John Forkner

US Patent:

57518700, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Sep 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/717833

Inventors:

John F. Forkner - Laguna Beach CA
Andrew P. Riser - Menifee CA
Ronald F. Rykowski - Woodinville WA
Stephen S. Wilson - San Juan Capistrano CA

Assignee:

Remote Source Lighting International, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

G02B 632
F21V 704

US Classification:

385 33

Abstract:

An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold comprises a light converging element, which may be either a lens or a reflector, for converging light separately on each of the spaced optical fibers. The light converging element is segmented, with each segment corresponding to one of the optical fibers, and is precise enough that substantially all of the convergent light is received by the respective cores of each of the spaced output fibers, thereby minimizing light loss.

US Patent:

57063761, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Jun 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/459613

Inventors:

Ronald F. Rykowski - Woodville WA
Andrew P. Riser - Romona CA
John F. Forkner - Laguna Beach CA
Stephen S. Wilson - San Juan Capistrano CA

Assignee:

Remote Source Lighting International - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

G02B 626

US Classification:

385 31

Abstract:

The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. The system also provides a very flexible mechanical means for distributing the energy to the fibers and to the remote locations at which the light is used.

US Patent:

54672074, Nov 14, 1995

Filed:

Jul 6, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/271368

Inventors:

John F. Forkner - South Laguna CA
Ronald F. Rykowski - Woodinville WA
Stephen S. Wilson - Lake Elsinore CA

Assignee:

Prolux Corporation - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

G02F 11335
G03B 2100
G03B 2114

US Classification:

359 40

Abstract:

A projection system comprising a liquid crystal light valve having a wider acceptance angle for incident light in a first direction than in a second direction transverse to the first direction and an illumination system. The illumination system provides light to the liquid crystal light valve at a greater beam spread angle in the first direction than in the second direction. The system also includes projection optics for receiving light from the liquid crystal light valve and projecting such light toward a projection surface.

US Patent:

55599117, Sep 24, 1996

Filed:

Jan 17, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/374163

Inventors:

John F. Forkner - Laguna Beach CA
Andrew P. Riser - Menifee CA
Ronald F. Rykowski - Woodinville WA
Stephen S. Wilson - San Juan Capistrano CA

Assignee:

Radiant Imaging, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

G02B 632
F21V 704

US Classification:

385 33

Abstract:

An optical fiber manifold is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a plurality of spaced, large diameter output fibers, or "light pipes", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The manifold comprises a light converging element, which may be either a lens or a reflector, for converging light separately on each of the spaced optical fibers. The light converging element is segmented, with each segment corresponding to one of the optical fibers, and is precise enough that substantially all of the convergent light is received by the respective cores of each of the spaced output fibers, thereby minimizing light loss.

US Patent:

56224192, Apr 22, 1997

Filed:

Jan 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/368277

Inventors:

Ron G. Holder - Laguna Niguel CA
John F. Forkner - South Laguna CA
Dick F. McClure - Sunset Beach CA
Greg M. Rhoads - Irvine CA

Assignee:

Prolux Corporation - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

G03B 2130

US Classification:

353119

Abstract:

A portable collapsible liquid crystal display apparatus which includes a base, and a relatively large viewing screen having a width corresponding substantially to the overall width of said base and which, together with a first planar member of the same size, are pivotally mounted on the base. When the apparatus is in its viewing mode, the screen is turned to an upright position on the base with the mirror in an inclined position extending downwardly behind the screen to reflect images over the entire rear surface of the screen. When the unit is in a collapsed mode, the screen is folded down over the base and the mirror is folded down on top of the screen with its reflective surface facing the screen and with its rear surface forming a protective cover for the screen. The linkage mechanism which couples the screen and mirror to the base includes relatively wide links which also serve to shield the rear surface of the screen from ambient light when the screen is in its upright viewing position. An appropriate optical system is mounted on the base, which includes a liquid crystal light valve, an appropriate light source, a fixed mirror, and a wide angle lens for projecting images from the light valve to the fixed mirror to be reflected through the first-named mirror to the rear surface of the screen.

US Patent:

46975772, Oct 6, 1987

Filed:

May 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/866452

Inventors:

John F. Forkner - Laguna Beach CA

Assignee:

Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. - Deerfield IL

International Classification:

A61B 106

US Classification:

128 6

Abstract:

Adjustment of the field-of-view angle in a surgical microtelescope from the outside of the patient's body is made possible by including in the objective optical system an assembly of mutually movable prisms. The prisms can be moved by a wire running alongside the optical fibers which convey illumination through the tube. In one embodiment, a movable prism pivots with respect to a fixed prism about an axis coincident with the axis of the image as it is transmitted between the prisms; in another embodiment, a partially silvered prism is slidable between two fixed prisms so as to pick up the image from one of them in one position, and the image from the other in the other position. Apparatus in the eyepiece is also disclosed to compensate for the rotation of the image when the pivoting embodiment is used.

US Patent:

52895572, Feb 22, 1994

Filed:

Feb 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/021354

Inventors:

Andrew I. Sheinis - Costa Mesa CA
Colette Cozean - El Toro CA
John F. Forkner - South Laguna CA
M. John Colles - Edinburgh, GB6

Assignee:

Premier Laser Systems, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G02B 642

US Classification:

385118

Abstract:

A visible helium neon beam is used as an aiming beam to establish a spot at which a carbon dioxide beam also focuses. The carbon dioxide beam is then employed to vaporize biotic material. A distal end of an articulated arm may couple with the micromanipulator to direct the carbon dioxide beam from the laser through a waveguide and into the micromanipulator. Another aspect of the invention includes introducing the aiming beam into the waveguide through a dichroic mirror positioned in a knuckle joint of the articulated arm. In one embodiment, a laser diode generates the visible light of the aiming beam, and is disposed proximate to the distal end of the articulated arm.

US Patent:

47504765, Jun 14, 1988

Filed:

Sep 19, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/909765

Inventors:

John F. Forkner - South Laguna CA
Robert J. Freiberg - Mission Viejo CA

Assignee:

Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. - Deerfield IL

International Classification:

A61B 106

US Classification:

128 6

Abstract:

An endoscope comprising a body, including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and optics for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at a viewing location. The image-transmitting optics include an elongated image-transmitting rod for transmitting the image to at least a region of the distal section. The image-transmitting rod is subject to breakage by bending forces and is divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.