With Diverse Modifier Patents (Class 362/343)
  • Patent number: 6354718
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp utilizing a light source bulb of the H4 type and which provides a low-beam light distribution pattern which makes it easy for the driver to drive and reduces the possibility of oncoming drivers being dazzled by glare. A light source bulb is securely supported by a reflector so that left and right upper edges of a shade are located at substantially the same height and an axis of a filament is upwardly offset from an optical axis of the reflector at a predetermined angle. A reflecting surface of the reflector is provided with a downward deflective reflection zone which downwardly deflects and reflects the light that has traveled from the filament past the right upper edge of the shade and impinged on a traveling-lane-side reflection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Iwaki, Kenichi Takada
  • Patent number: 6347874
    Abstract: A wedge-shaped light extractor having a light-redirecting surface with a plurality of projections having a riser segment, a plateau segment, and a facet segment, with land segments flanking the projections. The projections improve extraction efficiency, thereby facilitating use of available light from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Richard A. Miller, Leland R. Whitney
  • Patent number: 6331914
    Abstract: An optical interference coating on a refractory substrate, the coating being comprised of alternating layers of silicon dioxide and zirconium dioxide. The coating can be in the form of an optical filter where a substrate bearing the coating can be repeatedly cycled between room temperature and a temperature of at least 1000° C. without significant degradation of its optical or mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Deposition Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Wood, II, William H. Howard
  • Publication number: 20010046133
    Abstract: A system utilizing direct-view illumination of selected regions together with principles of constructive occlusion (diffuse reflectivity in a mask and cavity structure) provides a tailored radiation intensity distribution adapted to meet the requirements of certain special applications. The direct illumination provides high intensity illumination for certain desired regions. However, some radiant energy from the system source(s) reflects and diffuses within the volume between the mask and the cavity. The mask constructively occludes the aperture of the cavity. The reflected energy emerging from between the mask and cavity provides a desired illumination, for example at a much lower intensity, for regions not covered by the direct illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: DAVID P. RAMER, JACK C. RAINS, RICHARD S. BAGWELL, GEORGE DAVID CROWLEY
  • Publication number: 20010040809
    Abstract: The luminaire has a molded reflector body (1) comprising a reflective coating (3) with light reflective particles (10) and a binder (11) and having a substrate side (12) and an outer surface (13). The coating (3) has a smooth optical waveguiding surface due to the absence of particles (10) at its outer surface (13) and to the light-transmission properties of the binder (11). Owing to these properties, the coating (3) has a high degree of specular reflection, thereby both increasing the lumen output ratio and improving the light directional properties of the luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Franciscus Guillaume Peter Sools, Jean Paul Entrop
  • Patent number: 6312142
    Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a diffraction grating, such as a CD, CD-ROM, DVD, laserdisc, mini disc or the like, positioned with respect to the light bulb for reflecting light from the bulb to produce a pleasing spectral visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Albert N. Dorsa
  • Publication number: 20010026457
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a tube-like lamp element that has an aperture, a reflector having a focus located approximately at the aperture, and a front lens. The lamp can be disposed in a vehicle body space that has a small width from the front view and a small depth from a side view of the vehicle body. A blind or shade is not necessary to cover non-aesthetic portions of the lamp. The lamp can be tube-like in shape and can include an optical system that has at least two ellipse group reflecting surfaces that are combined to form a multi-reflex optical system. An aperture can be formed by the reflecting surfaces to allow light rays to be guided outside of the lamp. A light source is preferably located on a common first focus of the at least two ellipse group reflecting surfaces. One of the ellipse group reflecting surfaces can have a longer focal distance than, and a different longitudinal direction from, those of other ellipse group reflecting surface(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Oyama, Takashi Akutagawa, Yoshifumi Kawaguchi, Go Adachi
  • Patent number: 6250778
    Abstract: A lighting system consists of a first reflector having a plurality of reflecting faces disposed obliquely with an angle of about 45 deg. with respect to the optical axis of an incident coherent light, respectively, and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the optical-axial direction of the incident coherent light, a second reflector having a plurality of reflecting faces disposed obliquely at an angle of about 45 deg. with respect to the optical axes of reflected light beams, respectively, from the first reflector, and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the optical-axial direction of the incident coherent light, and a lens array having a plurality of lenses disposed in planes generally perpendicular to the optical axes of the reflected light beams from the second reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Doumuki
  • Patent number: 6244731
    Abstract: A lamp is composed of a light source, a composite reflector consisting of a plurality of reflecting surface units, and aspheric lenses provided to correspond to the individual reflecting surface units. The composite reflector includes a first and a second reflecting surface units. Each of the first reflecting surface units is formed of a reflecting surface configuration obtained by cutting, radially around a center axis of the light source, a portion from a spheroid having a first focal point located on the center axis and adjacent the light source and a second focal point located on a line passing through the first focal point and tilted appropriately from the center axis such that the cut portion spans a range of 15° to 90° around the center axis. Each of the second reflecting surface units is composed of a second reflecting surface configuration obtained by similarly cutting a portion from a spheroid having a second focal point located external to the first reflecting surface configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Koiko, Takashi Futami, Yoshifumi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6224245
    Abstract: The headlight has a light source (12), a reflector (10), and a baffle (32) with a light admission opening (34), the baffle being disposed downstream of the reflector (10) in the light exit direction (30). The reflector (10) has a central reflector region (16), by which an at least approximately parallel fractional beam (20) is reflected, and at least one peripheral reflector region (24), by which a fractional beam (28) that converges in horizontal longitudinal planes (22) and is at least approximately parallel in vertical longitudinal planes (18) is reflected. The fractional beams (20, 28) are concentrated at least substantially on the light admission opening (34) of the baffle (32), whose cross section is smaller than the cross section of the reflector (10) at the front edge (36) of the reflector. The beam emerging from the headlight has pronounced horizontal scattering, despite the small cross section of the light admission opening (34) of the baffle (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Doris Boebel
  • Patent number: 6200005
    Abstract: A xenon ceramic lamp comprising a short-arc lamp with two integral reflectors disposed around the cathode arc ball to collect a wide range of elevation angles of light relative to the center longitudinal axis. The two integral reflectors and the cathode arc ball are within the same sealed volume of the lamp. A first reflector, generally below a common first focus, is a concave elliptical type for projecting light out through a sapphire window to a second focus. A second reflector, generally above the first focus, is a concave spherical type having its focus just offset from the first focus. Therefore, light rays may be emitted at nearly all angles from the cathode arc ball that will be reflected or back reflected by the elliptical and spherical reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: ILC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Roberts, William F. Hug
  • Patent number: 6132068
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a bulb for emitting light, a reflector for reflecting the light from the bulb in a light projecting direction of the headlamp; and a shade attached to the reflector for cutting direct light to be emitted forward of the lamp from the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6059426
    Abstract: A lamp head incorporated with an anti-combustion arrangement, which includes an upwardly directed pan, a reflecting disc disposed internally of the pan, and a holding means for electrically receiving a halogen light source. A shielding lens is mounted on the planar lip for closely covering the halogen light source, wherein a high temperature burning zone is formed above the concave reflecting surface and around the halogen light source. The anti-combustion arrangement includes a protective shelter and a supporting means. The protective shelter, which can be made of transparent glass having a plurality of ventilation holes or a wire frame, has a size adapted to entirely cover the halogen light source. The supporting means is adapted for supporting the protective shelter at a predetermined height right above the halogen light source to cover the high temperature burning zone and to define an air ventilation clearance between the protective shelter and the halogen light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Danny Lavy
  • Patent number: 6053625
    Abstract: A lighting fixture comprises a housing, an induction lamp inside the housing, a lens disposed to direct light away from the housing in a light pattern, and a light reflector inside the housing which reflects light in cooperation with the lens. The light pattern produced by the lighting fixture has a substantially uniform lateral illumination at a given radial distance from the center of the lens. The lighting fixture also provides a high level of directional illumination in the vertical direction when mounted to a ceiling. The lighting fixture can be surface or recess mounted. The lighting fixture can comprise a tee electrical conduit to allow through feed wiring from one fixture to another fixture. The lighting fixture is particularly suitable for use in conventional walk-in coolers and freezers used in supermarkets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Bowker
  • Patent number: 5971568
    Abstract: An optical device and a multisurface reflector which can be used for this purpose, which has high uniformity of the illumination intensity on the entire surface of an area to be illuminated, and a small shape, and in which a high utilization factor of the light can be obtained is achieved according to the invention by there being a multisurface concave reflector which is composed of numerous mirror elements which combine to form a concave reflection surface of a generally oval shape. A light source lamp is arranged such that an emission part of it is positioned along the center axis of the multisurface reflector, and a lens plate is located in front of the multisurface reflector on a plane perpendicular to its center axis. The lens plate a plurality of lens elements which each correspond number to the number of mirror elements on the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoyuki Kabuki
  • Patent number: 5957561
    Abstract: In a surface light source device of side light type and a display employing the same, illumination light of high grade is allowed to emit by reducing irregularities in luminance caused along a muntin of a support member to support components such as a light guide plate 2 and a reflection sheet 21. A light quantity correction surface 21A is formed between the reflection member 21 and a support member 11. Otherwise, a member providing the light quantity correction surface is arranged on the rear of the support member. A quantity of illumination light in a portion of a muntin 11B of the support member 11 is made approximately equal to that in a portion of an aperture 11C, and the irregularities in luminance caused correspondingly to the muntin are reduced. The light quantity correction surface may be provided by a surface of the muntin itself or ink coated on the muntin by means of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Manabu Takashio, Tsuyoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5947586
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lamp employs conductor moldings in which conductor tracks extending in three dimensions can be created in the housing. In addition, the conductor moldings enable the integration of lamp connections, switches and lamp mount, as well as reflectors and cooling surfaces directly into the housing and separately inlaid or molded-in plates for contact tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Adam Weber
  • Patent number: 5934779
    Abstract: A reflector includes one closed end, one open end and highly reflecting curving walls. The walls are symmetrical about at least one axis of symmetry. The walls include a first segment and other segments. The first segment has a curved shape and is located at the closed end of the reflector. The first of segment directs most of the light rays incident on it across the axis of symmetry at crossover points, prior to the rays striking the associated target surface. Most of the light rays striking the walls of the first segment near the closed end of the reflector are having crossover points near the light source. Most of the light rays striking the walls of the first segment progressively further away from the closed end of the reflector are having crossover points located progressively closer to the associated target surface. The other segments direct nearly all of light rays incident on the walls of the other segments towards a portion of the associated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Carl Frederick Leidig
  • Patent number: 5923471
    Abstract: An optical interference coating on a refractory substrate, the coating being comprised of alternating layers of silicon dioxide and zirconium dioxide. The coating can be in the form of an optical filter where a substrate bearing the coating can be repeatedly cycled between room temperature and a temperature of at least 1000 .degree. C without significant degradation of its optical or mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Deposition Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Wood, II, William H. Howard
  • Patent number: 5842767
    Abstract: Systems and methods for high efficiency illuminators are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: farLight Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Rizkin, Ilya Agurok
  • Patent number: 5816692
    Abstract: A compact hand-held high intensity ultraviolet inspection lamp having a straight handle aligned with beam direction includes a high-intensity light bulb enclosed within a bulb housing, a light-emitting aperture at the end of the bulb housing away from the handle, and an ultraviolet light filter in alignment with the aperture to absorb substantially all light emitted from the bulb at frequencies outside of the ultraviolet spectrum and to transmit the unabsorbed ultraviolet light. Three embodiments of such lamp are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Spectronics Corporation
    Inventors: B. William Cooper, Gustavo Garcia, Richard Regan
  • Patent number: 5788365
    Abstract: A stage lighting lamp unit includes a processor for receiving control data from a remote console. Beam orientation data for the lamp unit is passed to the lamp in the form of the x, y and z co-ordinates of a point in space through which the beam is to pass. The processor divides the required lamp travel into a number of stages dependent on execution duration data sent with the position data, and calculates, for each stage, a new value for pan and tilt angles for the lamp. These values are passed to pan and tilt controlling co-processors which control servo-motors for pan and tilt operation. The lamp unit also incorporates a rotatable shutter for interrupting the lamp beam when required. The shutters of all the lamps in a system can be instructed from the remote console to open and close in synchronism, thereby providing a stroboscopic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Light & Sound Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Keith J. Owen, Michael D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5769535
    Abstract: A portable light lamp having multiple brightness providing predominantly directed light projection. The portable light employs a light source and a light source housing, the light source housing having a directed light port disposed to project light from the light source therethrough in a selected direction at a first brightness and at least one filtered light port to project light from the light source therethrough in another direction at a second brightness which is diminished from the first brightness. One or more magnets are secured to the side of the light source housing to attach the portable light to magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventors: Donnie R. Rominger, Lucille L. Rominger
  • Patent number: 5720549
    Abstract: A lamp head incorporated with an anti-combustion arrangement, which includes an upwardly directed pan and a reflector member disposed internally of the pan. The reflector member has a planar lip for supporting a reflecting disc and a holding means for electrically receiving a halogen light source. The reflecting disc has an inner concave reflecting surface positioned below the halogen light source. A shielding lens is mounted on the planar lip for closely covering the halogen light source, wherein a high temperature burning zone is formed above the concave reflecting surface and around the halogen light source. The anti-combustion arrangement includes a transparent protective shelter and a supporting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Danny Lavy
  • Patent number: 5695268
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for emitting rectilinear polarized light beams includes a light source unit, a polarizing filter unit for transmitting a first rectilinear polarized component among the light beams emitted from the light source unit but reflecting a second rectilinear polarized component and a light reflecting member for reflecting the second rectilinear polarized component in a direction of the polarizing filter unit and converting a direction of a polarization plane of the reflected second rectilinear polarized component into a direction of a polarization plane of the first rectilinear polarized component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 5676457
    Abstract: Lineal light distribution is provided from a source which may comprise a quasi-point source. The light is directed to one or more arms, each arm comprising conveyance means defining a region of light travel. Collimated light is directed into the conveyance means. Directing means in the light path direct light in respective independent paths to each of a plurality of exit means. The directing means may be discrete or distributed. The exit means each project light away from the conveyance means. The exit means are distributed at a number of locations at differing locations with respect to the source so that a lineal distribution of light from the source is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 5613768
    Abstract: A parallel light generating apparatus uses two arrayed mirrors. The apparatus includes a parabolic mirror, a lamp located at the focal point of the parabolic mirror, and first and second arrayed mirrors disposed in parallel, each of which is divided into plural portions, with each portion being divided again into parts. A panel is situated between the arrayed mirrors and has a plurality of holes corresponding to each portion of both mirrors, for blocking non-parallel light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-ha Kim
  • Patent number: 5582480
    Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle has a housing and a transparent plate closing off the housing. At least one light-emitting device is positioned in the housing for illuminating the transparent plate. At least one main reflector is positioned in the housing for reflecting light emitted by the light-emitting device to the transparent plate. A prism is positioned in the housing so as to be placed at least partially in the path of the light emitted by the light-emitting device, whereby the prism reflects the light impinging thereon to the main reflector so as to be reflected onto the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Zwick, Gernot M. Bracht
  • Patent number: 5523928
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pen with illuminator allowing users to write even in the dark by illuminating the surface to be written on. A pen with illuminator comprises a writing element; a barrel for accommodating the writing element; a light emitting diode unit having a carrier made of light transmittible material and a light emitting diode chip embedded in the carrier. The light emitting diode unit is mounted in the front end opening to expose at least a part of the carrier to the exterior and having a central penetrating hole for allowing the nib of the writing element to pass therethrough. There is provided with means for reflecting light emitted from the light emitting diode chip toward a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Dong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 5517389
    Abstract: The lamp assembly including a reflector having two or more reflective surfaces, a light source and an electrochromic means positioned between the light source and at least one reflective surface. Each reflective surface directs light in a different direction. The electrochromic means is capable of blocking light from exiting the lamp assembly from at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Christopher A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5497298
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly is provided which includes a light bulb providing a source of illumination; a reflector housing with a central opening with a reflector surface for reflecting illumination given by the light bulb, the reflector housing central opening mounting the light bulb, the reflector housing having a first surface opposite the reflector surface adjacent the central opening and a second surface on the same side of the reflector surface generally adjacent the central opening; and a bulb shield having a first portion along a first end. The first portion is generally closely adjacent to the light bulb for blocking illumination provided by the light bulb. The bulb shield has at an end opposite the first end at least one foot penetrating through the central opening with a radially outwardly extending toe engaging the reflector housing first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Luallin, Jan A. Wisler, Joseph C. Ballman, David B. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5497299
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle headlamp assembly is provided which includes a reflector housing having an open front end, a first reflector surface and a second surface projecting forward from the first reflector surface; a bulb connected to the housing projecting forward from the reflector surface providing a source of illumination; a lens covering the open end of the reflector housing; and a bulb shield having a first portion generally adjacent the bulb, blocking a portion of the illumination given off by the bulb. The bulb shield has a foot connected by a leg to the first portion. The foot has a front end captured between the lens and the reflector housing and a rear end captured in the intersection between the first and second reflector surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jan A. Wisler, John M. Luallin, Duane E. Ormes, Randall J. Smith, Terry L. Coombs, Ernst K. Werner
  • Patent number: 5461553
    Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle comprises a reflector. A light source having a light body. A shutter forming an upper bright-dark limit of a light bundle exiting the headlight. A lens arranged after the shutter is considered in a light outlet direction so that light reflected by the reflector passes through the lens. The reflector being formed so that light produced by the light body is reflected by the reflector so that it intersects an optical axis of the reflector and from the apex region of the reflector great images of the light body are reflected so that after passing through the lens they are arranged substantially close to the bright-dark limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Neumann, Heike Eichler
  • Patent number: 5442533
    Abstract: A linear light source for a film scanner includes an elongated light integrating cavity, formed within a light integrator, having diffusely reflective walls. Light is introduced into the cavity through an input port, and an output scan line of diffuse light is produced through an exit slit which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrating cavity. The scan line of light is directed on film to be scanned in a stripe of illumination. The scan line of the illuminated film stripe is imaged onto a tri-linear CCD array for conversion of color intensity modulated pixels into scan line data sets. The linear light beam is reflected from a source region within the integrating cavity visible through the exit slit. In order to make the brightness profile of the linear light beam more uniform and avoid position dependent signal level drop outs, sharp angle joints in the source region are replaced by arcuate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Martin C. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5430620
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact surgical headlamp capable of dynamic adjustment of the resulting field of illumination, comprising at least a single core fiber optic delivery light guide, an adjustable light projection system, and a mounting mechanism for movably supporting the headlamp proximate to the surgeon's eyes. A receiving block is also provided for supporting the structure of the projection system and for coupling the delivery fiber thereto. The projection system comprises a cylindrical housing mount adapted with a centrally disposed cylindrical cavity for receiving the ferruled, output end of the delivery fiber and for allowing the light output therefrom to initially diverge within the cavity of the housing mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Li, Steven Murray, Zafirios Gourgouliatos, Douglas M. Brenner
  • Patent number: 5386348
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly is provided including a bulb providing a source of illumination: a reflector housing for mounting the bulb and providing a reflector surface with a forward ledge extending therefrom; a bulb shield for restricting illumination from the bulb and including a generally tubular portion for surrounding the bulb and a leg extending therefrom, the bulb shield also having a foot to support the leg on the housing ledge; and wherein the foot has a snap fit connection with the housing ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Shaughnessey, Keith Chesser
  • Patent number: 5379196
    Abstract: A projection headlamp for vehicles has a substantially elliptical reflector 14, a light source (bulb) located at the first focal point F1 of the reflector 14, a projection lens 16 disposed in front of the reflector 14, and a shade 20 located at a position near to the second focal point F2 and the focal point of the projection lens 16. The shade 20 partially intercepts light beams going from the reflector 14 toward the projection lens 16. The shade 20 is allowed to turn about the horizontal shaft 23 of the reflector 14 to adjust the beam distribution pattern. The shade 14 includes right and left shades 21 and 22, which are separated and horizontally extended when seen from the point substantially right under the optical axis L, and are allowed to independently turn about the horizontal shaft 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Kobayashi, Toshihisa Hayami, Masaaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5355291
    Abstract: An internally illuminated sign in which a luminaire mounted on the border or periphery of the sign uniformly illuminates the face and/or faces of the sign thereby eliminating any necessity for providing human access to the interior of the sign for maintenance and relamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Holophane Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Subisak, Douglas S. Hammond
  • Patent number: 5353210
    Abstract: Reflector lamps having vitreous, light transmissive reflectors and containing a source of visible and UV light radiation produce little or no UV radiation in the projected light beam by having a light reflecting coating on the exterior surface of the reflector and the reflector made of UV absorbing glass or having a UV absorbing coating disposed between the light reflecting coating and the exterior reflector surface. An anti-reflecting coating disposed on the interior, light-receiving surface of the reflector reduces UV emission still further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jack M. Strok, Thomas G. Parham, Curtis E. Scott
  • Patent number: 5320062
    Abstract: A pointer for use in an instrument panel, such as a speedometer, in a vehicle. According to one embodiment, the pointer includes a conically shaped pointer body to which a pointer base is secured. A light source is disposed within the pointer base and a slit is provided in the body. The inner surface of the pointer body is reflective such that light directed from the light source is reflected off of the reflective surface and through the slit. In another embodiment the light source is disposed externally of the pointer and a reflecting member is provided in the pointer for reflecting the light towards the distal end of the conical body. The reflecting member can include a reflecting mirror or, alternatively, a prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Michihisa Masuda, Tadashi Iino, Kunimitsu Aoki
  • Patent number: 5311409
    Abstract: A photographic light diffuser includes a tubular body which is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source and when so mounted is self-supporting without an internal or external supporting frame or without removably connected rigidly panels, the tubular body has pairs of opposed wall panels, at least one pair of which has fold lines therein along which the wall panels may be folded to collapse the tubular body into a flattened, compost form for portability. A light diffuser panel is mounted on the outer end of the tubular body and the inner end of the tubular body has mounting means for mounting the light diffuser on a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Camera World, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack N. King
  • Patent number: 5309339
    Abstract: An optical concentrator increases the power density from diffuse optical energy remitted by an optically diffusing surface by at least partially recollimating the diffuse optical energy. The concentrator includes an optical diffuser element illuminated at a first point by optical input energy and remitting incident optical energy. A reflective element has a reflective surface with a concentration point located at the first point and the reflective surface reflects diffuse optical energy incident on it from the diffuser element. At least one aperture is provided for the transmission of an output beam formed by a portion of the diffuse optical energy from at least the diffuser element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Webb
  • Patent number: 5309329
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flash device, preferably for transferring a dye matrix which by means of a high-energy light flash is transferred from a radiation-absorbing carrier film by interleaving a mask onto a receiver element. This requires substantially perpendicular irradiation of the transfer plane with a high-energy radiation and a high uniformity of irradiance distribution of the light flash. To achieve this, one or two linearly extending plasma discharge tubes are provided which to concentrate radiation are enclosed by two separate aspheric-cylindrical reflectors, the concentrated radiation being directed through a lamellar louver element arranged downstream of the reflector and impinging on the predetermined transfer plane in a substantially parallel and perpendicular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Reinhold Thiel, Ulrich Staiger, Olaf Kosanke, Volker Gericke
  • Patent number: 5188452
    Abstract: Light assembly for providing a focused image of varying color hue and saturation intensity which includes means for providing a point light source, a filter set in which the filters are complementary colors, and a light mixing channel to pass additively mixed light rays to an objective lens system which produces the focused image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Altman Stage Lighting Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5174645
    Abstract: An electric candle comprised of an electric lamp supported on a cylindrical casing above a base, said cylindrical casing having conductive strips connected to a power supply in said base and controlled by a switch means consisted of a spring coil around a conductor, said base having a sound pick up, a sound producing means at the inside, wherein making a sound causes said sound pick up to connect the electric circuit permitting said lamp bulb and said sound producing means to give light and sound respectively; blowing a stream of current through vent holes on said lamp cap causes said switch means to cut off the electric circuit permitting said lamp bulb and said sound producing means to stop giving light or sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Martin Chung
  • Patent number: 5169229
    Abstract: A device which controls the reflected spectrum of a light source comprised of: a support article made of a plastic which is stable to the temperatures required of such a device; an optical coating deposited upon said support article, said coating consisting essentially of: a highly reflective metal film directly deposited upon said plastic support article and is at least 50 nm in thickness; an array of thin films of alternating high index and low index dielectric materials deposited upon said thin highly reflective metal film, said array being chosen to control the reflected spectrum of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernt D. Hoppert, Douglas J. LaPlante
  • Patent number: 5144539
    Abstract: An illumination device having a reflecting plate, at least one linear light source arranged on a first side of the reflecting plate, a diffusing plate arranged on a second side of the reflecting plate, and a light quantity adjusting member formed integrally with the reflecting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Katoh, Nobuhisa Noguchi, Yutaka Kikuchi, Isamu Kaneko, Toshiaki Sugimoto, Seiki Kitahara, Teruo Hoshi, Minoru Suzuki, Shuichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 5119276
    Abstract: A lamp unit having an elliptic reflector, a light source positioned at a first focus point of the elliptic reflector, a bracket fixed to a front end of the reflector, a projection lens mounted on a front end of the bracket and a holder member for holding the projection lens onto the bracket. The holder member is a plate like member provided along the circumference of the bracket. One end of the holder member is bent inward to form a bent portion which supports a rear end of the projection lens, while the other end of which is partially press-fitted in a plurality of holes formed on a side surface of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5113321
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp which provided with a lamp body, an elliptic reflector accommodated in the lamp body, a light source positioned within a first focal area of the elliptic reflector, a projection lens positioned so that a focal point of which positions within a second focal area of the reflector, the light passing through the projection lens being substantially parallel, and an outer cover provided over the projection lens. An inner side of the lamp body is dark colored and the outer cover is made transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5103381
    Abstract: A reflector system for a flashlight or the like includes a rear reflector of at least partially parabolic shape and a light source mounted at the focus of the parabolic reflector surface. A lens is mounted between the light source and the open forward end of the reflector to occlude any light beams which would otherwise travel uninterrupted from the light source out of the open forward end of the reflector. The rear reflector may include a spherical surface portion at its center for intensifying the light source, and a collimating pillar of transparent material extends inwardly from the center of the forward end of the reflector towards the lens for collecting light re-directed by the lens, and mixing and breaking up any image forming rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Alan K. Uke