Lighting strip for direction and guidance systems

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to lighting and guidance systems and particularly to those utilized in flush mounting within the surfaces of roadways, airport runways, sidewalks or other similar surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, the need for convenience and safety in various human facilities and environments fostered the use of illumination to provide guidance and direction. This need is particularly critical in environments tended to remain poorly illuminated or dark as well as indoor and outdoor environments during evening and night hours. From earliest illumination systems using crude candles and gas lamps through the development of electrical lamps such as incandescent, florescent or neon and the like, the trend has been toward creating illumination apparatus which functions to provide visual direction and guidance for the observer or traveler.

With the advent of vehicular traffic such as automobile, trains and airplanes illuminated direction and guidance systems became a specialized area of activity. The object of such systems became generally focused upon providing a visual direction or guidance benefit rather than general area illumination. Thus, facilities such as airport runways and taxi ways as well as vehicular roads and trackways and railways used by trains have enjoyed increased safety and efficiency through lighted direction and guideway systems.

While the fabrication used in lighted directed guidance systems varies substantially, typically all utilize an elongated array of illumination elements such as lamps or the like supported within a strip shaped housing which is coupled to a convenient source of power. In some units, a solar power apparatus is provided to store energy during day light hours and provide illumination during night time hours. The strip shape may vary from simple elongated straight or curved elements to more complex symbols such as arrowheads or diamonds and may, in some instances, even form words or abbreviations.

With the advent of higher power output light emitting diodes (LED) the capabilities and flexibility lighting strips for use in direction and guidance systems enjoyed a dramatic improvement. Light emitting diodes are substantially more reliable and durable than previously used illumination elements such as incandescent lamps or the like. In addition, the small size and high power output of the newly developed LED's greatly facilitated the use of lighting strips which may be flush mounted within roadways, airport runways or other areas subject to vehicular traffic.

Not surprisingly, the need for effective lighting strips for direction and guidance systems has prompted practitioner's in the art to create a variety of lighting strip structures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,845 issued to Gustafson et al. sets forth an INTEGRALLY FORMED LINEAR LIGHT STRIP WITH LIGHT EMITTING DIODES having at least one light emitting diode connected between electrical bus elements to provide illumination when the bus elements are electrically activated. An extruded plastic material completely encapsulates the bus elements and the at least one LED. The encapsulating material provides a barrier to protect the elements from damage and render the light strip impervious to moisture. A process for manufacturing the integrally formed single piece light strip using continuously fed bus elements and an extruder is also set forth.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,868 issued to Eigenmann sets forth a CONTINUOUS PREFABRICATED ROAD-MARKING TAPE WITH COMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND PASSIVE AND ACTIVE OPTICAL EFFECT COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT FROM OUTSIDE INVESTMENT AND EXTERNAL ENERGY SOURCE includes a continuous horizontal road-marking tape which supports Light Emitting Diodes or high intensity micro lamps, solar cells and retroreflecting elements. The light emitting diodes may be focused and grouped in pairs for better visibility. The road-marking tape balances the solar energy captured by its solar cells with the emitted light employed to signal or worn motorist.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,595 issued to Roper sets forth a POP-UP TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE which is supported within a roadway or pavement surface and which includes apparatus for extending the control device above the surrounding pavement surface or withdrawing the device to a generally flush position. The device includes a movable carrier within a housing supported by a lead screw and follower. The rotation of the lead screw provides vertical movement of the pop-up device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,300 issued to Rector, Jr. sets forth a LIGHTING DEVICE for providing light along a runway or taxiway at an airport. A base receptacle is adapted to be positioned along the runway and defines an open end. A sleeve member is movably received within the base receptacle and a replaceable light fixture and connecting apparatus is supported within the sleeve member. The movement of the sleeve member provides corresponding vertical movement of the light apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,663 issued to Nakayama sets forth a LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH AUTO-RECHARGING having a secondary battery, at least two light emitters connected in parallel, and first and second switches. When the first switches are on and the second switches are off, the light emitters are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the secondary battery. When the first switches are off and the second switches are on, the light emitters and secondary battery are connected in series.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,691 issued to Barrow sets forth an AIRPORT RUNWAY OR TAXIWAY LIGHT FIXTURE fabricated for flush mounting within the runway or taxiway pavement. An optical prism is detachably mounted in a cavity formed in the device cover and beneath the windows of the device. The prism has three sides forming an equilateral triangle with two of the sides sloping upwardly to an upper edge. A special sealing member fits over the prism and preferably covers one of the two sides which slope upwardly. This member extends about a lower portion of the prism and forms a water tight seal. An electric light is mounted in a bottom receptacle which supports the cover and window. A light channel is formed in the top of the cover and extends from each window towards an edge of the cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,816 issued to Varga et al. sets forth a ROAD MARKER for use either flush with or preferably slightly below the surface of a road. The road marker includes recharging batteries which are solar operated together with light emitting diodes. During darker night conditions, the solar batteries provide energy sources for the light emitting diodes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,570 issued to Parashar sets forth a SELF ENERGIZED AUTOMATIC SURFACE MARKER having a housing and filler to support and protect a solar powered energy storage system. The circuitry draws power from the solar cells and stores energy in a plurality of storage capacitors. When ambient light dims, the circuitry operates a timing device which causes one or more light emitting diodes to blink and provide directed light toward approaching traffic. The top of the housing protects the solar cell while facilitating its reception of solar energy. The duty cycle may be adjusted to levels consistent with sunlight and operating time.

British Patent 965,583 issued to Greenhalgh sets forth IMPROVEMENTS IN REFLECTOR DEVICES FOR ROADWAYS OR LIKE SURFACES. a similar British Patent 1,018,831 also issued to Greenhalgh sets forth IMPROVEMENTS IN REFLECTOR DEVICES FOR ROADWAYS both of which utilize similar generally cylindrical housings received within appropriate recesses formed in roadway surfaces. The housings further support an upwardly extending member which includes one or more reflectors.

European Patent Application EP0323682A1 sets forth MODULAR FLOOR COVERING UNITS WITH BUILT IN LIGHTING used for guiding the occupants of a building along a path of travel within the building. The modular floor comprises carpet tiles which are supported in abutting arrangement to cover the structure floor. Some of the tiles include signal units having a light transmissive molded plastic housing positioned within an opening formed in the tiles. Light emitting diodes are supported within the housing and are energized by an electrical cable to provide a visually discernible pathway on the floor.

European Patent Application EP0562702A1 sets forth lighting elements which form a geometric structure within a floor surface.

European Patent Application EP0658655A1 sets forth an illumination device having at least one light emitting diode partially embedded in a solid translucent material. The translucent material includes particles which are capable of deffracting light and a cohesive element. The device may be used in road marking or similar environments.

While the foregoing described prior art devices have in varying extents improved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for ever more effect, reliable and improved lighting strips for direction and guidance systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved light strip for direction and guidance systems. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting strip for direction and guidance systems which may be flush mounted within pavement areas of vehicular traffic such as roadways, airport runways and taxiways, and areas of pedestrian foot traffic. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting strip for direction and guidance systems which is integrally strong enough to support the wear and impact of vehicle traffic thereacross or thereupon as well as foot traffic of pedestrians.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a lighting strip for direction and guidance systems, the lighting strip comprising: an elongated base formed of an insulating material and defining first and second ends, opposed sides and an upper surface; at least one elongated strip supported upon the upper surface; a first plurality of light emitting diodes supported on the at least one elongated strip; means for energizing the light emitting diodes supported at the first end; a top cover formed of a light transmissive material encapsulating the upper surface, the elongated strip and the first plurality of light emitting diodes; and a light reflective surface formed on the upper surface, the light emitting diodes producing visible light some of which travels outwardly through the top cover after being reflected from the light reflective surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1

sets forth a perspective view of a pair of lighting strips for direction and guidance systems constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2

sets forth a side view of a further plurality of lighting strips for direction and guidance systems constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3

sets forth a top view of the plurality of lighting strips for direction and guidance systems set forth in

FIG. 2

;

FIG. 4

sets forth a section view of the lighting strip set forth in

FIG. 2

taken along section lines

4

—

4

therein;

FIG. 5

sets forth a partial perspective view of a junction and connection of two lighting strips for direction and guidance system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6

sets forth a partial section view of the terminal box and control apparatus of the lighting strip for direction and guidance systems shown in

FIG. 2

taken along section lines

6

—

6

therein;

FIG. 7

sets forth a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention lighting strip for direction and guidance systems; and

FIG. 8

sets forth a top view of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention lighting strip for direction and guidance systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1

sets forth a perspective view of a pair of lighting strips constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numerals

10

and

30

. Lighting strips

10

and

30

are fabricated in substantially identical manners and are joined by a junction housing

25

. In addition, lighting strip

10

is coupled to a terminal housing

12

while lighting strip

30

is coupled to an end cap

40

. The structure of junction housing

25

is set forth below in

FIG. 5

in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here that junction housing

25

provides coupling between a pair of lighting strips such as lighting strips

10

and

30

. Terminal housing

12

is fabricated in the manner set forth below in FIG.

6

. However, suffice it to note here that terminal housing

12

provides operative power and control for the pluralities of light emitting diodes (LED) supported within lighting strips

10

and

30

in the manner set forth below.

More specifically, lighting strip

10

includes an insulative base

11

formed of a nonconducting material such as plastic or synthetic wood and comprises a generally rectangular elongated member. Base

11

extends between terminal housing

12

and junction housing

25

and supports a pair of retaining straps

13

and

14

. As is better seen below in

FIG. 4

, retaining straps

13

and

14

are secured to base

11

by a plurality of conventional fasteners

15

and

26

. Retaining straps

13

and

14

are generally mirror images of each other. Strap

14

includes an outwardly extending flange

21

and an inwardly extending lip

20

. Similarly, strap

13

includes an inwardly extending lip

22

and an outwardly extending flange

23

(seen in FIG.

4

). In further accordance with the present invention, a top cover

24

is formed beneath straps

13

and

14

and is secured upon the upper surface of base

11

. In the manner better seen in

FIG. 4

, top cover

24

is formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material which is deposited upon the captive light emitting diodes forming the light elements of lighting strip

10

. Suffice it to note here that the plurality of light emitting diodes supported beneath top cover

24

and energized by operative apparatus within terminal housing

12

cooperate to provide an elongated light strip for direction and guidance systems.

As mentioned, lighting strip

30

is substantially identical to lighting strip

10

and thus includes an elongated generally rectangular base

31

formed of a nonconductive insulating material. Lighting strip

30

further supports a plurality of light emitting diodes in the manner set forth below in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. Lighting strip

30

further includes a pair of retaining straps

32

and

36

. Straps

32

and

36

are substantially identical to straps

14

and

13

formed on lighting strip

10

. Thus, for example, strap

32

defines an inwardly extending lip

33

and an outwardly extending flange

34

. Strap

32

is secured to base

31

by a plurality of conventional fasteners

35

. Similarly, strap

36

includes an inwardly extending lip

37

and an outwardly extending flange

38

(seen in FIG.

3

). While not seen in

FIG. 1

, it will be understood that a plurality of fasteners functioning in the same manner as fasteners

35

secure strap

36

to base

31

. Finally, an end cap

40

which comprises a simple protective closed end housing is received upon lighting strip

30

to provide closure of the end portion of the lighting strip.

In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, one or more lighting strips such as lighting strips

10

and

30

may be serially coupled to provide the desired length of combined lighting strip for the system. It will be understood that the present invention lighting strips may function singularly or in multiple arrays in which a plurality of strips are coupled together. In the example of

FIG. 1

, a pair of lighting strips are serially couple. By way of further example,

FIGS. 2 and 3

set forth the serial combination of a trio of the present invention lighting strips. It will be understood however, that the present invention is by no means limited to combinations of a single, double or trio of serially combined lighting strips. On the contrary, a virtually endless variety of serially and parallel combinations may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. By way of further variation, it will be noted that the embodiment set forth below in

FIGS. 2 through 6

utilize a pair of rows of light emitting diodes for illumination. However, it will be equally apparent by examining

FIGS. 7 and 8

and the discussion set forth below that the number of light emitting diode rows which may be utilized in the present invention lighting strip is subject to substantial variation. Thus, it will be noted that

FIG. 7

shows and embodiment of the present invention in which a single light emitting diode strip is used while

FIG. 8

sets forth a further embodiment in which a trio of strips of light emitting diodes is used. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a substantial variation of the arrangement of light emitting diodes within the present invention lighting strips is obtainable without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the intended or anticipated embodiment of the present invention, the lighting strips are coupled together in the desired combination and thereafter fitted within grooves formed in the supporting pavement material. As mentioned above, this pavement material may, for example, comprise runways or taxiways of airport facilities or alternatively other pavement type environments such as roadways, railway stations, theaters, public buildings or the like. Of importance with respect to the present invention is the provision of a high strength lighting strip which is readily able to resist moisture when properly installed and which is able to protect the light emitting diodes from impact as traffic moves upon or across the embedded lighting strips.

FIG. 2

sets forth a side elevation view of a plurality of lighting strips constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numerals

10

,

30

and

50

. Lighting strips

10

and

30

are set forth above in FIG.

1

and as mentioned therein are joined by a junction housing

25

. In the application of the present invention lighting strips set forth in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, a third lighting strip

50

is further coupled to lighting strip

30

by a junction housing

51

. It will be apparent by comparing

FIGS. 1 and 2

that this further coupling of a third lighting strip is obtained by removing end cap

40

and substituting junction housing

51

. With the attachment of lighting strip

50

to lighting strip

30

at junction housing

51

, an end cap

52

substantially identical to end cap

40

is secured to the remaining end of lighting strip

50

to complete the serial array of three lighting strips.

As described above, lighting strip

10

includes a base

11

supporting a retaining strap

14

having a flange

21

secured to base

11

by a plurality of fasteners

15

. As is also described above, lighting strip

30

includes a retaining strap

32

having a flange

34

secured to a base

31

by a plurality of fasteners

35

. As mentioned, lighting strip

50

is substantially identical to lighting strips

10

and

30

and thus need not be further described. The importance of lighting strip

50

in combination with lighting strips

10

and

30

is to provide an illustration of a plurality of lighting strips joined to form a linear array. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a virtually endless variety of combinations of lighting strips may be utilized in accordance with the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

FIG. 3

sets forth a top view of the lighting strip combination of lighting strips

10

,

30

and

50

set forth above in FIG.

2

. As described therein, lighting strip

10

is coupled to a terminal housing

12

and a junction housing

25

. As is also described above, lighting strip

30

is coupled to junction housing

25

and junction housing

51

. Finally, lighting strip

50

is coupled to lighting strip

30

at junction housing

51

and further supports an end cap

52

.

Lighting strip

10

includes a base

11

supporting a pair of retaining straps

13

and

14

. Strap

13

includes an outwardly extending flange

21

and an inwardly extending lip

20

. Similarly, retaining strap

13

includes an inwardly extending lip

22

and an outwardly extending flange

23

. Base

11

of lighting strip

10

further supports a pair of LED strips

60

and

62

in a generally parallel spaced apart arrangement. LED strips

60

and

62

are set forth below in

FIG. 4

in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here that LED strip

60

includes an elongated printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes

61

supported thereon. Similarly, LED strip

62

includes an elongated thin printed circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes

63

supported thereon. A top cover

24

formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material is formed upon the upper surface of base

11

in the manner shown in

FIG. 4

to completely encapsulate and seal the light emitting diodes within lighting strip

10

.

Lighting strip

30

is fabricated in the same manner as lighting strip

10

and thus includes a base

31

having an upper surface supporting a pair of parallel spaced apart light emitting diodes strips

70

and

72

. Light emitting diode strip

70

includes an elongated thin printed circuit board supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes

71

while light emitting diode strip

72

includes an elongated thin printed circuit board supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes

73

. Lighting strip

30

further includes retaining straps

32

and

36

. Strap

32

includes an outwardly extending flange

34

and an inwardly extending lip

33

. Similarly, retaining strap

36

includes an inwardly extending lip

37

and an outwardly extending flange

38

. A top cover

39

is formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material which is formed upon the upper surface of base

31

to completely encapsulate and seal the light emitting diodes supported upon base

31

.

Lighting strip

50

is fabricated in substantial accordance with lighting strips

10

and

30

and is secured thereto at junction housing

51

. Thus, lighting strip

50

supports a pair of spaced apart rows of light emitting diodes to correspond to the light emitting diodes in strips

10

and

30

. Within junction housing

25

, the structure set forth below in

FIG. 5

provides electrical connection between LED strips

60

and

70

and between LED strips

62

and

72

. Similarly, within junction housing

51

LED strips

70

and

72

are electrically coupled to the corresponding LED strips within lighting strip

50

. In this manner, the controlling apparatus within terminal housing

12

(seen in

FIG. 6

) is capable of energizing the combined pluralities of light emitting diodes within lighting strips

10

,

30

and

50

in the desired sequence and timing.

FIG. 4

sets forth a section view of lighting strip

10

taken along section lines

4

—

4

in FIG.

2

. Lighting strip

10

includes an elongated generally rectangular base

11

having an upper surface defining a channel

16

. Within channel

16

a pair of cable grooves

43

and

45

are formed. A plurality of cables such as heat tracing cables

44

and

46

are positioned within grooves

43

and

45

. The function of heat tracing cables

44

and

46

is utilized to determine the operative temperature of the light emitting diode arrays within the lighting strip to identify potential problems and control system operation. Lighting strip

10

further includes an elongated plate

41

preferably formed of a material such as aluminum or the like is received within channel

16

and extends virtually the entire length of base

11

. A reflector layer

42

preferably formed of a light reflecting tape material or the like is supported upon the upper surface of aluminum plate

41

. A pair of LED strips

60

and

62

having respective pluralities of LED's

61

and

63

supported thereon is positioned upon reflecting tape

42

within channel

16

. A top cover

24

formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material is deposited and formed upon the upper surface of base

11

so-as-to seal and encapsulate LED strips

60

and

62

together with the pluralities of light emitting diodes

61

and

63

thereon. A pair of retaining straps

13

and

14

are secured to base

11

by conventional fasteners

26

and

15

respectively. Straps

13

and

14

function to maintain secure positioning and mechanical strength for top cover

24

upon the upper surface of base

11

. Toward this end, strap

13

includes an inwardly extending lip

22

and an outwardly extending flange

23

. Similarly, strap

14

includes an inwardly extending lip

20

and an outwardly extending flange

21

. In particular, lips

20

and

22

substantially secure top cover

24

upon the upper surface of base

11

while outwardly extending flanges

21

and

23

provide positioning of the lighting strip within a pavement groove. In addition, flanges

21

and

23

allow the further enclosure of the lighting strip within a pavement groove by forming convenient gripping apparatus for a quantity of grout material which is used to further seal the lighting strip within a pavement groove.

In operation, as LED's

61

and

63

are energized they produce light output which, as is indicated by the arrows in

FIG. 4

, propagates outwardly through the light transmissive material of top cover

24

. In addition, a significant amount of light energy produced by LED's

61

and

63

travels outwardly from the LED's in a less direct manner and impinges the reflective surface of reflector

42

. In this event, the reflective qualities of surface

42

cause the reflection of this light energy outwardly through the light transmissive material of top cover

24

as indicated by the angled arrow representations in FIG.

4

. The combined light output both directly propagating and reflected which leaves top cover

24

is then visible by persons near the lighting strip to provide visual guidance and direction information. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of differently colored LED's within the lighting strip may be employed to provide different colors of light viewed by persons in the vicinity of the lighting strip system. In addition, the color of visual light produced by the lighting strip may also be altered by tinting the light transmissive material of top cover

24

.

FIG. 5

sets forth a partial perspective view of junction housing

25

and the attachment between lighting strips

10

and

30

. It will be recalled that lighting strips

10

and

30

are electrically and mechanically coupled at junction housing

25

.

More specifically, lighting strip

10

includes a base

11

having an end portion received within one side of a junction housing

25

. Base

11

defines a channel

16

within which a pair of LED strips

60

and

62

support respective pluralities of LED's

61

and

63

. Lighting strip

10

further includes a pair of retaining straps

13

and

14

secured to base

11

by conventional fasteners

15

and

26

(fasteners

26

seen in FIG.

4

). Lighting strip

10

further includes a top cover

24

formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material. Retaining strap

13

includes an inwardly extending lip

22

and an outwardly extending flange

23

. Retaining strap

14

includes an outwardly extending flange

21

and an inwardly extending lip

20

.

Similarly, lighting strip

30

includes a base

31

having an end portion received within junction housing

25

. By way of further similarity, lighting strip

30

includes a pair of LED strips

70

and

72

supporting pluralities of LED's

71

and

73

upon the upper surface of base

31

. Lighting strip

30

further includes retaining straps

32

and

36

having respective inwardly extending lips

33

and

37

. A top cover

39

is formed upon the upper surface of base

31

and comprises an encapsulating light transmissive material which encapsulates and seals LED strips

70

and

72

as well as LED's

71

and

73

.

To facilitate electrical connection between the LED strips of lighting strip

10

and the LED strips of lighting strip

30

, a plurality of conventional plug-in connectors are provided. More specifically, LED strip

60

supports a connector element

67

which cooperates with a connector element

76

supported upon LED strip

70

. In this manner, electrical connect between LED strip and LED strip

70

is provided. Similarly, LED strip

62

supports a connector element

66

while LED strip

72

supports a cooperating connector element

75

. This in turn facilitates electrical connection between LED strip

62

and LED strip

72

. While not seen in

FIG. 5

, it will be understood that a corresponding electrical connection is provided between lighting strips

30

and

50

within junction housing

51

(seen in FIG.

3

). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually any type of cooperating connector elements may be utilized to provide electrical connection between LED strips

60

and

62

and LED strips

70

and

72

without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be further understood that such connecting elements are readily available within the art and need not be further described herein.

FIG. 6

sets forth a partial section view of lighting strip

10

taken along section lines

6

—

6

in FIG.

2

. As described above, lighting strip

10

includes an elongated generally rectangular insulating base

11

supporting a pair of LED strips

60

and

62

on the upper surface thereof. LED strips

60

and

62

further support respective pluralities of LED's

61

and

63

. As described above, lighting strip

10

includes a pair of retainer straps

13

and

14

secured to base

11

by convention fasteners. As is also described above, straps

13

and

14

include respective flanges

23

and

21

. A pair of conventional connectors

64

and

65

are operatively coupled to LED strips

60

and

62

respectively. Connectors

64

and

65

may be fabricated entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and are operative to provide electrical connection to LED's

61

and

63

.

Terminal housing

12

receives one end of base

11

and supports a power controller

100

. Power controller

100

includes an AC/DC converter

102

fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques which may further include an external power input

101

. Power controller

100

further includes a radio frequency controller

103

operatively coupled to converter

102

. Radio controller frequency

103

is operatively coupled to a radio frequency antenna

104

and includes conventional circuit apparatus for receiving a control signal at antenna

104

and for providing output command signals in response thereto.

Terminal housing

12

further supports a light emitting diode controller

80

supported upon a conventional printed circuit board

81

. LED controller

80

includes a microprocessor

84

and an associated memory

85

. Memory

85

operates in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques to maintain a storage set of instructions which control the operation of microprocessor

84

. A memory

86

also included within LED controller

80

is also operatively coupled to microprocessor

84

and provides functional memory for use by processor

84

. An output power device

83

also supported upon printed circuit board

81

is operative in response to microprocessor

84

and is coupled to LED strips

60

and

62

to provide operating power for light emitting diodes

61

and

63

. Additional circuit components such as components

90

and

91

are also supported upon printed circuit board

81

.

In operation, LED controller

80

is able to function in a plurality of operating modes to control the illumination of LED's

61

and

63

. For example, LED controller

80

is able to function in response to radio frequency command signals received by antenna

104

and coupled to radio frequency controller

103

. These command signals are then converted by radio frequency controller

103

to appropriate input commands for microprocessor

84

which, in accordance with the stored instruction set within memory

85

, configures and controls the operation of power circuits

83

. Alternatively, LED controller

80

is able to function in direct control of converter

102

such that the stored instruction set within memory

85

causes microprocessor

84

to utilize the converted DC power output of converter

102

for direct application to power circuits

83

. In either event, the end object sought is the desired illumination pattern and sequence for LED's

61

and

63

. Thus, microprocessor

84

in alternative modes of operation may either illuminate LED's

61

and

63

in a steady state or alternate illumination therebetween. By way of further variation, LED's

61

and

63

may be operated in unison and blinked on and off at a desired repetition rate. Each of these modes of operation is readily available due to the stored instruction set within memory

85

of microprocessor

84

.

FIG. 7

sets forth a top view of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention lighting strips for direction and guidance systems generally referenced by numeral

110

. By way of overview, the primary difference between lighting strip

110

and lighting strips

10

,

30

and

50

described above is the use of a single LED strip

116

rather than the parallel pair of LED strips set forth in the above embodiments. In all other respects, lighting strip

110

is substantially identical in structure and operation to lighting strips

10

,

30

and

50

described above. Accordingly, lighting strip

110

includes an elongated generally rectangular insulated base

113

having a pair of retaining straps

114

and

115

secured thereto. Straps

114

and

115

are substantially identical to straps

14

and

13

set forth above. A terminal housing

111

and an end cap

112

are received upon base

113

and correspond substantially to terminal housing

12

and end cap

40

(seen in FIG.

1

). Base

113

supports a single LED strip

116

having a plurality of LED's

117

supported thereby. A top cover

115

formed of a light transmissive encapsulating material is supported upon the upper surface of base

113

and provides encapsulation and sealing for LED strip

116

and LED'

117

.

FIG. 8

sets forth a top plan view of a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention lighting strip generally referenced by numeral

120

. The primary difference between lighting strip

120

and lighting strip

10

,

30

and

50

described above is the provision of a trio of parallel LED strips rather than the pair of LED strips utilized in lighting strips

10

,

30

and

50

. Thus, lighting strip

120

includes an elongated generally rectangular base

123

supporting a pair of retaining straps

124

and

125

. A terminal housing

121

is joined to one end of lighting strip

120

while an end cap

122

is joined to the remaining end. A trio of LED strips

130

,

131

and

132

is supported upon the upper surface of base

123

. LED strips

130

,

131

and

132

support respective pluralities of LED's

135

,

136

and

137

. A top cover

126

is formed upon the upper surface of base

123

and serves to encapsulate LED strips

130

,

131

and

132

together with LED's

135

,

136

and

137

.

What has been shown in a lighting strip for direction and guidance system which utilizes high powered light emitting diodes in various array combinations to produce visual light in a manner which enhances the efficiency and safety of the host environments. The lighting strips may be coupled together to form more extended arrays or used in single strip applications. Embodiments are shown which employ a variety of light emitting diode arrangements upon the lighting strips to provide further variety of operation. The lighting strips are capable of operation in a host groove within a pavement such as an airport, taxiway or runway and are fabricated to sustain the impact and weight of vehicle traffic upon the lighting strip without damage.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
1572214	McEwing et al.	Feb 1926	A
2920184	Kessler	Jan 1960	A
4173035	Hoyt	Oct 1979	A
5337225	Brookman	Aug 1994	A
5927845	Gustafson et al.	Jul 1999	A
6074074	Marcus	Jun 2000	A
6210017	Miura et al.	Apr 2001	B1
6354714	Rhodes	Mar 2002	B1
6435697	Simmons et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6523986	Hoffman	Feb 2003	B1
6582100	Hochstein et al.	Jun 2003	B1

Lighting strip for direction and guidance systems

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Date Filed

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

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US Referenced Citations (11)