Thin panel illuminator
First Claim
1. A panel illuminator comprising a solid transparent panel member having top and bottom surfaces and an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said panel member, and means for causing the conducted light to be emitted from one of said surfaces along the length of said panel member, said means for causing light to be emitted comprising a solid transparent film on one of said surfaces of said panel member having spaced apart prism edges running generally perpendicular to said input edge, and deformities along the length of said prism edges.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Thin panel illuminator includes a solid transparent panel member having one or more deformed output regions which cause light entering the panel along an input edge thereof to be emitted along the length of the panel. Light may be transmitted to one or more panel input edges from one or more light sources utilizing transition devices which convert easily focused light generally to the shape of the panel input surfaces.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A panel illuminator comprising a solid transparent panel member having top and bottom surfaces and an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said panel member, and means for causing the conducted light to be emitted from one of said surfaces along the length of said panel member, said means for causing light to be emitted comprising a solid transparent film on one of said surfaces of said panel member having spaced apart prism edges running generally perpendicular to said input edge, and deformities along the length of said prism edges.
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3. A light emitting panel comprising a solid transparent wave guide having an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said wave guide, a prismatic surface on one side of said wave guide for causing such conducted light to be emitted therefrom, said prismatic surface including a plurality of spaced apart prism edges extending substantially parallel to said input edge, a prismatic film in close proximity to said prismatic surface for shifting the angular direction of light emitted therefrom, and transparent means for bonding said prismatic film to said prismatic surface.
- 4. A light emitting panel comprising a solid transparent wave guide having an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said wave guide, and a prismatic surface on one side of said wave guide for causing such conducted light to be emitted therefrom, said wave guide being in the shape of a channel having a bottom wall, spaced apart side walls and an open top, and prismatic surfaces along the interior length of said bottom and side walls to cause light to be emitted interiorly.
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6. A panel illuminator comprising a solid transparent panel member having top and bottom surfaces and an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said panel member, and means for causing the conducted light to be emitted from one of said surfaces along the length of said panel member, said means for causing light to be emitted comprising a prismatic surface on one of said surfaces of said panel member, said prismatic surface including a plurality of spaced apart edges which run generally parallel to said input edge, and a prismatic film disposed in close proximity to said prismatic surface for shifting the angular direction of light emitted therefrom, said prismatic film being bonded to said prismatic surface by transparent means.
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7. A panel illuminator comprising a solid transparent panel member having top and bottom surfaces and an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said panel member, said means for causing light to be emitted comprising a prismatic surface on one of said surfaces of said panel member, a prismatic film disposed in close proximity to said prismatic surface for shifting the angular direction of light emitted therefrom, and transparent means for bonding said prismatic film to said prismatic surface.
- 8. A light emitting panel comprising a solid transparent wave guide having an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said wave guide, a prismatic surface on one side of said wave guide for causing such conducted light to be emitted therefrom, and a prismatic film in close proximity to said prismatic surface for shifting the angular direction of light emitted therefrom.
- 10. A light emitting panel comprising a solid transparent wave guide having an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said wave guide, and a prismatic surface on one side of said wave guide for causing such conducted light to be emitted therefrom, said prismatic surface including a plurality of spaced apart prism edges running generally perpendicular to said input edge, said prismatic surface progressively decreasing in depth along the length of said wave guide as the distance from said input edge increases.
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15. A light emitting panel comprising a solid transparent wave guide having an input edge for receiving light from a light source for conduction through said wave guide, and a prismatic surface on one side of said wave guide for causing such conducted light to be emitted therefrom, said prismatic surface including a plurality of spaced apart prism edges running generally perpendicular to said input edge, said wave guide having a pair of input edges at opposite ends thereof for receiving light from plural light sources.
Specification