US4039250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for signal transmission by means of optical conductors
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1976-03-08
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1996-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A device for the transmission of light by optical conductors which are arranged in a plurality of bundles that extend between a display surface and a source of illumination and which are gathered together into a strand of conductors at either the display surface or source of illumination characterized by a coupling device, which may be separate or integral with the strand of gathered conductors, disposed at the strand to obtain substantially equal distribution of the intensity of light leaving the conductors. The coupling device comprises a plurality of light conducting elements which are arranged in conductor bundles at the one end and in the strand of conductors at the other end and which elements at a point spaced from one end are spread into a substantially flat band or layer of elements which is subsequently spirally wound around a common axis extending parallel to optical conductors so that the conducting elements of each of the bundles are substantially uniformly distributed across the area of the opposite end of the coupling means. The conducting elements during the method of forming the coupling means may be held in their spread position by a carrier element or layer which carrier element subsequent to winding may be retained or removed as desired. If the carrier element is to be removed, an additional securing means may be added adjacent the end of the wound layer of conductor elements prior to removing the carrier element.
Inventors
- 👤 Waldemar Gaertner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:56
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0472; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/40; G02B6/403; G09F2009/3055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
In a device for the transmission of light by means of optical conductors between a first and second location and particularly useful in both an apparatus for the representation of symbols on a display surface and an optical display apparatus for railroad and street traffic control, said device including a source of illumination, a display surface, and a plurality of conductor bundles with each bundle being composed of a plurality of individual optical conductors, said conductors being positioned with a light input end being disposed adjacent the source of illumination and a light output end being disposed adjacent the display surface, said bundles being gathered together into a strand of conductors at one of said input and said output ends, the improvement comprising light mixing means for obtaining substantially uniform distribution of the intensity of light leaving the strand of conductors, said light mixing means having a first and second end and being disposed with the first end at the bundles and with the second end at one end of the strand, said light mixing means comprising a plurality of individual light conducting elements, said conducting elements at a point spaced from said first end being spread into a substantial layer of elements of a thickness of one element, said layer being spirally wound around a common main axis extending parallel to the optical conductors so that the conducting elements of the light mixing means are uniformly distributed across an area of the second end of said means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
In a device for the transmission of light by means of optical conductors between a first and second location and particularly useful in both an apparatus for the representation of symbols on a display surface and an optical display apparatus for railroad and street traffic control, said device including a source of illumination, a display surface, and a plurality of conductor bundles with each bundle being composed of a plurality of individual optical conductors, said conductors being positioned with a light input end being disposed adjacent the source of illumination and a light output end being disposed adjacent the display surface, said bundles being gathered together into a strand of conductors at one of said input and said output ends, the improvement comprising light mixing means for obtaining substantially uniform distribution of the intensity of light leaving the strand of conductors, said light mixing means having a first and second end and being disposed with the first end at the bundles and with the second end at one end of the strand, said light mixing means comprising a plurality of individual light conducting elements, said conducting elements at a point spaced from said first end being spread into a substantial layer of elements of a thickness of one element, said layer being spirally wound around a common main axis extending parallel to the optical conductors so that the conducting elements of the light mixing means are uniformly distributed across an area of the second end of said means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the light mixing means is a separate unit positioned at said one end, said unit having conducting elements which are separate from the elements of the bundles of the strand of conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the light mixing means is integrally formed with said one end of the bundles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a device according to claim 1, which includes means for additionally securing the conductor elements adjacent said second end of the light mixing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a device according to claim 4, wherein the means for additional securing comprises a shrink-on tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of forming a light mixing means for obtaining substantially equal distribution of the intensity of light entering and leaving a strand of gathered together conductors, said light mixing means having a first and second end, the method comprising providing a plurality of conductor elements gathered into individual conductor bundles, spreading the conductor elements at a point spaced from the first end into at least one flat layer of elements, winding the flat layer of elements spirally around an axis extending parallel to the axis of the light mixing means so that the conductor elements of each of the conductor bundles are uniformly distributed across an area of the second end of the light mixing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of forming a light mixing means for obtaining substantially equal distribution of the intensity of light entering and leaving a strand of gathered together conductors, said light mixing means having a first and second end, the method comprising providing a plurality of conductor elements gathered into individual conductor bundles, spreading the conductor elements at a point spaced from the first end into at least one flat layer of elements, winding the flat layer of elements spirally around an axis extending parallel to the axis of the light mixing means so that the conductor elements of each of the conductor bundles are uniformly distributed across an area of the second end of the light mixing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 6, which subsequent to the step of spreading the conductor elements into a layer includes applying a carrier element to the conductor elements adjacent the second end and then winding the layer of spread conductor elements and carrier element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 7, which subsequent to the step of winding the layer of conductor elements and carrier element includes applying additional securing means adjacent to the wound carrier element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said carrier element is formed of a material capable of being selectively removed, wherein the step of applying the carrier element applies the carrier element spaced inward from said second end of the light mixing means, wherein the step of applying the additional securing means applies the additional securing means between the wound carrier element and said second end and which method subsequent to the step of applying the additional securing means includes removing the carrier element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of applying the carrier element applies the carrier element at the second end of the light mixing means, wherein the step of applying the additional securing means applies the securing means inwardly of said carrier element and which method further includes severing the carrier element and the ends of the conductor element engaged thereby from the light mixing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |