Patent ID: 7070314
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a light channeling panel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a parallel array of first cuts through an entire thickness of a first sheet of transparent plastic, each of the first cuts having two opposite substantially parallel walls extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first sheet, the first cuts being made with specified spacings therebetween and at a specified angle from a normal to the inner surface of the first sheet and with borders around the periphery of the inner surface of the first sheet and thin internal columns perpendicular to the first cuts left uncut in the first sheet to support cut regions in the first sheet; (b) cutting a parallel array of second cuts through an entire thickness of a second sheet of transparent plastic, each of the second cuts having two opposite substantially parallel walls extending inwardly from an inner surface of the second sheet, the second cuts through the second sheet being made at the same specified spacings therebetween as for the first sheet and at a specified angle from a normal to the inner surface of the second sheet and with borders around the periphery of the inner surface of the second sheet and thin internal columns perpendicular to the cuts left uncut in the sheet to support the cut regions in the second sheet; fixing the inner surface of the second sheet in contact with the inner surface of the first sheet such that the edges of the second cuts in the transposed second sheet are collinear with edges of the first cuts in the first sheet, the first and second sheets fixed together so as to form a light channeling panel containing an array of light channels defined between the first and second cuts from a first face of the light channeling panel to a second face thereof that channel light by refraction at the first face by total internal reflection at the cuts and by refraction at the second face.