Transparent light emitting members and method of manufacture
AssigneeLumitex, Inc.
InventorsGeorge A. Mezei, Rick Lockwood, David J. Page, David B. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.
Claims48
An illuminator comprising a transparent rod-like light emitting member having at least one light receiving end edge for receiving light from a light source for transmission through said member by internal reflection, and a pattern of elongated shallow notches in a surface of said member for causing light to be reflected or refracted out of said member, the axes of at least some of said notches in said surface being oriented at different angles relative to the axis of said member along the length of said member to obtain a selected light output distribution from said member.
An illuminator comprising a transparent light emitting member having at least one light receiving edge for receiving light from a light source for transmission through said member by internal reflection, and a pattern of shallow notches in a surface of said member for causing light to be reflected or refracted out of said member, said light source being attached to said edge by a tubular sleeve having opposite ends attached to said light source and said edge.
An illuminator comprising a transparent light emitting member having at least one light receiving edge for receiving light from a light source for transmission through said member by internal reflection, and a pattern of shallow notches in a surface of said member for causing light to be reflected or refracted out of said member, at least some of said notches being coated with different colored coatings for decorative purposes when said member is lighted by a white light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.