Supporting structure for a prism light guide
First Claim
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1. A structure for supporting a light guide comprising:
- an inverted T-shaped elongated member having a base portion and a suspension portion extending in a generally perpendicular direction from said base portion, said base portion adapted to retain the longitudinal edges of a light guide, said suspension portion including an attachment device adapted to receive a mounting device, said attachment device allowing said suspension portion to move in an axial direction relative to said mounting device.
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Abstract
A light guide structure has a base portion which is slidingly received and retained by a supporting member. The longitudinal edges of a light guide are secured within longitudinal slots formed in the base member. The supporting member is mounted upon a surface. The support structure allows for expansion and contraction of the light guide with temperature variations.
52 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A structure for supporting a light guide comprising:
an inverted T-shaped elongated member having a base portion and a suspension portion extending in a generally perpendicular direction from said base portion, said base portion adapted to retain the longitudinal edges of a light guide, said suspension portion including an attachment device adapted to receive a mounting device, said attachment device allowing said suspension portion to move in an axial direction relative to said mounting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A structure for supporting a light guide comprising:
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a base member having an axial rib extending therefrom, said base member also including a pair of opposed longitudinal slots which are adapted to receive longitudinal edges of the light guide; and a supporting member which is separate from said base member having an axial groove which slidingly receives and retains said axial rib whereby said base member can move in an axial direction relative to said supporting member, said supporting member being adapted to be mounted upon a surface. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for supporting a light guide upon a surface comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a supporting structure having a base member which includes an axial rib extending therefrom, the base member also including a pair of opposed longitudinal slots, and a supporting member having an axial groove which slidingly receives and retains the base member axial rib, the supporting member having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough; (b) inserting a first edge of a sheet of transparent film into one of the longitudinal slots formed in the base member of the supporting structure and securing the first edge therein; (c) attaching a first edge of a sheet of optical lighting film to the base member of the supporting structure with the sheet of optical lighting film laying on the sheet of transparent film, the first edge of the optical lighting film cooperating with the base member of the supporting structure to form a pocket; (d) rolling the sheets of transparent film and optical lighting film into a cylindrical shape; (e) inserting a second edge of the transparent film, the second edge being opposite from the first edge, into the other of the longitudinal slots formed in the base member of the supporting structure while inserting a second edge of the optical film, the second edge being opposite from the first edge, into the pocket formed between the first edge of the optical film and the base member of the supporting structure; (f) securing the second edge of the transparent film in the other of the base member longitudinal slots to form a cylindrical light tube and supporting structure assembly and; (g) hanging the light tube and supporting structure assembly from a plurality of hangers attached to a surface by inserting the ends of the hangers through the apertures in the suspension member of the supporting structure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification