Compound optical and electrical conductors, and connectors therefor

Abstract

A compound optical and electrical conductor includes a fiberoptic light transmitting element (multiple fibers or single solid rod) with at least one solar cell with LED therewith. The electrical conductor or conductors may be imbedded or otherwise secured within the optically conducting element or its surrounding jacket or sheath (), or may be contained in a separate elongate retainer which may be provided to hold the optically conducting element in place as desired. The conductors may include a jacket or retainer () which is optically open along one side thereof, allowing the optical conductor () to emit light laterally therefrom subtending an angle defined by the optical gap in the jacket or retainer. One or more compound connectors may be provided, for linking two or more such compound conductors together as desired. The connectors provide for both the concentric alignment of the optical conductors, and also the electrical connection of the electrical conductors (-) of the compound devices. The connectors preferably each include one or more lighting elements to compensate for light attenuation along the lengths of the attached optical conductors.