Linear light form with light diverting layer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fiber optic conduit having a light diverting outer layer ( 22 ) that reflects and/or refracts ambient light directed towards the conduit. The fiber optic conduit includes a light transmitting core ( 24 ), cladded with a fluoropolymer cladding ( 26 ) and subsequently jacketed with a polymeric finish jacket ( 28 ). The light diverting layer (22) either inserted between the cladding ( 26 ) and the jacket ( 28 ) or surrounding the jacket ( 28 ) is included in the fiber optic conduit. The light diverting layer ( 22 ) preferably has the property of allowing light to be transmitted from the fiber optic surface out of the conduit in one direction and reflecting ambient light directed towards the conduit When reflecting ambient light, the fiber optic conduit appears in the form of chrome trim.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fiber optic conduit comprising: 
 a light transmitting core;    at least one light transmitting outer layer surrounding said core; and    at least one light diverting layer surrounding said core and said light transmitting outer layer.    
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 1  wherein said at least one light diverting layer includes a characteristic of allowing light transmitted through said core to pass out of said conduit and reflecting ambient light directed toward said conduit.  
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 2  wherein said at least one light diverting outer layer is a dichroic film.  
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 2  wherein said at least one light diverting outer layer is a reflective film.  
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 2  wherein said at least one light diverting outer layer is a refractive film.  
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 2  wherein said at least one light diverting outer layer is a holographic film.  
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 2  wherein said at least one light diverting outer layer is a polarizing film.  
     
     
         8 . A fiber optic conduit comprising: 
 a plurality of light transmitting cores;    a plurality light transmitting outer layers, each of said outer layers surrounding each of said cores;    a finish jacket surrounding said cores collectively, as a bundle; and    a light diverting layer jacketed about said finish jacket;    said light diverting layer having a characteristic of allowing light to travel from the plurality of the fiber optics to the outer surface of said conduit in one direction and reflecting ambient light directed toward said cores.    
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 8  wherein said light diverting outer layer is a dichroic film.  
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 8  wherein said light diverting outer layer is a holographic film.  
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 8  wherein said light diverting outer layer is a polarized film.  
     
     
         12 . A fiber optic conduit comprising: 
 a light transmitting core;    an outer layer cladded about said core;    a light control film fastened to said outer layer;    wherein said film has a characteristic of allowing light emitted from said core to be visible at predetermined viewing angles, while blocking light from other viewing angles.    
     
     
         13 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 12  wherein said light control film is a polarizing film.  
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a fiber optic conduit comprising the steps of: 
 extruding a light transmitting core;    extruding at least one light transmitting outer layer about said core; and    applying a light diverting layer about said core and light transmitting outer layer.    
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic conduit of claim I wherein said at least one light diverting layer includes a characteristic of directing light transmitted through said at least one light diverting layer from said core in a predetermined direction.  
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 15  wherein said at least one light diverting layer includes a characteristic of reflecting ambient light directed toward said fiber optic conduit.  
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 16  wherein said at least one light diverting layer includes a light diffracting characteristic in which ambient light reflected off said fiber optic conduit is diffracted.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of applying said light diverting layer includes the step of pressing said light diverting film onto the outer surface of the light form.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of applying said light diverting layer includes the step of embossing said light diverting layer onto the outer surface of the light form.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of applying said light diverting layer includes the step of adhering said light diverting layer onto the outer surface of the light form.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  where in said step of applying said light diverting layer uses vacuum deposition at room temperature.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  where in the step of applying said light diverting layer includes reducing the air pressure surrounding said light diverting layer.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of applying said light diverting layer includes the step of wrapping a film of said light diverting layer about said outer layer.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of applying said light diverting layer includes the step of placing said outer layer and core in a channel. placing said outer layer to overlie said channel.  
     
     
         25 . A fiber optic conduit for use on a sign comprising: 
 a light transmitting core;    a cladding surrounding said core;    a finish jacket surrounding said cladding; and    a reflective film wrapped about said finish jacket;    wherein said conduit is configured into a desired shape and connected to said sign such that during night time light from said light transmitting core is directed out of said conduit and during daylight sunlight is reflected off of said light diverting layer.    
     
     
         26 . The fiber optic conduit of  claim 4  wherein said light diverting layer is plurality of layers including a dichroic film, a refractive film, and a polarizing film.