Optic shielding

Abstract

A lighting assembly includes a light source and a lens. The lens includes a light transmissive portion and an optic shield portion for blocking or redirecting at least a portion of light generated by the light source. The light source can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The optic shield can be painted on or otherwise applied to a portion of the lens. Alternatively, it can be integrally formed with the lens. The optic shield can be an opaque material for blocking light generated by the light source or can be a reflective material for reflecting light generated by the light source through the light transmissive portion of the lens. Methods for making an optic shield are also described.

1 . A lighting assembly comprising:
 a light source; and   a lens comprising a light transmissive portion and an optic shield portion for blocking or redirecting at least a portion of light generated by the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         3 . The lighting assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         4 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optic shield portion comprises an opaque material applied to a portion of an outer or inner surface of the lens. 
     
     
         5 . The lighting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the opaque material is painted onto the portion of the outer or inner surface of the lens. 
     
     
         6 . The lighting assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the opaque material is paint, silicone, epoxy or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optic shield portion of the lens comprises a reflective material applied to a portion of an outer or inner surface of the lens. 
     
     
         8 . The lighting assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the reflective material is applied to the portion of the outer surface of the lens and comprises a polymeric material having a metallic finish applied thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The lighting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the metallic finish is applied to the polymeric material by a vacuum metalizing process. 
     
     
         10 . The lighting assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the reflective material is a reflective paint or a reflective liner. 
     
     
         11 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optic shield portion is integrally formed with the light transmissive portion of the lens. 
     
     
         12 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light transmissive portion of the lens is molded with the optic shield portion of the lens. 
     
     
         13 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optic shield portion is configured to block light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         14 . The lighting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the optic shield portion is configured to reflect light emitted by the light source through the light transmissive portion of the lens. 
     
     
         15 . A method for forming a lens for a lighting assembly, wherein the lighting assembly comprises the lens and at least one light source and the lens comprises a light transmissive portion and an optic shield portion, the method comprising:
 introducing a first thermoplastic material and a second thermoplastic material into a mold; and   thermosetting the first thermoplastic material to form the light transmissive portion and the second thermoplastic material to form the optic shield portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first thermoplastic material comprises acrylic, polycarbonate or combinations thereof and the second thermoplastic material comprises opaque polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, nylon or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the optic shield portion blocks light emitted from the light source. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the optic shield portion reflects light emitted from the light source through the light transmissive portion of the lens. 
     
     
         19 . A method for forming a lens for a lighting assembly, the lighting assembly comprising the lens and at least one light source, the lens comprising a light transmissive portion and an optic shield portion, the method comprising:
 covering the light transmissive portion of the lens so that a portion of the lens is exposed; and   applying an opaque material to the exposed portion to form an optic shield portion on the lens.