Adjustable Or Repositionable Light Source Or Light Source Support Patents (Class 362/285)
  • Patent number: 6010230
    Abstract: Extension brackets capable of being rapidly attached to standard lampholder brackets of conventional fluorescent lighting fixtures for retrofit of such fixtures to accommodate lamping, including metric lamping such as T5 lamping, of generally shorter lengths than conventional tubular fluorescent lamping. The extension brackets of the invention attach by interference fit to standard cutouts in standard lampholder brackets, which cutouts normally attach conventional "tombstone" T12 lampholders, the extension brackets further acting to mount conventional lampholders capable of mounting the metric lamping at locations disposed inwardly of the fixtures to accommodate the several conventional lengths of metric lamping or the like while locating the metric lamping on a plane no higher than that of the conventional lamping for which the lighting fixtures are originally configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Schmidt, Roger Erle Norris
  • Patent number: 6004007
    Abstract: A spotlight with an adjustable angle of radiation has a light source (4) and a reflector (5) associated with the light source (4). A first focusing lens (2) is positioned in a beam path of the light source-reflector combination (4, 5). A second focusing lens (6) is placed in the beam path between the light source (4) and the first focusing lens (2). The reflector (5), the light source (4), and the second focusing lens (6) are mounted as an optical unit that is movable relative to the first focusing lens (2), along an optical axis of the spotlight along which the beam path extends. Inside the optical unit, a distance between the light source (4) and the second focusing lens (6) is adjustable. In addition, inside the optical unit a distance between the light source (4) and the reflector (5) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dedo Weigert Film GmbH
    Inventor: Dedo Arndt Weigert
  • Patent number: 6000815
    Abstract: A lamp reflector assembly includes a fixture having a base and a support member movably attached to the base. Attached to the support member is a pair of spaced-apart arms, each having an electrical receptacle. Connected to the electrical receptacles are electrical contacts of opposing ends of an elongate lamp, with a middle portion that emits radiation. Attached to the base of the fixture is a concave reflector having a pair of clearance holes sized to permit the end portions of the lamp to pass through, to locate the electrical contacts outside the reflector. The resulting combination provides adjustability of the position of the lamp relative the position of the reflector, to focus the radiation reflected generally forwardly from the reflector. The present invention offers important advantages over a prior art adjustable assembly, where the reflector is bonded to a sheet metal bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Steve Jennings
  • Patent number: 5975716
    Abstract: A mounting bar for spacing apart indicator lights used in electronic equipment has a channel bar with a base and a top edge from which spaced apart mounting fingers cantileverly extend. The channel bar, base, and fingers form a cavity within which indicator light modules are frictionally held. The indicator light modules may have extending protrusions which engage the gaps between the mounting fingers. The protrusions may be of the same width between the mounting fingers, or may be wider than the gaps between the mounting fingers for increased frictional retention of the indicator lights within the mounting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Wilbrecht Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. McSwiggen, John A. Trine
  • Patent number: 5934787
    Abstract: A picture illuminating device for mounting on the wall above the picture, or on the back of the picture frame. The device utilizes a fluorescent light tube to produce uniform lighting and is powered by conventional or rechargeable batteries which eliminates the requirement of electrical outlets and the spectacle of exposed electrical cords extending down the wall. The device is composed of a stem and a shade. The shade houses the fluorescent light tube, batteries and the electronic circuit that converts the direct current from the batteries to the alternating current required to power the fluorescent light tube. The shade includes a reflector which is configured to mount the fluorescent light tube and batteries so that the shade covers the fluorescent light tube adequately to prevent any glare from the front while presenting the look of a conventional, corded picture lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Murari Sharma
  • Patent number: 5931560
    Abstract: A portable illumination device includes a plurality of flexible, memory-retaining members for supporting and suspending itself. In one form, the portable illumination device of the present invention is a novelty flashlight in which the plurality of flexible, memory-retaining members are four in number and configured to simulate arms and legs. The novelty flashlight has a generally cylindrical main body portion. A bulb is mounted in the main body portion for producing a source of light. In one mode of use, the illumination device can be suspended from a bar, hook or other structure, by wrapping one or more of the flexible, memory-retaining members about the structure. In another mode of use, the flexible, memory-retaining members can be used to support the illumination device upon a support surface. The flexibility of the flexible, memory-retaining members permit the direction of the source of light to be easily and quickly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Edward J. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5896011
    Abstract: A device for controlling a light width of headlights of a vehicle said displacing units adapted to be associated with the headlights and operative for changing a light width of a light bundle emitted by the headlights, at least one sensor unit provided with at least one deflection sensor which detects a deflection of a vehicle body at least on one axle of the vehicle, an evaluating unit connected with the sensor unit and at least approximately determining an inclination .gamma. of the vehicle body relative to a roadway from signals of the sensor unit and controlling the displacing units for at least approximately maintaining constant the light width of the light bundle emitted by the headlight, the at least one sensor unit being provided additionally with an inclination sensor which determines an inclination .beta. of the vehicle body relative to a direction toward a center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Zillgitt
  • Patent number: 5871274
    Abstract: The device of a stretchable and contractable desk lamp comprising a lamp shade and a stand, the lamp shade is pivotally connected on one end thereof to a first pivot connection on the top of the stand, the connection is for pivotal mounting of a handle for carrying the lamp, the bottom of the stand is provided with a second pivot connection for pivotally mounting of a separated rotating seat, the lamp thus has a function of rotating with two pivot axles, and is portable and can save space in packaging; a receptacle is provided on the top of and engaged with the lamp shade, the receptacle receives a stretchable or drawable frame therein, a magnifying glass is provided in the frame and can be stretched out and firmly kept in a suitable anglular position on the lamp shade for viewing under illumination, the magnifying glass can be hidden in the receptacle when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: An Hsun Lee, Fred Mendelsohn
  • Patent number: 5855427
    Abstract: A luminaire for a fluorescent bulb having a support unit for a fluorescent bulb which is movable to be adjustably positioned with respect to the opening to narrow or broaden the width of the beam of light emitted. The support unit has pairs of pivotable reflectors and adjustment mechanism for positioning the angle of the reflectors to reflect light in the desired manner. The adjustment mechanism includes pivotable mounts having gears wheels which are turned by a worm gear on an adjustment rod. The movable reflectors can be interchanged to present different surface contours and spectral coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Leon A. Lassovsky
  • Patent number: 5842772
    Abstract: A lighted eyeglass assembly with handle is provided including an eyeglass assembly and an elongated handle housing. The housing has the eyeglass assembly pivotally coupled thereto such that a universal coupling afforded. A light assembly includes a bulb mounted to a top of the handle housing and connected to a battery situated within the handle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventors: Jane Stern, Eileen R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5836677
    Abstract: A retrofit recessed compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) system that delivers quality aesthetics, glare control, and high efficiency light output. The system comprises a reflector unit adapted to be installed into an existing light fixture to provide an improved environment for distribution of light from a CFL. The system is compatible with a range of existing light fixture heights and styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Connors, Gordon L. McGregor, Raymond B. Minor
  • 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: 5816689
    Abstract: An illuminating service for creating a broad area of illumination is preferably enclosed in a compact and hand held housing, and includes an illumination source consisting of a bulb and a reflector. The illumination source is directly connected to a moving means using an attachment means, and is rotated at a frequency to provide an increased area of illumination having an intensity perceived as being substantially equivalent to that of a non-rotating beam when viewed by an observer. In addition, an energy reuse and DC notching reducer are disclosed that includes a load member and an energy storage means that are operatively connected with a pair of switches. The switches are selectively energized as to allow current to pass through the load member and to allow the energy storage means to store and discharge energy such that the energy is recycled through the load member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Strazzabosco
  • Patent number: 5803578
    Abstract: A headlamp mounting system includes upper and lower mounting tabs having substantially aligned apertures therethrough. A headlamp assembly has corresponding upper and lower apertures at either end of a channel joining the apertures. The headlamp assembly wedges between the mounting tabs such that the respective apertures are offset. A cam pin is inserted through the apertures in a first rotational position and from there rotated to a second rotational position to draw the apertures into alignment and snug the headlamp assembly to the vehicle support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Raymond Madsen
  • Patent number: 5800053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an elevation adjustment structure for household upright lamp arm, and the structure has a cage ring with high-resilience fence ring body, and the cage ring has an open ring with axial notch, and the ring body is mounted near the end of inner rod of lamp arm, and the end of ring body with setting pieces is mounted on the end of inner rod; an end plug is screwed in the end of inner rod with cage ring by means of its thread plug; power cord is inserted through the outlet port near the base of outer rod of lamp arm and extending into the inner rod by means of axial hole of end plug, and an open end of inner rod is connected to the lamp; a screw is rotated into the thread hole on the flange of end plug for retaining the power cord in position; the end of inner rod with end plug is mounted in the outer rod and the distal end of outer rod is screwed with a screw cover; with such assembly the resilience of cage ring may enable the inner rod to move up and down for random positioning t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Jonny Shen
  • Patent number: 5791766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a telescopic laser pointer of the type that includes a telescopic barrel. A laser module is housed within the telescopic barrel. The laser module can be disposed in the front end of the telescopic barrel or within the telescopic barrel. The laser beam generated by the laser module can be suitably directed outward from the front end of the telescopic barrel. A battery is disposed within the telescopic barrel. A switch controls the power supplied from the battery to the laser module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Chih-Jen Lee
  • Patent number: 5788363
    Abstract: A lamp unit attaching structure for attaching a head lamp to a bumper plate through a bracket in the present invention is constructed by a head lamp having an attaching portion in a position shifted from a central position of the head lamp in its height direction, and a bracket. The bracket has bent portions formed in both end portions of the bracket and bent in the same direction, assembling portions formed in end tip portions of said bent portions to assemble the bracket into said attaching portion, and an extending portion extending from said bent portions in one of a progressing direction of a light beam of said head lamp or a direction reverse to this progressing direction. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with various kinds of distances between the bumper plate and the ground on the basis of differences in kind of a car body by changing assembling directions of the head lamp and the bracket and attaching the head lamp and the bracket to the bumper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: PIAA Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Kamaya, Toshiyuki Terada
  • Patent number: 5785409
    Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support having a non-threaded vertical wall container base for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas and means for providing variable length extension for rotatably adjusting height by plus or minus 1/64 of an inch or more and azimuth alignment by about plus or minus one degree or more. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. In one aspect, an overlay protection plate protects against paving material entering the light fixture support during airport paving operations and locates the light fixture support after the airport paving operations have covered it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5785405
    Abstract: In a device for adjusting a presettable lighting level of a headlight in motor vehicles, the headlight is provided with a control device for adjusting a tilt angle of the headlight, and a control device assigns a corresponding tilt angle to each presettable lighting level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke
    Inventor: Wolfgang Huhn
  • Patent number: 5779349
    Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas and variable length extension means for rotatably adjusting height by a vertical displacement range of up to six inches (15 cm) or more. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional, prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam." Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5775793
    Abstract: A headlight for vehicles has a reflector having at least two regions formed for different illumination functions, at least one light source associated with each of the regions of the reflector and having two light source elements, a lamp carrier fixed to the reflector, one of the light source elements being inserted in the reflector via the lamp carrier and held in the lamp carrier, the lamp carrier having a first portion fixed to the reflector and a second portion in which the one light source element is held, the second portion of the lamp carrier with the one light source element held in it being movable transverse to an optical axis of the reflector relative to the first portion of the lamp carrier for adjusting of the one light source element when the second portion is fixed to the reflector, the second portion of the lamp carrier being accessible from a backside of the reflector for moving the second portion relative to the first portion of the lamp carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schmidt, Horst Haenel, Georg Ebinger, Giancarlo Chiarmonte
  • Patent number: 5765938
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a flexible core comprising a pair of conductive wires which electrically connect a source of power to a power using implement. A flexible spine surrounds the pair of conductive wires and includes a plurality of interconnected universally rotatable members. A resilient sleeve engages the outer surface of the rotatable members forming the spine. The flashlight includes a working end housing and a base housing. A first anchor connects one end of the flexible core to the base end housing and a second anchor connects the other end of the flexible core to the working end housing. The outer surface of the resilient sleeve is restrained against relative twisting or longitudinal movement with respect to each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Rousso, Paul R. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 5758949
    Abstract: A collapsible lantern includes a base, a light source, a globe surrounding the light source, and a cap above the globe and the light source. The globe and light source are telescopingly mounted for movement between a lowered position in which the cap is adjacent the base and a raised position in which the cap is spaced above the base and the globe and light source extend between the base and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Van Deursen
  • Patent number: 5758955
    Abstract: A lens for use in a light fixture provided to project a beam of light in a first light pattern having a first cross-sectional geometry. A lenticular lens element is supported in the fixture and movable into a position to interrupt the beam of light for selecting beam shape by altering the first projected light pattern from the first cross-sectional geometry to a second cross-sectional geometry different from the first geometry and for moving the second pattern to a desired orientation. The lens element may be carried by a disc rotatably mounted in the fixture. The disc may carry a plurality of lens elements which can also change the orientation of the projected light patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: High End Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 5752766
    Abstract: A multi-color, focusable, lighting apparatus particularly adapted for illuminating performance stages and other visual displays comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported on a flexible base member which in turn is supported by a housing of the apparatus. A linear actuator is operable to move the base member between a generally planar position and a deflected position to cause the LED array to change the direction of the optical axes of a substantial number of LEDs in the array to focus light emitted from the LEDs, respectively. The LEDs are preferably provided in clusters of three LEDs, each cluster including a red, blue and green LED. A generally cylindrical shield may be connected to the housing to project light from the apparatus. The base member may comprise a moldable polymer material wherein the LED array and electrical conductors are encapsulated in the base member itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventors: James Tam Bailey, Phillip L. Scheldt
  • Patent number: 5751117
    Abstract: A modular ballast system particularly suited for strip lighting installations has ballast modules on opposite ends of each fluorescent lamp tube, each module having lamp connectors for receiving the end pins of the fluorescent lamp, capacitance and inductance elements connected to the lamp connectors in each module, and jumper conductors interconnecting the capacitance and inductance elements of the modules to define a bridge type ballast circuit for powering the fluorescent lamp. Each ballast module can be made small and lightweight with a single inductor and capacitor forming two legs of a four leg bridge type ballast. Pairs of ballast modules can be connected back-to-back to transmit electrical power without external wiring to successive fluorescent lamps along the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Bruce Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Eugene Abbott
  • Patent number: 5749644
    Abstract: A flashlight having a flexible core, a power supply end connected to one end of the flexible core and an illumination end connected to an opposite end of the flexible core. The power supply end has a recess on its exterior. The illumination end has a projection on its exterior. The two ends can be removably connected to each other with the projection being received in the recess. In a preferred embodiment, the projection is a resilient ring extending around a perimeter of the housing on the illumination end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Carbone
  • Patent number: 5746495
    Abstract: A portable work light has a handle to which a head is pivotally attached. The head houses a light source and a reflector that projects a beam of light. The head has an air inlet and outlet with a fan that forces air from the inlet to outlet thereby cooling components inside the head. The work light may be powered by either a battery which is releaseably connected to the handle or from an external source via an electrical cord that connects to a socket in the handle. An optical fiber assembly may be releaseably attached to the head over the opening to direct light from source through a fiber optic cable to illuminate small recessed working areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas L. Klamm
  • Patent number: 5727864
    Abstract: A motorcycle light support assembly for mounting two lights to a motorcycle. The assembly includes a light support bar having two ends separated from each other in a first direction, wherein a second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Two light support members are secured to the two ends of the light bar, and each light support member includes an elongated orifice that is longer in the second direction than in the first direction. A horn support bracket is connected to the light bar and is adapted to support a horn. Preferably, the horn support bracket includes a horn attaching portion for supporting a horn, a frame attaching portion adapted to engage a motorcycle frame, and an intermediate portion between the horn attaching and frame attaching portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: John E. Stelling, Brian M. Scherbarth
  • Patent number: 5722770
    Abstract: A light fixture for setting the optimum position of a position-oriented lamp, independently of the fixture position, includes a housing for holding the position-oriented lamp and having an opening through which light emanates from the lamp. Means is releasably connected to the housing for rotating the position-oriented lamp relative to the housing and securing the lamp to the housing when the lamp has been rotated to its optimum position. Means is mounted to the rotating and securing means for indicating when the position-oriented lamp has been rotated to its optimum position, so that the lamp can be so positioned without having visual access to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Genlyte Group Incorporated
    Inventor: Cary L. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5722764
    Abstract: An adjustable flashlight including a lamp housing having a lower cover and an upper cover adapted to engage with the lower cover, a battery chamber having a lower portion, an upper portion adapted to engage with the lower portion to form a container, and a cap sealably engaged with an end of the container, and a connecting member having an outer tube, an inner tube fitted within the outer tube, and a flexible rod arranged within the inner tube, whereby the adjustable flashlight can be bent to form any desired shape, limited only by the elasticity of the material of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Wen San Jou
  • Patent number: 5695279
    Abstract: A low-voltage light construction created by tube construction elements made up of male and female embodiments of electrically insulated metal tubes or metal rods and metal tubes. The male embodiment is connected to a low-voltage energy source by two circuit extensions, whereas one extension is electrically connected to the inner rod and the other extension is electrically connected to the outer tube. The construction provides simple assembly possibilities and enables numerous arrangements using a variable amount of connecting tube elements which are pushed together by manual pressure. The tube sections are set symmetrically to the illuminants and can be rotated around their axes. The illuminants are set in two pin circuits, which are connected to a pair of electrically conducting bars. These are held to the metal tube elements by round headed nuts. This makes it possible to rotate the illuminants on two additional axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventors: Ferdinand Sonnleitner, Susan Elizabeth Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5690419
    Abstract: An optical reflector mounting assembly includes a base with a gasket for sealingly mounting the base on a cross-arm of a unitary support assembly for flood lights. There is a light socket for receiving a flood lamp, and a mounting socket for holding the light socket and for dissipating heat generated by the light socket in operation. There are fins on the outside of the mounting socket for dissipating heat, and a device for pivotally mounting the mounting socket on the base for pivotal movement of the mounting socket and the light socket relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Steven L. Siems
  • Patent number: 5690420
    Abstract: A light for indicating a location of a vehicle. The inventive device includes a spotlight for creating a directed beam of illumination. A gimbal supports the spotlight relative to the vehicle such that the beam is always directed vertically upward for indicating a presence of the associated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Andres B. Saldana, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5688039
    Abstract: A safety helmet has a battery operated, flashing rear light for wide angle visibility and a battery operated front light with a narrow projected forward beam to light the path being traversed. The front light pivots about a horizontal axis with manual control to adjust the attitude or inclination of the beam to enhance its utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Lyndon F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5683176
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a pneumatically operated retractable lighting assembly that is adapted for insertion into the ground, existing ceilings, or the like. The pneumatically operated retractable lighting assembly includes a first housing that receives a second housing. The second housing is in a slidable relationship to the first housing. The second housing further supports the light fixture. When the device is activated, air is supplied to the first housing in order to lift and activate the second housing and current is supplied to the light fixture. During deactivation, the air escapes the first housing to permit the second housing to retract into the first housing while current is no longer supplied to the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Patrick B. Clendenin
  • Patent number: 5639155
    Abstract: A headlamp mounting system for an automobile includes respective headlamp housings for holding monofilament headlamps. Also, respective bases are attached to the automobile and each base is pivotably engaged with a respective one of the headlamp housings. An activating shaft extends between the headlamp housings and is connected to each, and an activating rod is connected to a radially protruding ear of the activating shaft. The activating rod is coupled to an operating knob in the passenger compartment, and the knob can be pushed and pulled as desired by an occupant to cause the activating rod to reciprocate and, thus, to rotate the activating shaft and hence pivot the headlamp housings. Thereby, the elevation angle of the headlamp beams is selectively established, with a high angle establishing a high beam orientation and a low angle establishing a low beam orientation. A spool having front and rear ends is pivotably engaged with the activating rod in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kowall, Del C. Schroeder, Delbert D. DeRees
  • Patent number: 5626416
    Abstract: A lamp module apparatus which may be used with theatrical lighting fixture, the module including a lamp, an elliptical reflector, a secondary spherical reflector, a heatsink, a forced air system, adjustment clamps and a mirror. The module may be removed from a fixture and easily reinstalled allowing for added safety for the lamp and a more efficient fixture system. The lamp is adjustable relative to the module so that lamp modules may be interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventors: Richard J. Romano, Robert A. Fry
  • Patent number: 5619792
    Abstract: An illuminating device for use in a terminated cable part inspection device for a stripped terminal crimping machine is of a reflected image capturing type and can ensure a satisfactory illuminance required for photographing. The stripped terminal crimping machine includes a stripping portion and a terminal crimping portion between which the terminated cable part inspection device (8) is located on a bidirectional path (P). The terminated cable part inspection device (8) includes an image pickup camera (11) having a high shutter speed, an illuminating means (12), and a detecting means (13) including first and second sensors (31, 32) for detecting the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Ohmori, Yoshihide Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5618097
    Abstract: A keyed lamp assembly includes an electric lamp and a lamp base secured to the electric lamp for electrical connection to the lamp and for mounting the lamp in a keyed lamp fixture. The lamp base includes a lamp base body and at least one fixed key on the lamp base body. The lamp assembly further includes a movable key on a key carrier that is movable to two or more different positions on the lamp base body during manufacturing. The key carrier is attached to the lamp base body in one of the positions such that the fixed and movable keys provide variable keying of the lamp assembly. The lamp base body and the key carrier may have interengaging ratchet elements for defining discrete positions of the movable key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Coushaine
  • Patent number: 5615938
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for illuminating objects, in particular those to be recorded by a video camera, having at least one lamp, the light of which a condenser system projects onto an optical system, which directs said light onto the object or objects to be illuminated, and a control means for controlling the intensity of the illumination with which the object is illuminated.The present invention is distinguished by the control means moving, respectively pivoting, the lamp, the condenser system and/or the the optical system in the direction of the optical axis of the condenser system, respectively of the optical system and/or perpendicular thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Norbert Lemke
  • Patent number: 5615945
    Abstract: A lighting device for use with a computer, including: an elongated, hollow, flexible neck, a plug fastened to the flexible neck at one end for connection to the computer, and a lamp assembly fastened to the flexible neck at an opposite end and connected to the plug by an electric wire, the flexible neck having a flexible metal wire axially mounted on the inside, the flexible metal wire having a hook at one end fixedly connected to the plug by a resin block, the resin block being molded on the hook of the flexible metal wire and one end of the electric wire and fixedly secured to the plug by a jacket to support the flexible neck and the lamp assembly, for permitting the flexible neck to be bent to the desired shape to move the lamp assembly to the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Noopro Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Winger Tseng
  • Patent number: 5615943
    Abstract: Pairs of laterally adjustable planar brackets supporting fluorescent lamp terminal posts are provided with individual lamp reflectors extending between and secured to opposing pairs of cooperating brackets for retrofitting existing fluorescent lamp fixtures with improved fluorescent lamps and reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: C. Michael Coldren
  • Patent number: 5609413
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes an adjustable light fixture recessed in a ceiling or wall for directing light at various angles and including, within a hollow elongated housing, a pair of inverted U-shaped members pivotally mounted to one another about a horizontal axis. The assembly of the two U-shaped members may be further pivoted about a central vertical axis so that a light bulb and socket mounted in one of the U-shaped member may be angularly adjusted about two axes to provide light at various angles of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Eclairage Contraste
    Inventor: Michel Lecluze
  • Patent number: 5599086
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system having an elongated track mounted to the roof of the vehicle and placed adjacent one or more seating positions. An illuminator is slidably mounted to the track and is movable along the track to illuminate a longitudinal area adjacent the seating position. Parallel rails within the interior portion of the track provide power and ground to the illuminator. The illuminator slides longitudinally along the track and contacts the rails to communicate power and ground to a bulb positioned within the illuminator. The illuminator may be moved along the track to illuminate a continuous area adjacent the vehicle seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Kalyan Dutta
  • Patent number: 5594201
    Abstract: A height and azimuth adjustable container is disclosed as a base for lighting fixtures, transformer housings, and junction boxes and provides precise and simplified aligning of lighting fixtures to be mounted on it. The height and azimuth adjustable container provides a precise and simplified adjustable aligning of lighting fixtures for azimuth alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5580163
    Abstract: A single flexible mount and a simple adjustment system are used to provide the means to focus the collective outputs of multiple light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: August Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. Johnson, II
  • Patent number: 5567034
    Abstract: In the case of a motor vehicle headlamp comprising a light source, a reflector, a projecting lens, a diffusing lens and a cover plate, it is provided that the diffusing lens has a central opening which is at least partially penetrated by the projecting lens. In certain preferred embodiments, the light source reflector and projecting lens are carried by a movable and adjustable frame, and the diffusing lens and cover plate are fixed in position at a vehicle headlamp mounting recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Horst Dietewich, Joachim Ripperger, Tassilo Stempfl, Albert Grober
  • Patent number: 5566058
    Abstract: A light clip for holding a light bulb with an attachment portion for removably mounting the light clip to a support surface such as a shingle or gutter without putting holes in the gutters or shingles. The attachment portion has mechanism with a plurality of discrete stop positions, and cooperates with a bulb holder having connecting prongs. The mechanism with discrete stops cooperates with the prongs to mount the bulb holder to the attachment portion and to provide a plurality of discrete angular positions of a bulb carried by the bulb holder with respect to the attachment portion. The gutter attachment portion is capable of mounting onto a wide variety of gutter shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Santa's Best
    Inventor: William F. Protz, Jr.
  • 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