CA2579466C - A flexible tubular light - Google Patents
A flexible tubular light Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2579466C CA2579466C CA002579466A CA2579466A CA2579466C CA 2579466 C CA2579466 C CA 2579466C CA 002579466 A CA002579466 A CA 002579466A CA 2579466 A CA2579466 A CA 2579466A CA 2579466 C CA2579466 C CA 2579466C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- light
- leds
- core
- tubular light
- cladding
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
- G09F13/20—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts
- G09F13/22—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising with luminescent surfaces or parts electroluminescent
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S4/00—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources
- F21S4/20—Lighting devices or systems using a string or strip of light sources with light sources held by or within elongate supports
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V3/00—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses
- F21V3/04—Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
- G09F13/18—Edge-illuminated signs
- G09F2013/1886—Special effects
- G09F2013/189—Three dimensional effects
- G09F2013/1895—Imitating a neon tube
Abstract
A flexible tubular light comprises an opaque core wire, a plurality of LEDs provided within the core wire, a translucent scattering body having the same length as the core wire, provided above the LEDs, and a cladding layer having the same length as the core wire , enclosing both the core wire and the scattering body. the scattering body can be extruded together with the cladding layer at equal length. The flexible tubular light of the present invention has the effect of even and continuous light rays, simulating the neon light, and can be mass-produced continuously and automatically with low cost.
Description
A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR LIGHT
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tubular light, and more particularly to a flexible tubular light with a cladding outside the light emitting diodes to scatter the light from the light emitting diodes so as to present a neon light effect.
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tubular light, and more particularly to a flexible tubular light with a cladding outside the light emitting diodes to scatter the light from the light emitting diodes so as to present a neon light effect.
2. Description of Related Art The available tubular light used as an illumination element has already been used in gardening art, commercial ads and decorations for backyards. The advantages of the tubular light is its automatic production, low cost, easily bendable when applied, durable for impact, safe and adaptability for meeting client's requirements. With all these advantages, the disadvantages of such tubular light seem unavoidable, which involves discontinuous illumination and uneven light rays to reach the effect as a neon light. The reason causing the discontinuous illumination and uneven light rays is because the illuminating elements inside the tubular light are intermittently arranged inside the tubular light so that the light rays are unevenly distributed.
The reason why a neon light is used as an illuminating element in commercial bulletin board or a part of a decorations is because of its vivid color, diversity in colors, evenly distributed and soft light beams. Therefore, the neon light can be seen in doors, signs, bulletin board, dancing clubs, bars, pubs and outer walls of a building.
However, the primary reason for the failure of the neon light is that the electricity consumption rate is high and the outer glass tube is easily broken, which causes the neon light difficult to repair and transportation. Above all, there is no adaptability to different shape requirements.
In order to obviate the conventional drawbacks, a different kind of tubular light is introduced to the market and uses light emitting diodes (LED) as the illuminating elements to avoid large electricity consumption rate, difficulty in maintenance, fragility and large voltage requirement. Because of the improvements, the improved tubular light is bendable, extendable and has adaptability to adapt to different shape requirements. However, because each illuminating element, LED, is distant from an adjacent one, the light emitted from each of the LED illuminating elements is not continuous, which makes the improved tubular light impossible to reach the neon light effect. To solve the problem, a translucent cover is attached to the outer periphery of the tubular light to nebulize the light from the LEDs to as to create a foggy effect the same as that of a neon light. However, adding in the translucent cover to the outer periphery of the tubular light increases the manufacture cost.
Further, after the addition of the translucent cover, the tubular light is not bendable and loses its adaptability to shape change.
A different tubular light made of acrylic resin is introduced to the market, which is able to be bent after being heated and the light bean is soft and continuous, a perfect replacement for the neon light. But still, this kind of tubular light is fragile in room temperature. More over, this kind of tubular light adopts soft circuit board as the electric connection media among elements and employs a process to fill in the enclosing material to position the elements onboard the circuit board, which increases the manufacture step and cost dramatically.
With reference to Fig. 12, a conventional light string has an elongated plastic core (110), two wires (120,130), multiple axial holes (140) or multiple radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) to receive therein multiple light emitting diodes (1410a,1410b,1410c) and connection wires (170a,170b) for interlinking each of the LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c). The LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c) are alternately received in the radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) such that the connection wires (170a,170b) are sandwiched between two adjacent LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c) after the connection wires (170a,I70b) are alternately received in the radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e). A
transparent cladding (180) is then formed outside the core (110).
The reason why a neon light is used as an illuminating element in commercial bulletin board or a part of a decorations is because of its vivid color, diversity in colors, evenly distributed and soft light beams. Therefore, the neon light can be seen in doors, signs, bulletin board, dancing clubs, bars, pubs and outer walls of a building.
However, the primary reason for the failure of the neon light is that the electricity consumption rate is high and the outer glass tube is easily broken, which causes the neon light difficult to repair and transportation. Above all, there is no adaptability to different shape requirements.
In order to obviate the conventional drawbacks, a different kind of tubular light is introduced to the market and uses light emitting diodes (LED) as the illuminating elements to avoid large electricity consumption rate, difficulty in maintenance, fragility and large voltage requirement. Because of the improvements, the improved tubular light is bendable, extendable and has adaptability to adapt to different shape requirements. However, because each illuminating element, LED, is distant from an adjacent one, the light emitted from each of the LED illuminating elements is not continuous, which makes the improved tubular light impossible to reach the neon light effect. To solve the problem, a translucent cover is attached to the outer periphery of the tubular light to nebulize the light from the LEDs to as to create a foggy effect the same as that of a neon light. However, adding in the translucent cover to the outer periphery of the tubular light increases the manufacture cost.
Further, after the addition of the translucent cover, the tubular light is not bendable and loses its adaptability to shape change.
A different tubular light made of acrylic resin is introduced to the market, which is able to be bent after being heated and the light bean is soft and continuous, a perfect replacement for the neon light. But still, this kind of tubular light is fragile in room temperature. More over, this kind of tubular light adopts soft circuit board as the electric connection media among elements and employs a process to fill in the enclosing material to position the elements onboard the circuit board, which increases the manufacture step and cost dramatically.
With reference to Fig. 12, a conventional light string has an elongated plastic core (110), two wires (120,130), multiple axial holes (140) or multiple radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) to receive therein multiple light emitting diodes (1410a,1410b,1410c) and connection wires (170a,170b) for interlinking each of the LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c). The LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c) are alternately received in the radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) such that the connection wires (170a,170b) are sandwiched between two adjacent LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c) after the connection wires (170a,I70b) are alternately received in the radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e). A
transparent cladding (180) is then formed outside the core (110).
3 If the light string with the core (110) has only axial holes (140) for receiving therein LEDs (1410a,1410b,1410c), the light string is called the Horizontal-Type and if the light string with the core (110) has only radial holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e), the light string is called the Vertical-Type.
US Pat. No. 4,607,317 issued on August 19, 1986 discloses a light string with better safety, packaging, installation, use and maintenance features than any other existing light string. However, the light string can not solve the shortcoming that the light from the LEDs is not continuous. That is, this light string still uses the LEDs as the light source without any modification to soften the dotted-effect of the LEDs.
US Pat. No. 6,186,645B1 issued on February 13, 2001 discloses a Horizontal-Type light string having the capability to scatter the light from the LEDs.
However, the light from the LEDs is not sufficiently softened and thus still does not emit a soft and continuous light when compared with a neon light in the market.
US Pat. No. 6,565,251B2 issued on May 20, 2003 discloses a light string having a core and a cladding outside the core. The core and the cladding may have different shapes such as circular, square, oval or even wave-like. At least one axial space may be defined between the core and the cladding so that the at least one axial space may be tilled with insulation fluid to improve the light scattering and reflection. Although this light string claims to have the capability to emit a soft and continuous light effect as that of a neon light, there is no definite structure to show how the light is reflected and/or refracted.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved tubular light to mitigate the aforementioned problems.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved tubular light using a cladding to scatter the light from the light emitting diodes to present a soft and continuous light.
US Pat. No. 4,607,317 issued on August 19, 1986 discloses a light string with better safety, packaging, installation, use and maintenance features than any other existing light string. However, the light string can not solve the shortcoming that the light from the LEDs is not continuous. That is, this light string still uses the LEDs as the light source without any modification to soften the dotted-effect of the LEDs.
US Pat. No. 6,186,645B1 issued on February 13, 2001 discloses a Horizontal-Type light string having the capability to scatter the light from the LEDs.
However, the light from the LEDs is not sufficiently softened and thus still does not emit a soft and continuous light when compared with a neon light in the market.
US Pat. No. 6,565,251B2 issued on May 20, 2003 discloses a light string having a core and a cladding outside the core. The core and the cladding may have different shapes such as circular, square, oval or even wave-like. At least one axial space may be defined between the core and the cladding so that the at least one axial space may be tilled with insulation fluid to improve the light scattering and reflection. Although this light string claims to have the capability to emit a soft and continuous light effect as that of a neon light, there is no definite structure to show how the light is reflected and/or refracted.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved tubular light to mitigate the aforementioned problems.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved tubular light using a cladding to scatter the light from the light emitting diodes to present a soft and continuous light.
4 In order to accomplish the aforementioned objective, the tubular light of the present invention 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 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; and a cladding enclosing the scattering body and the core and having an arcuate top face for emission of light beams of the LEDs.
In illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the tubular light further has an electrical 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 electrical plug.
An opaque layer may be formed on the cladding to stop penetration of light beams of the LEDs so as to enhance the emission of light beams out of the arcuate top face of the cladding. The opaque layer is preferably a layer of black paint. A
converter is provided in illustrated embodiments to change alternate current to direct current for the LEDs.
In one embodiment, the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.
In another embodiment, the scattering body is a passage.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken from line A-A of Fig. 1 showing the internal structure of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the formation of a cladding outside the core and the scattering body on top of the core;
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the light effect from the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the tubular light taken from line B-B of Fig.
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 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; and a cladding enclosing the scattering body and the core and having an arcuate top face for emission of light beams of the LEDs.
In illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the tubular light further has an electrical 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 electrical plug.
An opaque layer may be formed on the cladding to stop penetration of light beams of the LEDs so as to enhance the emission of light beams out of the arcuate top face of the cladding. The opaque layer is preferably a layer of black paint. A
converter is provided in illustrated embodiments to change alternate current to direct current for the LEDs.
In one embodiment, the scattering body is integrally formed with the cladding.
In another embodiment, the scattering body is a passage.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken from line A-A of Fig. 1 showing the internal structure of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the formation of a cladding outside the core and the scattering body on top of the core;
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the light effect from the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the tubular light taken from line B-B of Fig.
5;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention extruded from a extruding machine;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the light effect from the tubular light of the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken from line C-C of the tubular light in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 shows three different structures inside the core of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a conventional tubular light; and Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the application of the tubular light of the present invention.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the tubular light constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a core (02), a scattering body (08) and a cladding (09)
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention extruded from a extruding machine;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the light effect from the tubular light of the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken from line C-C of the tubular light in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 shows three different structures inside the core of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a conventional tubular light; and Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the application of the tubular light of the present invention.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the tubular light constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a core (02), a scattering body (08) and a cladding (09)
6 enclosing the core (02) and the scattering body (08). Figure 3 is the first preferred embodiment of the tubular light of the present invention.
The core (02) has multiple radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) defined in a side of the core (02) to alternately receive therein light emitting diodes (LEDs) (04a,04b) and two connection wires (01 a,01b) are received in the other side of the core (02) relative to the radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d). Because the two connection wires (Ola,Olb) are on one side in the core (02) and the LEDs (04a,04b) received in the radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) are on the other side of the core (02), when the tubular light is bent, the stretching force to either one of the two connection wires (Ola,Olb) is the same so that difficulty in bending the tubular light and breakage of the connection wires (01a,01b) are avoided.
As can be seen from Fig. 12 that the lateral holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) and the light bulbs (1410a,1410b,1410c) as well as the legs (170a,170b) of the light bulbs are arranged between the connection wires (120,130) to be vertical to the connection wires (120,130). However, from the depiction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is to be noted that the LEDs (04a,04b) are alternately received in the radial holes (03a,03c) and thus the radial holes (03b,03d) are left to receive therein a joint (05) between two LEDs (04a,04b) and a resistor (06). Due to the low energy consumption rate, low temperature, high illuminosity, and compact of the LED, it can be used as a crucial factor to reduce the intermittent distance between two adjacent light emitting diodes so that the total number within a fixed distance in the tubular light of the present invention increases and there is no danger of causing a fire. As a result the illuniinosity of the tubular light to exceed the neon light is doable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the LED is within 3-5mm and the illurninosity of the LED is around 200mcd. The distance between two radial holes is about 1/2 inch.
After the LEDs (04a,04b) are received in the radial holes (03a,03c) in the core (02) and a connecting wire (07) is used to interconnect two adjacent LEDs, the core (02)
The core (02) has multiple radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) defined in a side of the core (02) to alternately receive therein light emitting diodes (LEDs) (04a,04b) and two connection wires (01 a,01b) are received in the other side of the core (02) relative to the radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d). Because the two connection wires (Ola,Olb) are on one side in the core (02) and the LEDs (04a,04b) received in the radial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) are on the other side of the core (02), when the tubular light is bent, the stretching force to either one of the two connection wires (Ola,Olb) is the same so that difficulty in bending the tubular light and breakage of the connection wires (01a,01b) are avoided.
As can be seen from Fig. 12 that the lateral holes (150a,150b,150c,150d,150e) and the light bulbs (1410a,1410b,1410c) as well as the legs (170a,170b) of the light bulbs are arranged between the connection wires (120,130) to be vertical to the connection wires (120,130). However, from the depiction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is to be noted that the LEDs (04a,04b) are alternately received in the radial holes (03a,03c) and thus the radial holes (03b,03d) are left to receive therein a joint (05) between two LEDs (04a,04b) and a resistor (06). Due to the low energy consumption rate, low temperature, high illuminosity, and compact of the LED, it can be used as a crucial factor to reduce the intermittent distance between two adjacent light emitting diodes so that the total number within a fixed distance in the tubular light of the present invention increases and there is no danger of causing a fire. As a result the illuniinosity of the tubular light to exceed the neon light is doable. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the LED is within 3-5mm and the illurninosity of the LED is around 200mcd. The distance between two radial holes is about 1/2 inch.
After the LEDs (04a,04b) are received in the radial holes (03a,03c) in the core (02) and a connecting wire (07) is used to interconnect two adjacent LEDs, the core (02)
7 passes through a through hole (21) in an extruding machine (20) with a scattering body (08) which is made of a lacteous material, as shown in Fig. 3. A soft translucent material, e.g.
PVC, (22) enters the extruding machine (20) and encloses the core (02) and the scattering body (08) to form a cladding (09) outside the scattering body (08) and the core (02). The cladding (09) has an arcuate top face (10) on top of the scattering body (08) and the LEDs (04a,04b). Furthermore, the LEDs (04a,04b) are located below the scattering body (OS) and preferably below the center line B-B of the scattering body (08).
It is noted from the teaching that the width and height of the scattering body
PVC, (22) enters the extruding machine (20) and encloses the core (02) and the scattering body (08) to form a cladding (09) outside the scattering body (08) and the core (02). The cladding (09) has an arcuate top face (10) on top of the scattering body (08) and the LEDs (04a,04b). Furthermore, the LEDs (04a,04b) are located below the scattering body (OS) and preferably below the center line B-B of the scattering body (08).
It is noted from the teaching that the width and height of the scattering body
(08) are proportional to the brightness and the angle of the LEDs. In this embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs (04a,04b) each have a diameter of 3-5mm, a brightness of 200 Mcd and an angle of emission of 45 degrees. The radial holes (03a,03c) are equally spaced apart (1/2 inch) from each other. The scattering body (08) has a height (H) of 14mm and a width (L) of 8mm. A mediate portion (14) sandwiched between the scattering body (08) and the LEDs (04a,04b) is a portion of the cladding (09) and has a thickness of 2mm. The arcuate top face (10) of the cladding (09) has a thickness of 2mm.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 and with reference to Fig. 4, it is noted that the light beam from the LEDs (04a,04b) passes through the mediate portion (14), the scattering body (08) and the arcuate top face (10) such that edges of the light beams from adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) are overlapped. After the light beams from the LEDs (04a,04b) are refracted by the mediate portion (14) and the arcuate top face (10) and scattered by the scattering body (08), the overlapped effect to the edges of adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) light beams causes central regions between two adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) to have a brightness substantially the same as the brightness from the center of the LEDs (04a,04b). Therefore, it is expected that the lighting effect of the tubular light of the present invention is able to present a soft and continuous light beam. An electrical plug is integrally formed with the connection wires (Ola,Olb) by a cable (11) for providing electricity to the LEDs (04a,04b) and a stopper (13) is integrally formed opposite to the electrical plug. However, as the plug and stopper are conventional in the art detailed descriptions thereof are thus omitted.
In order to enhance the lighting effect of the present invention, two opposite sides and a bottom of the cladding (09) may be coated with an opaque layer (141), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, preferably a black paint (18), as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
A converter (15), as shown in Fig. 1 is added to the tubular light of the present invention to change alternate current to direct current such that flashing of the LEDs is avoided and thus the LEDs are able to emit a steady and continuous light beam.
A different embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein the scattering body (08) in the first embodiment and the cladding (09) are integrally formed into one piece. Therefore, the height (H) of the cladding (09) on top of the core (02) is slightly smaller than a sum of the scattering body, thickness of the arcuate top face (10) and the thickness of the mediate portion (11) in the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 and is 14mm. The width L of the arcuate top face (10) is 8mm.
Still another embodiment is seen in Figs. 7 and 8, wherein a passage(091) is defined in the cladding (090) on top of the core (02). Due to the scattering effect of air inside the passage (091) being inferior to the scattering body (08) in the frst embodiment, the height (H) of the cladding (090) on top of the core (02) should be larger than the height (H) in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6.
With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, another embodiment shows that the core (02) and the cladding (09), as shown in the previous embodiments, are integrally formed into one piece. Thereafter, axial holes (03) are spatially defined in the tubular light to receive therein LEDs.
With reference to Fig. 11, after the tubular light of the present invention is formed, a clamp (30) may be applied to fasten the tubular light on a board (31). Because the opposite sides of the cladding (09) are coated with the opaque layer (141), light beams from
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 and with reference to Fig. 4, it is noted that the light beam from the LEDs (04a,04b) passes through the mediate portion (14), the scattering body (08) and the arcuate top face (10) such that edges of the light beams from adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) are overlapped. After the light beams from the LEDs (04a,04b) are refracted by the mediate portion (14) and the arcuate top face (10) and scattered by the scattering body (08), the overlapped effect to the edges of adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) light beams causes central regions between two adjacent LEDs (04a,04b) to have a brightness substantially the same as the brightness from the center of the LEDs (04a,04b). Therefore, it is expected that the lighting effect of the tubular light of the present invention is able to present a soft and continuous light beam. An electrical plug is integrally formed with the connection wires (Ola,Olb) by a cable (11) for providing electricity to the LEDs (04a,04b) and a stopper (13) is integrally formed opposite to the electrical plug. However, as the plug and stopper are conventional in the art detailed descriptions thereof are thus omitted.
In order to enhance the lighting effect of the present invention, two opposite sides and a bottom of the cladding (09) may be coated with an opaque layer (141), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, preferably a black paint (18), as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
A converter (15), as shown in Fig. 1 is added to the tubular light of the present invention to change alternate current to direct current such that flashing of the LEDs is avoided and thus the LEDs are able to emit a steady and continuous light beam.
A different embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein the scattering body (08) in the first embodiment and the cladding (09) are integrally formed into one piece. Therefore, the height (H) of the cladding (09) on top of the core (02) is slightly smaller than a sum of the scattering body, thickness of the arcuate top face (10) and the thickness of the mediate portion (11) in the embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 and is 14mm. The width L of the arcuate top face (10) is 8mm.
Still another embodiment is seen in Figs. 7 and 8, wherein a passage(091) is defined in the cladding (090) on top of the core (02). Due to the scattering effect of air inside the passage (091) being inferior to the scattering body (08) in the frst embodiment, the height (H) of the cladding (090) on top of the core (02) should be larger than the height (H) in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 5 and 6.
With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, another embodiment shows that the core (02) and the cladding (09), as shown in the previous embodiments, are integrally formed into one piece. Thereafter, axial holes (03) are spatially defined in the tubular light to receive therein LEDs.
With reference to Fig. 11, after the tubular light of the present invention is formed, a clamp (30) may be applied to fasten the tubular light on a board (31). Because the opposite sides of the cladding (09) are coated with the opaque layer (141), light beams from
9 the LEDs can only be emitted from the arcuate top face (10) of the cladding (09), which is able to emit a continuous and soft light beam the same as a neon light. On top of the core (02), there may have an inverted trapezoidal space such that the two mutually inclined side walls of the inverted trapezoid converge the light from the LEDs.
Consequently, the top face
Consequently, the top face
(10) of the cladding (09) is much brighter when compared with the conventional tubular light as shown in Fig. 12. The three cross sectional views, A1-A1, B1-B1, C1-C1 respectively represent the first, the second and the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
With reference to Fig. 13, the tubular light of the present invention is employed to simulate a neon light with the form of the word "OPEN". When in application, the tubular light is suitably cut to have appropriate length respectively.
Then the clamp (30) is used to firmly secure the sections of the tubular light onto the board (31). From the top face (10) of the tubular light, it is noted that the light is continuous so as to emit a soft and continuous lighting effect which is the same as that emitted from a neon light. Furthermore, due to the simple production process, the manufacture cost is low and there is no problem to mass production.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
With reference to Fig. 13, the tubular light of the present invention is employed to simulate a neon light with the form of the word "OPEN". When in application, the tubular light is suitably cut to have appropriate length respectively.
Then the clamp (30) is used to firmly secure the sections of the tubular light onto the board (31). From the top face (10) of the tubular light, it is noted that the light is continuous so as to emit a soft and continuous lighting effect which is the same as that emitted from a neon light. Furthermore, due to the simple production process, the manufacture cost is low and there is no problem to mass production.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (8)
1. A tubular light comprising:
a core (02) made of a soft material and having multiple axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) defined in one side of the core (02); two connection wires (01a,01b) received in the other side of the core (02) to be opposite to positions of the axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d);
multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) (04a,04b) respectively received in the axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) and connected to the two connection wires (01a,01b) for electrical connection;
a scattering body (08) formed on top of the core (02) and on top of the LEDs (04a,04b) for scattering light beams from the LEDs (04a,04b); and a cladding (09) enclosing the scattering body (08) and the core (02) and having an arcuate top face (10) for emission of light beams of the LEDs (04a,04b).
a core (02) made of a soft material and having multiple axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) defined in one side of the core (02); two connection wires (01a,01b) received in the other side of the core (02) to be opposite to positions of the axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d);
multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) (04a,04b) respectively received in the axial holes (03a,03b,03c,03d) and connected to the two connection wires (01a,01b) for electrical connection;
a scattering body (08) formed on top of the core (02) and on top of the LEDs (04a,04b) for scattering light beams from the LEDs (04a,04b); and a cladding (09) enclosing the scattering body (08) and the core (02) and having an arcuate top face (10) for emission of light beams of the LEDs (04a,04b).
2. The tubular light as claimed in claim 1, wherein an opaque layer (141) is formed on the cladding (09) to stop penetration of light beams of the LEDs (04a,04b) so as to enhance the emission of light beams out of the arcuate top face (10) of the cladding (09).
3. The tubular light as claimed in claim 2, wherein a converter is added to change current to the LEDs (04a,04b) from alternate current to direct current.
4. The tubular light as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a converter (15) to change alternate current to direct current for the LEDs (04a,04b).
5. The tubular light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scattering body (08) and the cladding are integrally formed.
6. The tubular light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scattering body (08) is made of translucent PVC®.
7. The tubular light as claimed in claim 5, wherein the scattering body (08) is a passage.
8. The tubular light as claimed in claim 1, wherein on top of the core an inverted trapezoidal space is formed therein to converge light from the LEDs.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2004/001162 WO2006039839A1 (en) | 2004-10-12 | 2004-10-12 | A flexible tubular light |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2579466A1 CA2579466A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
| CA2579466C true CA2579466C (en) | 2009-12-22 |
Family
ID=36148035
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002579466A Expired - Fee Related CA2579466C (en) | 2004-10-12 | 2004-10-12 | A flexible tubular light |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AT (1) | AT10294U1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2579466C (en) |
| HU (1) | HU3450U (en) |
| IL (1) | IL181954A (en) |
| RO (1) | RO122649B1 (en) |
| TR (1) | TR200701911T1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006039839A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2578648B2 (en) * | 1988-07-27 | 1997-02-05 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Linear light source |
| JP3018016B2 (en) * | 1996-10-01 | 2000-03-13 | エイテックス株式会社 | Display device manufacturing method |
| US6592238B2 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2003-07-15 | Light Technologies, Inc. | Illumination device for simulation of neon lighting |
-
2004
- 2004-10-12 RO ROA200700252A patent/RO122649B1/en unknown
- 2004-10-12 TR TR2007/01911T patent/TR200701911T1/en unknown
- 2004-10-12 CA CA002579466A patent/CA2579466C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-10-12 HU HU20040700074U patent/HU3450U/en unknown
- 2004-10-12 WO PCT/CN2004/001162 patent/WO2006039839A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-10-12 AT AT0900904U patent/AT10294U1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2007
- 2007-03-15 IL IL181954A patent/IL181954A/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IL181954A (en) | 2010-05-17 |
| AT10294U1 (en) | 2008-12-15 |
| HU3450U (en) | 2008-07-28 |
| HU0700074V0 (en) | 2007-06-28 |
| CA2579466A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
| WO2006039839A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 |
| RO122649B1 (en) | 2009-10-30 |
| TR200701911T1 (en) | 2007-05-21 |
| IL181954A0 (en) | 2007-07-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20171012 |