Patent Abstract:
An apparatus having a side emitting fiber encased in a translucent or transparent rod such as a towel rack, curtain rod, or toilet paper dispenser.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/471128, filed May 16, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The field of the invention is remote source lighting.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Remote source lighting systems and methods such as the use of fiber optic and/or prism guides to transmit light are known and provide numerous advantages over more traditional lighting systems and methods. However, known remote source lighting apparatus and methods can still be improved to better achieve such advantages. As such, there is a continuing need for improvements to remote source lighting apparatus and methods.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention is directed to transparent or translucent rod assemblies comprising one or more optical fiber cores and possibly one or more illuminators, as well as methods for making and using such assemblies. For simplicity, the invention will be described using the term “transparent” in place of “transparent or translucent”.  
           [0005]    In some instances rod assemblies comprising a transparent rod with a optical fiber core will be formed by providing a hollow-core rod and using the rod as a mold to create in creating an optical fiber core for the assembly.  
           [0006]    Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a transparent rod assembly comprising an RLS.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the RLS of FIG. 1A.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2A is a view of a towel rack comprising an RLS rod assembly.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2B is a detail view of a bracket portion of the assembly of FIG. 2A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]    In FIG. 1A a transparent rod assembly  100  comprising an RLS is shown. Assembly  100  comprises a transparent rod  110 , an optical fiber core  120 , an illuminator  130 , one or more conductors  191 , and a power source  190 . The RLS of assembly  100  is shown removed from the encapsulating rod in FIG. 1B. As previously mentioned, the “transparent” rod can be transparent or translucent. Assembly  100  may part of a towel rack, a toilet paper dispenser, or any other apparatus that would benefit from the inclusion of a transparent rod assembly comprising an RLS.  
         [0012]    Rod  110  may comprise any transparent or translucent material or any combination of materials so long as at least some of the light emitted by core  120  will be emitted by rod  110 . In some instances  110  may be structured such that light emitted by core  120  is patterned, color shifted, or otherwise modified prior to being emitted by rod  110 .  
         [0013]    Core  120  may comprise a single optical fiber, a plurality of optical fibers, or some other form of optical wave guide. In less preferred embodiments core  120  may remain hollow except possibly where it is coupled to an illuminator. In some embodiments the core may comprise a gas that facilitates the transmission of light along core  120  and which may modify the light as it is transmitted. Core  120  may be formed by providing a hollow rod  110  and filling rod  110  with an appropriate material. In such instances rod  110  may act as a mold used to shape core  120 . Core  120  may comprise any material or combination of materials suitable for transmitting light along the length of rod  110 .  
         [0014]    Illuminator  130  may be any illuminator suitable for transmitting light into core  120  such that it is emitted by rod  110 . However, it is preferred that illuminator  130  comprise an LED illuminator. In some instances illuminator  130  may comprise a cluster LED such as an RGB cluster LED. Illuminator  130  may also comprise one or more control circuits used to control the illuminator. Illuminator  130  is shown positioned within rod  110  but in alternative embodiments illuminator  130  may be positioned outside of rod  110 , possibly by extending core  120  out of rod  110  prior to coupling an end of the core to the illuminator.  
         [0015]    Power source  190  may be an external power source such as a socket coupled to electrical utility power source or may be an internal power source such as a battery or capacitor. If an external power source, one or more conductors  191  may be used to provide power and possibly control signals to illuminator  130 .  
         [0016]    Assembly  100  may comprise one or more control circuits adapted to facilitate the selection of the color and/or intensity of light to be emitted by assembly  100 .  
         [0017]    In FIGS. 2A and 2B a transparent rod assembly in the form of a towel rack is shown mounted on wall  280  and comprises rod  210 , core  220 , illuminator  230 , and end brackets  240 A and  240 B. As can be seen in FIG. 2B, illuminator  230  is positioned within bracket  240 B. Assembly  200  also comprises a power source (not shown).  
         [0018]    The variations described in regard to assembly  100  of FIG. 1A are equally applicable to assembly  200 . The primary difference between the two assemblies  100  and  200  is the inclusion of end brackets in  200  and the position of the illuminator  230  at least partially outside of rod  210 .  
         [0019]    It is contemplated that it may be particularly advantageous for the power source for the assembly  100  to comprise one or more batteries and/or capacitors positioned within the assembly or an external power source. If an external power source, it is preferred that power be routed into the assembly through bracket  240 B with any conductors and or plugs being hidden by bracket  240 B and/or wall  280 .  
         [0020]    Alternative embodiments may comprise a plurality of cores, illuminators, controllers, and/or power sources in any combination.  
         [0021]    Thus, specific embodiments, applications, and methods relating to remote source lighting systems have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5