Abstract: An apparatus designed to direct daylight through an aperture toward a target area in a building or other structure is disclosed. A housing provides a base attachable to the building and a support structure for supporting a reflector above the aperture. According to one embodiment of the invention the reflector is in the shape of an inverted cone. A light diffusing lens structure is disposed in the optical path between the reflector and the target area. In use, light is transmitted through the support structure, reflected from the surface of the reflector, and dispersed about the target area by the light diffusing lens structure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 1996
Date of Patent:
July 15, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A back-lit display utilizes a light transmissive film having a smooth surface and a structured surface. The structured surface has a series of triangular prisms running parallel or concentric to one another. A reflector is placed adjacent to the smooth surface so that light entering the film at an angle that is close to parallel to the smooth surface will emerge from the film at a predetermined angle with respect to the incoming beam. A display, that could be a liquid crystal display, is positioned so that light reflected by the film passes through it.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 1989
Date of Patent:
October 17, 1989
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Kenneth A. Aho, Jeffrey J. Melby, Richard A. Miller