Method and appartus for light transmission

• US 5,879,076 A
• Filed: 02/20/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Goeken Group Corp.
• Original Assignee: Flexalite Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Cross, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US08/802,526
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 362/551, 362/582, 362/583, 362/555, 362/103, 362/108, 362/800, 362/806
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/01 with reflective or luminous safety means visible signalling arrangements G08B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/004 Reflective safety signalling devices attached on persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/006 Portable traffic signalling devices G08B5/004 takes precedence; emergency signalling devices to be placed on roads or vehicles B60Q7/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for light transmission adapted for use in a reflective belt, safety vest, or similar devices requiring visibility of a bright and/or reflective material where a light source of one or more lighting elements is positioned to transmit light along a self-supporting elongated light transmitting member of a hot-melt adhesive thermoplastic material and a flashing circuit for the light source which includes a battery pack or any other power source convertible to D.C. voltage. The hot-melt adhesive is of a high clarity, highly flexible material which transmits light in a highly visible manner within an elongated casement of material formed of a light-colored backing material and a front strip of a translucent material adapted to transmit the light driven along the member by the light-emitting source. Any light-emitting source, either visible or invisible would be suitable for the transmitting device. Similarly, the casement of material, elongated members, light-emitting sources and circuit and D.C. power source could be mounted on either the front and/or rear panel of a safety vest where the vest is desirable for high visibility in darkness or dimly lit situations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the transmission of light comprising a light emitting diode and a solid length of an elongated and highly flexible shaft of thermoplastic material having a longitudinal axis and two ends and characterized by a high degree of clarity and being reformable in use, said light being embedded in the shaft along the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that light emitted from the light emitting diode is directly transmitted through and radiated from a substantial portion of the length of the shaft in all directions.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of light-emitting diodes embedded in the shaft in spaced positions along the length of the shaft.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is located on a safety belt having a battery pack and circuit located on the belt connected to the light source.

4. A portable safety belt comprising a front translucent vinyl cover capable of diffusing light, a flexible backing strip capable of reflecting light and having a length sufficient to encircle a body part of a user of the belt, a battery pack and circuit mounted on the flexible strip, at least one light emitting diode situated along the length of the flexible strip connected to the circuit, and located between the backing strip and the front translucent cover, an elongated and highly flexible solid shaft of thermoplastic material having a longitudinal axis and characterized by a high degree of clarity and being reformable in use, the light emitting diode being embedded in the member along the longitudinal axis such that light from the light emitting diode is directly transmitted through and radiates in all directions from a substantial portion of the length of the shaft.

5. The safety belt according to claim 4, wherein the light source emits any light capable of being transmitted along the member.

6. The safety belt according to claim 4, wherein the light source is a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

7. The safety belt according to claim 4, wherein the light source is a laser beam.

8. An apparatus comprising an elongated solid shaft of a highly flexible hot-melt adhesive thermoplastic having a longitudinal axis and two ends and characterized by its high degree of clarity and being reformable in use, said thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-vinyl acetate, a low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide, and at least one light emitting diode embedded in the shaft along the longitudinal axis such that the light is directly transmitted through and radiated from a substantial portion of the length of the shaft in all directions.