Abstract: An illumination device consists of a light emitting element, a casing for supporting the light emitting element, and a colored cap which covers the light emitting element. The cap has a flat top surface so that the device can be held by suction stably at the top surface by means of a suction nozzle that is used commonly for other electronic parts and can be carried and mounted on a circuit board by the automatic part mounting equipment. The cap also has the formation of a curving surface section between the flat top surface and cylindrical section so that an increased amount of light is transmitted in the up-oblique direction through the curving surface section, thereby compensating the degraded light distribution caused by the formation of the flat top surface.

Abstract: An improved display system includes a selectively energizeable light source which is disposed within a housing. A panel, formed of transparent material, is connected with the housing and has an outer side surface which is exposed to ambient light and an inner side surface which is exposed to light from the light source when the light source is energized. Indicia is disposed between the light source and the panel. The indicia is observable through the panel when the light source is energized and is obscured when the light source is de-energized. An array of pyramidal projections are disposed on the outer side of the panel. The array of pyramidal projections extend across the indicia so that light from the light source passes through the pyramidal projections to enable the indicia to be observed when the light source is energized. The panel is formed of a polymer. The surfaces of the pyramidal projections are repaired by a thin film of a monomer of the same composition as the polymer forming the panel.

Abstract: A light emitting diode assembly attachable to a display panel comprising a light emitting diode having locking structure thereon, the structure defining a boss; a lens cap receiving the diode forwardly therein, clip structure integral with the cap and projecting sidewardly proximate the diode locking structure; the clip structure defining spring fingers projecting rearwardly at the side of the diode, the fingers defining first grooves to receive the boss on the diode, and second grooves to receive portions of the display panel adjacent an opening formed therein; and wherein the spring fingers define serrations presented outwardly at the second grooves for engagement with the portions of the display panel to position the clip structure and lens cap relative to the panel.

Abstract: A self-illuminating measurable-point member includes; a light source, a fine through-hole which permits light from the light source to permeate therethrough, and a diffusible member which diffuses light permeating the fine through-hole. Light from the light source is condensed via the fine through-hole and diffused via the diffusible member.

Abstract: A surface illuminator provided with a light guide plate having circular end faces which surround light sources, the light guide plate being long in a direction in which the light sources are high in luminance and having a back which is inclined so as to be smaller in plate thickness gradually as the distance from the light sources becomes longer, and also provided with a reflection frame, the reflection frame having end-face reflective portions which cover the portions of the light guide plate near the light sources and also having inclined reflective portions which are contiguous to the end-face reflective portions and which are inclined approximately 45.degree. in longitudinal and thickness directions of the light guide plate at positions spaced apart from the light sources. By this construction, the intensity of radiation light is rendered uniform throughout the whole radiation surface.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to an improved illuminated wand structure specifically intended as a boat stern running light, formed by a tubular wand member being elongated in configuration. The wand includes at least one light source positioned adjacent either the bottom end, and adapted to emit light upwardly, or positioned adjacent the top end and adapted to emit light in a downward direction. The tubular wand has a smooth outer wall and an inner wall provided with a light diffractive surface. Light emitted from either the upper or lower light source will be diffracted along the inner wall of the elongated wand thereby to illuminate the entire length of the wand. The wand may be provided with a light source at the bottom end and adapted to emit light upwardly, and a second light source positioned adjacent the top end to emit light in a downward direction where the wand is of a longer elongated configuration.

Abstract: An angle adjustable car reading lamp having a housing to deposit a case-like frame covered with are movable light penetrating plate and an upper cap to close an open top of the housing, the housing having a semi-roundly curved conductive plate fixed on an inner side wall bored with small grooves for an elastic conductive plate fixed on the frame to fit in one of the grooves to secure the frame at one of a plurality of adjustable andles when the frame is rotated to the right or the left.

Abstract: A structure of a diffusing lens for a light emitting diode (LED). The diffusing lens is mounted on, for example, part of the casing of a receiver included in a telephone. A relatively thick plate-like diffusing lens is press fitted in a slot formed in an end portion of the receiver. Implemented by a light transmitting member, the lens transmits light issuing from an LED in a direction perpendicular to the thicknesswise direction thereof while diffusing it in a predetermined direction. Two holes are formed through the lens in the thicknesswise direction, and each receives and retains an LED therein. Two leads extending out from each LED are drawn out from both ends of the associated hole of the lens and connected to a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical inspection apparatus comprising an illuminating means which has a linear light source (11) and a concave cylindrical mirror (10) which forms an image of the light source (11), with the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical mirror extending essentially parallel to the light source (11) in order to generate an illuminated strip (31) on a web (12) to be monitored, with the illuminated strip preferably extending over the entire width of the web (12). By means of an optical system (24) a light receiving means forms an image of an inspection line (32) extending on the material web (12) at the center of the illuminated strip (31) on a row-like photoreceiver arrangement (25), so that light emerging from the material web (12) is detected. The photoreceiver arrangement (25) is connected to an electronic processing circuit (26).

Abstract: A lens for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp is formed as two ellipses rather than as one. The ellipses are axially symmetric and are translated away from the optical axis with each ellipse having a focus located on the LED chip away from the central bond pad so that the bond pad shadow does not decrease on-axis light intensity. In alternative embodiments, the depression located at the intersection of the two ellipses is flattened and the axes of the two ellipses are translated away from the optical axis and are also tilted.

Abstract: A lens for a vehicle lamp having a central bright portion and a surrounding portion of lesser brightness and which can be manufactured as a single unit. The lens surface is formed with arcuate step-like blocks circumferentially separated from one another and divided from one another by a plurality of concentric lines and radial lines. The blocks in a central portion of the lens have a refractive configuration, while the blocks disposed outside of the central portion have a linearly transmitting configuration. The two types of blocks are arranged continuously and unitarily in a concentric manner in a radial direction of the central portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an indicating apparatus which has light-refractive sections comprising concave and convex sections that are formed of ultraviolet-cured resin having light transmission properties and are disposed on a back surface of an indicating plate and adjacent an illuminating light source, is easy to manufacture, and, furthermore, is capable of obtaining the same three-dimensional illumination effect as those processed into a form of lens.

Abstract: Signal lamp assembly comprising a light source surrounded by transparent lens walls in four horizontal directions is produced by molding the lens walls in two portions and securing them together. Lens patterns can be molded in three directions, but due to molding limitations, the fourth side cannot be easily molded into a lens configuration. In order to provide a lens for the fourth side, a separately made molded lens insert is placed in receiving and retaining grooves prior to the housing portions being secured together. The resultant assembly retains the insert in desired position and lens walls are thereby effectively provided in the four directions.

Abstract: An improved candle holder having a unique illuminating effect due to many dozens of reflections of the single flame reflecting off individual beveled glass pieces surrounding the candle.The candle flame is protected from wind by the surrounding bevels and the glass vase.The inexpensive candle element (which burns 4-5 hours) is disposable, leaving the investment of the candle holder in tact.

Abstract: A light emission element array comprises a substrate, a plurality of light emission elements such as light emitting diodes aranged linearly in a row on the substrate and a rod like, i.e., columnar, light converging lens unit arranged above the light emission element row in parallel thereto and adapted to diffuse and simultaneously converge the transmitted light. The light emitting surface of the light converging lens unit is made rough by a chemical treatment, blast treatment or other means.

Abstract: A car number plate lamp having an improved illuminating efficiency and more uniform illuminating intensity. A light source and lens are provided in a lamp body, and a lens is mounted across an opening in the lamp body. The reflector is three-dimensionally curved in such a manner that the entire surface of the reflector viewed in the longitudinal direction curves circular-arcuately about the light source. The surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction forms a paraboloid with the light source at the focal point. Concentric steps for refracting the light from the light source to the number plate are formed in the inner surface of the lens.

Abstract: A rainbow creating device comprises optical conductors through which light rays consisting of visible light ray components are transmitted. A lens is placed opposite the respective light-emitting ends of the optical conductors for converting the light rays emitted from them to parallel light rays. Prisms are placed for receiving the parallel light rays from the lens and for effecting the spectroscopic separation of the parallel light rays.

Abstract: A miniature spotlight for short distance illumination and optical effects producing an extreme variable exit angle of illumination and maintaining a constant even field of illumination is of such complex configuration that the use within a stage set or hidden behind small objects will be suitable for photographic and cinematographic close-up settings.

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 panoramic light emitter of an omnidirectional horizontal light beam with very sharp cut-off in the vertical plane is disclosed. The sharp cut-off prevents interference near airports. High average powers are attainable because the light source can be distributed rather than be a point source. The omnidirectional-in-the-horizontal-plane light emitter with a high degree of vertical beam control is achieved by combining a generally cylindrical refractor with an internally emitting open-ended generally conical light source. The internal emitting surface of the conical light source is in the focal plane of the cylindrical refractor. The refractor sharply images the source with its edges, and that image is projected panoramically as the light beam having sharp cut-off at the edges of the image. The external surface of the conical light source does not emit, thus preventing undesired angles of light from passing out through the refractor.

Abstract: Collimators are widely used optical instruments for testing, calibrating and measuring. In one type of collimator slits or patterns, called targets, are said to be projected to infinity. Placing a target in the focal plane of a collimator is a known technique for making a uniform target appear to be in the far field. This led to the use of collimators in training devices and in target simulations. When a surface is illuminated by a small light source, as is the target in a collimator, the illumination of points on the target surface off the light axis will be lower than illumination of the area of the surface on the axis. Since the peripheral surface illumination is a function of the cosine fourth power, there is considerable reduction in illumination at the periphery of a target. Mitigation of peripheral target of illumination in collimators is overcome herein by disposing a fiber optic faceplate between the light source and the target.

Abstract: A clear plastic lens contains a fluorescent dye. The lens is substantially parallelepiped in shape with two major opposed parallel surfaces and four sides. Three of the sides are reflecting sides. Each reflecting side has two flat transparent surfaces positioned at angles of 135 degrees relative to the opposed parallel surfaces. The fourth side is a transmitting side that has one flat transparent surface perpendicular to the opposed parallel surfaces. Light enters the lens through an opposed parallel surface, is absorbed by the fluorescent dye, and is emitted a short time later. The emitted light is reflected at the reflecting sides and opposed surfaces, and redirected towards the transmitting side where it passes into the environment as a collimated beam.In another embodiment, the transmitting side is at an oblique angle relative to the opposed parallel surfaces and has a plurality of small steps. Each step has two surfaces, one perpendicular and one parallel to the opposed parallel surfaces.

Abstract: A light-source multiplication device useful in a warning light device, a traffic signal light device, a light display or a lighted sign includes light-emissive diodes as light sources with a multi-prism having facets having apices on an imaginary spherical surface for providing multiple images of the light-emissive diodes, some of which can be viewed over a wide field of vision, thereby minimizing power and maintenance requirements of the device.

Abstract: A headlamp lens having at least one of its aiming pads provided with an aim cap and a method for bonding the aim cap to the aiming pad.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which provide for the indirect, substantially glare-free, directional lighting of three-dimensional objects, by which artificial light is generated at a central point which is recessed in close proximity to the object to be illuminated. Said light enters light-conductive means through an optical interface and is conducted towards and projected in the direction of such object in the shape of a predetermined light beam or mantle substantially enveloping or highlighting selected surfaces of the object without significant scattering of light. Shielding means protect the eyes of observers from direct view of the light source. The arrangement of components permits multi-directional, centripetal, substantially glare-free viewing by a plurality of observers grouped around the illuminated object.

Abstract: A ceiling lighting fixture includes a pair of identical elongated side frame members and identical end plates, the side frames being generally L-shaped in transverse cross section and arranged to form upwardly opening channels which support the lamp socket mounting plate between the upper free ends of the inner legs thereof and a translucent fabric diffuser between the upper free ends of the outer legs thereof. The fabric diffuser may hang freely as a catenary or it may be weighted to form a V-shape. The electrical power lines to the lamps extend along one of the L-shaped channels. Two or more of the fixtures may be joined together at their ends, either end-to-end or through a central module, to provide a ceiling lighting system.

Abstract: An object illuminating apparatus for the display of art objects and the like. The apparatus directs a remote light source through a common grouping of optical fibers, and the like, to the proximity of the object being displayed. The initial grouping of fibers is further divided into smaller separate light directing arrays which are held within clear acrylic plastic tubes. Such tubes are heated and then selectively directed at various angles to cover the various surfaces of the object being displayed.

Abstract: A lens cap and mount for use with an electromagnetic radiation emitter or sensor in the cap has an integral lens for collimating or converging the emitted or received radiation.

Abstract: A light diffusing device and an illumination apparatus employing the light diffusing device, the light diffusing device including a light transmission element and a light diffusing layer carried on and different in refractive index from the light transmission element, whereby light comes out from the device through the light diffusing layer. A number of such light diffusing layers are arranged in the light diffusing device of the illumination apparatus. The diffusing layers are provided with thicknesses which are different from each other or, otherwise, arranged to a density which varies along the device, thereby illuminating a desired object uniformly as a whole.

Abstract: A multi-directional light source includes a ground ball made from non-expanded polystyrene, fitted and glued to the clear extremity of an optical fiber contained inside a rigid metal tube and an outer plastic body tooled after being moulded.

Abstract: A light emitting mounting bracket is provided for a handrail arrangement. The bracket comprises a body portion which supports the handrail on an associated wall and which has a cavity therein which contains a light emitting source and provides access to associated wall fasteners. A translucent lens is wedgedly and flushly mounted on the bracket so as to give the appearance of being molded therewith, thereby presenting a clean profile.

Abstract: A desk or other work table has a long horizontal work surface above which is mounted one or more suitably housed linear fluorescent lamps extending for about the length of the work surface and at about eye level. A plurality of side-by-side light polarizing panels are supported below the lamp, the polarization planes of each panel being vertical and these vertical polarization planes of the group of panels converge toward a medial area where the visual task is to be located.

Abstract: A transparent lens for the front of a pedal cycle headlamp has a first set of elongated prisms arranged to extend horizontally and thereby modify the transmitted light distribution in the vertical direction and a second set of elongated prisms arranged to extend vertically and thereby modify the transmitted light distribution in the horizontal direction, the prisms extending over only part of the lens area thereby leaving part of the lens area through which light may be transmitted without modification by the prisms.

Abstract: Luminaire globe has external prisms formed to provide controlled amount of emitted light in various portions of the globe. The prism comprises a combination of right angle reflecting surfaces and light transmitting surfaces contoured to provide the desired ratio of transmitted to internally reflected light.