Abstract: A light directing film including a first surface and a second structured surface. The structured surface includes a repeating pattern of prism zones including at least a first zone having a plurality of prism elements with peaks disposed at a first distance from a reference plane and a second zone having a plurality of prism elements with peaks disposed less than the first distance from a reference plane. The width of the first zone preferably measures less than about 300 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pole light for directing or delivering light in a desired pattern to a surface proximate to the pole light. The present invention also provides a method for lighting a plurality of desired regions on a surface in a precise and predetermined pattern useful, for example, as a traffic management and guidance system.

Abstract: An improved greenhouse comprising a plurality of walls, a light-transmitting roof panel; and an optical system located inside the greenhouse is described. The optical system comprises a plurality of rows of elongate spaced optical panels generally adjacent and extending transversely across the light-transmitting roof panel. Each panel comprises a thin backing portion forming first and second concave, opposite sides, a first light reflecting means including light-reflecting surfaces attached to the first side of the backing and a second light reflecting means including light-reflecting surfaces attached to the second side of the backing such that the light-reflecting surfaces face generally oppositely.Also disclosed is an improved method of growing plants utilizing such a greenhouse construction.

Abstract: A lighting element has a light source positioned so as to provide a beam of light at a grazing angle to a light extractor. The extractor has a plurality linear triangular prism on the side struck by the beam of light. The prisms lie in a smooth arcuate curve.

Abstract: When two hollow tubular light conduits are interconnected at a miter joint, beamed light can be redirected from one of the conduits to the other by a thin transparent prismatic element that is mounted to extend along the plane of the miter joint. When the interconnected conduits are acting as a luminaire, the miter joint can be fully illuminated by the transported light. A luminaire of unlimited length can be obtained by mounting a plurality of lamps and parabolic reflectors along a transparent hollow tubular light conduit and redirecting light from each lamp to be transported along the axis of the conduit in both directions.

Abstract: A light fixture has a housing having an axis and a light source for detecting light into the housing along the housing axis. A first section of the housing occupies a first portion of the housing's perimeter and includes a light guide material. A second section of the housing occupies a second portion of the housing's perimeter and includes light extraction structures and a Fresnel lens for beam shaping.

Abstract: A thin, flexible film made of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface and an opposite smooth surface, wherein light striking either surface, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected. The structured surface includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prims make an angle of approximately 45.degree. with the smooth surface, and when the film is curled the smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve without materially affecting the performance of the film. Because of the film's flexibility and its ability to totally internally reflect light, it may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a collector of solar energy or as a light conduit. The performance of the film may be manipulated to permit controlled light leakage.

Abstract: A light extraction film has light extraction structures on one surface and a Fresnel lens for beam shaping on the opposite surface.

Abstract: A reflector has a plurality of Fresnel-type structures, wherein at least some of said Fresnel-type structures have a plurality of active faces, for reflecting light in a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A high aspect ratio light fixture has an optical window with a light extraction film therein. The light extraction film has a plurality of linear prisms facing the interior of the light fixture. In one embodiment of the invention the prisms are triangular in shape while in another they are four sided.

Abstract: A thin, flexible film made of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface and an opposite smooth surface, wherein light striking either surface, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected. The structured surface includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prisms make an angle of approximately 45.degree. with the smooth surface, and when the film is curled the smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve without materially affecting the performance of the film. Because of the film's flexibility and its ability to totally internally reflect light, it may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a collector of solar energy or as a light conduit. The performance of the film may be manipulated to permit controlled light leakage.

Abstract: In the present invention a wide angle safety lens has two major surfaces, each of which is a structured surface. The first major surface has a plurality of parallel linear prisms forming a Fresnel lens that acts like a cylindrical lens having a first negative focal length. The second major surface has a plurality of parallel linear prisms running perpendicular to the prisms of the first major surface and forming a Fresnel lens that acts like a cylindrical lens having a second negative focal length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroreflective material which has improved retroreflectivity at high angles of incidence. The retroreflective material comprises a transparent surface layer and an array of reflecting elements, each of the reflecting elements including a rectangular base having a length L, two tetragonal faces nearly perpendicular to each other and having a line of intersection of length Y, the length Y being less than said length L, a triangular face nearly perpendicular to the tetragonal faces; and a non-perpendicular triangular face forming an angle alpha with the plane perpendicular to the base, the angle alpha being preferably about sin.sup.-1 (0.25/n) to sin.sup.-1 (l/n), and more preferably about sin.sup.-1 (0.35/n) to sin.sup.-1 (0.

Abstract: A hollow, tubular light conduit including a wall of a transparent polymeric material, and the wall having a structured surface and an opposite, smooth, glossy surface, and at least a portion of the cross-section of the wall lying in a smooth arcuate curve, wherein light striking the inner surface, within an acceptable angular range, is contained by total internal reflection. The structured surface includes a linear array of substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prisms make an angle of approximately 45.degree. with the tangent to the smooth surface. Because of the flexibility of the light conduit and its ability to totally internally reflect light, a manipulated light conduit may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a light fixture whereby some of the light directed into the light conduit is emitted from the light conduit for illumination or for use as a secondary light source.

Abstract: A tanning blanket for reflecting a large portion of the solar radiation which is otherwise scattered in directions away from the person using the blanket, towards the flanks of the person, the blanket having a plurality of incremental reflectors in a Fresnel pattern on a flexible substrate, which reflectors reflect incident solar radiation toward the person and distribute the reflected radiation across the flanks of the person.

Abstract: A high gain, front projection screen with controlled light distribution, comprising a translucent sheet containing light diffusing particles, having a matte-finished front surface and an incremental reflector rear surface.

Abstract: A skivable billet having improved uniform heat absorptive ability in which layers of enhanced optical density comprise water soluble polyazo direct dyes such as Formanil Black G and finely divided silica.