Curved Main Surface Patents (Class 362/340)
  • Patent number: 7306351
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes an LED package bases, an LED chip disposed on the LED package base, and a lens disposed on the LED package base. The lens includes a frustum shape having an inclined outer peripheral surface, and having a relatively smaller lower portion for attaching onto the LED package base, and having a relatively greater upper portion spaced away from the LED package base, the lens includes a longitudinal axis arranged to have an included angle ? formed between the longitudinal axis and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the lens, for reflecting light sidewise. The lens may include a curved recess formed in the upper portion for such as light diffusing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Chang Po Chao, Lun De Liao, Cho Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 7296910
    Abstract: A light fixture or troffer for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned; a housing defining at least one selectively enclosable ballast enclosure; and a ballast that is positionable in the at least one ballast enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Mayfield, III, Stephen H. Lydecker, Gary D. Trott, Carl T. Gould, Kevin Leadford, Christopher L. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7229192
    Abstract: A light fixture or troffer for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned and a lens assembly detachably secured to a portion of the reflector assembly such that a lens of the lens assembly overlies the light source and such that substantially all of the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens assembly. In one example, the lens includes a curved prismatic surface that can be oriented toward or away from the underlying light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Mayfield, III, Stephen H. Lydecker, Gary D. Trott, Carl T. Gould, Kevin Leadford, Christopher L. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7101062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight device comprising in particular a light source, a mirror exhibiting a reflecting surface and a transparent optical deflection element positioned in front of the mirror, the mirror being capable of interacting with the light source in order to generate a beam bounded by a line of interruption, and the deflection element being capable of providing a horizontal displacement of the light without modifying the vertical distribution of the latter, and at least one detachment element arranged on at least one of the surfaces of the mirror or of the optical deflection element reached by the light to obtain a line of interruption of the light beam that is not flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Stephanie Figuiere
  • Patent number: 6997591
    Abstract: A flashing lighting device, most specifically designed for mounting inside and outside an automobile, is comprised of a housing and, within in, a circuit for storing at least one flashing sequence signal. At least one first array of light-emitting elements is close to this housing and generates a flashing pattern responsive to the flashing sequence signal, and at least one second array of light-emitting elements are arranged more remotely from the housing than the at least one first array and is also responsive to said flashing signal. In this way the circuit actuates said the two arrays or series of arrays in a way substantially contemporaneous with the same flashing pattern so that observation of any one array conveys information regarding the flashing pattern displayed in the other array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: World Imports International, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer Krumholz
  • Patent number: 6974235
    Abstract: Prismatic structures having at least certain conventionally linear surfaces thereof configured in a non-linear fashion to control the direction of light exiting said structures, the invention functions to reduce light losses in a luminaire or the like while facilitating the emanation of light from the luminaire at an acceptable viewing angle and with a reduction in glare. Prisms, particularly splitter prisms, configured according to the invention are formed with at least portions of conventionally linear surfaces as arcuate, curvilinear or generally curving segmented surfaces so as to direct light out of the luminaire for useful illumination rather than in a wasteful direction back into the luminaire. Prisms configured according to several embodiments of the invention function to increase light efficiencies either upwardly or downwardly depending on illumination requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Subisak
  • Patent number: 6974236
    Abstract: This specification discloses an illuminating apparatus having a light source and an optical unit disposed forwardly on the object side of the light source, the optical unit being provided with an incidence surface on which light from the light source is incident, a light emergence surface provided with a Fresnel lens, and a side reflecting surface for totally reflecting the light incident on the incidence surface toward the Fresnel lens, wherein the light totally reflected by the side reflecting surface is refracted by the Fresnel lens and efficiently irradiates the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 6899451
    Abstract: The optical system for the Fresnel lens light has an ellipsoidal reflector (1), a light source (2) and a Fresnel lens (3). The distance (a) between the Fresnel lens (3) and the reflector (1) is changeable but is related to the changeable distance (b) between the light source (2) and the reflector (1) so that the aperture angle of the propagated light beam is variable but illumination intensity of the propagated light is maintained uniform. Surfaces of the at least one Fresnel lens and/or the reflector can be structured to provide more uniform illumination of a given area. The optical system is useful for lights for film, stage, studio and photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Ruediger Kittelmann, Harry Wagener
  • Patent number: 6883934
    Abstract: A light source device 41A, 41B or 41C comprising a lens 44A, 44B or 44C which receives light from a light emitting device 43 such as LED. The lens 44A is a lens having the property that the directivity of exiting light in the Y direction is higher than the directivity in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. Namely, the light emitted from the light emitting device 43 is condensed in a narrow angular range in the Y direction, and is scattered in a wide angular range in the X direction. When the light source device 41A is used as a light source of an illumination device of a liquid crystal device, the height direction of a light guide in which the dimension is small coincides with the Y direction, and the width direction of the light guide in which the dimension is large coincides with the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Kawakami, Kogo Endo
  • Patent number: 6866405
    Abstract: A variable intensity illuminator lens may comprise a generally elongate transparent body having a first converging power at a first position on the generally elongate transparent body and a second converging power at a second position on the generally elongate transparent body, the first converging power at the first position on the generally elongate transparent body being different than the second converging power at the second position on the generally elongate transparent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6863420
    Abstract: An anti-dazzling transparent screen for elongate illuminant bodies which covers the illuminant body over the length thereof for the purpose of anti-dazzling of a radiating sector of the illuminant body, has a surface formed by elongate prisms extending approximately parallel to one another and aligned substantially along the illuminant body. The prisms are positioned relative to the illuminant body such that on at least one of the prism surfaces a total reflection of the light beams, having entered the respective prism and impinging on this prism surface, occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LID Light Design
    Inventor: Ottokar Schütz
  • Publication number: 20040213001
    Abstract: A projector optic assembly is disclosed for use with various light emitting sources to collect and direct the rays of light into a high gradient beam pattern. The projector optic assembly includes a light pipe and a projector lens. The light pipe is segregated into several regions including a reflecting region, a funneling region and a transition plane separating the two regions. At the first end of the reflecting region, closest to the light emitting source, is a connecting lens. At the second end of the funneling region is an emitting aperture that is designed to refract light into the high gradient beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Jeyachandrabose Chinniah
  • Patent number: 6796686
    Abstract: The color temperature of light emitted by a luminaire having a hollow prismatic light guide is varied to counteract aesthetically undesirable reddening gradient of the emitted light. Reddening is caused by the light guide's dielectric material, which absorbs blue light rays such that proportionately more red than blue rays are guided to the light guide's far end than to points near the guide's light input end. Flare light rays which escape through the light guide near its light input end are color filtered and reflected back into the light guide. The filter color lies within a CIE-1931 chromaticity diagram {4800° Kelvin; 570 nm; 600 nm} color gamut triangle. Color filtering absorbs blue flare rays as a function of distance along the guide, imparting a near-end reddening gradient to the emitted light in inverse proportion to the far-end reddening gradient, giving the emitted light a constant apparent color, independent of distance along the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: TIR Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Stéphane Frederick Jacob, Allan Brent York
  • Publication number: 20040156201
    Abstract: A variable intensity illuminator lens may comprise a generally elongate transparent body having a first converging power at a first position on the generally elongate transparent body and a second converging power at a second position on the generally elongate transparent body, the first converging power at the first position on the generally elongate transparent body being different than the second converging power at the second position on the generally elongate transparent body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6755556
    Abstract: The invention proposes an indicator light, in particular for a motor vehicle. The indicator light includes a central optical axis, a light source and a solid optical piece. The solid optical piece includes at least (1) an input face whose generatrix lies in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis, (2) a rear reflection face whose generatrix lies in a direction substantially inclined towards the front, and (3) a front exit face. The exit face is formed by a series of elementary distribution dioptric elements, each of which is designed to form an elementary light beam whose image, on a screen placed in front of the indicator light, corresponds to the indicating function to be fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gasquet, Manuel Panay
  • Patent number: 6749313
    Abstract: Plate-type luminaire comprising a prism plate with a smooth upper plate surface and a prism lower surface formed by a plurality of longitudinal ribs; a cover plate made of translucent material resting on the prism surface; and an optical-waveguide plate on the smooth plate surfaces of the prism plate. The plates are curved continuously in the same direction of curvature, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal ribs of the prism plate, at least over most of the plate width, with the longitudinal ribs being located on the inside of the arc of curvature of the prism plate. A reflector plate may be disposed over the waveguide plate, with a smooth or a longitudinally ribbed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Ludwig Leuchten KG
    Inventors: Alexander Ludwig, Rudolf Rieger, Tibor Csizy
  • Publication number: 20040080948
    Abstract: Prismatic structures having at least certain conventionally linear surfaces thereof configured in a non-linear fashion to control the direction of light exiting said structures, the invention functions to reduce light losses in a luminaire or the like while facilitating the emanation of light from the luminaire at an acceptable viewing angle and with a reduction in glare. Prisms, particularly splitter prisms, configured according to the invention are formed with at least portions of conventionally linear surfaces as arcuate, curvilinear or generally curving segmented surfaces so as to direct light out of the luminaire for useful illumination rather than in a wasteful direction back into the luminaire. Prisms configured according to several embodiments of the invention function to increase light efficiencies either upwardly or downwardly depending on illumination requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory J. Subisak
  • Patent number: 6698908
    Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lexalite International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Gwen Barber
  • Publication number: 20030185012
    Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: LEXALITE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Gwen Barber
  • Patent number: 6607286
    Abstract: A lens mounted to a light emitting diode package internally redirects light within the lens so that a majority of light is emitted from the lens approximately perpendicular to a package axis of the light emitting diode package. In one embodiment, the light emitted by the light emitting diode package is refracted by a sawtooth portion of the lens and reflected by a total internal reflection portion of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Lumileds Lighting, U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. West, Gary D. Sasser, James W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20030147243
    Abstract: A lamp and hood assembly adapted to create an illuminating light sculpture functioning as a source of illumination as will as a work of abstract or figurative art. The hood of the assembly is molded of translucent elastomeric material to assume the desired form of sculpture which has a cavity therein to accommodate the envelope of an electric lamp enclosing the light generating components to which power is supplied. When the lamp is turned on, the sculpture is then internally illuminated, rays passing through the translucent hood being diffused thereby to illuminate an external region with “soft” rays. The different thicknesses of the hood material produced by indentations and depression which express the artistic form of the hood result in corresponding differences in the intensity of light radiated from the hood to create a pattern of light that defines the sculpture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Yuval Alduby
  • Patent number: 6575601
    Abstract: An optical assembly enables improved optical control of an uplight illumination component and a downward illumination component. The optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor and a shroud carried by the reflector/refractor. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. The shroud has a plurality of prisms disposed proximate to the reflector/refractor prisms for providing optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor. The shroud is formed substantially corresponding to the predefined shape of the reflector/refractor, surrounding and spaced from the reflector/refractor exterior body surface. The shroud is formed, for example, by vacuum forming or by injection molding technique. The shroud provides optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor, generally refracting incident light from the reflector/refractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Lexalite International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Paul D. Cardwell
  • Patent number: 6568822
    Abstract: Shaped refractive articles having compound curved surfaces enable a light source to provide substantially uniform illumination of a linear or planar target. The refractive articles can comprise an input edge or face and an output edge or face, the input edge or face having at least one shaped notch or cavity that can at least partially envelop a light source, wherein the notch or cavity has at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target by the source. The articles can also be optically coupled to and at least partially envelop a light source, and can have an output edge or surface having at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target region by the source. The shaped articles can be used in, for example, lighting devices, frontlights, backlights and electronic displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Leland R. Whitney, Richard A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6565239
    Abstract: A luminaire flush with a horizontal surface and comprising a housing, an optical window, a light source, and an optical element. The housing has an internal cavity disposed beneath the horizontal surface and defines an opening disposed adjacent the horizontal surface. The optical window, substantially flat and transparent, has a surface that overlays the housing opening. The light source, disposed within the housing cavity, provides a spatial light distribution pattern which defines an optical axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the optical window surface. The optical element, also disposed within the housing cavity, redistributes light rays emitted by the light source along preselected angles relative to the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Farlight, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Rizkin, Il'ya Agurok, Robert H. Tudhope
  • Patent number: 6554441
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting installation, in particular as a danger light, obstruction light or day and night marker, having at least one luminaire, with at least one lighting means (13) being arranged in a housing. According to the invention, the lighting means (13) is annular or semi-annular in design and defines a ring axis (19). Furthermore, the lighting means (13) is assigned at least one reflector surface (11) which encircles an axis of rotation (21) entirely or in part. Finally, ring axis and axis of rotation run essentially parallel or even coaxial to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: aqua signal Aktiengesellschaft Spezialleuchtenfabrik
    Inventors: Ralph Rohlfing, Wolfgang Serfass
  • Patent number: 6554451
    Abstract: A luminaire comprising a set of light sources, in particular LEDs, which are arranged predominantly in a first plane, and a set of substantially identical optical sources arranged predominantly in a second plane extending parallel to the first plane. The position of one of the light sources with respect to an optical clement opposite said light source differs from the position of a further light source with respect to an optical element opposite said light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC
    Inventor: Matthijs H. Keuper
  • Publication number: 20030053316
    Abstract: A license light for a two-wheeled vehicle capable of uniformly illuminating a display plane of a license plate. A lamp main body is supported in a light housing portion of a light cover mounted to a license plate mounting portion of a rear fender. The lamp main body is configured such that a lamp fixed to a base via a socket is covered with a lens. A prism is provided on an upper surface portion of the lens through which light emitted from the lamp is directed for illuminating a display plane of the license plate. The prism is formed by arraying a plurality of prism elements, each of which is directed in a direction parallel to the center line of a vehicular body, in a direction perpendicular to the center line direction. The light emitted from the lamp is uniformly diffused by the prism, so that the license light is uniformly illuminated with the light with a uniform brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Seiji Yamaguchi, Toru Miyagawa, Toshinori Nakano
  • Patent number: 6530679
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device in this invention comprises a light source for supplying light, and plural light scattering devices disposed in front of the light source so as to be opposite to the direction of the light. Each of the light scattering devices comprises at least one striated surface forming plural prisms. The light is scattered by means of the prisms of the light scattering devices. This invention enables a light emitting device to achieve the spread of light with comparatively little light clustering. In particular, the light emitted from a local source can be changed from being directional to being non-directional even in case of use of the LED's source of light which is directional and so on. Therefore, the light emitting device pertaining to this invention is suitably adopted for use in the display of guardrails on the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Yoichi Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6494596
    Abstract: A reflector for a lighting fixture comprising a substantially bell shaped reflector wall with top and bottom openings and a substantially parabolic cross-section. The reflector wall includes an inner surface having a first top portion that is textured for diffusing light rays from the light source of the fixture, and a second bottom portion that has a smooth surface allowing the light rays to pass through the reflector. The reflector wall also has an outer surface with a plurality of curvilinear prisms for reflecting the light rays. The inner and outer surfaces of the reflector create an even distribution of light emanating therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick C. Burroughs
  • Publication number: 20020181223
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light guide panel for a backlight. The light guide panel comprises a plurality of groups of cells regularly or irregularly formed on at least one surface of the light guide panel, with each cell having regularly or irregularly arranged therein a plurality of micro cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Su-Sun Ryu, Chang-Yong Lee, Eun-Shik Lim, Shin-Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 6485166
    Abstract: An automated method as system for verifying end-to-end connectivity in a broadcast network such as an xDSL network including a plurality of elements such as ATM switches coupled to a subscriber modem. The method and system includes determining each of the elements in the network and establishing a communication channel with a corresponding interface of each element to generate test commands and elicit responsive data. Service logic is applied to determine the location of a fault and display the same on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in a suitable format such as a Visual Word Document (VWD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert A. Fouke
  • Patent number: 6481873
    Abstract: A convex lens for a warning light is provided with a plurality of prism-shaped prismatic elements projecting from the lens concave inner surface. The configuration and angular orientation of each prismatic element is selected to compensate for the curvature of the lens so that light refracted by each prismatic element emerges from the lens outer surface at substantially equivalent angles relative to an optical axis of the light. A preferred embodiment of the lens includes a matrix of prismatic elements that refract light incident on planar surfaces of the prismatic elements to an angle of 45° relative to an optical axis of the light. Each prismatic element also includes a convex radius at the convergence of the two refractive surfaces and concave radii at the junction of the planar surfaces with the inner surface of the lens. Light incident on these concave and convex surfaces is refracted along a range of angles to fill in the radiation pattern produced by the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020093823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting installation, in particular as a danger light, obstruction light or daytime and night-time marker, having at least one luminaire, at least one lighting means being arranged in a housing of the luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Ralph Rohlfing, Wolfgang Serfass
  • Patent number: 6416210
    Abstract: An upwardly deflecting prism lens element is formed horizontally across a front-side surface of a focusing lens. The light-dark ratio of a borderline in a low-beam luminous intensity distribution pattern is reduced by upwardly deflecting a light beam, which is transmitted through the focusing lens and illuminated forwardly from the lens element. Chromatic aberration is not produced by the light beam transmitted through the lens element and radiated in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Patent number: 6340239
    Abstract: An indicator light comprises a source, an optical plate adapted to straighten out the incident light towards an average direction generally parallel to an optical axis, and a flux-distributing and recuperating cup interposed between the source and the plate in order to distribute the light over the inner surface of the plate. According to the invention, the optical plate has a height and a width of the same order of magnitude and possesses optical configurations having varied coefficients of transmission of the light, and the cup provides a given distribution of the light, both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction, which takes account of said coefficients. As a result, an illumination is obtained at the exit from said plate which is essentially constant in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Vincent Godbillon, Jean Claude Gasquet
  • Patent number: 6273591
    Abstract: An indicator light for a motor vehicle has a point source, an intermediate screen which receives the light directly from the source, and a cover glass outside the screen. The intermediate screen comprises a series of optical cells, each of which has, on an internal face, a curved surface for straightening and spreading the light. Each cell further has, on an outer face, a set of at least two flat facets which are oblique with respect to a plane of the intermediate screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6250777
    Abstract: A double-focus lens is disclosed in which double-focus lens cuts (for example, cuts in which elements of the lens cuts formed on one of the surfaces of the lens include convex cuts in a first direction and concave cuts in the direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction) are formed on at least a portion of the lens. A vehicular lamp device can be constructed using the double-focus lens as an outer lens. Accordingly, a vehicular lamp device with a feeling of three-dimensional depth can be realized by using a lens that forms focal points in two locations, i.e., oil the front side of the lens and on the back side of the lens, without sacrificing light distribution characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6129447
    Abstract: An automobile lamp comprising a light source, a shade covering the light source, a reflector having an aperture, an outer lens covering the aperture, and an inner lens arranged vertically between the shade and the outer lens, wherein the reflector has a central reflecting surface, which directs light emitted from the light source to the inner lens, a left reflecting surface, a right reflecting surface, and at least one non-reflecting surface which is at least one step between the central reflecting surface and the left or right reflecting surface, and the inner lens covers the central reflecting surface of the reflector. Light distribution patterns are formed by the inner lens, the left reflecting surface, and the right reflecting surface. Light distribution patterns of the automobile lamps are horizontally wide and have high uniformity of luminous flux density distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 6116757
    Abstract: An illumination system with a light source and a surrounding cylindrical array of refracting elements producing spokes of light on adjacent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 6048083
    Abstract: A bent focal line electronic lighting device for use as a signal or illuminator. Light is created by a plurality of light emitting diode elements. An optic contoured to create a plurality of focal points which form a bent or crooked focal line cooperate with the orientation of the light emitting diode elements to project a composite light beam with limited divergence about a first reference plane. The intensity of the projected light beam is maximized through the efficient collection of created light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 6027231
    Abstract: An improved luminaire assembly having an HID lighting source with an upper reflector portion and a lower refractor portion. This luminaire assembly provides downlight control and glare control properties for a concentrated, narrowly spaced downwardly directed illumination. The downward light control below horizontal to uniformly distribute downward directing the light rays below horizontal to angle in the range between 30.degree. to 50.degree. vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Holophane Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert Alan Fouke
  • Patent number: 5971570
    Abstract: A lens jacket for surrounding all or part of the circumference of an elongated light source which includes first and second, successive light modulating means, e.g. negative focal length lens means formed therein and second lens means for producing virtual images of the source altered in shape or dispersion and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 5863115
    Abstract: Illumination system with a light source and a surrounding cylindrical array of refracting elements producing spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 5775792
    Abstract: A method of illuminating an object by capturing light from a light source with a TIR lens, redirecting the captured light from the light source in a single direction using the TIR lens, and channeling the redirected light through a light pipe to a plane at or before the object to maximize brightness of the light from the light source at the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn Wiese
  • Patent number: 5692827
    Abstract: A rear lighting system includes an elongated light source emitting light and a solid lens having an inner surface comprised of a hyperbolic cylinder, said hyperbolic cylinder having a first focal line and a second focal line and a cylinder length. The first focal line is coincident with the light source and the outer surface is comprised of a generally planar shape perpendicular to the horizontal plane and the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Alfred Wasilewski, Balvantrai G. Patel
  • Patent number: 5481637
    Abstract: An outer prism light guide surrounds a cover which in turn surrounds a light source. The outer guide is formed of prism light guide wall material having uniform shape in cross-sections perpendicular to a first octature symmetry direction, with its optical center line parallel to the first octature symmetry direction. Surfaces of the wall material are substantially in octature relative to the first octature symmetry direction. A surface normal vector at any point on any internal surface of the material is either substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to a first notional line extending from the point through and perpendicular to the optical center line. The cover has cylindrical symmetry about the optical center line to intercept a substantial portion of light emitted by the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Lorne A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 5444606
    Abstract: A combination of a prismatic reflector and a prismatic lens is provided for use with lighting fixtures. A reflector body has a substantially parabolic contour defining an interior cavity. The reflector body includes a plurality of prisms for receiving, transmitting and reflecting light. A lens body has a first mating surface engaging the reflector body, an opposed inverted conical surface, and a sloping sidewall extending between the mating surface and the opposed inverted conical surface. The mating surface of the lens body has a larger diameter than the opposed inverted conical surface. The opposed inverted conical surface includes a plurality of prisms for receiving and for redirecting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Lexalite International Corporation
    Inventors: Josh T. Barnes, Paul C. Belding
  • Patent number: 5416684
    Abstract: A luminaire capable of directing a high percentage of light source output in a downward direction includes a housing base, a light source mounted and electrically coupled to the housing base and a dome-shaped lens member made of light transmissive material disposed in surrounding relation to the light source. The lens member has a first region formed adjacent the housing base on which is disposed a first plurality of prismatic surfaces which both reflect and refract light in the downward direction. A second region is formed on the lens member adjacent the first region and includes a second plurality of prismatic surfaces which refract light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: J. Bradley Pearce
  • Patent number: 5363009
    Abstract: An incandescent light has an evacuated envelope with a bulbous portion and a neck portion. The bulbous portion has a multiplicity of parallel grooves circling the bulbous portion longitudinally. The light also has an electrical filament centrally located in the bulbous portion of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Mark Monto
  • Patent number: 5297013
    Abstract: An outdoor light fixture that has a cover with a clear pane and an inner refracting lens adapted to refract light emitted from a light source and to fit over the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Brinkmann Corporation
    Inventors: Milly S. Hall, Donald L. Rohrs, Jung C. Hung