Abstract: A compact and highly efficient warning light for producing high intensity light pulses which are radiated in accordance with a desired directional pattern includes a light source and at least a first reflector disposed within a lens cover. The reflector is coaxial with the lens cover, includes plural parabolic reflective surfaces arranged in a symmetrical pattern and having a common focal point located on the axis of the lens cover, and reflects light in directions which are generally transverse to the lens cover axis. The lens cover is provided with internal optics which redirects light emitted by the source which is not reflected, such redirected light also being radiated in directions generally transverse to the lens cover axis.

Abstract: A projection type vehicular headlamp in which a projection lamp unit comprising a reflector accommodating a light source, and a projection lens unitary formed through a lens holder with the reflector is provided in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and an outer lens, which is characterized in that diffusion steps are formed in the border region between a projection light transmitting region of the outer lens which is adapted to transmit the output light of the projection lens, and the remaining.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner headlight system incorporating a light pipe is provided. The light pipe includes reflex optics to control the distribution of light across the width of the output edge of the light pipe, as well as to prevent light from escaping through the sides of the light pipe. A reflex optical reflector is also part of the system, for reflecting light from a light bulb into the light pipe without requiring a metallized mirror.

Abstract: A task light is disclosed which has a base which is releasably securable to a support surface. A light reflector cavity is shaped to provide different zones of light intensity. A longitudinal light source is positioned within the cavity and a peripheral rim member of varying surface area about the lamp base serves to diffuse the light by reflecting a portion of the light and allowing a portion of the light to pass therethrough. The light reflecting cavity has a particular profile for providing a desired light distribution and is angled relative to the base, which is also of a particular shape having varying sized sidewalls to enhance the light distribution. In a preferred embodiment, the base, the peripheral rim and the light reflecting cavity all cooperate for ease of assembly and manufacture of the components.

Abstract: A vehicular headlight, in particular an automobile headlight, including a reflector (1) having a reflecting surface, is capable of illuminating a flat target surface to be illuminated with a desired light distribution by optimal utilization of the light source of the headlight. Therefore the optically effective surface of the headlight is characterized by point asymmetry in substantially all planes cutting said reflecting surface. This can be realized by using a method for producing said optical surface comprising the steps of:mathematically representing said surface by creating a spline from bivariate tensor product of polynomials; deriving mathematical data in computer input format from said mathematical representation; and inputting said data to a computer for controlling an apparatus by which the mathematical representation of said optical surface is reproduced in physical form.

Abstract: A lamp includes one or more LED's which illuminate respective portions of a refractive lens element whose incident surface preferably includes portions of hyperboloids which translate the LEDs' emitted rays into substantially parallel beams within the lens element. The lens element's exit surface is preferably an array of facets configured to provide a desired beam spread pattern, allowing precise tailoring of the resultant output beam pattern. The plurality of facets also allows a larger area on the lamp to appear to viewers to be uniformly illuminated, thus providing full target size definition at a decreased cost and with reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A visual display device (10) is especially suited for use as a center-high-mounted stop-light (CHMSL) for an automobile rear window which slants downwardly from the horizontal by a small angle. The device (10) includes a linear light source (12) which preferably emits red light. A display panel (14) has a light receiving edge (14a) extending parallel and adjacent to the light source (12) and first and second opposing surfaces (14b, 14c). The second surface (14b) slants toward the first surface (14c) in a direction away from the edge (14a) and is formed with steps (14d) having walls (14e) which are angled toward the edge (14a) such that the peak output light propagating through the display panel (14) from the edge (14a) is refracted horizontally out of the panel (14). The walls (14e) of the steps (14d) are formed with laterally spaced depressions (14f) for lateral dispersion of light.

Abstract: The invention provides an intermediate screen for a signal light, the screen being of the type constituted by a plate for passing a flux of light, and including a set of light-deflecting grooves on at least one of its faces, the grooves being essentially concentric and each being defined by two faces of essentially rectilinear profile and of given angles of inclination relative to the normal to the plate. For at least one subset of adjacent grooves, the angles of inclination of the faces defining each groove vary from one groove to another and are such that the sum of said angles is constant.

Abstract: In an illuminating instrument, a reflector is composed of a combination of two ellipses whose respective optical axes are spaced from each other in a cross-sectional plane containing an optical axis of an illuminating optical system. A light source has its center located between the optical axes of the respective ellipses. A condenser is arranged at an opening of the reflector.

Abstract: Given is an operating light, with one or several spotlights, each with a light source, that is shielded by a counter reflector in the direction of radiation. The stream of light is focused by the counter reflector and a reflector onto an optical system closing off the housing in the direction of radiation. To guarantee a homogeneous illumination of deeper surgical wounds also, the optical system is structured as a Fresnel lens made up of annular prisms that contain a dioptric central region and a catadioptric edge (rim) region. The slope of the flanks and the height of the annular prisms are dimensioned such that the light beams emanating from the Fresnel lens cut the optical axis at a distance that is all the greater the shorter the distance with which the light beams emanate from the Fresnel lens is away from the optical axis.

Abstract: An efficient illumination system for an image projection apparatus is described, which system comprises a radiation source (20), a concave reflector (21) and a first and a second lens plate (25, 28) each being provided with a matrix of lenses (26, 29) for forming superimposed images of the radiation source on the object (1) to be illuminated, the aspect ratio of the lenses (26, 29) corresponding to that of the object (1).

Abstract: In a slant type headlamp unit for motor vehicles, the reflector has an inner reflecting surface a reflecting area taking the form of a part of a paraboloid of revolution and a light-diverging reflecting area which diverges in the horizontal plane, and a reflects in the vertical plane the rays of light incident from a lamp bulb in directions substantially parallel with the optical axis. The center of the filament of the lamp bulb is disposed nearly parallelly with the optical axis of the reflector and as spaced slightly frontwardly from the focus of the paraboloid of revolution. A front lens is disposed as slanted with respect to said optical axis, covering the front opening of said reflector and having provided on the inner surface by a plurality of prism areas which refract the rays of light emitted from said lamp bulb and reflected at said reflector, thereby forming horizontally elongated illumination patterns and slant illumination patterns frontwardly.

Abstract: A headlight has a parabolic shaped reflector (8) with an incandescent lamp whose filament (13) is defocussed, or approximately at a focus point for distribution, by the reflector. A light-transmissive shield (4) has upper and lower zones (1 and 2) with prism-like optical devices (5 and 6) thereon which are respectively positioned above and below a horizontal middle plane of the reflector. Both zones are bordered by a vertical middle plane of the headlight. The upper zone extends to an oncoming traffic side while the lower zone extends to the other side and its upper edge is approximately bordered by the horizontal middle portion of the reflector. In this connection, the prism-like optical devices are arranged so that light beams passing therethrough are diverted to a partial area (100, 200) of a light figure of the headlight which, on a driving side, is at a higher level than on the oncoming traffic side.

Abstract: A strobe flashing device having a cylindrical strobe light emitting tube and a condenser lens for gathering light beams emitted from the strobe light emitting tube. The condenser lens is provided on one side face with a first cylindrical lens which gathers light beams only in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strobe light emitting tube. A second side face of the condenser lens is provided with a second cylindrical lens which gathers light beams only in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the strobe light emitting tube. At least one of the cylindrical lenses on the side faces of the condenser lens is made planar at a center portion thereof. The cylindrical lenses can be a modified cylindrical lenses having different lens curvatures that vary in accordance with an image height from a center thereof.

Abstract: A light pipe used for backlighting liquid crystal displays has a planar front surface and a stairstepped or faceted back surface. Light is injected from the ends of the light pipe from cold or hot cathode, apertured, fluorescent lamps. The cold cathode lamps are preferably insulated to raise their operating temperature. The back surface has a series of planar portions parallel to the front surface connected by facets, which are angled so that the injected light reflects off the facets and through the front surface. A reflector having a planar, highly reflective, highly scattering surface or a sawtoothed or grooved upper surface is located adjacent to and parallel with the light pipe back surface to reflect light escaping from the back surface back through the light pipe to exit the front surface. The axis of grooves is preferably slightly skewed from the facet axis to reduce moire pattern development.

Abstract: A lensed reflector system for a luminaire produces a specular beam of reflected light to provide a degree of directivity to an otherwise non-directive reflector surface. The lensed reflector system is formed by a prismatic lens material, such as a Fresnel lens, overlaying a reflector substrate having, in one aspect of the invention, a diffuse reflecting surface. The combination of the diffuse reflector and prismatic lens, together with the positioning of the reflector system in relation to the luminaire's light source, provides a reflector system which uniquely exhibits both diffuse and specular reflection characteristics depending on the angle at which the reflector system is viewed. The lensed reflector system of the invention can suitably be used in indirect lighting systems employing compact fluorescent lamps for increasing the spread of light from the fixture onto adjacent wall surfaces.

Abstract: A lighting lens having a multiplicity of lenticules is disclosed, and in particular the use of aspherical lenticules is disclosed. The lenticules are of two or more standard types, each type being defined be a different cross sectional curvature. The different lenticle types are distributed across one side of the lens in an intermixed pattern. By selecting two standard lenticule types, and determining a weighted ratio, a lens for a desired lighting pattern may be made without having to specifically design the individual lenticules, or the particular lenticle arrangement.

Abstract: A light assembly for wide area illumination employs a lens insert having a pair of opposed surfaces. One surface of the insert is defined by a series of closely spaced parallel prismatic refractors for directing light incident thereon generally in a first direction. The light assembly also includes arrays of optical elements for spreading light passing through the refractors in a pair of mutually orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A box-type planar light-source device has incorporated therein a linear light source and is provided with a reflecting surface and a multi-prism sheet. The reflecting surface has such function that a major portion of a light reflected by the reflecting surface is obliquely incident upon the multi-prism sheet. The multi-prism sheet has its inner surface formed with a group of prisms so arranged as to extend in parallel relation to the light source and having such function that the light incident directly or obliquely in reflection outgoes in concentration toward a predetermined direction. Accordingly, so as to eliminate portion by the fact that the light outgoing at an angle separated from the normal direction converges at the dark portion. A dark-portion removing sheet for eliminating a dark portion at a location immediately above the light source is arranged on the side of the front face of the multi-prism sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is a light fixture having a reflector designed to discard preselected amounts of light from a light source. The percentage of the light discarded will vary over the surface of the reflector in order to provide a predetermined output intensity distribution.

Abstract: An arc discharge headlamp system employs a single continuously operating arc discharge source to provide both high and low beam patterns. The continuously operating arc discharge increases lamp life and eliminates the problem in arc light source headlamp systems of momentary dimming when switching to high beam operation due to mercury condensing within source. The headlamp has an arc light source mounted horizontally within a reflector. Light from an arc light source is reflected by the reflector through a lens to form a low beam pattern. A mirror within the reflector is positioned to form a virtual image of the light source and which is directed towards a second lens concentric with the first lens to form a high beam pattern when combined with the low beam pattern. Switching between the high beam and low beam patterns is accomplished in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprising a dished body having an ellipsoidal inner reflective surface. A lamp filament is disposed at an inner focal point of the surface. A diverging meniscus lens element having a smooth convex rear surface is disposed between the reflective surface and a front cover. The lens element has a smooth concave outer surface, although the latter may be a concave fresnel lens. The convex rear surface of the lens element reduces the risk of unwanted light scatter compared with the use of a concave rear surface.

Abstract: A glass-made lens of the kind having a front surface portion and a peripheral wall portion integrally formed with the front surface portion and projecting in the rear direction from the circumference of the front surface portion. The front surface portion is formed to have a curved surface portion and is formed into a twisted form.

Abstract: A light reflection sheet is provided incorporating a transparent polyester resin film having an aluminum coating or film disposed on one side and over which a transparent polyester resin film is applied. The side of the first mentioned resin film remote from the aluminum coating is exposed and provided with minute, uneven random reflection permeable faces to reduce dazzling and temporal eyesight problems resulting from direct reflection.

Abstract: A low beam headlamp for motor vehicles includes an objective made of pressed glass whose one side is formed as aspheric partial surfaces of identical or different aspherity. The partial surfaces are staggered in the direction parallel to the optical axis of the objective and the resulting step has rounded edges. The aspheric partial surfaces adjust light distribution to achieve a desired quality of the light-dark boundary zone projected on the driveway, and provide corrected color fringes of the passing light beam.

Abstract: Disclosued herein is a headlamp unit. The unit comprises a multi-surface concave reflector having a beam axis along which a light beam projects forward to produce a beam pattern, the reflector including upper and lower concave light reflecting parts which are respectively located at upper and lower positions with respect to a given portion of the reflector, and left and right concave light reflecting parts which are respectively located at left and right positions with respect to the given portion and have respective focuses on their respective optical axes, the optical axes being inclined with respect to the beam axis, each of the left and right concave light reflecting parts having respective curves of second degree when cut by vertical and horizontal planes; and first and second filaments of an electric bulb which are located on the beam axis.

Abstract: A lighting lens having a multiplicity of lenticules is disclosed, and in particular the use of aspherical lenticules is disclosed. The lenticules are of two or more standard types, each type being defined be a different cross sectional curvature. The different lenticle types are distributed across one side of the lens in an intermixed pattern. By selecting two standard lenticule types, and determining a weighted ratio, a lens for a desired lighting pattern may be made without having to specifically design the individual lenticules, or the particular lenticle arrangement.

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 structure is provided for headlamps for vehicles, having a light source, a reflector, and a front lens in which the lens is slanted with respect to a vertical direction of a vehicle body, a rear surface of the lens is formed with a prism zone for forming a light diffusion zone on a light distribution pattern of a given screen and another prism zone for forming a hot zone on the distribution pattern, and the reflector is formed with a first reflecting surface which corresponds optically to the light diffusion zone forming prism zone and diffuses light beams emitted from the light source in a horizontal cross section with respect to an optical axis of the light source and reflects the light beams of the light source substantially in parallel to the optical axis in a vertical cross section and with a remaining reflecting surface substantially in the form of a paraboloid of revolution. Consequently, both ends of the light distribution pattern in the horizontal direction neither droop nor rise.

Abstract: A new and improved lighting system for illuminating signs such as billboards and the like which increases the amount of light illuminating the light from a light source by 15 to 20% as compared with previous systems and decreases the variance of illumination intensity by 50%.

Abstract: A flash device for a camera of the kind using a miniature lamp type flash tube solves all the problems resulting from the use of the straight tube type flash tube. The disclosed arrangement of the flash device not only ensures an adequate light distributing characteristic in all the vertical and lateral directions but also permits reduction in size of an electronic flash unit.

Abstract: This headlamp for a motor vehicle comprises a lens that has a front surface that slopes backwardly from bottom to top of the lens. In localized regions of the lens, there are spread flutes, each comprising alternating ridges and grooves on the back surface of the lens. The individual ridges extend in a direction between the top and bottom of the lens and are characterized by having the form of a segment of an inverted, base-up cone. The individual grooves extend in a direction between the top and bottom of the lens and are characterized by having the form of a segment of an upright, base-down cone. The coniform configuration of the individual ridges and grooves serves to lift the edges of the light beam passing therethrough and thereby compensate for the tendency of the beam to droop at its edges as a result of the backward slope of the front surface of the lens.

Abstract: An airfield marker light, comprising a casing to be flush-mounted in the ground and having a lower light source (4), an upper, a transparent cover plate (8) lying substantially in the ground plane M, and a refractive member (7) which divides the light bundle from the light source, so that two light beams (L.sub.12, L.sub.34) are emitted from the upper surface of the cover plate (8) in opposite directions at a small angle to the ground plane. The light source (4) emits a collected, substantially vertical light bundle, and the refractive member includes a light dividing prism (7) situated between the light source and the cover plate and having refractive planar surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) obliquely oriented in opposite directions, so that the vertical light bundle is divided into two light bundle portions, directed obliquely upwardly in oppoiste directions, the light bundle portions upon passage through the cover plate being refracted in opposite directions in the upper surface (8a, 8b) of the cover plate.

Abstract: A cover lens element for a surgical light includes a clear plastic light path region which may be smooth and flat on one surface but which is dimpled on its other surface with numerous overlapping spherical depressions which in combination present an array of plano-concave negative lenses.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp device for use as a combination clearance and side-marker lamp in which coloration of a clear clearance lens by light reflected from the colored marker lens is inhibited. The lamp device includes a lamp body, a clearance lens covering the lamp body, a marker lens covering an outside opening portion of the lamp body with the marker lens being connected at one end to the clearance lens and colored in a predetermined color such as amber, a bulb disposed inside the lamp device body, and a reflection surface for reflecting light reflected from the marker lens again toward the marker lens formed on an inner surface of a side wall opposed to the outside opening portion of the lamp device body. Also, front and rear surfaces of a lens attaching portion formed on the side surface of the clearance lens may be made light diffusing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airfield light, principally for marking aircraft parking lots, routes for ground staff, etc. It should be readily visible from all sides and from any angle, even in the poorest environmental conditions and from a relatively long distance. It consists of a light source which is arranged in a housing and radiates light in a hemisphere through at least one lens installed in the housing, the light beam (1) in the zenith of the hemisphere having a luminous intensity which is at least 20 percent higher than in the region (13) between 10 and 30 degrees above the lowermost radiant edge (2).

Abstract: A back-lit display utilizes a light transmissive film having a smooth surface and a structured surface. The structured surface has a series of triangular prisms running parallel or concentric to one another. A reflector is placed adjacent to the smooth surface so that light entering the film at an angle that is close to parallel to the smooth surface will emerge from the film at a predetermined angle with respect to the incoming beam. A display, that could be a liquid crystal display, is positioned so that light reflected by the film passes through it.

Abstract: A combination lamp assembly suitable to be mounted to the rear of a motor vehicle, comprising a lamp housing defining two or more lighting compartments each having at least one light source mounted therein. In one embodiment the front ends of two lighting compartments are closed by respective inner lenses and further by two sections of a common outer lens. One of the outer lens sections is transparent and colored in red. The other outer lens section has alternating transparent stripes and opaque stripes. The transparent stripes are colorless whereas the opaque stripes are colored in red. When the light sources are unlit, the outer lens appears wholly red, due in part to the illusory effect of the opaque red stripes. However, when lit up, the two lamp units project red and white light through the transparent red section of the outer lens and through the colorless transparent stripes of the other outer lens section, respectively.

Abstract: A reflector/refractor device is provided for use with a variety of lighting fixtures and light sources. The reflector/refractor device includes a body having a predetermined profile and defining a cavity with the body having an inside surface and an outside surface. An illuminating source for emitting light is disposed within the cavity substantially along a central vertical axis of the body. The body includes a series of sectional zones for reflecting and refracting light. The exterior surface of the device includes a plurality of substantially vertical prisms consisting of reflective elements, refractive elements and elements that may be either reflective or refractive depending on light center location. These reflective or refractive elements act in combination to selectively vary light distribution characteristics of vertical and lateral angles, and intensities, by vertical displacement of the illuminating lamp source.

Abstract: A high efficiency luminaire possessing high angle brightness control. Transverse high angle brightness control is provided by a substantially parabolically shaped reflector and longitudinal high angle brightness control is provided by a trough like lens assembly including a plurality of trough shaped lenses and screening means adjoining one another.

Abstract: An illuminating device for a grille portion between the headlamps of an automobile which is illuminated both day and night to blend the grille with the headlamps. The device includes a clear front panel having a display portion and a step pattern having a lens-like cross section formed in the rear surface of the panel. An inner lens is provided behind the front panel having upwardly slanting sawtooth-like step reflecting structures formed on the front surface of the inner lens and a light-converging structure formed on the rear surface. A light directing plate having a reflecting surface is disposed behind the inner lens. A light source is mounted in a central thick portion of the light directing plate.

Abstract: Micro-irregularities on a surface that interacts with (transmits or reflects) illumination from a light source are effective to control glare perceived by a viewer in the light path projected from the source, while maintaining effective energy and directionality of the projected light. Preferably the micro-irregularities are created by liquid dispersion comprising organic polymeric particles and allowing the coating to dry.

Abstract: The invention provides a light comprising a lamp, a reflector or other means defining an optical axis close to which the major part of the emergent light is distributed and a lens system having one or more prisms formed on its nearer face to the lamp and adjacent an edge of the lens system arranged to trap light from the lamp and distribute it by total internal reflection through the material of said lens system so that it emerges from the edge at more than 100.degree. to the optical axis.

Abstract: A dimmed headlight for a motor vehicle has a vertical center section defining an ellipse whose outer portion transits into an apex portion. The apex portion defines an inner focal point and an outer focal point and the upper elliptical portion defines a focal point coinciding with said inner focal point and a plurality of outer focal points located on the long axis of the ellipse behind the outer focal point of the apex portion when viewed in the direct of reflected light rays. An objective is arranged before the last one of the outer focal points to collect the reflected light rays. The lower part of the reflector contains a light reflecting member and a diaphragm extending transversely to the long axis in the outer focal point of the apex portion. The light reflecting member is oriented such as to reflect downwardly directed light rays from the light source against an upper part of the apex portion.

Abstract: A light transmissive film having a smooth surface and a structured surface. The structured surface has a series of triangular prisms running parallel or concentric to one another. A reflector is placed adjacent to the smooth surface so that light entering the film at an angle which is close to parallel to the smooth surface will emerge from the film at a predetermined angle with respect to the incoming beam. A light fixture utilizing the film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dipped headlamp for motor vehicles comprising a bulb, a reflector and closure glass placed in front of the reflector and bulb. The bulb is an axial filament bulb without a masking cup. The reflector comprises a reflecting surface without any discontinuity and suitable for forming images of the filament with all points of the image being situated below a horizontal plane. Correction means for angularly displacing said images upwardly to raise them to level of the two horizontal masking half-planes comprise prisms in the closure glass or side sections of the reflector which are tilted upwardly.

Abstract: A low beam headlamp for motor vehicles includes an objective made of pressed glass whose one side is formed as aspheric partial surfaces of identical or different aspherity. The partial surfaces are staggered in the direction parallel to the optical axis of the objective and the resulting step has rounded edges. The aspheric partial surfaces adjust light distribution to achieve a desired quality of the light-dark boundary zone projected on the driveway, and provide corrected color fringes of the passing light beam.

Abstract: The invention provides a motor vehicle main beam and dipped beam headlight of the type comprising: a lamp provided with a transverse horizontal dipped beam filament (10a) and a transverse horizontal main beam filament (10b), said filaments being offset relative to each other in two directions perpendicular to the axis of the headlight; a reflector (20) whose axis (Ox) passes between the two filaments; and a closure glass (30) including members for deflecting the dipped beam and the main beam sideways; the headlight being arranged so that the dipped beam is situated beneath a cutoff (Hh) whose orientation is generally horizontal. According to the invention the surface of the reflector is a surface without discontinuity forming shallow images of the dipped beam filament and of the main beam filament, with all of the points in the images of the dipped beam filament additionally being situated beneath said horizontal cutoff (Hh).

Abstract: A method for indirectly illuminating an interior space is disclosed wherein a laterally extended overhead distribution of light is produced from a source of indirect lighting, such as a fluorescent indirect luminaire, by directing a portion of the source light upward to produce a luminance pattern on the ceiling surface directly overhead and then refracting substantially all of another portion of the source light laterally of the indirect luminaire so as to spread the refracted portion away from the directly overhead luminance pattern. Illustrated is a luminaire having trough-shaped lensed for achieving the method of the invention wherein the lateral portions of the lens act to refract the light laterally as above described, and the top lens portion is formed to diverge the light incidence thereon directly overhead in a substantially uniform luminance pattern which is extended by the light refracted through the lateral lens portions.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a source of light in an opaque housing which extends beneath the source and upwardly about the sides of the source to hide the source from direct view from a horizontal line of sight even with the source. A lens is mounted to the housing above the source and extending around to join with the upper edge of the housing. The lens includes an upper light-dispersing portion which diverges one portion and only displaces another portion of the light from the source to provide an even distribution of luminance to a ceiling above the source. The lens also includes a lateral light-bending portion which receives light from the source and fans it out laterally over the side of the housing to continue the uniform illumination pattern of the ceiling and to illuminate vertical surfaces in the vicinity of the luminaire.