US5079675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface illuminating apparatus
Assignee: Optes Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-08
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-11-08
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a surface illuminating apparatus for illuminating an object or a space in a room or the like and an object of the invention is to provide a surface illuminating apparatus in which an illuminance can be increased and can be made uniform and a transparent plate can be made thin. The surface illuminating apparatus according to the invention comprises: at least one laminated flat plate-like transparent plate; a first reflecting unit arranged on one surface of the transparent plate; at least one light source arranged near side edge portions of the transparent plate; a second reflecting unit arranged around the light source; and a plurality of groove portions which are formed on the surface of the transparent plate on the side opposite to the first reflecting unit and each of which is constructed by two inclined surfaces, wherein inclination angles of the inclined surfaces of the groove portion on the side opposite to the light source to the transparent plate are set to values within a range such that the lights which enter from the light source into the transparent plate in parallel with the surface thereof are totally reflected by the inclined surfaces and the totally reflected lights are not totally reflected by the other surface of the transparent plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Kouichi Nakayama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0422; G09F13/14; G09F2013/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A surface illuminating apparatus comprising: at least one flat plate-like transparent plate; a first reflecting unit arranged on one surface of the transparent plate; a light source arranged near one side edge portion of the transparent plate; a second reflecting unit arranged around the light source; and a plurality of groove portions which are formed on the surface of the transparent plate on the side of the first reflecting unit and each of which is constructed by two inclined surfaces, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to a value within a range such that a light which enters from the light source into the transparent plate in parallel with the surface thereof is totally reflected by the inclined surface and the totally reflected light is not totally reflected by the other surface of the transparent plate, and an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side which does not face the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to almost 90°.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A surface illuminating apparatus comprising: at least one flat plate-like transparent plate; a first reflecting unit arranged on one surface of the transparent plate; a light source arranged near one side edge portion of the transparent plate; a second reflecting unit arranged around the light source; and a plurality of groove portions which are formed on the surface of the transparent plate on the side of the first reflecting unit and each of which is constructed by two inclined surfaces, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to a value within a range such that a light which enters from the light source into the transparent plate in parallel with the surface thereof is totally reflected by the inclined surface and the totally reflected light is not totally reflected by the other surface of the transparent plate, and an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side which does not face the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to almost 90°.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting unit is a reflecting plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting unit is a reflecting barrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
187 words
A surface illuminating apparatus comprising: at least one flat plate-like transparent plate; a first reflecting unit arranged on one surface of the transparent plate; light sources arranged near both side edge portions of the transparent plate; second reflecting units arranged around the light sources; and a plurality of groove portions which are formed on the surface of the transparent plate on the side of the first reflecting unit and each of which is constructed by two inclined surfaces, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to a value within a range such that a light which enters from the near light source into the transparent plate in parallel with the surface thereof is totally reflected and the totally reflected light is not totally reflected by the other surface of the transparent plate, and an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the remote light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to almost 90°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
187 words
A surface illuminating apparatus comprising: at least one flat plate-like transparent plate; a first reflecting unit arranged on one surface of the transparent plate; light sources arranged near both side edge portions of the transparent plate; second reflecting units arranged around the light sources; and a plurality of groove portions which are formed on the surface of the transparent plate on the side of the first reflecting unit and each of which is constructed by two inclined surfaces, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to a value within a range such that a light which enters from the near light source into the transparent plate in parallel with the surface thereof is totally reflected and the totally reflected light is not totally reflected by the other surface of the transparent plate, and an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the groove portion on the side opposite to the remote light source to the surface of the transparent plate is set to almost 90°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first reflecting unit is a reflecting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second reflecting unit is a reflecting barrel.
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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) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |