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:
Dec. 04, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 15, 1998
Joseph A. Hoffman, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Duwayne C. Radke, Woodbury, MN (US);
Stephen J. Pojar, Marine on St. Croix, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A light directing, load bearing, thermally protective coupling for connecting a light conduit, such as a light pipe, to a light source includes a body member having a first end connected with the light source and a second end connected with the light pipe. The body member contains a longitudinal channel which extends from the first end to the second end and includes an inner surface defining the channel which directs light from the light source, through the coupling, to the light pipe. To reduce light loss, the inner surface is provided with a highly reflective finish. The coupling is formed of a thermally conductive metal which dissipates heat from the light source and has a length sufficient to produce a temperature drop which allows the light pipe to be connected with the coupling without damaging the light pipe. The first end of the coupling includes a lip portion which is connected with a gasket provided on a light source reflector cone, and the second end of the coupling can include a collar which interlocks with a mating collar provided on an adjacent light pipe.