US4431266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical refractor for diffusing light
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1981-11-05
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Granted: 1984-02-14
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Expires: 2001-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical refractor comprises a plate made of transparent material and having a first surface and a second surface. Segment lens elements of the same size are arranged on the first and second surface of the plate and formed integrally with the plate. The segment lens elements on the first surface are positioned in face-to-face relation with the segment lens elements arranged on the second surface, thus forming pairs of segment lens element. The segment lens elements have a common optical axis and convex surfaces, respectively. The focal lengths defined by these convex surfaces are equal. The focal point of one of the segment lens elements lies on the convex surface of the other segment lens element, and that of the other segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the first segment lens element.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo Mori
- 👤 Takashi Aoba
- 👤 Mamoru Tominaga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/54; G03B21/56; G03B21/60; G03B21/62; G03B21/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An optical refractor comprising: a plate of transparent material hving a first and a second surface; a plurality of first segment lens elements of the same size and the same shape, integrally formed with the plate and arranged on the first surface of the plate; and a plurality of second segment lens elements of the same size and the same shape, integrally formed with the plate and arranged on the second surface of the plate in face-to-face relation with the first segment lens element, respectively, thereby forming a plurality of segment lenses, wherein the first and second segment lens elements of each pair have a common optical axis and a convex surface of revolution and have a substantially equal focal distance so that the focal point of the first segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the second segment lens element and that of the second segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the first segment lens element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An optical refractor comprising: a plate of transparent material hving a first and a second surface; a plurality of first segment lens elements of the same size and the same shape, integrally formed with the plate and arranged on the first surface of the plate; and a plurality of second segment lens elements of the same size and the same shape, integrally formed with the plate and arranged on the second surface of the plate in face-to-face relation with the first segment lens element, respectively, thereby forming a plurality of segment lenses, wherein the first and second segment lens elements of each pair have a common optical axis and a convex surface of revolution and have a substantially equal focal distance so that the focal point of the first segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the second segment lens element and that of the second segment lens element lies on the convex surface of the first segment lens element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical refractor according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second segment lens elements is formed with a rectangular shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical refractor according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second segment lens elements is formed with a hexagonal shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical refractor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the first and second segment lens elements has a spherical surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical refractor according to claim 4, wherein the other of the first and second segment lens elements has a convex surface defined by an ellipse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical refractor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the first and second segment lens elements has a convex surface defined by an ellipse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical refractor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein both segment lens elements have a spherical surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical refractor according to claim 7, wherein both segment lens elements has convex surfaces of different curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical refractor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of said second segment lens elements has a light-transmitting section and a light-blocking section covered with a light-shielding film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical refractor according to claim 9, wherein said light-transmitting section of each second segment lens element is covered with a filter for transmitting light rays of a specific wavelength.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical refractor according to claim 9, wherein said light-transmitting section of each second segment lens element is covered with a plurality of filter layers for transmitting light rays of specific wavelengths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical refractor according to claim 9, wherein said light-transmitting section of each second segment lens element diffuses light rays passing through it.
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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) | 1987-02-13 | 1987-08-15 | 1988-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-13 | 1991-08-15 | 1992-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-13 | 1995-08-15 | 1996-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |