Thomas W 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:

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:

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.

US Patent:

48137332, Mar 21, 1989

Filed:

Sep 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/102385

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Pleasant Ridge MI
Robert A. Vaughan - Dearborn MI

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

E06B 723

US Classification:

296 93

Abstract:

A glass reveal molding has a symmetrical generally C-shaped clamping portion which has a substantially equal amount of mass above and below its center clamping axis and exerts substantially even gripping pressure on both top and bottom surfaces of the glass. The equalized pressure of the clamping portion will substantially eliminate gapping around the radius and retain the molding on the windshield without gapping or rolling of the molding. The molding also has a crown with a stabilizing tail that nests with the C-shaped clamping portion.

US Patent:

53065379, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Dec 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/812121

Inventors:

Thomas L. Gustafson - Southfield MI
Lou Citarel - Southfield MI

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B32B 2508
E06B 716
B05D 302

US Classification:

428141

Abstract:

A low friction wear resistant coating for the base of a glass run channel and method. A thermoplastic powder is applied to a thermoset rubber substrate. The combination is heated to form free form shaped domains of thermoplastic on the thermoset rubber.

US Patent:

54964270, Mar 5, 1996

Filed:

May 26, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/249699

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

The Standard Products Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B29C 4702

US Classification:

156 67

Abstract:

An elongated electroluminescent light strip is provided. The electroluminescent light strip includes a lighting element which includes a phosphor matrix layer. The lighting element or lamp is encapsulated in a moisture impervious material. A process for manufacturing an elongated electroluminescent light strip is also provided.