Edge light panel

An edge light panel for a surface light source device having at least one primary light source, comprising:

• a transparent resin substrate having a plurality of edge surfaces about a periphery thereof, a front surface, and a rear surface;
• wherein said rear surface of said transparent resin substrate has a mesh pattern formed thereon to define an irregular reflection surface;
• wherein at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is adapted to be juxtaposed with the at least one primary light source, and comprises means for permitting light from the at least one primary light source incident on said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces, respectively, to pass through said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces and into said transparent resin substrate;
• wherein said means comprises a roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• wherein said roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is formed over only a part of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• and
• wherein said mesh pattern has mesh sizes which vary as a function of the distance from said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces.

An edge light panel for a surface light source device having at least one primary light source, comprising:

• a transparent resin substrate having a plurality of edge surfaces about a periphery thereof, a front surface, and a rear surface;
• wherein said rear surface of said transparent resin substrate has a mesh pattern formed thereon to define an irregular reflection surface;
• wherein at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is adapted to be juxtaposed with the at least one primary light source, and comprises means for permitting light from the at least one primary light source incident on said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces, respectively, to pass through said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces and into said transparent resin substrate;
• wherein said means comprises a roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• wherein said roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is formed only near opposing ends of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• and
• wherein said mesh pattern has mesh sizes which vary as a function of the distance from said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces.

An edge light panel for a surface light source device having at least one primary light source, comprising:

• a transparent resin substrate having a plurality of edge surfaces about a periphery thereof, a front surface, and a rear surface;
• wherein said rear surface of said transparent resin substrate has a mesh pattern formed thereon to define an irregular reflection surface;
• wherein at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is adapted to be juxtaposed with the at least one primary light source, and comprises means for permitting light from the at least one primary light source incident on said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces, respectively, to pass through said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces and into said transparent resin substrate;
• wherein said means comprises a roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• wherein said roughened portion of said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces is formed with a degree of coarseness which varies along said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces;
• and
• wherein said mesh pattern has mesh sizes which vary as a function of the distance from said at least one of said plurality of edge surfaces.