Elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly

• US 5,649,755 A
• Filed: 02/20/1996
• Issued: 07/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carmen C. Rapisarda
• Original Assignee: Carmen C. Rapisarda
• Inventors: Rapisarda, Carmen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Basichas, Alfred
• Application Number:
  US08/603,716
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/32, 362/103, 362/108, 362/800, 362/806
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0088 of the light guide or other optical sheets in the package
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An elongated, decorative, flexible light-transmitting assembly particularly useful for adorning wearing apparel. The assembly includes a source of light having a light-transmitting area. A length of clear flexible polymer has a first end adjacent the light-transmitting area and an elongated body having an outer surface and a remote end. The length has many marks formed inwardly from the outer surface to cause the light entering the first end to be reflected in an attractive manner.

Claims

1. An elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting and conducting assembly comprising:

a source of light having a light transmitting area;

a length of clear, flexible polymer having a first end adjacent said light transmitting area and an elongated body having an outer surface, two edges and said length having a remote end, said length of clear, flexible polymer conducting light from its first end to said remote end;

a thin sewing flap along said two edges; and

a plurality of discreet marks formed inwardly from said outer surface to reflect light passing from the first end through said length.

2. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 1 wherein said length of clear, flexible polymer has an upper surface, a lower surface and two edges and said marks comprise slits cut into said elongated body.

3. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 2 wherein said length of clear flexible polymer is mounted against a fabric surface with said lower surface adjacent said fabric and said length of clear, flexible polymer is held to said fabric by sewing through said thin sewing flaps into said garment.

4. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 3 wherein said length has a convex upper surface.

5. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 1 wherein said clear, flexible polymer is plasticized polyvinyl chloride.

6. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 1 wherein said source of light includes a light emitting diode.

7. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 6 wherein said light emitting diode is electrically connectable to a battery and said battery and said light emitting diode are contained in a waterproof compartment adjacent said first end.

8. The elongated, decorative, flexible, light-transmitting assembly of claim 1 wherein said source of light is an intermittent source of light initiated by movement of said source of light.

9. A decorative article affixed to an outer surface of an article of apparel, said decorative article comprising:

a length of clear, flexible plasticized polyvinyl chloride having a first end, a remote end, two elongated edges, an elongated body having an outer surface and an apparel contacting surface and said elongated body being generally flat; and

a motion sensitive light transmitting capsule affixed adjacent said first end, said light transmitting capsule including a light emitting diode aimed at said first end and a battery, said light transmitting capsule having a waterproof interior, said length of clear, flexible plasticized polyvinyl chloride conducting light from its first end to its remote end and forming the outer surface of said decorative article without the need of an external covering.

10. The decorative article of claim 9 wherein said motion sensitive light transmitting capsule is affixed to the outer surface of said garment.