IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,889,456
Granted Patent B2
US 6,889,456 · App. 09/964,402 · Granted May 10, 2005

Illumination apparatus

Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,889,456
App. No.
09/964,402
Granted
May 10, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An LED light source is received in a groove portion provided in a light guide plate. The groove portion is covered with a base member, and the circumferential edge of the base member is bonded to the light guide plate. Concave portions or convex portions having desired shapes are provided in a surface opposite to a light emission observable surface of the light guide plate so as to form character portions.

Claims (26)

1. An illumination apparatus comprising:

an LED light source;

a light guide plate having a groove portion for receiving said LED light source, and character portions formed by convex portions with desired shapes, said character portions being provided on a back surface of said light guide plate; and

a base member covering said back surface and said groove portion of said light guide plate, said base member being bonded to said light guide plate in a circumferential edge portion of said base member,

wherein said convex portions are formed as a raised portion of said light guide plate.

2. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said groove portion is formed in said back surface of said light guide plate.

3. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said light guide plate and said base member comprise a same material, said illumination apparatus further comprising:

a portion of said material being welded together for bonding said light guide plate and said base member together.

4. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said character portions includes convex portions, and a second groove portion is provided in said back surface of said light guide plate so as to follow outer circumferences of said convex portions.

5. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a metal layer is formed on said character portions or on said back surface of said light guide plate except portions where said character portions are formed.

6. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a light emission observable surface of said base member has a light reflection property.

7. An illumination apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said illumination apparatus comprises a scuff plate that will be installed on a side step portion of a car.

8. An illumination apparatus comprising:

an LED light source;

a light guide plate having a groove portion for receiving said LED light source, and character portions formed by convex portions with desired shapes, said character portions being provided on a back surface of said light guide plate; and

a base member covering said back surface and said groove portion of said light guide plate,

wherein said base member is hermetically bonded to said light guide plate in a circumferential edge portion of said base member, thereby hermetically sealing said LED light source, and wherein said convex portions are formed as a raised portion of said light guide plate.

9. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said groove portion is formed in said back surface of said light guide plate.

10. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said light guide plate and said base member comprise a same material, said illumination apparatus further comprising a length of said material being welded together for bonding said light guide plate and said base member together.

11. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said character portions include convex portions, and a second groove portion is provided in said back surface of said light guide plate so as to follow outer circumferences of said convex portions.

12. An illumination, apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a metal layer is formed on said character portions or on said back surface of said light guide plate except portions where said character portions are formed.

13. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a light emission observable surface of said base member has a light reflection property.

14. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said illumination apparatus comprises a scuff plate that will be installed on a side step portion of a car.

15. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a flange portion is formed in a circumferential edge portion of said light guide plate, and an end wall of said circumferential edge portion of said base member is bonded to said flange portion.

16. An illumination apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a light permeable sheet member provided on an emission observable surface side of said light guide plate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2001
From: SHIBATA, MINORU; YAMANAKA, OSAMU; MUTO, MASANOBU
To: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 012212/0530 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2000-296635 · Sep 28, 2000 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20020043012A1 · Apr 18, 2002