Patent US6966685B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6966685B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distributed light illumination system
Assignee: World Hint Ltd
•
Filing: 2004-02-26
•
Granted: 2005-11-22
•
Expires: 2024-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An illumination system employs a light distribution cylinder with an exterior surface in the form of a plurality of progressively smaller-diameter cylindrical steps. The outside surface of each cylindrical step is interrupted by V-shaped grooves perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. Each surface of these V-shaped grooves acts to internally reflect divergent light from a light source positioned at the end of the tube. The light distribution cylinders may be solid or hollow and configured with bilateral symmetry to receive light from either end. The illumination system rearranges divergent directional light from a light source into non-directional light emitted in a cylindrical pattern useful for area illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Ying Hung Li
- 👤 Ashley Min Hang Pun
- 👤 Chi Choy Wong
- 👤 Sin Wing Chan
- 👤 Derek Chi Hang Louie
- 👤 Li Man Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An illumination system comprising: an encapsulated light source which produces divergent light rays when energized; and an optically transmissive light distribution cylinder having a first end at a first diameter and an exterior surface in the form of a sequence of progressively smaller diameter cylindrical steps axially extending from said first end, each said step having an outside surface including a plurality of axially spaced generally V-shaped grooves, each said groove including at least one generally frusto-conical reflecting surface extending radially inwardly from said outside surface at an angle α, wherein said light source is arranged to deliver said divergent light rays into the first end of said light distribution cylinder for axial transmission therein, at least a portion of said divergent light rays being incident upon said reflecting surface said angle α being calculated to cause internal reflection of said divergent light rays, whereby the internally reflected light rays emerge from said exterior surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An illumination system comprising: an encapsulated light source which produces divergent light rays when energized; and an optically transmissive light distribution cylinder having a first end at a first diameter and an exterior surface in the form of a sequence of progressively smaller diameter cylindrical steps axially extending from said first end, each said step having an outside surface including a plurality of axially spaced generally V-shaped grooves, each said groove including at least one generally frusto-conical reflecting surface extending radially inwardly from said outside surface at an angle α, wherein said light source is arranged to deliver said divergent light rays into the first end of said light distribution cylinder for axial transmission therein, at least a portion of said divergent light rays being incident upon said reflecting surface said angle α being calculated to cause internal reflection of said divergent light rays, whereby the internally reflected light rays emerge from said exterior surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said cylinder is molded from optically transmissive plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said cylinder comprises a wall defining an axial cylindrical space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The illumination system of claim 3 , wherein said light source has an optical axis radially offset from said cylindrical space and aligned with said wall at said cylinder first end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said cylinder is solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The illumination system of claim 5 , wherein said light source has an optical axis aligned with an axis of said cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said light source is an LED.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said light source is a plurality of LEDs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein adjacent steps are connected by frusto-conical transition surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said cylinder has a second end at said first diameter and said exterior surface includes a second sequence of progressively smaller diameter cylindrical steps axially extending from said second end to meet the sequence of progressively smaller diameter steps axially extending from said first end, the steps of said second sequence being substantially identical to the steps of said first sequence.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The illumination system of claim 10 , comprising a second light source arranged to deliver divergent light rays into the second end of said light distribution cylinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The illumination system of claim 1 , wherein said light distribution cylinder is surrounded by air, said light distribution cylinder has an index of refraction greater than air and said angle α includes a range of angles, said range dependent upon a differential between the index of refraction of said cylinder and the index of refraction of air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3535018A
Cited
US4195907A
Cited
US4344110A
Cited
US4422719A
Cited
US4466697A
Cited
US4662728A
Cited
US4750798A
Cited
US4906070A
Cited
US4834495A
Cited
US4936668A
Cited
US5083549A
Cited
US5276693A
Cited
US5542017A
Cited
US5418384A
Cited
US5434754A
Cited
US5664862A
Cited
US6031958A
Cited
US6160948A
Cited
US6337946B1
Cited
JPH1184135A
Cited
US6595673B1
Cited
US6829412B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-11-21 | 2009-05-23 | 2009-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-21 | 2013-05-23 | 2013-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-21 | 2017-05-23 | 2017-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |