US5222794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiberoptic line-of-light illuminating device
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1991-12-20
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A fiberoptic line-of-light illuminating device includes a fiberoptic cable providing a plurality of optical fiber bundles, a housing including a block which encapsulates output ends of the optical fibers in splayed-out fashion to form a thin elongated line. The device also includes a single optical lens, which may be a cylindrical lens or a modified cylindrical lens having different lens shapes formed into the surface thereof, mounted in a transverse cylindrical cavity in the housing in parallel relation to the output ends of the optical fibers and transverse relation to the output ends of the optical fibers for receiving light emitted from the optical fibers. The lens focuses the light in a desired pattern and may be rotated to clean the lens and/or adjust the beam pattern. The housing also has an elongated slot located between the output ends and a rear side of the transverse cavity. The slot which communicates the output ends with the rear side of the transverse cavity provides a passage from the output ends to the lens to pass light emitted from the optical fibers in the pattern of the thin line through the slot to the lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene R. Windross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0008; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0011; F; F21; F21S; F21S41/00; F21S41/10; F21S41/14; F21S41/17; F21S41/173; F21S41/20; F21S41/24; F21S41/60; F21S41/63; F21S41/635; F21S43/00; F21S43/10; F21S43/13; F21S43/15; F21S43/20; F21S43/235; F21S43/247; F21S43/251
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A fiberoptic line-of-light illuminating device, comprising: means providing a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light, said optical fibers having output ends for emitting light; means defining a thin elongated line of said output ends of all of said optical fibers; and a single cylindrical optical lens aligned with said thin elongated line for receiving light emitted from said optical fibers and passed through said output ends and focusing the light in a desired pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A fiberoptic line-of-light illuminating device, comprising: means providing a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light, said optical fibers having output ends for emitting light; means defining a thin elongated line of said output ends of all of said optical fibers; and a single cylindrical optical lens aligned with said thin elongated line for receiving light emitted from said optical fibers and passed through said output ends and focusing the light in a desired pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing having therein a block encapsulating said output ends of said optical fibers arranged in a splayed-out fashion to form said thin elongated line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said thin elongated line has a configuration of a rectangular ribbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said housing also defines an elongated cavity containing said cylindrical lens and spaced forwardly from and extending in transverse relation to said output ends of said optical fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said housing further defines an elongated slot disposed between said output ends and a rear side of said elongated cavity for providing a passage between said output ends and said single cylindrical lens to pass light emitted from said optical fibers to said cylindrical lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5 further including a means to rotate said cylindrical lens about its axis within said elongated cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a blade, gasket or grommet therein which is in contact with said cylindrical lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical lens has different lens shapes formed into the surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A lighting system, comprising: a source of light; means providing a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light, said optical fibers coupled to said light source for receiving light and having output ends for emitting light; means defining a thin elongated line of said output ends of all of said optical fibers; and a single cylindrical optical lens aligned with said thin elongated line for receiving light emitted from said optical fibers and passed through said output ends and focusing the light in a desired pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A lighting system, comprising: a source of light; means providing a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light, said optical fibers coupled to said light source for receiving light and having output ends for emitting light; means defining a thin elongated line of said output ends of all of said optical fibers; and a single cylindrical optical lens aligned with said thin elongated line for receiving light emitted from said optical fibers and passed through said output ends and focusing the light in a desired pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising a housing having therein a block encapsulating said output ends of said optical fibers arranged in a splayed-out fashion to form said thin elongated line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said thin elongated line has a configuration of a rectangular ribbon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said housing also defines an elongated cavity containing said cylindrical lens and spaced forwardly from and extending in transverse relation to said output ends of said optical fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said housing further defines an elongated slot disposed between said output ends and a rear side of said elongated cavity for providing a passage between said output ends and said single cylindrical lens to pass light emitted from said optical fibers to said cylindrical lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 13 further including a means to rotate said cylindrical lens about its axis within said elongated cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said housing includes a blade, gasket or grommet therein which is in contact with said cylindrical lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said cylindrical lens has different shapes formed into the surface thereof.
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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) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |