Light emitting diode light bar

• US 6,948,840 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Original Assignee: Everbrite LLC
• Inventors: Grenda, Christopher, Mohacsi, Ferenc
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US10/280,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 362/310, 362/551, 362/555, 362/560, 405/46
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• 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 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0078 Side-by-side arrangements, e.g. for large area displays

Abstract

A lighting fixture is disclosed which provides a substantially uniform elongated light output, yet is powered by only a minimum number of inexpensive light emitting diodes. The lighting fixture has a curved back surface and a selected focal area to provide a substantially uniform output. Multiple LEDs may be controlled by a controller to provide special lighting effects. Each of the side surfaces and the back surface may include a reflector. The lighting fixtures preferably have flat end surfaces so they may be placed end-to-end to create an elongated light bar of any desired length.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a translucent member, including

an output surface;

a curved back surface having a first reflector thereon;

first and second side surfaces;

an end surface;

a blocking surface;

an intermediate surface adjacent said second curved back surface and said blocking surface; and

at least one light emitting diode (LED) interconnected with said intermediate surface, wherein said blocking surface prevents light output from a side of said at least one diode from directly reaching said output surface, and wherein said curved back surface and said blocking surface are integrally formed as one piece with the translucent member.

2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising

a diffuser formed integral with said output surface.

3. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said first reflector is a specular reflector.

4. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said first and second side surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

5. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said end surface is a first end surface, and wherein said lighting fixture further includes a second end surface opposite to said first end surface.

6. The lighting fixture of claim 1, further comprising a focal area through which at least fifty percent of light emitted from said at least one LED passes.

7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode (LED) includes at least two LEDs of different colors, and wherein said lighting fixture further comprises:

a controller that controls the power to each of said LEDs to yield a desired light color output.

8. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein the shape of said curved back surface is such that light from said at least one light emitting diode is reflected off of said curved back surface toward a focal area.

9. The lighting fixture of claim 8, wherein said focal area is located approximately midway between said output surface and said curved back surface.

10. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said first and second side surfaces are reflective.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said translucent member includes an air gap disposed between said first and second side surfaces.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said translucent member includes light reflective particles dispersed thereon.

13. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a translucent member, including;

an output surface;

a first curved back surface having a first reflector thereon;

first and second side surfaces;

an end surface;

a second curved back surface having a second reflector thereon;

an intermediate surface adjacent said second curved back surface;

a first light emitting diode (LED) interconnected with said end surface; and

a second light emitting diode interconnected with said intermediate surface, wherein said first and second curved back surfaces are integrally formed as one piece with the translucent member.

14. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising

a diffuser formed integral with said output surface.

15. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said first reflector is a specular reflector.

16. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said first and second side surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

17. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said end surface is a first end surface, and wherein said lighting fixture further includes a second end surface opposite to said first end surface.

18. The lighting fixture of claim 13, further comprising a focal area through which at least fifty percent of light emitted from said at least one LED passes.

19. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said first and second light emitting diodes (LED) includes at least two LEDs of different colors, and wherein said lighting fixture further comprises:

a controller that controls the power to each of said LEDs to yield a desired light color output.

20. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein the shapes of said first and second curved back surfaces are such that light from said first and second light emitting diodes is reflected off of said first and second curved back surfaces toward a focal area.

21. The lighting fixture of claim 20, wherein said focal area is located approximately midway between said output surface and said first and second curved back surfaces.

22. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said first and second side surfaces are reflective.

23. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said translucent member includes an air gap disposed between said first and second side surfaces.

24. The lighting fixture of claim 13, wherein said translucent member includes light reflective particles dispersed thereon.

25. A lighting fixture, comprising:

a translucent member, including

an output surface;

a first curved back surface having a first reflector thereon;

first and second side surfaces;

an end surface;

at least one light emitting diode (LED) interconnected with said end surface;

wherein said translucent member includes

a first light emitting section including said first curved back surface; and

a second light emitting section including a second curved back surface having a second reflector thereon;

wherein said second light emitting section includes

an intermediate surface adjacent said second curved back surface;

a second light emitting diode interconnected with said intermediate surface; and

a blocking surface adjacent said intermediate surface, said blocking surface substantially preventing light output from a side of said second light emitting diode from directly reaching said output surface,

wherein said first and second light emitting sections are integrally formed as one piece with the translucent member.

26. The lighting fixture of claim 25, wherein said curved back surface of said first light emitting section is substantially parallel with said blocking surface of said second light emitting section.

27. The lighting fixture of claim 25, further comprising an adjoining surface between said curved back surface of said first light emitting section and said blocking surface of said second light emitting section.