Decorative light tubing

• US 4,271,458 A
• Filed: 03/10/1980
• Issued: 06/02/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc. (3F Filippi SpA)
• Original Assignee: Tivoli Industries, Inc. (3F Filippi SpA)
• Inventors: George, Benjamin B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gron, Teddy S.
• Application Number:
  US06/128,349
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/101, 362/184, 362/236, 362/238, 362/240, 362/248, 362/249, 362/252, 362/318, 362/390, 362/806, 313/35, 313/361
• US Class Current: 362/236
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/002 using liquids, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/04 Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers shock absorbing devices of vehicle headlamp housings B60Q1/0491; in general F16F15/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/58 characterised by the coolants
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

Decorative light tubing, which has unbased miniature lamps connected in series by soldering or welding the ends of the flexible wire leads together to form parallel strings between a pair of elongated parallel wire conductors, is substantially filled with mineral oil or other clear, viscous dielectric fluid to protect the lamps and wiring against the adverse effects of vibration, shock and moisture while also enhancing the visual effect.

Claims

1. An improved low voltage decorative tubing wherein strings of miniature unbased lamps are connected in parallel between a pair of spaced electrical wire conductors within a hollow transparent tube, the improvement comprising:

a viscous dielectric liquid substantially filling the interior of the tube; and

,

means for forming a fluid type seal at opposite ends of the tube to prevent the escape of said liquid.

2. The improved low voltage light tubing of claim 1 wherein:

the liquid is a clear oil for lubricating sliding contact between the lamps and wires within the tube.

3. The improved low voltage light tubing of claim 2 wherein:

the clear oil liquid substantially filling the tube is mineral oil.

4. The improved low voltage light tubing of claim 1 wherein:

the liquid substantially fills the interior of the tube leaving a small air bubble to accommodate pressure changes caused by ambient temperature variations.