The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 15, 1999
Thomas J. Reid, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
David J. Lundin, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Side emitting light guides are provided in connection with illumination devices, light guide systems, and tasklight illumination kits. The side emitting light guides may be provide bright directional light, or they may be provide diffuse light. The side emitting light guides may be flexible to allow for insertion into tortuous passageways. The light guides may also have a relatively small profile and/or a solid core. The light guides may also include shades that allow an operator to convert the light guides from side emitting to end emitting in order to provide brighter, more focused illumination in a particular area to perform some tasks. When completed, the user has the option of re-configuring the light guides for side emission to provide general area illumination.