Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-14
2001-07-03
Sikder, Mohammad (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Plural mirrors or reflecting surfaces
C359S856000, C359S857000, C359S858000, C359S866000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254241
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1
. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a polygonal reflector for an illumination means, for example an incandescent bulb or the like, and, more particularly, is concerned with a polygonal illumination reflector having a support base and configuration of discrete reflector elements adjoining one another such that opposite side edges of selected ones of the reflector elements are retained in paired facing pockets of the support base.
2
. Description of the Prior Art
Polygonal reflectors which can be rectangular, for example, in order to attain specific illumination effects are required by users. Such a polygonal reflector includes a configuration of discrete reflector elements adjoining one another. The reflector elements can be polished, chromium-plated or also superficially satinized metal sheets or also aluminum pieces whose surface is highly polished and subsequently anodized, which are connected one with the other at their edges for forming the reflector. The reflector elements are commonly provided with a given curvature in order to meet the desired requirements of illumination engineering.
The discrete reflector elements of this configuration are also connected to one another by alternately formed-on clips and lead-through openings provided in the regions of opposite side edges of the reflector elements. Two of the reflector elements adjoining one another are fastened one to the other by sliding the clip of the one reflector element into the corresponding opening of the other reflector element and by subsequent bending-over of the clip. However, the bending-over of such fastening clip in order to fasten together the two reflector elements adjoining one another leads to straightening of the given curvature of the reflector element in this region thereof such that this portion of the reflector formed by the reflector elements is noticeable due to a bright luminous corona or similar irregularity which, in turn, is perceived as being disturbing to the user.
Further polygonal reflectors are known, which are produced of one piece by way of a cold-forming process, for example deep drawing. These polygonal reflectors in the boundary region of two adjoining reflector elements form a flute. Even if such a polygonal reflector could be produced wherein the flutes are of small radii, these flutes nevertheless produce light strips when the reflector is being used, which likewise are perceived as unpleasant by the user. The same problem is also encountered in the case of such polygonal reflectors which are produced, for example, of synthetic materials and whose insides are vapor-deposited with a reflecting layer. A further disadvantage here is that the reflection surface cannot be worked subsequently, or only with high expenditure, to generate different properties in terms of illumination engineering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing a polygonal illumination reflector that not only meets requirements of users in terms of illumination engineering but also can be produced with simple and inexpensive fabrication techniques.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a polygonal illumination reflector which comprises: (a) a configuration of discrete reflector elements having respective pairs of opposite side edges and interior reflective surfaces, the reflector elements adjoining one another in providing the configuration thereof; and (b) a support base supporting the configuration of discrete reflector elements, the base having a plurality of adjacent side portions and a plurality of retaining pockets defined therebetween being arranged in pairs wherein the retaining pockets of each pair open in a facing relationship toward one another so as to receive therein and set in engagement therewith the opposite side edges of the reflector elements in a first sequence in the configuration and the reflector elements in a second sequence in the configuration being disposed between the reflector elements of the first sequence are supported by corresponding ones of the side portions of the base such that the reflective surfaces of the reflector elements of the first sequence and the opposite side edges of the reflector elements of the second sequence together form spaced apart inner edges on the configuration of discrete reflector elements.
More particularly, each of the reflector elements is flexible and its reflective surface faces toward the reflective surface of one other of the reflector elements. The side portions of the base have curvatures which provide the reflector elements and thereby the reflective surfaces thereon with corresponding reflective curvatures. The polygonal reflector also includes means for fastening the reflector elements to corresponding ones of the side portions of the base. The fastening means preferably is an adhesive material that provides an adhesion connection of the reflector elements to the corresponding ones of the side portions of the base.
Additionally, the reflector elements of the first sequence have generally trapezoidal profiles with the opposite side edges of such reflector elements being substantially straight and converging toward one another. The reflector elements of second sequence also have generally trapezoidal profiles but the opposite side edges of such reflector elements are curved and converge toward one another.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3937948 (1976-02-01), Allison
patent: 4509501 (1985-04-01), Hunter
patent: 4675791 (1987-06-01), Montgomery
patent: 4789921 (1988-12-01), Aho
patent: 5278744 (1994-01-01), Geboers et al.
patent: 4136251 (1992-05-01), None
Peters Wolfram
Unger Helmuth K.
Flanagan John K.
Flanagan John R.
Flanagan & Flanagan
Sikder Mohammad
WILA Leuchten AG
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