Illumination – Light fiber – rod – or pipe – With optical fiber bundle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-10-16
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light fiber, rod, or pipe
With optical fiber bundle
C040S547000, C362S555000, C362S570000, C362S581000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302570
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fiber optic. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for an illumination device using optical fibers.
2. Description of Related Art
Illumination using optical fibers can be used in a number of applications such as medical instruments, toys, safety devices, and novelty items.
Traditional techniques for illumination using optical fibers have a number of problems. First, these techniques are designed for specific applications and therefore cannot be used in a wide variety of applications. Second, the construction does not allow flexible adjustment for the focal length between the light source and the optical fibers. Third, the resulting device is not compact and energy efficient and cannot be used in applications such as apparel and clothing illumination.
Therefore, there is a need to have a versatile, compact, and flexible illumination device that can be adapted in a number of applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an illuminating device including an electronic assembly, a light source, a switch, a housing and a bundle of optical fibers. The electronic assembly receives power from a power source. The light source is coupled to the electronic assembly to emit light. The switch is coupled to the electronic assembly to activate the power source for controlling an illumination from the light source. The housing has a base and a cover. The base provides a rib guide to secure the light source and an area for holding the electronic assembly. The cover and the base, when coupled together via a coupling post, provide an aperture at one end of the housing. The bundle of optical fibers has a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal length. The proximal end is formed by the first ends of the optical fibers. The distal end is formed by the second ends of the optical fibers. The proximal end is securely mounted in a bundle holder disposed through the aperture and positioned at a predetermined focal distance from the light source to allow light from the light source to be transmitted to the distal end along the longitudinal length.
In one embodiment, the cover of the illuminating device has an opening to allow the power source to be secured onto the electronic assembly. The opening is closed by a closure attachable to the housing via a screw assembly that tightens the closure to the coupling post.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4875144 (1989-10-01), Wainwright
patent: 5086378 (1992-02-01), Prince
patent: 5103581 (1992-04-01), Novak
patent: 5664346 (1997-09-01), Barker
Petell Michael C.
Roberts Anthony
Fiber Optic Design, Inc.
Husar Stephen
Painter Michael A.
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