Patent ID: 6834979
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: F21S,F21V,F21Y,Y10S

Abstract:
An optical device for simulating neon lighting comprising:a body having a length extending along a longitudinal axis and having an external surface, said body having a first portion including a curved light emitting surface along a portion of the external surface and extending at least 180Â° about the longitudinal axis of the body, and a second portion substantially contiguous to said first portion and including the remainder of the external surface, said second portion also defining an internal grove extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body and positioned substantially diametrically opposite to said curved light emitting surface; an elongated light source housed with and extending along said internal grove, such that said lift source is housed entirely within the portion of said body; and a reflecting coating juxtaposed against and coving substantially all of the remainder of the external surface, said reflective coating being positioned behind the light source so as to substantially prevent light from exiting from said second portion and reflecting light into said first portion, said first portion of said body having optical waveguide and light scattering characteristics such that light emitted by said elongated light source and directed into said first portion either directly from said light source or reflected by said reflecting coating is emitted in a substantially uniform intensity pattern over substantially all of said curved light emitting surface to simulate neon lighting.