Tubular shaped electro-luminescent (EL) light devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355 Voskoboinik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,381 Feldman et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,594 Hay, but the tubular shaped light devices disclosed in these patents each has limitations, including: too expensive to produce, too slow production speed, too limited brightness, too difficult to apply, etc.
The current invention uses a low-cost panel type of electro-luminescent element sealed inside a tube shape to provide super lower cost, simple production procedure, super brightness, and the ability to easily be made in any diameter, overcoming the disadvantages of all the US prior arts.
1. The current invention provides a way to make any diameter of tubular EL light device by a simple process.
2. The current invention provides a way to solve the problems caused by a sharp angle while bending the tube.
3. The current invention provides for inclusion of a colored plastic tube for cosmetic purposes to enhance the appearance of a tubular EL light device.
4. The current invention provides a proper wall thickness for the plastic tube to overcome bending problems.
5. The current invention provides a way to make an extended electro-luminescent panel having a desired length.
6. The current invention provides a way to make a multiple color tubular light device for desired effects.
7. The current invention provides a way to make a tubular EL light device with optics features and properties.
8. The current invention provides a way to have a super brightness tubular EL light device.
9. The current invention provides a way to have a tubular EL light device with a bend and fix shape.
10. The current invention provides a way to have a tubular EL light device with twisted panel (s)
11. The current invention provides a way to have a tubular EL light device with back to back panels.
12. The current invention provides a way to have a tubular EL light device with twisted panel (s).
13. The current invention provides a way to have a flat tubular EL light with twisted panel (s)
14. The current invention provides a way to have a magnetic means incorporated with a tubular EL light device.
15. The current invention provides an application for incorporating a tubular light device at the connection point of main objects such as a tool box, automobile door, or truck.
16. The current invention a mixed color for Twisted EL panels to form a cosmetic appearance.
17. The current invention provides a variety of applications for use in connection with different categories of illumination.
The current invention improves the above listed US prior art because it is simple to make all kinds of tube shapes with a desired diameter. Also, the brightness can be designed for any requirement without investment in new machines because the marketplace already has too many available machines that can do so can lower cost and higher speed to make a large quantity and let people have a good light device with lower cost and increased safety.
The current invention also offer a Bend-N-Shape feature as described in a co-pending filing US which offers a great feature as a working lamp so as to offer desired illumination for a certain work environment.
The current invention also offers a twisted EL panel (s) arrangement for consumer application to products such as a Shoe, Slide, Slipper, Saddle, Automobile, Boat, Bus, Aircraft, Garden, Traffic Equipment, Bag, Purse, House, Building, Christmas, Seasonal Item, Bicycle, Tricycle, Toy, Moving Device, Skating Item, Jogging Item, Watch, Garment, Clothing, Jeans, Box, Tool Box, Working Lamp, Furniture, Giftwear, Headgear, Jewelry, Hair Accessories, Partywear, Sign, Indoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Street Lamp, Guide Lamp, Bridge Lamp, Traffic Cone, New Jersey Deck, Fence, Mail Box, House Number light, Window Sign, Wall Sign, Poster, Passway, Stair, Curb, Line Divider For People, Evacuation Light, Fishing Marker, Decoration Device For Safety, Decorating, Advertisement, Promotion, Point-Of-Purchase, Warning Light, Accent Light, Illumination Light, Floor Light, Delineator Guide Light, and Evacuation Light, which currently can be found in the marketplace with other light means such as an L.E.D./incandescent light bulb, fluorescent tube, neon tube, etc. The electro-luminescent panels with sufficient light brightness and very low power consumption have previously been disclosed by the current inventor in a variety of US issued patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,501, 5,980,060, 5,722,760, 5,504,397, 5,475,574, 5,479,325, 5,570,946, 5,469,342, 5,570,945, 5,704,705, 5,611,621, 5,860,727, 5,865,523, 5,879,069, 5,572,817, 5,752,337, 5,794,366, 5,833,508, 5,688,038, 5,871,269, 5,720,651, 5,806,960, 5,947,980, 5,775,016, 5,566,384, 5,876,108, 5,836,671, 5,601,358, 5,754,064, 5,921,653, 5,667,394, 6,082,867, 6,170,958, 6,183,101, 6,171,117, 5,926,440, 6,158,868, 6,182,282, 6,179,431, 5,599,088, 5,213,616, 6,179,431, 6,280,053, 6,170,958, 6,168,282, 5,926,440, 5,683,164, 6,183,101, 6,123,616, 6,280,053, 5,926,440, 5,754,064, 5,879,069 and other issued patents owned by the current inventor. The advantage of such electro-luminescent lighting elements in a variety of contexts are explained in several co pending U.S. patent applications including Ser. Nos. 08/305,294; 08/343,404; 08/343,915; 08/383,404; 08/383,405; 08/409,925; 08/421,647; 08/432,707; 08/438,373; 08/444,064; 08/436,007; 08/444,064; 08/489,160; 08/498,258; 08/510,701; 08/522,940; 08/561,973; 08/611,049; 08/614,001; 08/522,940; 08/712,484; and 08/734,872, which cover more utilities for an electro-luminescent element. All listed inventions can be attached on any single radius surface without any problem.