Edge-lighted panel arrangement

• US 3,892,959 A
• Filed: 11/02/1973
• Issued: 07/01/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corp. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Eduard J. Pulles
• Inventors: Pulles, Eduard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US05/412,237
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 240/1EL,2.1,6.43,2.17 350/96R
• US Class Current: 362/613
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1831 using more than one light source
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1895 Imitating a neon tube
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence

Abstract

An edge-lighted panel having a number of light sources coupled to a length of flexible wiring which is arranged to be removably affixed about the peripheral edge of the panel, with the light sources disposed within light receiving cavities in the marginal portion of the panel.

Claims

1. In combination, a transparent light-transmitting panel having front and rear surfaces arranged for specular reflection of light therebetween and a marginal portion for receiving light, said marginal portion being provided with a plurality of spaced openings for receiving light sources and with a plurality of spaced fastening means, a length of flexible material carrying electrical conductor means and having a plurality of complimentary fastener means for fastening with the fastening means on said marginal portion of said panel, a plurality of light sources carried by said length of flexible material and electrically connectEd with said electrical conductor means so as to be energized when said electrical conductor means is connected to a source of power, said length of flexible material being affixed about said marginal portion of said panel by mating together said fastening means, said plurality of light sources being positioned on said length of flexible material so as to be disposed within said spaced openings when said flexible material is affixed to said panel, whereby edge-lighting for said panel can be provided simply by affixing said flexible material to said panel and coupling the electrical conductor means to a source of power.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fastening means on said panel comprises a plurality of projections and wherein said fastening means on said flexible material comprises a plurality of openings in said flexible material proportioned to receive said projections to permit said flexible material to be affixed to said panel.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said flexible material has connector means on one end thereof for coupling said electrical conductor means to a source of power.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said flexible material has connector means on each of the opposite ends thereof for coupling said electrical conductor means to a source of power.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light sources comprise light emitting diodes.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said length of flexible material is a plastic material having said electrical conductor means imbedded therein.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said length of flexible material is a plastic material having a metallic conductor deposited thereon to provide said electrical conductor means.