US5233679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Striated light diffuser and method of forming the same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-04-09
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A light transmitting body (10), (40) has a longitudinal axis (12), (42), and a light radiating surface (14), (46) extending substantially parallel to the axis (12), (42). Where the body is an optical fiber (10), the light radiating surface is the circumferential surface (14) of the fiber (10). Where the body is a rectangular panel (40), the light radiating surface is a rectangular surface (46) of the panel (40). A plurality of striations (16), (44) are formed in the light radiating surface (14), (46) parallel to the axis (12), (42), which cause light entering the body (10), (40) along the axis (12), (42) to be radiated out of the body (10), (40) through the light radiating surface (14), (46) with substantially uniform intensity along the axis (12), (42). The striations (16), (44) may be formed by molding, cold drawing, heating the body (10), (40) under tension, cutting, or by bundling and fusing a plurality of small optical fibers (90) together.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuo Oyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/02; G02B5/0205; G02B5/021; G02B5/0215; G02B5/0273; G02B5/0278; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/0001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A light radiating structure, characterized by comprising: a solid light transmitting body having a longitudinal axis, a light receiving edge at one end of said axis, and a light radiating surface extending substantially parallel to said axis; and a plurality of elongated striations formed in said surface and extending substantially parallel to said axis such that light entering the body through said edge along said axis is radiated out of the body through said surface with substantially uniform intensity along said axis; the body having a substantially circular cross section centered on said axis and a circumferential surface which constitutes said light radiating surface, the striations comprising ridges formed on said circumferential surface; the body comprising a bundle of optical fibers which are fused together such that exposed portions of the optical fibers constitute the ridges respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A light radiating structure, characterized by comprising: a solid light transmitting body having a longitudinal axis, a light receiving edge at one end of said axis, and a light radiating surface extending substantially parallel to said axis; and a plurality of elongated striations formed in said surface and extending substantially parallel to said axis such that light entering the body through said edge along said axis is radiated out of the body through said surface with substantially uniform intensity along said axis; the body having a substantially circular cross section centered on said axis and a circumferential surface which constitutes said light radiating surface, the striations comprising ridges formed on said circumferential surface; the body comprising a bundle of optical fibers which are fused together such that exposed portions of the optical fibers constitute the ridges respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A light radiating structure, characterized by comprising: a solid light transmitting body having a longitudinal axis, a light receiving edge at one end of said axis and a peripheral surface extending substantially parallel to said axis, said peripheral surface including a light radiating surface; and a plurality of elongated striations formed in said peripheral surface and extending substantially parallel to said axis, the striations being configured such that light entering the body through said edge is internally reflected by said striations to thereby cause the angle of incidence of said light relative to said radiating surface to progressively increase beyond an angle of total internal reflection, and thereby cause said light to be radiated out of the body through said radiating surface with substantially uniform intensity along said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A light radiating structure, characterized by comprising: a solid light transmitting body having a longitudinal axis, a light receiving edge at one end of said axis and a peripheral surface extending substantially parallel to said axis, said peripheral surface including a light radiating surface; and a plurality of elongated striations formed in said peripheral surface and extending substantially parallel to said axis, the striations being configured such that light entering the body through said edge is internally reflected by said striations to thereby cause the angle of incidence of said light relative to said radiating surface to progressively increase beyond an angle of total internal reflection, and thereby cause said light to be radiated out of the body through said radiating surface with substantially uniform intensity along said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which said peripheral surface has a substantially circular cross section centered on said axis, and the striations comprise ridges formed on said peripheral surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as in claim 3, in which the body comprises an optical fiber, and the ridges have a curved cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as in claim 3, in which the body comprises an optical fiber, and the ridges have a substantially V-shaped cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as in claim 3, in which the body comprises an optical fiber, and the ridges have a substantially rectangular cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the body has a substantially rectangular cross section centered on said axis and four rectangular surfaces which constitute said peripheral surface, at least one of said rectangular surfaces constituting said radiating surface, the striations comprising grooves formed in at least one of said rectangular surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure as in claim 7, further comprising light reflecting means formed on at least one of said rectangular surfaces and/or an edge of the body opposite said light receiving edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as in claim 7, in which the body comprises a panel, and said grooves have a substantially V-shaped cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as in claim 7, in which the body comprises a panel, and said grooves have a substantially rectangular cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the striations are substantially coextensive with said axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the striations are formed in said radiating surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the striations are formed in a portion of said peripheral surface other than said radiating surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as in claim 13, further comprising light reflecting means formed on said striations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which said radiating surface is substantially coextensive with said peripheral surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the body has a substantially rectangular cross section centered on said axis and four rectangular surfaces which constitute said peripheral surface, said radiating surface comprising two of said rectangular surfaces which oppose each other, the striations being formed in said two opposing rectangular surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as in claim 16, further comprising reflector means formed on one of said two opposing rectangular surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the body has a substantially rectangular cross section centered on said axis and four rectangular surfaces which constitute said peripheral surface, said radiating surface comprising two of said rectangular surfaces which are adjacent to each other, the striations being formed in said two adjacent rectangular surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure as in claim 18, further comprising reflector means formed on at least one of said two adjacent rectangular surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure as in claim 18, further comprising reflector means formed on at least one of said rectangular surfaces other than said two adjacent rectangular surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which said peripheral surface has a polygonal cross section including apices which constitute said striations.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure as in claim 21 in which said cross section is triangular.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A structure as in claim 21, in which said cross section is substantially square.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as in claim 2, in which the striations have a generally oval shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4422719A
Cited
US4805984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |