Abstract: An edge light for projecting light into a lighting panel through an end surface of the lighting panel. The edge light includes a thin transparent optical guide member having an elongate portion and at least one end portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion has a planar surface and a shaped surface generally parallel to the planar surface and configured for reflecting light within the guide member through one of the planar surface and the shaped surface. Either the planar surface or the shaped surface is positioned adjacent the end surface of the lighting panel when the edge light is used to illuminate the panel. The edge light also includes a light source positioned at the end portion for projecting light into the elongate portion of the optical guide member.

Abstract: A flat panel display lighting system is disclosed wherein a thin, flat light guide has two spaced major surfaces with light introduced into one edge of the guide. Light is extracted from the light guide by the first facets in a plurality of parallel microgrooves disposed to intersect and transmit the light introduced into the light guide and reflected away from the major surface by reflection from second microgroove facets. A liquid crystal display is placed adjacent to the light guide to be backlit or frontlit.

Abstract: A lighting panel providing uniform illumination is described. The panel includes a transparent light guide which has a faceted grooved major surface and a parallel planar surface. The lighting panel introduces light into one end of the light guide. The facets facing the light source are inclined so that they reflect the incident light primarily along the light guide to be reflected from the opposite end. The facet facing away from the light source is inclined to reflect light out through the planar major surface.

Abstract: A flat panel display lighting system is disclosed wherein a thin, flat light guide has two spaced major surfaces with light introduced into one edge of the guide. Light is extracted from the light guide by the facets in a plurality of parallel microgrooves disposed to intersect the light introduced into the light guide. A liquid crystal display is placed adjacent to the light guide to be backlit or frontlit.

Abstract: A flat, thin, large area light source employing a flat, thin light guide having a flat major surface and a shaped parallel major surface, and means for injecting light into one end of the side light guide whereby light is emitted uniformly from one of the major surfaces.

Abstract: A lighting panel having a polished major surface and a shaped major surface opposite the first major surface. The shaped major surface has a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves shaped to define, with the first major surface and sides, a plurality of light guides extending from the light receiving end. The light guides have polished hill portions for internally reflecting light striking the polished hill portions and transmitting light along the guides and the grooves having roughened valley portions for causing a portion of the light transmitted along the guides to project outwardly from the major surfaces with the light emitted from the roughened valley portions of the grooves having a uniform distribution across the panel.

Abstract: A resiliently mounted miniature incandescent lamp assembly.