Fiber optically illuminated surface
First Claim
1. An illuminated surface for use on a base surface, the illuminated surface comprising:
- a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough, each of the transmissive tiles having an exterior surface, an opposing attaching surface, and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces, the attaching surface being affixable to the base surface, the plurality of transmissive tiles being arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel, the cable channel being defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles;
a light source being operative to radiate light; and
a fiber optic cable in optical communication with the light source to receive light from the light source, the fiber optic cable having a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel, the first segment being configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An illuminated surface for use on a base surface, the illuminated surface comprising:
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a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough, each of the transmissive tiles having an exterior surface, an opposing attaching surface, and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces, the attaching surface being affixable to the base surface, the plurality of transmissive tiles being arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel, the cable channel being defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles; a light source being operative to radiate light; and a fiber optic cable in optical communication with the light source to receive light from the light source, the fiber optic cable having a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel, the first segment being configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of constructing an illuminated surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a light source and a fiber optic cable optically coupled thereto, the light source being operative to radiate light and the fiber optic cable being configured to receive light therefrom, the fiber optic cable having a longitudinal axis; (b) affixing a plurality of transmissive tiles to a base surface, each of the transmissive tiles having an exterior surface, an opposing attaching surface, and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces, the attaching surface being affixed to the base surface, the plurality of transmissive tiles being affixed to the base surface in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel, the cable channel being defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles; and (c) disposing a first segment of the fiber optic cable within the cable channel, the first segment being configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of installing a prefabricated illuminated surface onto a support member, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing the prefabricated illuminated surface including; a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough, each of the transmissive tiles having an exterior surface, an opposing attaching surface, and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces, the attaching surface being affixed to a mounting member, the mounting member having a tile surface and a support surface, the tiles being affixed to the tile surface, the plurality of transmissive tiles being arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel, the cable channel being defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles; a light source being operative to radiate light; and a fiber optic cable in optical communication with the light source to receive light from the light source, the fiber optic cable having a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel, the first segment being configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles; and (b) attaching the support surface of the mounting member to the support member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification