Illuminator

• US 6,056,420 A
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oxygen Enterprises, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Oxygen Enterprises, Ltd.
• Inventors: Johnson, Jennifer A., Dugan, Benjamin W., Wilson, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ward, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/133,542
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 362/11, 362/240, 362/248, 362/249, 362/369, 362/800, 362/230, 362/252, 362/351
• US Class Current: 362/249.03
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0832 Hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An illuminator for use in a darkroom or with scientific instrumentation with several light emitting diodes arranged in a regular array, a transparent structure to house the LED array, two circular end caps to prevent radiation from the end zones, an opaque decorative adhesive film surrounding the outer surface of the cylinder housing, an attachment means comprising hook and loop strips with adhesive backing and a two wire lead originating in a connector to bring power to the LED array.

Claims

1. An illuminator comprising:

a plurality of LEDs;

a housing, and

at least two connectors, wherein;

said LEDs are mounted in said housing;

said connectors are connected between a power source and said LEDs;

said housing is provided with a mask that permits a narrow-angled beam of light to be emitted from said housing, and said housing is provided with mounting means for mounting said illuminator on a surface.

2. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said mounting means is a hook-and-loop fastening material.

3. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said mask comprises plastic film.

4. The illuminator of claim 3, wherein said plastic film has decorations thereon.

5. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a transparent cylindrical tube having a cylindrical wall.

6. The illuminator of claim 5, wherein said mask comprises an opaque plastic film extending around a substantial portion of said cylindrical tube.

7. The illuminator of claim 5, wherein said means for mounting said housing comprises a hook-and-loop fastener extending around at least 90 degrees of said cylindrical wall.

8. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said LEDs have an emission spectrum in the visible range, excluding those wavelengths of radiation to which a scientific instrument is sensitive.

9. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said LEDs have an emission spectrum in the visible range, excluding those wavelengths of radiation to which a photographic emulsion is sensitive.

10. The illuminator of claim 1, wherein said LEDs are substantially hidden by said mask when viewed from outside the area illuminated thereby.

11. An illuminator for use in a darkroom or with scientific instrumentation comprising:

a) a plurality of LEDs arranged in an array;

b) connectors to connect a power source to said array;

c) a transparent structure to house said array;

d) means for mounting the illuminator on a surface; and

e) a mask that permits a narrow-angled beam of light to be emitted from said transparent structure.

12. An illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said plurality of LEDs comprises a dual row of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board.

13. The illuminator of claim 11, wherein said means for mounting said illuminator comprises a hook-and-loop fastener adhesively attached to the outside of said transparent structure, said fastener being so positioned as to not block emission of said LEDs.

14. An illuminator of claim 11, additionally comprising a battery power source so assembled with an LED array to provide a portable light for industrial, office, or home use.

15. The illuminator of claim 11, wherein said LEDs emit radiation in the visible range, excluding those wavelengths of radiation to which a scientific instrument is sensitive.

16. The illuminator of claim 11, wherein said LEDs emit radiation in the visible range, excluding those wavelengths of radiation to which a photographic film is sensitive.

17. The illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said array is positioned at a side of said transparent structure and said mask comprising;

a) an ornamental, opaque film applied to a surface of the said transparent structure to provide a narrow slit opposite said array; and

b) two opaque caps applied to end sections of said transparent structure.

18. An illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said transparent housing structure of polymer material has an elliptical cross-section.

19. An illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said transparent housing structure of polymer material has a circular cross-section.

20. An illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said transparent housing structure of polymer material is formed to have a cup-like shape.

21. An illuminator of claim 11, wherein:

said transparent housing structure of polymer material, is of a cylindrical cross-section.

22. The illuminator of claim 11, wherein the mounting means is a surface mounting fixture with an orthogonal post, to which said illuminator is affixed.