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. 26, 2017
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2015
3m Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Audrey A. Sherman, Woodbury, MN (US);
Marie A. Boulos, West St. Paul, MN (US);
Michael A. Meis, Stillwater, MN (US);
Kevin R. Schaffer, Woodbury, MN (US);
Thu-Van T. Tran, Maplewood, MN (US);
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The optical device may have a 'front lit' configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and retroreflected by the film toward a viewer. The optical device may have a 'back lit' configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and transmitted through the film toward a viewer. The retroreflective film may comprise beaded retroreflective sheeting such as that used in traffic signs and markings.