Modules for elongated lighting system

• US 6,866,394 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2000
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hutchins J. Marc, Nicholas D. Hutchins
• Original Assignee: Hutchins J. Marc, Nicholas D. Hutchins
• Inventors: Hutchins, J. Marc, Hutchins, Nicholas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US10/089,823
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 362/192, 362/226, 362/249, 362/227, 362/235, 362236-238, 362145-147, 362/152, 362/157, 362/84, 362/551, 362/555, 362/184, 362/185, 362/189, 362/190, 322/7, 322/40, 322/47, 322/100
• US Class Current: 362/192
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/40 Arrangements responsive to adverse atmospheric conditions, e.g. to signal icy roads or to automatically illuminate in fog; Arrangements characterised by heating or drying means
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/559 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/582 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/588 Lane delineators for physically separating traffic lanes and discouraging but not preventing crossing
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/022 intended to be recessed in a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement or false floor
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/06 for aircraft runways or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An elongated lighted system that is modular, being of discreet length having a plurality of LEDs on an elongated support. The system has LEDs connected to a pair of electrical conductors having a length equal to, or less than the discrete length of the elongated lighting system. The elongated lighting system is molded and embedded into transparent, opaque, semi-transparent, or mixed transparent and opaque plastic module connected to an electrical source.

Claims

1. An elongated lighting system which comprises a plurality of modules of discrete length arranged end-to-end, said modules being energized by an induced voltage using an embedded magnetic core and coiled wire, said modules having a plurality of LEDs on an elongated support, said LEDs being connected to electrical conductors having a length not exceeding the discreet length of the module, said modules being moulded with the LEDs, elongated support and electrical conductors being embedded in at least one of transparent, opaque and semi-transparent plastic material.

2. An elongated lighting system comprising:

a channel member including electrical source connectors; and

one or more elongated lighting module sized and shaped to be receivable within said channel member, each of said one or more elongated lighting module including a plastic enclosure, said moulded plastic enclosure encapsulating an elongated support including one or more light-emitting devices positioned on said elongated support and electrical source connectors connected to said one or more light-emitting device and extending from said plastic enclosure so as to make contact with said electrical source connectors, wherein said channel member includes a central support and said electrical source connectors are separated from each other by said central support.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said channel is embedded below grade.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said channel is anchored above grade.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said channel member includes a pair of spaced grooved respectively formed on opposite sides of said central support.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said plastic enclosure includes a pair of spaced legs which are sized and shaped to fit into said pair of spaced grooves.