US5671306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting structure for intensely illuminating narrow linear region
Assignee: TIR Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1994-12-21
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2014-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region. A light source emits light into an end of a hollow, elongate light guide. A longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extends through an external wall of the light guide. A lens is mounted in the aperture. The lens bears a plurality of prisms which extend substantially perpendicular to the slit, on an inwardly directed face of the lens. The lens may be formed of a film material. A mechanism is provided to maintain the lens flat. A diffuser mounted outwardly of the lens bears a plurality of thin striations extending transversely, relative to the longitudinal slit aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Brent York
- 👤 Grant William Roland Harlow
- 👤 George Everett Matheson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; and, (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; and, (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lighting structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said lens is a film material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens, said lens being a film material; and (e) a mechanism for maintaining said lens flat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens, said lens being a film material; and (e) a mechanism for maintaining said lens flat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lighting structure as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said prisms extend at an angle within about ±30° of true perpendicular to said slit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lighting structure as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said light guide is circular in cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lighting structure as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising a specularly reflective internal surface on said light guide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lighting structure as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said prisms extend at an angle within about ±10° of true perpendicular to said slit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens; and (e) a diffuser mounted outwardly of said lens, said diffuser bearing a plurality of thin striations extending transversely relative to said longitudinal slit aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
A lighting structure for intensely illuminating a narrow linear region, said structure comprising: (a) a hollow, elongate light guide having a longitudinal axis; (b) a light source for emitting light into an end of said light guide; (c) a longitudinal slit light-emitting aperture extending through an external wall of said light guide substantially parallel to said axis; (d) a lens mounted in said slit aperture, said lens bearing a plurality of prisms extending substantially perpendicular to said slit on an inwardly directed face of said lens; and (e) a diffuser mounted outwardly of said lens, said diffuser bearing a plurality of thin striations extending transversely relative to said longitudinal slit aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lighting structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said lens is a film material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lighting structure as defined in claim 8 further comprising a mechanism for maintaining said lens flat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4615579A
Cited
US5339382A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |