Abstract:
A novel lamp assembly adaptable for numerous types of uses; the assembly consisting of a row of mini-lamps wired in parallel electrical circuit, the circuit and lamps being held in the manner of a sandwich between two lengths of flexible tapes which can be secured along any objects so to provide a row of illuminated lights when the circuit is connected to a power source.
Application Number:
05/487789
Publication Date:
07/08/1975
Other Classes:
439/56, 174/117A, 439/492, 40/541, 428/7, 362/389, 40/594
International Classes:
F21S4/00; G09F13/28; H05K1/18; H05K3/28; G09F13/00; F21V21/08; F21S1/14
Field of Search:
240/1R,2R,2AD,2B,9R,1R,1T,52R,59,6.4W 339/17F,157C 40/13D,13N,132R,125A 174/117A,117F,117FF
US Patent References:
| 2378075 | Safety traffic signal belt | June 1945 | Freeshan | |
| 3214579 | Christmas tree lighting systems | October 1965 | Pacini | |
| 3500036 | DECORATIVE STRIP LIGHTING | March 1970 | Szentveni | |
| 3524921 | TWO-LEAD STRIP CABLE AND SLIDING CONNECTOR THEREFOR | August 1970 | Wolf | |
| 3641333 | ILLUMINATED BELT | February 1972 | Gendron | |
| 3714414 | ORNAMENTAL LIGHTING MEANS | January 1973 | Sternius | |
| 3836759 | SAFETY LIGHT CIRCUIT | September 1974 | Silverman | |
Primary Examiner:
Peters Jr., Joseph F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Miller, Richard L.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. In a tape-lamp assembly, the combination of a length of tape, and a row of mini-lamps along said tape, said mini-lamps being in a parallel electrical circuit, said tape comprises a pair of adjacent tape members between which said circuit is contained, said tape members being secured together by suitable adhesive therebetween, said tape members are each made of flexible transparent plastic and at least one said tape members has a row of openings therethrough and in each of which one of said mini-lamps is located.
2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein suitable adhesive means is applied on at least one outer side of said tape for securement to any of various objects such as wood, glass or the like.
Description:
This invention relates to electrically illuminated displays.
A principle object of the present invention is to provide tape-lamps in which a length of tape can be applied to any object, the tape having a row of electric mini-lamps so to serve as a quick and easily constructed electrically illuminated display.
Another object is to provide tape-lamps in which the tape can be retailed rolled up in rolls, so that in practical use, a consumer can tear off any length of tape as desired for use.
Yet another object is to provide tape-lamps wherein the invention is adaptable as a decorative Christmas decoration around a window frame, a fence, and round tree limbs; and which is adaptable as an illuminating garment decoration such as along a ladies belt, coat collars and hems or the like.
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.
To the accomplsihment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail thereof showing its construction.
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged cross sectional view through line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows one specific application of the invention.
Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a tape-lamp assembly according to the present invention wherein there is an electric circuit 11 consisting of a row of mini-lamps 12 connected in parallel by means of thin wiring 13.
The circuit 11 together with the mini-lamps 12 are enclosed, sandwich-like between a pair of bendable, translucent, plastic tape members 14 and 15, one of which has a suitable adhesive means 16 applied on one side thereof, so that after enclosing the circuit and mini-lamps, the tape members are firmly secured together so to form in combination a tape 17 that for practical purposes can be sold rolled up in rolls 18 from which any desired amount can be unrolled and cut off for use, whenever wished.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a row of small openings 19 are provided either on one or both tape members 14 and 15 for each containing one of the mini-lamps, and allowing light rays from the exposed mini-lamps to radiate outward.
In use, a desired length of tape 17 is unrolled and cut off. One end edge 20 of the tape members 14 and 15 are rolled back or skinned off so to expose the positive and negative wire leads 21 and 22 in order that they may be electrically connected to an electric power source of very low voltage that is suitable for the mini-lamps.
As shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the tape-lamps can serve to decorate a window frame 23 or the like. Likewise, the tape can be made suitable to form illuminated lettering as suggested at 24 on the window glass 25 of the same Figure.
It is understood that tapes 17 may be made with pressure sensitive adhesive on one or both outer sides for quick and easy application.
The mini-lamps may be provided in multiple colors, or in same colors on a tape. The tape-lamps can be plugged into battery packs or through a suitable transformer to a household electric outlet socket.
Thus a useful tape-lamp construction is provided.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.