Patent US2265536A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5618095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Backlighting device
Assignee: Tosoh Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-04
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Granted: 1997-04-08
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Expires: 2015-04-04
Abstract
Abstract At least part of a reflector surface covering a rod-shaped light source is a continuous body having such a shape that in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source, a ray emitted from a light emitting point on the surface of the rod-shaped light source in the tangential direction going away from a light conducting plate is reflected back to the vicinity of the light emitting point. According to another aspect, at least part of a reflector surface covering a rod-shaped light source located between the rod-shaped light source and the light conducting plate is part of a parabola whose focus is substantially located on the side face of the light conducting plate in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source.
Inventors
- 👤 Keiji Kashima
- 👤 Mitsuru Fukamachi
- 👤 Naoki Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:13
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V7/00; F21V7/005; F21V7/04; F21V7/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A backlighting device comprising: a light conducting plate made of a transparent material and having at least one of a light diffusing and a light scattering function; a rod-shaped light source disposed in proximity to at least one side face of the light conducting plate; and a reflector surface covering the rod-shaped light source, at least part of the reflector surface being a continuous body having a shape which reflects a ray that is emitted from a light emitting point on a surface of the rod-shaped light source in a tangential direction going away from the light conducting plate back to a vicinity of the light emitting point in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the rod-shaped light source, the continuous body of the reflector surface being formed in such a region that after being reflected back to the vicinity of the light emitting point on the surface of the rod-shaped light source, the ray does not directly reach a light entrance surface of the light conducting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A backlighting device comprising: a light conducting plate made of a transparent material and having at least one of a light diffusing and a light scattering function; a rod-shaped light source disposed in proximity to at least one side face of the light conducting plate; and a reflector surface covering the rod-shaped light source, at least part of the reflector surface being a continuous body having a shape which reflects a ray that is emitted from a light emitting point on a surface of the rod-shaped light source in a tangential direction going away from the light conducting plate back to a vicinity of the light emitting point in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the rod-shaped light source, the continuous body of the reflector surface being formed in such a region that after being reflected back to the vicinity of the light emitting point on the surface of the rod-shaped light source, the ray does not directly reach a light entrance surface of the light conducting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A backlighting device comprising: a light conducting plate made of a transparent material and having at least one of a light diffusing and a light scattering function; a rod-shaped light source disposed in proximity to at least one side face of the light conducting plate; and a reflector surface covering the rod-shaped light source, at least part of the reflector surface corresponding to a region between the rod-shaped light source and the light conducting plate being part of a parabola having a focus that is substantially located on the side face of the light conducting plate in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the rod-shaped light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A backlighting device comprising: a light conducting plate made of a transparent material and having at least one of a light diffusing and a light scattering function; a rod-shaped light source disposed in proximity to at least one side face of the light conducting plate; and a reflector surface covering the rod-shaped light source, at least part of the reflector surface corresponding to a region between the rod-shaped light source and the light conducting plate being part of a parabola having a focus that is substantially located on the side face of the light conducting plate in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the rod-shaped light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The backlighting device of claim 2, wherein the focus is substantially located on the side face of the light conducting plate in the vicinity of a light exit surface or a surface opposed thereto of the light conducting plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The backlighting device of claim 2, wherein at least part of the reflector surface is a continuous body having a shape which reflects a ray that is emitted from a light emitting point on a surface of the rod-shaped light source in a tangential direction going away from the light conducting plate back to a vicinity of the light emitting point in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The backlighting device of claim 2, wherein a transparent material having a refractive index larger than air is disposed in a space formed by the rod-shaped light source, the light conducting plate, and the reflector surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The backlighting device of claim 5, wherein an air layer is interposed between the reflector surface and the transparent material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The backlighting device of claim 5, wherein an air layer is interposed between the light conducting plate and the transparent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The backlighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2-7, wherein an end portion of the reflector surface on the side of the light conducting plate is optically joined to a light exit surface or a surface opposed thereto of the light conducting plate in the vicinity of the side face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The backlighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2-7, wherein the reflector surface is a specular reflecting surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The backlighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2-7, wherein the reflector surface is substantially symmetrical with respect to a straight line approximately parallel with a light exit surface of the light conducting plate and passing through the center of the rod-shaped light source in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The backlighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2-7 wherein the continuous body of the reflector surface is a specular reflecting surface formed on a surface of a molded product of a polymer compound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The backlighting device of any one of claims 1 or 2-7 wherein the continuous body of the reflector surface is a specular reflecting surface formed on a surface of a metal plate.
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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) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-10-07 | 2001-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | 2005-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-07 | 2008-10-07 | 2009-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |