Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear light form, and its method of manufacture, having a light diverting outer layer that reflects and/or refracts ambient light directed towards the light form. The linear light form includes a light transmitting core, clad with a fluoropolymer cladding and subsequently jacketed with a polymeric finish jacket. A light diverting layer either inserted between the cladding and the jacket or surrounding the jacket is included in the linear light form. The light diverting layer preferably has the property of allowing light to be transmitted from the core out of the light form in one direction and reflecting ambient light directed towards the light form.

Abstract: A large core polymeric optical fiber having improved light transmitting characteristics includes a cladding filled with a light transmitting core. The core is formed during a polymerization reaction within the cladding in which the pressure internal to the cladding is greater than the pressure external to the cladding to form a pressure differential supported by the cladding.

Abstract: An optical fiber conduit (32) comprising an optical fiber core (22) surrounded by a cladding (24) with a reflective material or holder and/or reflector (34) attached adjacent to or in contact with the cladding (24) covered optical fiber core (22) along its longitudinal length and includes a plurality of illuminators (28-30) that are formed by uniform cuts (41) in the optical fiber core (22) emit reasonably even light perpendicularly along the length of the conduit (32) outwardly. The light pattern can be made to emit various beam patterns from very narrow to very wide by altering the shape of the optical fiber core (22) and/or by the cuts (41). The cut optical fiber is embedded in a clear environmentally protective coating to protect the cuts (41) from dust and moisture and to maintain the alignment of the holder and/or reflector (34) with optical elements (106) and the optical fiber core (22).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad-core optical conduit surround by multiple layers of jackets and a method of manufacturing the same. The jackets are formed with a thickness and index of refraction that is preferred for generating an aura effect. The aura effect appears when light transmitted through the core appears to be traveling seamlessly through the entire core, cladding and jackets and may even appear to illuminate the space surrounding the outer most jacket, thus, producing an aura that makes the fiber optic conduit appear larger than it is. The preferred embodiment may include interlacing layers of materials that provide optical characteristics, such as dichroic and holographic films, that are enhanced by the aura effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic conduit having a light diverting outer layer that reflects and/or refracts ambient light directed towards the conduit. The fiber optic conduit includes a light transmitting core, cladded with a fluoropolymer cladding and subsequently jacketed with a polymeric finish jacket. A light diverting layer either inserted between the cladding and the jacket or surrounding the jacket is included in the fiber optic conduit. The light diverting layer preferably has the property of allowing light to be transmitted from the fiber optic surface out of the conduit in one direction and reflecting ambient light directed towards the conduit. When reflecting ambient light, the fiber optic conduit appears in the form of chrome trim.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.