent number: 7188961Abstract: A corner cube reflector includes a two-dimensional arrangement of unit elements. The unit elements are arranged at a pitch of 200 ?m or less. As viewed in a direction from which incoming light is coming, each unit element has a peak point and a bottom point. A peak portion, including the peak point, has an excessive portion and/or a missing portion as compared with an ideal peak portion of an ideal corner cube. The level of the peak point is lower than that of the ideal peak point of the ideal corner cube. An average level difference h2 between the level of the bottom point and that of an ideal bottom point of the ideal corner cube is smaller than an average level difference h1 between the level of the peak point and that of the ideal peak point.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Sayuri Fujiwara, Makoto Kanbe, Kiyoshi Minoura, Ichiro Ihara
-
Patent number: 7188962Abstract: A light modulator device includes a top plate and an angled extender coupled to the top plate. The angled extender includes an incident portion and an exit portion that is relatively thicker than the incident portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Anurag Gupta, Scott Lerner
-
Patent number: 7188963Abstract: An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
-
Patent number: 7188964Abstract: An integrated actuator meniscus mirror includes an optical substrate having a mirror surface on one side and a support structure on the other and a plurality of actuators embedded in the support structure, spaced from and generally parallel to the mirror surface for applying bending moments to the mirror surface for controllably altering the shape of the mirror surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Xinetics, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Ealey
-
Patent number: 7188965Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a frame, a light source, and at least one optical film. The light source is disposed on the frame. The optical film has at least one positioning flange. The positioning flange includes at least two contact edges configured to abut against at least one edge of the frame in at least two directions to hold the optical film in place relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Che-Chih Chang, Chi-Chung Lo
-
Patent number: 7188966Abstract: A hand toll equipped with an illuminator has a conductive assembly settled within the handle to provide power to a lamp assembly which can lighten the operating end of the hand tool. A user can push a switch back and forth to operate the conductive assembly and in turn switch on/off the illuminator.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Hung Wen Lin
-
Patent number: 7188967Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting device having a battery housing to hold a battery, a light housing having a light source and a lens assembly into which said light source will emit light when activated, said battery and said light source being in circuit with a switch to open and close said circuit, said light housing being moveable relative to said battery housing to motivate said switch to open and/or close said circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: David R. Dalton, John R. Brown, Timothy J. Rugendyke
-
Patent number: 7188968Abstract: A flashlight has a switch housing in between the battery compartment and reflector. The neck of the switch housing holds a lamp support at a central position within a reflector. An o-ring on the rear of the switch housing seals the battery compartment. The switch housing partially floats within the flashlight tube to allow for a slight adjustment of the lamp relative to the reflector to insure centering.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Maglica
-
Patent number: 7188969Abstract: A battery powered flashlight is described that has a rotatable head that bears the light source assembly. The flashlight can have side-by-side batteries, and can be configured to also include a glass breaker, and a seat belt cutter.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Alan K. Uke, Jeffery D. Arnett
-
Patent number: 7188970Abstract: An illumination device for simulating neon lighting comprises a rod-like member having a predetermined length and a curved light emitting surface, an elongated light source extending substantially along the predetermined length of the rod-like member at a fixed distance from the light emitting surface, and a housing for said elongated light source. The housing includes opposing and substantially parallel side walls with internally light reflecting surfaces, such that the housing serves to collect and direct light emitted by said light source into the rod-like member, with such light then passing through and being scattered by the rod-like member so as to exit the curved light emitting surface in a substantially uniform light intensity pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: iLight Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark Joseph Cleaver, Eric Olav Eriksson, George R. Hulse
-
Patent number: 7188971Abstract: A lamp string set formed by a plurality of lighting elements which are connected in series, or in series and parallel, a support body receiving the plurality of lighting elements, and cover layer enveloping the lighting elements and the support body with insulator material, with its appearance having shape and pattern as desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Jeng-Shyong Wu, Ping-Huang Chang
-
Patent number: 7188972Abstract: A lamp includes several internal light emitting diodes, several first planoconvex lenses positioned over respective ones of light emitting ends of the light emitting diodes, and a second planoconvex lens; the second planoconvex lens is positioned over the first planoconvex lenses such that light emitted from the light emitting diodes will travel through the second planoconvex lens after passing through the first planoconvex lenses; because of focusing effect of the first and the second planoconvex lenses, light emitted from the light emitting diodes will become brighter, and the lamp will shine uniformly, and there will not be undesirable light dots present on the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Innovative & Superior Technology Inc.Inventor: Yi-Yi Chen
-
Patent number: 7188973Abstract: A light source device includes: a light-emitting tube having a light-emitting portion that generates a light beam by an electric discharge between electrodes and a sealing portion provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion; an ellipsoidal reflector having a substantially ellipsoidal reflecting surface and irradiating the light beam irradiated by the light-emitting tube after converging at a predetermined position; a sub-reflection mirror having a reflecting surface opposed to the reflecting surface of the ellipsoidal reflector and covering the front side of the light-emitting tube in the light-irradiation direction to reflect the light beam emitted by the light-emitting tube toward the ellipsoidal reflector; and a transparent member provided in front of the ellipsoidal reflector in the light-irradiation direction to transmit the light beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Ryoji Katsuma
-
Patent number: 7188975Abstract: A light fixture is shown and described is for illuminating building surfaces or portions thereof, comprising a generally cup-shaped arcuate reflector (10) having an interior (21) provided with a lamp emitting light at least partially reflected or dispersed by an inner surface (27) of the reflector to the building surface or portion to be illuminated, the inner surface of the reflector being subdivided into a plurality of structured segments (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 32, 38). The novelty is that the segments each have a surface (31a, 31b, 31c, 36, 37, 40) that is curved toward the interior.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Erco Leuchten GmbHInventor: Markus Görres
-
Patent number: 7188976Abstract: A lamp cover or shade comprising a hollow pliant shell having an exterior surface in the form of a decorative shape and an interior surface having pliant ribs extending inwardly from the interior surface, or an integral interior cylinder which ribs or cylinder are of a size and shape as to frictionally or elastically engage the exterior of a light fixture lens, bulb cover or bulb. According to a preferred embodiment, the lamp cover is fabricated from an elastic, pliable and high temperature resistant polymeric material that permits its close contact with a low voltage or conventional light bulbs.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Duncan C. Fung
-
Patent number: 7188977Abstract: A gutter interface device for facilitating hanging of Christmas lights from a gutter. The gutter interface device includes a gutter interface portion and a cord interface portion. The gutter interface portion has a main vertical member for abutting a front edge of the gutter. The gutter interface portion has a lip-engaging member integrally coupled to the main vertical member. The lip-engaging member has a first horizontal extent coupled to said main vertical member, a vertical extent and a second horizontal extent, said lip-engaging member being u-shaped for abutting three sides of a lip of a gutter.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventor: Bonita Lough
-
Patent number: 7188978Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a light or other object includes a clamping arrangement, or a keying arrangement, or both a clamping and a keying arrangement for mounting to different mounting rails having different keying features. The clamping arrangement includes a fixed clamp member and a movable clamp member that is movable towards and away from the fixed clamp member and is biased towards the fixed clamp member, so as to grip a mounting rail therebetween. The keying arrangement employs interchangeable keying members that may be disposed in a recess of the light or other object and that may have different keying features for use with mounting rails having corresponding keying features.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, John C. DiNenna
-
Patent number: 7188979Abstract: An automatic vehicle headlight beam direction adjustment system, able to learn early of errors in front road information from a navigation system and eliminate continued adjustment of the beam directions of headlights in a mistaken direction, which makes the beam directions of the left and right headlights swivel for adjustment in the left-right directions parallel to a horizontal direction based on an estimated swivel control angle calculated in accordance with a speed and front road information, determines that there is an error in the estimated swivel control angle and cancels swivel advance control when the beam directions are not the direction of advance of the vehicle regardless of the vehicle running straight after the swivel advance control has continued for a predetermined time after operation of the steering wheel, and can therefore prevent swivel advance control from continuing over a predetermined time due to error of the front road information and quickly restore advance visibility of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Junichi Hasegawa
-
Patent number: 7188980Abstract: To provide a head light system comprising first and second bulbs, wherein a coupler can be attached and detached smoothly and the appearance can be made favorable. A first movable-side coupler and a second movable-side coupler are attached to and detached from a first fixed-side coupler for a first bulb and a second fixed-side coupler for a second bulb, respectively. The first fixed-side coupler and the second fixed-side coupler are disposed substantially in the same plane. The attaching and detaching directions of the first and second movable-side couplers are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the first bulb and the second bulb. The first fixed-side coupler is so disposed that the second fixed-side coupler is not located in the attaching and detaching direction of the first movable-side coupler attached to and detached from the first fixed-side coupler.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukimi Ase, Shigeru Kodaira, Tetsuya Kondo
-
Patent number: 7188981Abstract: The invention relates to a rear-view mirror for vehicles, which consists of compatible, combinable and exchangeable modules such as: (A) and (B), or integrated (A+B), functional, signal, lighting and sensor modules, and structural (C), (D) and (E) modules; cover-housing, body-housing and support which may include functional modules. (A), (B) and (A+B) fulfill their function even if the rear-view mirror is folded. They use a multifocal light source of LED's inserted into a flexible and orientable circuit and/or a mixed rigid-flexible circuit-combining LED's+bulbs and other lighting, elements, with variable optical and reflective means enabling more than one signal from one same transparent surface with direct light output, indirect-reflected light output and/or through intermediate optical light guides depending on the directions required in the front, the side, the back and the lateral ground for different commands, applications and safety signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Fernandez
-
Patent number: 7188982Abstract: The projector type vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a reflector including a reflection surface for reflecting light from the light source, and a condenser lens that irradiates reflected light from the reflection surface forwards. The reflection surface includes a plurality of segments, and is formed of a free-form surface obtained by deforming a reference ellipsoid of revolution. The light source is arranged between a first focal point of the reference ellipsoid of revolution and the condenser lens, closer to the first focal point than to the condenser lens. Segments forming one end and other end portions of a light distribution pattern includes a wide area-illuminating reflection surface that makes the one end and the other end portions substantially a rectangular shape, where the other end portion is opposite to the one end portion with respect to a center of the light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiki Kato, Tatsuya Hoshi
-
Patent number: 7188983Abstract: A vehicle includes a first light source to project light outwardly from a vehicle. The light projected from the first light source is perceptibly dominant in a lower-frequency portion of a visible spectrum. The vehicle also includes a second light source to project light outwardly from the vehicle. The light projected from the second light source is perceptibly dominant in a higher-frequency portion of the visible spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Matthew DunnInventor: Matthew W. Dunn
-
Patent number: 7188984Abstract: An LED headlamp array having discrete LED light source modules, where each light source module has an LED light source, optics dedicated to each LED light source, and a faceted reflector.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Jeffrey Erion, Rainer Neumann, Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Leonard Livschitz, Scott West