Patent US3702930A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3702930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Remote illuminating apparatus
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1971-03-12
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for efficiently projecting the light from a point or line light source to a specified area in a remote object plane. Two separate families of concentrically disposed ellipses are positioned to share a common focus and to have the other focus of each ellipse family disposed on the remote object plane, so that the distance between the two focuses on the object plane defines the area on the plane to be illuminated. The light source is placed at the common focus of the two families of ellipses, and elliptical reflecting segments from the two families of ellipses are disposed about the light source to direct the light from the light source to the defined area on the object plane. Proper orientation of the elliptical reflecting segments allows for all of the light from the light source to pass to the designated area on the object plane in one or less reflections against the elliptical reflecting segments.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry G Joel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/54; G03B27/02; G03B27/14; G03B27/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for directing with one or fewer reflections light from a light source to a portion of an object plane disposed remotely from said source comprising: a plurality of elliptical reflecting segments disposed between said source and said object plane, said segments being portions of a first series of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane, and a second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments disposed on the opposite side of said light source from said object plane, said second plurality of segments being portions of a second series of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane spaced from said second focus of said first series of elliptical curves, said first and second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments being disposed so that light reflected by said second plurality of elliptical segments from said source passes between adjacent segments of said first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments to said second focus of said second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for directing with one or fewer reflections light from a light source to a portion of an object plane disposed remotely from said source comprising: a plurality of elliptical reflecting segments disposed between said source and said object plane, said segments being portions of a first series of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane, and a second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments disposed on the opposite side of said light source from said object plane, said second plurality of segments being portions of a second series of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane spaced from said second focus of said first series of elliptical curves, said first and second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments being disposed so that light reflected by said second plurality of elliptical segments from said source passes between adjacent segments of said first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments to said second focus of said second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second focus of said first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments lies on the opposite side of a plane containing said light source anD intersecting said object plane orthogonally from said first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments and wherein said second focus of said second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments lies on the same side of said plane containing said light source and intersecting said object plant orthogonally as said second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including third and fourth pluralities of elliptical reflecting segments, said third and fourth pluralities of elliptical reflecting segments being portions of third and fourth series of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and second foci spaced from one another on said object plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first, second, third and fourth pluralities of elliptical reflecting segments are arranged in first, second, third and fourth successive quadrants about said light source respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 4 characterized in that said second foci of said first and third series of elliptical curves are coincident and said second foci of said second and fourth series of elliptical curves are coincident.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the elliptical reflecting segments of the two pluralities of elliptical reflecting segments closer to said object plane are disposed so that light rays reflected by them from said source cross each other before striking said object plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 said first and second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments each include: an end block; a plurality of grooves in each of said end blocks defining the shape of said elliptical segments; and flexible sheets of reflective material mounted in said grooves and formed by said grooves into elliptical segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said end blocks are formed of a single piece of material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including transparent support means connecting the segments of said first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for reflecting, with one or fewer reflections, light from a source to an area of an object plane disposed remotely from said source comprising: a first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments, said segments being portions of a plurality of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane; and a second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments, said second plurality of segments being portions of a second set of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane, the focus on said object plane of said first series of elliptical curves being spaced from the focus on said object plane of said second series of elliptical curves; and the elliptical segments of said first and second pluralities being disposed in alternate quadrant arcs about said light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for reflecting, with one or fewer reflections, light from a source to an area of an object plane disposed remotely from said source comprising: a first plurality of elliptical reflecting segments, said segments being portions of a plurality of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane; and a second plurality of elliptical reflecting segments, said second plurality of segments being portions of a second set of concentric elliptical curves having one focus at said light source and a second focus on said object plane, the focus on said object plane of said first series of elliptical curves being spaced from the focus on said object plane of said second series of elliptical curves; and the elliptical segments of said first and second pluralities being disposed in alternate quadrant arcs about said light source.
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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) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |