Multi-level lightpipe design for SMD LEDs

A multi-level lightpipe component for a surface mount LED, said component comprising:

• (a) a housing having first and second LED accommodating portions and attachment means for permitting the removable attachment of said housing to a printed circuit board having a first and a second LED thereon so as to align said first and second LED accommodating portions of said housing with the first and second LEDs on the printed circuit board, respectively, and
• (b) a multi-level lightpipe positioned in an opening in said housing, said multi-level lightpipe comprising:
• (i) a first surface portion and a second surface portion each positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of said first and second LED accommodating portions of said housing when said multi-level lightpipe is positioned in said opening in said housing, each of said first and second surface portions separately receiving light from a corresponding one of the first and second LEDs during use of said component;
• (ii) a first radiating surface portion and a second radiating surface portion;
• and
• (iii) a first passageway and a separate second passageway extending between said first surface portion and said first radiating surface portion and said second surface portion and said second radiating surface portion, respectively, each of said first and second passageways comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces for separately redirecting and transmitting the light from the first LED to said first radiating surface portion and the light from the second LED to said second radiating surface portion.