Electroluminescent Patents (Class 40/544)
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Publication number: 20020095838Abstract: A table top novelty display item consist of a liquid filled chamber having a transparent curved front wall 10 and a transparent rear wall 11. An electro-luminescent display panel 15 is driven by an electrical circuit 16 to produce a varying visual effect. The item includes a music chip 18 and a loudspeaker 19.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Golden Peak Plastic Works LimitedInventor: Shing-Wah Yu
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Patent number: 6424088Abstract: Signs including electroluminescent lamps are described. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, electroluminescent lamps are coupled to a sign by first forming a rear electrode on a front surface of the sign. After forming the rear electrode on the sign, a dielectric layer is screen printed over the rear electrode, and a phosphor layer is screen printed over the dielectric layer. A layer of indium tin oxide ink is then screen printed to the phosphor layer to form an EL lamp.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Lumimove, Inc.Inventor: Matthew M. Murasko
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Patent number: 6416196Abstract: The key comprises a raised pressure and command part (1), carrying at least one character label, and means of illuminating the character label. The means of illumination comprise a light-emitting illumination layer (10) located in the base of the raised pressure and command part (1) and extended laterally either by electrical contacts or by electrical connection tracks (12, 13). To manufacture the key, the illumination layer is put in place after having printed the character by serigraphy onto a film which has been stamped out. The invention is used in the production of keypads.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: QwertecInventors: Joël Lemarchand, Martial Cahagne
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Patent number: 6367180Abstract: An illuminated sign, readable during the night or day, and suitable for use as a house number display, uses a single illuminatable panel, on which a number of stencils are plac critical flicker frequency ed. Each stencil is a rectangular piece of opaque material, such as plastic or metal, in which a central cutout is made in the shape of a number. Several of these stencils are arrayed in front of the illuminatable panel, so that only the light coming through the central cutouts is visible through the stencils. The illuminatable panel is made of an array of LED's, with a diffuser to produce a uniform illumination, and is powered by one or more batteries. A light detector senses the onset of dusk, which activates the illuminatable panel, turning it on, and leaving it on for four or more hours. A constant-current electronic system powers the LEDs, which are pulsed on and off at a speed greater than 90 Hz, which makes the sign appear to the human eye as constantly illuminated.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Inventors: Richard S. Weiss, Richard Eckhardt, Sol Aisenberg
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Publication number: 20020029503Abstract: A luminous cup pad with amusement function is characterized in that it comprises a pad plate, a transparent shell and a base plate, the base plate has a cell box for placing cells, is fitted with horn, and switch, multiple light-emitting diodes and their corresponding driving circuit are fitted at the periphery of the transparent shell, the luminous cup pad will not only enhance the cup pad with a sense of beauty, but also provide people with choice of various functions, and may bring about moving sense of brilliance, static sense of pleasing to both the eye and the mind and rhythmic sense of music; and may also be played as a game fulling of joy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventor: Man Kuen Lam
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Publication number: 20010049893Abstract: A luminaire comprises a relatively thin and flat light-emitting panel (1) having a light-emitting window (2) and, opposite said light-emitting window, a rear wall (3) with opposed edge surfaces (4, 14). At least one of the edge surfaces (4) is light transmitting and associated with a plurality of light sources (5, 5′, 5″, . . . ). Light originating from the light sources (5, 5′, 5″, . . . ) is spread in the panel (1). The invention is characterized in that a plurality of deformities (7, 7′, 7″, . . . ; 8, 8′, . . . ) is provided in the panel (1) for extracting light from the panel (1) via the light emission window (2). The deformities (7, 7′, 7″, . . . ; 8, 8′, . . . ) are clustered so as to form at least one light symbol (27; 28). The configuration of the clusters (17; 18) of deformities (7, 7′, 7″, . . . ; 8, 8′, . . . ) corresponds to the shape of the light symbol (27; 28).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2001Publication date: December 13, 2001Inventors: Theodorus Mattheus Maria Maas, Jelle Hilbrand Schuurmans, Constance J. E. Saalberg-Seppen, Edwin Van Lier
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Publication number: 20010042329Abstract: Signs including electroluminescent lamps are described. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the electroluminescent system has an electroluminescent lamp releasably and fixedly mateable with a slide connector to provide electrical energy for the light system.. The electroluminescent lamp includes a substrate, a rear electrode, a dielectric layer, a phosphor layer, a conductive layer, and a front electrode. The lamp further includes a tab interconnect tab portion, which receives the leads from the rear electrode and front electrode, and is configured to be releasably and fixedly mated with the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: Matthew Murasko, Clarence H. Duttlinger
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Publication number: 20010018809Abstract: An integrated electroluminescent display device includes: at least one illumination assembly formed by a first set of layers, the illumination assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, a layer of electroluminescent material disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a plurality of conductive leads connected to corresponding ones of the first and second electrodes, the first electrode being translucent; a printed circuit layer having a plurality of conductive segments connected to corresponding ones of the first and second electrodes via the conductive leads; and an electronic component layer including electronic components having electrical contacts connected to corresponding ones of the segments of the printed circuit layer, the electronic components providing for selective illumination of the illumination assembly, the printed circuit layer is disposed in a substantially parallel and contiguous relationship with the first set of layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventors: George W. Heropoulos, Tamas L. Torma
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Publication number: 20010013185Abstract: A illuminated safety guide is made up of a fixture including a housing and a super thin lighting element in the form of an electro-luminescent strip, a photo-luminescent panel, or a combination of an electro-luminescent strip and PL panel. When the EL strip and PL panel are combined, the resulting illuminated safety guide can still be seen even when power to the EL strip is cut-off, the patterns formed by the EL and PL strips being negatives of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 1998Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventor: TSENG LU CHIEN
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Patent number: 6234641Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a one-piece unit for retrofitting back-lit incandescent or compact fluorescent, LED, and EL signs with electroluminescent (EL) panels, or for fitting new signs with EL panels. The EL unit comprises an EL lamp attached to a diffuser, a connection module which may have built-in surge protection and which is connected to first and second electrical connection leads, or traces, of the EL lamp and heat wrapped in place by heat shrink tubing to ensure a stable connection, and at least two electrical connection lead wires extending from the connection module for attachment to one or more power sources. The connection module is selected based on the AC and/or DC voltage of the power supply in the location to be fitted or retrofitted. Another embodiment of the invention is a kit which may include the EL unit, wire nuts, adhesive mountings, and instruction sheets.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Inventor: Kenneth R. Ungard
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Patent number: 6216373Abstract: A luminescent jigsaw picture or pattern mainly comprises a frame body with a plurality of conductive circuits aligned in sequence of a negative circuit comes after a positive or vice versa, wherein a wiring box and a multistage switch are disposed in the frame body for selecting and conductively jointing a pair of conductive circuits. A plurality of luminescent jigsaw pieces is attached to a translucent pattern or picture in the frame body, and under the pattern, a transparent conductive layer, a lightening layer, an insulation layer, and another conductive layer are disposed sequentially, wherein light emitted from the lightening layer permeates the translucent material to display the pattern on the outermost face to form a light picture.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Inventor: Ching-Shin Liao
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Patent number: 6205690Abstract: A panel, page or substrate is provided having a tier of electroluminescent (EL) material which forms a pattern corresponding to a series of images. When illuminated in accord with a predetermined sequence, the series of images provide an illusion of movement. A sound generator is provided to produce a predetermined audible response associated with the predetermined sequence. One or more flexible membrane switches are coupled to simultaneously activate both the EL material and the sound generator when depressed. A layer bearing a plurality of icons, with each of said plurality of icons being associated with one of a first and second set of icons. The first set of icons is adapted to be viewable with an unaided eye on a continuous basis, and the second set of icons comprises the pattern of the EL material and are selectively viewable with the unaided eye, when the EL material illuminates.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1996Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: XS Energy International, Inc.Inventors: George W. Heropoulos, Tamas L. Torma
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Patent number: 6203391Abstract: Signs including electroluminescent lamps are described. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, electroluminescent lamps are coupled to a sign by first forming a rear electrode on a front surface of the sign. After forming the rear electrode on the sign, a dielectric layer is screen printed over the rear electrode, and a phosphor layer is screen printed over the dielectric layer. A layer of indium tin oxide ink is then screen printed to the phosphor layer to form an EL lamp.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Lumimove Company, MO L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew M. Murasko
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Patent number: 6173517Abstract: A luminous display element having a light line positioned within a light-housing. The light line includes a series of SMD-LED-components arranged on a carrier material. On either end of the carrier material are connection elements which allow the carrier material to connect to other lights. The light-housing has a non-rectangular cross-section, and its length is multiple times its height. Depending upon the desired form of illumination, the light line can be arranged either within the light-housing, or outside the light-housing and extend along its longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: osa Elektronik GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Eibner, Wolf Albrecht, Hartmut Illner
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Patent number: 6166856Abstract: The present invention provides a self light-emitting retroreflective sheet including a light-transmitting retroreflective element including a plurality of prismatic projections, a lining film, and an electroluminescence device. The lining film includes a light-transmitting film which has sealing projections on one of its surfaces so that the prismatic projections are confined within a plurality of sealed cells formed by the sealing projections. In the sealed cells, a surface of the prismatic projections interface with air so as to increase light-emitting luminance and improve its uniformity.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yoshinori Araki, Hidetoshi Abe, Kazumi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6142643Abstract: Electroluminescent retroreflective article comprising: (a) a retroreflective member comprising (1) a cube corner member having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface having a plurality of cube corner elements protruding therefrom and (2) a seal film bonded to the back surface having a first surface oriented toward the cube corner elements and a second surface oriented away from the cube corner elements; and (b) an electroluminescent element bonded to the second surface of the seal film such that the electroluminescent element emits light incident to the seal film.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yoshinori Araki, Hidetoshi Abe
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Patent number: 6076294Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes. An opaque material covers the back face of the photoconductive plate, at least where the back face is visible through the front face thereof, except where the photoconductive plate is inset so as to define the indicia.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Lumenids, Ltd.Inventor: Martin J. Durbin
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Patent number: 6058635Abstract: A door frame construction 10 including a hollow generally inverted U-shaped door frame member 20 having a pair of side channels 21, 22, and an overhead channel 23 provided with a plurality of illuminated exit sign units 12 and an emergency light unit 13. The exit sign units 12 and the emergency light unit 13 are electrically connected to one another by electrical wiring 101 disposed within the hollow door frame member 20 to provide integrated exit signage into the door frame member 20.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Inventor: Raymond T. Morris
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Patent number: 6050010Abstract: An internally illuminatable card having an electroluminescent panel, an image overlay on at least one surface of the electroluminescent panel, and a plurality of power contacts in electrical communication with the electroluminescent panel and accessible through at least one surface of the card, and a card lighter wherein electrical energy sufficient to illuminate the electroluminescent panel is selectively coupled to the electroluminescent panel via the power contacts upon energization by the card switch terminal occurring after contact is established between the power contacts and the card lighter. The card lighter includes a housing, a power supply, a plurality of lighter contacts, and a delay mechanism for reducing arcing when the card is inserted into the card lighter. The power supply can be adapted so as to cause a card inserted into the lighter to flash or to cause the hue and intensity of the light emitted from the inserted card to alternate between two states.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Lightworks JRJ Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Garcia, David E. Gerry, John McMahon, John Nakama
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Patent number: 6036336Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) retrofit lamp with locking swivel mount that mounts into a threaded screw-in electrical socket of a traffic signal. The LED lamp includes a socket housing, a printed circuit board and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The socket housing has a lower end terminating in a threaded base for insertion into a threaded screw-in electrical socket. The printed circuit board is rotatably mounted to the socket housing. The plurality of light emitting diodes is mounted on the printed circuit in such a manner that they form a symbol image, such as an arrow, a pedestrian walking, a hand, a letter or even words. The printed circuit board is rotatable relative to the socket housing for rotation of the symbol image formed by the light emitting diodes to a desired rotational orientation relative to the socket housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Inventor: Chen H. Wu
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Patent number: 6034481Abstract: An apparatus displaying a sequence of images on an electroluminescent lamp is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electroluminescent lamp, a plurality of trace leads, and an overlay adjacent to the electroluminescent lamp. The lamp has a front electrode and a plurality of pixels, the pixels being independently illuminable portions of the lamp, and each pixel includes an electroluminescent material and a rear electrode. The trace leads are connected to the rear electrodes, with each rear electrode connected to one trace lead and each trace lead connected to more than one rear electrode. The overlay has a translucent or transparent material and a plurality of images interwoven together on the translucent or transparent material. Each image corresponds to selected pixels on the lamp. Power supplied to the front electrode and selected rear electrodes creates an electric field therebetween, whereby pixels to which power is supplied are illuminated to display an image.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Add-Vision, Inc.Inventor: Bryan D. Haynes
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Patent number: 6026602Abstract: An internally illuminated sign having indirect illumination provided by light emitting diodes (LED). A plurality of LED's are mounted on a printed circuit board (PC board) and mounted within the sign. The PC board is offset to a side of the sign housing with the somewhat directional LED light source directed toward a reflector. The reflector is angled to convert the generally narrow directional light source of an LED into a substantially even, diffused and non-uniform light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Prolume, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Grondal, Robert M. Johnstone
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Patent number: 6023869Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a centerline and having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Lumenids, Ltd.Inventor: Martin J. Durbin
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Patent number: 5829063Abstract: The present invention provides a type of luminescent cap that possesses a function for replacing patterns. A frame that allows placement of objects is securely installed on the front edge of the cap. A luminescent board that emits luminescence and a pattern card are inserted in the frame that allows placement of objects. The luminescence emitted by said luminescent board can, through the transparent position of the pattern card, produce the effect of a luminescent pattern. Users are also able, according to need, to remove and replace pattern cards of different patterns, causing the cap to have greater practical value.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Inventor: Tong-Hsin Cheng
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Patent number: 5813748Abstract: A transaction tray comprises a tray portion and a hinged lid portion. The tray portion has a transaction compartment and a storage compartment, and lighting means associated with the transaction compartment. The lid portion has a flat outer surface and a parallel inner surface. A first transparent window is provided in the outer surface of the lid and a second transparent window in the inner surface. A first translucent advertising substrate is displayed in the first window and a second translucent advertising substrate is displayed in the second window. A lighting means is provided between the first and second translucent substrates whereby the transaction tray will be lit by the lighting means and the translucent advertising substrates will be displayed and backlit from both sides of the hinged lid.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventor: Peter Nicholas Maxymych
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Patent number: 5811930Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp unit includes a flat deformable substrate of preselected size having smaller sheet-form flexible electroluminescent lamps secured face-to-face at preselected positions on a surface of the substrate, the lamps connected with conductive traces on the substrate. The flat substrate with secured lamps can be deformed into a desired shape to provide a relatively inexpensive and reliable electroluminescent lamp unit applicable for a wide variety of applications. The flexible electroluminescent lamps of the unit can be individually addressable and may have different colors or intensities. A method of manufacture of such units employs surface mount technology in an automated version, pick and place robots select and place the lamps as instructed, followed by ultrasonic welding or mechanical or adhesive fastening.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Durel CorporationInventors: Robert J. Krafcik, Douglas T. Wheeler, Walter J. Paciorek, Ralph McGuigan, Rodney T. Eckersley, Dee Lynn Johnson, Harold T. Munson
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Patent number: 5778579Abstract: An interlocking display panel assembly comprises a pair of end elements for attachment to a supporting surface, at least one intermediate element having an indicia displaying surface locatable in an interlocking relationship between the end elements to form an integral planar assembly, illumination devices in the intermediate elements. Each element interlocks with an adjacent element by means of a tongue-and-groove arrangement, male and female portions of the tongue-and-groove arrangements on opposite sides of the intermediate elements being arranged in a complementary manner so that as many intermediate elements can be fitted together in a row as desired. Respective contacts are provided on opposing surfaces of adjacent interlocking elements so as to transfer electrical power between adjacent elements. One of the end elements includes a device for providing power to the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Inventor: Shu Wing Yuen
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Patent number: 5779346Abstract: An electroluminescent night light which provides a single color or multi-colored display. The display is achieved by depositing, onto a conductive layer by screen printing means, a single film or one or more discrete phosphor characters of the same or different color. Also included is a novel construction feature, specifically, a `wrap` around means for securely joining the electroluminescent lamp to the plug assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Dynamic Brilliance CorporationInventor: David M. Burke
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Patent number: 5775016Abstract: A illuminated safety guide is made up of a fixture including a housing and a super thin lighting element in the form of an electro-luminescent strip, a photo-luminescent panel, or a combination of an electro-luminescent strip and PL panel. When the EL strip and PL panel are combined, the resulting illuminated safety guide can still be seen even when power to the EL strip is cut-off, the patterns formed by the EL and PL strips being negatives of each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
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Patent number: 5771617Abstract: A display device that is incorporated into a building structure includes at least one rigid block composed of a robust grindable composition. The block has at least one light emitting device molded therein, the light emitting device being electrically connected to a power source to enable illumination of the light emitting device when in use. The light emitting device is visible from at least one surface of the block for providing at least one illuminated display surface in use. The block is incorporated within the building structure such that the display surface is exposed at and protrudes from at least one surface of the building structure. At least one surface of the block is ground to render visible the light emitting device for providing the display surface and to render the surface substantially non-slippery so as to prevent an object in contact with the display surface from slipping thereon in use. A method of making the display device is further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Gradus LimitedInventor: Paul Baker
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Patent number: 5726953Abstract: An electroluminescent ("EL") lamp has EL material sandwiched between front and back conductive layers, which are disposed on a transparent substrate. The indiciae are formed from ink or other material deposited on the second surface of the front conductive layer, thereby completely burying the indicia within the EL lamp. The material may be transparent or colored, conductive or insulating, or made with an EL phosphor. The buried indicia provide sufficient contrast, when viewed with the EL lamp in an illuminated or non-illuminated state, to be seen. The present invention also describes a method for fabrication of such EL lamps.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Metro-Mark, IncorporatedInventors: Bradley J. LaPointe, David G. Sime
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Patent number: 5709045Abstract: An electroluminescent identification device includes an enclosure which supports a variety of opaque alpha-numeric characters, a luminescent lamp which highlights the characters, and an electronic circuit which converts the alternating voltage typically used in doorbell electrical circuits to the higher alternating frequencies required to energize the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Inventor: Brian L. Thelen
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Patent number: 5692327Abstract: An improved illuminated license plate comprising a support, an electroluminescent sheet, and a facing sheet. The support includes a rigid, nonopaque plate. The rigid support plate has a front surface and a back surface. An electroluminescent sheet is mounted on the back surface of the support plate, preferably in a recess provided in the back surface for such purposes. The facing sheet is nontransparent and is affixed to the front surface of the support plate. The facing sheet also has indicia perforated therethrough such that light emitted by the electroluminescent sheet passes through the perforated indicia illuminating the perforated indicia in contrast to the facing sheet. Preferably, the novel license plates also comprise optional colored translucent sheets mounted on the support plate between the electroluminescent sheet and the facing sheet to vary the apparent color of the light emitted by the electroluminescent sheet. Also, the facing sheet preferably is suitable as a substrate for printed indicia.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Illuminating Cars Uniquely, Ltd.Inventors: Eric D. Wynne, Doyle P. Skinner, Jeffrey S. Williams
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Patent number: 5646481Abstract: An EL lamp having a transparent front electrode is overprinted with an opaque graphic having the same color as the phosphor in the lamp. A translucent coating over the graphic is clear or tinted. The graphic is visible only when the lamp is lit. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a second graphic, visible whether or not the lamp is lit, is overprinted on the lamp. The second graphic has a color perceptibly different from the color of the phosphor and is opaque, transparent, or any opacity between opaque and transparent.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Inventor: Charles I. Zovko
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Patent number: 5641221Abstract: A lighted display field for writing, symbols or the like, is provided on a wall part, for example, a door entrance strip of a vehicle. The wall part includes openings forming the writing or the symbols. A luminous foil is mounted on the covered side of the wall part and is visible through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AGInventors: Wolfgang Schindele, Stefan Kuerth
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Patent number: 5638151Abstract: A back-lighted clap board or slate used with the identification of rolls, takes and scenes and like information in the making of films that is back-lit with an electroluminescent panel. In addition, a liquid crystal display is formed on the clap board in front of the electroluminescent panel so that the liquid crystal display is back-lit and made visible and thus in dark or semidark conditions will be energized and back-lit with the light from the electroluminescent panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1996Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Inventor: Philip N. Berardi
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Patent number: 5621991Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp and associated method for manufacturing the same having coplanar contact pads, thereby allowing the lamp to be positioned at any point along a conductive bus bar. The lamp includes a base nonconductive film having an electrically conductive coating. A first layer of illuminative material is screen printed on to the base film. A second layer of insulative material is applied over the first layer of illuminative material. A third layer comprised of a conductive ink coating is then screen printed over the second layer of insulative material in inlaid fashion. An insulative coating is then applied over the third layer of conductive material to effectively seal the first, second, and third layers between the base nonconductive film and the insulative coating. First and second coplanar contact pads are then formed on the lamp for electrically connecting the lamp to a power supply. The first electrical conductive contact pad is electrically connected to the base film conductive coating.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: Stan-TechInventor: Thomas L. Gustafson
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Patent number: 5572817Abstract: A multi-color illuminated panel is made up of a decorative frontsheet having windows cut therein and which may include decorative patterns printed thereon, a transparent supporting sheet, which may also have decorative printing thereon, and a pre-wired backsheet in the form of a printed circuit board having multiple individual electro-luminescent light panel segments of different colors affixed thereto and electrically connected to traces on the circuit board, the electro-luminescent light segments of different colors emitting light which shines through corresponding windows and thereby provides a spectacular multi-color lighting effect.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1994Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventor: Tseng L. Chien
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Patent number: 5566384Abstract: A Moving vehicle illuminated sign incorporated with D.C. power supply, electric circuit, function control circuit, electroluminescent light strip, switch, housing. Stick on vehicles' body by glue to give other vehicles' message for special situation or warning signal for unexpected situation on road. As EL light strip can easy bendable so can easily attached on any space of moving vehicles to meet the curve surface. This will be unique universal type for all moving vehicles. The extra warning light will protect moving vehicle been seen at night by other road user.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
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Patent number: 5565733Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp unit includes a flat deformable substrate of preselected size having smaller sheet-form flexible electroluminescent lamps secured face-to-face at preselected positions on a surface of the substrate, the lamps connected with conductive traces on the substrate. The flat substrate with secured lamps can be deformed into a desired shape to provide a relatively inexpensive and reliable electroluminescent lamp unit applicable for a wide variety of applications. The flexible electroluminescent lamps of the unit can be individually addressable and may have different colors or intensities. A method of manufacture of such units employs surface mount technology in an automated version, pick and place robots select and place the lamps as instructed, followed by ultrasonic welding or mechanical or adhesive fastening.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Durel CorporationInventors: Robert J. Krafcik, Douglas T. Wheeler, Walter J. Paciorek, Ralph McGuigan, Rodney T. Eckersley, Dee L. Johnson, Harold T. Munson
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Patent number: 5542200Abstract: A number plate including luminous characters is usually mounted below head lamps of a vehicle. As essential components, this number plate includes a front plate having a plurality of character portions punched therefrom a plurality of characters each molded of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin and adhesively fitted into the character portions, a plurality of electroluminescent plates disposed on the rear surface side of the front plate so as to illuminate the character portions, a DC/AC inverter disposed on the bottom side of a case of the number plate and electrically connected to the electroluminescent plate and a power source, a plurality of base boards each fitted to an electroluminescent plate and having the substantially same area as that of each character portion, and a support portion for supporting the base boards thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: World Auto Plate, Ltd.Inventor: Masaaki Matsuoka
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Patent number: 5533289Abstract: An illuminated sign for application to a support surface includes a planar back panel, an electroluminescent lamp disposed over the back panel, and a transparent front panel disposed over a side of the lamp opposite the back panel with the back and front panels being secured together in alignment to form a laminate encapsulating the lamp. Indicia defined by an illuminated portion of the lamp visible through the front panel is formed by an indicia defining member that can be separate from or part of the laminate. A fixation surface having adhesive properties is disposed along a forward surface of the sign for adhesively securing the sign to the support surface by contact with the fixation surface. A power supply for the sign includes a housing for receiving a conductor of the lamp with the housing being flush with a peripheral edge of the laminate.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: I.D. Lite, Inc.Inventor: Peter Hoffman
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Patent number: 5518561Abstract: A flexible true color day-night graphic display particularly suited to providing high color quality graphics during both day and night on the sides of commercial vehicles includes an image-carrying translucent flexible substrate, a flexible electroluminescent lamp and a durable flexible optically transparent adhesive. The display is flexibly adhered to the sidewalls of cargo trailers or other support surfaces and supplied at night with electrical current to energize the light-emitting electroluminescent panel. The night visible graphics not only satisfy advertising demands for color fidelity without compromising daytime effectiveness, but also increase the overall visibility of the graphic-carrying vehicle to enhance highway safety.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Inventor: Stephen P. Rosa
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Patent number: 5497572Abstract: An improved illuminated sign for adhesive bonding to the inner surface of a pane of transparent material such as the glass of an automotive window comprises a backing panel, a planar electroluminescent lamp, and an indicia-bearing member. The indicia-bearing member is smaller in planar extent than an assembly of the backing panel and the lamp. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are applied to the border of the backing panel. The second adhesive surface of the tape is used to bond the assembly of the backing panel, the lamp and the indicia-bearing member to the inner surface of an automobile window or the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Inventor: Peter Hoffman
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Patent number: 5497571Abstract: A panel assembly including a translucent panel and an electro-luminescent strip layered on the back of the translucent panel for imparting illumination to at least part of the translucent panel where the connection of the electro-luminescent strip to a power source results in illumination of the electro-luminescent strip and at least part of the translucent panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1993Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: John F. Tryon, James F. Reynolds, Ralph R. Buoniconti, Jr.
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Patent number: 5485145Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conversion kit whereby building or plant signs illuminated by incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes may be converted to electroluminescent illumination. The kit includes an electroluminescent panel and an opaque sign mask, The opaque sign mask is adapted to overlie the electroluminescent panel and the sign indicia of the mask are in the nature of stencil like cutouts to allow the light emitted by the underlying electroluminescent panel to pass only through the indicia cutouts.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1991Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Emergency Safety Products, Inc.Inventor: Donald Sniff
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Patent number: 5479325Abstract: An item of headgear attached with an EL light strip or strips includes a direct current power source for providing a direct current, a switch electrically connected to the direct current power source, a direct current/alternating current converter electrically connected to direct current power source via the switch for converting the direct current from the direct current power source to an alternating current with a predetermined frequency, a transformer electrically connected to the direct current/alternating current converter for amplifying the alternating current therefrom to have a predetermined voltage, a function stage electrically connected to the transformer for generating different pulses in response to reception the alternating current from the transformer, at least one EL light strip electrically connected to the function stage for receiving the pulses and activated thereby to light, a transparent enclosure for receiving the EL light strip therein, a colored transparent ink print or a nontranspareType: GrantFiled: May 5, 1995Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
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Patent number: 5471773Abstract: An improved illuminated sign for adhesive bonding to the inner surface of a pane of transparent material such as the glass of an automotive window comprises a backing panel, a planar electroluminescent lamp, and an indicia-bearing member. The indicia-bearing member is smaller in planar extent than an assembly of the backing panel and the lamp. Strips of double-sided adhesive tape are applied to the border of the backing panel. The second adhesive surface of the tape is used to bond the assembly of the backing panel, the lamp and the indicia-bearing member to the inner surface of an automobile window or the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Inventor: Peter Hoffman
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Patent number: 5450301Abstract: A large scale display is made of several panels, each holding several display elements defined by LEDs. Preferably, each panel is arranged so that it can directly replace, both mechanically and electrically, a panel having incandescent bulbs as display elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Trans-Lux CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Waltz, Alfred Dagenais
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Patent number: 5444930Abstract: A point of purchase channel display sign includes an elongated channel member, a stencil formed of flexible sheet material received within the channel having openings defining the sign and a flat lamp including an elongated flat flexible electroluminescent lamp panel received in the channel between the web and the stencil, and a voltage source coupled to the flat lamp panel to illuminate the same to provide illumination through the openings in the stencil.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Design Display Group, Inc.Inventor: Jonathon Loew