Tubular electro-luminescent light device

• US 6,976,762 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Original Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Tseng-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US10/286,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/390, 362/369, 313/511, 313/512, 313/509, 313/503
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/085 Luminous ornaments
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/242 Means for mounting detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/244 Means for mounting lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/78 for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/109 of gardens
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00

Abstract

A tubular Electro-Luminescent panel(s) light device offers superior bending characteristics with super brightness by integrating a predetermined width of panel with a proper circuit system. The panel(s) have narrow width to fit within tube means while enabling the panel(s) to be bent in any direction and angle because the panel(s) may freely move within the tube. The said panel(s) can be twisted within the tube means, and the tube means may have a desired colored, transparency, coil number, density, wall thickness, diameter, shape, and length, and be designed so that the light beam can be visible 0-360 degrees around the tube. The device may be incorporated with non-elastic means, magnetic means, a tube holder, inner tube(s) ,outer tube(s), conductive bus means, sensor means, and integrated circuitry to add a lot of desired features.

Claims

1. A tubular EL light device comprising:

an inner member;

at least one electro-luminescent (EL) panel including a substrate, at least one phosphor area on the substrate, and etched electrodes for connection to an electric power source by conductive means connected to the electrodes, said conductive means being connected to a signal means for causing said phosphor areas to emit light, and said panel having a predetermined width and length; and

an outer member surrounding said EL panel and inner member to enable said light device to be attached to a main object,

wherein said EL panel is wrapped around said inner member, said inner member providing cushioning for said EL panel, and wherein sufficient space is provided around the EL panel to permit bending of said EL panel and said EL light device.

2. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrodes comprise a conductive material formed on desired areas of said panel by a process of etching said conductive material.

3. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising terminals for connecting said electrodes to said electric power source.

4. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said terminals include claw terminals.

5. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said terminals comprise rivets.

6. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rivets are punched through reinforcing conductive members.

7. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrodes include a common electrode spaced from other electrodes to prevent shorting.

8. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said panel includes multiple phosphor areas and multiple electrodes, and wherein said terminals comprise a plurality of individual terminals for respective connection to said multiple electrodes, and a common terminal connected to each of the electrodes.

9. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substrate of said panel is made of PET with a thickness of less than 1.80 mm.

10. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner member is a conductive wire for connection to a signal terminal, and a cushioning material surrounding the conductive wire.

11. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner member encloses multiple conductive wires connected to multiple terminals of signal terminals to provide multiple lighting effects.

12. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a non-elastic elongated member arranged to enable bending and fixing of the device in a desired shape.

13. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said elongated member is a metal wire.

14. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer member is a tube surrounding said inner tube and EL panel.

15. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said outer member is sealed to provide a waterproofing effect.

16. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said outer member is at least partially transparent, has a predetermined thickness, and is arranged to exhibit optical effects.

17. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said outer member has a flattened shape.

18. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner member is at least partially transparent.

19. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said EL panel is twisted around said inner tube according to a predetermined weaving pattern.

20. A tubular EL light device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is attached to a main object selected from the group consisting of footwear, garments, bags, vests, headgear, communications equipment and general commodities.