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WO2003036164A1 - Dispositif d'eclairage d'une surface generalement plate - Google Patents

Dispositif d'eclairage d'une surface generalement plate Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003036164A1
WO2003036164A1 PCT/US2002/034285 US0234285W WO03036164A1 WO 2003036164 A1 WO2003036164 A1 WO 2003036164A1 US 0234285 W US0234285 W US 0234285W WO 03036164 A1 WO03036164 A1 WO 03036164A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
illuminating
light
light source
page
illuminating device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/034285
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James F. Bennett, Jr.
Original Assignee
Lightwedge, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/127,883 external-priority patent/US6951403B2/en
Application filed by Lightwedge, Llc filed Critical Lightwedge, Llc
Priority to EP02786519A priority Critical patent/EP1438533B1/fr
Priority to DE60235025T priority patent/DE60235025D1/de
Priority to DK02786519.5T priority patent/DK1438533T3/da
Priority to JP2003538632A priority patent/JP2005507144A/ja
Priority to AT02786519T priority patent/ATE454589T1/de
Publication of WO2003036164A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003036164A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
    • F21V33/0048—Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D3/00—Book covers
    • B42D3/12—Book covers combined with other articles
    • B42D3/123—Book covers combined with other articles incorporating sound producing or light emitting means or carrying sound records
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V2200/00—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
    • F21V2200/20—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems of light guides of a generally planar shape

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to portable lights and like illuminating devices and, more particularly, to a portable illuminating device adapted for illuminating a generally flat surface, such as a page of a book, with minimal or at least reduced emission of significant light beyond the surface being illuminated.
  • Portable illuminating devices are well known and have various and sundry configurations and potential uses.
  • One type of such device is commonly referred to as a book light and essentially comprises a small light weight portable light-generating lamp adapted to be attached or otherwise supported in close proximity to a book, magazine or the like being read, so as to illuminate the pages thereof.
  • Representative examples of such book lights are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,432,042; 4,598,340; 4,680,681; 5,280,416; 5,442,528; 5,695,271; 5,921,664; Des. 414,574; 6,022,119; and 6,213,618.
  • Such devices are intended to direct a targeted beam of light only at the reading material so as to minimize or avoid altogether inconveniencing or bothering others.
  • one use promoted for such book lights is for reading in bed without the necessity of utilizing a table lamp so as to avoid interfering with a partner's ability to sleep.
  • the known devices are still inconvenient in that the light, although of lesser lumens than table lamps, still is emitted in an undiffused manner and may still bother others in the vicinity. Attaching the devices to books or magazines is also sometimes inconvenient and unwieldy despite the small size and light weight of such devices.
  • the present invention accordingly provides an illuminating device basically comprising a light source and an illuminating body for generally overlying the surface to be illuminated.
  • the illuminating body comprises a light conductive material configured to receive and deflect light from the light source onto the underlying surface being illuminated.
  • the illuminating device of the present invention is dimensioned and configured to overlie and illuminate a page of a book for reading in the absence of other light.
  • the illuminating body is formed of a transparent light conductive material generally in a wedge-shape tapering from an enlarged edge for receiving and conducting light into and through the illuminating body and deflecting the light onto the page to be illuminated.
  • the light source along with a battery for powering the light source are contained in a housing secured to and supporting the enlarged edge of the illuminating body in close light-receiving proximity to the light source.
  • the housing and the illuminating body may have mating projections and receptacles for securing them together. It is also advantageous to provide an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against a book or the like in order to rest the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page or other surface being illuminated.
  • the light source may be one or more light bulbs, e.g. LEDs, with the illuminating body preferably being formed with a corresponding number of recesses configured compatibly with the light bulb to closely receive and substantially surround the bulb in order to cause the light transmitted from the light bulb or bulbs three- dimensionally into and through the illuminating body. It is further preferred that the light bulb have a frosted globe, and that the end edge of the illuminating body into which the bulb is received also be textured, for assisting in diffusing the light from the bulb.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use overlying a page of a book being read so as to illuminate the page;
  • Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the illuminating device of Figure 1, with the housing thereof partially in cross-section; and
  • Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the illuminating device of Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with the housing thereof partially broken away.
  • an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted particularly for use as a book light is indicated in its totality at 10.
  • the illumination device 10 basically comprises a housing 12 which supports an illuminating body 14 extending outwardly from the housing 12, and also contains an arrangement suitable for generating a source of light, indicated overall at 16.
  • the illuminating body 14 fundamentally is contemplated to comprise a transparent body formed of a material capable of conducting light and dimensioned and configured to overlie the item intended to be illuminated, e.g., in a rectangular shape in front elevation corresponding to a typical page of a published book.
  • a transparent body formed of a material capable of conducting light and dimensioned and configured to overlie the item intended to be illuminated, e.g., in a rectangular shape in front elevation corresponding to a typical page of a published book.
  • certain thermoplastic resins such as various acrylic and polycarbonate resins, have the inherent capability of conducting light throughout the material and, hence, it is contemplated and preferred that the illuminating body 14 be fabricated of such material, although the present invention is not intended to be limited to these materials but can potentially utilize any illuminating body made of any other transparent material capable of conducting light.
  • the illuminating body is further configured to deflect a substantial portion of the conducted light within the illuminating body 14 onto the underlying book page or other surface to be illuminated.
  • the illuminating body 14 is preferably formed in a wedge shape tapering from an enlarged end 14A narrowingly to an edge 14B of a substantially reduced cross-sectional thickness at the opposite end of the illuminating body 14.
  • the housing 12 preferably is substantially hollow in order to receive and secure the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, e.g., by screws and other fastening means (not shown), and also to contain the light source arrangement 16 in immediate adjacency to the enlarged end 14A.
  • the housing 12 preferably is configured as compactly as possible to occupy a minimal portion of the front elevational surface area of the illuminating device 10, but in the accompanying drawings the housing 12 is illustrated more schematically and on a more enlarged scale for better clarity and understanding of the individual components of the illuminating device 10.
  • the light source arrangement 16 may comprise any suitable combination of components capable of generating visible light and applying such light to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 contained within the housing 12 so as to conduct the light into and through the illuminating body 14.
  • the light source arrangement 16 may comprise a common miniature light bulb 18 supported centrally within the housing 12 immediately adjacent the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 and connected in series w th a storage battery 20 and a manual on-off switch 22 by a simple DC-form of electrical wiring circuit, indicated generally at 24, for selective energization and deenergization of the light bulb 18.
  • the operation of the illuminating device 10 may thus be readily understood.
  • the battery 20 supplies electrical power to the light bulb 18, thereby energizing the light bulb 18 to emit visible light. Because the housing 12 is enclosed and preferably fashioned of an opaque material, the emitted light is contained within the housing and, due to the immediate proximity of the light bulb 18 to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, the light is substantially conducted into and through the illuminating body 14 toward the opposite narrowed end edge 14B. However, because of the tapering wedge shape of the illuminating body 14, a substantial amount of the conducted light is deflected downwardly and emitted from the underside of the illuminating body 14.
  • the illumination device 110 basically comprises a housing 112 which supports a rectangularly wedge- shaped illuminating body 114 formed of a suitable light-conductive thermoplastic resin.
  • the housing 112 of the illumination device 110 is partially broken away to reveal the operative internally-supported light generating arrangement 116.
  • the light generating arrangement 116 comprises a miniature circuit board which supports a pair of miniature LED-type light bulbs 118 in laterally spaced arrangement, a pair of ordinary dry cell batteries 120, and a manual on-off switch 122.
  • the light bulbs 118 project directly and snugly into correspondingly spaced and configured bores 125 formed in the immediately adjacent enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114.
  • the light bulbs 118 are completely surrounded by the resinous material of the illuminating body 114 whereby the light transmitted by the bulbs is effectively conducted into the body 114 three-dimensionally, i.e., longitudinally in the lengthwise direction of the body, laterally in the widthwise direction of the body, and transversely in the direction of the body's thickness.
  • the internal deflection of the conducted light within the illuminating body 114 is enhanced over that accomplished by a light bulb merely being oriented adjacent, so as to be shown at, the enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114.
  • each light bulb 118 should have a frosted or otherwise textured surface effect so as to the diffuse the transmitted light and prevent any tendency of the light to conduct in noticeable streaks or beams.
  • the edge of the enlarged end 114A, the interior surfaces of the bulb - receiving bores 125, as well as a portion of the front and rear faces, of the illuminating body 114 are textured, as indicated at 129, to further enhance diffusion of the emitted light from the bulbs.
  • the housing 112 includes lateral arms 112A which enclose and project partially along the opposite lateral side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 adjacent its enlarged end 114A.
  • the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 are formed with laterally projecting ears 115, which are received snugly in recessed receptacles 113 formed in the arms 112A of the housing 112.
  • the mating engagement of the ears 115 of the illuminating body 114 in the receptacle recesses 113 of the housing 112 effectively enhances the securement of the housing 112 with the illuminating body 114.
  • the projecting arms 112 A of the housing 112 are configured with lengthwise channels 117 along the front and back sides of the arms 112A to matingly receive in removable fashion opposing legs 127A of abutment devices 127.
  • the abutment devices 127 form forwardly and rearwardly projecting flanges along the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 which can function as rests to engage against a book or other item to be illuminated so as to hold the illuminating device in overlying relation thereto.
  • the illuminating device 10 of the present invention may be embodied in various sizes and configurations as suitable for use in illuminating virtually any generally flat surface in virtually any application wherein it is desirable to avoid emitting any significant quantity of the conducted light beyond the underlying surface to be illuminated and viewed.
  • alternative embodiments for military and/or industrial applications and uses are contemplated to be possible.
  • the illuminating body 14 be formed of a tapered shape other than a wedge but equally capable of deflecting light onto an underlying surface or may be formed of a convex or other suitable shape to magnify any surface over which the device is placed.
  • the housing 12 may be equipped or configured with a clip-like or similar device capable of engaging over a book so as to facilitate hands-free retention of the device in place overlying a page of a book.
  • the advantages of the present invention over known forms of book lights and other illuminating devices will be readily apparent.
  • the device is simple and easy to use and effectively focuses the majority of the emitted light directly on the surface to be illustrated with minimal emission of light beyond the surface so as to avoid interfering with or bothering other persons in the vicinity.
  • the present invention does not suffer the disadvantage of diffusion of the emitted light away from the illuminated surface, the present invention may potentially illuminate as effectively as or better than conventional devices while utilizing a smaller and lower wattage bulb than conventional lights, thereby realizing an increased battery life in contrast to known devices.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un dispositif destiné à éclairer une surface généralement plate sans pour autant émettre beaucoup de lumière au-delà de cette surface, ce dispositif étant notamment conçu pour être utilisé comme lampe de lecture. Le dispositif comprend une source d'éclairage fonctionnant à piles et placée dans un logement sur lequel un corps conducteur de lumière transparent est monté tout à côté de la source de lumière de sorte que la lumière soit transmise par le corps d'éclairage. Le dispositif peut être placé avec le corps d'éclairage sur un livre ou autre surface plate de sorte que la surface soit éclairée par le corps d'éclairage transparent. Le corps d'éclairage est effilé et cunéiforme de façon à renvoyer la lumière sur la surface sous-jacente.
PCT/US2002/034285 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Dispositif d'eclairage d'une surface generalement plate WO2003036164A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02786519A EP1438533B1 (fr) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Dispositif d'eclairage d'une surface generalement plate
DE60235025T DE60235025D1 (de) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Vorrichtung zum beleuchten einer allgemein flachen fläche
DK02786519.5T DK1438533T3 (da) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Anordning til belysning af en generelt plan flade
JP2003538632A JP2005507144A (ja) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 ほぼ平坦な表面を照明するための装置
AT02786519T ATE454589T1 (de) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Vorrichtung zum beleuchten einer allgemein flachen fläche

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3967001A 2001-10-26 2001-10-26
US10/039,670 2001-10-26
US10/127,883 2002-04-23
US10/127,883 US6951403B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2002-04-23 Device for illuminating a generally flat surface

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003036164A1 true WO2003036164A1 (fr) 2003-05-01

Family

ID=26716350

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/034285 WO2003036164A1 (fr) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Dispositif d'eclairage d'une surface generalement plate

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1438533B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2005507144A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003036164A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4432042A (en) * 1983-02-25 1984-02-14 Zeller Noel E Portable book light
US4598340A (en) * 1985-08-23 1986-07-01 Jack Dwosh Portable book light
US4680681A (en) * 1986-07-07 1987-07-14 Photo Audio Consumer Electronics Marketing Corporation Integral book cover and reading light
US5280416A (en) * 1992-11-27 1994-01-18 Eye Design, Inc. Bookmark light
US5442528A (en) * 1993-12-30 1995-08-15 Vandenbelt; Rudy A. Lighting device with novel neck mechanism
US5695271A (en) * 1996-06-10 1997-12-09 Zeller; Noel E. Telescoping booklight
US6022119A (en) * 1997-09-16 2000-02-08 Phorm Concept & Design, Inc. Book light

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2358203A (en) * 1943-04-13 1944-09-12 Albert A Best Combined illuminating and viewing device
GB1232977A (fr) * 1967-08-11 1971-05-26
JPS596566Y2 (ja) * 1978-02-07 1984-02-29 共同印刷株式会社 接面照明器具
JPS57167504U (fr) * 1981-04-15 1982-10-22
JPS61240506A (ja) * 1985-04-17 1986-10-25 有限会社　フアスタ− 照明器具
US4751615A (en) * 1986-08-07 1988-06-14 International Marketing Concepts, Inc. Page light
JPH01274302A (ja) * 1988-04-25 1989-11-02 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 平面型照明装置
US5499165A (en) * 1992-10-08 1996-03-12 Holmes, Jr.; Lawrence Transparent edge-lit lighting pane for displays
JPH0719907U (ja) * 1993-09-21 1995-04-07 有限会社デイックスー 照明器
JPH07287228A (ja) * 1994-04-19 1995-10-31 Tama Electric Co Ltd バックライト
JPH0862600A (ja) * 1994-08-23 1996-03-08 Alpine Electron Inc 液晶表示装置
US5639156A (en) * 1995-10-16 1997-06-17 Broxson; Gary Illuminated reading device
JP3427636B2 (ja) * 1996-09-06 2003-07-22 オムロン株式会社 面光源装置及び液晶表示装置
JPH10247412A (ja) * 1997-03-03 1998-09-14 Omron Corp 面光源装置
JP2000348518A (ja) * 1999-06-08 2000-12-15 Top Denshi:Kk 面発光体及びそれを用いた表示装置
JP4252696B2 (ja) * 1999-10-19 2009-04-08 パナソニック フォト・ライティング 株式会社 照明装置
JP2001210129A (ja) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-03 Mitsubishi Electric Corp サイドライト面光源装置

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4432042A (en) * 1983-02-25 1984-02-14 Zeller Noel E Portable book light
US4598340A (en) * 1985-08-23 1986-07-01 Jack Dwosh Portable book light
US4680681A (en) * 1986-07-07 1987-07-14 Photo Audio Consumer Electronics Marketing Corporation Integral book cover and reading light
US5280416A (en) * 1992-11-27 1994-01-18 Eye Design, Inc. Bookmark light
US5442528A (en) * 1993-12-30 1995-08-15 Vandenbelt; Rudy A. Lighting device with novel neck mechanism
US5695271A (en) * 1996-06-10 1997-12-09 Zeller; Noel E. Telescoping booklight
US6022119A (en) * 1997-09-16 2000-02-08 Phorm Concept & Design, Inc. Book light

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1438533A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1438533A4 (fr) 2006-10-11
JP2005507144A (ja) 2005-03-10
EP1438533A1 (fr) 2004-07-21
EP1438533B1 (fr) 2010-01-06

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