FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a shade or screen assembly and, in particular, to an illuminated shade or screen assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional products that include lighting devices typically use relatively thick or bulky lighting configurations. For example, the relatively thick and bulky lighting devices used in conventional products typically cause use of those products to be avoided for certain functions or purposes. For example, conventional rollup shades typically do not include lighting devices because relatively bulky conventional lighting configurations negatively impact a rollup function of these types of shades.

Conventional products including known lighting device configurations are also not typically used in many outdoor applications because of the relatively thick and bulky configurations of the lighting devices.

The exemplary disclosed system, apparatus, and method are directed to overcoming one or more of the shortcomings set forth above and/or other deficiencies in existing technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a sheet member, a support assembly including a movable, elongated member that is attached to a first end portion of the sheet member, an end assembly attached to a second end portion of the sheet member, and a plurality of lighting devices attached to the sheet member. The plurality of lighting devices is a plurality of flat panel lighting devices.

In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes providing a sheet member including a plurality of flat panel lighting devices, attaching a first end portion of the sheet member to a rotatable member of a support assembly, attaching a second end portion of the sheet member to an end assembly, electrically connecting the plurality of flat panel lighting devices to a control electronics device disposed in the end assembly, and selectively rolling up the sheet member including the plurality of flat panel lighting devices around the rotatable member.

