Light collector and prism light source for photoelectric readers
US4068121A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B7/1362
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light collector and prism that collects light from a single bulb and produces a narrow strip light beam is disclosed. The light collector and prism is formed of an elongate, integral piece of transparent material (plastic) and includes a light collecting section at one end and a prism section at the other end. Light rays emitted from a small bulb positioned in an aperture in the light collecting section are collected, to some extent (e.g., imperfectly) collimated, and directed into the prism section. The prism section extends outwardly from the collector section so as to receive the light rays collected, collimated and directed by the collecting section. The prism section includes a plurality of prism surfaces located along one edge thereof. Light rays directed by the light collecting section toward the prism section are reflected by the prism surfaces toward an opposing, narrow, light emitting edge of the prism section. Light rays emitted from the narrow edge form a narrow strip light beam. Preferably, all of the surfaces of the light collector and prism are metalized, except for the aperture within which the light source is mounted and, the narrow edge of the prism through whic…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.