US4941723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rod shaped linear light diffusion apparatus
Assignee: Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-03-15
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Granted: 1990-07-17
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Expires: 2009-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A linear light diffusing apparatus is formed of a transparent cylindrical rod. A white layer is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical rod along the longitudinal direction thereof. A plurality of elongated saw tooth shaped grooves are formed on the opposite side of the outer periphery. Light entering from one end of the transparent cylindrical rod is irregularly reflected by the white layer. The irregularly reflected light is refracted by the saw tooth shaped grooves to be linearly condensed at a prescribed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Sasada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206; G02B5/00; G02B5/02; G02B5/0205; G02B5/021; G02B5/0215; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of converging light rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from an elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) converging said rays by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of converging light rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from an elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) converging said rays by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for converging light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for converging said rays by refracting said rays.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for converging light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for converging said rays by refracting said rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said rod is generally cylindrical, said rod including a first end for receiving said light and a second end for reflecting said light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said second surface includes a plurality of saw tooth shaped grooves for refracting said rays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 4, wherein each of said grooves satisfies the following relationship: ##EQU27## wherein: γ=the angle between (1) a normal to a refracting surface of said groove and (2) the optical axis of said rays; n=the index of refraction of said second surface; θ=the angle between (1) a ray passing through said refracting surface and (2) said optical axis; and K is functionally related to the distance between the axis of said rod and the point at which said rays converge.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of collimating light rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from and elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) collimating said rays by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of collimating light rays, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from and elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) collimating said rays by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for collimating light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for collimating said rays by refracting said rays.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
53 words
A system for collimating light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for collimating said rays by refracting said rays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said rod is generally cylindrical, said rod including a first end for receiving said light and a second end for reflecting said light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said second surface includes a plurality of saw tooth shaped grooves for refracting said rays.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 7, wherein each of said grooves satisfies the following relationship: ##EQU28## wherein: γ=the angle between (1) a normal to a refracting surface of said groove and (2) the optical axis of said rays; n=the index of refraction of said second surface; and θ=the angle between (1) a ray passing through said refracting surface and (2) said optical axis.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from an elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting light in an axial direction through a transparent axial rod; (b) irregularly reflecting rays of said light from an elongated first surface of said transparent axial rod; and (c) illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance by refracting said rays at an elongated second surface of said transparent axial rod.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including a first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for illuminating a third surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance by refracting said rays.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
65 words
A system for illuminating a surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including a first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for illuminating a third surface with a uniform distribution of illuminance by refracting said rays.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said rod is generally cylindrical, said rod including a first end for receiving said light and a second end for reflecting said light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said second surface includes a plurality of saw tooth shaped grooves for refracting said rays.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 14, wherein each of said grooves satisfies the following relationship: ##EQU29## wherein: γ=the angle between (1) a normal to a refracting surface of said groove and (2) the optical axis of said rays; θ=the angle between (1) a ray passing through said refracting surface and (2) said optical axis; n=the index of refraction of said second surface; and η=the angle between (1) a ray refracted by said refracting surface and (2) said optical axis.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for condensing light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for condensing said rays by refracting said rays, said second surface having a semicircular cross-section.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for condensing light rays, said system comprising: a transparent axial rod for transmitting light in an axial direction, said transparent axial rod including an elongated first surface for irregularly reflecting rays of said light, said transparent axial rod including an elongated second surface for condensing said rays by refracting said rays, said second surface having a semicircular cross-section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said rod is generally cylindrical, said rod including a first end for receiving said light and a second end for reflecting said light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 17, wherein the distance between (1) the center of said semicircular cross-section and (2) said first surface is a function of the radius of said semicircular cross-section and the index of refraction of said second surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said second surface has an index of refraction which is greater than 2.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said system is adapted for use as a heat source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said rod is formed of germanium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said rod has a circular cross-section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said rod has a combined semicircular and triangular cross-section.
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) | 1993-07-16 | 1994-01-15 | 1994-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-16 | 1998-01-15 | 1998-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-16 | 2002-01-15 | 2002-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |