Patent US4749126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4749126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid outlet adapted to provide lighting effects and/or for illumination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-05-06
•
Granted: 1988-06-07
•
Expires: 2005-05-06
Abstract
Abstract Spectacular display of lighting is effected by guiding light through a stream of non-turbulent water issuing into ambient atmosphere and directed to illuminate an object and/or turbulent water. The guided light is efficiently concentrated on the object and/or the turbulent water.
Inventors
- 👤 H. P. M. Kessener
- 👤 G. J. C. L. Bruls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:17
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/04; E03C1/0404; B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/08; B05B17/085; F; F21; F21S; F21S8/00; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/004; F21V9/00; F21V9/40; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; F21W; F21W2121/00; F21W2121/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
The method of creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the steps of forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
The method of creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the steps of forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by air bubbles in the liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by particulate material present in the liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 1 in which the stream is formed by a faucet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by creating turbulence in the stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the stream is of ribbon-like form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the stream is directd downwardly to arch by gravity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the combination of means for forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, means for introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and means for creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the combination of means for forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, means for introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and means for creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for forming comprises a conduit having a discharge opening through which the liquid is discharged, the means for introducing light comprising a light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for introducing light also comprises light guide means for guiding light from the light source to the discharge opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for introducing light also comprises means for reflecting light from the light source to the discharge opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1626037A
Cited
US1839994A
Cited
US2034792A
Cited
US2623367A
Cited
US3702172A
Cited
US3866832A
Cited
GB2099125A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |