Abstract: A vehicle equipped is with a light-emitting apparatus at an underside of an entrance thereof, wherein the light-emitting apparatus has a light transmitting tube which emits light from its circumferential surface, and a light source which is installed at one end of the light transmitting tube. The light transmitting tube has a tubular cladding, a core situated inside the tubular cladding and formed of a material having a refractive index higher than that of the tubular cladding, and a belt-like reflective layer formed between the tubular cladding and the core. The light transmitting tube is an extrusion molded product integrally and simultaneously formed by the tubular cladding, core and reflective layer. Light passing through the core is reflected and scattered by the reflective layer and emitted from an outer surface area opposite to the reflective layer of the tubular cladding.

Abstract: A linear illuminant system includes a light emerging device composed of a light transmission cylinder and light source coupled to one or both longitudinal ends of the light emerging device, in such a manner that light entered from the light source is emitted from the longitudinal side surface of the light emerging device. At least one strip-shaped reflecting layer is formed by printing along the length of the side surface of the light transmission cylinder. In manufacturing a linear illuminant system, the reflecting layer is formed on the side surface of extruded light transmission cylinder by printing in line with the extrusion molding process of the light transmission cylinder.

Abstract: An optical transmission tube for illumination is uniquely incorporated into any one of a variety of automotive, commercial, retail, structural, architectural, safety, or other products including running boards, vehicle interior compartments such as a glove box, approximate the license plate attachment area on a vehicle, a trunk, a vehicle hood, on a vehicle door, a vehicle bumper, a vehicle luggage rack, a picture frame, a flashlight, a building, a guard rail, a construction barrier, a bicycle, a sign, an appliance interior compartment such as a refrigerator, a part bin, a retail display shelf, a clipboard, a step, a tractor trailer, a desk, a walkway, a room or storage chamber, a runway, an instrument panel, a railroad crossing gate, an emergency sign, an elevator doorway, a swimming pool, a dog collar, a fish tank, a baby crib a hand rail, an inline skate an island in a parking lot or on a street, affixed to a curb, or on safety clothing.

Abstract: A vehicle 10, comprising running boards 11 located on the underside of doors 12 and 13, respectively, a light apparatus, and a meter case having a light transmitting tube which is low in weight, excellent in durability, and also capable of easily repairing a light source, wherein the light transmitting tube 1 is installed along the side edge of the running boards 11, one end of the light transmitting tube 1 is connected to a light source unit 16 located in a cabin of the vehicle 10 at the rearmost thereof and, when a light emitting element emits light, light is radiated from the side peripheral surface of the light transmitting tube 1 at the side edges of the running board 11 and the side edges of the running boards 11 looks luminous if they flash; a stop lamp part 120 and a meter case main body 210 also utilizing the light emission of the light transmitting tube.

Abstract: A reusable fitment for connection to an optical fiber comprises a cylindrical main body, a translucent window member fixed to an inside of at least a top portion of the main body, and a connector detachably connected to a rear end portion of the main body.

Abstract: A light transmission tube includes a tubular clad and a core section having a higher refractive index than that of the tubular clad, said light transmission tube is characterized in that a belt-like reflecting layer is formed between the tubular clad and the core section, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular clad, in a manner such that a light passing through the core section is reflected and scatterred by the reflecting layer and then emitted from an outer surface area of the tubular clad, which outer surface area is located opposite to one side of the tubular clad where the reflecting layer has been formed. Further, the reflecting layer may be so formed that a light is allowed to be emitted in a plurality of directions. Moreover, the belt-like reflecting layer may be formed into a spiral configuration. The width of the belt-like reflecting layer may be changed in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission tube. The tubular clad is allowed to have a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A light transmission tube includes a tubular clad and a core section having a higher refractive index than that of the tubular clad. A belt-like reflecting layer is formed between the tubular clad and the core section, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular clad, in a manner such that a light passing through the core section is reflected and scatterred by the reflecting layer and then emitted from an outer surface area of the tubular clad, which outer surface area is located opposite to one side of the tubular clad where the reflecting layer has been formed. Further, the reflecting layer may be so formed that a light is allowed to be emitted in a plurality of directions. Moreover, the belt-like reflecting layer may be formed into a spiral configuration. The width of the belt-like reflecting layer may be changed in the longitudinal direction of the light transmission tube. The tubular clad is allowed to have a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A method of making an optical transmission tube comprises having a tubular clad and a core covered with the tube and having a refractive index higher than the clad. The core has light-scattering particles uniformly dispersed in or throughout the core, so that light passing through the core is reflected and scattered at individual scattering particles to permit the light to be emitted from outer surfaces of the clad.

Abstract: A line glower usable in water, rain, snow or in a place where an explosion may possibly take place, and adapted to work with a small power to emit light from the lateral side thereof. It comprises a light transmission tube including a transparent core and a clad having a smaller refractive index than the core; a water-proof light source disposed at at least one axial end of the light transmission tube; and a drive unit to turn on and off the light source; the light emitted from the light source and incident upon an end of the light transmission tube being let to go out from a lateral side of the tube.

Abstract: The light transmission hose included in the waterproof lighting apparatus according to the present invention is of a watertight structure, so it can easily be used as laid in or on water without any special protective means. Since the light source is installed in a location apart from water, it can be easily maintained and lamp replacement is also easy. By selecting a desired one of the kinds of light source, the illumination can be changed, resulting in a great effect of illumination. If provided with a powerful light source, the waterproof lighting apparatus according to the present invention can be used for warning any hazardous area to walkers, bicycle riders, car drivers, ships, aircraft and the like vehicles. Even if the lighting apparatus is located far away, the light from the light-emitting portion permits the walker or vehicle driver to readily be aware of a hazardous area.

Abstract: In an optical transmission tube comprising a tubular cladding and a core within the cladding having a higher index of refraction than the cladding, a strip-shaped reflecting layer is longitudinally extended between the cladding and the core. Light passing through the core is reflected and scattered by the reflecting layer to emerge from the tube through an area of the outer surface of the cladding opposed to the reflecting layer. The optical transmission tube is prepared by dispersing scattering particles in a monomer solution; filling a tubular cladding with the monomer solution; resting the cladding horizontally for allowing the scattering particles to settle on a lower inner surface of the cladding; and thereafter, causing the monomer solution to polymerize and solidify within the cladding.

Abstract: A branched type light transmission system including a plurality of light transmission tubes each comprising a flexible cylindrical cladding and a transparent core filled in the cladding and which has a higher index of refraction than the cladding. The core is made of an elastically deformable solid substance, and the plurality of light transmission tubes are bundled together at the light-incident ends thereof with a binding member and thus applied with an external pressure to deform each light transmission tube in order to minimize the clearance between the light transmission tubes.

Abstract: A light scattering material is prepared by mixing with and dispersing in a transparent elastomer matrix particles of a transparent material. The matrix has a Tg of lower than room temperature and the transparent material has a different index of refraction form the matrix.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding, a light transmissive window member is disposed in close contact with at least the end face of the core on a light incident side for protecting the core end face from thermal influence and contamination. Means disposed around the cladding and the window member for securing the window member to the cladding may be a tape wrapped around them or a heat shrinkable sleeve or a ferrule. Alternatively, a ferrule surrounding the outer periphery of the cladding at each end is fastened for securing the cladding to the core at each end for preventing the core from projecting out of the cladding. The ferrule may have a collar disposed in abutment with the core end face.

Abstract: An optical waveguide tube has a transparent core received in a cladding having a lower refractive index than the core. The entire cladding or an inner layer of the cladding fitting on the core is formed of a fluororubber which has been vulcanized by radical crosslinking. The vulcanized fluororubber has a residual halogen atom content of up to 80 ppm. A trapping agent surrounds the cladding for trapping coloring substances. The optical tube maintains satisfactory optical transmission capability over a long time while the core is not colored.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding. In one form, a resin material having a Tg of up to 50.degree. C. and a modulus of elasticity of up to 10.sup.9 dyne/cm.sup.2 is used as the core. In another form, a copolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or a lower alcohol ester thereof with a higher alkyl (meth)acrylate is used as the core, preferably in combination with a phosphate, aromatic carboxylate, aliphatic carboxylic acid, aliphatic carboxylate or glycol. In a third form, such an optical waveguide tube is prepared by filling a hollow tubular transparent cladding having opposite open ends with a liquid monomeric charge and causing the monomeric charge to polymerize while pressurizing the exposed surfaces of the monomeric charge inwardly from the opposite open ends along an axial direction of the cladding, thereby forming a core within the cladding.

Abstract: A light guide includes a hollow tubular cladding of a fluorocarbon resin having a methacrylic or acrylic monomer graft polymerized inner surface. The cladding is integrally filled with a core of a methacrylic or acrylic resin which is polymerized to the graft polymerized surface.

Abstract: An optical waveguide hose includes a hollow tubular cladding made of a material having rubber elasticity at the service temperature of -50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and having a lower creep. The cladding is filled with a core fluid having a higher index of refraction than the cladding and closed with sealing plugs at opposed open ends. The hose is improved in flexibility and handling, prevents gas penetration into the core fluid, maintains transparency at widely varying temperature over a long time, and is lightweight and inexpensive.

Abstract: A light guide includes a hollow tubular cladding of a fluorocarbon resin having a methacrylic or acrylic monomer graft polymerized inner surface. The cladding is integrally filled with a core of a methacrylic or acrylic resin which is polymerized to the graft polymerized surface.