Louvered Or Grid Type Modifier Patents (Class 362/290)
  • Patent number: 7748859
    Abstract: A backlight module (1) includes a light source (121), a light guide plate (122) and a grating plate (123). The light guide plate includes a light incident surface (1221), a bottom surface (1223) adjacent the light incident surface. The light source is provided adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is provided adjacent to the bottom surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is configured for reflecting light beams and polarizing the light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventor: Xiao-Jing Qi
  • Patent number: 7731381
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light channel disposed in a wall or door of a treatment chamber. A light source cooperating with the light channel is disposed outside of the treatment chamber and provides light beams along a first direction. First and second reflectors are disposed in the light channel to reflect respective portions of the light beams toward the treatment chamber so as to enter the treatment chamber through a transparent area in the wall or door. The second reflector extends further in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, than the first reflector, such that the second portion of the light beams reaches the second reflector in an unhindered manner. The first and second reflectors have reflective surfaces thereon which are configured differently in the second direction and a third direction transverse to the first direction in order to prevent mutual shadowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Littau, August Oberroehrmann
  • Publication number: 20100124062
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for use in video conferencing and general illumination includes a housing forming an interior cavity. The housing has an opening in a bottom portion thereof The lighting fixture also includes at least one light holder for holding at least one light source positioned within the interior cavity of the housing, at least one diffuser plate positioned over the opening of the housing, and a plurality of louvers adjacent to the diffuser plate over the opening of the housing. Each of the plurality of louvers is positioned at an angle such that light produced by the light source is directed to a specific area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel P. Cercone
  • Patent number: 7708430
    Abstract: An embodiment may comprise a baffle blade or blades, an article of manufacture, and/or a luminaire comprising: a blade member with a reflective top section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sylvan R. Shemitz Designs, Incorporated
    Inventors: Sylvan R. Shemitz, Paul R. Ford, Joseph R. Zaharewicz
  • Patent number: 7703969
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light guide plate having opposite side surfaces and a peripheral edge surface. A part of the peripheral edge surface is a light entrance surface, and one of the opposite side surfaces is a light exit surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate. A light deflecting film is disposed adjacent and parallel to the light exit surface of the light guide plate. The light deflecting film has a multilayer construction wherein light reflecting layers and light transmitting layers are stacked one by one alternately. The light reflecting and transmitting layers are tilted at a predetermined angle to the light exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7695176
    Abstract: A projection-type vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body, a front cover forming a lamp housing together with the lamp body, a light projection unit accommodated inside the lamp body, and a cover extending in a forward direction from the light projection unit. A louver is formed on a portion of the cover where light from the light projection unit is irradiated so as to allow irradiated light to pass through the louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumito Ohtaki, Kohji Shimakura, Noriyuki Konagai, Akinori Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Moritani
  • Patent number: 7674021
    Abstract: A lighting assembly apparatus for wingtip position lights and an anti-collision light (ACL). The lighting assembly apparatus reduces light flashback caused by the ACL by including one or more internal baffles located inside of a lens. A lens retainer receives the lens. The lens retainer includes a base section and internal baffles. The one or more internal baffles include a crossbeam baffle that is attached between upper and lower surfaces of the lens retainer. The crossbeam baffle reduces light flashback caused by the ACL and complies with ACL/regulatory requirements. The internal baffle includes a stepped edge that also reduces light flashback caused by the ACL and complies with ACL requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Giffen, Lawrence M. Rice, Jeffrey M. Singer
  • Patent number: 7585093
    Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
  • Patent number: 7559673
    Abstract: A shading device is described for use with a display system. The shading device includes a first component, typically a rigid component, and a second component. The second component at least partially covers the first component. The second component is a solid continuous film which has a lower reflectivity than the first component. In a particular embodiment, the second component is more elastic or flexible than the first component and/or has a hardness smaller than the first component, and is furthermore adapted such that it can provide a sealing contact with a plurality of light sources. The latter allows using the shading device also as a sealing arrangement for sealing electronics and other components of the display system from the ambient of the display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventors: Karim Meersman, Aaron Beddes, Katrien Noyelle
  • Patent number: 7556403
    Abstract: A display and messaging sign includes a number of pixels and a hooded face plate. The hooded face plate includes a number of hooded apertures, with a hood over each of the pixels. Each pixel is aligned with an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Skyline Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Stadjuhar, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090122551
    Abstract: A light fixture is configured to provide indirect lighting from a light source through use of a light shield. The light shield blocks a percentage of the light emitted from the light source at a center of the light shield. The light shield decreasing blocks light emitted from the light source along a path between the center and an outer edge of the light shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Focal Point, LLC
    Inventor: Casey Chung
  • Patent number: 7527399
    Abstract: The full light cut-off, light pollution-free, light bulb is a complete and self-contained bulb that is designed to replace standard light bulbs in standard light fixtures turning that standard light fixture into a full cut-off, light pollution-free fixture. The light bulb assembly is built around a light bulb, such as a compact florescent light bulb or a standard incandescent light bulb. Two variations are described. The first design is to replace standard compact florescent light bulbs or incandescent light bulbs mounted in an upward facing socket such as a lamp post or upward socket carriage light fixture. The second design is to replace standard compact florescent light bulbs or incandescent light bulbs mounted in a downward facing socket such as downward socket carriage light fixture. In both designs, the basic light bulb is enclosed in a transparent cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Feiereisen
  • Patent number: 7527395
    Abstract: A head lamp for a motor vehicle is disclosed with a reflector for reflecting light. A generally transparent lens is mounted to the reflector for enclosing the head lamp. A light bulb is oriented within the head lamp spaced apart from the reflector for providing illumination that is reflected from the reflector and out of the head lamp. In one embodiment, a louvre arrangement is oriented within the head lamp adjacent to an internal side of the lens for providing a bezel spaced apart from the reflector. In yet another embodiment, the louvre has a first end mounted to the housing and a second end mounted to the housing for structurally supporting the lens. In another embodiment, the louvre extends along an exit region of the lens for blocking glare light from exiting the head lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lon Zaback, Bruce P. Williams, David Griffiths, Ehab Kaoud, Albert Ekladyous
  • Patent number: 7520636
    Abstract: This invention relates to a luminaire (106), which has a housing (103) with an opening (111) at a light output side, a reflector (105) mounted in the housing, and facing the light output side, a louver (107) mounted at the opening of the housing, and LEDs (109) mounted in the louver, such that the emitted LED light exits the luminaire only after reflection against the reflector, thereby providing indirect light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lucas Leo Desiree Van Der Poel
  • Patent number: 7517113
    Abstract: A grid screen for an illumination device includes a honeycomb grid disc (5) mounted in a component (4) having an aperture (9). The grid screen is fastened to the component with spring clips (10). The spring clips (10) have cranked clip ends (11), which are directed towards the middle and rotated by 90°, so as to pass through the aperture (9) of the honeycomb grid disc (5) and hook under a bridge (3) of the illumination device. Keyhole-type cutouts (8) on both sides of the aperture (9) are positioned over the bridge (3) in a contactless manner. The deeply situated annular honeycomb grid disc (5) absorbs the glare rays (12) emerging from underneath a cap (2), while reflected useful rays (15) are passed through the honeycomb grid disc (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Attila Bruckner
  • Patent number: 7513634
    Abstract: A structure of a backlight module, which includes: a light source frame, including: a top plate having a plurality of slits; a bottom plate arranged apart from the top plate; and at least two edge plates arranged oppositely, wherein each of the edge plates has a top end and a bottom end, and both of the bottom ends are separately connected with the bottom plate; wherein the inner surfaces of the top plate, the bottom plate and the edge plates form a reflective cavity; and at least one light source arranged in the reflective cavity. There are several advantages of the backlight module according to the present invention, which includes: 1. the required uniformity and brightness of the backlight module are achieved; 2. its weight is largely reduced; and 3. it can be tiled up to form a large-area backlight module for a large size display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventor: Cheng-Huan Chen
  • Patent number: 7501589
    Abstract: A conductive shield for surrounding a high efficiency light bulb such as a spiral fluorescent bulb is described. A conductive curtain having apertures through which light may pass is connected to the threaded grounded base of the bulb. The apertures in the curtain present high impedance to stray electrical energy (SEE) from the bulb thereby reducing SEE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: And Yet, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin H. Graham
  • Publication number: 20080316747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reflector for a luminaire. The reflector comprises a cavity (101) for receiving a lamp intended to emit light and, located around said cavity, a first annular louver member (201) arranged in a first direction and a second annular louver member (202) arranged in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Corinne Lac, Artur Markowski, Gert-Jan Bauco De Vries, Mathew Lee Bembridge, Grzegorz Jurgielajtis
  • Patent number: 7455429
    Abstract: An assembly (16) for covering a visual display means (10) which has an array of pixels (12) is described. The assembly (16) comprises an array of cells (18) with reflective walls and an opening at each end. A transparent cover sheet (20) is positioned adjacent the open end of the cells (18) on one side of the array. The array is dimensioned such as in use each cell (18) is aligned with one pixel (12) of the visual display means (10). In this way, large visual display systems with excellent optical performance can be provided which can be used both internally and externally and are capable of bearing loads and forming structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Smartslab Limited
    Inventor: Tom Barker
  • Publication number: 20080285284
    Abstract: The full light cut-off, light pollution-free, light bulb is a complete and self-contained bulb that is designed to replace standard light bulbs in standard light fixtures turning that standard light fixture into a full cut-off, light pollution-free fixture. The light bulb assembly is built around a light bulb, such as a compact florescent light bulb or a standard incandescent light bulb. Two variations are described. The first design is to replace standard compact florescent light bulbs or incandescent light bulbs mounted in an upward facing socket such as a lamp post or upward socket carriage light fixture. The second design is to replace standard compact florescent light bulbs or incandescent light bulbs mounted in a downward facing socket such as downward socket carriage light fixture. In both designs, the basic light bulb is enclosed in a transparent cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Feiereisen
  • Patent number: 7397984
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the louver device includes a transparent layer of material having a first surface and, parallel thereto, a second surface. A plurality of shaped louver members are disposed within the transparent layer of material. The shaped louver members are aligned to receive light entering the first surface at a first angle relative to the first surface and direct the light out the second surface at a plurality of angles relative to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Huei Pei Kuo, Lawrence M. Hubby, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080158479
    Abstract: A backlight module (1) includes a light source (121), a light guide plate (122) and a grating plate (123). The light guide plate includes a light incident surface (1221), a bottom surface (1223) adjacent the light incident surface. The light source is provided adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is provided adjacent to the bottom surface of the light guide plate. The grating plate is configured for reflecting light beams and polarizing the light beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Xiao-Jing Qi
  • Patent number: 7394593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitted-light base (1) for illuminating an object (15) for imaging through a zoom microscope (21), the transmitted-light base (1) comprising an integrated light source (3) having an associated electrical power regulation system (31) for generating a suitable radiation flux, and means (5, 6), capable of being added downstream, for generating a specified spectral intensity distribution. To allow compensation for brightness changes of low dynamic range, such as those occurring in particular during zooming, a continuously controllable mechanical brightness regulator (4) is proposed which is activatable by means of an associated adjustment device (41) in such a way that the illumination intensity of the transmitted-light base (1) is controllable with no change in the spectral intensity distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Rottermann, Patrick Kopf, Otto Geschwentner, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7372055
    Abstract: An illuminator assembly is provided for supplying night vision illumination. The assembly includes a support housing and an infrared illumination source. An infrared reflector receives the radiation emitted from the infrared illumination source and reflects the infrared radiation in a first substantially collimated field of view and transmits visible light therethrough. A visible light reflector is located behind the infrared reflective mirror for receiving visible light transmitted through the infrared reflector and reflecting scattering the visible light in a second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Harter, Jr., Gregory K. Scharenbroch, Siddharth S. Rege
  • Publication number: 20080055907
    Abstract: In a grid screen for illumination devices, the honeycomb grid disc (5) is provided in the component (4) and is provided with a punched-out aperture (9). Fastening the grid screen is made possible by means of spring clips (10) which are in each case fixedly connected on both sides to the peripheral component (4) and whose cranked clip ends (11), which are directed towards the middle and rotated by 90°, reach through the punched-out middle aperture (9) of the honeycomb grid disc (5) and hook under the web (3) of the illumination device. Keyhole-type cutouts (8) on both sides at the aperture (9) are slipped over the web (3) in a contactless manner, the grid screen pressing onto the rim (7) of the reflector lamp (1) on account of the hooked-in spring clips (10). The deeply situated annular honeycomb grid disc (5) absorbs the glare rays (12) emerging underneath the cap (2), reflected useful rays (15) being passed through the honeycomb grid disc (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Attila Bruckner
  • Patent number: 7325998
    Abstract: A bollard includes a bollard post having a lamp which includes a louver stack. The louver stack includes louvers spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bollard post. The bollard post is rectangular in cross section and the louver stack extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the bollard. There is a primary light source inwardly of the louver stack and a mechanism for providing light downwardly about the base end of the bollard post. One such mechanism includes an LED providing a light wash down the bollard post from beneath where that louver extends outwardly of the periphery of the bollard post. A second mechanism employs a top reflector above the primary light source to reflect light downwardly about the light source. Bottom reflector surfaces direct the light from the top reflector outwardly to louver reflectors located beneath the lowermost louver. Such reflectors can reflect light downwardly for light wash of the bollard post and an illumination about the base of the bollard post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leonhardt, Tori C. Poppenheimer, David Crookham, Nicole Skogg
  • Patent number: 7287878
    Abstract: A cover for a LED sign is manufactured from a stainless steel sheet that is dimensionally larger than the array of light emitting diodes comprising the LED sign. The stainless steel sheet is laser cut and then bent to simultaneously form a plurality of apertures and a corresponding plurality of louvers each extending adjacent one of the apertures. The apertures facilitate viewing of the LED sign and the louvers shield the light emitting diodes comprising the LED sign from excessive light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Digital Recorders, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Patent number: 7284881
    Abstract: An LED fixing device of a pixel module for a sign board is provided. The LED fixing device is installed on a front side of an LED panel of a road sign board, facilitates the downward flow of rainwater, and prevents the rainwater from being introduced into a pixel module. A method for manufacturing the LED fixing device is also provided. The method for manufacturing the LED fixing plate comprises the steps of extruding the fixing plate and the intercepting plate through a cavity of a mold integrally and continuously, cutting the integrally and continuously extruded fixing plate and intercepting plate at intervals of a predetermined distance, and punching the LED through-holes for fixing the LEDs in the fixing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: LEDO Co., Ltd., Korea Institute of Construction Technology
    Inventors: Chul Yong Kim, Jun Hwa Jung
  • Patent number: 7270441
    Abstract: A luminaire has a ballasting circuit assembly for a gas discharge lamp, with an input power connector assembly suitable for receiving and connecting with a mating multi-conductor connector assembly. A ballasting circuit in the ballasting circuit assembly is suitable for powering a gas discharge lamp. Output leads suitable for connecting to a gas-discharge lamp socket with the wiring therefore are contained within the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Dale E. Fiene
  • Patent number: 7246924
    Abstract: Lighting louvers formed by transverse and longitudinal blades improve the performance of indirect ambient light luminaires by increasing light output, widening the output of the luminaire's maximum intensity light, or both. These lighting louvers include at least one of the following features: non-symmetrically shaped apertures, wider apertures over (or under) the luminaire's lamp(s), longitudinal blades of shorter height nearest the lamps, and longitudinal blades having differently curved longitudinal sides. Each of these features contributes to improved luminaire performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sylvan R. Shemitz Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David R Pfund
  • Patent number: 7220023
    Abstract: An illuminator is disposed in an air path of a ventilation blower disposed above the ceiling of an elevator cage. An illumination shielding device is disposed below the illuminator and also in the air path. The illumination shielding device includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel rectangular plates, where the lower portions of the plates are inclined toward the elevator cage sidewalls. One or more such combinations of illuminator and illumination shielding device can be used in an elevator cage. Preferably, illuminators and illumination shielding devices are disposed at corners of the elevator cage ceiling, in order to maximize elevator cage capacity. A reflective plate can be mounted to the elevator cage ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Il Shik Yoon
  • Patent number: 7182547
    Abstract: A bollard includes a bollard post having a lamp which includes a louver stack. The louver stack includes louvers spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bollard post. The bollard post is rectangular in cross section and the louver stack extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the bollard. There is a primary light source inwardly of the louver stack and a mechanism for providing light downwardly about the base end of the bollard post. One such mechanism includes an LED providing a light wash down the bollard post from beneath where that louver extends outwardly of the periphery of the bollard post. A second mechanism employs a top reflector above the primary light source to reflect light downwardly about the light source. Bottom reflector surfaces direct the light from the top reflector outwardly to louver reflectors located beneath the lowermost louver. Such reflectors can reflect light downwardly for light wash of the bollard post and an illumination about the base of the bollard post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leonhardt, Tori C. Poppenheimer, David Crookham, Nicole Skogg
  • Patent number: 7121689
    Abstract: A lighting fixture is provided having an easily and efficiently installable and removable louver assembly. The lighting fixture has a housing that has a first wall and a second wall and an opening between the first and second walls. At least one spring latch is connected to the housing. A louver assembly has a plurality of louver blades. A first end of the plurality of louver blades is attached to a first arm and a second end of the plurality of louver blades is attached to a second arm. The first arm is connected to the first housing wall and the second arm is secured between the second housing wall and the at least one spring latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Wilton L. Fowler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7118253
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a quasi-point lamp, a ring lens at least partially surrounding the source to provide a radial beam of light shaped in the form of a disk of sectionally diverging light, and at least one refracting ring to redirect and/or change the beam divergence, and/or at least one reflecting ring to redirect or change the divergence of the beam. A baffle system may be used in conjunction with or in substitution for the refractor or reflector rings to eliminate glare and stray light from the lens or redirect and/or change divergence of the lens. The ring lens surrounding the quasi-point source may be used to divide the illuminating light into radial beams diverging from each other, in which case each radial beam has its own refraction, reflection or baffle assembly. Each radial beam and its attending refraction, reflection and/or baffle assembly is used for specific lighting functions, such as down lighting, ambient lighting, spot or flood lighting and indirect lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7101067
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for producing high and low beam patterns includes a housing having a reflector. The reflector includes high and low beam reflector surfaces. A light source is disposed within the housing for producing light rays projecting towards the high and low beam reflector surfaces. A plurality of shafts extends alongside the light source. A drive is operatively connected to the plurality of shafts for rotation thereof. A shield is connected to the plurality of shafts. Activation of the drive rotates the plurality of shafts to selectively move the shield between an open position, in which the light rays project towards and reflect off of the high beam reflector surfaces to produce the high beam pattern, and a closed position, in which the light rays project towards and reflect off of the low beam reflector surfaces to produce the low beam pattern while the shield blocks a portion of the light rays from projecting towards the high beam reflector surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald O. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7083303
    Abstract: An operating theater lamp has at least one lamp body with a discharge lamp, which illuminates a site of an operation via optical means. The illuminance of the operating theater lamp can be changed in the region of the site of the operation by a mechanically adjustable diaphragm means. The adjustable diaphram means has adjustable lamellae that extend along a longitudinal axis of at least one discharge lamp. The adjustable lamellae pivot about a longitudinal axis. The adjustable diaghragm means include openings that restrict a maximum dimming effect of the adjustable diaghrahm means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Berchtold Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Scholz
  • Patent number: 7055966
    Abstract: When a video signal is inputted to a projector (10) through a video input terminal, a luminance peak value of an image of the video signal is detected by an image-analyzing circuit (61) to be outputted to a CPU (71). A gain-adjusting circuit (63) adjusts a luminance signal in the video signal based on a command from the CPU (71). The CPU (71) determines a gain adjustment amount based on the luminance peak value of the image obtained by the image-analyzing circuit (61) and outputs the result to the gain-adjusting circuit (63). For instance, when the luminance peak value (Ip) of the image is 50% of the upper limit (Imax) thereof, a gain-adjusting amount AG is doubled. In this case, an illuminating light volume of a light valve (44a) has to be reduced to 50%, which is achieved by light-attenuation by a light-source lamp (21) and an open/close light shield (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Momose, Atsushi Miyazawa, Keijiro Naito
  • Patent number: 7040781
    Abstract: The invention is related to a luminaire for housing a tubular lamp. According to the invention the luminaire has a housing with a light emission window, means for accommodating a tubular lamp in it along the window and in a plane P perpendicular to said window, side reflectores, and lamellae positioned between the reflectors and transverse to the emission window. The lamellae having an outer edge, which is diverging from an inner edge from the plane P towards points A and A? on either side of the plane P. From the point A, A? the outer edge extends towards the nearby side reflector enclosing at point A an angle with the emission window and directed towards the said side reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Gerardus Henricus Kosters, Petrus Adrianus Josephus Holten
  • Patent number: 7036957
    Abstract: System of reflectors and base of parabolic fluorescent luminary for concentrating and guiding light, with improved light output and reduction in construction cost. On the support base of the electrical components of the luminary, two of the four side walls are made of plastic, which are assembled by easy and quick snapping to the main body of iron sheet. These plastic side walls have specific cavities and projections for mounting a grid of parabolic reflectors, which consists of the following, two separate parts made of thin plastic film of at least one reflecting surface: (i) the main parabolic components for directing the light, which are placed under fluorescent lamps, and (ii) the upper cross-made grid, which can be removed from the luminary independently of the main parabolic components. Thus, the main parabolic components do not need to have openings along the lamps. As a result, their continuous parabolic shape improves significantly the light output of the parabolic luminary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Pilux & Danpex A.G.
    Inventor: Antonios Paravantsos
  • Patent number: 6988817
    Abstract: An illumination obscurement device for controlling the obscurement of illumination from a light source which is optimized for use with a rectangular, arrayed, selective reflection device. In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable shutter with three positions is placed between a light source and a DMD. The first position of the shutter is a mask, preferably an out of focus circle. This out of focus circle creates a circular mask and changes any unwanted dim reflection to a circular shape. The second position of the shutter is completely open, allowing substantially all the light to pass. The third position of the shutter is completely closed, blocking substantially all the light from passing. By controlling the penumbra illumination surrounding the desired illumination, DMDs can be used in illumination devices without creating undesirable rectangular penumbras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Production Resource Group L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Nigel Evans
  • Patent number: 6984061
    Abstract: An infrared landing light is disclosed including a housing adapted for mounting in an aircraft, a lamp positioned within the housing and adapted to produce light having an infrared portion, and a louver positioned within the housing and adapted to receive the light and to substantially absorb a fraction of the light not directed in a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Soderberg Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Soderberg, Albert C. Knudsen, William T. Ryczek, Stephen F. Mandap, Brandon Weiss, Timothy R. Irsik
  • Patent number: 6966672
    Abstract: A luminaire louvre (1) for an elongate luminaire comprises two elongate side reflectors (2) and a plurality of transverse lamellas (10). The side reflectors (2) in each case have an inner wall (3) and an outer wall (4), which transition into one another in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Zumtobel Staff GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Feistmantl
  • Patent number: 6964506
    Abstract: A light reflector having a row of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein one segment is located at a top of the row and another segment is located at a bottom of the row. A pair of wings is connected at the sides of the row, each one of the wings including a plurality of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein at least some of the light reflecting segments of the row and at least some of the light reflecting segments of the wings form a shell-shaped arrangement wherein at least some light reflecting segments of the row and at least some light reflecting segments of the pair of wings are bent at their respective fold lines whereby the arrangement is generally curved along an imaginary line connecting the one segment and the another segment and generally curved along an imaginary line perpendicular to the first mentioned line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Allied Lighting Systems, INC
    Inventors: Peter C. Sara, Steven C. Donner, Henry M. Avila
  • Patent number: 6945670
    Abstract: There is proposed a luminaire (10) with which the exit angle of the light beams is restricted for the purpose of anti-dazzling. Further, in accordance with the invention there is attained in a simple manner and in particular without the employment of a light guide element a uniform emission of light over the entire surface of an optical element (14; 14-1, 14-2) arranged before or in the emission opening (13) of the luminaire (10). The optical element (14; 14-1, 14-2) has a plate-like core (16) of transparent material, which is occupied on one side with microprisms (17) which, with the formation of furrows (18)—starting from their roots—taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Zumtobel Staff GmbH
    Inventors: Günther Sejkora, Jürg Zumtobel
  • Patent number: 6923553
    Abstract: An electrical handlamp includes a casing molded in two sections which are secured together and cooperate to define a handle for housing a lamp socket and wire connections from a supply cord to the socket. One handle section is integrally molded to provide a closed half shell for partially surrounding and housing a lamp. A protective cage is mounted for rotation about an axis between a closed position protecting the lamp and an open position for replacing the lamp. A hook at the top of the half shell rotatably mounts the top of the protective cage, and the bottom of the cage is rotatably received on the socket. A clasp releaseably latches the cage to the half shell in the closed position of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Mackin
  • Patent number: 6905219
    Abstract: A display device having an indicator interposed between two light controlling elements. The light controlling elements act in cooperation to restrict the viewing angle of the display in at least two directions. Only one of the light collimating elements restricts the angle of ambient light entering the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gary E. Gaides
  • Patent number: 6905231
    Abstract: A directional night light has a front face and a rear face, a source of illumination within the interior of said housing, and an adjustment actuator such as a wheel. At least a portion of the front face is translucent. The light source may be an incandescent bulb, an LED lamp, an LED panel, an electroluminescent panel, an OLED panel, and combinations thereof. The light source is mounted within the housing so as to be rotatable about an axis through an arc of 30° to 150° by actuation of the adjustment actuator, which has a portion extending forwardly beyond the front face. In another embodiment, a directional night light has a bezel mounted front face with a louvered element behind the front face through which light will pass and be directed at an angle away from the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Elumina Lighting Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 6883946
    Abstract: Filtered lights reduce the blinding effect of vehicle headlights on oncoming traffic. A reflector has a bulb socket protruding from its rear and a filter housing attached to its front. A plurality of hollow, opaque tubes are arranged so that light cannot penetrate between them, and their sidewalls are attached to one another and to the sidewall of the filter housing. One end of the tubes, and one end of the filter housing, is attached to a transparent shield. Light beams emitted from a light bulb inserted into the bulb socket are reflected by the reflector through the tubes and shield to focus them on an illuminated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Paul D. Kolar
  • Patent number: 6880947
    Abstract: A direct-type backlight unit for a flat panel liquid crystal display includesat least one lamp installed in a housing, a diffusion plate installed above the lamp, a reflection plate having a reflection surface and a back surface installed under the lamp for reflecting light generated by the lamp from the reflection surface to the diffusion plate, and the reflection plate having at least one aperture thereon, and a heat dissipating plate combined with the back surface of the reflection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Kun Hsieh, Chuan-Pei Yu, Han-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: RE40355
    Abstract: The present invention features a system for uniformly distributing luminance and a high degree of collimation from a back light module for flat-panel, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) simultaneously. A constant and uniform luminance output of the back light module in two directions is obtained through appropriate selection of lamps, geometry and optical components. An appropriate balance of lamps, lamp spacing, diffusers and light collimating optics are chosen to produce a high brightness back light module with very high intensity output over two very large surfaces. Variations in intensity over the illuminated area are minimized using light recycling in conjunction with the reflective diffusers and collimating optics. Precision collimators eliminate light beyond a defined angle, as required in tiled or monolithic flat-panel LCDs with predetermined display specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Seraphim, Dean W. Skinner