Patent ID: 7374327

Claim:
A lighting fixture illuminated by light emitting diodes for providing general lighting illumination in a home or office, comprising: a generally flat planar panel formed of translucent material having a front surface, a back surface, and opposed peripheral side edges; a plurality of inwardly extending apertures formed along at least two of said peripheral side edges in longitudinally spaced apart relation, wherein said apertures extend inwardly at an acute angle with respect to said panel front surface; a plurality of high brightness light emitting diodes disposed along at least two of said peripheral side edges in longitudinally spaced apart relation, each disposed in a respective one of said apertures for transmitting light directly into said panel; a layer of reflective material on at least said back surface of said panel to facilitate reflection and dispersion of light that occurs within said panel through said front surface; a rectangular frame having a generally U-shaped transverse cross section supported on said translucent panel surrounding said outer peripheral side edges of said panel and enclosing said light emitting diodes; said light emitting diodes electrically connected with a low voltage direct current rectifier or driver that is connected with standard household alternating current to rectify and supply polarized constant direct current to the light emitting diodes; wherein light from said light emitting diodes is transmitted directly into the panel material from said at least two of said peripheral side edges and reflected internally therein causing light of a brightness sufficient to provide general lighting illumination in a home or office to be emitted through said front surface under the influence of total internal reflection.