Clothing with Removable Electroluminescent Panels

• US 20110025195A1
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dhevsivanand Govender
• Original Assignee: Dhevsivanand Govender
• Inventors: Govender, Dhevsivanand
• Application Number:
  US12/510,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20110025195A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 313/504
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/085 Luminous ornaments
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0008 Clothing or clothing accessories, e.g. scarfs, gloves or belts
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/20 Electroluminescent [EL] light sources

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for illuminating clothing. The invention includes a T-shirt with an electroluminescent panel that is removably secured by way of hook and pile fasteners, such as velcro® fasteners. The panel is coupled to a removable battery pack stored within the T-shirt. The garment can be machine washed by easily removing both the panel and the battery pack.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating clothing comprising in combination:

a t-shirt formed from a machine washable cotton, the t-shirt having a front panel with interior and exterior surfaces, a centrally positioned opening formed through the front panel, a circular band of a hook and pile fastener positioned about the opening upon the exterior surface, a pocket sewn to the interior surface, the opening being accessible from the pocket;

a battery pack including a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the battery pack including a button for selectively activating and deactivating the battery, indicators for providing a visual indication when the battery is charging and when the battery is fully charged, a USB port for coupling the battery to an external power supply and a female connector, the batter pack positioned within the pocket;

an electroluminescent device having a front side and a back side, hook and pile fasteners formed upon the back side, a logo formed upon the front side, cabling including a first end secured to the electroluminescent device and a second end comprising a male connector, whereby the electroluminescent device is removably secured to the front panel of the t-shirt via the hook and pile fasteners, and wherein the cabling is routed through the opening in the T-shirt and coupled to the female connector of the battery pack to thereby power the electroluminescent device.

2. A system for illuminating clothing comprising in combination:

a garment having a front panel with interior and exterior surfaces, an opening formed through the front panel, a first fastener positioned adjacent the opening upon the exterior surface;

a battery pack including a battery secured to the garment, the battery pack including a button for selectively activating and deactivating the battery, and a female connector;

an electroluminescent device having a front side and a back side, a second fastener formed upon the back side, a logo formed upon the front side, cabling including a first end secured to the electroluminescent device and a second end comprising a male connector, whereby the electroluminescent device is removably secured to the front panel of the garment via the first and second fasteners, and wherein the cabling is routed through the opening in the garment and coupled to the female connector of the battery pack to thereby power the electroluminescent device.

3. The system as described in claim 2 wherein a pocket is sewn to the interior surface of the garment and wherein the battery pack is positioned within the pocket.

4. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the electroluminescent device is a panel comprising a phosphorous layer sandwiched between opposing insulators and electrodes.

5. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the first and second fasteners are hook and pile type fasteners.

6. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the electroluminescent device and the battery pack can be completely removed to facilitate washing of the garment.

7. A system for illuminating clothing comprising in combination:

a garment having a panel and a first fastener;

a battery secured to the garment and a button for selectively activating and deactivating the battery;

an electroluminescent device comprising a phosphorous layer sandwiched between opposing electrodes, an electrical connector connecting the electrodes to the battery, a second fastener associated with the electroluminescent device, the electroluminescent device having a front face with a logo that can be illuminated by the phosphorous layer, wherein the first and second connectors are used to removably secure the electroluminescent device to the panel of the garment.

8. The system as described in claim 7 wherein the phosphorous layer is chosen so as to exhibit a specified color when exposed to a current source.

9. The system as described in claim 7 wherein the electroluminescent device is a flexible panel.