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EP0594089A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Illumination devices and optical fibres for use therein

Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1993-10-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-10-16
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Abstract

Abstract An optical fibre has a light emitting region. In the light emitting region are reflecting surfaces, at least one of which has a cross sectional area less than that of the fibre. Light striking the reflecting surfaces will be reflected out of the fibre.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roger H. C/O Minnesota Mining And Manuf. Appeldorn
  • 👤 Alan G. C/O Minnesota Mining And Manuf. Hulme-Lowe
  • 👤 Michael C. C/O Minnesota 3M Research Ltd. Lea

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 09:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001; F; F21; F21V; F21V2200/00; F21V2200/10; F21V2200/15; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 80 words
An optical fibre for propagating light in a preselected direction, said fibre having a light emitting region, said light emitting region comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces of optical quality extending into said fibre and arranged such that a portion of light propagating along said fibre and impinging upon said surfaces will be reflected out of said fibre through a side wall thereof, at least one of said reflecting surfaces having a cross-sectional area less than that of said fibre.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 25 words
An optical fibre according to Claim 1 wherein the spacing between successive reflecting surfaces decreases as distance along said fibre in said preselected direction increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
An optical fibre according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the cross-sectional areas of said reflecting surfaces increase as distance along said fibre in said preselected direction increases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
An optical fibre according to Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein each of said reflecting surfaces is substantially planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
An optical fibre according to any of Claims 1 through 4 wherein each of said reflecting surfaces comprises a wall of a notch in said fibre.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS587604A Cited
US4872739A Cited
JPS63253903A Cited
US5037172A Cited

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