Fiber optic light panel assemblies and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having at least one light receiving end and opposite side edges, at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends extending outwardly beyond the light receiving end for receiving light from an associated light source, one or more of the optical fibers that protrude beyond the light receiving end being completely severed adjacent the light receiving end to prevent any light entering the protruding ends of the severed optical fibers from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers beyond where the optical fibers are severed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fiber optic light panel assemblies include a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other. One or more of the optical fibers may be completely severed adjacent the light receiving end of the panel member to prevent any light entering the light receiving end from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers. At least some of the severed optical fibers may extend along one or more side edges of the panel member and/or intermediate the side edges. A slot may extend through an unlighted end of the panel member toward the light receiving end intermediate the side edges that sever a number of the optical fibers at the innermost end of the slot. The panel member may also be cut into a plurality of smaller width panel sections to provide gaps between the panel sections. One or both ends of the panel member (including any smaller width panel sections) and/or any severed ends of the optical fibers may be masked with a light absorbent material to absorb any light emitted therefrom.
56 Citations
71 Claims
- 1. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having at least one light receiving end and opposite side edges, at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends extending outwardly beyond the light receiving end for receiving light from an associated light source, one or more of the optical fibers that protrude beyond the light receiving end being completely severed adjacent the light receiving end to prevent any light entering the protruding ends of the severed optical fibers from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers beyond where the optical fibers are severed.
- 36. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having a light receiving end and an unlighted end opposite the light receiving end, and a slot extending through the unlighted end toward the light receiving end intermediate the width of the panel member, the slot terminating short of the light receiving end.
- 40. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having at least one light receiving end, at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends that extend outwardly beyond the light receiving end of the panel member, alternate pairs of the protruding ends of the optical fibers being grouped together in at least two groups to form at least two light cables to compensate for any color differences or light output differences from at least two light sources that supply light to the light cables.
- 45. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having at least one light receiving end, at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends extending outwardly beyond the light receiving end that are bundled together to form at least one light cable that is heat formed into a compact shape that does not extend outwardly beyond the light receiving end more than one-half the width of the light panel.
- 48. A fiber optic light panel assembly comprising a light emitting panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers in close proximity to each other, the panel member having proximal and distal ends and opposite side edges, the optical fibers having distal ends terminating at the distal end of the panel member and proximal ends extending outwardly beyond the proximal end of the panel member for transmitting light from a light source to the panel member, a coating of black paint or ink on the distal ends of the optical fibers to absorb any light emitted from the distal ends, and a clear coat on the distal ends beneath the coating of black paint or ink which prevents the black paint or ink from wicking between the distal ends of the optical fibers.
- 50. A method of making a fiber optic panel assembly comprising the steps of providing a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other, at least one light receiving end and opposite side edges, at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends extending outwardly beyond the light receiving end for receiving light from an associated light source, and completely severing one or more of the protruding ends of the optical fibers adjacent the light receiving end to prevent any light entering the protruding ends of the severed optical fibers from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers beyond where the optical fibers are severed.
- 64. A method of making a fiber optic panel assembly comprising the steps of providing a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other with at least some of the optical fibers protruding beyond at least one end of the panel member, cutting the panel member into a plurality of smaller width panel sections to provide gaps between such panel sections for receipt of mechanical elements of a device with which the panel assembly is used to provide background illumination, and bundling together the protruding ends of the optical fibers extending beyond one end of more than one of the panel sections into at least one light cable for transmitting light from at least one light source to the panel sections.
- 68. A method of making a fiber optic panel assembly including a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other, the panel member having at least one light receiving end and opposite side edges, and at least some of the optical fibers having protruding ends extending outwardly beyond the light receiving end of the panel member, comprising the steps of pulling the protruding ends of the optical fibers through at least one ferrule, arranging the protruding ends and ferrule at a desired position and orientation in close proximity to the light receiving end, heat forming the protruding ends to retain the shape of the protruding ends and orientation of the ferrule in close proximity to the light receiving end, and crimping the ferrule onto the protruding ends.
Specification