Side lighting optical conduit

A method for precisely aligning optical elements in an optical conduit comprising the steps of:

• positioning a fiber core and holder to direct light in a predetermined direction;
• maintaining the alignment and relative position of said fiber core and said holder in a jacketing;
• and
• forming said jacket about said fiber core and holder.

A method for cutting a notch in a fiber optic surrounded by fluoropolymer using a cutter:

• positioning said fiber optic proximate to said cutter;
• aligning said cutter at a first angle relative to said fiber optic surface;
• rolling said cutter about a circumference of said fiber optic causing a first cut;
• aligning said cutter at a second angle relative to said fiber optic surface;
• rolling said cutter about the circumference of said fiber optic causing a second cut;
• removing a notch of material formed by first and second cuts.

A fiber optic comprising:

• a fiber optic core;
• said fiber optic including a plurality of consistently notches;
• at least one of a plurality of optical elements from the group including lenses, color filters, intensity filters and holographic filters;
• said fiber optic core and optical element being precisely aligned with said notches to produce a desired light effect;
• and
• a jacket surrounding said fiber optic core and optical element to maintain optical alignment.

A linear light conduit comprising:

• a monofilament, optical fiber;
• a cladding surrounding said optical fiber;
• said optical fiber including at least one cut;
• a holder positioned in contact with said cladding and adjacent to said illuminator, said holder including a light scattering portion positioned in spaced apart relation to said cladding to form an air gap between said cladding and said light scattering portion;
• and
• means for securing said holder against said cladding to main said holder adjacent to illuminator.

A linear light conduit comprising:

• a monofilament, optical fiber;
• a cladding surrounding said optical fiber;
• said optical fiber including a plurality of illuminators, each of said illuminators having a generally uniform size and shape;
• a holder and/or reflector positioned in contact with said cladding and adjacent to said illuminator, said holder including a light scattering portion positioned in spaced apart relation to said cladding to form an air gap between said cladding and said light scattering portion;
• and
• means for securing said holder against said cladding to main said holder adjacent to illuminator.

A linear light conduit attached to at least one light source, said conduit comprising:

• a monofilament, optical fiber;
• a cladding surrounding said optical fiber;
• said optical fiber including a plurality of illuminators along a first side and a light transmitting second side, each of said illuminators having a generally uniform size and shape to intersect light generated from said light source;
• each of said illuminators being positioned in spaced apart relation along said first side of said optical fiber at a predetermined angle from horizontal defining a light path from said light source to each of said illuminators and to said second side;
• and
• said second side having a predetermined optical characteristic to define the field of illumination.