Light glare reducing device

• US 5,860,735 A
• Filed: 10/19/1995
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Keech
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Keech
• Inventors: Keech, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spark, Matthew J.
• Application Number:
  US08/545,336
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/32, 362/255, 362/268, 362/290, 362/342, 362/19, 362/293, 362/90, 362/297, 362/208, 362/205, 362/277, 362/31, D26/118, 116/272, 340/626, 359/601
• US Class Current: 362/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape

Abstract

A light glare reducing device being all or partially constructed of light transmitting materials with light reflecting surfaces in different designs. When the light glare reducing devices or lenses are placed over lighting sources they reduce the high glare and blinding effects of the light sources. Increasing the light output of lighting sources when used with lenses can maintain the lighting level while reducing glare. When used for automotive usage alternative automotive headlights are used. The combined usage of the alternative headlights and the lenses provides roadway and side of the roadway lighting without high glare to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and animals. The existing automotive headlight system can be maintained so that the high beam headlights can be used if necessary or desirable.

Claims

1. A light glare reducing device for use in conjunction with a light source for reducing glare and blinding effects of the light source the device comprising:

a. first diffusive light transmitting medium;

b. a first compartment with a plurality of light transmitting surfaces adapted to be placed in a path of light emitted from the light source;

c. said first compartment being filled with said first light transmitting medium such that the first light transmitting medium is disposed between said light transmitting surfaces of the first compartment;

d. a second diffusive light transmitting medium;

e. a second compartment with a plurality of light transmitting surfaces adapted to be placed in a path of light emitted from the light source;

f. said second compartment being filled with said second light transmitting medium such that the second light transmitting medium is disposed between said light transmitting surfaces of the second compartment;

g. said first and second compartments being disposed adjacent each other and said first compartment having a different diffusivity than said second compartment;

wherein at least one of the first light transmitting medium and the second light transmitting medium comprises a solid.

2. The light glare reducing device according to claim 1, wherein said solid is formed by solidifying a mixture of liquid and solid particles.

3. The light glare reducing device according to claim 2, wherein said solid is formed by solidifying a mixture of two liquids.

4. A lighting system for providing light with a reduced glare comprising:

a light source; and

a light glare reducing device positioned in a path of light emitted from said light source, the light glare reducing device comprising an inner compartment and an outer compartment, the inner compartment being disposed at least partially within the outer compartment;

the inner compartment having a first light transmitting surface adjacent the light source;

the outer compartment having a second light transmitting surface adjacent the light source;

a first diffusive light transmitting medium disposed within and filling the inner compartment, said first diffusive light transmitting medium having suspended particles dispersed throughout for scattering light; and

a second diffusive light transmitting medium disposed within and filling the outer compartment, said second diffusive light transmitting medium having suspended particles dispersed throughout for scattering light.

5. The lighting system according to claim 4, wherein the inner compartment is generally coaxial with the outer compartment.

6. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the inner compartment is cylindrical-shaped.

7. The lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the outer compartment is cylindrical-shaped.

8. A vehicular lighting system, comprising:

a headlight; and

a glare reducing device positioned in a path of light emitted from the headlight, the glare reducing device comprising a first compartment, the first compartment having a first light transmitting surface disposed adjacent the headlight, the first compartment being filled with a diffusive light transmitting medium having suspended particles dispersed throughout said medium for scattering light;

wherein the glare reducing device further comprises a second compartment, the second compartment having a second light transmitting surface disposed adjacent the headlight, the second compartment being filled with a diffusive light transmitting medium having suspended particles dispersed throughout said medium for scattering light, said first and second compartments being disposed adjacent each other.

9. The vehicular lighting system of claim 8, wherein said first compartment has a different diffusivity than said second compartment.

10. The vehicular lighting system of claim 8, wherein said first compartment is disposed partially within said second compartment.

11. A lighting system for reducing glare and blinding effects of a light source, the lighting system comprising:

a light source;

a single diffusive light transmitting lens comprising a solid mass having suspended particles dispersed throughout said solid mass for scattering light; and

means for placing said lens in a path of light emitted from the light source.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein said suspended particles comprise a laundry detergent.

13. A reduced glare lighting system, comprising:

a light source;

a single diffusive light transmitting lens disposed in a path of light emitted from the light source, said lens comprising a solid mass having suspended particles dispersed throughout said solid mass for scattering light; and

an opaque funnel-shaped body which converges from a first opening on a side facing said light source toward a second opening on a side facing away from said light source, said diffusive light transmitting lens being fitted in said second opening, said funnel-shaped body being arranged to direct light from said light source toward said diffusive light transmitting lens.

14. The reduced glare lighting system according to claim 13, wherein said diffusive light transmitting lens is sized to fit snugly in the second opening of the funnel-shaped body.

15. The reduced glare lighting system according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of interchangeable diffusive light transmitting lenses are provided, each lens having a different diffusivity for adapting to different environments.