US 5,495,400 A · Optical fiber illumination device

Abstract

An optical fiber illumination device including at least one optical fiber cable, one or more light sources for introducing light into the optical fiber cable, a lens through which light from each light source passes prior to entering the optical fiber cable for producing a colored light, electrical circuitry for energizing the light source, and a housing for containing the circuitry and the light source. A first light source is energized by a first power source. Light emitted from the first light source passes through a first lens which possesses a desired filtering characteristic. Upon application of the second power source, a first control device disables the first light source. Moreover, the second power source may energize a second light source which passes through a second lens having a filtering characteristic distinct from that of the first lens. Upon application of a third power source, a second control device disables the first control device. The device can be used to illuminate auto body parts, such as the sides of pickup and flat-bed trucks, or the rear of semi-tractor trailers. The device operates in cooperation with the brake lights, the parking lights, and the turn signals of a motor vehicle to increase the visibility of the vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An optical fiber illumination device comprising:

at least one illumination assembly, said illumination assembly including:
at least one side-light optical fiber cable, said side-light optical fiber cable having a first input located at a first end thereof and a second input located at a second end thereof;
a first light source arranged adjacent to said first input, said first light source energized by a first electric circuit;
a second light source arranged adjacent to said second input, said second light source energized by a second electric circuit;
a first light source box surrounding said first input of said at least one side-light optical fiber cable and said first light source;
a second light source box surrounding said second input of said at least one side-light optical fiber cable and said second light source;
and
optically transmissive means for mounting said at least one side-light optical fiber cable to a motor vehicle, said means for mounting including a base portion and a longitudinal arcuate race dimensioned and configured to frictionally interengage said at least one side-light optical fiber cable.

5 more elements

An optical fiber illumination device comprising:

at least one illumination assembly, said assembly including:
at least one side-light optical fiber cable, said side-light optical fiber cable having a first input located at a first end thereof and a second input located at a second end thereof;
a first light source arranged adjacent to said first input, said first light source energized by a first electric circuit;
a second light source arranged adjacent to said second input, said second light source energized by a second electric circuit;
a first light source box surrounding said first input of said at least one side-light optical fiber cable and said first light source;
a second light source box surrounding said second input of said at least one side-light optical fiber cable and said second light source;
and
means for mounting said at least one side-light optical fiber cable to a motor vehicle, said means for mounting including a hollow elongated member, said hollow elongated member selected from the group consisting of optically transmissive hollow elongated members, optically transmissive hollow elongated members including at least one axial slot passing therethrough, and non-optically transmissive hollow elongated members including at least one axial slot passing therethrough, said at least one optical fiber cable disposed within said hollow elongated member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical fiber illumination device

Life of this patent

Optical fiber illumination device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20