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. 02, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 26, 2001
Shingo Suzuki, Iwata-gun, JP;
Koichi Toyoda, Iwata-gun, JP;
Minebea, Co., Ltd., Kitasaku-gun, JP;
Abstract
There is provided a spread illuminating apparatus which is improved in terms of compactness. A light guiding member ( ) provided with a curve ( ) is disposed between an end ( ) of a light conductive member ( ) and a spot-like light source ( ). Light beams from the spot-like light source ( ) which travel in the direction orthogonal to an electric wiring board ( ) are directed toward the end ( ) of the light conductive member ( ) (in the direction parallel with the electric wiring board ( )) to be properly guided while reflected at the curve ( ). Since the light beams from the spot-like light source ( ) are properly guided, the light beams from the spot-like light source ( ) can enter the light conductive member ( ) with the spot-like light source ( ) and the light conductive member ( ) not disposed on the same plane. Therefore, the spot-like light source ( ) can be arranged with less restrictions, thereby enabling the spot-like light source ( ) to be disposed on the electric wiring board ( ) together with other electronic components. Accordingly, in comparison with the conventional art in which the spot-like light source can not be disposed on the electric wiring board together with other electronic components requiring separate circuits to be provided, the apparatus can be improved in terms of compactness.