Status indicator lens and light pipe structure for a dimmer switch
First Claim
1. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete light sources, the light pipe structure comprising:
- first and second light pipes, each having a first end adapted to be located adjacent respective first and second discrete light sources and a second end opposite the first end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of the respective discrete light source from the respective first end to the respective second end;
a continuous lens having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second ends of the light pipes, such that the light conducted from the first discrete light source through the first light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens adjacent the second end of the first light pipe, the pinpoint of light surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens; and
wherein the second light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to refract, in a direction away from the second end of the second light pipe, the light emitted from the first discrete light source that enters the second light pipe, so as to minimize the amount of light emitted from the first discrete light source that reaches the second end of the second light pipe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light pipe structure for a dimmer switch comprises a continuous status indicator lens and a plurality of light pipes, which are operable to conduct the light from a plurality of discrete sources to the lens. The light conducted from one of the discrete sources through a light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens. The pinpoint of light is surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens, which produces an aesthetically-pleasing effect by increasing the uniformity of the illumination across the front surface of the status indicator lens. The light pipes are coupled to the lens via a plurality of rounds, which provide for diffusion of light around the pinpoint of light on the lens. The light pipes may comprise light-refracting structures, which the amount of light emitted from adjacent discrete sources from reaching the front surface of the lens.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete light sources, the light pipe structure comprising:
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first and second light pipes, each having a first end adapted to be located adjacent respective first and second discrete light sources and a second end opposite the first end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of the respective discrete light source from the respective first end to the respective second end; a continuous lens having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second ends of the light pipes, such that the light conducted from the first discrete light source through the first light pipe generates a pinpoint of light on the front surface of the lens adjacent the second end of the first light pipe, the pinpoint of light surrounded by a diffusion of light across the front surface of the lens; and wherein the second light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to refract, in a direction away from the second end of the second light pipe, the light emitted from the first discrete light source that enters the second light pipe, so as to minimize the amount of light emitted from the first discrete light source that reaches the second end of the second light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13)
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6. A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising:
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a control actuator adapted to be provided in an opening of a faceplate; a linear array of discrete light sources mounted inside the load control device; a status indicator lens provided at a front surface of the actuator, the status indicator lens having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light pipes received within the control actuator, the light pipes operable to conduct the light from each of the plurality of discrete light sources to the status indicator lens at the front surface of the actuator, each of the light pipes having a first end adapted to be located adjacent one of the plurality of discrete light sources and a second end, each of the light pipes operable to conduct the light of one of the discrete light sources from the first end to the second end, the rear surface of the lens coupled to the second end of each of the light pipes; wherein the status indicator lens is operable to display a representation of the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load by illuminating a point on the status indicator lens, the point surrounded by a diffusion of light across the status indicator lens; and wherein at least one light pipe comprises a light-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of the light emitted from the discrete light sources that are not located adjacent the first end of the at least one light pipe from reaching the second end of the at least one light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 14, 15)
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10. An illumination display for indicating the location of which of a plurality of spaced discrete radiation sources is turned on;
- said illumination display comprising;
a plurality of spaced elongated radiation conductors each having first and second end locations; a continuous lens for producing a visual display when illuminated by radiation from said radiation sources; a first end of each of said radiation conductors being disposed adjacent a respective one of said radiation sources; a second end of each of said radiation conductors being disposed at a given lateral location along the length of said continuous lens whereby said continuous lens produces a visible point of light at a lateral location along the lens related to the position of any of the given discrete radiation sources when any of said any of the given discrete radiation sources is turned on, further wherein at least one radiation conductor comprises a radiation-refracting structure adapted to minimize the amount of radiation emitted from the discrete radiation sources that are not located adjacent the first end location of the at least one radiation conductor from reaching the second end of the at least one radiation conductor. - View Dependent Claims (11)
- said illumination display comprising;
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16. A light pipe structure for conducting light from a plurality of discrete light sources, the light pipe structure comprising:
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a first elongated light pipe having a first end adapted to be located adjacent a first discrete light source and a second end opposite the first end, the first elongated light pipe adapted to conduct light emitted from the first discrete light source from the first end to the second end; and a second elongated light pipe arranged alongside the first elongated light pipe, the second elongated light pipe having a first end adapted to be located adjacent a second discrete light source and a second end opposite the first end, the second elongated light pipe adapted to conduct light emitted from the second discrete light source from the first end to the second end; wherein the first and second elongated light pipes and the first and second discrete light sources are located such that at least some of the light emitted from the first light source illuminates the first end of the second elongated light pipe; and wherein the second elongated light pipe further comprises a surface located near the first end and arranged substantially perpendicular to the light that is emitted from the first discrete light source and enters the second elongated light pipe at the first end, so as to transmit through the surface, in a direction away from the second end of the second elongated light pipe, the light that is emitted from the first discrete light source and enters the second elongated light pipe at the first end, to thus minimize the amount of light emitted from the first discrete light source that reaches the second end of the second elongated light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification