Lighting enhanced by magnified reflective surfaces

• US 6,840,652 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hi-Lite Safety Systems, L.C.
• Original Assignee: Hi-Lite Safety Systems, L.C.
• Inventors: Hymer, Jeff L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/208,665
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 362/235, 362/249, 362/252, 362/247, 362/800, 362/545
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 13/04 the elements being reflectors and refractors for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light comprises a combination of light reflective and light refractive surfaces with geometric configuration of light emitting diodes (LED'"'"'s). With the geometric configurations, the number of LED'"'"'s can be minimized while retaining the redundancy that substantially eliminates the threat of a burned out lamp or light fixture. The LED configuration permits a beam or flood of light of circular or oblong shape depending on the reflectors and covering lens. In general, the LED'"'"'s are located at the center of, or about the inside periphery of, the lamp and directed toward the shaped reflective surfaces at the back of the lamp. The reflective surfaces direct the light through a covering lens that may or may not refract the light passing through.

Claims

1. A lamp comprising a back and a lens, said back and lens enclosing a volume, a reflective surface within the volume substantially at the back, a plurality of light emitting diodes attached to the lens within the volume, said plurality of light emitting diodes positioned to direct light toward the reflective surface whereby the light is reflected through the lens from within the volume.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are spaced from inside the periphery of the volume.

3. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the reflective surface and lens are substantially round and the plurality of light emitting diodes are located at the center of the lens inside the volume.

4. The lamp or claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the reflective surface is substantially flat.

5. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are oblique to the reflective surface.