Illumination device with side emitting light guide

Abstract

Side emitting light guides are provided in connection with illumination devices, light guide systems, and tasklight illumination kits. The side emitting light guides may be provide bright directional light, or they may be provide diffuse light. The side emitting light guides may be flexible to allow for insertion into tortuous passageways. The light guides may also have a relatively small profile and / or a solid core. The light guides may also include shades that allow an operator to convert the light guides from side emitting to end emitting in order to provide brighter, more focused illumination in a particular area to perform some tasks. When completed, the user has the option of re-configuring the light guides for side emission to provide general area illumination.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a side light guide for a lighting device. Background technique [0002] Several lighting devices, such as tasklights or worklights, are utilized in many different settings where area lighting is required to allow an individual to perform a task such as repairing or installing a component or for other purposes. These devices typically use incandescent or fluorescent light sources, both of which have a number of problems. For example, incandescent lamps are easily broken, generate a lot of heat that can burn skin, upholstery, etc. and can be a fire hazard around fuels such as gasoline. Incandescent lamps may also be shock-explosive around water or used in wet areas. [0003] Fluorescent lights are generally cooler than incandescent lights, but are still fragile and often too large to be inserted or placed in areas with limited clearance. Also, fluorescent lamps generally do not provide focused or at least parallel light energy...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, flashes are often too large to be placed where they can illuminate the desired area

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