Lens for LED lamps

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lens for use with a lamp having at least one LED light source. The lens preferably includes a plurality of projections each having a substantially flat top surface and a plurality of sloping side surfaces, preferably suitable for dispersing the emitted light. Such a variance in light emission may enhance the light being viewed from different angles and positions therefrom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a top plan view a lamp assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1A taken along section line A-A of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a selected portion of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a projection in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a projection in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a lens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lens mountable to a light source having one or more LEDs, the lens comprising a base and one or more projections, wherein the projections comprise a plurality of side surfaces, each side surface constructed and arranged to be positioned to form an acute angle with the base.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least one projection is aligned with at least one LED.

3. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise a flat top surface.

4. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise at least one magnifying surface for magnifying light being transmitted therethrough.

5. The lens of claim 1 comprising one projection.

6. The lens of claim 1 comprising at least nine projections.

7. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections have more than two side surfaces.

8. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise four side surfaces.

9. The lens of claim 1, wherein the side surfaces are substantially smooth.

10. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise one or more steps.

11. The lens of claim 1, wherein the projections have a generally conical shape.

12. The lens of claim 1, wherein a side surface of a first projection is not parallel with any side surface of a second projection of the lens.

13. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least one side surface includes one or more striations.

14. The lens of claim 1, wherein the base includes one or more striations.

15. The lens of claim 1, comprising one or more rings bordering each projection.

16. The lens of claim 1, wherein the base and the projections form a unitary member.

17. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is constructed and arranged to enclose a single LED.

18. The lens of claim 1, wherein the side surfaces create an angle of about 45 or less with the base.

19. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is constructed to be mountable on a stop/tail/turn lamp of a vehicle.

20. A lens mountable to a light source having one or more LEDs, the lens comprising a base and a plurality of projections, wherein at least one projection is aligned with an LED, the projections suitable for directing the light from the LEDs into a plurality of different directions.

21. The lens of claim 20, wherein the projections are suitable for directing light in three or more different directions.

22. The lens of claim 20, wherein the projections are suitable for directing light in thirty-six or more different directions.

23. A lens comprising: a projection aligned with the LED and positioned so that the LED emits light toward the projection, the projection having a plurality of surfaces;wherein the plurality of surfaces includes one or more flat surfaces substantially perpendicular to the light being emitted by the LED;wherein the plurality of surfaces further includes a plurality of side surfaces.

24. The lens of claim 23, wherein the base comprises a substantially cylindrical shape.

25. The lens of claim 23, wherein the base comprises a support structure for maintaining the projection in an elevated position from the LED.

26. A lamp comprising: one or more LEDs;a housing wherein the one or more LEDs is located;a lens mountable to the housing, the lens having one or more projections, wherein the projections comprise a plurality of side surfaces constructed and arranged to change the direction of light being transmitted therethrough.

27. The lamp of claim 26, wherein at least one projection is aligned with at least one LED.

28. The lamp of claim 26, wherein the projections include a flat surface constructed and arranged to transmit light without substantially changing the direction of the light.

29. The lamp of claim 26, wherein the projections include a magnifying surface.