Thomas N Gustafson

US Patent:

6673292, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Jul 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/360573

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI
Richard Mental - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Cooper Technology Services, LLC - Findlay OH

International Classification:

B29C 4702

US Classification:

264149, 26427215, 26427216, 26417111

Abstract:

An integral single piece extruded LED light strip and an associated process for producing such an LED light strip. The light strip includes first and second bus elements spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The light strip also includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) connected between the bus elements that is illuminated when the first bus element conducts electricity provided from a power source. An extruded plastic material completely encapsulates the first and second bus elements and the LED, thereby providing a barrier to protect the elements from damage and to make the light strip impervious to moisture. A process for manufacturing an integrally formed single piece light strip includes the steps of continuously feeding bus elements to an extruder; continuously feeding circuitry having at least one LED operatively mounted thereon to the extruder; and extruding a thermoplastic material at a temperature below that which would damage the circuitry or the LED to thereby encapsulate the bus elements, the circuitry and the LED and to operatively connect the circuitry to the bus elements.

US Patent:

6673293, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Jan 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/478393

Inventors:

James E. Mistopoulos - Saline MI
Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI

Assignee:

Cooper Technology Services, LLC - Findlay OH

International Classification:

B29C 4702

US Classification:

264149, 26427215, 26427216, 26417111

Abstract:

An integrally formed single piece light strip and light strip manufacturing system. The light strip also includes a substrate populated with a plurality of LED light circuits. A plurality of bus elements are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance and are in electrical communication with the plurality of light circuits. A plastic material is extruded around the plurality of light circuits and the substrate to completely encapsulates the bus elements and the plurality of light circuits to provide a protective housing. In one embodiment, an electrical connector is also integrally formed as part of the light strip to eliminate the need for separate connectors. The light strip is o manufactured in a cost efficient manner, and is impervious to moisture penetration, thereby allowing the strip to be used in a variety of applications and environments.

US Patent:

61132489, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Oct 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/954507

Inventors:

James E. Mistopoulos - Saline MI
Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F21V 100

US Classification:

362240

Abstract:

An integrally formed single piece light strip and light strip manufacturing system. The light strip also includes a substrate populated with a plurality of LED light circuits. A plurality of bus elements are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance and are in electrical communication with the plurality of light circuits. A plastic material is extruded around the plurality of light circuits and the substrate to completely encapsulates the bus elements and the plurality of light circuits to provide a protective housing. In one embodiment, an electrical connector is also integrally formed as part of the light strip to eliminate the need for separate connectors. The light strip is manufactured in a cost efficient manner, and is impervious to moisture penetration, thereby allowing the strip to be used in a variety ions and environments.

US Patent:

58488375, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

Sep 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/707212

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI

Assignee:

StanTech - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F21V 100
H01R 3300

US Classification:

362235

Abstract:

An integrally formed single piece light strip having no internal voids, comprising first and second bus elements spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance for operative connection to a power source. A substrate strip includes a top surface and a bottom surface having a printed circuit thereon. At least one light emitting diode (LED), including electrical contact prongs, is provided, with the LED being mounted on the top surface of the substrate strip, and with the electrical contact prongs contacting the printed circuit on the bottom surface of the substrate strip. The printed circuit is in electrical contact with the bus elements to conduct electricity thereon. An extruded plastic material completely encapsulates the first and second bus elements, with the substrate strip and the LED to thereby provide a protective barrier and thereby make the light strip impervious to moisture. Alternatively, an integrally formed light strip is provided that includes a plastic material extruded over first and second bus elements, a substrate strip including a printed circuit and at least one LED mounted thereon to completely encapsulate the components to provide a light strip protective barrier, with the extruded plastic material being extruded to form a bottom surface defining a channel therein for facilitating connection of the strip with other like strips through a channel engaging electrical connector.

US Patent:

56219911, Apr 22, 1997

Filed:

Oct 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/550713

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI

Assignee:

Stan-Tech - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G09F 1322

US Classification:

40544

Abstract:

An electroluminescent lamp and associated method for manufacturing the same having coplanar contact pads, thereby allowing the lamp to be positioned at any point along a conductive bus bar. The lamp includes a base nonconductive film having an electrically conductive coating. A first layer of illuminative material is screen printed on to the base film. A second layer of insulative material is applied over the first layer of illuminative material. A third layer comprised of a conductive ink coating is then screen printed over the second layer of insulative material in inlaid fashion. An insulative coating is then applied over the third layer of conductive material to effectively seal the first, second, and third layers between the base nonconductive film and the insulative coating. First and second coplanar contact pads are then formed on the lamp for electrically connecting the lamp to a power supply. The first electrical conductive contact pad is electrically connected to the base film conductive coating.

US Patent:

41757602, Nov 27, 1979

Filed:

Nov 7, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/849220

Inventors:

Thomas A. Gustafson - Rockford IL

International Classification:

B62B 1314

US Classification:

280 16

Abstract:

A lightweight, molded plastic sled having ski runners, includes a pair of rear skis pivotally connected to the body of the sled and having steering handles connected therewith for steering the sled. A seat for supporting a rider on the sled is positioned generally above the rear skis, whereby the weight of the rider will assist the steering skis in obtaining a "bite" on the surface on which the sled is being used.

US Patent:

53363450, Aug 9, 1994

Filed:

Nov 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/978152

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI
Marc A. Brookman - Dearborn MI

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B29C 4702

US Classification:

156 67

Abstract:

An elongated electroluminescent light strip. An electroluminescent light element which has a layer of semi-transparent film is encapsulated in a moisture impervious material. A process for extruding such a strip is also provided.

US Patent:

59278455, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

Aug 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/520237

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI
Richard Mental - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

StanTech - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F21V 2300

US Classification:

362152

Abstract:

An integral single piece extruded LED light strip and an associated process for producing such an LED light strip. The light strip includes first and second bus elements spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The light strip also includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) connected between the bus elements that is illuminated when the first bus element conducts electricity provided from a power source. An extruded plastic material completely encapsulates the first and second bus elements and the LED, thereby providing a barrier to protect the elements from damage and to make the light strip impervious to moisture. A process for manufacturing an integrally formed single piece light strip includes the steps of continuously feeding bus elements to an extruder; continuously feeding circuitry having at least one LED operatively mounted thereon to the extruder; and extruding a thermoplastic material at a temperature below that which would damage the circuitry or the LED to thereby encapsulate the bus elements, the circuitry and the LED and to operatively connect the circuitry to the bus elements.