IP Library Granted Patent US 10,578,272
Granted Patent B2
US 10,578,272 · App. 15/542,331 · Granted Mar 3, 2020

Lit image projection lamp and method

Inventors: Todd M. Nykerk (Holland, MI); Lester R. Sullivan (Wyoming, MI)
Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
F21S43/26F21S43/14F21V5/007F21V5/008G02B27/2214G03B21/208G03B35/24B60Q1/2607F21W2104/00F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,578,272
App. No.
15/542,331
Granted
Mar 3, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Lit image projection lamp and method. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source; a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and a second lens at a second distance from the first lens; wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

Claims (40)

1. A projection device, consisting essentially of:

a light source;

a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and

a second lens at a second distance from the first lens;

wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and

wherein the projection device is configured and operable to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of one or more light-emitting diodes and a light pipe.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first lens is orthogonal or parallel to an axis of the light source.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first lens and the second lens have an optical density of between 20 and 150 flutes per inch.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical axis of the first lens is rotated or tilted relative to the optical axis of the second lens.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical axis of the first lens is tilted relative to the light source.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional image is projected as an image selected from the group consisting of an image of a ribbon, an image of a series of twisting lines, an image of fire, an image of shark teeth, an image of diamonds, an image of curved lines, an image of stars, an image of squares, an image of a waterfall, and an image of arcs and a waterfall.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional image is projected as an image having a shape selected from the group consisting of a twisted shape, a curved and pointed shape, a fringed leaf shape, a curved triangle shape, a square shape, an amorphous shape, a cube shape, and a diamond shape.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional image is projected as an image having a first color and a second color different from the first color.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional image is projected as an image having a first color, a second color, and a third color, where each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different from one another.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to generate a second three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens, wherein the three-dimensional image is different from the second three-dimensional image.

12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third lens positioned a third distance from the second lens;

wherein the projection device is configured to generate the three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens.

13. A lamp assembly, consisting essentially of:

a projection device comprising:

a light source,

a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source, and

a second lens at a second distance from the first lens,

wherein the first lens and the second lens are lenticular lenses, each having an optical axis; and

a housing; and

an outer lens coupled to the housing to define a volume, wherein the projection device is positioned within the volume;

wherein the projection device is configured and operable to generate a three-dimensional image within the volume from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens.

14. A projection device consisting essentially of:

a light source;

a first lens positioned at a first distance from the light source; and

a blocker plate positioned a second distance from the first lens, the blocker plate defining an aperture therethrough;

wherein the first lens is a lenticular lens having an optical axis; and

wherein the projection device is configured and operable to generate a three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and through the aperture of the blocker plate.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of one or more light-emitting diodes and a light pipe.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the first lens has an optical density of between 20 and 150 flutes per inch.

17. The device of claim 14 , wherein the three-dimensional image is projected as an image having a first color and a second color different from the first color.

18. The device of claim 14 , wherein the device is further configured to generate a second three-dimensional image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the first lens and the second lens, wherein the three-dimensional image is different from the second three-dimensional image.

19. The device of claim 18 , forming part of a lamp assembly, the lamp assembly further comprising a housing and an outer lens, wherein the device is positioned within the housing, and wherein the three-dimensional image is present or perceived within the housing between the second lens and the outer lens.

20. The lamp assembly of claim 13 , wherein the three-dimensional image is present or perceived within the housing between the second lens and the outer lens.

Assignments (4)
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2024
From: FLEX-N-GATE LLC, (F/K/A FLEX-N-GATE CORPORATION); FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 068539/0865 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2020
From: NYKERK, TODD M.; SULLIVAN, LESTER R.
To: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 053293/0836 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: NYKERK, TODD M.; SULLIVAN, LESTER R.
To: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 051369/0883 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2019
From: FLEX-N-GATE LLC (F/K/A FLEX-N-GATE CORPORATION); FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINSTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 050969/0269 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62165785 · May 22, 2015
Provisional Application 62181545 · Jun 18, 2015
Related Publication 20180274745A1 · Sep 27, 2018