US5060119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light pipe for decorative illumination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-29
•
Granted: 1991-10-22
•
Expires: 2010-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved optical light pipe for decorative illumination which accepts high intensity light at the ends of the light pipe, which refracts predominantly all of the propagating modes radially outwards of the light pipe and which has a central member for mechanical strength and mode scattering.
Inventors
- 👤 Mellapalayam R. Parthasarathy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0096; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A light pipe for decorative illumination comprising: at least one core layer for propagating incident light along its length; a cladding layer to selectively refract predominantly all light modes radially outward for illumination from the outer surface of said cladding; said core having cross sectional area at the light input end to accept predominately all of the incident light and said core changing, preferably reducing, in diameter at a preferred rate in the direction of light propagation to refract light out of said core at a controlled rate along the length of the light pipe thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A light pipe for decorative illumination comprising: at least one core layer for propagating incident light along its length; a cladding layer to selectively refract predominantly all light modes radially outward for illumination from the outer surface of said cladding; said core having cross sectional area at the light input end to accept predominately all of the incident light and said core changing, preferably reducing, in diameter at a preferred rate in the direction of light propagation to refract light out of said core at a controlled rate along the length of the light pipe thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light pipe of claim 1 wherein said core consists of multiple layers of varying refractive index.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A light pipe for decorative illumination of claim 1 comprising: light reflecting means within said core for mixing propagating modes of light, mechanical strength means for tensile and bending strength said light reflecting means and mechanical strength means comprising a central member of a continuous elongated substrate having cross sectional dimension and rigidity to offer mechanical strength to the light pipe and to mix propagating light modes within said core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A light pipe of claim 3 wherein said central member is formed of a single strand of solid material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A light pipe of claim 4 wherein the said solid material is glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A light pipe of claim 4 wherein said solid material is metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A light pipe of claim 4 wherein said solid material is plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light pipe of claim 3 wherein said central member is formed of multiple strands of solid materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A light pipe of claim 8 wherein said solid material is glass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A light pipe of claim 8 wherein said solid material is metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A light pipe of claim 8 wherein said solid material is plastic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light pipe for decorative illumination of claim 1 further comprising: masking device on selected sections of the light pipe to reflect laterally radiated light through the cladding back into the light pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking device is a tape wound helically with a selected pitch distance on the outer surface of said cladding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking is a plurality of tapes of preferred dimensions situated at preferred locations on the surface of said cladding layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking device is a coating at preferred locations on the outer surface of said cladding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking device is a tape wound helically with a selected pitch on the surface of said core.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking device is a plurality of tapes of preferred dimensions situated at preferred locations on the surface of said core.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light pipe of claim 12 wherein said masking device is a coating at preferred locations on the outer surface of said core.
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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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |