LED light bulb for use in an illuminated aircraft sign

• US 6,886,963 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pervaiz Lodhie
• Original Assignee: Pervaiz Lodhie
• Inventors: Lodhie, Pervaiz
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Application Number:
  US10/452,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20030235055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 362/470, 362/249, 362/226, 362/237, 362/800, 362/812, 439/547, 313/512
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0038 Illumination systems for cabins as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices
• 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: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/032 the surface being a floor or like ground surface, e.g. pavement
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/04 with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/30 for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/20 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An LED light bulb has a bulb base having an electrical contact, an outer sidewall, an insulator between the electrical contact and the outer sidewall. The LED light bulb further includes a bulb circuit board mounted upon the bulb base and extending upwardly therefrom. The bulb circuit board has a first side and a second side. A plurality of LEDs are mounted on the first and second sides of the bulb circuit board such that the plurality of LEDs are in electrical communication with the electrical contact through a resistor. A flange extending outwardly from the outer sidewall adjacent a bottom edge of the outer sidewall.

Claims

1. An LED light strip comprising:

a printed circuit board having a front surface;

a plurality of anode contacts disposed on the front surface;

a plurality of cathode contacts, each of the plurality of cathode contacts being positioned near one of the plurality of anode contacts;

a plurality of locking members, each of the plurality of locking members having a base and a first end, the base of each of the plurality of locking members being fastened to the printed circuit board and electronically connected to one of the plurality of cathode contacts such that said first end is positioned over one of the plurality of anode contacts, the plurality of locking members being electrically conductive; and

a plurality of LED light bulbs, each of the plurality of LED light bulbs having a bulb base that supports at least one LED, the bulb base having an electrical contact, an outer sidewall, an insulator between the electrical contact and the outer sidewall, and a flange extending outwardly from the outer sidewall, said flange and locking members enabling said plurality of LED light bulbs to be removably connected to said printed circuit board; and

the flange further being adapted to fit under said first end of one of the plurality of locking members thereby holding the electrical contact against one of the plurality of anode contacts.

2. The LED light strip of claim 1 further comprising a sign having at least one translucent portion, wherein said sign includes a base unit and a cover plate, the base unit having a plurality of recesses that each include one of a plurality of bulb apertures, each of the plurality of bulb apertures being adapted to receive one of the plurality of LED light bulbs mounted upon said printed circuit board, the cover plate being adapted to attach to the base unit to cover the plurality of recesses such that at least one translucent portion of the cover plate is positioned over the plurality of LED light bulbs.

3. A sign assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board assembly;

a plurality of anode contacts disposed on the printed circuit board assembly;

a plurality of cathode contacts disposed on the printed circuit board assembly;

a plurality of LED light bulbs, each of the plurality of LED light bulbs having a bulb base that supports at least one LED and a resistor, the bulb base having an electrical contact, an outer sidewall, an insulator between the electrical contact and the outer sidewall, the outer sidewall including a flange extending outwardly form the outer sidewall, the electrical contact being in electrical communication with the outer sidewall through the resistor and the at least one LED;

means for removably attaching each of the plurality of LED light bulbs to the printed circuit board assembly such that the electrical contact of each of the plurality of LED light bulbs is in electrical communication with one of the anode contacts, and such that the outer sidewall is in electrical contact with one of the plurality of cathode contacts;

a sign having a translucent portion; and

means for mounting the sign on said printed circuit board assembly such that said translucent portion is positioned adjacent to at least one of said plurality of LED light bulbs.

4. The LED light strip of claim 3 wherein the sign includes a base unit and a cover plate, the base unit having a plurality of recesses that each include one of a plurality of bulb apertures, each of the plurality of bulb apertures being adapted to receive one of the plurality of LED light bulbs mounted upon the printed circuit board of the LED light strip, the cover plate being adapted to attach to the base unit to cover the plurality of recesses such that at least one translucent portion of the cover plate is positioned over the plurality of LED light bulbs.