Light devices using light emitting diodes
First Claim
1. A light device operated by electrical power comprising:
- a relatively thin plate capable of illumination comprising a unitary sheet of transparent or translucent material and having a peripheral edge and substantially flat front and rear surfaces;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a peripheral edge section of said sheet and extending along at least a substantial portion of said peripheral edge and connectable to a source of electrical power, said LEDs being arranged to transmit light into said plate during use of the light device, a light reflecting, opaque layer on said rear surface, a light reflecting, opaque strip affixed to said plate at said peripheral edge, extending along said peripheral edge, and arranged to reflect light that has passed through said plate back into said plate; and
a cover sheet detachably mounted on said front surface by means of pressure sensitive adhesive on said cover sheet, said cover sheet being at least partially opaque or translucent and allowing light to pass through said front surface and produce a desired lighting effect.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical light device suitable for an illuminated sign or for a lighting fixture comprising a relatively thin plate made of a unitary sheet of transparent or translucent material and having a peripheral edge and flat front and rear surfaces. A plurality of spaced-apart, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted along the peripheral edge and are arranged to transmit light into the plate. A light reflecting, opaque layer covers the rear surface of the plate and a light reflecting, opaque strip is affixed to the peripheral edge and extends along this edge. The opaque strip is arranged to reflect light that has passed through the plate back into the plate. A front sheet or layer, that is at least partially opaque or translucent, extends over the front surface of the plate and provides a lighting effect. Preferably the front sheet is a plastic film attached by repositionable or pressure sensitive adhesive.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A light device operated by electrical power comprising:
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a relatively thin plate capable of illumination comprising a unitary sheet of transparent or translucent material and having a peripheral edge and substantially flat front and rear surfaces;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a peripheral edge section of said sheet and extending along at least a substantial portion of said peripheral edge and connectable to a source of electrical power, said LEDs being arranged to transmit light into said plate during use of the light device, a light reflecting, opaque layer on said rear surface, a light reflecting, opaque strip affixed to said plate at said peripheral edge, extending along said peripheral edge, and arranged to reflect light that has passed through said plate back into said plate; and
a cover sheet detachably mounted on said front surface by means of pressure sensitive adhesive on said cover sheet, said cover sheet being at least partially opaque or translucent and allowing light to pass through said front surface and produce a desired lighting effect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A display device capable of being illuminated by low levels of electrical power, said display device comprising:
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a plate comprising at least one layer of transparent or translucent material, having peripheral edge sections, and having substantially flat front and rear surfaces;
an opaque frame extending along said edge sections and covering said edge sections;
a plurality of spaced, electrically connected light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted between said frame and said edge sections and connectable to a source of said electrical power, said LEDs being arranged to transmit light into said plate during use of said display device;
a light reflective layer on said rear surface of said plate; and
means for forming and displaying indicia on said front surface of said plate, said means being at least partially opaque or translucent and allowing light to pass through said front surface of the plate so as to illuminate the indicia. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A light device capable of illumination by means of electrical power, said device comprising:
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a cylindrical, tubular member consisting substantially of translucent or transparent material and having a first end, a second end, and cylindrical inner and outer surfaces extending between said first and second ends;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected, light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in a peripheral edge section of at least one of said first and second ends and connectable to a source of said electrical power, said LEDs being arranged to transmit light into said cylindrical member from said peripheral edge section during use of said light device;
a light reflective opaque layer covering said cylindrical inner surface arranged between said first and second ends, said opaque layer being arranged to reflect light through said cylindrical outer surface; and
an outer layer arranged on said cylindrical outer surface and allowing light to escape through at least a portion of said cylindrical outer surface, this outer layer being at least partially opaque or translucent. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A light device capable of illumination by means of electrical power, said device comprising:
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a plate made primarily of a transparent or translucent layer of material and having four side edges along its perimeter and substantially flat front and rear surfaces;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected, light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a side edge section of two of said side edges and connectable to a source of electrical power, said two side edges extending at a substantial angle to each other and the LEDs mounted along one of the side edges being arranged to transmit light into said plate which crosses the path of light transmitted into said plate by the LEDs mounted along the other of the side edges;
means for reflecting light provided on said rear surface and on two of said side edges located opposite said two side edges along which said LEDs are mounted; and
a front layer extending over and attached to said front surface of said plate to provide a lighting effect, said front layer being at least partially opaque or translucent. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A light device capable of being illuminated by means of electrical power, said light device comprising:
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a transparent or translucent plate having a plurality of edge surfaces and substantially flat, front and rear surfaces;
elongate, opaque, light reflecting frame members mounted on said plate and extending along at least two of said edge surfaces;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted in a space between at least one of said frame members and an adjacent edge section of the plate and held in place by the at least one frame member, said LEDs being connectable to a source of said electrical power and being arranged to transmit light into said transparent or translucent plate during use of the light device; and
a light reflective layer on said rear surface of said plate;
a front layer capable of providing a desired lighting effect and extending over said front surface of said plate, said front layer being at least partially opaque or translucent, wherein during use of said light device, light emitted by said LEDs is transmitted and reflected to said front layer in order to provide said lighting effect on said flat front surface. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A light device operable by electrical power comprising:
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a plate comprising a sheet of transparent or translucent material and having a peripheral edge and substantially flat front and rear surfaces;
a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically connected light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a peripheral edge section of said sheet, extending along at least a substantial portion of said edge sections and connectable to a source of electrical power, said LEDs being arranged to transmit light into said plate during use of the light device;
means for diffusing light that strikes said rear surface;
a light reflecting, opaque strip affixed to said plate at said peripheral edge, extending along said peripheral edge, and capable of reflecting light back into said plate; and
a cover sheet detachably mounted on said front surface by means adhesive, said cover sheet being at least partially opaque or translucent and allowing light to pass through said front surface and produce a desired lighting effect. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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Specification