Plural Elements On A Curved Surface Patents (Class 362/338)
  • Patent number: 7712930
    Abstract: An optical module for projecting a light beam comprises a solid body of transparent material into which a light source is sunk and which is delimited by an annular surface and by a central surface, and a substantially annular reflecting surface arranged around the solid body. The central and annular surfaces are suitable for receiving respective distinct portions of the luminous flux produced by the source. The reflecting surface may have a reflecting coating or may form part of a transparent body, in which case it works by total internal reflection. The reflecting surface reflects a portion of luminous flux refracted by the annular surface and shapes the flux into a predetermined distribution of luminous intensity about the principal axis. The annular surface is designed in a manner such as to reduce the overall thickness of the module by moving the refracted ray away from the principal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Piermario Repetto, Denis Bollea, Stefano Bernard, Davide Capello
  • Patent number: 7674019
    Abstract: A light source emits light into a solid angle exceeding pi steradians with a known intensity distribution. An illumination lens has a first surface that receives at least 90% of the light of the known intensity distribution and has a shape that transforms the known intensity distribution into an intermediate intensity distribution within the transparent material of the lens. A second surface receives the intermediate intensity distribution and is shaped to transform the intermediate intensity distribution into a final intensity distribution that produces a prescribed illumination distribution upon a rectangular target zone. At least one of the shapes of the first and second surfaces is non-rotationally symmetric and is approximated by a super-ellipsoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Parkyn, David G. Pelka
  • Patent number: 7659552
    Abstract: An exemplary optical lens (300) includes a top surface (301), a base portion (304) opposite to the top surface, and a peripheral side surface defining a first refractive portion (302). The top surface is a generally funnel-shaped top surface. The first refractive portion is corrugated with a plurality of protruding ridge structures, and each of the ridge structures includes a refractive surface (3021). An exemplary light emitting device incorporating the optical lens is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7651246
    Abstract: An optical element and module for the projection of a light beam, and motor vehicle lamp including a plurality of such modules An optical element for the projection of a light beam comprises a solid body (1) of transparent material in which is formed a cavity (13) able to receive a light source (10), the cavity (13) extending along the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1) and being delimited by a radially inner surface (3) and a terminal surface (2) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3) are able to receive separate respective portions (I, II) of the light flux generated by the source (10). The transparent body (1) further has a radially outer surface (4) which surrounds the radially inner surface (3). The radially outer surface (4) reflects the portion of the light flux (I) coming from the radially inner surface (3) along a direction substantially parallel to the principal axis (z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Denis Bollea, Piermario Repetto, Stefano Bernard, Davide Capello, Sabino Sinesi, Gianluca Rotaris
  • Patent number: 7637647
    Abstract: A back light module including a back plate, a light source and a bar lens is disclosed. The bar lens includes a top and a bottom center transparent surfaces, a right and a left top total internal reflection surfaces, a right and a left first emitting surfaces, a right and a left second emitting surfaces, a right and a left bottom total internal reflection surfaces and a right and a left bottom incident surfaces. The center bottom transparent surface is located between the top center transparent surface and the light source. The connecting sequence along the right of bar lens from top center transparent surface is the right top total internal reflection surface, the right first emitting surface, the right second emitting surface, right bottom total internal reflection surface, the right incident surface and the center bottom transparent surface. The connecting sequence on the left is similar to the right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan-Zuo Chen
  • Patent number: 7575344
    Abstract: An improved lamp fixture with anti-glare function is disclosed, which comprises: a lamp; a light source; and a light-control unit, composed of a semi-Fresnel microstructure and a light-control microstructure; wherein the light source and the light-control unit are mounted on the lamp; and the semi-Fresnel microstructure is used for diffusing/collimating light of the light source while the light-control microstructure is used for controlling the resulting lighting angle. With the aforesaid lamp fixture, not only glare can be prevented, but also uniformity of the lamp fixture is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jian-Shian Lin, Chieh-Lung Lai, Jen-Hui Tsai, Tung-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7566148
    Abstract: A side light-emitting device including a light-emitting device to generate light and a side emitter to emit the light incident from the light-emitting device in a lateral direction. The side emitter includes a first reflecting surface to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting device into the side emitter, a second reflecting surface that is formed at a portion of the side emitter that contacts the light-emitting device to reflect a first light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface in the lateral direction, and a refracting surface to refract a second light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface and proceeding directly toward the refracting surface and the first light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface to the second reflecting surface and is reflected again from the second reflecting surface to exit the side emitter in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-whan Noh, Dong-ha Kim
  • Patent number: 7540635
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source lens for emitting light in a lateral direction. The LED source lens includes an upper part, an upper part and a central part. The upper part includes an upper part reflecting surface bent symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the lens, and an upper part refracting surface extended from the end of the upper part reflecting surface parallel with the central axis. The central part includes a side surface extended from the lower end of the upper part refracting surface and bend inwards, and refracts or reflects light through the side surface. The lower part accommodates the LED light source, and includes an arch-shaped lower part refracting surface extended outwards from the lower end of the side surface of the central part. The light radiated from the LED light source is emitted perpendicular to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Jong Kim, Bum Jin Kim, Ho Seop Jeong
  • Patent number: 7537368
    Abstract: A surface light-source device is composed of a light guide plate, luminescent panels and reflector sheets. The light guide plate is composed of three light guide units respectively formed in a rectangular plate-like shape having a rectangular light emission surface, a thick portion, a thin side portion, an incline rear portion and a parallel groove. The luminescent panel includes two element lines formed by aligning LEDs. The parallel groove is formed so as to be symmetrical about a center line, which is perpendicular to the light emission surface, and so as to dwindle its width toward the light emission surface. The light emitted from the LED toward an overhead portion and having the highest brightness is diffused by a groove surface of the parallel groove and is taken into the light guide unit. Thus, brightness unevenness is reduced at the light emission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Mizuyoshi
  • Publication number: 20090027898
    Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes a transparent layer and a light diffusion layer. The transparent layer includes a light input interface, a light output surface opposite to the light input interface, and a plurality of micro-depressions formed on the light output surface. The micro-depressions are arranged along a plurality of imaginary, separate, circular arcs. Each micro-depression has at least three side surfaces connected to each other, and a transverse width of each side surface increases along a direction away from the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer is integrally formed in immediate contact with the light input interface of the transparent layer, and free of air or gas pockets trapped in an interface therebetween. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resin and a plurality of diffusion particles dispersed in the transparent matrix resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Patent number: 7476007
    Abstract: A light source lens includes a circular lens mount defining a shallow concave recess with a square opening, and a lens engaged with the lens mount to locate above the concave recess to receive light projected thereto via the square opening. The lens includes a first spherical portion and a second spherical portion protruded from a top center of the first spherical portion, and is densely provided at a bottom with a plurality of irregular grooves to form an uneven bottom surface. The first and the second spherical portion diffuses and concentrates, respectively, a light source passed through the lens, and the uneven bottom surface of the lens causes the light passed therethrough to scatter at more different angles, so that any halo is eliminated and a softer lighting effect is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Optron Optoelectronic Corp.
    Inventors: Chung Yiu Lin, Yung Tai Chen
  • Patent number: 7448783
    Abstract: Provided is a light emitting device having an inner-propagation-medium which caused directivity-to-optical-axis-direction to be relaxed. Light of a LED travels in the inner-propagation-medium, being emitted from an inside area of or outside area in a lens surface directly or via an inclined reflection face. A light emitter provides an output light having an intensity profile with a half-intensity-angular-range not greater than 20°, which expresses directivity of the output light. The outside area in the lens surface performs a traveling-direction-expanding-function which is not only relatively intensive as compared that performed by the inside area in the lens surface, and but also relatively intensive as compared that performed in an imaginary case where the outside area gives a planar surface perpendicular to an optical axis. The half-intensity-angular-range of the intensity profile of the light emitting device is not smaller than 30° with respect to the optical axis and not greater than 70°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20080259630
    Abstract: A lens assembly for use with a light source and including an inner lens and a light directing portion. The inner lens collects light rays from the light source through a light-collecting face and emits at least a portion of the light rays radially through a series of collimators. The light directing portion may be an outer lens having light-collecting faces and light-distributing faces. The light-collecting faces correspond with the collimators and distribute the light rays through light-distributing faces. The light direction portion may alternatively be an outer reflector. The reflector has a plurality of light-reflecting surfaces, corresponding to the collimators, and configured to reflect the light rays emitted from the collimators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Amir P. Fallahi, Edwin M. Sayers, Christopher W. Gattis
  • Patent number: 7401948
    Abstract: A near field lens for an automotive light assembly which has a reduced thickness. Generally, the near field lens includes a main body of light transmitting material. A pocket is formed in the main body for receiving light from a light source. The pocket is defined by an inner radially facing surface and an inner axially facing surface. The inner radially facing surface is structured to reduce the thickness of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Amir P. Fallahi, Jeffrey Allen Erion, Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Thomas Lee Jones
  • Patent number: 7390109
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) component includes a circuit board, an LED chip installed on the circuit board for emitting light, and a light direction-changing unit. The LED chip is composed of a plurality of light-emitting points. The unit has a covering surface covering the LED chip, and a reflecting surface having a plurality of reflecting points. A smallest included angle of a plurality of included angles between a normal line of at least one of the reflecting points and a plurality of connection lines passing through the reflecting point and the light-emitting points is larger than sin?1(1/n), where n is the reflection index of the light direction-changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Zhi-Feng Li, Yung-Fu Wu, Po-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 7344281
    Abstract: At least one light-emitting diode emitting a light, and a front panel provided at a position forward in a traveling direction of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode, form a display device. In this display device, the front panel is so shaped as to protrude in the traveling direction of the light. An embossed portion diffusing the light emitted from the light-emitting diode is formed on the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: FUJITSU Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7339200
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode including a curved surface portion 14aA formed in the front face of a sealing member 14 with the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface portion being in the shape of an undulating curve that has a concave curve C1 near the optical axis and convex curves C2 on both sides of concave curve C1, thus allowing the light emitted from a light-emitting chip 12 at a small divergence angle centered on the optical axis Ax to reach the concave curve C1 and to be directed forward as diffused light deflected from the optical axis and further allowing the light emitted at a large divergence angle centered on the optical axis Ax to reach the convex curves C2 and to be directed forward as light deflected toward line L positioned at the divergence angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Amano, Tsutomu Machida, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7270448
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a light fixture having a concave reflector disposed on a rear surface thereof; and at least one LED directed at a concavity of the concave reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Techlite Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Maley, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7244050
    Abstract: A full cutoff luminaire having a housing with an open bottom, a vertically mounted lamp centrally located within the housing, a radial reflector surrounding a portion of the lamp and a downwardly extending optic lens having an open top enshrouding a lower portion of the lamp wherein light emitted from the luminaire does not exceed 90° above nadir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Summerford, Claude Barozzini, Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7160522
    Abstract: This invention consists in a nonimaging device for concentration or collimation of radiation on a receiver or from an emitter (14), depending on the case. The device is made up of the lens (50), which surrounds the receiver and consists of the aspheric surface (21), and the lens (15), whose upper refractive surface (16) may be aspheric, while the lower surface is aspheric (17) in its central portion (between points 18 and 19) and has a structure with discontinuous slope (20) in its external portion, in which the faces (22) fundamentally refract the rays while the faces (23) reflect them by total internal reflection. The design method provides that the device properties of concentration/collimation are noticeably superior to those of the existing inventions. Possible applications of this lens include: radiation sensors, illumination systems with LEDs, wireless optical communications and photovoltaic solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators-Europe, S.L.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Minano Dominguez, Pablo Benitez Gimenez
  • Patent number: 7134770
    Abstract: Indicating light for optical display, comprising a housing including electrically conducting components, a light-emitting diode, a light rod and a round cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Bartec GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Barlian, Karl-Heinz Lux
  • Patent number: 7118236
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED lens, in which a planar bottom has a pair of halves symmetrically connected with each other about a reference line and narrowed in the vicinity of the reference line. A pair of substantially semicircular reflecting surfaces are extended from both edges of the bottom connected with both ends of the reference line. A radiating surface is connected with remaining edges of the bottom and semicircular edges of the reflecting surfaces. The reflecting surfaces reflect light beams are introduced from the LED chip through the bottom toward the radiating surface. The radiating surface radiates the light beams to the outside when the light beams are introduced to the radiating surface through reflection from the reflecting surfaces and directly through the bottom, so that the light beams are radiated to the outside in a predetermined beam angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hun Joo Hahm, Jung Kyu Park, Young June Jeong, Young Sam Park, Hyung Suk Kim, Ho Sik Ahn
  • Patent number: 6986593
    Abstract: An LED or incandescent light source is positioned in a reflector arranged to reflect light from the LED or incandescent light source which is radiated from the LED or incandescent light source in a peripheral forward solid angle as defined by the reflector. A lens is disposed longitudinally forward of the LED or incandescent light source for focusing light into a predetermined pattern which is radiated from the LED or incandescent light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by the lens. The apparatus comprised of the combination projects a beam of light comprised of the light radiated in the central forward solid angle and peripheral forward solid angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Rhoads, Ronald Garrison Holder
  • Patent number: 6963450
    Abstract: Provided is a Fresnel lens the manufacture of that is unlikely to be affected by the working errors of the die in the optical axis and its neighborhood. Two lens surfaces 11, 11 that are disposed in the vicinity of the optical axis are disposed in the way they are shifted from each other in a direction along the optical axis, whereby the height Ha in this direction of the optical axis of a non-lens surface 12 located at the boundary between the two lens surfaces 11, 11 is made greater than an original height Ha of the non-lens surface 12 in a case where it is assumed that the lower ends 11a, 11a of each of these lens surfaces 11, 11 has been placed on the same flat plane intersecting the optical axis OA at a right angle with respect thereto. Also, the lens angle ?a of at least one piece of lens surface 21 that is disposed in the vicinity of the optical axis is set to be greater than the original lens angle that should be given according to the focus calculation with respect to the lens angle 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Kouno
  • Patent number: 6908219
    Abstract: An optical element for use in a high mounted stop lamp is formed with an LED light source mounted on a backing plate. The LED faces in a first direction to emit light towards a field to be illuminated. A light transmissive dome encloses the LED light source, the dome having refractive elements directing at least some light emitted by the LED in a second direction transverse to the first direction. At least one light guide is positioned adjacent the dome to receive light emitted by the LED that is refracted transversely by the refractive dome elements. The light guide includes light directing elements to redirect the transversely directed light towards the field to be illuminated. In this way the ineffectively directed light is recaptured and directed expand the lamp's area image to comply with legal requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania LLC
    Inventor: Benoit M. Reiss
  • Patent number: 6789922
    Abstract: A cross-shaped beam laser ray device having a housing containing a battery, a laser diode driver circuit, a laser diode, and a convex lens. A transverse columnar faceted lens, respectively, with a cap having an aperture through its center is fastened to the front extremity of the housing. The transverse columnar faceted lens is aligned vertically with the laser rays such that afer laser rays are emitted by the laser diode and converged through the convex tens, the transverse columnar faceted lens refracts them into a cross-shaped beam that is projected through the aperture and appears as cross hairs when directed onto the surface of a targeted object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 6755556
    Abstract: The invention proposes an indicator light, in particular for a motor vehicle. The indicator light includes a central optical axis, a light source and a solid optical piece. The solid optical piece includes at least (1) an input face whose generatrix lies in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis, (2) a rear reflection face whose generatrix lies in a direction substantially inclined towards the front, and (3) a front exit face. The exit face is formed by a series of elementary distribution dioptric elements, each of which is designed to form an elementary light beam whose image, on a screen placed in front of the indicator light, corresponds to the indicating function to be fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gasquet, Manuel Panay
  • Patent number: 6726345
    Abstract: An open type luminaire lens including a non-circular reflective lens having a metalized exterior surface and a prism section, the non-circular reflective lens having a shape generally defined by the combination of two parabolas, the prism section including and array of external reflecting prisms of varying predetermined shapes and varying predetermined sizes for use in providing a desired efficient light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Panchadsaram Arumugusaamy, Gregory J. Subisak
  • Patent number: 6719442
    Abstract: The present invention provides an illumination device having a curved reflector for use with a light-emitting device. The illumination device includes conical or funnel shaped lens having a top section, a bottom section, an outer surface and an inner surface. The bottom section is enlarged and contains a hollow interior formed by the lens inner surface to receive a curved reflector. The top section contains a cavity adaptable to receive a light-emitting device so that when the light is illuminated, light is transmitted through the reflector lens. As light travels towards the bottom section, the curved reflector deflects light in the horizontal direction through the lens to prevent light from being absorbed by the base. The reflector lens outer and inner surfaces contain ridges to form a grid-like pattern to disperse light. This configuration provides an efficient means to transmit light to illuminate a surrounding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: International Development Corporation
    Inventor: Chi-Gon Chen
  • Publication number: 20040001343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection device in which a projection lens has undergone arrangements at its exit surface, and more particularly side areas of this exit surface. The arrangements are intended to divert certain light rays emitted by a light source of the light in order to illuminate overhead lights without interfering with the homogeneity of the light beam of said light. The arrangements made may consist of protuberances in the form of serrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Publication number: 20030218886
    Abstract: An ornamental lamp having a colored coarse surface in the periphery of the bulb thereof, the colored coarse surface having a plurality of recessed and protruded ornamental lines extending in different directions and intersecting one another, showing a design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Yu-Che Wang
  • Patent number: 6612723
    Abstract: A luminaire and method are provided comprising a light source, a plurality of prisms, such as linear prisms, for redirecting light from the light source in a predetermined direction, and a reflector for redirecting light from the light source toward the plurality of prisms. Each of the linear prisms has a longitudinal axis and the light source has a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the linear prisms are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light source. Each of the plurality of prisms has an included angle, which can vary as a function of the distance from the light source. The angle can vary stepwise or continuously. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide has an included angle in the range of between about 35 and 45 degrees. In another embodiment, the included angle is substantially uniform among the prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Futhey, William P. Rowland
  • Publication number: 20030156417
    Abstract: The invention proposes an indicator light, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a central optical axis, a light source and a solid optical piece, at least partly of revolution, which comprises at least:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gasquet, Manuel Panay
  • Patent number: 6575601
    Abstract: An optical assembly enables improved optical control of an uplight illumination component and a downward illumination component. The optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor and a shroud carried by the reflector/refractor. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. The shroud has a plurality of prisms disposed proximate to the reflector/refractor prisms for providing optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor. The shroud is formed substantially corresponding to the predefined shape of the reflector/refractor, surrounding and spaced from the reflector/refractor exterior body surface. The shroud is formed, for example, by vacuum forming or by injection molding technique. The shroud provides optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor, generally refracting incident light from the reflector/refractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Lexalite International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Paul D. Cardwell
  • Publication number: 20030103355
    Abstract: A high output lamp softener includes a base and at least one diffuser extending from the base toward an interior of the base and defining a surface configured to encircle a portion of a circumference of a high output lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Randy Kent Lewis, William Theodore Foley
  • Patent number: 6543912
    Abstract: A light assembly includes a linear light source has a longitudinal axis and a refractor and/or a reflector. A main refractor extends along the length of the light source and parallel thereto. The main refractor has a rear portion coated with a reflecting material in a desired pattern extending along the length of the main refractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 6530679
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device in this invention comprises a light source for supplying light, and plural light scattering devices disposed in front of the light source so as to be opposite to the direction of the light. Each of the light scattering devices comprises at least one striated surface forming plural prisms. The light is scattered by means of the prisms of the light scattering devices. This invention enables a light emitting device to achieve the spread of light with comparatively little light clustering. In particular, the light emitted from a local source can be changed from being directional to being non-directional even in case of use of the LED's source of light which is directional and so on. Therefore, the light emitting device pertaining to this invention is suitably adopted for use in the display of guardrails on the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Yoichi Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6527423
    Abstract: A headlight allowing easy adjustment of a delicate light distribution pattern during manufacturing is provided. The headlight includes a light source, a reflector surrounding the light source from its backside to reflect light incident from the light source frontward, and a front lens located in front of the light source and the reflector. The front lens is provided with at least two portions different in light transmission characteristic from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Cateye Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Shoji
  • Publication number: 20030021100
    Abstract: A surface light source device includes a light guide plate disposed on an upper surface of a liquid crystal panel unit and a linear light source disposed extending in a direction parallel to a side surface of the light guide plate. A plurality of linear prisms are formed on an upper surface of the light guide plate in a manner of extending in a direction oblique to the side surface. A light irradiated from the linear light source to the light guide plate through the side surface is reflected by a reflecting surface formed by each of linear prisms to be irradiated onto the liquid crystal panel unit provided below a lower surface of the plate. A height of the reflecting surface of each of linear prisms is changed in a lengthwise direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 6481873
    Abstract: A convex lens for a warning light is provided with a plurality of prism-shaped prismatic elements projecting from the lens concave inner surface. The configuration and angular orientation of each prismatic element is selected to compensate for the curvature of the lens so that light refracted by each prismatic element emerges from the lens outer surface at substantially equivalent angles relative to an optical axis of the light. A preferred embodiment of the lens includes a matrix of prismatic elements that refract light incident on planar surfaces of the prismatic elements to an angle of 45° relative to an optical axis of the light. Each prismatic element also includes a convex radius at the convergence of the two refractive surfaces and concave radii at the junction of the planar surfaces with the inner surface of the lens. Light incident on these concave and convex surfaces is refracted along a range of angles to fill in the radiation pattern produced by the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6467922
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light guide in the form of a plate having a face with a plurality of diffusing patterns obtained by means of a laser beam, wherein said face is exposed to radiation of intensity lying in the range 104 W/cm2 to 107 W/cm2, in particular in the range 3×104 W/cm2 to 3×106 W/cm2, so as to form surface irregularities and irregularities in depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: GC Communication
    Inventors: Christophe Blanc, Frédéric Chazallet
  • Patent number: 6416210
    Abstract: An upwardly deflecting prism lens element is formed horizontally across a front-side surface of a focusing lens. The light-dark ratio of a borderline in a low-beam luminous intensity distribution pattern is reduced by upwardly deflecting a light beam, which is transmitted through the focusing lens and illuminated forwardly from the lens element. Chromatic aberration is not produced by the light beam transmitted through the lens element and radiated in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20020080615
    Abstract: An LED module that includes an LED (light-emitting diode) and a rotationally symmetrical, bowl-shaped collimator lens is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall, Michael Pashley
  • Patent number: 6364502
    Abstract: A lighting fixture suitable for use in a bathroom, vanity, or similar application includes an extended fixture with multiple light bulbs. The light bulbs are spaced from the fixture in such a manner that the bulbs do not lie on a single line. The back plate may have a curving portion for supporting the bulbs in a non-linear manner, or individual spacers of different lengths may be used to project the bulbs different distances from a planar backplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Quorum International, L.P.
    Inventor: Aaron Mitchell Johnson
  • Patent number: 6305830
    Abstract: Lighting optics is provided for lights of vehicles, preferably motor vehicles. The lighting optics has a light-refracting lens element that is disposed in the path of rays of at least one light. The lens element has at least one aperture through which a portion of the rays of the light passes without undergoing refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hubert Zwick, Helfried Sandig
  • Patent number: 6252724
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a Fresnel lens having a staged entrance surface, reflecting surfaces and an exit surface. The entrance surface is subdivided into outer concentric stages and a central part. The central part is aspherically curved on an entrance side and plane on an exit side by satisfying the eikonal condition. Every stage has a top side, underside and outer side, top sides and undersides being of plane design, and the outer sides having curvatures appropriate for satisfying the eikonal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: aqua signal Aktiengesellschaft Spezialleuchfabrik
    Inventor: Ulla Scheer
  • Patent number: 6213625
    Abstract: Light-transparent lens structures typically formed of conventional synthetic acrylic resins and intended for use as lenses in a lensed fluorescent troffer or similar lighting fixture, the lens structures of the invention are characterized by repeating patterns of conical or pyramidal depressions formed in the lens with upper portions or apices thereof being inverted. The lens structures of the invention preserve the angular relationships of lens material to air interfaces of conventional conical lens patterns, for example, and further preserve angular beam shaping capabilities while substantially reducing the amount of material needed to form the lens structures per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Carl Timothy Gould
  • Patent number: 6116757
    Abstract: An illumination system with a light source and a surrounding cylindrical array of refracting elements producing spokes of light on adjacent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 6050706
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an amber light bulb covered with a cup-shaped colorless transparent cap, thus emitting an amber light beam. A colorless, transparent, plain lens is employed. Furthermore, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the transparent cap is formed into a plurality of side steps, and the inner surface of the front end portion of the transparent cap is shaped into a Fresnel lens, and the outer surface of the front end portion is shaped into a plurality of fisheye lenses, which makes it more difficult to see the amber light bulb. Therefore, the vehicle lamp appears deep and glittering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ohtuka, Masataka Chouji, Naoki Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 6038387
    Abstract: A method for precise design of light distribution for lighting equipment that use light-emitting devices, and for subsequently producing such equipment. By modeling the internal structure of an LED device with respect to the geometry and characteristics of a chip portion, chip reflector and lens portion, illuminating light from an LED device is classified into direct light from the chip portion and the reflected light from the chip reflector. The unknown values necessary for the modeling are specified preliminarily by actual measurements. Subsequently, the original geometry of the lens step is determined roughly based on the target direction and the diffusion angle of the light transmitted through the step. The manner in which the direct light from the chip portion and the reflected light from the chip reflector are transmitted through the lens portion and the lens step is simulated by ray tracing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Machida