Optic lens cell and illuminated signage having a cell array
US6244727A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low loss optic lens cell the cell comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of light sources such as LEDs mounted to a board and capable of being electrically connected to a power source. A lens is attached to the board in a spaced apart relationship thereto. Each lens has a flat portion, least one and preferably a plurality of convex portions, and an aperture defined in each convex portion in a generally collinear arrangement relative to a corresponding LED. A plurality of the cells may be combined into an array, arranged in a housing, and connected to an electric control for operating the cells to form lighted patterns. Low intensity light rays are maximally utilized by refracting the rays back toward the LED axis and high intensity light rays are maximally utilized by allowing them to pass through the aperture without refraction and with little or no optical losses. Alternative embodiments of the convex lens provide convex lenses convex about one axis or two axes, semi-circular segments of the convex lens, cylindrical apertures, slotted apertures, frustum shape apertures, semi-circular apertures, and lenses and LEDs offset relative to each other.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.