Simulated neon-light tube

• US 6,726,350 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herold Design Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Herold Design Group LLC
• Inventors: Herold, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zeade, Bertrand
• Application Number:
  US10/158,087
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 362/555, 362/582, 362/217, 362/216, 362/246, 362/251, 362/800, 362/231, 362/223, 362/240, 362/244, 362/184, 362/545, 362/489
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A simulated neon-light tube assembly (10) that is comprised of four major elements: a transparent tube (12) having a closed front end (16) and an open rear edge (18), a light-diffusing material (24), a light source (50) and a power source (60). The light-diffusing material (24) consists of stacks of thin acetate, or a like material, which are rolled and inserted into the tube (12) through the tube'"'"'s open rear edge (18). The light source (50) can consist of a single LED (52) or an LED cluster. In either case, the LED(s) are located within a light-power assembly (70) that encloses the LED (52). The power source (60) for the LED can consist of an internal battery located within the assembly (70) or the assembly (70) can include a cable that is connected to an external battery. In either design, when the LED (52) illuminates, the light travels through the light emitting material 928) to cause the simulation of a neon-light.

Claims

1. A simulated neon-light tube assembly comprising:

a) a plastic or glass transparent tube having an inner surface, a closed front end, an open rear edge, a front outer surface, and a rear outer surface,

b) a light-diffusing material comprised of a plastic film provided as a plurality of sheets having a thickness ranging from 0.001 to 0.003 mils and when rolled have a wall thickness ranging from 0.031 to 0.188 inches, said material having a front terminus and a rear terminus, wherein said material is inserted through the open rear edge of said tube with the front terminus juxtaposed against the closed front end of said tube and the rear terminus located adjacent the open rear edge of said tube, wherein said material substantially covers the inner surface of said tube,

c) a light source located within the open rear edge of said tube, and adjacent the rear terminus of said light-diffusing material,

d) a power source connected to said light source, wherein when said light source is activated by said power source, the light is refracted along said light-diffusing material simulating the glow of a neon-light tube, and

e) a front light-reflecting disk having an outer side and a reflecting inner surface, wherein said disk is located between the closed front end of said tube and the front terminus of said light-diffusing roll, wherein said front light-reflecting disk allows a portion of the light impinging on said disk to be reflected back into said tube to produce an even distribution of light along the longitudinal surface of said tube.

2. A simulated neon-light tube assembly comprising:

a) a plastic or glass transparent tube having an inner surface, a closed front end, an open rear edge, a front outer surface, and a rear outer surface,

b) a light-diffusing material comprised of a plastic film provided as a plurality of sheets having a thickness ranging from 0.001 to 0.003 mils and when rolled have a wall thickness ranging from 0.031 to 0.188 inches, said material having a front terminus and a rear terminus, wherein said material is inserted through the open rear edge of said tube with the front terminus juxtaposed against the closed front end of said tube and the rear terminus located adjacent the open rear edge of said tube, wherein said material substantially covers the inner surface of said tube,

c) a light source located within the open rear edge of said tube, and adjacent the rear terminus of said light-diffusing material,

d) a power source connected to said light source, wherein when said light source is activated by said power source, the light is refracted along said light-diffusing material simulating the glow of a neon-light tube, and

e) a front light-reflecting disk having an outer side and a reflecting inner surface having a mirror finish, wherein said disk is located between the closed front end of said tube and the front terminus of said light-diffusing roll, wherein said front light-reflecting disk allows a portion of the light impinging on said disk to be reflected back into said tube to produce an even distribution of light along the longitudinal surface of said tube.

3. A simulated neon-light tube assembly comprising:

a) a plastic or glass transparent tube having an inner surface, a closed front end, an open rear edge, a front outer surface, and a rear outer surface,

b) a light-diffusing material comprised of a plastic film provided as a plurality of sheets having a thickness ranging from 0.001 to 0.003 mils and when rolled have a weal thickness ranging from 0.031 to 0.188 inches, said material having a front terminus and a rear terminus, wherein said material is inserted through the open rear edge of said tube with the front terminus juxtaposed against the closed front end of said tube and the rear terminus located adjacent the open rear edge of said tube, wherein said material substantially covers the inner surface of said tube,

c) a light source comprised of at least one light emitting diode (LED) located within the open rear edge of said tube, and adjacent the rear terminus of said light-diffusing material,

d) a battery power source connected to said light source, wherein when said light source is activated by said power source, the light is refracted along said light-diffusing material simulating the glow of a neon-light tube, wherein said LED and said battery are designed to operate within a light/power assembly comprising;

1) an LED/tube cap having a central opening that is dimensioned to retain said at least one LED, a front section dimensioned to frictionally fit into the open rear edge of said tube, and an integral rear section that abuts with the open rear edge of said tube and that incorporates a receptacle having a set of LED electrical male contacts, and

2) a cable assembly having a front connector that includes a set of female battery electrical contacts that interface with the set of LED electrical male contacts on said receptacle, and a rear connector having means for being connected to the terminals on said battery, and

3) a power switch located in series between said front connector and said rear connector, wherein when said switch is placed in an ON position, and said front connector is attached to said receptacle, said battery energizes said at least one LED, and

e) a rear light-deflecting disk having a reflective inner surface and central opening that fits over said at least one LED and against the front section of said LED/tube cap, wherein said rear light-reflecting disk functions in combination with a front light-reflecting disk to further produce an even distribution of light along the longitudinal surface of said tube.