Light string using a cladding to scatter light from light emitting diodes to present a neon light effect

• US 7,048,413 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guangdong Tongfang Illuminations Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Heshan LIDE Electronic Enterprise Company Limited
• Inventors: Fan, Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US10/824,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20050036310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 362249-250, 362/217, 362/219, 362223-225
• US Class Current: 362/249.04
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/26 of rope form, e.g. LED lighting ropes, or of tubular form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00

Abstract

A light string includes a core made of a soft material and having multiple axial holes defined in one side of the core, two connection wires received in the other side of the core to be opposite to positions of the axial holes, multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) respectively received in the axial holes and connected to the two connection wires for electrical connection with one another, a scattering body formed on top of the core and on top of the LEDs for scattering light beams from the LEDs and a cladding enclosing the scattering body and the core and having an arcuate top face for emission of light beams of the LEDs. Due to the addition of the scattering body and the cladding, the light beams from the LEDs are refracted and scattered to present a soft and continuous lighting effect.

Claims

1. A light string comprising:

a core made of a soft material and having multiple axial holes defined in one side of the core;

two connection wires received in the other side of the core to be opposite to positions of the axial holes;

multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) respectively received in the axial holes and connected to the two connection wires for electrical connection;

a scattering body formed on top of the core and on top of the LEDs for scattering light beams from the LEDs;

a cladding enclosing the scattering body and the core and having an arcuate top face for emission of light beams of the LEDs;

an opaque layer formed on the cladding to stop penetration of light beams of the LEDs to enhance the emission of light beams out of the arcuate top face of the cladding.

a plug connected to a same end of the two connection wires for providing electricity to the LEDs; and

a stopper connected to the cladding and further connected to the connection wires at an end distal to the end of the plug.

2. The light string as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

3. The light string as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opaque layer is a layer of black paint.

4. The light string as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a converter to change alternate current to direct current for the LEDs.

5. The light string as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a converter to change alternate current to direct current for the LEDs.

6. The light string as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.

7. The light string as claimed in claim 3, wherein the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.

8. The light string as claimed in claim 4, wherein the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.

9. The light string as claimed in claim 5, wherein the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.

10. The light string as claimed in claim 8, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

11. The light string as claimed in claim 9, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

12. The light string as claimed in claim 3, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

13. The light string as claimed in claim 4, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

14. The light string as claimed in claim 5, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

15. The light string as claimed in claim 6, wherein the scattering body is a passage.

16. The light string as claimed in claim 7, wherein the scattering body is a passage.