Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8777433
    Abstract: A keypad lighting device includes: a keypad member formed by an arrangement of plural key tops; at least one light emitting device arranged below the key pad member; and a light guide plate member arranged below the keypad member to light the key tops with light projected from the light emitting device. The light guide plate member is formed with at least one light-incident surface, to which the light projected from the light emitting device is incident. The light-incident surface is formed by a curved surface or plural inclined surfaces, and at least one of the normal lines of the light-incident surface is arranged to pass through the light emitting surface of the light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 8777434
    Abstract: A refrigerator constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. A first door is coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A light is disposed on the cabinet outside of the interior volume. The light is configured to illuminate when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Jacco Van Beek, Wilco Wessels
  • Patent number: 8777435
    Abstract: The aroma lamp contains a base a base within which a circuit board is housed. On the circuit board, there is a fan, an atomization element, and a number of light generation elements. The base also has a short tube and a cap housing the fan and connecting the short tube. The aroma lamp further contains a container having a top opening. The container is joined to the base and stores the liquid to be atomized. The container has an axial tube connecting the top opening and the short tube of the base and a valve element for releasing the liquid to the base. The aroma lamp also contains a cover having a top opening aligned with the top opening of the container. The cover is joined to the base and houses the container. The atomized vapor is released through the top openings of the container and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Huan-Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 8777436
    Abstract: A standard table lamp requires an electrical outlet to supply alternating current (AC) and illuminate a standard AC light bulb, including new technology, low wattage AC light bulbs such as a 7 Watt LED or a 7 Watt CFL. This limits the placement and portability of light emitting devices such as table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers or wall sconces within a commercial or residential living space. To date, there are products that use batteries to power light sources but the form factors are usually bland and unattractive to interior designers and homeowners alike. This invention takes the idea of portable lighting and standardizes the form factor by using already developed standard low wattage AC light bulbs such as LED and CFL and standard AC light bulb sockets embedded in the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Donna Sue Labans
  • Patent number: 8777437
    Abstract: A light-emitting module includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, at least one light-emitting device disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and an optical reflection layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate and surrounding the light-emitting device for receiving a portion of light emitted from the light-emitting device and reflecting the portion of light. The substrate can be rigid or flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Zhi-Cheng Hsiao, Chao-Kai Hsu, Yu-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8777438
    Abstract: A direct type backlight unit includes an optical film, a diffusion plate for supporting the optical film, a bottom plate disposed under the diffusion plate, a plurality of light emitted diodes disposed between the diffusion plate and the bottom plate, and a plurality of support structures disposed between the diffusion plate and the bottom plate and fixed on the bottom plate, wherein each support structure is disposed between two adjacent light emitting diodes, a height of each support structure is smaller than a distance between the bottom plate and the diffusion plate. The direct type backlight unit can improve the problem that a dark area occurs on the diffusion plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuang-Yao Chang, Zan-Jia Su
  • Patent number: 8777439
    Abstract: Provided is an illuminating device capable of positioning or fixing a light guide plate in a chassis while preventing intensity distribution in a plane of light emitted from a front face of the plate from becoming nonuniform. An illuminating device (4) includes a plate-shaped light guide plate (11), a box-shaped chassis (14) with its upper face open and arranged to house the plate, a frame-shaped frame (5) extending along an outer peripheral end portion of the plate and attached to an upper side of the chassis, and a light source (21) arranged to project light onto a predetermined lateral end face (11a) of the plate, wherein the frame includes a presser member (6) disposed on its lower face (5b) and arranged to sandwich the plate between the presser member and the chassis, and wherein the plate includes an engagement member (12) arranged to engage with the presser member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumori Kuromizu
  • Patent number: 8777440
    Abstract: An illuminated, color-changing, interchangeable drinking vessel assembly that includes an upper fluid retaining vessel, a neck, a collar on a stem, and a base. Magnets are located in the neck of the upper fluid retaining vessel and light emitting diodes (SMD LED's) and a magnetically actuated switch are located in the collar of the stem. A controller and battery are located in the base of the stem and are also electrically connected to the light emitting diodes. When the upper fluid retaining vessel and neck are magnetically attached to the collar of the stem, the magnetically operated switch detects the magnetic field and closes the circuit, activating the SMD LED's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Eves
  • Patent number: 8777441
    Abstract: A thermoelectric ornamental assembly for generating thermoelectric energy in a body adornment like a ring. The assembly uses a thermoelectric effect to generate an applied temperature gradient between an inner layer and an outer layer of the ring. The inner layer both receives and transmits a thermal current away from the skin. The outer layer receives the thermal current. Electrons diffuse from the inner layer, which is a warm, excited electron area, to the outer layer, which is a cool, less excited electron area. This gradient creates the thermal current. A thermoelectric layer is sandwiched between the outer and inner layer. The thermoelectric layer includes a substrate portion that supports variably doped semiconductors for creating a difference in conductivity so that the charge carriers can diffuse and create a voltage across the thermoelectric portion. The voltage produces a light visible through a transparent area of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick Vazquez
  • Patent number: 8777442
    Abstract: The present invention includes an illuminated winter sports board having a deck equipped with a plurality of light emitting devices, such as LEDs, which are mounted to the deck in a distinct ornamental pattern. The LEDs are in electrical connection with an energy source, such as a rechargeable battery in a removable battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery is mounted into the deck in a removable pack which can be charged without removing it from the deck. A microcontroller may be incorporated which provides for the selective illumination of the light emitting devices, and which may pulse, flicker, or create other aesthetically pleasing illumination patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Photon Light Boards, Inc.
    Inventor: Rezwan Khan
  • Patent number: 8777443
    Abstract: A split type LED lamp includes a base and a lamp body. The lamp body has an LED light board, a second plug portion, a battery slot and a battery, and the LED light board has a plurality of LED light sources and a wireless signal receiver. After the base and the lamp body are combined and installed to a lamp holder for receiving electric power and being used as a lamp bulb, or the lamp body is removed and used as a flashlight independently. In addition, the battery can be replaced to reduce unnecessary waste of resources, and the wireless signal receiver is provided for receiving a wireless control signal transmitted from a remote controller or a mobile communication device to drive the lamp body to emit light and improve the convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Kuo-Fu Yang
  • Patent number: 8777444
    Abstract: A streetlight having a hollow pole is provided with a lower hand-access opening closed by a hatch. The hollow pole has an internal surface and an external surface, its external surface being lined by external photovoltaic cells in an upper section thereof, and a lamp that is positioned inside the hollow pole. The upper end of the hollow pole is open and the lamp is mounted on positioning means so that the lamp can be moved, inside the hollow pole, from the lower hand-access opening until near the upper end of the hollow pole on which a tiltable screen is mounted having a side facing upward and a side facing downward, the latter being lined by a reflecting panel, the internal surface of the hollow pole being covered by internal photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Gianni Quinzi, Alfredo Chiacchieroni
  • Patent number: 8777445
    Abstract: A candle cover is disclosed which includes a tubular sheath of light-filtering material with a top end, a bottom end, and an opening at each end. A hem surrounds each opening. The tubular sheath is place over a candle body such that light transmitted through the candle body from the candle light source is filtered by the tubular sheath of light-filtering material to create a decorative pattern. The light-filtering material can filter light in many different ways, including by modifying the percent of light transmitted through the material, by modifying the percent of light reflected by the material, by modifying the color of light reflected or transmitted by the material, or by light refraction or light diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jennifer Leigh Gourdie, Terri Lee Augustyn
  • Patent number: 8777446
    Abstract: A portable light may comprise a light body and a light head rotatable relative to the light body. The light head may comprise a light source that may be pivotable relative to a base of the light head. The light source may be electrically connected to the light body by rotatable coaxial connections between the light head and the light body and by rotatable coaxial electrical connections between the base of the light head and the light source. The light may optionally further comprise a hanger movable relative to the light body, or may comprise one or more magnets on the light body, or may comprise a clip on the light body, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Donald J. Keeley, Matthew B. Dalton
  • Patent number: 8777447
    Abstract: A variable color light emitting device includes first, second and third light sources differing in chromaticity of emission light; and a driver for changing light outputs. The chromaticities of the second and third light sources are selected such that, on straight lines passing through reference chromaticities of the second and third light sources and a chromaticity of an arbitrary color temperature on the blackbody locus, a ratio of a distance between the chromaticity of the second light source and the chromaticity on the blackbody locus to a distance between the chromaticity of the third light source and the chromaticity on the blackbody locus becomes equal to a ratio of a distance between the reference chromaticity of the second light source and the chromaticity on the blackbody locus to a distance between the reference chromaticity of third light source and the chromaticity on the blackbody locus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8777448
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes a plurality of LED modules arranged in direction x, a tubular enclosure for housing the LED modules that is open at ends spaced from each other in direction x, and end caps respectively closing the ends of the tubular enclosure in direction x. Each of the end caps is configured to diffuse light from the LED modules while transmitting the light, and includes an emission surface for emitting light in a direction z perpendicular to direction x. This arrangement ensures that the LED lamp has a good appearance even when it is made long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Shimizu, Mitsunori Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8777449
    Abstract: A lighting device comprising a trim element, an electrical connector and at least one solid state light emitter, the lighting device weighing less than one kilogram. If current of about 12 watts (or in some cases about 15 watts, or in some cases not more than about 15 watts) is supplied to the electrical connector, the at least one solid state light emitter will illuminate so that the lighting device will emit white light of at least 500 lumens. Also, a lighting device that weighs less than one kilogram and can generate white light of at least 500 lumens using a current of not more than about 15 watts. Also, a lighting device for mounting in a recessed housing, comprising a unitary structure trim element that conducts heat away from at least one solid state light emitter and dissipates at least some of the heat outside of the recessed housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Wai Kwan Chan, Ho Chin Wah
  • Patent number: 8777450
    Abstract: The present invention uniforms a size of an LED substrate 2 to realize reduction of the number of parts and reduction of a manufacturing cost, and is a light irradiation device comprising: a long LED substrate 2 on which a plurality of same LEDs 21 are mounted; a chassis 3 having a substrate housing space for housing the LED substrate 2, wherein the number of LEDs 21 in which a difference between a power source voltage VE and a sum of a forward voltage Vf in the series connection of the LEDs 21 is within an allowable range is employed as the number of LED units, and the number of LEDs 21 mounted on the LED substrate 2 is a common multiple of the number of LED units determined in each of LEDs 21 of different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CCS, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Miura
  • Patent number: 8777451
    Abstract: A method for providing uniform flood exposure of LED light onto large area substrates is disclosed herein. The substrates can be up to several square meters in surface area. A method for providing uniform cooling of the LEDs within the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron D. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8777452
    Abstract: An oblong sized printed circuit board (1) comprises light emitting diode circuitry (2, 3). Parts of the printed circuit board (1) are flexible in at least one direction, to improve a manufacturing efficiency. Preferably, the printed circuit board (1) can make curves in length and width directions and does not require holes for screws. The light emitting diode circuitry (2, 3) may comprise light emitting diode circuits (2) with light emitting diodes and other circuitry (3) such as a driver for driving light emitting diode circuits (2) individually for providing ambient light for a display (5). A device (100) comprising the printed circuit board (1) may further comprise the display (5). Such a device (100) is for example a television receiver/display device/screen device. The printed circuit board (1) may be attached to structures (61, 62) moveable by hand/machine for directing the ambient light. The device (100) may be a roll (101) for rolling up the printed circuit board (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TP Vision Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Filip Bruyneel, Alfred Peeters
  • Patent number: 8777453
    Abstract: Disclosed is a kit for converting an existing high discharge light unit to an LED based light unit, with the option of including a networked capability among a group of LED light units. The kit includes a drop-in component mounting plate on which are mounted an LED light source, sensors including a thermal sensor, a control unit, a DC power supply, a heat sink, and a dimmer unit. A wireless transceiver allows the LED light units to operate as a network, with two way flow of information from the LED light units to a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Donegan
  • Patent number: 8777454
    Abstract: A lamp color temperature change structure includes a lamp holder, a light source on the lamp holder, a lift unit in front of the light source, and a colored lens mounted to the lift unit. The colored lens is movable and driven by the lift unit to a first position which is away from the front of the light source or a second position which is in front of the light source. The user can select the light from the light source to radiate toward the front of the lamp holder or penetrate the colored lens to generate a color temperature change and then radiate toward the front of the lamp holder according to different environment conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Excellent Idea Corp.
    Inventor: Chung-Chun Yen
  • Patent number: 8777455
    Abstract: A solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The lamp includes a housing and a solid state light emitter. The housing defines an interior region and an air passageway, the air passageway passing through the housing and the interior region. The solid state light emitter is positioned adjacent to a perimeter of the air passageway. The air passageway is configured to provide cooling to the lamp when the sold state light emitter is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8777456
    Abstract: An illumination device (b1-01) is provided which comprises a housing (b1-03) equipped with an aperture (b1-37), first (b1-33) and second (b1-35) diaphragms disposed in said housing and in fluidic communication with said aperture, and an LED (b1-15) disposed between said first and second diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nuventix, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghavendran Mahalingam, Samuel N. Heffington, Stephen P. Darbin, Daniel N. Grimm, Brandon Lee Noska
  • Patent number: 8777457
    Abstract: A predetermined illuminated surface pattern is generated from a predetermined energy distribution pattern of an LED light source within an LED package having a light transmitting dome. An estimated optical transfer function of a lens shape of an optic is defined by the shape of an exterior and inner surface which envelopes at least in part the light transmitting dome of the LED package. An energy distribution pattern is obtained by combination of the estimated optical transfer function and the predetermined energy distribution pattern of the light source. A projection of the energy distribution pattern onto the illuminated surface is determined. The projection is compared to the predetermined illuminated surface pattern. The estimated optical transfer function is illuminated surface pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Patent number: 8777458
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light emitting device to reduce the number of components and elements of a light emitting device and a lighting device having the light emitting device, and simplify and miniaturize the structures of these devices. With this light flux controlling member (4), a total reflecting surface (12) functions like a reflecting member, light from a light emitting element (LED, for example) (3) that is incident from an input surface (13) and that arrives at the total reflecting surface (12) is total-reflected by the total reflecting surface (12) toward the output surface (11) side (including a first output surface (11a) and second output surface (11b)), and the illuminating light from the second output surface (11b) is superimposed upon the illuminating light from the first output surface (11a), so that the light from the light emitting element (LED, for example) (3) is used efficiently and illuminates the illumination target surface (6) over a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Seki, Kyouhei Yamada, Noriyuki Kawahara, Hiroshi Takatori
  • Patent number: 8777459
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a luminaire may include a housing that includes a support panel, a rotation ring supported by the support panel where the rotation ring is infinitely adjustable with a range of adjustments with respect to the support panel, a rotation drive unit configured to rotate the rotation ring with respect to the support panel, an aiming frame supported by the rotation ring, a tray system pivotally mounted to the aiming frame and configured to receive the bulb, and a tray drive configured to rotate the tray system about the pivotal mounting, whereby, in operation the rotational and angular orientation of the bulb may be adjusted while the bulb is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Focal Point, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Patti, Stephene H. Yuen, Peter F. Thornton, Jr., David E. Doubek
  • Patent number: 8777460
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion includes a base and a wall extending outwardly from substantially the perimeter of the base. A top portion of the wall includes one or more hinges extending outwardly therefrom. The second housing portion includes a front panel and a side panel extending outwardly from substantially the perimeter of the front panel. A top portion of the front panel includes at least one slot. The second housing is coupled to the first housing in an open position when the hinge is inserted into the slot and the front panel is disposed elevationally above the base. The second housing is coupled to the first housing in an operational position when the hinge is inserted into the slot and the front panel covers the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Chad Stuart Newton
  • Patent number: 8777461
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD). The backlight module includes a backplane, a light guide plate, a heat dissipation element and a connector. The light guide plate is disposed on the side of the backplane. The heat dissipation element includes a horizontal part and a vertical part interconnected to each other. The horizontal part is disposed on the other side of the backplane away from the light guide plate, and the vertical part is disposed next to light incident surface of the light guide plate. The light source is disposed on the side of the vertical part close to light incident surface. The connector connects the heat dissipation element to the backplane and allows the heat dissipation element to move relatively to the backplane in the gap direction between the light guide plate and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guofu Tang, Yu-chun Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8777462
    Abstract: A lamp structure includes a case, a fixing base, a heat dissipation tube, a lighting module and an insulating sleeve. The fixing base is disposed at the case and comprises a carrier, and the lighting module is disposed on the carrier. The heat dissipation tube is coupled to the fixing base, and a heat dissipation space is defined between the heat dissipation tube and the case. The insulating sleeve is coupled to the fixing base. The heat produced by the lighting module can be conducted to the heat dissipation tube and the heat dissipation space through the fixing base to increase heat dissipation efficiency of the lamp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Ho Wu, Chih-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8777463
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a solid state directional lamp is disclosed. The assembly includes a multilayer FR4 printed circuit board and a metal heat spreader assembled with the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The assembly is configured to mount a plurality of solid state light emitters. The multilayer FR4 printed circuit board defines an aperture and a least a portion of the metal heat spreader is positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board. The portion of the heat spreader positioned in the aperture of the multilayer FR4 printed circuit board is in communication with heat dissipation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Pickard, Curt Progl
  • Patent number: 8777464
    Abstract: A rotatable illumination device includes a first casing, a light emitting module, a first fixing member and a second fixing member. The first casing has a first rotating portion and a first protruding portion is formed on the first rotating portion. The light emitting module is disposed in the first casing. A first indentation is formed on the first fixing member and the first protruding portion can pass through the first indentation. A second indentation and a second protruding portion are formed on the second fixing member and the first protruding portion can pass through the second indentation. The first and second fixing members are fixed together, and the first and second protruding portions are coplanar. The first protruding portion cooperates with the second protruding portion to limit rotating angle of the first casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Dongguan Masstop Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd., Wintek Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ku Lin, Zhi-Ting Ye, Chin-Liang Chen, Ming-Chuan Lin, Ju-Fen Yang
  • Patent number: 8777465
    Abstract: Various embodiments of electric lights are described, particularly those capable of being inserted and powered by a light socket. The electric lights can include a base that can electrically couple with a light socket and a housing coupled to the base. A flame element can at least partially extend from the housing and be illuminated via a light source that is configured to emit light on to an outer surface of the flame element. To ensure proper orientation of the flame element with respect to a viewer, the housing can rotate with respect to the base, such that a front surface of the flame element can be reoriented as needed while the base is electrically coupled to the light socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Candella LLC
    Inventors: Doulgas Patton, Jeff Thompson
  • Patent number: 8777466
    Abstract: A panel includes at least one icon area (8), the area (8) being illuminated by a light source (10) placed under the ornament panel, the ornament panel (1) including a translucent skin (2) forming the outer surface (6) of the ornament panel and a substrate layer (4) placed against the skin (2), the substrate layer (4) including an opening (14) placed at least between the light source (10) and the icon area (8). A light-transmitting material (18) is placed in at least part of the opening (14), the material (18) being placed in a translucent substrate element (20) placed in the opening (14) between the material (18) and the light source (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Oeuvrard, Godefroy Beau
  • Patent number: 8777467
    Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting system includes: a designed cover 10 attached to a ceiling wall in an inside of a vehicle compartment; and a light source unit 20 arranged in the rear of the designed cover. In this system, a light beam emitted from an emission port 25 of the light source unit illuminates the inside of the vehicle compartment through two irradiation holes 15 for spot illumination, which are provided in the designed cover. A light guide 50 is arranged between the emission port 25 of the light source unit and the two irradiation holes 15 of the designed cover. The light guide 50 is configured to divide the light beam emitted from the light source unit into two directions, and to guide the thus-divided light beams to the respective irradiation holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8777468
    Abstract: A fog lamp cover mounting structure includes: a cover body that is assembled to a mounting portion at which a fog lamp is mounted on a bumper, that has an opening through which the fog lamp appears, and that has a first engaging portion that engages with the bumper; and a cover ring that is assembled to a peripheral portion of the opening of the cover body, and that has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suehiro, Akihiro Hirose
  • Patent number: 8777469
    Abstract: A light source module includes a substrate made with a recess portion formed on one face and an unformed portion not having the recess portion formed therein; a light emitting diode disposed on the recess portion of the substrate; a pair of power supply members disposed on the unformed portion of the substrate; and a connecting portion formed on the substrate and connecting the light emitting diode and the pair of power supply members. A part of an end edge of the recess portion conforms to a part of a side edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Masuda, Takeshi Ohmi, Kiyoshi Sazuka
  • Patent number: 8777470
    Abstract: This interior wall includes at least one cladding panel (4) covered with a luminous fabric (6), lying in a substantially vertical plane and having a front face receiving the luminous fabric, a rear face opposite the front face, a bottom edge, and a top edge. The luminous fabric includes optical fibers (7) extending substantially vertically over the front face of the first cladding panel and first ends of which are bent around the bottom edge of the first cladding panel toward its rear face. A casing (8) accommodates light sources and includes connecting elements (10) for the ends of the optical fibers (7) of the luminous fabric bent around the bottom edge of the first cladding panel. The first casing (8) is fastened to the first cladding panel and is supported by feet (20) extending beyond the bottom edge of the first cladding panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BPB Limited
    Inventors: Sylvie Perez, Yves Benkemoun, Patrick Truquin, Andre Rivaud
  • Patent number: 8777471
    Abstract: An LCD indicator unit contains an LCD indicator with a display portion that includes set temperature and current temperature display portions, a diffusion sheet disposed on the rear surface side of the LCD indicator, a reflective frame body disposed on the rear surface side of the diffusion sheet, a light guide plate disposed on the rear surface side of the reflective frame body such that an outer peripheral portion thereof is covered with the reflective frame body, and an LCD indicator control substrate-disposed on the rear surface side of the light guide plate, with LEDs serving as light sources for the LCD indicator mounted on a right-side outer peripheral portion on the front surface side of the LCD indicator control substrate. Light emitted from the LEDs is caused to enter a side wall surface portion of the light guide plate to irradiate the display portion of the LCD indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kazuto Ishida
  • Patent number: 8777472
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an apparatus main body 2 for performing a predetermined process on a sheet, a cover 34 openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body 2, a light emitting unit 51 provided in the apparatus main body 2 and including an emission source 511 for generating light, a control board 512 for controlling the emission source 511 and causing it to generate the light and wiring 513 electrically connected to the control board 512, and a display member 52 provided in the cover 34, arranged to face the emission source 511 and including an incident portion 521 on which the light is incident, an output portion 522 for outputting the light to the outside and a light guide portion 523 for guiding the light from the incident portion 521 to the output portion 522.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Okada
  • Patent number: 8777473
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a light device having a light guide. The light guide (20) has at least one major side defining a light extraction side (26). The light device further has at least one fibrous layer (30), typically a non-woven or woven fibrous layer, disposed on the major side of said light guide defining said light extraction side. At the light extraction side, the light device has a plurality of discrete bonding areas (40) at which the at least one fibrous layer is bonded to the major side of said light guide. In a particular aspect, the bonding areas define light extraction elements on the light extraction side. Such an arrangement typically provides for an easy, reliable and cost-effective light device useful for a variety of applications including, for example, illuminating the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric Schmuck, Hans-Gerd Vollmers, Manfred Bosler, Tilo Remhof
  • Patent number: 8777474
    Abstract: An optical film is formed with a plurality of optical patterns having peak and valley portions and a lighting device may include such an optical film. Pitches of the optical patterns, heights of the peak portions and depths of the valley portions are irregular, and plan and side structures of the optical patterns have a non-linear non-symmetrical arrangement structure in which the peak and valley portions are irregularly bent. According to an optical film and a lighting device including such an optical film, a moiré phenomenon can be prevented in advance, abrasion resistance can be improved, optical defects such as scratches cannot be observed with the naked eye, a wet-out phenomenon can be prevented, and a viewing angle can be broadened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Shig Shim, Young Il Kim, Jeong Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8777475
    Abstract: The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device. The back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces and the at least two primary assembling pieces are connected through joining; the at least two primary assembling pieces includes one primary assembling piece that carries a light source thereon and the primary assembling piece that carries the light source is provided with a heat dissipation fin assembly. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a back frame of flat panel display device and a backlight system. Through above arrangement, the back frame mold is made simple in structure and can reduce the expenditure of the back frame mold, and can also save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost of flat panel display device, and at the same time facilitates heat dissipation from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Kuo, Yu-Chun Hsiao, Chong Huang, Jia-He Cheng, Cheng-Wen Que, Quan Li
  • Patent number: 8777476
    Abstract: Apparatus for homogenization of multi-phase fluid; the fluid including at least a first phase and a second phase a gaseous phase and a liquid phase; the apparatus including an inner reservoir fluidly communicative with an outer receptacle; the inner reservoir including an inlet for multiphase fluid, an outlet having a smaller cross sectional area than the body for outflow of the first phase and at least one opening into the outer receptacle for outflow of the second phase, the opening being spaced from the first phase outlet; wherein the outer receptacle has an inlet conduit having a neck which at least partially surrounds the inner reservoir outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Framo Engineering AS
    Inventor: Bernt Helge Torkildsen
  • Patent number: 8777477
    Abstract: An inflatable cushion useable for an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker can be spherical in shape and the inflatable cushion can approximate a spherical or dodecahedron shell. The inflatable cushion can be comprised of two half-shell portions that are pivotable with respect to one other to be selectively placed in a closed or open position. The ice cream maker can be snugly inserted within the inflatable cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Revolution, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith S. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8777478
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost and highly productive mixing head apparatus that achieves high agitation of a liquid blend and improves the smooth flow of the liquid blend from a discharge port, and a molding method using the same. In the mixing head apparatus wherein two types of chemically reactive fluid component materials 5 are expelled into a chamber interior 10 from fine holes respectively provided in side walls 11 of the chamber so that both component materials 5 impinge on and mix with each other, a plurality ranging from two to four of fine holes 30 are provided for at least one of both component materials 5, center axis lines 35 at distal ends of two or more of the two to four fine holes 30 intersecting with each other in the chamber interior 10, so that jets 50 of the component material expelled from the fine holes 30 with intersecting center axis lines impinge on each other in the chamber interior 10 prior to impingement with the other component material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Morita, Norishige Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8777479
    Abstract: A system for use in bone cement preparation can include a chamber for intermixing a liquid monomer and solid polymer components, a container, a vacuum channel, and a filter. The mixing chamber can be configured to hold a non-liquid, polymer powder component of a bone cement. The container can be configured to hold a liquid component of the bone cement. The system can have a first interface disposed between the mixing chamber and the container and a second interface disposed between the mixing chamber and the vacuum channel. The second interface can to receive and position the filter between the mixing chamber and the vacuum channel. The vacuum channel can direct a partial vacuum to draw the liquid component from the container into the non-liquid component in the mixing chamber to intermix the components and to thereby provide a settable bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DFINE, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Kwan, Andrew Kohm, Csaba Truckai
  • Patent number: 8777480
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece comprising a middle part (30) closed by a back cover and a crystal, said middle part (30) comprising a peripheral shoulder (34) in which a groove (37) is arranged, said groove being disposed on a surface of the shoulder parallel to the central axis of the middle part (C), said timepiece comprising a rotating bezel system (20) rotatably mounted on said peripheral shoulder, characterised in that said rotating bezel system includes a bezel ring (40, 41) provided with at least a first recess (46) disposed on a surface of the bezel intended to face said groove when said rotating bezel system (20) is fitted onto the middle part, said rotating bezel system (20) further comprising a spring means (80) extending both into said at least one first recess (46) of the bezel and at the same time into the groove (37) in the middle part so as to hold the rotating bezel system (20) on the middle part (30) of the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Omega S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Silvant
  • Patent number: 8777481
    Abstract: The timepiece movement includes a shock absorber bearing for a rotating wheel set, formed of an elastic device having a rigid central part and an elastic structure connected to said central part and extending at the periphery thereof, the central part having an aperture in which a pierced jewel is arranged and being materially connected to the timepiece movement via the elastic structure. This bearing further includes an endstone, which forms a top stop member for the pivot of the rotating wheel set and is assembled to said central part so as to move integrally therewith. This endstone extends at least partially above the elastic structure and is secured to the central part by a material connection between said central part and the bottom surface of the endstone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Thierry Conus, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Patent number: 8777482
    Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Pfitzner, Tim Hesse, Winfried Magg