Flexible sign illumination apparatus, system and method

• US 20030112627A1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: R&M Deese Incorporated
• Original Assignee: R&M Deese Incorporated
• Inventors: Deese, Raymond E.
• Application Number:
  US09/969,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112627A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/24 of ribbon or tape form, e.g. LED tapes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0832 Hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/107 of the exterior of buildings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/209 Auto-mechanical connection between a component and a PCB or between two PCBs
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0058 Laminating printed circuit boards onto other substrates, e.g. metallic substrates H05K1/0281 takes precedence

Abstract

An energy efficient light strip illumination apparatus that can be easily installed with Velcro fasteners for both new installations and retrofitting incandescent and neon installations. One of the preferred embodiments is a flexible strip in which LED array'"'"'s are imprinted in sections so that the strip can be cut to customize the size of the light strips to fit signs or other lighted features of any size or shape.

Claims

1. An LED strip for lighting comprising:

a strip of flexible inner core circuit board material having a top and a bottom side, approximately one thousandth to two thousandth in thickness and sufficiently flexible to be bent into a circle of approximately 12 inches in diameter;

a plurality of LEDs mounted on the top side, electrically connected in series to form a linear array substantially shorter than the flexible circuit board;

one or more arrays electrically connected in parallel, the arrays positioned adjacent to each other to occupy the width of the strip to form a section;

one or more sections positioned along the strip, electrically connected in parallel;

one or more severance spaces positioned along the strip between the sections where the parallel connections are made; and

a fastener having a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion is attached to the bottom of the strip.

2. The LED strip of claim 1, further comprising a flexible electrical conduit connecting a plurality of strips.

3. The LED strip of claim 1 in which said linear array of LEDs are approximately 3 inches long.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the LED lights are electrically connected in series to form an array.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of severance spaces positioned between the sections.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fastener is Velcro coupled to the bottom of the circuit board.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a power source to the lights.

11. The light strip of claim 9, wherein the lights are LED.

12. The light strip of claim 9, wherein the fastener is Velcro.

13. The light strip of claim 9, further comprising a power source of approximately 24 volts coupled to the lights.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising an approximately 110 volts or lower power source coupled to the light strip by the flexible power connectors.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the lights are LED.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the fastener is Velcro.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the platform is a printed circuit board.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the illumination means are LEDs.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising the illumination means electrically connected in series forming an array, the arrays electrically connected in parallel forming a section, the sections electrically connected in parallel along the platform.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a severance area positioned between the sections positioned along the platform.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a means for providing lower than 110 volts electricity to the illumination means.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for coupling is Velcro.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing lower than 110 volts electricity to the light strip.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the strip is cut between two sections of lights where the parallel connection is made.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising electrically coupling two or more light strips by a bendable power connector wherein sharp turns of the sign can be accommodated by the power connector.

4. An apparatus for lighting signs, building facia and the like comprising:

a flexible circuit board;

one or more LEDs coupled to one side of the circuit board; and

a Velcro fastener coupled to the other side of the circuit board.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of the arrays electrically connected in parallel to form a section.

10. A light strip for lighting signs comprising:

a strip of bendable circuit board;

one or more lights coupled to the top of the circuit board, wherein a discrete array of lights are connected in series and one or more of the arrays are connected to each other in parallel;

one or more severance spaces between the arrays; and

a fastener attached to the bottom of the circuit board.

14. A system of illuminated sign comprising:

one or more light strips comprising;

a flexible circuit board,

one or more arrays of lights wherein the lights within the array are electrically connected in series and the arrays are electrically connected in parallel,

a fastener with a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the bottom of the circuit board;

one or more flexible power connectors coupling the light strips; and

a sign casing having at least one surface that is transparent, wherein the second portion of the fastener is attached to the areas of the casing where the light strip is to be positioned.

18. An apparatus for lighting signs comprising:

a plurality of illumination means;

one or more platforms for mounting the illumination means that allow serial and parallel electrical connections of the illumination means;

one or more means for electrical coupling coupled to the illumination means; and

a means for coupling the platform to a base attached to the platform.

25. A method of providing lighting for signs, comprising:

bending a light strip having sets of serially connected lights connected in parallel, to approximately fit the sign;

cutting the light strip as needed to light the sign;

attaching one part of a fastener to the sign; and

fastening the light strip to the attached fastener.