초록 ▼

An illumination device includes a flexible and substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length with a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface and an elongated light source extending along and positioned adjacent the light-receiving surface of the rod-like member, such that l

An illumination device includes a flexible and substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length with a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface and an elongated light source extending along and positioned adjacent the light-receiving surface of the rod-like member, such that light entering the rod-like member from the elongated light source and through the light-receiving surface is preferentially scattered, thus causing a light intensity pattern that appears substantially uniform along the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An illumination device for simulating neon lighting, comprising: a solid rod-like member having a predetermined length with a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a substantially flexible compound;a flexible circuit board disposed within sai

1. An illumination device for simulating neon lighting, comprising: a solid rod-like member having a predetermined length with a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a substantially flexible compound;a flexible circuit board disposed within said rod-like member;a multiplicity of spaced point light sources arranged in a line along said flexible circuit board and extending substantially along the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member, the spaced point light sources and the flexible circuit board being in direct physical contact with the rod-like member such that light entering the rod-like member from said point light sources and through the light-receiving surface is preferentially scattered, with light being directed along the predetermined length of said rod-like member while also being urged out the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member, thus causing a light intensity pattern that appears substantially uniform along the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member; anda collection surface positioned near said point light sources for collecting and reflecting light not emitted directly into said rod-like member. 2. The illumination device as recited in claim 1, wherein said collection surface is adjacent a portion of the outer surface of said rod-like member. 3. The illumination device as recited in claim 1, wherein said point light sources are light emitting diodes. 4. The illumination device as recited In claim 1, in which said substantially flexible compound is impregnated with a filler, said filler deflecting light incident thereon so as to achieve the desired preferential scattering of light and causing the light intensity pattern to appear substantially uniform along the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member. 5. The illumination device as recited in claim 4, wherein said filler is a plurality of micro balloons, each having a shell and deflecting light incident thereon.