Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Head mounting – For adjusting head position
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-30
2002-08-27
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Head mounting
For adjusting head position
C360S290000, C360S327300, C360S327300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06442005
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a light diffusion preventing structure, and more particularly to a light diffusion preventing structure used in conducting light from a light source into a enclosed space that is defined by a structure having an interior finished with a structural member, while the light source is located outside of the enclosed space.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 3
depicts a relation between a light source and a conventional structure provided with a hole for allowing the light to pass from the light source through structure.
FIG. 4
shows a spatial relationship between a grille used as a conventional structure and a light source for providing a spotlight on a shift lever or gear lever.
In
FIGS. 3 and 4
, a lamp
20
comprises an incandescent lamp or other light source fitted into a lamp holder
21
. The grille
22
is an ornamental panel attached as a part of the interior trim of a vehicle. The grille
22
also includes a hole
23
for allowing the light from lamp
20
to spotlight a shift lever
30
.
In the conventional structure, the light from lamp
20
spotlights the shift lever
30
with light having an irradiation angle &thgr;. The direction of the spotlight illumination is determined by the relationship between the light source
20
and the opening that is located at a lower surface and defined by a lower edge of the hole
23
of the grille
22
.
However, the light of the lamp
20
irradiates a first thickness surface
23
a
or an inner peripheral surface of the hole
23
at one side of the grille
22
as well as a second thickness surface
23
b
or an inner peripheral surface of the hole
22
at the other side of the grille
22
. The brightness at the first thickness surface
23
a
and the second thickness surface
23
b
is inversely proportional to square of the distance from the lamp
20
to the surfaces
23
a,
23
b.
The surfaces
23
a,
23
b
are located near the lamp
20
. Moreover, the first thickness surface
23
a
is a surface facing the light source or the lamp
20
, while the second thickness surface
23
b
is a surface more parallel to a radiating direction of the light. Consequently, the first thickness surface
23
a
has an increased brightness when compared with the second thickness surface
23
b.
As a result, the first thickness surface
23
a
tends to be brighter than its surroundings. If such light is located at a position in which light from first thickness surface
23
a
shines directly into the eyes of a driver at a position where the light from the first thickness surface
23
a
can be reflected by an inside rear view mirror into the eyes of the driver, it may cause the driver to be distracted.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a light diffusion preventing structure by which the light passing through a hole is not diffused by the sidewalls of the hole.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a light diffusion preventing structure comprising a light source and a structural member. The structural member has a hole that passes a light from the light source. The hole has a three-dimensional shape that has a first opening located near the light source and a second opening located away from the light source. Further, the area of the first opening is smaller than the area of the second opening. Indeed, the circumferential edge of the second opening is located completely outside of a zone defined between imaginary straight lines connecting the point light source and the circumferential edge of the first opening provided that the light source is the point light source. This configuration ensures that the imaginary straight lines never touch any of the inner peripheral surface of the structural member between the first and second opening.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a light diffusion preventing structure comprising a light source and a structural member. The structural member has a hole that allows light from the light source to pass through the member and into an interior space. The hole has a three-dimensional shape that includes a first opening located near the light source and a second opening located away from the light source. The first and second openings are configured so that the area of the first opening is smaller than an area of the second opening. Imaginary straight lines connecting the circumferential edge of the first opening and the opposite circumferential edge of the second opening have a crossing angle of not more than 160 degrees and more preferably not more than 150 degrees.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a light diffusion preventing structure comprising a light source and a structural member.
The structural member has a hole that allows light from the light source to pass through the member and into an interior space. The hole has a three-dimensional shape that includes a first opening located near the light source and a second opening located away from the light source. The first and second openings are configured so that the area of the first opening is smaller than an area of the second opening. The holes are also configured so that the circumferential edge of the second opening is located outside a zone defined between first imaginary straight lines connecting a point light source and the circumferential edge of the first opening provided that the light source is the point light source. The first imaginary straight lines are never touch any of the inner peripheral surface of the structural member between the first and second opening. Second imaginary straight lines connecting the circumferential edge of the first opening and the opposite circumferential edge of the second opening have a crossing angle of not more than 160 degrees and more preferably not more than 150 degrees.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are clearly shown.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3677634 (1972-07-01), Mathisen
patent: 3786261 (1974-01-01), Tucker
patent: 4128324 (1978-12-01), Seeger
patent: 4390243 (1983-06-01), Hammerschlag
Ichikawa Tadaoki
Ito Hiroshi
Noda Kazushi
O'Shea Sandra
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Sawhney Hargobind S.
Toyoda Gosei Co,., Ltd.
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