US5224770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light box
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1991-12-05
•
Granted: 1993-07-06
•
Expires: 2011-12-05
Abstract
Abstract The light box is provided with a case having arranged therein a reflector directed to the front wall to be illuminated from the rear. The reflector surf ace has a concave curvature. An elongated light source is arranged in the center of the case. The reflector, in the central area thereof, is covered by an optical film having a structured surface directed to the light source. This structure consists of immediately adjacent V-shaped grooves, being parallel to each other and running transverse to the extension of the light source. By total reflection on the structured surface of the transparent optical film as well as by reflection on the reflector surface of the reflector, the light of the light source incident on the reflector is reflected in the direction of the back-lit front side of the light box. This arrangement provides for improved and more-uniform light distribution.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrian Simmons
- 👤 Alberto de la Cruz Garcia
- 👤 Roberto Casalone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:24
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V7/00; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133602; G02F1/133605; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0409; G09F13/14; G02F1/133604; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0422; G09F2013/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Light box comprising a case having a front side to be backlit, an elongated light source for backlighting the front side and a reflector with a curved reflector surface and having a central portion, said reflector having provided thereon an optical film of a light-transmissive material, said optical film having a surface directed towards the light source, said surface of said optical film being provided with substantially V-shaped grooves arranged side by side and in parallel to each other, characterized in that the elongated light source is arranged in the central portion of the reflector and that the V-shaped grooves extend transverse to the extension of the light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Light box comprising a case having a front side to be backlit, an elongated light source for backlighting the front side and a reflector with a curved reflector surface and having a central portion, said reflector having provided thereon an optical film of a light-transmissive material, said optical film having a surface directed towards the light source, said surface of said optical film being provided with substantially V-shaped grooves arranged side by side and in parallel to each other, characterized in that the elongated light source is arranged in the central portion of the reflector and that the V-shaped grooves extend transverse to the extension of the light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Light box according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved reflector surface generates diffuse reflection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
Light box according to claim 2, characterized in that the optical film is arranged centrally in an area of the curved reflector surface near the light elongated source and that the two exposed peripheral portions of the curved reflector surface, being parallel to a longitudinal extension of the elongated light source, are provided for diffuse reflection of the light of the elongated light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Light box according to claim 3, characterized in that the curved reflector surface is a mat white surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Light box according to claim 4, characterized in that the curvature of the curved reflector surface in said central area near the elongated light source is stronger than in the remaining area of the curved reflector surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Light box according to claim 5, characterized in that the elongated light source is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the optical film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Light box according to claim 6, characterized in that the elongated light source is a fluorescent tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Light box according to claim 7, characterized in that the optical film consists of a material selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Light box according to claim 7, characterized in that the optical film of the reflector is in abutment to the curved reflector surface and has a central area, said central area of said optical film being fastened to the fluorescent tube by at least one resilient holding element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Light box according to claim 1, characterized in that the front side is provided with a diffusion plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Light box according to claim 1, characterized in that a mounting means is provided, having at least one resilient holding element to be plugged onto the elongated light source and having the optical film of the reflector fastened thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
Light box according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one resilient holding element is provided with a resilient clamping member surrounding the elongated light source over an angle of more than 180 degrees of the circumference thereof and having formed thereon a spacing bar, a supporting bar being attached to a free end of said spacing bar and having the optical film fastened thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Light box according to claim 11, characterized in that the optical film is bonded to said at least one resilient holding element by a transparent adhesive.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |