Optical waveguides – Optical fiber bundle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-05-22
Bovernick, Rodney (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Optical fiber bundle
C385S120000, C348S272000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method by which light normally passing through a bundle of fibers is made to pass outside the bundle of fibers as the light passes along the fibers for purposes of display. In addition, a unique method of generating the light ahd introducing the light to the fiber bundle is involved.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Conventional signs and displays utilizing fiber optics are well known wherein light from a single source enters the end of a fiber bundle where all the fiber bundles are gathered together. The fibers are then spread out so that the light comes out the other or terminal end. The fibers' ends are formed into a display picture or a word or letter such that the display will be seen brightly as if the light were emitting from that picture or word.
Also in prior applications, color wheels or pattern wheels are sometimes inserted between the source of light and the bundle of fibers. As the wheel turns, the color and/or pattern of light impacting the fiber bundle changes. This is normally accomplished by mounting a color wheel on a shaft and spinning it between the light source and the fiber bundle. One of the challenges in the prior art is that by the time the fibers are spread out adequately to form the picture image, the actual area is so small and so intense, that the desired affect cannot be achieved. Often, users of fiber optics will add a small diffuser device at the end of each fiber to spread out the light at that point. This is an expensive alternative.
As far as spinning the wheel between the light source and the fiber bundle, it is sometimes difficult for the shaft to be driven properly next to the light source and will often have to be made very large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the present invention wherein the fibers at the terminal end of a fiber bundle used to create the display are laid flat. The sides of the fibers are scored in such a manner that the light is emitted along the fiber as well as out the terminal end of the fiber. This allows for a larger area to be displayed at the ends of the fiber bundle without adding additional cost of adding an additional diffuser as in conventional devices. The scoring of the fibers may be selective to determine what area emits light or a mask in the form of paint or silk screen ink may be applied to define the sign to be presented.
Additionally, a wheel may be inserted between a light source and the fiber bundle is not mounted on a shaft but is rather contained on its circumference in a mounting tube and driven by gear teeth on the external edge of the wheel.
Therefore, the primary purpose of the invention is for the illumination of special signs primarily through the use of fiber optics, where the light is not only conducted through each fiber, but is allowed to emit from the side of the fibers as well as the terminal end of each fiber.
It is a further object of the invention to facilitate much more interesting optical displays and effects while utilizing fiber optics.
It is another object of the invention to accomplish the above with a minimum of additional cost.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a fiber optic display device using a minimum sized wheel between a light source and a fiber bundle which is edge driven from the side.
Yet still another object of the invention is to maintain a small physical package as far as the light source and driver are concerned while having a large display or presentation.
An object of the invention also resides in accomplishing all of the other objects with a minimum of cost.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5381502 (1995-01-01), Veligden
patent: 5588235 (1996-12-01), Juchymenko et al.
patent: 5953469 (1999-09-01), Zhou
Bovernick Rodney
Kim Ellen E.
Marrs Roger A.
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