Light rope crown molding

• US 7,114,826 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald W. Lilly
• Original Assignee: Donald W. Lilly
• Inventors: Lilly, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US10/948,246
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 362/146, 362/147, 362/151, 362/240, 362/576, 362/581, D26/72, D26/74
• US Class Current: 362/146
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/02 Wall, ceiling, or floor bases; Fixing pendants or arms to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence; bases for movable standing lamps F21V21/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for providing indirect illumination to a building interior or exterior using crown molding with specialized grooves for holding light ropes or other types of light sources. The invention generally consists of modular pieces of crown molding with an elongated groove in a top surface running parallel to the front surface. A light rope or other types of illumination are installed in the groove and provide indirect light on the wall, ceiling or other objects above the crown molding. Molding may also be used as picture frame and shelving accent lighting. Clips hold the light rope or other source of illumination inside the groove.

Claims

1. A light bearing molding apparatus comprising:

at least one piece of molding,

at least one groove cut into the at least one piece of molding for holding a flexible light source,

a flexible light source for providing illumination,

an egress connecting an exterior surface of the molding to the at least one groove for passage of a power source for the flexible light source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of molding further comprises crown molding.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one piece of molding further comprises chair rail.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove further comprises at least one U-shaped groove.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one U-shaped groove further comprises at least one U-shaped groove cut into a middle of a top surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one U-shaped groove further comprises at least one U-shaped groove with a squared bottom.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove further comprises at least one L-shaped groove.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one groove further comprises at least one groove formed in the back corner of the top surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one L-shaped groove further comprises at least one L-shaped groove with a rounded bottom.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible light source further comprises a light rope.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible light source further comprises a fiber optic light source.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible light source further comprises a string of xenon light bulbs.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the egress for passage of a power source further comprises an egress cut into the front surface of the molding.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the egress for passage of a power source further comprises an egress cut into the rear surface of the molding.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the molding further comprises picture frame molding.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the molding further comprises shelf molding.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the molding further comprises a horizontal strip of molding spaced below a crown molding.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising clips within the at least one groove for securing the flexible light source.

17. A light bearing railing apparatus comprising:

at least one piece of rail,

at least one groove cut into the at least one piece of rail for holding a flexible light source,

a flexible light source for providing illumination,

an egress connecting an exterior surface of the rail to the groove for passage of a power source for the flexible light source.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible light source further comprises light ropes.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible light source further comprises a fiber optic light source.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible light source further comprises a string of xenon light bulbs.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising clips within the at least one groove for securing the flexible light source.