LED LIGHT SOURCE
A frame for a work of art includes at least one side panel defining an inner opening in which the work of art is displayable. The inner opening extends in a plane. The at least one side panel includes a longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face that faces inwards towards the inner opening in a direction generally parallel to the plane. The light emitting face has an inner side positioned proximate the plane and a spaced apart outer side and at least one LED providing a light source for the light guide. A backlight frame for a work of art is also disclosed.
1 . A frame for a work of art comprises at least one side panel defining an inner opening in which the work of art is displayable, the inner opening extending in a plane, the at least one side panel comprises a longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face that faces inwards towards the inner opening in a direction generally parallel to the plane, the light emitting face has an inner side positioned proximate the plane and a spaced apart outer side and at least one LED providing a light source for the light guide.
2 . The frame of claim 1 wherein the inner side of the light emitting face is spaced from the plane.
3 . The frame of claim 2 wherein the inner side of the light emitting face is spaced from 0.25 to 1 inch from the plane.
4 . The frame of claim 1 wherein the light guide has a first end face and a longitudinally spaced apart second end face and the light source is provided at least at the first end face.
5 . The frame of claim 4 wherein a first light source is provided at the first end face and a second light source is provided at the second end face.
6 . The frame of claim 1 wherein the fame is in the shape of a parallelogram and comprises four side panels, each of which comprises a longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face that faces inwards towards the inner opening in a direction generally parallel to the plane, each light emitting face has an inner side positioned proximate the plane and a spaced apart outer side.
7 . The frame of claim 6 wherein the light emitting faces are positioned forward of the plane.
8 . The frame of claim 1 wherein the fame comprises a plurality of side panels which meet at corners, at least some of the side panels comprise a longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face that faces inwards towards the inner opening in a direction generally parallel to the plane, each light emitting face has a first end face and a longitudinally spaced apart second end face and the light source is provided at least at the first end face, wherein the light sources are provided in corners of the parallelogram.
9 . The frame of claim 8 wherein the fame is in the shape of a parallelogram, each of the side panels comprises a longitudinally extending light guide and the light sources are provided in the corners of the parallelogram.
10 . The frame of claim 1 further comprising a sensor that detects a condition in a space in front of a location in which the frame is located and a controller that adjusts at least one of a level of intensity of light emitted by the light source and the colour of light emitted by the light source based upon a signal provided by the sensor.
11 . The frame of claim 10 wherein the condition comprises at least one of a level of illumination, a colour of illumination, motion of a body, a noise level, a signal issued by a person.
12 . The frame of claim 11 wherein the light source comprises LEDs of at least two different colours.
13 . The frame of claim 1 further comprising a manually actuatable switch operatively connected to the light source wherein operation of the switch adjusts at least one of a level of intensity of light emitted by the light source and the colour of light emitted by the light source based upon a signal provided by the switch.
14 . The frame of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage member.
15 . The frame of claim 14 wherein the energy storage member comprises a rechargeable battery.
16 . The LED light source of claim 1 wherein the at least one LED is operable to selectively emit one or more colours of light.
17 . The LED light source of claim 1 wherein the at least one LED is operable to selectively illuminate part of a work of art placed in the fame.
18 . A backlight frame for a work of art comprises a frame member that defines an inner opening in which the work of art is displayable, the inner opening extending in a plane, and a longitudinally extending light guide positioned rearward of the opening and facing towards the opening, the longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face spaced rearward of the plane and having a length, a first end face and a longitudinally spaced apart second end face and a LED light source is provided at least at the first end face.
19 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . The LED light source of claim 14 wherein the at least one LED is operable to selectively emit one or more colours of light.
30 . The LED light source of claim 14 wherein the at least one LED is operable to selectively illuminate part of a work of art placed in the fame.