Light guiding member and linear light source apparatus using same

A light guide member made of a light transmitting material, the light guide member comprising:

• a light emitting surface extending in a first direction and including a convex surface for converging light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
• and
• a light incident surface positioned at an end in the first direction;
• wherein the light emitting surface includes a transitional region adjacent to the light incident surface, the transitional region including said convex surface and a non-convex surface;
• wherein the convex surface becomes less dominant in the transitional region as proceeding in the first direction toward the light incident surface;
• wherein the light guide member includes another end in the first direction, said another end comprising a plurality of surfaces including a pair of inclined surfaces;
• wherein the paired inclined surfaces are mirror symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry extending in the first direction;
• and
• wherein a grained surface is provided between the paired inclined surfaces, the grained surface being perpendicular to the plane of symmetry.