Claims
- 1. An electroluminescent surface illuminator device for steps comprising:
a planar step surface for applying the device thereon; a flexible transparent or translucent top panel; an intermediate flexible electroluminescent panel comprising an electroluminescent element, a transparent panel sealing said electroluminescent element therein, and wiring means for connection to an external power source; and a rigid foundational base panel commensurate in size and shape with the flexible top panel; wherein said electroluminescent panel is enclosed between the top panel and the foundational base, the foundational base being attached to the planar step surface.
- 2. The electroluminescent surface illuminator device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible top panel is made of a non-skid material.
- 3. The electroluminescent surface illuminator device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent or translucent panel sealing said electroluminescent element is made of a non-skid material.
- 4. The electroluminescent surface illuminator device according to claim 1, further comprising an external DC/AC power inverter connected to the wiring means.
- 5. The electroluminescent surface illuminator device according to claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent element includes an advertisement thereon.
- 6. A method for making and using an electroluminescent surface illuminator device comprising the steps of:
sealing a flexible electroluminescent panel between a flexible top transparent panel and a foundational base panel; and placing the electroluminescent surface illuminator device on a step selected from the group consisting of a running board, nerfbar, step, stepside, and bumper, for illuminating the foot/step placement and rear bumper for vehicles, planes, and boats.
- 7. The method according to claim 6, further including the step of forming the flexible top panel of transparent or translucent material.
- 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the transparent panel is made of a non-skid material.
- 9. The method according to claim 6, further including the step of including electrical wiring with the electroluminescent panel.
- 10. The method according to claim 9, further including the step of connecting an external DC/AC power inverter to the wiring.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/217,316, filed Jul. 10, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60217316 |
Jul 2000 |
US |