Flexible circuit board with LED lighting
First Claim
1. ) A lighting apparatus comprising:
- a circuit board adapted to be flexed along a longitudinal axis, the circuit board adapted to receive an electrical current;
at least one conductive terminal disposed on the circuit board and adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrical current, the at least one conductive terminal having a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board to minimize stress on the at least one conductive terminal when the board is flexed; and
a light emitting element having at least one conductive lead, the light emitting element connected to and in electrical communication with the at least one conductive terminal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighting apparatus that includes a flexible circuit board having a plurality of conductive terminals and at least one electronic component attached thereto such that the lengths of the terminals and component are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board. A plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LED), is connected to the conductive terminals. The conductive terminals and corresponding LED leads may be located on one planar surface of the circuit board or may be distributed along both planar surfaces. Each one of a pair of the conductive terminals may be located on opposite surfaces of the circuit board so that the leads from an LED will straddle an upper edge of the circuit board. A method for installing a lighting apparatus includes providing a mounting means that will hold the flexible apparatus so that it is in a substantially upright position. The mounting means may include a plurality of slots so that the mounting means is flexible and conform to a variety of linear or non-linear shapes.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. ) A lighting apparatus comprising:
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a circuit board adapted to be flexed along a longitudinal axis, the circuit board adapted to receive an electrical current;
at least one conductive terminal disposed on the circuit board and adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrical current, the at least one conductive terminal having a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the circuit board to minimize stress on the at least one conductive terminal when the board is flexed; and
a light emitting element having at least one conductive lead, the light emitting element connected to and in electrical communication with the at least one conductive terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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15. ) A lighting system comprising:
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a plurality of circuit boards, each circuit board adapted to be flexed along a longitudinal axis and adapted to receive an electrical current;
means for mounting the plurality of circuit boards to a support structure;
a plurality of conductive terminals disposed on at least one of the plurality of circuit boards, at least one of the plurality of conductive terminals adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrical current;
means for connecting one of the plurality of circuit boards to another of the plurality of circuit boards; and
a plurality of light emitting elements connected to and in electrical communication with the plurality of conductive terminals.
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26. ) A method for installing a lighting apparatus comprising the steps of:
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providing a circuit board having a plurality of light emitting elements extending longitudinally from an upper edge of the circuit board;
providing a means for mounting the circuit board to a support surface;
affixing the means for mounting to the support surface; and
inserting the circuit board within the means for mounting such that a lower edge of the circuit board is proximate an upper surface of the mounting means and the circuit board is securely held in an upright position.
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Specification