Light emitting diode modules for illuminated signs

• US 6,558,021 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leotek Electronics USA Corporation (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Chuang, Han-Jen, Wu, Chen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S
• Application Number:
  US09/927,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/249, 362/250, 362/237, 362/812, 362/545, 362/251, 405/41, 405/42, 406/05, 340/815.45, 340/815.53
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A light emitting diode module for attaching to a surface of a sign, which includes a mounting plate having top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the mounting plate, a housing having top and bottom surfaces, a first electrical connector attached to the bottom surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes, a second electrical connector attached to the top surface of the housing for engaging with the first electrical connector, a third electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the second electrical connector, and a power supply for providing a voltage to the third electrical connector. As the bottom surface of the mounting plate is placed on the top surface of the housing, the first electrical connector engages with the second electrical connector for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting diodes to the third electrical connector. Alternatively, the mounting plate could be integrally formed as part of the housing, and the first and second electrical connectors omitted.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode module for attaching to a surface of a sign, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to a top surface of the housing;

a plurality of first electrical connectors attached to side surfaces of the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes;

means for attaching a bottom surface of the housing to a surface of a sign; and

a power supply for providing a voltage to the light emitting diodes via at least one of the first electrical connectors.

2. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to direct light output away from the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the housing.

3. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching includes:

holes formed in the housing; and

screws inserted through the holes and protruding through the bottom surface of the housing.

4. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching includes an adhesive attached to the housing bottom surface.

5. The light emitting diode module of claim 4, wherein the means for attaching includes double stick tape attached to the housing bottom surface.

6. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, further comprising:

a lens disposed over the plurality of light emitting diodes to focus light output therefrom.

7. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a top plate which forms the top surface of the housing, and wherein the plurality of first electrical connectors is attached to the top plate.

8. The light emitting diode module of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of second electrical connectors attached to the top surface of the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of first electrical connectors; and

a plurality of third electrical connectors for releasably engaging with the second electrical connectors, wherein each of the light emitting diodes is electrically connected to one of the third electrical connectors;

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are releasably attached to the top surface of the housing via the second and third electrical connectors.

9. A light emitting diode module for attaching to a surface of a sign, comprising:

a mounting plate having top and bottom surfaces;

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the mounting plate;

a housing having top and bottom surfaces;

a first electrical connector attached to the bottom surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes;

a second electrical connector attached to the top surface of the housing for engaging with the first electrical connector;

a third electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the second electrical connector; and

a power supply for providing a voltage to the third electrical connector;

wherein, as the bottom surface of the mounting plate is placed on the top surface of the housing, the first electrical connector engages with the second electrical connector for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting diodes to the third electrical connector.

10. The light emitting diode module of claim 9, wherein the each of the plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted to direct light output away from the mounting plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the housing.

11. The light emitting diode module of claim 9, further comprising:

means for attaching the bottom surface of the housing to a surface of a sign.

12. The light emitting diode module of claim 11, wherein the means for attaching includes:

holes formed in the housing; and

screws inserted through the holes and protruding through the bottom surface of the housing.

13. The light emitting diode module of claim 11, wherein the means for attaching includes an adhesive attached to the housing bottom surface.

14. The light emitting diode module of claim 13, wherein the means for attaching includes double stick tape attached to the housing bottom surface.

15. The light emitting diode module of claim 9, further comprising:

a lens disposed over the plurality of light emitting diodes to focus light output therefrom.

16. An illuminated sign, comprising:

a back wall;

a translucent front face that opposes the back wall;

a sidewall that is attached between the back wall and the front face;

a plurality of LED modules, each LED module including;

a housing having top and bottom surfaces,

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the housing, and

a first electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes; and

a power supply for providing a voltage to the first electrical connectors;

wherein for each of the LED modules, the bottom surface of the housing is attached to the back wall so that the plurality of light emitting diodes faces the front face.

17. The illuminated sign of claim 16, wherein each of the LED modules includes a lens disposed over the plurality of light emitting diodes to focus light output therefrom.

18. The light emitting diode module of claim 16, wherein for each of the LED modules:

the housing includes a top plate which forms the top surface of the housing, and

the first electrical connector is attached to the top plate.

19. The light emitting diode module of claim 16, wherein each of the LED modules includes:

a plurality of second electrical connectors attached to the top surface of the housing and electrically connected to the first electrical connector;

a plurality of third electrical connectors for releasably engaging with the second electrical connectors, wherein each of the light emitting diodes is electrically connected with one of the third electrical connectors;

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are releasably attached to the top surface of the housing via the second and third electrical connectors.

20. An illuminated sign, comprising:

a back wall;

a translucent front face that opposes the back wall;

a sidewall that is attached between the back wall and the front face;

a plurality of LED modules, each LED module including;

a mounting plate having top and bottom surfaces,

a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the mounting plate,

a housing having top and bottom surfaces,

a first electrical connector attached to the bottom surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes,

a second electrical connector attached to the top surface of the housing for engaging with the first electrical connector, and

a third electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the second electrical connector,

wherein, as the bottom surface of the mounting plate is placed on the top surface of the housing, the first electrical connector engages with the second electrical connector for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting diodes to the third electrical connector; and

a power supply for providing a voltage to the third electrical connectors;

wherein for each of the LED modules, the bottom surface of the housing is attached to the back wall so that the plurality of light emitting diodes faces the front face.

21. The light emitting diode module of claim 20, further comprising:

a lens disposed over the plurality of light emitting diodes to focus light output therefrom.