Did You Know...
...that the Eveready Battery began as an invention called the "electric flowerpot," which was a tube with a battery and light bulb inside? The idea was to fasten this gizmo to the side of a flowerpot so it would illuminate the flowers from the bottom. The idea died on the vine and the businessman who licensed the flower pot, Conrad Huber, was left with a pile of useless tubes -- until he found a way to market them as batteries to light the world!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7350947 | Lens optics used to reduce part deformation due to heat A light assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a lens holder that supports an internal lens. The light assembly includes a light source powered by the vehicle. The internal lens includes an undulating surface facing the light source. A reflective metallic layer... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7342513 | Aircraft interior wireless communications system A wireless communications system suitable for use within an aircraft, such as a part of a wireless emergency lighting system (WELS) is provided. In an aircraft, EXIT signs are located throughout the interior of the aircraft, including the ceiling (general illuminati... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7175305 | LED symbol signal A LED symbol signal with LEDs arrayed to correspond to a desired symbol. A mask defines the desired symbol. A diffusion surface on the cover diffuses the display aspect, obscuring the individual LEDs. The mask is spaced a distance from the diffusing surface. The mor... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7083312 | Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle and an actuator disposed at a second portion. A reflective element is supported by a reflective element support member mount... | 08/01/2006 |
| 6962015 | Sound actuated display device incorporating vibratory-rotary motion converter A sound actuated display device incorporating a vibratory-rotary motion converter to convert vibrations resulting from sounds and music to rotary motion. The rotary motion causes display elements to move and pulse in a manner synchronized to the rhythms of the sound... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6906634 | Indicating device A display device includes having a display unit which comprises a scale with graphic information and an indicator element which can be aligned as a function of at least one input parameter with a position of the scale. In order to ensure a better readability particu... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6741225 | Device for generating an image In order to provide a device for generating an image on an image surface with N×M image elements which can be illuminated individually, comprising a plurality of semiconductor radiation sources, each of which generates radiation with at least one color, an optical ... | 05/25/2004 |
| 6380864 | Indicating display for a motor vehicle, in particular a raised stop light unit An indicating display for a motor vehicle, for example a raised stop light unit, includes a plurality of aligned light sources, optical means for concentrating the luminous flux emitted by the light sources in a general emission direction, and a lens whic... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6195016 | Fiber optic display system with enhanced light efficiency A fiber optic display sign has an optical system with enhanced light efficiency so that the display system is suitable for outdoor use. A number of fiber optics have light receiving ends arranged in a compact bundle for receiving an image from an image ge... | 02/27/2001 |
| 5945916 | Indicator light with improved light spreading means A motor vehicle indicator light comprises a light source, a reflector defining an axis on which the light source lies, the reflector having striations in a first orientation, and an optical plate having striations in a second orientation substantially at ... | 08/31/1999 |
| 5939996 | Display sign and an optical element for use in the same An optical element is fitted to a high intensity light emitting diode used in a variable message sign. The optical element has surfaces which redirect any stray light from the light emitting diode to form useful light. The faces of the optical element are... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5930416 | Ambient light and dust protection for a mechanically operated optical switch An optical switch operating mechanism including a housing cooperatively preventing dust and light from easily reaching an optical switch supported within the housing. The housing includes integrally formed spaced apart slots for receiving the optical swit... | 07/27/1999 |
| 5633623 | Personal indicator with light emission multiplying microprism array A safety device in the form of a compact, battery-operated, personal signalling system for providing light signals for personnel monitoring and detection purposes while operating under hazardous conditions. The device includes a light source that can emit... | 05/27/1997 |
| 5504661 | Translucent fluorescent filter for display panels In a display apparatus using projected illumination for display elements, a translucent fluorescent filter is disposed between the light source and the display element. The filter modifies the visible spectrum of light illuminating the display element. A ... | 04/02/1996 |
| 5500652 | Display element with reflective lens An electronic display element for use in an information display device has a reflective lens with a substantially smooth front surface and a non-smooth back surface. The back surface has multiple uniformly shaped polyhedron cells with hexagonal-shaped bas... | 03/19/1996 |
| 5412492 | Electro-optical lens assembly A liquid crystal lens assembly that can be used to replace existing color lenses in traffic signals without the need for any special modifications to the traffic signal. The lens assembly utilizes a dichroic liquid crystal mixture that absorbs light when ... | 05/02/1995 |
| 5321417 | Visual display panel A light transmitting, visual display panel for use as a sign or message board and comprised of a plurality of closely adjacent, rectangular modules, each of which includes a closed, vertically disposed housing having top, bottom, side and back walls, and ... | 06/14/1994 |
| 5287101 | Vehicular turn signal lamp A vehicular turn signal lamp in which part of the direct light from the light bulb is reflected from the reflector of an inner cap and applied through the rear lens portion of an outer lens. Hence, an observer at the rear of (or in front of) the vehicle b... | 02/15/1994 |
| 5237491 | Personal rescue light An improved personal rescue light attachable to a life vest or raft for use by an individual floating in a large body of water (salt or fresh) having increased visible range especially with fresh water usage. The device includes a water-activated battery ... | 08/17/1993 |
| 5202683 | Optical traffic preemption detector An optical traffic preemption detector detects pulses of light emitted by an approaching emergency vehicle and provides an output signal which is processed by a phase selector. The phase selector can request a traffic signal controller to preempt a normal... | 04/13/1993 |
| 5175528 | Double oscillator battery powered flashing superluminescent light emitting diode safety warning light A flashing safety warning light in which a superluminescent light-emitting diode (SLD) light source is driven by an oscillatory drive signal at a visually imperceptible but highly efficient operating frequency, the oscillatory drive signal preferably bein... | 12/29/1992 |
| 5175873 | Water resistant selective call receiver A selective call receiver includes first and second housing portions forming a chamber therebetween which houses the electronic circuitry for receiving messages, a display for displaying the messages, and an annunciator for alerting a user that a message ... | 12/29/1992 |
| 5103215 | Device for signalling status of machines or processes A signalling device is provided having a plurality of differently colored light modules stacked one above the other than function properly regardless of arrangement order of the light modules within the signalling device. The signalling device includes a ... | 04/07/1992 |
| 5062807 | Lighted electrical connector permitting multi directional viewing A lighted, quick-disconnect, right-angle molded electrical connector for connecting a control device or a sensor to a load includes a lens of light-transmissive material, covers a "power available" light source and a "power applied" light source and is ar... | 11/05/1991 |
| 4878387 | Automotive instrument An automotive instrument having a meter scale plate and an indicator lens which are arranged in a side-by-side fashion on the same display panel. A light-shielding projecting wall is provided on the rear side of the meter plate constituting the display pa... | 11/07/1989 |
| 4408187 | Cueing device A cueing device for use in providing a visual cueing signal to a performer, including a plurality of visual indicators arranged adjacent each other for providing a visual cueing signal in accordance with the actuation of individual ones of the plurality o... | 10/04/1983 |
| 4382274 | Flush runway inset top assembly for airport guidance light apparatus and guidance light apparatus comprising a top assembly of this type A top assembly which comprises a cover assembly having a circular shape with a flat surface and having apertures for securement on top of the light base, said cover assembly having at least one window fitted with optical prism or lens means for the passag... | 05/03/1983 |
| 4376934 | Display system A display system comprising at least one display element, for example in the form of a pivoted pointer for indication of a changing measured value in association with a scale. The display element is implemented by an electro-optical cell filled with a liq... | 03/15/1983 |
| 4367467 | LCD Display mount window In a device for mounting a liquid crystal display (LCD) to a circuit board, a holder is positioned between the LCD and the circuit board and a cover member positioned around the LCD and holder is secured to the board. The LCD is recessed slightly within t... | 01/04/1983 |
| 4265159 | Color organ A sound responsive color organ includes a transducer to convert sound to electricity, an amplifier to increase the level of electricity, and an automatic gain control that operates under the influence of a time dependent circuit to control the output leve... | 05/05/1981 |
| 4254453 | Alpha-numeric display array and method of manufacture An alpha-numeric array is provided for the selective display of characters as controlled by associated character generator programming circuitry. The display array in one character format utilizes a 5×7 matrix array of individually operable illumination ... | 03/03/1981 |
| 4254405 | Self-contained emergency electric signal light and audiblizer A cup-shaped lower base adapted to have an upstanding viewing lens mounted thereon has a strip-like internal assembly bracket therein. The bracket has a vertically extending lower mounting end portion secured adjacent a base sidewall upwardly connected to... | 03/03/1981 |
| 4232304 | Vibratory-rotary motion converters and display devices incorporating such converters The vibratory-rotary motion converter may comprise a vibratory member having a generally cylindrical external surface, supporting means for supporting the vibratory member for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of such surface, vibration pr... | 11/04/1980 |
| 4047020 | Disguised emergency light A disguised emergency light adapted to appear of a predetermined color when turned on and to appear other than the predetermined color when turned off. The light includes a light source substantially surrounded by surrounding means which includes color me... | 09/06/1977 |
