Long light emitting apparatus

• US 5,941,626 A
• Filed: 04/30/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hiyoshi Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hiyoshi Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamuro, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/846,760
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 313/500, 313/511, 313/512, 362/240, 362/244, 362/246, 362/249, 362/278, 362/320, 362/800, 362/255, 362/355
• US Class Current: 362/246
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A long light emitting apparatus is durable, emits light that can be seen from any direction, and has a low power consumption. The long light emitting apparatus is realized by providing a plurality of LED lamps (light emitting diodes) connected in series at intervals on a connection line. The LED lamp includes an epoxy resin bulb-shaped portion, two leads, and an LED chip connected to the two leads and embedded into the bulb-shaped portion. The surface of the bulb-shaped portion is etched, cut, cut like a diamond, coated with small particles, or covered with an optically-diffusing material so that the emitted light can be diffused and emitted in all directions except backward from the base of the LED lamp. The thus processed surface of the LED lamp can emit light in all directions to be seen from any direction as in the case where filament lamps are used. Since an LED element is used as a light source and the LED lamps are made of resin, the LED lamp is durable. Therefore, the long light emitting apparatus can be easily stored and handled, has a low total power consumption, and is an economical apparatus.

Claims

1. A flexible long light emitting apparatus, comprising:

a flexible conductor comprising at least two flexible, electrically conducting wires twisted together and

a plurality of light emitting diode lamps connected across said electrically conducting wires, each lamp comprising;

a resin or glass body having a generally bulb-shaped portion, said bulb-shaped portion having a base end,

a light emitting diode chip positioned in the base end of said bulb-shaped portion;

said body having an external surface formed as a frosted surface;

said base end having electrodes extending therefrom for connecting said light emitting diode chip to said wires,

wherein said external frosted surface of said body is adapted so that diffused light is emitted by the lamp in all directions except backward from said base end.