Embodiments of the present invention relate to optical light shielding.
In the lighting industry, it is desirable that light fixtures emit and direct light in only desired areas. Preventing unwanted light glare or light trespass into unwanted areas is desirable. One method for preventing light from entering certain areas is referred to as light shielding. Light shielding is found in many traditional lighting applications, such as High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, in which a barrier or shield is positioned between the light source and the area in which light is not desired. This same conventional method may be used with light emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, LEDs 10 may have barriers 20 placed adjacent lenses 30, as shown in
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide light shields integral with the optics.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a combination of shielding within the optics of a light source. The shielding may be integrated and formed within the optics used to direct the light source. The shielding may block the light, or redirect the light into an area in which light is desired.
As shown in
The configuration of the lens 120 may vary depending on the desired optical properties. In the embodiment of
The shield 130 blocks transmission of the light produced by the LED 110, preventing the light 140 from exiting the lens 120 in the area provided with shield 130. The shield 130 may be made of any opaque material that does not allow light 140 to transmit through it. Suitable opaque materials include, but are not limited to, dark paint, silicone, and epoxy. The opaque material forming the shield 130 may be painted or applied to the outer or inner surface of the lens 120. In one application method, the light transmissive portion 125 of the lens 120 is masked so that only the desired shape and size of the shield 130 is exposed. The opaque material is then applied to the lens 120 so that the material adheres only to the exposed portion of the lens 120 intended to form the shield 130. With respect to all of the embodiments disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the shape, size, and positioning of the shield 130, 230, 330 on the lens 120, 220, 320 may be tailored to suit particular applications and by no means is limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.
Similar to the embodiment of
The lighting assembly 300 of
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/868,195, filed Aug. 25, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/236,693, filed Aug. 25, 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2072286 | Wellington | Mar 1937 | A |
6042251 | McCarthy et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6447155 | Kondo et al. | Sep 2002 | B2 |
6607286 | West et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6674096 | Sommers et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6679621 | West et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6886962 | Suehiro | May 2005 | B2 |
7246930 | Yatsuda et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7312477 | Yatsuda et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7344902 | Basin et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7434970 | Machi et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7438445 | Shiau et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
20040057123 | Magocs et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20050036214 | Jewers et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20060098308 | Angelini et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060138440 | Jyo | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20070217215 | Lee | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20080117646 | Yatsuda et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080123337 | Higashi et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080237618 | Ko et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080239741 | Nakada et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080272380 | Wilcox | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080298072 | Chang | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090308926 | Canini et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100091484 | Mayfield et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100321949 | Ohno et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
20120229025 | Edwards, Jr. et al. | Sep 2012 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,195, mailed Oct. 12, 2012 (5 pages). |
Response to Restriction Requirement for U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,195, filed Nov. 9, 2012 (6 pages). |
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,195, mailed Dec. 14, 2012 (9 pages). |
Amendment and Response to Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,195, filed May 14, 2013 (13 pages). |
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 12/868,195, mailed Jul. 12, 2013, (13 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20140126217 A1 | May 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61236693 | Aug 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12868195 | Aug 2010 | US |
Child | 14153301 | US |