Light distribution systems and illumination devices

Abstract:

Illumination devices and light distribution systems utilizing overlapping joints, connector rings, end caps, assemblies for mounting light tubes to a ceiling or wall, and protective tubes.

Citations

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Cited By

Patent number	Title	Issue date
6328464	Luminaire using right angle film	2001-12-11
6466361	Converging device and light source module, laser device and optical signal amplifier using such converging device	2002-10-15
6612729	Illumination device	2003-09-02
6621973	Light guide with protective outer sleeve	2003-09-16
6834151	Optical waveguide and fabrication method	2004-12-21

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Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A light distribution system comprising:

a first light distributing tube and a second light distributing tube;

each of said light distributing tubes comprising a plurality of sheets; and

wherein at least one sheet of said first light distributing tube is configured to overlap a portion of at least one sheet of said second light distributing tube.

2. A light distribution system according to claim 1 further comprising a connector for holding said light distributing tubes together.

3. A light distribution system according to claim 2 wherein said connector comprises a single-sided tape.

4. A light distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said sheets of said light distributing tubes are configured to align when said light distributing tubes are connected.

5. A light distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said light distributing tubes comprise three sheets.

6. An illumination device comprising:

a source of illumination;

a first light distributing tube and a second light distributing tube, at least one of said light distributing tubes operably connected to said source of illumination;

each of said light distributing tubes comprising a plurality of sheets; and

wherein at least one sheet of said first light distributing tube is configured to overlap a portion of at least one sheet of said second light distributing tube.

7. An illumination device according to claim 8 further comprising a connector for holding said light distributing tubes together.

8. An illumination device according to claim 7 wherein said connector comprises a single-sided tape.

9. An illumination device according to claim 6 wherein said sheets of said light distributing tubes are configured to align when said light distributing tubes are connected.

10. An illumination device according to claim 6 wherein said light distributing tubes comprise three sheets.

Patent number:
6169839
View patent at USPTO

Filing date:
July 8, 1998

Issue date:
January 2, 2001

Inventor:
Walter A. Johanson (St. Paul, MN)

Primary Examiner:
John D. Lee

Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Galgano & Burke

Current U.S. Classification: 362/560 362/576 362/581 362/582 385/133 385/146 385/901