LED lamp

• US 5,688,042 A
• Filed: 11/17/1995
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lumacell Incorporated
• Inventors: Madadi, Abolfazl, Rycroft, David J., Showleh, Morteza
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raab, Sara Sachie
• Application Number:
  US08/560,440
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/249, 362/373, 362/800, 362/812, 40/564, 40/570, 40/572, 313/318.01, 313/318.07
• US Class Current: 362/240
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/232 specially adapted for generating an essentially omnidirectional light distribution, e.g. with a glass bulb
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/30 on the outer surface of cylindrical surfaces, e.g. rod-shaped supports having a circular or a polygonal cross section
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A LED lamp for use in lighted sign assemblies has a base configured to engage an associated electrical socket, a light array extending from the base, the base has conductive elements on the outer surface thereof to effect a power connection to the socket and internal contacts coupled thereto. The light array consists of three elongated circuit boards extending from the end of the base and oriented with respect to each other to form an array of triangular cross section. Each of the circuit boards has a multiplicity of light emitting diodes mounted upon its outer surface and spaced along its length, and a conductor connected to the diodes. A power transfer circuit electrically connects the circuit board conductor to the contacts in the base to provide electrical power to the diodes, and a generally tubular housing of light transmitting material mounted upon and extending from the end of the base in spaced relationship to the array.

Claims

1. LED lamp comprising:

(a) a base having one end configured to seat in an associated electrical socket, said base having an outer surface with conductive elements thereon to effect a power connection to the socket and house current, said base also having internal contacts therein coupled to said conductive elements;

(b) three elongated circuit boards extending from the other end of said base and oriented with respect to each other to form an array of generally equilateral triangular cross section, each of said circuit boards having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes mounted upon the outwardly disposed surface thereof disposed away from the other circuit boards and spaced along substantially the entire length thereof, and conductor means connected to said diodes, said circuit boards defining a triangular cavity therebetween;

(c) power transfer means disposed substantially within said base and in said cavity for electrically connecting said conductor means of said circuit boards to said contacts to effect modification of house current and to provide electrical power to said diodes; and

(d) a generally tubular housing of light transmitting material mounted upon and extending from said other end of said base in spaced relationship about said diodes, whereby said light emitting diodes are disposed over most of the length of said tubular housing to provide substantially uniform illumination over the length thereof.

2. The lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is included connector means for joining said circuit boards to hold said boards in said triangular array.

3. The lamp in accordance with claim 2 wherein said boards have notches in the side edges thereof adjacent the ends thereof, and said connector means comprise circular wire clips seated in said notches.

4. The lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power transfer means includes means for converting alternating current to direct current.

5. The lamp in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for converting alternating current includes an AC input capacitor and an AC to DC converter.

6. The lamp in accordance with claim 5 wherein said AC input capacitor is a cylindrical film capacitor oriented with its axis extending between said base and the end of said circuit boards adjacent thereto.

7. The lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base has apertures therein to allow air to pass therethrough into and outwardly of said generally tubular housing.

8. The lamp in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuit boards are of substantially equal dimension and said cross section of the array is an equilateral triangle.

9. In an emergency sign, the combination comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) at least one plate mounted in said housing and providing indicia across the face thereof;

(c) at least one lamp socket in said housing behind said plate; and

(d) an LED lamp comprising;

(i) a base having one end engaged in said electrical socket said base having an outer surface with conductive elements thereon effecting a power connection with said socket and house current, said base also having internal contacts therein coupled to said conductive elements;

(ii) three elongated circuit boards extending from the other end of said base and oriented with respect to each other to form an array of generally equilateral triangular cross section, each of said circuit boards having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes mounted upon the surface thereof disposed away from the other circuit boards and spaced along substantially the entire length thereof and conductor means connected to said diodes said circuit, boards defining a triangular cavity therebetween;

(iii) power transfer means disposed substantially within said base and in said cavity for electrically connecting said conductor means of said circuit boards to said contacts to effect modification of house current and to provide electrical power to said diodes; and

(iv) a generally tubular housing of light transmitting material mounted upon and extending from said other end of said base in spaced relationship about said diodes;

whereby said light emitting diodes are disposed over most of the length of said tubular housing to provide substantially uniform illumination over the length thereof.

10. The sign in accordance with claim 9 wherein there are two indicia bearing plates disposed on opposite sides of said housing and said socket and lamp are disposed therebetween.

11. The sign in accordance with claim 10 wherein there is included connector means for joining said circuit boards to hold said boards in said triangular array, and wherein said boards have notches in the side edges thereof adjacent the ends thereof, and said connector means comprise circular wire clips seated in said notches.

12. The sign in accordance with claim 9 wherein said power transfer means includes means for converting alternating current to direct current.

13. The sign in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means for converting alternating current includes an AC input capacitor and an AC to DC converter.

14. The sign in accordance with claim 13 wherein said AC input capacitor is a cylindrical film capacitor with its axis extending between said base and the end of said circuit boards adjacent thereto.

15. The sign in accordance with claim 9 wherein said base has apertures therein to allow air to pass therethrough into and outwardly of said generally tubular housing.

16. An LED lamp comprising:

(a) a base having one end configured to seat in an associated electrical socket, said base having an outer surface with conductive elements thereon to effect a power connection to the socket and house current, said base also having internal contacts therein coupled to said conductive elements;

(b) three elongated circuit boards extending from the other end of said base and oriented with respect to each other to form an array of generally equilateral triangular cross section, each of said circuit boards having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes mounted upon the surface thereof disposed away from the other circuit boards and spaced along substantially the entire length thereof, and conductor means connected to said diodes, said circuit boards defining a triangular cavity therebetween;

(c) connector means for joining said circuit boards to hold said circuit boards in said triangular array, said boards having notches in the side edges thereof adjacent the ends thereof, said connector means comprising wire clips seated in said notches;

(d) power transfer means for electrically connecting said conductor means of said circuit boards to said contacts to effect modification of house current and to provide electrical power to said diodes; and

(e) a generally tubular housing of light transmitting material mounted upon and extending from said other end of said base in spaced relationship about said diodes, whereby said light emitting diodes are disposed over most of the length of said tubular housing to provide substantially uniform illumination over the length thereof.

17. An LED lamp comprising:

(a) a base having one end configured to seat in an associated electrical socket, said base having an outer surface with conductive elements thereon to effect a power connection to the socket and house current, said base also having internal contacts therein coupled to said conductive elements;

(b) three elongated circuit boards extending from the other end of said base and oriented with respect to each other to form an array of generally equilateral triangular cross section, each of said circuit boards having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes mounted upon the surface thereof disposed away from the other circuit boards and spaced along substantially the entire length thereof, and conductor means connected to said diodes, said circuit boards defining a triangular cavity therebetween;

(c) connector means for joining said circuit boards to hold said circuit boards in said triangular array, said boards having notches in the side edges thereof adjacent the ends thereof, said connector means comprising circular wire clips seated in said notches;

(d) power transfer means for electrically connecting said conductor means of said circuit boards to said contacts to effect modification of house current and to provide electrical power to said diodes, said transfer means including means for converting alternating current to direct current and comprising an AC input capacitor and an AC to DC converter, said input capacitor comprising a cylindrical thin film capacitor oriented with its axis extending between said base and the adjacent end of said circuit boards; and

(e) a generally tubular housing of light transmitting material mounted upon and extending from said other end of said base in spaced relationship about said diodes, whereby said light emitting diodes are disposed over most of the length of said tubular housing to provide substantially uniform illumination over the length thereof.