Patent ID: 6874924

Claim:
An illumination device for simulation of neon lighting, comprising: an elongated and substantially cylindrical waveguide having a light-emitting outer surface, a channel defined through a portion of said waveguide substantially along the length thereof, said channel defining opposing lateral wall surfaces, and said waveguide including an interior semi-reflective portion spaced at a predetermined distance from said light-emitting outer surface; and an elongated light source positioned within said channel, between said opposing lateral wall surfaces, and extending substantially along the length of said waveguide, said elongated light source being oriented so as to substantially direct light to one side and into one of said lateral wall surfaces, said light traversing said waveguide with a portion of said light being scattered and emitted through the light-emitting outer surface of said waveguide, said semi-reflective portion reflecting additional light and causing it also to be scattered and emitted through the light-emitting outer surface of said waveguide to create a substantially uniform light intensity pattern over the light-emitting outer surface of said waveguide.