US3641332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optics illumination system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-30
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optics illumination system provided with a light source whose output is distributed among a plurality of flexible light pipes, the light transmitted by the pipes being applied to light tips or other instruments. The source includes a tungsten-halogen lamp submerged in water to effect filtration of infrared radiation, whereby cold light is supplied to the pipes, each pipe being constituted by a core of resinous material of large diameter contained within a cladding tube and separated therefrom by an air or other film having a relatively low-refractive index compared to that of the core.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin G Reick
- 👤 Joseph R Wilder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4298; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B1/24; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/088; A61C19/00; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00663; B29D11/00701; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/26; G02B6/262; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4203; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/06; G02B6/02; G02B6/032; G02B2006/0325; G02B6/02033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core is formed by methyl methacrylate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core is formed by Butyl methacrylate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core is formed by allyl diglycol carbonate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said core consists essentially of equal parts of methyl methacrylate, allyl diglycol carbonate and less than 1 percent by weight of Azo catalyst.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is formed by polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said tube is monoaxially stretch oriented.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube is formed of polyethylene.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of forming a bendable light-transmitted pipe constituted by a monofilamentary flexible core of resinous material capable of transmitting light by internal reflection and having a relatively high refractive index, and a flexible tube of protective material surrounding said core, the cross-sectional area of said core being slightly smaller than that of the tube interior to define an annular air film therebetween, said method comprising the steps of: A. filling said tube with said core material in monomer form, and B. Curing said monomer to effect polymerization thereof and to cause the core in said tube to shrink to define said air film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein said monomer is progressively cured.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A bendable light-transmitting pipe comprising: A. a monofilamentary flexible core constituted by a resinous material capable of transmitting light by internal reflection and having a relatively high refractive index, And B. a flexible tube of protective material surrounding said core and having an interior cross section slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the core to define an annular air film between the tube and the core, the tube being of a material having a refractive index which is higher than air but lower than that of the core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pipe as set forth in claim 11, wherein said pipe has an elliptical cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pipe as set forth in claim 11, wherein said core is formed by methyl methacrylate in combination with an Arochlor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |