Light emitting apparatus

• US 5,155,669 A
• Filed: 10/19/1989
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yukio Yamuro
• Original Assignee: Yukio Yamuro
• Inventors: Yamuro, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/424,178
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249, 362/250, 362/251, 362/800, 362/806, 362/252, 315/185 S, 315/185 R, 315/186
• US Class Current: 362/249.06
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel, and a plurality of multi-light emitting diodes. One terminal of each of the multi-light emitting diodes is conected to one of the conductors, and the other terminal of each is connected to another conductor. The multi-light emitting diodes include a plurality of light emitting diodes which are connected in series or in parallel and are molded integrally, and are spaced at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the conductors. A flexible insulator covers the conductive portions of the multi-light emitting diodes. The conductors enable an electric current to pass to the multi-light emitting diodes to emit light. The apparatus is very flexible and compact, and can be powered by a portable power source.

Claims

1. A light emitting apparatus comprising at least two conductors arranged in parallel, a plurality of illuminating units comprising multi-light emitting diodes, said illuminating units having at least two terminals, and provided on and between said at least two conductors, one terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to one of said at least two conductors, and another terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to another of said at least two conductors, and said multi-light emitting diodes connecting each light emitting diode in series or in parallel and being provided on and between said two terminals, and said illuminating units being spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said at least two conductors, and a flexible insulator formed by insulating conductive portions of said illuminating units and said at least two conductors, thereby enabling an electric current to pass through said at least two conductors, and enabling said illuminating units to emit light.

2. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least two conductors are tape-shaped.

3. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least two conductors are positioned close to each other, and said illuminating units are provided on and between said at least two conductors.

4. A light emitting apparatus comprising at least two conductors arranged in parallel, a plurality of illuminating units comprising multi-light emitting diodes, said illuminating units having at least two terminals, and provided on and between said at least two conductors, one terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to one of said at least two conductors, and another terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to another of said at least two conductors, and said multi-light emitting diodes connecting each light emitting diode in series or in parallel and being provided on and between said two terminals, and said illuminating units being spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said at least two conductors, a flexible insulator formed by insulating conductive portions of said illuminating units and said at least two conductors, thereby enabling an electric current to pass through said at least two conductors, and enabling said illuminating units to emit light, and wherein said multi-light emitting diodes are connected in series with a protective diode protecting the multi-light emitting diodes from reverse polarity voltage.

5. The light emitting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least two conductors are tape-shaped.

6. A method of placing a light emitting apparatus on an object comprising obtaining a light emitting apparatus, said light emitting apparatus comprising at least two conductors arranged in parallel;

a plurality of illuminating units comprising multi-light emitting diodes, said illuminating units having at least two terminals, and provided on and between said at least two conductors, one terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to one of said at least two conductors and another terminal of each of said illuminating units being connected to another of said at least two conductors, and said multi-light emitting diodes connecting each light emitting diode in series or in parallel and being provided on and between said two terminals, and said illuminating units being spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said at least two conductors; and

a flexible insulator formed by insulating conductive portions of said illuminating units and said at least two conductors, thereby enabling an electric current to pass through said at least two conductors, and enabling said illuminating units to emit light, and placing said light emitting device on said object.

7. The method of placing a light emitting apparatus on an object according to claim 6, wherein said at least two conductors are positioned close to each other, and said illuminating units are provided on and between said at least two conductors.