Rod as a Lens Element for Light Emitting Diodes

• US 20150300628A1
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William, Presley, Harry
• Granted Patent: US 10,527,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 11/10 Arrangements of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 2003/008 with pivoting front glass panel
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/043 the lens having cylindrical faces, e.g. rod lenses, toric lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1336 Illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/065 Advertising in food vending machines

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments herein provide a lighting system for a display case having at least one edge. A lighting assembly is positioned along an edge of the display case or a door assembly, where a transparent or semi-transparent rod is positioned adjacent to the lighting assembly to act as a lens element. The rod is generally placed parallel to the edge of the display case or door assembly. The lighting assembly preferably includes a mounting structure which contains a substrate with a plurality of LEDs along with the rod. A blinder may extend rearwardly from the mounting structure to prevent headlighting.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a display case comprising:

a door assembly having at least one edge;

a lighting assembly placed along an edge of the door assembly; and

a transparent rod placed adjacent to the lighting assembly.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

the rod is positioned in the path of light rays exiting the lighting assembly.

3. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

the rod contains a central axis which is substantially parallel to the edge of the door.

4. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the lighting assembly comprises:

a mounting structure that defines a slot; and

a PCB containing a plurality of LEDs which is sized to fit within the slot.

5. The lighting system of claim 4 further comprising:

a U-shaped channel defined by a portion of the mounting structure.

6. The lighting system of claim 5 further comprising:

the rod is located within the U-shaped channel.

7. The lighting system of claim 4 further comprising:

the mounting structure defines a front and rear ledge which sandwich two sides of the rod.

8. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the door assembly comprises:

a rear glass;

a front glass; and

a layer of liquid crystal material placed in between the front and rear glass.

9. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

the rod is comprised of acrylic.

10. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein:

the rod is comprised of glass.

11. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising:

a blinder which extends rearwardly from the lighting assembly to prevent headlighting.

12. A lighting system for an edge of a display case comprising:

a mounting structure positioned along the edge;

a U-shaped channel positioned on the mounting structure;

a slot positioned within the U-shaped channel;

a substrate containing a plurality of LEDs positioned within the slot; and

a transparent rod positioned within the U-shaped channel.

13. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein:

the U-shaped channel defines a front ledge and a rear ledge where the rod is contacting the front ledge, rear ledge, and the LEDs.

14. The lighting system of claim 12 further comprising:

a blinder which extends rearwardly from the mounting structure to prevent headlighting.

15. The lighting system of claim 12 further comprising:

a front glass positioned in front of the mounting structure.

16. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein:

a central axis of each LED is positioned between 4 and 8 degrees of parallel with the front glass.

17. The lighting system of claim 12 wherein:

a central axis of the rod is substantially parallel with the substrate containing a plurality of LEDs.

18. A lighting system for a display case comprising:

a door assembly having a front glass, rear glass, a layer of liquid crystal material between the front and rear glass, and at least one edge;

a mounting structure positioned along the edge and having a U-shaped channel with a slot positioned near a bottom of the U-shaped channel;

a substrate containing a plurality of LEDs positioned within the slot;

a front ledge and a rear ledge defined by the mounting structure; and

a transparent rod positioned within the U-shaped channel and contacting the front ledge, rear ledge, and LEDs.

19. The lighting system of claim 18 wherein:

a central axis of each LED is positioned between 4 and 8 degrees of parallel with the front glass.

20. The lighting system of claim 18 wherein:

a central axis of the rod is substantially parallel with the substrate containing a plurality of LEDs.