Light assembly

Abstract

Light assembly having reflector, a light source, an outer light cover having a first color zone and a second, different color or clear zone, and an inner lens with a transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components. Vehicle comprising light assemblies include those where the light assembly is a vehicle tail light assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light assembly comprising:
 an optically transparent light cover;   a reflector facing the light cover and having an optical reflectance of at least 90%;   a transflective surface disposed between the light cover and the reflector and having a reflectivity greater than that dictated by the Fresnel equations at normal incidence; and   at least one light source disposed between the transflective surface and the reflector.   
     
     
         2 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light cover is curved. 
     
     
         3 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1  comprising at least two light sources disposed between the transflective surface and the reflector, each of the at least two light sources emitting a different color light. 
     
     
         4 . The light assembly of  claim 1  having a length to depth ratio greater than 2:1. 
     
     
         5 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an optical absorption of the transflective surface is greater than 5%. 
     
     
         6 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface is smooth. 
     
     
         7 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface is structured. 
     
     
         8 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface comprises a metal. 
     
     
         9 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface comprises a polarizer. 
     
     
         10 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface comprises a plurality of linear prisms. 
     
     
         11 . The light assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transflective surface comprises s plurality of pyramidal prisms. 
     
     
         12 . A light assembly comprising:
 at least one light source; and   a transflective surface facing and receiving light from the light source, the transflective surface having a distribution of small and large structures such that the smaller structures are aligned over the at least one light source and the larger structures are positioned away from the at least one light source.