Multiple cavity light fixture

• US 5,097,395 A
• Filed: 02/24/1989
• Issued: 03/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Miller, Richard A., Aho, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/316,993
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/268, 362/327, 362/328, 362/329, 362/331, 362/339, 362/299, 362/300, 362/307, 362/308, 362/310, 362/32, 362/31
• US Class Current: 362/551
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505

Abstract

A light fixture has an optical cavity having a first region and multiple additional regions, each of the additional regions, each of the additional regions having an optical window. Light from a light source in the first region is directed out of the optical windows in each of the additional regions.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

a housing defining an optical cavity having a plurality of optical windows each of said optical windows lying substantially in a plane;

said optical cavity having a first region and a plurality of additional regions, each of said additional regions being associated with one of said optical windows;

a light source in said first region;

means for collimating light from said light source into a plurality of beams and directing one of said beams into each of said additional regions; and

means in each of said additional regions for redirecting said light beams out of said optical cavity through said optical window associated therewith and each of said redirecting means redirecting said light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the optical window of its associated region.

2. The light fixture of claim 1 wherein said means for collimating light includes a plurality of catadioptric lenses.

3. The light fixture of claim 1 wherein said means for redirecting light includes a transparent film having a smooth surface and structured surface, said structured surface having a plurality of linear right angled prisms thereon, and a reflector adjacent said smooth surface.

4. The light fixture of claim 3 wherein said means for collimating light includes a plurality of catadioptric lenses.

5. The light fixture of claim 1 further comprising light transmissive covers in said optical windows.

6. The light fixture of claim 5 wherein said covers are transparent.

7. The light fixture of claim 5 wherein said covers are translucent.

8. The light fixture of claim 1 wherein said first region of said optical cavity has an optical window and said first region contains means for collimating light from said light source into a beam directed toward said first region optical window.