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.

Abstract: An illuminated display is presented on an ornamental article through a lens carried by the article. The article has a case in which the lens is mounted which contains a miniature incandescent lamp adjacent to the lens providing the light for illuminating the display. The case also defines a battery compartment configured to hold a miniature electric battery which provides the energy for illuminating the lamp. The case also has mounted therein an externally accessible switch for selectively energizing and de-energizing the lamp.