Plural Members Patents (Class 362/224)
  • Patent number: 6238065
    Abstract: A lighting structure and method of forming a lighting structure including a light transmitting lens positioned in front of a light source, whereby the light transmitting lens has a substantially non-opaque front surface and a light receiving rear surface, and an array of substantially tubular elements positioned proximate to the substantially non-opaque front surface of the lens. The lighting structure may further include a reflective surface that projects light from the light source to the rear surface of the light transmitting lens and through the light transmitting lens. When the lighting structure is turned off, the array of substantially tubular elements is capable of making lighting structure appear to be a part of the surrounding surface in which the lighting structure is embedded. When the lighting structure is turned on, the array of substantially tubular elements masks the sight of the light source and shields a viewer's eyes from the glare of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Tenebraex Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Jones
  • Patent number: 6179443
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp lens assembly for commercial display refrigerators, the fluorescent lens assembly being generally tubular in configuration and including a length generally approximating the length of the fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamp is positioned into the lens assembly and held in concentric relation therein by means of a pair of end caps securing the fluorescent lamp within the tubular lens. Both of the caps allow the terminal pins of the fluorescent lamp to extend outwardly allowing the pins to connect to the lamppost of a conventional fluorescent lamp fixture. One of the ends (e.g., the top end) is provided with a removable cap allowing a spent lamp to be removed therefrom and replaced with a new one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Commercial Refrigerator Door Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Weber
  • Patent number: 6139161
    Abstract: A surface illuminating device is provided with a light source, a light introducing plate lying in a plane passing the light source, a first light diffusing plate arranged on a top surface of the light introducing plate, and a second light diffusing plate arranged on a bottom surface of the light introducing plate. The light introducing plate includes a first section arranged with the first light diffusing plate, and a second section arranged with the second light diffusing plate. The first and second sections each are formed with serrations in a surface opposite to a surface arranged with their respective light diffusing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Honda, Masataka Hamada, Hideki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6135613
    Abstract: A lighting fixture assembly includes a lighting fixture having a mounting member, a pair of end plates, an elongated lamp and an elongated lens, and a pair of dust covers fittable over opposite ends of the lighting fixture. Each end plate is mounted to one of the opposite end of the mounting member and is substantially comprised of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The lamp is mounted adjacent to the mounting member and extends between the end plates and has opposite ends disposed adjacent to the end plates. The lens is mounted adjacent to the mounting member and extends between the end plates and has opposite ends disposed adjacent to the end plates. The lens together with the mounting member and end plates substantially encloses the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W. Bodell, Stephen M. Stafford
  • Patent number: 6132061
    Abstract: A halogen light fixture that houses at least one halogen lamp and is mountable to a support surface. The fixture includes an elongated housing having opposing ends and an interior space in which the halogen light source located. The fixture is mounted to a surface by mounts that secure the fixture to the support surface. The mounts are also opposingly located on the housing and are adapted to releasably engage a plurality of locations on a surface of the housing which causes the housing to tilt is a predetermined manner thereby allowing light to be directionally positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Regent Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Don Andrus, Brian L. Spitler, Pei Sheng Qian
  • Patent number: 6126297
    Abstract: A color light emitting device comprises a casing, six tubular light sources within the casing, and a reflecting surface. The casing has a bottom surface portion and a side surface portion extending from a peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion. The reflecting surface is provided on each of the bottom surface portion and the side surface portion. The six light sources are arrayed substantially in parallel with the bottom surface in the order of red, green, blue, red, green and blue. The outer-peripheral surface of the red color light source at one end faces the side surface portion. The reflecting surface has a colored portion that is in the proximity of the red color light source at one end. The colored portion is colored to have a blue color which is not a green color disposed near the red color light source at one end, of the green color and blue color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Matsui, Yasuo Aritake
  • Patent number: 6042243
    Abstract: A modular light box comprises a rectangular frame defining an enclosure and a front rectangular opening. The frame is formed of a pair of side panels, a bottom panel and a top panel, each of which is provided with a substantially flat, rectangular outer surface and an electrical wiring port extending from within the enclosure out through an opening in the outer surface of the panel. A translucent display panel bearing one or more decorative or informational images is mounted within the opening defined by the frame. Another such display panel may optionally mounted in the rear opening in the frame. One or more lamps are mounted within the enclosure to provide backlighting for the front, and optionally the rear, display panel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more of the panels forming the frame of the modular light box is constructed with a rectangular core of foamed plastic having a rigid support frame about its periphery and a plastic layer adhered to each of the major surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Exhibit & Display Center, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Grill, Roger D. Crawford, Alfred G. Recknagel, Nicholas W. Hartzell, George B. Decker
  • Patent number: 6033092
    Abstract: A reflective-refractive lighting jacket has a first reflective and second refractive surface for surrounding a tubular light source in the interior of the jacket. A first reflective section reflects light from the source, and a second refractive section transmits light from the source and from the reflecting section. Both sections are forms in cross section that have a focal point in the interior of the jacket. Flutes in the jacket create various images and projected beams so that many different images and projected lines of the source are formed to provide for distributing light while minimizing actual diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Jerome J. Simon
  • Patent number: 5993023
    Abstract: A light-generating device for a scanner is fixedly disposed onto the upper cover of the scanner, and includes a light generating element, a reflective surface, and a semi-transparent plate or a lens. This light generating device is used to replace the conventional flat mask or moveable tube. The light-generating device made according to the present invention may project a homogeneous light onto the exposure with which the chroma difference of the scanned image can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Bob Lin
  • Patent number: 5961196
    Abstract: A flash device includes a micro-optic array for concentrating light from the flash lamp on a radiation-absorbing dye carrier, thereby sublimating or vaporizing the dye from the radiation-absorbing dye carrier onto a receiver element, e.g. a glass plate or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Edgar Long, Carl Frederick Leidig
  • Patent number: 5902034
    Abstract: A display case having lenses mounted in the case that distribute or direct light emitted by fluorescent tubes located near the ends of display shelves toward the shelves in order to provide a more uniform light distribution along the length of the shelves. The lenses facilitate the illumination of items placed on the shelves near the front and middle of the shelves. Light-directing portions of the lenses distribute or direct light emitted from the fluorescent tubes located inside the lenses toward the display case shelves. In another embodiment of the display case, the lenses are mounted horizontally inside the case, and used to direct light toward the interior of the case and toward the shelves inside the case. In still another embodiment of the display case, the lenses are mounted vertically inside the case and at the corners of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Santosuosso, Bennie Reed Downing, Fernando Calderon
  • Patent number: 5895111
    Abstract: A display case lighting system having a lens positioned inside a display case adjacent a light source inside the case for directing light across a viewing plane within the case and reducing contrasting illumination of items displayed within the viewing plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Santosuosso, Bennie Reed Downing, Fernando Calderon, Paul Severloh, Raymundo Calderon
  • Patent number: 5879070
    Abstract: A light fixture is disclosed including a receptacle for receiving a light source and a support for the receptacle. At least one baffle supported adjacent the light source inhibits passage of light from the light source past the at least one baffle. An enclosure surrounds the light sources and engages the support in such a way that airflow from outside the enclosure to the light source is substantially prevented. A display case is also disclosed having a product support within a frame for supporting the product to be displayed within the display case and a light fixture for receiving and supporting a light source. At least one baffle element is positioned adjacent to light fixture and between the fixture and the product support for reducing the amount of light from the light source that passes from the light source outside of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Severloh
  • Patent number: 5865528
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a light fixture including a housing, a light source, means to secure a light source to the housing, a lens and a reflector. The reflector and lens are positioned so as to direct light from the light source onto an unlit side of the housing.The light fixture is normally suspended from the ceiling or attached to a wall. A greater portion of the light from the light source is reflected off the ceiling or wall, whereas a smaller portion of the light from the light source is reflected off the reflector and onto the housing. After the smaller portion is reflected off the housing, the smaller portion and the larger portion are traveling in generally the same direction, thereby reducing the contrast between the housing and the ceiling or wall.The present fixture housing is very shallow, preferably less than about 3" deep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Precision Architectural Lighting
    Inventors: Frederick A. Compton, Jeffrey L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5826973
    Abstract: An illuminated display is disclosed, comprising a housing, a reflector and a light source for displaying translucent photographic images. The reflector and the light source are specially designed relative to each other to provide uniform luminance on a plane containing the image being displayed. An interchangeable frame and an adjustable positioning structure are used to make the display as functionally practical and as aesthetically pleasing as a conventional picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventors: John M. Melzian, Kenneth A. Zuckerman, Margaret S. Zuckerman, Daniel A. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5813751
    Abstract: A device for permanent installation of exterior Christmas lighting. The device includes an elongated channel having top and bottom walls joined by a rear wall, and a front wall that depends from the top wall, and a flexible, rectangular screen cover for insertion and retention between the front wall and the bottom wall. The device, in conjunction with one or more additional devices, can be custom fit and mounted by fasteners to a building exterior, such as along principal architectural features--e.g., attached to the eaves or outlining a pitched roof. With the cover screen removed, a string of decorative Christmas lights can be positioned within and stretched from one end of the channel to an opposite end thereof, electrically connected to similar strings within additional such devices, and connected to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Robert G. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5765939
    Abstract: Improved structures for housing assemblies for illuminated glass tubing are provided with this invention which comprises a housing assembly with a base section having wall portions forming an elongated channel having an open side; a central section having wall portions forming an elongated channel having an open side; and a light-transmitting cover section having wall portions forming an elongated channel having an open side; the central section secured to the cover section to form a light unit, the light unit being shorter than the base section; an elongated support plate for glass tubing, the wall portions of the central section including means adjacent the open side of the central section channel for supportably receiving the support plate in the channel; and the wall portions of the base section and the central section including means for securing the central section to the base section in snap-fit relation to close said open sides of said channels; whereby the longitudinal position of the light unit on t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Fallon Luminous Products Corporation
    Inventor: Walter Keisler Tanner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5743625
    Abstract: A longitudinally curved, modular housing assembly for the protective support of illuminated glass tubing, such as neon lights, characterized by interconnected base, central, and cover sections which are all curved and have equal radii of curvature. The configuration of the housing assembly is such that it permits combination thereof with other, similar, housing assemblies to provide continuous lighting systems having various shapes and outlines. The housing assembly preferably contains a transformer and wiring for connection to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fallon Luminous Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Keisler Tanner
  • Patent number: 5725299
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprising an elongated tubular housing for closely receiving therein a charged gas lighting source, such as, a neon lighting assembly. A power source is connected to the lighting source by electric power cords. The lighting source includes at least one elongated glass tube containing a neon gas mixture having both ends of the tube bent back along itself such that the ends are secured within the housing. An adjustable length extension lighting assembly allows for any overall length of continuous lineal lighting. The housing can be comprised of a base and cover member slidingly received within the base, thereby forming a central opening therebetween for receiving therein the lighting source, wherein the side walls of the base and cover member substantially overlap for preventing electricity from passing therethrough. A bracket is used to hold the lighting apparatus in place, and can be used to facilitate the mounting of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Philip E. Devorris
  • Patent number: 5716123
    Abstract: An elongated light fixture is disclosed which includes an elongated hollow transparent tube and a lens panel slidably mounted in the housing to disperse light and/or provide direct light from the fixture. An elongated reflector is mounted in the housing above the lens panel and has one or more light bulbs lighted thereon. The tube has open ends which are closed by caps secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: JJI Lighting Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lamming
  • Patent number: 5709456
    Abstract: A lighting system for an interior of a building and the like includes a means (30) for collecting and converting sunlight into concentrated light. The collecting means (30) is optically coupled, preferably by way of optical joint (43), coupling means (44), and optical joint (45), to a channelling means (46), such as an optical cable, so that the concentrated light passes to the channelling means (46) and is channelled to a light emitting fitting for the interior of the building and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignees: Skydome Industries Limited, University of Technology
    Inventors: Geoffrey Burton Smith, James Bruce Franklin
  • Patent number: 5683170
    Abstract: An illuminated masonry block that includes a hollow open-topped substantially parallelepiped-shaped housing, a substantially rectangular-shaped translucent lid, and a light source. The hollow open-topped substantially parallelepiped-shaped housing has a bottom with an outer surface and an inner surface. A pair of short sides extend upwardly from the bottom and each of which have an outer surface with a lower portion, an inner surface, and a top surface with a centrally disposed aperture. A pair of long sides extend upwardly from the bottom and each of which have an outer surface and an inner surface. The bottom, the pair of short sides, and the pair of long sides of the hollow open-topped substantially parallelepiped-shaped housing define an internal chamber with an open top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Michael J. Blaha
  • Patent number: 5654609
    Abstract: Fluorescent type lamps are arranged to have high frequency power derived from standard, commercial A.C. sources either directly or from power levels distributed from a master ballast. When the master ballast is employed, it functions as an interface between the primary power source and a distribution network to one or more modules so as to relieve the modules of operations such as initial power form conversions, filtering and power factor correcting which require large components. The module or modules driven by the master ballast output are contained within the lamp envelope or attached as an extension of the lamp envelope. The module is formed of elements mounted as a miniaturized unit configured to fit within the lamp envelope or to attach to the end of the envelope. The module includes oscillator components mounted on an elongated board so as to form an assembly with a cross-section compatible with the perimeter of the envelope itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Logic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Charles Smallwood, Michael Paul Zarich
  • Patent number: 5651609
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorescent lamp housing assembly capable of providing convection cooling to the lamp and the ballast. The lens of the present invention includes two distinct portions, a central portion and an apertured portion. The housing assembly further includes apertures so that air mass is able to freely move up through the assembly and out ventilation apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventors: Bruce A. Pelton, Michael Siminovitch
  • Patent number: 5645337
    Abstract: A backlighting unit for illuminating a planar display is provided, comprising an illumination source having a light emitting portion for emitting illumination toward the generally planar display, and a reflector for collecting the emitted illumination and reflecting the collected illumination toward the planar display, the reflector being positioned intermediate the illumination source and the display. The illumination source is a fluorescent lamp having an interior surface thereof substantially coated with a phosphor, and the light emitting portion is an aperture in the fluorescent lamp wherein no phosphor coating is present. The fluorescent lamp may be provided with a reflective wrap for increasing its illumination gain. A lens positioned between the reflector and the display receives the illumination reflected by the reflector and redirects the received illumination toward the display to provide even backlit illumination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Interstate Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Gleckman
  • Patent number: 5577830
    Abstract: An awning comprises an outer sheet of flexible material supported on a rigid translucent support. The awning is illuminated by strip lights mounted on a support framework, which is stepped back from the rigid translucent support. An even illumination is achieved with no shadow lines on the flexible sheet. The sheet may have advertising indicia or logos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Illuminated Awning Systems Limited
    Inventors: Martin Barry, David McKeown
  • Patent number: 5567042
    Abstract: Backlighting for an LCD display is provided by a direct backlight unit which is hinged to the front panel in which the display is mounted. When closed, the backlight unit lamps and reflector transmit light directly against the back of the display. The reflector surfaces are made by a combination of constant radius, hyperbolic, parabolic and flat surfaces which maximize the emitted light transmitted to the display and help fill in for any failed or dimmed light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Farchmin, John S. Clark
  • Patent number: 5558425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device for lighting the cabin of a motor vehicle, the device comprising an elongate light source disposed inside a housing. According to the invention, the lighting device further comprises: two windows transparent to the light flux emitted by the source, the windows being spaced apart from each other and comprising a top window through which light radiation is emitted in a generally horizontal direction, and a bottom window through which light radiation is emitted generally downwards; a first directional light reflector disposed between two respective first edges of the windows; and a second directional light reflector disposed between the two respective other edges of the windows; the directional light reflectors having shapes that combine to guide the light flux emitted by the source towards the transparent windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Valeo Electronique
    Inventors: Sylvain Pons, Daniel Segaud
  • Patent number: 5530628
    Abstract: An improved task light is comprised of a housing having a center cavity portion, a light passage opening below the center cavity portion, and an edge cavity for supporting a light source that emits light from the housing's edge cavity portion into its center cavity portion. A reflector, at least a portion of which spans the center cavity portion of the housing and which portion has a proximal and distal edge in relation to the light source, lies along a path that curves inwardly of the housing such that, when the reflector is viewed through the housing's light passage opening from the level of a task surface below the task light and from any position to the front of the task light, the luminance of the spanning portion of the reflector from reflected source light is substantially uniform over substantially the entirety of the spanning portion of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Peerless Lighting Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Y. Y. Ngai
  • Patent number: 5485057
    Abstract: Fluorescent type lamps are arranged to have high frequency power derived from standard, commercial A.C. sources either directly or from power levels distributed from a master ballast. When the master ballast is employed, it functions as an interface between the primary power source and a distribution network to one or more modules so as to relieve the modules of operations such as initial power form conversions, filtering and power factors correcting which require large components. The module or modules driven by the master ballast output are contained within the lamp envelope or attached as an extension of the lamp envelope. The module is formed of elements mounted as a miniaturized unit configured to fit within the lamp envelope or to attach to the end of the envelope. The module includes oscillator components mounted on an envelope board so as to form an assembly with a cross-section compatible with the perimeter of the envelope itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventors: Robert C. Smallwood, Michael P. Zarich
  • Patent number: 5430627
    Abstract: A light fixture housing extrusion that includes a horizontal step plate intersecting a vertical riser plate and having first and second channels for mounting string light fixtures beneath removable translucent covers, the channels including grooved wall structures to facilitate securing of the covers and either a pair of tangs or a pair of interior recessed walls for receiving and retaining a spring-biased wedge clip lamp carriage. Other features include an improved wiring scheme with individually-fused light strings, a diode for dimming the light output of selected strings, and a riser lens cover having a unitarily-extruded extended shield which prevents viewing the direct glare from elevated lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Tivoli Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas T. Nagano
  • Patent number: 5398170
    Abstract: An optical display apparatus includes a plurality of optical elements of acrylic material and an additive. Each optical element is shaped into cylindrical body with a first convex end and a second convex end to improve light receiving and transmitting efficiency of the optical element. By activation of a fluorescent lamp, the optical elements can emit ultra-bright color light. A light reflective chamber encloses the fluorescent lamp and the optical elements. Through a panel of the chamber and the optical elements mounted on the panel via apertures of the panel, various desired display patterns may be accomplished. The additive may be fluorescent color dyes or bleaching power. The optical display apparatus further includes a convex lens, a color disc and a motor. The motor drives the color disc to rotate so that light rays focus by the convex lens have variable colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Song S. Lee
  • Patent number: 5390094
    Abstract: An all-weather cold-cathode lighting assembly comprising a series of elongated cold cathode lamp sections electrically interconnected and arrayed in a predetermined geometric configuration having a first end, at least one intermediate bend, and a second end; a series of spaced lampholders including single-socketed endmost feed lampholders supporting the first and second ends of the array and intermediate double-socketed lampholders supporting and electrically connecting adjacent intermediate end portions of the intermediate lamp sections; a weather-proof lens assembly comprising a plurality of elongated transparent or translucent thermoplastic housing sections having walls of generally inverted U-shaped cross section, said housing sections being arrayed congruently with and substantially enclosing said series of lamp sections; said lens housing sections being butted and adhesively joined with clear cement to establish an effectively unitary lens having said predetermined geometric configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: National Cathode Corp.
    Inventor: Jim Evanisko
  • Patent number: 5386353
    Abstract: An electrical lighting system consists of two or more, adjacently mounted, lighting modules where each module includes an elongated, box-type housing adapted to be mounted in a predetermined arrangement on a light source supporting surface, the housing being provided with mounting and electrical supply for a light source and, further, with longitudinal guides mounted on the sides of the box and adapted to accept and secure a slotted tubular translucent light cover when the slot edges of the tubular cover are slid into the guides and split collars providing slide-in openings adapted to accommodate the ends of two or more of the covers of the adjacently mounted lighting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Domenic Battaglia
  • Patent number: 5334905
    Abstract: An immersible lamp for use in a photochemical reactor has an outer bulb (10) surrounding an inner discharge tube (1) which can be cooled by a flow of inert gas such as nitrogen from a supply chamber (23) though hollow guide rods (6, 7) into a remote end (27) of the outer bulb, and back out through an outlet hole (18) and an exhaust chamber (24). In order to facilitate swapping out of the discharge tube (1) in the event of burnout or changes in output power or output spectrum requirements, without the need for welding or glassblowing expertise, the discharge tube (1) is mounted in a pair of sockets (4,5), one of which (4) is axially slidable. The socket is spring-loaded (8), and thus readily adapts to discharge tubes of differing lengths. The socket slides along guide rods (6, 7, 16) which also serve as electrical supply conductors to the sockets (4, 5). Spacer elements (11) help maintain alignment of the guide rods, sockets, and discharge tube with respect to the axis (12) of the outer bulb (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Heraeus Instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Bernt Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5313375
    Abstract: A light fixture for use with a high efficiency particulate air filter is disclosed which includes a peripheral frame, in which a high efficiency particulate air filter is mounted. A plurality of individual lighting elements are positioned in the frame directly beneath the filter in the direction of air flow. The individual lighting elements each include an elongated streamlined housing for receiving an elongated electric light bulb to direct laminar air flow from the filter in a non-turbulent flow pattern around the light bulbs in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Guth Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan D. Jones
  • Patent number: 5301092
    Abstract: A display case having lenses mounted in the case that distribute or direct light emitted by fluorescent tubes located near the ends of display shelves toward the shelves in order to provide a more uniform light distribution along the length of the shelves. The lenses facilitate the illumination of items placed on the shelves near the front and middle of the shelves. Light-directing portions of the lenses distribute or direct light emitted from the fluorescent tubes located inside the lenses toward the display case shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Santosuosso, Richard J. Richardson, Wal M. Liu, Dusan Pope, Artak Ter-Oganesian, Andrew Y. A. Chao
  • Patent number: 5241462
    Abstract: A lighting equipment accessory comprising: one or more transparent bodies for directing at least part of the light, which is incident from a lighting equipment in a first predetermined direction, in a second predetermined direction; and a support supporting the one or more transparent bodies in such a manner that light emitted sidewardly from the lighting equipment is directed downwardly by the one or more transparent bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Jiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5235497
    Abstract: A luminescent fixture for providing sustained illumination suitable for television, video and film production includes a plurality of parallel mercury vapor luminescent lamp tubes aligned in close proximity in a common plane bisecting an acute concave angle defined by high reflectivity facing surfaces of a pair of longitudinal reflector panels. A plurality of separate electronic ballasts located at the base of the extending reflector panels provide a plurality of unsynchronized electrical current pulse trains each for exciting pulsed ultraviolet light emissions from Hg vapor within a particular set of lamp tubes at a rate sufficient to excite/stimulate sustained luminescent light emission from the phosphors in the emulsion coating lining the interior of the light tubes, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Paul D. Costa
  • Patent number: 5195818
    Abstract: The lamp has a case with a light exit opening. A reflector is arranged on the rear wall of the case facing the light exit opening, in front of which an elongated light source is arranged. Between the light source and the light exit opening there is a flexible optical film, stable in shape, with a smooth surface and a structured surface. The smooth surface faces the light exit opening, while the structured surface is directed toward the light source. The structure consists of a plurality of V-shaped grooves extending in parallel to each other and transverse to the longitudinal extension of the light source, the grooves lying immediately side by side. The optical film extends only in that area in which the light source emits light directly toward the light exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Adrian Simmons, Alberto de la Cruz Garcia
  • Patent number: 5193899
    Abstract: A box-type planar light-source device has incorporated therein a linear light source and is provided with a reflecting surface and a multi-prism sheet. The reflecting surface has such function that a major portion of a light reflected by the reflecting surface is obliquely incident upon the multi-prism sheet. The multi-prism sheet has its inner surface formed with a group of prisms so arranged as to extend in parallel relation to the light source and having such function that the light incident directly or obliquely in reflection outgoes in concentration toward a predetermined direction. Accordingly, so as to eliminate portion by the fact that the light outgoing at an angle separated from the normal direction converges at the dark portion. A dark-portion removing sheet for eliminating a dark portion at a location immediately above the light source is arranged on the side of the front face of the multi-prism sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Oe, Issei Chiba
  • Patent number: 5161873
    Abstract: With the aim of mitigating a decrease in flux of light and improving the light utilization efficiency, an optical conductor used in a liquid crystal lighting apparatus is constructed of a plurality of refractive layers N.sub.1, N.sub.2, . . . , N.sub.i of different refractive indices which are gradually lowered from light incident end surfaces to a center portion of the optical conductor. Light coming from the light incident end surfaces is refracted at interfaces of the refractive layers N.sub.1, N.sub.2, . . . , N.sub.i so as to reach a light outgoing surface at an incident angle .theta..sub.i which is smaller than a critical angle .theta..sub.w, thereby preventing all the beams from undergoing total reflection at the light outgoing surface and shortening the optical length in the optical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Obata
  • Patent number: 5158359
    Abstract: An improved illumination system has a lamp encased in a translucent tube with open ends coupled to endcaps via seals disposed circumferentially around the open ends and securing the tube to the endcaps in removable engagement. The seals are compressed between the tube and a securing nut or collar, forming a watertight seal. The endcaps include electrical connectors for providing electrical power to the encased lamp, coupled to electrical circuitry such as a ballast transformer encased in a sealed housing, via conductors in sealed conduits leading to the endcaps. The illumination system can have two or more lamps in respective transparent tubes, in parallel relation with support tubes and conduits leading from the circuitry to the endcaps. Preferably, end portions of the conduits and tubes are angled, for example at 45 degrees with respect to a center portion, for positioning the transparent tubes at a plane displaced from that of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: James D. Penturelli
  • Patent number: 5142466
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a neon tubing comprises a length of extrusion and at least first and second lenses supported in the extrusion. Preferably, the extrusion includes an angled bottom member having first and second legs. First and second wall members extend transversely to the first and second legs, respectively, of the angled bottom member, with each of the first and second wall members having a medial portion and an end. The extrusion further includes a service rail extending at an obtuse angle from the end of each of the first and second wall members, and the service rail includes a tapered medial portion and a retaining flange. Each of the first and second lenses are supported in a receving channel of the extrusion and has a predetermined length less than the predetermined length of the extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventors: Ronald A. Foster, Ruben A. Reyes, Donald W. Murray
  • Patent number: 5128850
    Abstract: A decorative cover for a ceiling mounted light, comprising a translucent decorative sheet or film attached to the ceiling so that the light is located above the cover, at least a portion of the illumination from the light source passing through the cover, thus providing back-lighting for the decorative design on said cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Uosis Juodvalkis
  • Patent number: 5128846
    Abstract: A fluorescent dyed polymer member and a light source are structurally arranged in a manner to efficiently gather light from the light source and then transmit the gathered light to a light utilization device. Light from the light source is gathered over a large area that is occupied by the polymer member. This gathered light is transmitted through the polymer member to an edge portion thereof having a relatively small light emitting area. Light is then emitted as an external beam having a cross section that corresponds to the physical shape of the edge of the polymer member, for example a straight of linear footprint of light. The area brightness of this external beam is greater than the area brightness of the initial light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ross N. Mills, Cynthia F. Reeves-Janzen, Michael D. Ries, John C. Scott
  • Patent number: 5124903
    Abstract: A decorative light display unit for displaying one or more lights for a window display, table centerpiece, or the like, wherein a substantially rectangular hollow housing is provided with a top surface having at least one transverse opening therethrough to maintain a display candle extending from each opening. A glass or plastic sconce is disposed around each candle and supported by a groove formed around the transverse opening. The sconce includes a first tubular end supported by the hollow housing and a flared bulbous open portion disposed around the bulb of the candle. The flared bulbous portion is provided with a scalloped tip end and a ribbon secured around a reduced diameter portion thereof. A hinged closure door is provided for one end of the hollow housing to permit the insertion/removal of a suitable candelabrum therein. A notch is provided in the closure door to accommodate an electric cord supplying electric current to the candelabrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Debra S. Coviello
  • Patent number: 5113322
    Abstract: An elongated cornice lighting fixture in a public transit vehicle coupled with an advertising display panel is mounted above the windows on each side of the vehicle. Light from incandescent bulbs in each fixture is controlled by sheets of reflective optical film to direct the light to the seating area below each fixture and to a display panel with only minimal illumination of the vehicle floor and windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Transmatic, Inc.
    Inventor: Liudas K. Mikalonis
  • Patent number: 5105345
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a reflecting plate, a single or a plural number of linear light source(s) arranged over said reflecting plate and a diffusing plate arranged over said light source(s), a light quantity adjusting means being arranged on the surface of the linear light source on between said light source(s) and said diffusing plate, and said illumination device being so adapted as to uniformalize luminance distribution on the diffusing plate by selecting shape and size of light-transmitting portions of the light quantity adjusting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Katoh, Nobuhisa Noguchi, Yutaka Kikuchi, Isamu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5101330
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a reflecting plate, a single or a plural number of linear light source(s) arranged over said reflecting plate and a diffusing plate arranged over said light source(s), a light quantity adjusting means being arranged on the surface of the linear light source on between said light source(s) and said diffusing plate, and said illumination device being so adapted as to uniformalize luminance distribution on the diffusing plate by selecting shape and size of light-transmitting portions of the light quantity adjusting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Suzuki