Abstract: Connector assemblies for tightly compacting end portions of a bundle of optical fibers together include a plastic tube surrounding the optical fiber end portions and a metal ferrule surrounding the plastic tube. The metal ferrule is crimped to maintain a compression force on the optical fiber end portions while the plastic tube acts as a buffer to prevent damage to the optical fiber end portions by the metal ferrule and is stiff enough to prevent the compression force from causing the optical end portions to sink into the plastic tube blocking light entering the optical fiber end portions.

Abstract: Light delivery systems/lighting devices include a light distributor and a flexible light emitter. A malleable member adjacent said light emitter is bendable to hold the shape of the light emitter once arranged in a desired position. A protective cover protects the light emitter and/or light distributor from direct contact with contaminants or components which may interfere with proper operation thereof. A handle connected to the light distributor contains a light pipe or rod that provides an interface between the light distributor and a light source conduit which may be inserted into a socket in the handle or connected to a male adaptor mounted in the socket.

Abstract: An illuminated surgical retractor includes a handle having an elongated first blade portion connected at one end to one end of the handle and an elongated second blade portion extending along the length of the first blade portion. One end of the second blade portion defines an illumination input end to which a connector is coupled. The connector is shaped to optically couple the illumination input end to a source of illumination so that at least a portion of one of the first and second blade portions is illuminated.

Abstract: An optical splitter for distributing a beam of light along a plurality of output paths. The amount of light output from each output path is user adjustable according to one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment the amount of light output from each output path is determined by the arrangement of the optical splitter. The present invention allows a single high-power high-intensity light generation source to simultaneously provide light to a plurality of lighting devices, instruments or tools.

Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a lighting device from direct contact with contaminants or components which may interfere with proper operation thereof. The contaminant (e.g., blood, body tissue, dirt, oil, grease, paint, etc.) or other component (e.g., adhesive pad) can interfere with the desired internal reflection of the light propogating through a light transmitting member, by changing the angle of reflection of the propagating light. The result is that optical energy is absorbed by the contaminant or component and converted to heat, thus causing the contaminant or component to quickly rise to an undesirable temperature. The present invention protects a lighting device from such interference, while maintaining its versatility.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Abstract: A light distribution system includes an area light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to an input edge of the light emitting portion for conduction within the light emitting portion and emission therefrom, and a power source for the light source. A holder may be provided for the light emitting portion. The holder may be made of a flexible material to permit the holder to conform to a contoured surface such as the arm or other body part of a person. Also, a flexible band or belt may be provided for personal wear. The light distribution system may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the area light emitting portion. An information display system controlled by an interactive switch may also be provided for displaying selected information.

Abstract: Integrated display panel assemblies include a light conducting panel having opposite sides and an end portion for receiving light from one or more light sources for conduction through the panel. On one of the sides of the panel is a first light emitting area for causing a portion of the conducted light to be emitted from the panel for backlighting an LCD or other display supported by the panel in overlying relation to the first light emitting area. The remainder of the conducted light passes beneath the first light emitting area to other light emitting areas on the panel for illuminating other displays associated with the other light emitting areas.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Abstract: Light distribution systems include a light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to the light emitting portion and a power source for the light source. A sealed holder or pocket may be provided for the light emitting portion. The light emitting portion may be located on an upper portion of a shoe and include a raised or relieved area from which light is emitted. The light distribution systems may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the light emitting portion. An information display system may also be provided, including a liquid crystal display located on an upper portion of a shoe, and a motion sensor for controlling operation of the display.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include light emitting panel members and one or more light sources positioned/embedded in a light transition area, which increases the efficiency of light entering the panel members along the light input area to be emitted from one or more light emitting surfaces along the length of the panel members. Light may be reflected or refracted by a surface which changes the path of a portion of light such that it enters the input area of the panel member at a more acceptable angle. A uniform light output distribution may be produced by utilizing a pattern of light extracting deformities.

Abstract: Fiber optic light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting layers which are sealed along the side edges and/or an end edge to hold the fill threads in position and keep the light emitting portions from fraying at the edges. A thin film, sheet or coating may be applied to one or both sides of the light emitting portions of the panel assemblies. At one or both ends of the light emitting portions is a light cable which may be formed by randomly distributing the optical fibers which comprise the light cable into a plurality of discrete bundles each including fibers extending from different locations across substantially the entire width of the light emitting portions, bringing the discrete bundles together to form a single bundle of all of the fibers in each light cable, and applying a connector assembly to the cut ends of all of the fibers in each light cable.

Abstract: Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel member having one or more deformed output regions which cause light entering the panel along an input edge thereof to be emitted along the length of the panel. Light may be transmitted to one or more panel input edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition devices which convert easily focused light generally to the shape of the panel input surfaces.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes buffer material surrounding the optical fibers at one end of an optical fiber light cable and a ferrule crimped onto the buffer material which squeezes the buffer material and packs the optical fiber ends substantially solid. During the crimping operation, the buffer material protects the optical fibers from the ferrule while permitting the optical fibers to be deformed to a desired cross-sectional shape, for example, to that of a polygon so they are packed more solid. Different types of shielding may be used to prevent light from a light source from striking selected areas of the polished end of the connector assembly including particularly the buffer material and, if desired, a surrounding ferrule to reduce heat build-up in the connector assembly so that more light energy can be transmitted through the light cable without overheating.

Abstract: Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel member having one or more deformed output regions which cause light entering the panel along an input edge thereof to be emitted along the length of the panel. Light may be transmitted to one or more panel input edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition devices which convert easily focused light generally to the shape of the panel input surfaces.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies and method of making same include one or more layers of woven fiber optic material having disruptions or bends at discrete locations along the length of the fibers to allow light to be emitted therefrom. Only selected areas of the disruptions or bends are coated with a suitable coating material that has a refractive index that changes the attenuation of the light emitted from the selected areas. The coating material may be applied to the selected areas using one or more carrier members which become part of the panel. Alternatively, a non-permanent carrier such as a roller may be used to coat selected areas of the optical fiber disruptions or bends with the coating material after the weaving process.