Lighted architectural mesh

• US 20040047142A1
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Cambridge, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Goslee, Daniel Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,793,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0088 Fabrics having an electronic function
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/20 Metallic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/20 optical
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0871 having an ornamental or specially shaped visible surface E04F13/0867 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 2200/15 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the outer surface of the guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre

Abstract

An architectural mesh including a plurality of wires, where the wires are woven to form a mesh, and at least one light element interwoven with the plurality of wires in the mesh. The at least one light element includes an electroluminescent wire, plastic optical fiber, or similar device.

Claims

1. An architectural mesh comprising:

a plurality of wires, wherein said wires are woven to form a mesh; and

at least one light element interwoven with said plurality of wires in said mesh.

2. The architectural mesh of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wires include at least a plurality of first wires having a first diameter and a plurality of second wires having a second diameter.

3. The architectural mesh of claim 2, wherein said first and second wires are both formed from an identical material.

4. The architectural mesh of claim 3, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and copper.

5. The architectural mesh of claim 2, wherein said first and second wires are formed from different materials.

6. The architectural mesh of claim 2, wherein said first and second diameters are substantially the same.

7. The architectural mesh of claim 2, wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.

8. The architectural mesh of claim 1, wherein said light element includes an electroluminescent wire.

9. The architectural mesh of claim 8, wherein said electroluminescent wire produces a colored light emission.

10. The architectural mesh of claim 1, wherein said light element includes a plastic optical fiber.

11. The architectural mesh of claim 10, wherein said plastic optical fiber comprises a transparent inner core and an exterior cladding.

12. A light producing metallic mesh comprising:

a plurality of warp wires;

a plurality of weft wires; and

at least one light element for providing an illuminated member;

wherein said at least one light element is interwoven with said warp wires and said weft wires to form said light producing metallic mesh.

13. The metallic mesh of claim 12, wherein said plurality of warp and weft wires include at least a plurality of first wires having a first diameter and a plurality of second wires having a second diameter.

14. The metallic mesh of claim 13, wherein said first and second wires are both formed from an identical material.

15. The metallic mesh of claim 14, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and copper.

16. The metallic mesh of claim 13, wherein said first and second wires are formed from different materials.

17. The metallic mesh of claim 13, wherein said first and second diameters are substantially the same.

18. The metallic mesh of claim 13, wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.

19. The metallic mesh of claim 12, wherein said at least one light element includes an electroluminescent wire.

20. The metallic mesh of claim 12, wherein said at least one light element includes a plastic optical fiber.