Optic lens cell and illuminated signage having a cell array
First Claim
1. An optic lens cell for an illuminated sign or signal, comprising:
- a) a plurality of light sources each having a central axis of light emission; and
b) at least one lens spaced apart from said light source, said lens comprising a generally flat lens portion having a plurality of convex portions integrally formed thereon, each of said convex portions having an aperture defined therein with a central axis that is generally parallel to one of said light source central axes;
wherein said light sources are capable of being electrically connected to a power source, each of said light sources is capable of emitting light rays with a first portion of said light rays redirected back generally toward said light central axis by said lens convex portion and a second portion of said light rays passing through said aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low loss optic lens cell the cell comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of light sources such as LEDs mounted to a board and capable of being electrically connected to a power source. A lens is attached to the board in a spaced apart relationship thereto. Each lens has a flat portion, least one and preferably a plurality of convex portions, and an aperture defined in each convex portion in a generally collinear arrangement relative to a corresponding LED. A plurality of the cells may be combined into an array, arranged in a housing, and connected to an electric control for operating the cells to form lighted patterns. Low intensity light rays are maximally utilized by refracting the rays back toward the LED axis and high intensity light rays are maximally utilized by allowing them to pass through the aperture without refraction and with little or no optical losses.
Alternative embodiments of the convex lens provide convex lenses convex about one axis or two axes, semi-circular segments of the convex lens, cylindrical apertures, slotted apertures, frustum shape apertures, semi-circular apertures, and lenses and LEDs offset relative to each other.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An optic lens cell for an illuminated sign or signal, comprising:
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a) a plurality of light sources each having a central axis of light emission; and
b) at least one lens spaced apart from said light source, said lens comprising a generally flat lens portion having a plurality of convex portions integrally formed thereon, each of said convex portions having an aperture defined therein with a central axis that is generally parallel to one of said light source central axes;
wherein said light sources are capable of being electrically connected to a power source, each of said light sources is capable of emitting light rays with a first portion of said light rays redirected back generally toward said light central axis by said lens convex portion and a second portion of said light rays passing through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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11. An optic lens cell for an illuminated sign or signal, comprising:
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a) at least one light source having a central axis of light emission; and
b) at least one lens spaced apart from said light source and having at least one convex portion and at least one aperture defined therein, said aperture having a central axis that is generally parallel to said light source central axis, wherein said aperture is in the form of a generally frustum-shaped opening with a smaller diameter closer to said light source and a larger diameter farther from said light source;
wherein said light source is capable of being electrically connected to a power source and capable of emitting light rays, a first portion of said light rays are redirected back generally toward said light central axis by said lens convex portion and a second portion of said light rays pass through said aperture.
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19. An optic lens cell for an illuminated sign or signal, comprising:
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a) four light emitting diodes, each having a central axis of light emission and mounted and electrically connected to a circuit board having electric circuit wiring embedded thereon;
b) a lens spaced apart from said light emitting diodes and attached to said circuit board, said lens having a generally flat portion and four convex portions integrally formed thereon, each convex portion having one generally cylindrical aperture defined therein, each aperture having a central axis that is generally collinear with one of said four light emitting diodes axes, wherein each of said light emitting diodes is capable of being electrically connected to a power source and capable of emitting light rays, a first portion of said light rays are redirected back generally toward said light central axis by said lens convex portion and a second portion of said light rays pass through said aperture. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An illuminated sign, comprising:
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a) a plurality of optic cells arranged in an array; and
b) a housing generally containing said cells;
wherein each cell comprises a plurality of light sources and at least one lens, said light sources mounted on a circuit board and electrically connected together, each light source having a central axis of light emission, each light source capable of emitting light rays and said lens comprising a generally flat portion with a plurality of convex portions integrally formed thereon, each convex portion having a generally cylindrical-shaped aperture defined therein with a central axis that is generally parallel to one of said light source central axes, said lens spaced apart from said light sources and attached to said circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification