Illumination – Plural light sources – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-02-13
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With support
C362S240000, C362S396000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flexible lighting systems, and more specifically, to a flexible lighting system that can be bent and folded to accommodate a variety of surfaces and that can be installed more efficiently than prior art flexible lights.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flexible lighting strips or rods have been known for many years. Typical applications for such flexible lighting include: interior and exterior trim for recreational vehicles, trim for boats, showcase and display lighting, and aircraft emergency pathway illumination.
One typical flexible lighting strip, disclosed by Anquentin in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,767, is comprised of an elongated section of transluscent plastic material having a portion formed as a cylindrical duct that houses a chain of electric lamps. At one end of the cylindrical duct, a pair of conductors is exposed for energizing the electric lamps. The cylindrical duct is filled with a translucent polymerizable compound that fixes the relative position of the chain of electric lamps within the cylindrical duct. Such a flexible lighting strip is preferably mounted to a support, such as a showcase, using double-sided adhesive tape.
A typical flexible lighting rod, disclosed by Lin in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,317, consists of a molded or extruded, bendable and foldable bulb-holding bar body made of poly-vinyl-chloride (“PVC”) or similar plastic, two conducting wires and a plurality of conductive plugs connected with a plurality of small bulbs spaced with suitable pitch in series. The foremost and terminal bulbs of each set of bulbs are connected to the two conducting wires. This flexible lighting rod is typically mounted to a support using brackets or similar fasteners.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned known flexible lighting strips and rods, there is a need for an improved flexible lighting system. Specifically, there is a need for a flexible lighting system that provides greater efficiency, flexibility and precision in mounting. An improved mounting alternative facilitates installation and promotes use of the improved flexible lighting system. There is also a need for a method of making a flexible lighting system that not only facilitates installation but also provides a light source that is distributed throughout the length of a lighting rod, thereby reducing the segmented appearance of the discrete lighting elements and providing more of an appearance of a solid bar of light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible lighting system that provides improved efficiency, flexibility and precision of installation over the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a flexible lighting system that produces a flexible lighting system providing more efficient, flexible and precise installation than the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a flexible lighting system that produces a flexible lighting system that provides a light source that distributes light throughout the length of a lighting rod.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a flexible lighting system is provided including a flexible translucent lighting rod and an attachment flange. The flexible translucent lighting rod includes an outer casing and an inner lighting core. The inner lighting core contains a plurality of lighting elements. The attachment flange is axially connected to the outer casing of the flexible translucent lighting rod and facilitates efficient, flexible and precise installation of the flexible lighting system. Preferably, the flexible translucent lighting rod and the attachment flange of the flexible lighting system are integrally formed.
In the preferred embodiment of the disclosed flexible lighting system, the light emitted from the lighting elements is distributed throughout the length of the lighting rod. This can be accomplished, using a textured surface, such as a surface employing axial grooves along the length of the flexible lighting rod.
In further carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a method of making a flexible lighting system is disclosed comprising the steps of extruding an inner lighting rod core and extruding an outer casing for the inner lighting core. The inner lighting core is formed of flexible translucent material and contains a series of lighting elements. The outer casing is also formed of flexible translucent material and includes an attachment flange to facilitate installation. Preferably, a texture is applied to a surface of the flexible lighting system to diffuse light emitted by the series of lighting elements. The texture, illustratively in the form of axial grooves, can be applied to either the outer surface of the inner lighting core or the inner surface of the outer casing.
It is an advantage of the present invention is the appearance of a solid bar of light. This results in a more attractive appearance as well as a more even distribution of light on an illuminated subject.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide efficient installation of the flexible lighting rod. This advantage is possible because the attachment flange can easily be mounted using common fasteners such as tacks, staples, nails and screws.
In another embodiment of the invention, the flexible lighting system further includes a mounting receptacle. In one embodiment, the attachment flange, which may be integrally formed with the flexible translucent lighting rod, or outer casing of the rod, is configured in a shape that mates with a mounting receptacle. The attachment flange can, in this embodiment, be inserted into the mounting receptacle by sliding it into place, or depending on the shape of the flange, snapping it into a compression fit. In a preferred embodiment, the configured flange has a T-shape.
The mounting receptacle can be either flexible or rigid. In some embodiments, the mounting receptacle also includes mounting, or anchoring, means to aid in affixing the mounting receptacle into or onto a surface. In one embodiment, for example, the mounting receptacle is formed of a flexible plastic or malleable metal, to conform readily to the contours of an item to which it is to be attached. In another embodiment, the mounting receptacle is formed of a rigid plastic, or metal, and in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, is of pre-formed shaped (such as a Christmas decoration) or cut to fit. Conventional fasteners, such as screws or tacks, can be used to affix the mounting receptacle to the item. In some embodiments, such as where the flange is T-shaped and the mounting receptacle has a generally u-shaped configuration to accommodate the T-shaped flange, with a planar bottom surface and vertical opposed sides, the mounting receptacle can be affixed to the item with tacks, for example, through its planar bottom surface. Of course, apertures can be provided in the mounting strip to facilitate placement of the fastening means. When the flexible translucent lighting rod is inserted into the mounting receptacle, it obscures the fastening means used to affix the mounting receptacle to the item. Therefore, in addition to ease of installation, the lighting rod and mounting receptacle or the present invention have an aesthetically pleasing appearance when installed.
In another preferred embodiment, the mounting receptacle further includes a means to facilitate attachment of the mounting receptacle into or onto a surface. Illustratively, the means to facilitate attachment is an integrally formed flange or web. In one preferred embodiment, the mounting receptacle, which is configured to accommodate the mounting flange of the flexible lighting rod, is provided with an integrally formed web that is adapted to penetrate the earth, such as along the perimeter of a garden. In an alternative embodiment, the outer
Gaffin Richard A.
Husar Stephen
ITC, Inc.
Monsanto Raphael A.
Rohm Benita J.
LandOfFree
Flexible lighting system and mounting arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flexible lighting system and mounting arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible lighting system and mounting arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2592868