Abstract:
An optical dispersion system comprising a light source where light is directed to be illuminated from the system, a prismatic magnifier to expand a coverage area of the light illuminated from the light source and to deflect and magnify the light, and a removable front panel having a cutout area through which the light source illuminates.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/384,264, filed on May 30, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to an illuminated system and, more specifically, to an optical dispersion system, wherein light provided through fiber optic fibers are magnified, reflected and refracted to produce a more brilliantly illuminated appearance.  
           [0003]    With the advent of fiber optic lighting, many devices which have used other forms of lighting have begun moving away from other lighting systems, such as neon lights, to provide color-specific illumination of signs. Fiber optic lighting is used for many various types of signs. Such examples include signs that advertise businesses, billboards, and channel letters.  
           [0004]    Typically, fiber optic lighting is used under two different concepts. The first is using the end, tip, or end glow, of a fiber strand, with a plurality of other fiber strands to produce the desired features of the sign. Under this concept, a greater number of strands are needed to produce the illustrated effect desired by a user. Viewing the a sign using fiber optic strands in this configuration, an observer can see the individual strands appearing as dots when viewed from certain distances from the sign.  
           [0005]    Under another concept, instead of using the end of the fiber optic cables, the longitudinal side of a strand, or a bundle of strands are used to provide the desired illumination, referred to as side glow. Applicant believes that this concept is limiting, since even though this approach may be ideal for spelling out words, the amount of lamination is limited.  
           [0006]    In view of the perceived limitations of the current state of the art, manufacturers of products, such as, but not limited, signs, including billboards, would benefit from an illumination system in which fiber optics are used to provide illumination. Such individuals would also benefit from fiber optic signage wherein the illumination emitting from a sign is uniform, even when viewed from various angles. Additionally users would benefit from an illumination system that consumes less electricity since fewer optical strands are illuminated which in turn is more environmentally beneficial since fewer strands would need to be manufactured.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to an optical dispersion system to provide a broader coverage of illuminated light as well as a decorative appearance of the illuminated. This invention also provides for uses where less fiber optic strands are required to adequately provide illumination, which also results in environmental benefits. Towards this end, an optical dispersion system is disclosed comprising a light source where light is directed from it to be illuminated from the system. A prismatic magnifier to is also provided to expand a coverage area of the light illuminated from the light source and to deflect and magnify the light. A removable front panel having a cutout area through which said light source illuminates is also provided.  
           [0008]    In another preferred embodiment, an optical dispersion system is disclosed with a reverse weed panel with elements removed for a light to illuminate therethrough. A clear panel connected to the reverse weed panel is also included. A prismatic magnifier panel is located adjacent to the clear panel. A grid panel with a plurality of holes formed therethrough at a defined distance from said prismatic magnifier panel is also included. The side of the grid panel facing towards said prismatic magnifier panel has a reflective surface. A plurality of fiber optic strands with a first end fitting within the plurality of holes in the grid panel is included. A light source that provides light that is emitted through a second end of the plurality of fiber optic strands is also provided.  
           [0009]    In another preferred embodiment an improvement to an optical dispersion system is disclosed. The improvement is for a dispersion system having a light source, plurality of optical fiber strands to project a light from the light source, and a mounting device for the optical fibers. The improvement comprises a reflective surface on the mounting device wherein the reflective surface reflects light that is emitted towards the mounting device towards an optical dispersion element.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like numbers represent parts throughout the drawings and in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the elements that comprise sign part of the optical dispersion system;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic alignment grid;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the optical dispersion system with the extrusion element comprising reflective surfaces;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the optical dispersion system;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a preferred color wheel; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a sign using the optical dispersion system; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a channel letter using the optical dispersion system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The scope of the invention disclosed is applicable to a plurality of uses, such as but not limited to the entertainment industry, children&#39;s lighted toys, custom art, etc. Thus, even though embodiments are described specifically to illuminated signs, the present invention is applicable to other uses or applications such as, but not limited to, architectural lighting such as interior and exterior lighting of residential homes, office complexes and/or other buildings, illuminated toys, and/or any other devices or uses which would benefit from illumination. Similarly, the same or other embodiments of the optical dispersion may be used for other uses, including landscaping, such as illuminating sidewalks, pools of water, waterfalls or any other area that needs to be illuminated, including underwater applications. Furthermore, though the present invention is disclosed specific to fiber optic lighting, other forms of lights, such as light emitting diode lighting and laser lighting, but not limited to these forms of lighting, are also applicable to the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates the various elements that comprise the actual sign of the present invention. As illustrated, a front panel is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the front panel is a reverse weed panel or, in other words, a panel through which openings are provided where letters, logos, shapes, patterns, and/or custom artwork is provided. Thus, light can be illuminated through the open areas, but not through the parts of the panel which do not have openings. Behind the front panel is a second panel, typically a clear panel, such as Plexiglas. The front, or reverse weed panel, is flush against the Plexiglas panel, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the two panels  12 ,  18  are adhered together. In another preferred embodiment, instead of having a first panel  12 , a stencil, mask, and/or silk screen is applied directly to the second panel  18 .  
         [0020]    The third panel  20  is a prismatic magnifier panel  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the front side, or side facing towards the second panel  18  of the prismatic magnifier panel  20 , is a smooth, flat surface. The backside of the prismatic magnifier panel  20  is a uniform grid system which has concave patterns wherein the patterns within each individual grid is prismatic in nature in that it redirects the light a plurality of directions which magnifies the illumination of the light and deflects the light. In a preferred embodiment, each grid  22  is between ¼″ to 1″ and in a preferred embodiment, a ⅜″ pattern is considered optimum. By utilizing the prismatic magnifying panel  20 , fewer fiber optic strands  27  are needed to illuminate the full surface of a sign, since this panel  20  spreads the illuminated light over a broader area. Furthermore, the illumination provided is more of a diamond sparkling effect, also due to the prismatic magnifying characteristics of the panel  20 .  
         [0021]    A fourth panel  25  is a fiber optic alignment grid panel  25 . In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic alignment grid  25  is provided to hold ends of fiber optic strands  27  in place, preferably in a uniform configuration. As one skilled in the art will readily recognize, if other light forms are used, such as light emitting diodes or laser lights, these emitters can also be held by an alignment grid  25 , as disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the fiber optic strands  27  are held in place through an opening  29  by glue, such as epoxy, where the ends of the strands  27  are flush with the surface of the panel  25  facing towards the prismatic magnifying panel  20 . In another preferred embodiment, the ends of the fiber optic strands extend beyond the panel, such as approximately ¼″.  
         [0022]    As further illustrated in FIG. 2, a uniform alignment grid  26  is provided, such as a diagonal pattern, wherein the spacing between the holes  29  can range from ⅛″ to ¾″, where a preferred distance is ½″. The side of the fiber optic alignment grid panel  25  facing towards the concave side of the third panel  20  is a reflective surface, such as a mirror,  30  wherein light reflected back from the prismatic magnifier panel  20 , or in other words is not emitted through the prismatic magnifier panel  20 , but emits back towards the fiber optic alignment grid  26  and is then reflected, or bounced, back towards the prismatic magnifier panel  20 . The fifth element  30 , disclosed in FIG. 1, is an extrusion panel  30 . In one preferred embodiment, the extrusion element  30  is used to support all of the panels  12 ,  18 ,  20 ,  25  discussed above and to hold a lighting source  32 , discussed below.  
         [0023]    In another preferred embodiment, disclosed in FIG. 3, the extrusion element  30  fits around the above discussed panels  12 ,  18 ,  20 ,  25  where the inner side walls  34  of the extrusion element  30  are reflective surfaces, or mirrors, which also returns, reflects, or emits, light reflected from the back of the prismatic magnifying panel  20  back towards the prismatic magnifying panel  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the sides  34  are at an angle to reflect the light back towards the prismatic magnifying panel  20 . In another preferred embodiment, only parts of the sides  34  are reflective and the reflective parts are positioned to best reflect light back towards the prismatic magnifying panel  25 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention. As is further illustrated in FIG. 4, a light-emitting device  50  is provided wherein a light  52  is contained within the light emitting source  50 . The light  52  is directed towards a heat-absorbing glass  54 , then towards a color wheel  55 . A preferred color wheel, illustrated in FIG. 5, allows for all optic strands  27  to be illuminated by the same color at a given time. A fiber head  57  is provided that holds a plurality of fiber strands  27 . One end  40  of the fiber strands  27  is placed on the other side of the color wheel  55  furthest from the light source  52 . The second end of the strands  27  is placed through the plurality of holes  29  provided in the fiber optic alignment grid  26 . Once in place, in a preferred embodiment, the strands  27  are glued, or epoxied into place.  
         [0025]    As further illustrated in FIG. 4, light emitting from the fiber ends  40  of the strands  27  illuminate onto the concave side of the prismatic magnifier panel  20 . Because of the reflective characteristics of the prismatic magnifying panel  20 , as discussed above, not all light is emitted through the panel  20 , but instead some of the light is reflected back towards the fiber optic alignment grid  26 . The reflective characteristics, which have a mirror effect, of the fiber optic alignment grid panel  25  reflect the light from the prismatic magnifying panel  20  back towards the prismatic magnifying panel  20 . A preferred distance, such as 40 mm, between the alignment grid panel  25  and the back of the prismatic magnifying panel  20  provides optimum transmission of light from the fiber ends  40  all the way through the reverse weed panel  12 .  
         [0026]    In operation, such as when used with a road side bill board, the extrusion element  30 , light source, fiber alignment panel  25 , prismatic magnifier panel  20 , and clear panel  8  can remain in place and when a new sign or advertisement is desired, the first panel  12  can be replaced. In another preferred embodiment, the clear panel  18  and first panel  12  are replaceable when the first panel is affixed to the clear panel  18 , or a stencil is applied to the clear panel  18 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate exemplary uses of the present invention used as signs. FIG. 6 is an illustration of a sign  20  where an image of a product  20  is on the reverse weed panel  12  where the words are cut through the panel and are illuminated pursuant to the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention could be used to illuminate other parts of an image on a sign, such as ice, jewelry (such as facets of a diamond), fire burning, water sparkling, or other items in an image. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the present invention can also be used to illuminate channel letters  72 .  
         [0028]    While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.