Optical transmission tube and applications thereof

• US 20020159741A1
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Ishiharada, Minoru, Graves, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US10/082,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159741A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/133
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/023 for pedestrian walkways
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/06 for aircraft runways or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/06 for personal wear
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/107 of the exterior of buildings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/308 for aquaria
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre

Abstract

An optical transmission tube for illumination is uniquely incorporated into any one of a variety of automotive, commercial, retail, structural, architectural, safety, or other products including running boards, vehicle interior compartments such as a glove box, approximate the license plate attachment area on a vehicle, a trunk, a vehicle hood, on a vehicle door, a vehicle bumper, a vehicle luggage rack, a picture frame, a flashlight, a building, a guard rail, a construction barrier, a bicycle, a sign, an appliance interior compartment such as a refrigerator, a part bin, a retail display shelf, a clipboard, a step, a tractor trailer, a desk, a walkway, a room or storage chamber, a runway, an instrument panel, a railroad crossing gate, an emergency sign, an elevator doorway, a swimming pool, a dog collar, a fish tank, a baby crib a hand rail, an inline skate an island in a parking lot or on a street, affixed to a curb, or on safety clothing.

Claims

1. A shelving unit comprising a frame for supporting a shelf having a top surface on which items can be stored or displayed, an outermost edge, and a bottom surface, the shelf further including an optical transmission tube affixed thereon, said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

2. The shelving unit of claim 1 wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to the bottom surface of said shelf.

3. The shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to the outermost edge of said shelf.

4. A sign comprising a front semi-transparent or transparent surface and an optical transmission tube affixed behind the surface for illuminating graphics through the semitransparent or transparent surface, and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

5. The sign of claim 4 wherein the semi-transparent or transparent surface contains graphics thereon.

6. A flashlight comprising an elongated body housing a power supply compartment, and including an optical transmission tube affixed thereto for illuminating outward therefrom, and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

7. A storage bin having interior and exterior surfaces and including an optical transmission tube affixed thereto for illuminating outward therefrom, and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

8. The storage bin of claim 7 wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to an interior surface, thereby illuminating the interior of the storage bin.

9. The storage bin of claim 7 wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to an exterior surface, thereby illuminating at least part of the structure of the storage bin.

10. An article of clothing having an optical transmission tube affixed thereto for illuminating outward therefrom, and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

11. An inline skate having an optical transmission tube affixed thereto for illuminating outward therefrom, and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.

13. The clipboard of claim 12 wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to the clip.

14. The clipboard of claim 12 wherein the optical transmission tube is affixed to the surface of the clipboard.

12. A clipboard comprising a flat surface with a clip attached thereto, and having an optical transmission tube affixed thereto for illuminating the surface of the clipboard and said optical transmission tube including a light emitting diode and an elongated transparent body capable of allowing light to be transmitted substantially along its entirety from the light emitting diode positioned approximate at the end of the body.