The invention relates generally to a lighting apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a lighting apparatus for creating a substantially homogenous lit appearance along the length of the lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus finds particular application in simulating a neon light, however it is understood that the invention is also amenable to other applications.
Neon lights are widely used in architectural lighting systems to draw a viewer's attention to a building. Neon lights are fragile, require high voltage, consume large amounts of energy, and have an inconsistent life pattern. Therefore, many attempts have been made to replace neon lights with a more efficient and longer lasting lighting system.
In the art, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) have been used to simulate neon light. Such arrangements include mounting a plurality of LEDs linearly behind a lens to achieve a uniform lit appearance. These products use a circuit board with the LEDs spaced very close together, usually spaced at least 0.5 inches or closer. These systems consume more energy due to the number of LEDs per foot, and are prone to failure due to environmental intrusion. The reason for the proximity of the LEDs is to minimize dark or low intensity spots on the lens.
With wider spaced LEDs, the intensity distribution of the LEDs does not overlap enough and dark spots are apparent when viewed from a distance. Socket base LEDs have been used to alleviate environmental issues by removing the circuit board. Nevertheless, these systems generally have greater spacing between the LEDs, thus maximizing the size and appearance of dark spots on the lens.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a lighting apparatus having LEDs that creates a substantially homogenous lit appearance along the length of the lighting apparatus while overcoming the above mentioned deficiencies.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a lighting apparatus for creating a substantially homogenous lit appearance along the length of the apparatus is provided. The lighting apparatus includes an elongated envelope, an LED mounted in the elongated envelope, and a reflector. The elongated envelope includes a translucent portion. The reflector is positioned in relation to the LED such that the light emitted from the LED is directed toward the translucent portion of the elongated envelope.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lighting apparatus includes an LED, an elongated lens cover for the LED, and a reflector. The reflector collimates light emitted from the LED in an axis substantially perpendicular to the length of the lighting apparatus and diffuses light along the length of the lighting apparatus.
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, the invention covers all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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Protruding from the interconnecting leg 44 towards the translucent portion 22 are extensions 46 and 48. The extensions are located approximately midway between the first leg 38 and the second leg 42 and protrude perpendicular to the interconnecting leg 44. The first extension 46 protrudes from the interconnecting leg slightly farther towards the translucent portion than the second extension 48. The extensions define a channel 50. A first terminal portion 52 of the reflector 16 is received in the channel 50. The first leg 38 of the channel support 18 includes a notch 54 at an end nearest the translucent portion 22. The notch 54 receives a second terminal portion 56 of the reflector 16 opposite the first terminal portion 52.
The second leg 42 includes a projection 58 at an end nearest the translucent portion 22. The projection 58 protrudes substantially perpendicular to the second leg 42 towards the first leg 38. The projection 58, the second leg 42, the interconnecting wall 44 and the extension 48 define a channel 62 that receives the LED 14 and its power components.
The LED 14 depicted in the figures is a conventional LED that is known in the art. The LED 14 receives power from a power cord 64 that is attached to an external power source. The power cord is flexible, and covered by a plastic liner for protection from the elements, however in an alternative embodiment the LEDs can also mount to a circuit board. As seen in
The first leg 38 of the channel support 18 includes a foot 66 at an end opposite the notch 54. The foot 66 is spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the interconnecting wall 44. Projecting from an end of the foot 66 into the receiving channel 32, an extension 68 includes a barb 72 that abuts against a barb 74 of the connecting leg 28 to fasten the channel support 18 to the elongated envelope 12. Likewise, the second leg 42 includes a foot 76 at an end opposite of the projection 58. An extension 78 protrudes away from the foot 76 and into the receiving channel 36, where the extension 78 includes a barb 82 that abuts against a barb 84 so that the channel support 18 fastens to the elongated envelope 12. The barbs provide a frictional engagement between the channel support 18 and the elongated envelope 12. Referring back to
The feet 66 and 76 also cantilever over a portion of the interconnecting leg 44. The foot 66, the first leg 38 and the interconnecting leg 44 define a channel 86. Similarly, the foot 76, the second leg 42 and the interconnecting leg 44 define a channel 88. The feet 66 and 76 act as engagement members and the channels 86 and 88 are dimensioned to receive connecting members (not shown) that are affixed to an architectural structure. Also the channels 86 and 88 can receive connecting members (not shown) that can attach one lighting apparatus to an adjacent lighting apparatus.
The reflector 16 will now be described in more particularity using the terms horizontal and vertical axis. The horizontal axis runs along the length of the lighting apparatus 10 and the vertical axis is parallel to the interconnecting leg 44 of the channel support 18. These terms are used only to facilitate the description of the reflector as it appears in the figures, and are not meant to limit the invention to such a configuration. The LED faces the reflector and faces perpendicular to the translucent portion 22 so the light emitted from the LED strikes the reflector before striking the translucent cover, which lessens the likelihood that dark spots are apparent to a viewer at a distance from the lighting apparatus.
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Depending on the color of light desired to be emitted by the lighting apparatus 10, components or elements can be added to the apparatus. For example, if a white light is to be emitted by the apparatus a phosphor can be added to the apparatus. Obviously, LEDs that emit white light can be used in the apparatus; however white LEDs have a shorter life and consume more energy than a standard blue LED. In one example of adding phosphor to the apparatus, a standard blue LED emitter can reflect off of a reflector that has been coated with an efficient matching phosphor to create a reflected white light. The phosphor can be dipped, sprayed, imbedded, as well as other known methods onto or into the reflector to achieve the desired reflected output. In another example, the translucent portion 22 of the apparatus 10 can be coated with a phosphor. Like wise, the phosphor can be dipped, sprayed, imbedded, as well as other known methods onto or into the translucent portion to achieve the desired output.
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Having thus described the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. Various changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.