Including Nonparallel Modifying Surfaces Patents (Class 362/292)
  • Patent number: 10794571
    Abstract: A luminaire includes a mirror, a motion assembly, and a control system. The mirror controllably deflects a light beam emitted from the luminaire. The motion assembly includes a motor, a magnet mounted directly to a shaft of the motor, and a motion sensor system. The motor rotates the mirror about an axis of rotation. Rotation of the motor causes an equal change in rotation of the mirror. The magnet's center aligns with the shaft's axis of rotation and the magnet's magnetic pole is oriented orthogonally to the shaft's axis of rotation. The motion sensor system produces an output signal representing an absolute rotational position of the magnet. The control system stores an expected rotational position of the motor and determines whether the motion sensor system's output signal matches the stored position. When the output signal does not match the stored position, the control system rotates the motor position where the output signal matches the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Robe Lighting s.r.o.
    Inventors: Jindrich Vavrik, Tomas Micunek, Josef Valchar
  • Patent number: 10436971
    Abstract: In one aspect, light fixtures are described herein employing waveguide components for delivery of directional light to wall surfaces and/or surfaces outside the general down lighting distribution of the fixture. A light fixture comprises a light source component in an optic assembly, the light source component comprising a first light source providing a down lighting distribution and a second light source coupled to a waveguide component of the optic assembly providing one or more lateral lighting distributions from the light fixture. The waveguide component comprises at least one waveguide optic comprising a body and a light extraction face, the light extraction face forming one or more sidewall portions of the optic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ideal Industries Lighting, LLC
    Inventor: David N. Randolph
  • Patent number: 10415799
    Abstract: A dual output downlight luminaire includes a housing that forms at least a first cavity. A partition extends from a portion of the housing and at least partially forms a boundary between the first cavity and an annular second cavity. A first light source emits a first light that is centered about an optical axis and propagates toward a first output aperture. An optic redirects the first light to form a first light beam that exits the luminaire through the first output aperture. A concentrated portion of the first light beam subtends an angle of 60 degrees or less and is centered about the optical axis. A plurality of second light sources, within the second cavity, emit a second light that exits the luminaire through an annular second output aperture. The first and second light sources are independently controllable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Grove, Peter K. Nelson, Carl T. Gould, Joshua J. Miller, Kevin F. Leadford, Christopher D. Slaughter, Christopher J. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 9105541
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converting light taken by a lens; and a light shielding member shielding part of light incident on the solid-state imaging device from the lens, wherein an angle made between an edge surface of the light shielding member and an optical axis direction of the lens is larger than an incident angle of light to be incident on an edge portion of the light shielding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iwafuchi, Masahiko Shimizu, Hirotaka Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8804073
    Abstract: The invention is an optical element for limiting the propagation of light in oblique directions with respect to the optical element surface, and includes: a transparent substrate and a light ray control layer formed on a flat surface of said transparent substrate, wherein the light ray control layer has a transparent portion and a light absorbing portion, the transparent portion has a plurality of independent pattern elements having an identical configuration separated by said light absorbing portion and arranged at intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: NLT Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Mimura, Ken Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8714780
    Abstract: Display devices with a grooved luminance enhancement film on its viewing side and at least an auxiliary layer and/or edge sealing. The luminance enhancement film comprises columns and grooves in alternating order and each of the grooves has a cross-section comprising an apex angle and two edge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ho, Bryan Chan, Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • Patent number: 8632206
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Focal Point, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Casey Chung
  • Patent number: 8579447
    Abstract: When placing a photographic subject close to a large light source equipped with a light control grid, the problem of occluded light channels is solved by variably converging the channels, such that the soft light is directed at a focal point that can be as close as one-half the diagonal dimension of the light source. The light channels are formed by generally planar intersection of strips, the strips preferably made of a flexible fabric material and having slots with corresponding slots on other strips. Optionally, a deployable frame may be provided to help support the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen Pilby
  • Patent number: 8511865
    Abstract: An LED lamp that includes a housing forming an open cavity, a plurality of LEDs configured to produce a light output disposed in the cavity, a lens disposed over the LEDs for focusing and/or diffusing the light output, and a redirection shield disposed in the cavity. The redirection shield includes a base plate with a plurality of apertures formed therein, and a plurality of shielding plates extending from a top surface of the base plate. The LEDs extend through the apertures. The shielding plates block a portion of the light output such that an overall light distribution of the light output from the LED lamp is asymmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Leotek Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chin-Wang Tu, Shih Chang Wang, Pin-Hao Hsu, Yi-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 8506131
    Abstract: A display device comprises a support, on which there are arranged LED and a light distributing body above the luminous means with a direction of light emission away from the support and the LED. The light distributing body is a three-dimensional body with a light entrance side facing towards the LED and a light exiting side facing away from the LED. The light distributing body consists of transparent material and the light entrance side is shaped to optimise uniform light distribution from the LED to the light exit side, which may take the form of a diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventor: Henry Fluhrer
  • Patent number: 8157429
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes a base layer, a light-condensing layer and a plurality of light-reflecting portions. The light-condensing layer includes a plurality of light-condensing portions formed on a second surface of the base layer along a first direction extending from a first side surface to a second side surface perpendicular to the first side surface. The light-condensing portions extended in a second direction crossing the first direction at an angle with respect to the side surface. The light-reflecting portions are formed in the first surface along the second direction and corresponding to a plurality of recesses where the light-condensing portions meet each other. The center of the light-reflecting portion is off set from the recesses along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Byung-Yun Joo, Min-Young Song, Jin-Sung Choi, Seung-Hwan Chung, Dong-Kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8118453
    Abstract: The luminaire has concave side reflectors defining the width W of a light emission window. V-shaped lamellae are present between the side reflectors in the light emission window. Each outer edges of the lamellae has a central portion which is concavely curved and straight end portions which each have a length of 0.15 to 0.25 W. The lamellae louver is suitable for use in the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter Holten
  • Patent number: 8061876
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises a light reflecting plate, a circuit board, and a point like light source, the light reflecting plate or a combination of the light reflecting plate and the circuit board forming a receiving concave portion. The point like light source is arranged in the receiving concave portion, wherein a brightness of a light emitted from the point like light source is to be up to 30000 cd/m2, when an incident angle of the light emitted from the light source is zero and 350 mm apart from the light source, and a part or all of the light emitted from the point like light source is reflected from an inner face of peripheral walls of the receiving concave portion and supplied as an illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ken Oide, Tsuyoshi Sawamoto, Hideyuki Ikeda, Shunji Ishii
  • Patent number: 8061865
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing sources of light, or mechanical and/or electrical connections for light sources, via a grid system of a suspended ceiling. All or a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling may be configured to support the generation of light. Lighting units may be coupled to various portions of the grid system in a removable and modular fashion, so as to be completely or substantially recessed above the ceiling surface, or as pendant components hanging below the ceiling surface. Lighting interface components of the grid system also may be configured to facilitate significant thermal dissipation from lighting units. In one exemplary implementation, one or more LED-based lighting units may be coupled to one or more lighting interface components of the grid system so as to provide controllable multi-color and/or essentially white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Piepgras, Tomas Mollnow, Frederick M. Morgan, Kevin J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 7997762
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes a base, an LED module having a plurality of LEDs mounted on a top of the base, and a light-guiding module fixed on the LED module. The light-guiding module includes a plurality of mounted plates and a plurality of inserted plates intersecting and engaging the mounted plates. The mounted plates and the inserted plates cooperatively define a plurality of cavities to receive corresponding LEDs therein for guiding and reflecting light generated by the corresponding LED in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhong-Qing Wang, Li He
  • Patent number: 7916241
    Abstract: An optical element manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: disposing a mask on a transparent photosensitive resin; patterning said transparent resin by applying an exposure light to said transparent photosensitive resin through said mask to form a transparent layer; forming a light absorbing layer by filling a gap in the transparent layer with a black curable resin; and illuminating a mask surface of the mask with the exposure light at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Mimura, Ken Sumiyoshi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7490961
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Focal Point, LLC
    Inventor: Casey Chung
  • Patent number: 7445363
    Abstract: A self-standing reflector, and method of making same, comprising a main reflector formed from at least one sheet of reflective material, and at least one reflective insert joined to the main reflector. The main reflector is typically formed by folding a plurality of flat panels along fold lines pre-formed in the sheet into abutting relationship to define a predetermined three-dimensional reflector shape. The reflective insert can have a plurality of facets formed into its reflective surface and is joined to the interior surface of the folded main reflector, and has a reflecting surface disposed inboard from the interior reflective surface of the main reflector. The main reflector and the reflective inserts have a reflectance of at least 95% (Miro 4). The fold-up reflector with its reflective inserts directs reflected light to a predetermined area to provide improved area lighting with less light scatter and improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Vanden Eynden
  • Publication number: 20080089068
    Abstract: An optical element manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: disposing a mask on a transparent photosensitive resin; patterning said transparent resin by applying an exposure light to said transparent photosensitive resin through said mask to form a transparent layer; forming a light absorbing layer by filling a gap in the transparent layer with a black curable resin; and illuminating a mask surface of the mask with the exposure light at an angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Mimura, Ken Sumiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20070223248
    Abstract: A backlight unit and a liquid crystal display having the backlight are provided. The backlight unit includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips, a light guide plate for converting light generated from the LED chips into surface light, and a plurality of optical guide modules corresponding to the respective LED chips and disposed between the LED chips and the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jeong Hun Han
  • 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: 7201496
    Abstract: A luminaire has side reflectors having edges defining the width W of a light-emission window, and a plurality of lamellae, which have a concave outer edge in the light-emission window and an inner face remote from that window. In the centers of the lamellae, the lamellae have a distance ho between the outer edge and the inner face that is <0.1 W. As a result, the total surface area of the inner face is relatively small. Internal reflections are thereby reduced, and a higher light output is obtained. If the lamellae are solid and made of plastic, less material is required for their fabrication. In a preferred embodiment, ho<0.05 W, and the inner face may then be convex and even have the same contour as the outer edge. The lamellae louver has lamellae of ho<W, in which W is also the length of the lamellae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Adrianus Josephus Holten
  • Patent number: 7144133
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus, method and system for an illumination arrangement including a color recycling subsystem to receive reflected light from a transflective color filter along a reflectance axis that is non-coincident with an incident axis. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Serge J. A. Bierhuizen
  • Patent number: 7108398
    Abstract: A luminaire has a plurality of reflecting lamellae between side reflectors. The lamellae each have an outer edge, an inner surface facing away from the outer edge, and a plane of symmetry through the outer edge and the inner surface. The lamellae have a resin body and a recess in the inner surface, in the plane of symmetry. The recess has a bottom surface transverse to the plane of symmetry and substantially parallel walls along said plane. The recess may widen stepwise from the bottom plane towards the inner surface. The lamellae, as compared with metal lamellae, provide a greater freedom to choose their shape and are less expensive. They nevertheless avoid the occurrence of reflections on the side reflectors, which cause unpleasant bright spots within the cut-off angle of the luminaire. A lamellae grid suitable for the luminaire has strips interconnecting, and integral with, the lamellae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: 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: 7011419
    Abstract: A technique for changing the cross-sectional profile of a beam of light from, for example, circular or elliptical to thin involves dividing the beam of light into cross-sectional portions, rotating the cross-sectional portions, and then concatenating the rotated cross-sectional portions to form a thin beam. The resulting thin beam has a long dimension that is formed by the concatenation of the cross-sectional portions of the original beam. A device for changing the cross-sectional profile of a beam of light may be fabricated with silicon optical bench technologies or other molding technologies. The device includes facets that divide a beam of light into cross-sectional portions, rotate the cross-sectional portions, and then concatenate the rotated cross-sectional portions to form a thin beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Russell Wayne Gruhlke, Susan Hunter
  • Patent number: 6899440
    Abstract: A polarized light source for a display system includes an optical system to image light from a light source onto a display along a first optical path, a reflective polarizer to receive the light from the optical system along a first optical path, direct light of a first polarization of the display, and reflect light of a second polarization along a second optical path separate from the first optical path toward the optical system, a mirror in the second optical path to receive light having the second polarization from the reflective polarizer, and reflect it back to the reflective polarizer, and a polarization conversion system in the second optical path between the reflective polarizer and the mirror to convert the polarization of the reflected light of the second polarization to the first polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Serge Bierhuizen
  • Patent number: 6854863
    Abstract: A multi-directional decorative lighting equipment is disclosed. The lighting equipment is composed of a lighting unit and a reflector plate. The lighting unit further includes conductors, a lamp holder, and a lighting element, wherein the lighting element is installed and fixed on the lamp holder, and connected to the power source with the conductors. The reflector plate is fixed to the lamp holder and forms a prescribed angle with lamp element so as to perform multi-directional reflection effect. The reflector plate may be finished with various colors, and its figure may be planar or polyhedral, and the surface thereof may be smooth or rugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Jeng-shyong Wu
  • Patent number: 6817746
    Abstract: An efficient redundant light distribution system includes redundant light generation enclosures providing light to a collector array 10, coupled to an ultraviolet to red converter 20, a combination array 30, a distribution array 40 and multiple projection lenses 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan B. Steiner, Robert J. Saccomanno
  • Publication number: 20040208006
    Abstract: The illumination body (1) has a housing (2) with a bottom element (3) and a radiation source (5) fixed on the side wall (4). Furthermore, three stationary mirrors (6, 7 and 8) are arranged in the housing (2), which mirrors serve as deflection elements for the radiation and, through reflection, effect a lengthening of the beam path (9) within the illumination body (1). Furthermore, an l-shaped radiation element (11), which can be rotated about a vertical axis (12), is seated in an opening (10) in the bottom element (3). The said radiation element essentially comprises a vertical and a horizontal tube section (13 and 14, respectively) and has, in the transition region between the two sections (13 and 14), a—preferably stationary—deflection mirror (15), which is inclined by 45° and deflects the vertically incident beam path (9) by 90° and directs it onto the directional mirror (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Enrico Schneider
  • Patent number: 6705746
    Abstract: A controlled-luminance lighting device comprising a fluorescent light source of a linear type (5), which extends longitudinally between a reflector (1) that is formed by an elongated body having a curved surface, and a set of transverse fins (3), which are set at a distance apart from one another and which define a grill for directional control of the light emitted by the light source (5). The reflector (1) defines, together with the transverse fins (3), a plurality of elements (2) set alongside one another of a generally parabolic shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Piero Perlo, Denis Bollea, Davide Capello, Piermario Repetto
  • Patent number: 6626560
    Abstract: A lighting louver and process steps for forming at least portions of a louver are described in which the louver may include a “V” shaped louver body with opposed sides that diverge from a narrow end that include a vertex of the “V” shape, to a wide end. At least one integral hinge at the narrow end joins medial portions of the opposed sides along a singular fold line. The medial portions contact one another at a location adjacent to the singular fold line. At least one inward closure tab overlaps the wide end of the louver body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald N. Caferro, Edward N. Caferro
  • Publication number: 20030128544
    Abstract: An ornamental light casing includes side walls, a convex layer securely engaged with the side walls and a top face corresponding to the convex layer. The convex layer is provided to converge the light from the filament so that the illumination effect of the ornamental light is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: George Tsai
  • Patent number: 6585389
    Abstract: A luminaire, of the ceiling-mounted type or of the type for recessed fitting in ceilings and walls for interior lighting, comprising a hollow body which is shaped like a paraboloid and forms a back on an upper part and an opening on a lower part, the body accommodating a light source in its internal cavity; the internal surface of the body is divided into sectors which form receptacles that can be engaged detachably by a plurality of reflective laminar elements in order to form various hues, chromatic compositions and/or light distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: 3F Filippi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Romano Bonazzi
  • Patent number: 6527422
    Abstract: A solid state light apparatus with a solar shielded heatsink ideally suited for traffic controls. The current state of the art solid state traffic signals utilize LED arrays encased in the existing plastic or metal traffic signal cases which were originally design for incandescent bulbs. Unlike LED's, incandescent bulbs are insensitive to high temperatures. As a result heat will build up on the LED die because of the limitations of the existing incandescent case design. The apparatus mounts the LED array directly to a louvered external heatsink in contact with the air outside of the traffic signal case facilitating the dissipation of heat generated from the LED die and from the sunlight shining on the case. For 25% of all signals (those facing west), during the late afternoon sunset the lensing system will focused the sunlight directly on the LED die raising the die temperature an additional 20 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Power Signal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Hutchison
  • Publication number: 20020172044
    Abstract: A controlled-luminance lighting device comprising a fluorescent light source of a linear type (5), which extends longitudinally between a reflector (1) that is formed by an elongated body having a curved surface, and a set of transverse fins (3), which are set at a distance apart from one another and which define a grill for directional control of the light emitted by the light source (5). The reflector (1) defines, together with the transverse fins (3), a plurality of elements (2) set alongside one another of a generally parabolic shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Piero Perlo, Denis Bollea, Davide Capello, Piermario Repetto
  • Patent number: 6443592
    Abstract: A luminaire has an inner annular housing separating an interior cavity of an outer annular housing of the luminaire into a central portion and an outer annular portion. The luminaire also has an annular support element detachably mounted to a bottom end of the inner annular housing and removably supporting an annular louver in the outer annular portion of the interior cavity outside of the inner annular housing and below an illumination lamp of the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: WILA Leuchten AG
    Inventors: Helmuth K. Unger, Karl-Heinz Brechelt
  • Publication number: 20020109983
    Abstract: A luminaire, of the ceiling-mounted type or of the type for recessed fitting in ceilings and walls for interior lighting, comprising a hollow body which is shaped like a paraboloid and forms a back on an upper part and an opening on a lower part, the body accommodating a light source in its internal cavity; the internal surface of the body is divided into sectors which form receptacles that can be engaged detachably by a plurality of reflective laminar elements in order to form various hues, chromatic compositions and/or light distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: 3F FILIPPI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Romano Bonazzi
  • Patent number: 6416205
    Abstract: A lighting fixture mounting device comprises a U shape channel having a bottom plate, side walls, extruding portions extruding sideward from both sides of the bottom plate and a wiring hole bored through the bottom plate. The lighting fixture is attached to the extruding portions, a wiring of the lighting fixture passes through the wiring hole and inside of the U shape channel to be connected to an external electric source, and the side walls are fixed to an object to which the lighting fixture is to be fixed. A lamp protecting device for a lighting fixture embedded in a built-in hole formed in a ceiling and having a flange formed on a lower end of a case of the lighting fixture and exposed out of the ceiling, comprises a guard fixing attachment made of a rectangular plate having a cutout through which the case can be passed through and outer ends folded to form steps corresponding to the thickness of the flange, and a guard made of circular members and rod like members connecting the circular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Uedono
  • Publication number: 20020015304
    Abstract: A light diffusion preventing structure, suitable for use in vehicles, is provided on a structural member having a hole for passing light from a light source through the structural member and onto a target area. The hole has a three-dimensional shape that has a first opening located near the light source and a second opening located on the opposite side with an inner peripheral surface running between. Both the edge of the second opening and the inner peripheral surface are located completely outside a zone defined by projecting imaginary straight lines from the point light source through the first opening. A second set of imaginary straight lines running between the edge the first opening and the opposite edge of the second opening define at least one crossing angle, the measure of which should preferably not exceed 160 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Tadaoki Ichikawa, Hiroshi Ito, Kazushi Noda
  • Patent number: 6301770
    Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: George McIlwraith
  • Patent number: 6273596
    Abstract: A grid defining illumination cells having areas to pass light from a source for use in generation of a lines, wherein the grid is defined by first lines extending about one axis defined by the source, and second lines emanating from the axis to intersect first lines, each cell having four edges defined by successive of first lines and successive of second lines, the cells having one of the following: i) equal areas ii) areas that increase in direction away from the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Teledyne Lighting and Display Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Parkyn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6231212
    Abstract: A baffle mountable on the tube of a fluorescent lamp which in the absence of the baffle yields a harsh and glaring light. The baffle is formed of a long strip of fabric material having a row of holes therein through which the tube is threaded to cause the strip to assume the shape of an undulating shade which conceals the lamp. The felt strip is preferably constituted by a pressed, non-woven felt fabric whose fibers are reflective of light and absorbent of sound or a similar flexible absorptive material. Light rays emitted by the lamp are intercepted and dispersed by the shade, thereby diffusing the light and softening the illumination. Ambient sounds impinging on the undulating shade are absorbed thereby to reduce the noise in the room in which the lamp is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Aced Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Anita Cooney, Anthony Caradona, Evan Douglis
  • Patent number: 6220718
    Abstract: An artificial floating candle that mimics real burning candles. The floating candle comprises two parts, a floating candle-like device and an electrical circuit that controls the amount of power supplied to each floating candle. The floating candle-like device comprises an incandescent lamp, a lamp housing socket, a candle, a candle base, grommets or O-rings, at least two conductor insulated wires, a multi conductor, a trunk line, a water tight splice, and a candle enclosure. There are three sections that comprise the electrical circuitry of the floating candles: a low voltage supply (AC to DC, high to low voltage conversion), a pulse width modulation programmed micro-controller and a power output section (to control the incandescent lamp voltage to produce flickering flames), and trunk and feeder lines. The floating candles may be used as Christmas lights, at wedding reception halls, amusements parks, or in pools or ponds at evening parties as decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Gary D. Burgess
  • Patent number: 6168295
    Abstract: A light fixture having a base for housing a light producing source and a flat plate disposed within the base. The plate has a well formed in it, the well having light reflecting walls. A lamp socket is located in a light reflecting bottom wall of the well. A plurality of light reflecting elements is attached to the plate and a pair of light reflecting assemblies, one on either side of the well, is fixed to the plate. Each light reflecting assembly includes a plurality of light reflecting fins affixed to the plate and projecting at an angle away from the plate. A frame having a convex lens affixed thereto is hingedly attached to the base. A light shield is fixed to the frame for reducing dispersion of unwanted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventors: William A. Hein, Henry M. Avila, Peter C. Sara
  • Patent number: 6164800
    Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: George McIlwraith
  • Patent number: 5921662
    Abstract: A one-piece attachment for a general-diffuse miniature reflector has either the lamellae resting upon the rim of the reflector and engaging behind it with formations on the lamellae, or a support ring with handle like elements engaging the rim form behind, the lamellae or blades being connected by trips with the ring so that the lamellae are all integral and in one piece with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Attila Anton Bruckner, Gerd Schroter
  • Patent number: RE39900
    Abstract: A light fixture having a base for housing a light producing source and a flat plate disposed within the base. The plate has a well formed in it, the well having light reflecting walls. A lamp socket is located in a light reflecting bottom wall of the well. A plurality of light reflecting elements is attached to the plate and a pair of light reflecting assemblies, one on either side of the well, is fixed to the plate. Each light reflecting assembly includes a plurality of light reflecting fins affixed to the plate and projecting at an angle away from the plate. A frame having a convex lens affixed thereto is hingedly attached to the base. A light shield is fixed to the frame for reducing dispersion of unwanted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: William A. Hein, Henry M. Avila, Peter C. Sara