Tubular electro-luminescent panel(s) light device

• US 7,364,315 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US10/170,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231485A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,146 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/267, 362/310, 362/104, 405/44, 313/511, 313/512, 313/506, 313/509
• 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 light device offers desired bending directions with super brightness based on the predetermined width of a panel incorporated with a proper inverter system. The panel has a much narrower width than a tube means containing the panel to allow the panel to bend in any direction and angle within the tube means to provide desired light effects. The panel can be flat or twisted within the tube means, which in turn may have a desired colored, transparency, wall thickness, diameter, shape, or length. The device may incorporate non-elastic means, magnetic means, a tube holder, sensor means, and/or integrated circuit to add a wide variety of features.

Claims

1. A tubular electro-luminescent (EL) panel light device, comprising:

at least one flexible electro-luminescent panel having a predetermined width and length;

at least one soft tube, said flexible electro-luminescent panel being positioned within said soft tube and twisted around an inner member to form at least two coils such that a surface of said panel emits light through said at least one soft tube in multiple directions; and

means for attaching the electro-luminescent panel light device to a main object,

wherein said at least one soft tube and said EL panel each have a length of greater than six inches,

wherein adjacent edges of said coils are spaced from each other to permit bending of said inner member and said panel in any direction, and

wherein said inner member is selected from the group consisting of a cushioning member, a protection member, an electrically conductive member, and a source of electrical signals for said electro-luminescent panel.

2. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one soft tube has properties selected from the group consisting of transparency, translucence, partial transparency, partial masking, opaque areas, convexity, concavity, smooth wall thickness, uneven wall thickness, geometrically-shaped cross-sections, coloring, mixed particles, and optical properties.

3. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thickness of said soft tube is sufficient to enable bending of said lighting device without forming any sharp angles.

4. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electro-luminescent panel emits light from two sides.

5. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electro-luminescent panel includes two single-sided panels placed back-to-back.

6. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electro-luminescent panel emits light from a single side.

7. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner member is a non-elastic elongated member that retains a shape to which it is bent.

8. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 7, wherein said inner member is a metal wire.

9. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one electro-luminescent panel include multiple panels arranged to provide special effects.

10. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tube has a non-cylindrical shape.

11. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 10, wherein said tube has a flattened cross-section so that a thickness of said lighting device is different than a length.

12. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for supplying signals to said lighting element to provide a desired color and brightness.

13. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner member supplies electric signals from a power pack to said at least one electro-luminescent panel.

14. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main object is a piece of jewelry.

15. A tubular electro-luminescent element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lighting device is part of a light kit including circuit means for providing lighting functions and a power source.