Lighting apparatus

Illumination – Light source and modifier – Including translucent or transparent modifier

Patent

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Details

362223, 362340, 313110, 350432, F21V 500

Patent

active

047348364

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus provided with a light control lens capable of freely controlling as desired the luminous flux being emitted from a light source.


BACKGROUND ART

Normally, a lens is inserted in a path of the light from a light source, thereby controlling the luminous flux being emitted from the light source. However, a conventional lens must be installed some distance away from the light source, and a structure for supporting the lens must also be provided. Further, a conventional lens cannot be used where the light source is of elongated shape, and the luminous flux cannot be controlled to provide a desired flux distribution and a range of incidence.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved arrangement wherein a support structure is not particularly required for a lens, because the lens is supported directly on the light source, whereby a lighting apparatus can be configured compactly, and further, the luminous flux can be controlled freely as desired by the lens.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The lighting apparatus, according to the invention, comprises a light source and a light control lens supported on the outer surface of the light source, to cover at least a part thereof directly, the light control lens being a three dimensional solid configured to control the luminous flux coming out of the light source and passing therethrough so as to have a predetermined flux distribution and range of incidence.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view explanatory of the function of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing variations of the shape of the light control lens used in the present invention;
FIG. 5A is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5B is a sectional view showing a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing different modes of application of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing different modes of application of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention for producing a bright line;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example wherein a bright line is produced by means of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another application of the embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the invention.


BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents the basic structure of an embodiment of the lighting apparatus of the invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a light source, which is, for example, a fluorescent light emitting tube, a cold cathode discharge tube, or the like, and has a cylindrical outer surface 1a. A light control lens 2 is provided so as to directly cover a semi-cylindrical portion of the outer surface 1a. In cross section taken along a plane including a luminous flux passing through the light control lens 2, the lens 2 has a shape consisting of swelled portions 2a and 2a on two opposed sides, a recessed portion 2c close to the light source 1 located intermediately between the two swelled portions 2a and 2a, and another recessed portion 2b at the reverse side which is fitted on and in contact with the light source 1. The light control lens 2 is formed to cover the overall length of the light source 1 with the illustrated sectional shape and forms an integral structure with the light source 1 by the fitting thereon, for example. The recessed portion 2b has the same configuration as the light source 1, and the swelled portions 2a and the recessed portion 2c have a shape bounded and defined by a smoothly continuing curve.
In the lighting apparatus using the light control lens 2 of the shape shown in FIG. 1, ligh

REFERENCES:
patent: 639687 (1899-12-01), Pennycuick et al.
patent: 1858497 (1932-05-01), Hall
patent: 1870247 (1932-08-01), Froget
patent: 1880892 (1932-10-01), Dodge
patent: 2595771 (1952-05-01), Curzon
"Lamp Bulb Package", IBM Tech. Discl. Bulletin, vol. 6, No. 5, Oct. 1983, pp. 59-60.

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