Fiber optic led light

Abstract

An LED coupled to a large core plastic optical fiber light guide with a tubular connector having a first bore into which the light guide is inserted, a second bore into which the LED and its attached wires are inserted and a third bore adjacent to the first bore, extending between the first and second bores and into which the LED is positioned so that when illuminated the LED transmits light into the guide with the first bore. The connector includes helical threads formed in the first bore into which the guide is threaded to securely retain the guide within the first bore and which form a seal to prevent contaminants from entering the region in the first bore adjacent the LED. Alternatively, the connector includes one or more internal channels extruding around the inner periphery of the bore and into which one or more O-rings are positioned so that the guide is securely retained within the first bore and that a barrier is formed to prevent contaminants from entering the region in the first bore adjacent the LED. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims.