Abstract:
An optical fiber light includes a light source, a dispersion medium, a power supply, and at least one light tube disposed coaxially along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispersion medium. The light source is integrated with the dispersion medium so that light emitted from the light source is received along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the dispersion medium. The light tube distributes light along the length of the dispersion medium. Distributed light radiates from the light tube along the length of the dispersion medium.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention generally relates to illuminated fiber optic lights and more specifically to lights with transparent rods and optical fiber disposed therein.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    To enhance both the usability and lifetime of an illuminated device several design considerations have been employed to integrate a light source with a light diffusing medium. A typical light diffusing medium is a cone attached to the illuminating end of a flashlight. The cone diffuses light so that light emanates in both a linear and normal direction from the light source and causes light to radiate from the cone. Typical applications include semaphores as are used to guide airplanes to gates by ground crew. The light illuminating the walls of the cones makes it easier for pilots to see the semaphores. Design considerations for semaphores and other lights with light diffusing medium include minimizing power consumption and maximizing light source life span. This can be realized by integrating light sources that have low power requirements and which operate with high efficiency. An additional design considerations is to enhance durability thereby enhancing the usefulness of the device. This can be realized by reducing and/or eliminating frangible components integrated into the device design.  
           [0005]    The most frequent application of a light source in a diffusion medium is a high intensity light such as: filament; halogen; krypton; and xenon, with a diffusion medium such as a light reflector. A typical application is a hand held flashlight where the light from the source is focused by a reflector positioned behind the light source. There are several problems associated with this type of design. First, the high intensity light source consumes more power and therefore must be compensated for with a larger capacity power source. Second, if a smaller capacity power source is used the useful lifetime of the device is reduced. Lastly, the beam of light is often focused into a narrow column which minimizes light dispersion. Cones have been adapted for flashlights, as described above, however this only results in improving the area of light dispersion. Furthermore, the cone is not an integral component of the flashlight. Accordingly, a need exists to overcome these problems and to provide an illuminating device which uses low power and that provides a large area of light dispersion.  
           [0006]    Other designs have integrated low power light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) with designs similar to that described above. To enhance illumination a plurality of LED&#39;s are typically used resulting in greater power consumption and attendant power supply concerns. Additionally, light reflectors are integrated into the design to enhance illumination resulting in a focused column of light and corresponding reduction in light dispersion. Accordingly, a need exists to provide an illuminating device using low power light sources, such as LED&#39;s, to improve power consumption and that provides a large area of light dispersion.  
           [0007]    Illuminating devices have been designed to include fluorescent lights. This type of device requires more power than similar designs using low power light sources and can be characterized by a reduction in the overall durability of the illuminating device. To enhance durability additional support and protective features are employed such as bulb casings and light enclosures. This results in increased size and weight of the device reducing design options. Accordingly, a need exists to provide an illuminating device which is durable, light weight, and low power consuming.  
           [0008]    Illuminating devices have also been designed to include neon tubes. This type of design is similar to the fluorescent light design and has the same deficiency in power consumption and durability. The increase in power requirements and the reduction in durability is prohibitive to design options. Accordingly, a need exists to provide an illuminating device with a large area of light dispersion which provides a low power high efficiency light source with a durable, light weight dispersion medium with superior durability.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is an optical light apparatus comprising at least one light source, a transparent rod, a power source interface, and a casing enclosing the light source and the power source interface. The casing couples the transparent rod and the light source so that light emitted from the light source enters the transparent rod along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the transparent rod. One or more light tubes are disposed concentrically on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the transparent rod. The light tubes comprise optical fibers or channels. The light tubes distribute light along the length of the transparent rod. Distributed light radiates from the light tubes illuminating the transparent rod. In one embodiment of the present invention the optical light apparatus is structured as a hand held light wand. In another embodiment of the present invention the optical light apparatus is structured as a mountable light. In still another embodiment of the present invention the optical light apparatus is structured as a license plate frame. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an elevated view of an optical fiber light embodied as a hand held wand, according to the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of FIG. 1, according to the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is an elevated view of the optical fiber light embodied as a mountable light, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber light illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, of the optical fiber light and casing illustrated in FIG. 3, according to the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an elevated view of the optical fiber light of FIG. 3 embodied as a license plate frame, according to the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a view of the optical fiber light from FIG. 6 embodied as a license plate frame mounted to a vehicle, according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    It is important to note, that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and visa versa with no loss of generality.  
         [0019]    The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, overcomes drawbacks and problems with the prior art by coupling a light emitting diode with a transparent rod wherein light tubes are disposed within the transparent rod enhancing illumination of the transparent rod. A preferred embodiment and several alternate embodiments describing variations of the present invention are now described.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an elevated view of an optical fiber light  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the optical fiber light  100  comprises a transparent rod  104 . In another embodiment the optical fiber light  100  comprises a hollow transparent rod (not shown) wherein one or more light tubes  106  are disposed concentrically along a longitudinal axis of symmetry  402 , illustrated in FIG. 4, of the hollow transparent rod. The light tubes  106  are optical fibers or channels for carrying the light along the length of the transparent rod  104 . Light from the light source enters one end  108  of the transparent rod  104  and is emitted from an opposite end  102 . Light radiates along the length of the light tubes  106  illuminating the transparent rod  104 . In one embodiment the transparent rod  104  is a geometric shape such as rectangular or triangular (not shown). In still another embodiment the transparent rod  104  is etched with a design logo or name so as to be “backlit” (not shown). The transparent rod  104  is manufactured from plastic and/or glass. In the embodiment where the transparent rod  104  is hollow the hollow transparent rod contains a light permeable gel or light permeable gas (not shown). The transparent rod  104  is coupled to a casing  120 . A collar fastener  110  is used for extra support. The casing  120  and collar fastener  110  are manufactured from metal and/or plastic. A switch  112  is housed in the casing  120 . The switch  112  is accessible permitting operation of the switch  112  external to the casing  120 . The switch  112  is electrically coupled to a light source  202 , illustrated in FIG. 2, and a power source interface. The switch  112  is a momentary switch and is operable in two positions: on; and off. In an alternative embodiment the switch  112  is a momentary switch and is operable to produce a strobe effect. The power source interface is disposed in the casing  120 . The power source interface is electrically coupled to a power source such as one or more batteries, a power supply, a generator, and equivalent. In the embodiment where the power source are batteries, the batteries are placed inside the casing  120 . The batteries are of any size batteries and the choice is dependent on power consumption of the light source  202 , the desired operating life, and the desired size of the casing  120 . A fitting  114  is disposed in an access opening  208 , illustrated in FIG. 2, of the casing  120 . The fitting  114  is a cap with threads  206 , illustrated in FIG. 2. In another embodiment the fitting  114  is a compression fitting (not shown). In still another embodiment the cap is secured with a set screw (not shown). The fitting  114  is constructed with an opening  116  suitable for attaching a ring fastener  118 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is an exploded view  200  of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the transparent rod  104  is optically coupled to a light source  202 . The light source  202  is one or more light-emitting diodes and/or one or more other high efficiency low power light source such as: halogen; krypton; and xenon. The light source  202  comprises any color including white or clear. Light emitted from the light source  202  illuminates the transparent rod  104  and the one or more light tubes  106  along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402 , illustrated in FIG. 4, of the transparent rod  104 . Emitted light is received by the transparent rod  104  at a first end  108 , and a second end  102  emits light therefrom. The casing  120  houses the light source  202 , the switch  112 , and the power source interface. In one embodiment the casing  120  is hollow and houses batteries. The batteries are placed into the casing  120  through an access opening  208 . The batteries are secured by a spring  204  and the fitting  114  with a thread  206  connection. In another embodiment the batteries are secured by a bias element and the fitting  114 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is an elevated view of the optical fiber light  300  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the optical fiber light comprises a transparent rod  104  wherein light tubes  106  are disposed concentrically along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402 , illustrated in FIG. 4, of the transparent rod  104 . A first end  108  of the transparent rod  104  is coupled to a mountable casing  304 . The mountable casing  304  houses a light source  202  and power source interface (not shown). The light source  202  is optically coupled to the transparent rod  104  so that light emitted from the light source  202  illuminates the transparent rod  104  and the one or more light tubes  106  along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402  of the transparent rod  104 . A second end  102  of the solid transparent rod  104  is coupled to a mountable housing  302 . The mountable housing has an opening  308  for a screw or other fastener (not shown) to mount it to a surface. The mountable housing  302  is manufactured from metal and/or plastic. The power source interface is electrically coupled to a power source  306  such as a power supply, batteries, generator, and equivalent.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view  400  of the optical fiber light illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the light tubes  106  are arranged concentrically around the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402  of the transparent rod  104 . The material of the transparent rod  104  is clear. In another embodiment the material of the transparent rod  104  is tinted. In still another embodiment the light source  202  and transparent rod  104  combine to form a third color. A group of one or more light tubes  106  are disposed within the transparent rod  104 . The light tubes  106  are arranged concentrically along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402  of the transparent rod  104 . The light tubes are  106  disposed concentrically along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402  of the transparent rod  104 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view  500 , of the optical fiber light  300  and casing  304  illustrated in FIG. 3. The transparent rod  104  is coupled to the casing  304 . Light emitted from the light source  202  is directed along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402  of the transparent rod  104 . The light source  202  leads  502  are electrically coupled to a power source interface. In one embodiment the power source interface is electrically coupled to a power source  306  such as a power supply, one or more batteries, a generator, and equivalent.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is an elevated view  600  of the optical fiber light of FIG. 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the optical fiber light comprises a transparent rod  104  wherein light tubes  106  are disposed concentrically along the longitudinal axis of symmetry  402 , illustrated in FIG. 4, of the solid transparent rod  104 . The one or more transparent rods  104  are coupled to a casing  602  and are arranged as a license plate frame attachable by a mounting plate  604 . The casing  602  houses the light source  202  and the power source interface (not shown). The mounting plate  604  is manufactured from metal and/or plastic.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a view of the optical fiber light from FIG. 6 illustrating the optical fiber light as a license plate frame  700 . The optical fiber light is attached to the automotive vehicle by the mounting plate  604 .  
         [0027]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes can be made to this specific embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.