Light-guide lights suitable for use in illuminated displays

• US 7,164,836 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Lea, Michael C., Wright, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US10/491,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20050175282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 385/901, 385/115, 385/116, 385/117, 385/118, 385/119, 385/120, 385/14, 385/129, 385/130, 385/36, 385/37, 313/113, 313/116, 313/110
• US Class Current: 385/129
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A light-guide light (1) suitable for use in illuminated displays and signs comprises a housing (3) defining an optical cavity having first and second generally parallel major faces (5, 6), and a light source (11) positioned to direct light into the optical cavity from one side. The first major face (5) comprises a material (for example, a prismatic film) having coefficients of reflection and transmission that vary with the angle at which light is incident on the material. The second major face (6) comprises a narrow-scattering reflective material having a reflectance of at least 85%, for example a highly-efficient reflective material provided with a suitable textured pattern.

Claims

1. A light-guide device comprising a housing defining a light-guiding optical cavity having first and second generally parallel major faces, and at least one light source arranged to direct visible light into the cavity from one side, to he guided between the first and second major faces, wherein;

(a) the first major face comprises a material having coefficients of reflection and transmission that vary with the angle at which light is incident on the material; and

(b) the second major race comprises a narrow-scattering reflective material having a total reflectance of at least 85% for visible light incident on the surface at any angle;

whereby light frown within the cavity is emitted substantially uniformly across the first major surface.

2. At light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second major surface has a reflectance of at least 98% for visible light incident on the surface at any angle.

3. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second major surface comprises a specularly-reflecting material having a light-spreading structure formed thereon.

4. At light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second major surface comprises an optical film or sheet metal.

5. At light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the second major surface comprises a sheet material laminated to an internal surface of the housing.

6. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second light source arranged to direct light into the cavity from the end opposite the first-mentioned light source, to be guided between the major faces.

7. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first major face comprises one side of a sheet material that has a structured surface comprising a plurality of parallel prisms on the side remote from the optical cavity.

8. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the first major face comprises one side of a planar sheet of transparent material.

9. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, further comprising light-absorbing elements applied to the first major face in a region adjacent the/each light source.

10. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein a display that is to be illuminated is positioned outside the optical cavity in the path of light emitted through the first major face.

11. A light-guide device as defined in claim 1, wherein the light source is an elongate source that extends along the length of the side of the cavity through which it directs light into the cavity;

the light source having an elongate housing comprising;

a back portion that is located to the rear of the lighting source, and is shaped so that it partially surrounds, but is spaced from, the lighting source, and

diverging sides that extend from each front edge of the back portion towards the said side of the light guide cavity and define an exit aperture for light from the elongate housing;

wherein the internal surfaces of the back portion and the sides of the light source housing comprise a reflective material.

12. A light-guide device as defined in claim 11, wherein the diverging sides are so arranged that the exit aperture corresponds to, and is immediately adjacent, the said side of the optical cavity to direct light into the latter.