Cuttable illumination device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cuttable illumination device, comprising:
- a first lamp having an input and an output;
a second lamp having an input and an output, said second lamp input connected to said first lamp output, such that said lamps are connected in series;
a current source element having a substantially constant current characteristic, said current source element connected to said second lamp output, said first lamp having a voltage drop characteristic corresponding to said current characteristic of said current source element; and
a voltage breakdown element having an input and an output, said voltage breakdown element input connected to said first lamp input and said voltage breakdown element output connected to said first lamp output, said voltage breakdown element having a breakdown voltage characteristic that is greater than said first lamp voltage drop characteristic.
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Abstract
A cuttable illumination device has a first lamp, a second lamp, a current source element, and a voltage breakdown element connected such that the first lamp may be removed from the device without affecting the function and performance of the remaining portion of the illumination device. Additional lamps may be added to the device in conjunction with additional voltage breakdown elements to form a string of lamps where any number of lamps may be removed without affecting the function and performance of the remaining portion of the device. The device may have a waveguide member and a housing, creating a cuttable illumination device for simulating neon lighting.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A cuttable illumination device, comprising:
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a first lamp having an input and an output; a second lamp having an input and an output, said second lamp input connected to said first lamp output, such that said lamps are connected in series; a current source element having a substantially constant current characteristic, said current source element connected to said second lamp output, said first lamp having a voltage drop characteristic corresponding to said current characteristic of said current source element; and a voltage breakdown element having an input and an output, said voltage breakdown element input connected to said first lamp input and said voltage breakdown element output connected to said first lamp output, said voltage breakdown element having a breakdown voltage characteristic that is greater than said first lamp voltage drop characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of shortening the length of an illumination device without adversely effecting the function and performance of the remaining portion of the illumination device, said method of shortening comprising:
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providing a cuttable illumination device having; a first lamp having an input and an output; a second lamp having an input and an output, said second lamp input connected to said first lamp output, such that said lamps are connected in series; a current source element having a substantially constant current characteristic, said current source element connected to said second lamp output, said first lamp having a voltage drop characteristic corresponding to said current characteristic of said current source element; a voltage breakdown element having an input and an output, said voltage breakdown element input connected to said first lamp input and said voltage breakdown element output connected to said first lamp output, said voltage breakdown element having a breakdown voltage characteristic that is greater than said first lamp voltage drop characteristic; and an elongated circuit board element having a distal portion and a remaining portion, wherein said first lamp is mounted to said circuit board distal portion, and wherein said second lamp, said current source element, and said voltage breakdown element are mounted to said circuit board remaining portion; and cutting said circuit board distal portion from said circuit board remaining portion, thereby severing said first lamp from said cuttable illumination device and shortening the length of said circuit board without adversely effecting the function and performance of the remaining portion of the illumination device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A cuttable illumination device, comprising:
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a first lamp having an input and an output; a second lamp having an input and an output, said second lamp input connected to said first lamp output, such that said lamps are connected in series; a means for generating a substantially constant current through said first lamp and said second lamp; a means for conducting current at a predetermined voltage threshold that is greater than the voltage across said first lamp, said means for conducting current being connected across said first lamp; and a power supply for supplying power to said first lamp, said second lamp, said means for generating a substantially constant current, and said means for conducting current at a predetermined voltage threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification