Neon light system

Abstract

A neon light system for extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products. The neon light system includes a container having an interior portion, a volume of fluid filler positioned within the interior portion, and a length of glass tubing positioned within the fluid filler. The filler is allowed to harden with only portions of the glass tubing exposed above the upper surface of the filler thereby creating the display or sign utilizing neon lighting methods.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to neon lights and more specifically it relates to a neon light system for extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Neon lighting systems have been in use for years. Conventional neon lighting systems are comprised a length of glass tubing that contains the neon gas supported at specific points by support members.

[0005] The main problem with conventional neon lighting systems is that they are easily damaged or broken during shipping from one location to another. A further problem with conventional neon lighting systems is that they are easily damaged during normal usage and display when impacted. Another problem with conventional neon lighting systems is that the glass tubing is only supported at specific points along the glass tubing thereby significantly increasing the effective force upon these specific points which results in breakage of the glass tubing. Another problem with conventional neon lighting systems is that they require portions of the glass tubing to be blocked out which can be difficult to accomplish and requires significant amounts of time and labor.

[0006] Examples of patented devices which are illustrative of such prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,762 to Hartai; U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,521 to Szatkowski; U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,927 to English, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,509 to Insley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,190 to Hirsch et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,655 to Barsky.

[0007] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products. Conventional neon lighting systems do not provide adequate support to the length of glass tubing to prevent damage thereto during usage.

[0008] In these respects, the neon light system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of neon lighting systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new neon light system construction wherein the same can be utilized for extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products.

[0010] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new neon light system that has many of the advantages of the neon lighting systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new neon light system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art neon lighting systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0011] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a container having an interior portion, a volume of fluid filler positioned within the interior portion, and a length of glass tubing positioned within the fluid filler. The filler is allowed to harden with only portions of the glass tubing exposed above the upper surface of the filler thereby creating the display or sign utilizing neon lighting methods.

[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a neon light system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0015] A second object is to provide a neon light system for extending the useful life and durability of neon lighting products.

[0016] Another object is to provide a neon light system that significantly reduces specific stress points along the length of glass tubing.

[0017] An additional object is to provide a neon light system that allows neon lighting products to be shipped without damage to the glass tubing.

[0018] A further object is to provide a neon light system that eliminates the need to “blackout” portions of the glass tubing not desired to be illuminated.

[0019] Another object is to provide a neon light system that completely eliminates any undesirable emitted light.

[0020] A further object is to provide a neon light system that requires less repairs than conventional neon lighting devices.

[0021] Another object is to provide a neon light system that is virtually tamper proof by third parties.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] To the accomplishment 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the container.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view illustrating the glass tubing partially exposed above the surface of the filler.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one method of manufacturing the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a neon light system 10, which comprises a container 20 having an interior portion 22, a volume of fluid filler 30 positioned within the interior portion 22, and a length of glass tubing 40 positioned within the fluid filler 30. The filler 30 is allowed to harden with only portions of the glass tubing 40 exposed above the upper surface of the filler 30 thereby creating the display or sign utilizing neon lighting methods.

[0032] The container 20 has an interior portion 22 as best illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The container 20 may be comprised of any material such as but not limited to metal, wood, plastic or the like. The container 20 may also have any shape such as but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, triangular, hexagonal and the like. The depth of the container 20 may also vary depending upon the volume of filler 30 desired to be utilized, however a depth less than four inches is typically required to accept most glass tubing 40 for neon lighting.

[0033] The length of glass tubing 40 is comprised of conventional neon tubing and is filled with the desired neon glass. The glass tubing 40 is manipulated into the desired shape with the portions of the glass tubing 40 desired to be “exposed” above the upper surface of the filler 30 at a height greater than the portions of the glass tubing 40 desired to be “covered” as is illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Utilizing conventional neon glass manufacturing methods the glass tubing 40 is formed into the desired shape to form a design or message. One or more supports 50 may be utilized to support the glass tubing 40 a finite distance above a floor of the container 20 as is illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

[0034] The filler 30 is comprised of a material that is initially in fluid form which hardens over a period of time. The filler 30 may be comprised of a foam or silicon material. The filler 30 may be comprised of but not limited to polyurethane, silicone, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. The filler 30 preferably has an opaque structure for preventing the emission of light from the lower portions of the glass tubing 40 that are positioned below the upper surface of the filler 30.

[0035] There are two possible methods of constructing the present invention. Both methods require the manipulating of the glass tubing 40 into a desired shape, design or message with the desired illuminated portions of the glass tubing 40 at a height greater than the non-illuminated portions as illustrated in FIG. 5. After the glass tubing 40 is properly formed, the user then fills the interior portion 22 of the container 20 to a desired level with the fluid filler 30 and then positions the glass tubing 40 into filler 30. The user may adjust the relative elevation of portions of the glass tubing 40 to ensure that the desired portions of the glass tubing 40 are exposed above the upper surface of the filler 30 while maintaining specific portions below the upper surface of the filler 30 as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. It can be appreciated that the user could first position the glass tubing 40 within the interior portion 22 of the container 20 prior to pouring the filler 30 into the container 20. The portions of the glass tubing 40 that are exposed above the upper surface of the filler 30 preferably have at least 50% of their exposed above the upper surface of the filler 30 preferably have at least 50% of their surface exposed however it can be appreciated that unique narrower designs may be created by exposing less than 50% of the glass tubing 40. It can be appreciated that 100% of the upper portion of the glass tubing 40 may be exposed above the upper surface of the filler 30 to create various visual effects. The user then allows the filler 30 to harden thereby fully supporting the entire length of the glass tubing 40 within a rigid structure with no pressure points.

[0036] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0037] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A neon light system, comprising:

a container having an interior portion;

a glass tubing having at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion positioned within said interior portion of said container; and

a filler within said container surrounding said glass tubing, wherein said filler completely encompasses said lower portion.

2. The neon light system of claim 1, wherein said filler partially encompasses said upper portion of said glass tubing.

3. The neon light system of claim 2, wherein said filler encompasses at least 30% of said upper portion of said glass tubing.

4. The neon light system of claim 3, wherein said filler is opaque.

5. The neon light system of claim 4, including at least one support attached to said glass tubing within said filler.

6. The neon light system of claim 5, wherein said filler is comprised of a rigid material.

7. The neon light system of claim 6, wherein said upper portion of said glass tubing forms a design.

8. The neon light system of claim 7, wherein said upper portion includes a slanted portion that tapers into said filler.

9. A method of manufacturing a neon light device, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a container having an interior portion;

(b) pouring a filler into said interior portion to a desired level, wherein said filler is comprised of an opaque material that becomes rigid; and

(c) positioning a glass tubing within said filler, wherein said glass tubing includes at least one upper portion that is at least partially exposed above an upper level of said filler and at least one lower portion that is completely submerged within said filler.

10. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 9, including the step of:

(d) adjusting an elevation of said glass tubing within said filler.

11. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 10, wherein said step (d) of adjusting said elevation includes positioning at least one support between said glass tubing and a floor of said container.

12. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 11, including the step of:

(e) allowing said filler to harden.

13. A method of manufacturing a neon light device, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a container having an interior portion;

(b) positioning a glass tubing within said interior portion, wherein said glass tubing includes at least one upper portion that is at least partially exposed above an upper level of a filler and at least one lower portion that is completely submerged within said filler; and

(c) pouring said filler into said interior portion to said upper level, wherein said filler is comprised of an opaque material that becomes rigid.

14. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 13, including the step of:

(d) adjusting an elevation of said glass tubing within said filler.

15. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 14, wherein said step (d) of adjusting said elevation includes positioning at least one support between said glass tubing and a floor of said container.

16. The method of manufacturing a neon light device of claim 15, including the step of:

(e) allowing said filler to harden.