US3694945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical element for illumination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-05
•
Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-11-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an optical structural unit for use in lighting, decorating, signalling, advertising and similar purposes which in use incorporates a light source and which can provide differing light effects in the dark when illuminated and in daylight when the light source is not in use. The element consists of a plane or curved plate of a partly transparent material e.g. a plastics material rendered turbid to reduce its transparency. This plate has either on its surface or in its interior a grating or grid of opaque material. At least the surface of the grid which faces the light source is rendered reflecting and the interstices of the grating or grid are such that part of the surface of the plate is exposed to permit light to pass through from the light source, there being at least 10 exposed areas per cm2 of the plate. The grating or grid may be made of at least two superimposed layers, a lower one which is opaque and an upper one of any desired color. Preferably the lower layer of the grating extends on all sides beyond the colored layer above it.
Inventors
- 👤 Jakob Detiker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:59
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/16; F; F21; F21V; F21V9/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/08; F21W; F21W2121/00; F21Y; F21Y2103/00; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0472; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/812; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24438; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876; Y10T428/24917; Y10T428/24926; Y10T428/31504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An optical element for use in illuminable signs, signalling devices, walls and the like which comprises, a casing including a front plate formed of a transparent material and a rear wall having a light reflective surface facing said front plate, an artificial light source contained within said casing, said front plate having first and second opposed surfaces and a grating on one of the surfaces of said front plate including a first layer of reflective material facing said rear wall and a second layer, of a colored material, superimposed on said first layer on the side thereof remote from said rear wall, said grating having at least ten small individual open areas per square centimeter exposing the first and second surfaces of said front plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical element for use in illuminable signs, signalling devices, walls and the like which comprises, a casing including a front plate formed of a transparent material and a rear wall having a light reflective surface facing said front plate, an artificial light source contained within said casing, said front plate having first and second opposed surfaces and a grating on one of the surfaces of said front plate including a first layer of reflective material facing said rear wall and a second layer, of a colored material, superimposed on said first layer on the side thereof remote from said rear wall, said grating having at least ten small individual open areas per square centimeter exposing the first and second surfaces of said front plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the plate which is provided with the grating consists of a material which has been rendered turbid to reduce its transparency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the grating is applied to the plate shaped element by screen printing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein said colored layer has the appearance of grained wood.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein said first layer comprises a multilayered grating consisting of a first layer of white pigmented lacquer facing the source of light, a second layer of black pigmented lacquer on the side of said white layer remote from said light source, and a third layer of white pigmented lacquer on said black layer on the side thereof remote from said first white layer and on which said second layer of colored material is applied.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein said colored layer is coated with a clear, transparent layer of colorless lacquer which contains an ultraviolet absorbent substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein said front plate to which the grating is applied consists of a synthetic resin which has been frosted and which is selected from the group consisting of frosted acrylic glass or a polycarbonate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the said grating is applied to that surface of the plate which in use will be remote from the source of light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the said grating is situated in the interior of the said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the first layer of said grating faces the sources of light and extends on all sides beyond the colored grating layer superimposed on it.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical element according to claim 10, wherein the width of the marginal zone of the lower layer which extends beyond the colored covering layer is from 0.2 to 0.5 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the first layer of said grating faces the source of light and consists of a lacquer which contains metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical element according to claim 12 wherein said lacquer comprises an acrylic resin laquer containing aluminum powder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical element according to claim 1 wherein the first layer of said grating faces the source of light and consists of a metallic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical element according to claim 14 wherein said metallic material comprises silver applied to said front plate by evaporation under vacuum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |