Collimating lenses for LED lighting systems, LED lighting systems including collimating lenses, and/or methods of making the same

A method of making a lighting fixture, the method comprising:

• inserting a plurality of lenses into respective cavities in a glass substrate, wherein an LED is disposed at or proximate to each said cavity, wherein each said lens comprises:
• a body portion having a curved upper surface;
• and
• first and second flares on opposing sides of the body portion, the first and second flares being symmetrical about an axis of the body portion, wherein each said flare comprises first, second, and third profiles, in which:
• the first profile curving away from the body portion and substantially matching a shape of the cavity in which the lens is inserted,
• the second profile extending generally upwardly and inwardly from an uppermost part of the first profile, and
• the third profile extending between an uppermost part of the second profile and an end of the curved upper surface of the body portion.

A lighting apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate having a plurality of openings defined therein, each said opening being at least partially mirror coated and having a generally parabolic shape in cross section;
• and
• a plurality of lenses respectively disposed in the plurality of openings, each said lens comprising:
• a body portion having a curved upper surface;
• and
• first and second flares on opposing sides of the body portion, the first and second flares being substantially symmetrical about an axis of the body portion, wherein each said flare comprises first, second, and third profiles, in which:
• the first profile curving away from the body portion and substantially matching a parabolic shape of the opening in which the lens is disposed,
• the second profile extending generally upwardly and inwardly from an uppermost part of the first profile, and
• the third profile extending between an uppermost part of the second profile and an end of the curved upper surface of the body portion;
• and
• the lighting apparatus including a plurality of LEDs, wherein the LEDs are provided between a board and the lenses, and wherein light emitted from the LEDs proceeds through respective lenses of the plurality of lenses.