Abstract:
An internally illuminated transparent rail, such as a handrail, is disclosed. The rail is fabricated from polycarbonate or the like, and contains one or more series of lighting elements such as LEDs. The LEDs are connected to a programmable controller which stores preloaded programming control sequences and features, and which can also receive commands wirelessly from e.g. a hand held user interface such as a cellular telephone. The rail includes stanchions for mounting to an environmental object such as a transport vehicle or a static structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to rails intended to be mounted to vehicles and static structures, for example to facilitate hand grasp by a person. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rails are provided on vehicles such as boats and on static structures such as staircases to afford a handhold for people using the vehicles and structures. Rails are located where people are moving from one area to the next, and are in need of a steadying or supporting aid. 
     Beyond providing physical support where people are moving, vehicles and static structures may also have a need for visual communications, such as signage, warning lights, and others. 
     SUMMARY 
     Rails have a potential to serve as support platforms for lighting which may play a role in signage and warning lights, as well as providing for steadying and physically supporting roles. To this end, rails may be adapted for both being gripped by hand and also for exploiting their frequently hollow interiors to support lighting. If transparent or translucent, rails may serve as homes for static and dynamic lighting displays as well as handles for providing steadying and support roles. 
     The present disclosure therefore proposes internally illuminated rails capable of being attached to an object such as a transport vehicle or static structure. Formed from a suitable material such as a polycarbonate plastic, a resulting rail is strong enough to withstand use as a handhold, and also as a housing for a series of lighting elements. Combined with a programmable controller located in a sheltered place, rails originally provided for handholds can serve as illuminated signs and light bars, such as those placed on emergency motor vehicles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the disclosed concepts will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic, perspective, partially exploded view of an illuminated rail, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of a tube of an illuminated rail, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side environmental view of an illuminated rail mounted to a boat, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is is a top plan view of the illuminated rail and boat of  FIG. 3 , according to at least one aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an illuminated rail, according to a further aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an illuminated rail, according to another aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an illuminated rail, according to still another aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an illuminated rail, according to yet another aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic view of electrical aspects of an illuminated rail, according to at least one other aspect of the disclosure, and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated rail, according to a further aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , according to at least one aspect of the disclosure, there is shown an illuminated rail  100  for attachment to an object (see  FIG. 3 ). The illuminated rail  100  comprises a hollow plastic tube  102  having a length L and comprising an through passage  104  extending continuously through the hollow plastic tube  102  and continuously along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102 . At least one first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  is located within and extends along the through passage  104  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . The at least one first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  includes at least one first supporting substrate  110  on which each one of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  is mounted. An electrical circuit  112  is electrically connected to each one of the series  106  of active lighting elements  108  and is located within and extends along the through passage  104  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the times to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item. 
     The hollow plastic tube  102  is translucent (which will be understood to encompass transparency), and may be fabricated from a polycarbonate plastic, for example. The hollow plastic tube  102  may be fabricated by any suitable method, such as extrusion, three dimensional printing, by fusing together constituent strips of polycarbonate plastic, or in any other suitable way. Where utilized, strips of polycarbonate plastic may be fused by ultrasonic welding or heat. 
     The through passage  104  leaves an open channel into which one or more series  106  of active lighting elements  108  may be inserted. Lighting elements  108  are said to be active if they are connected to power and control signals, and can be illuminated to create a lighted display at the discretion of the user. It would be possible to utilize all of the lighting elements  108  as active, or alternatively, to leave at least one lighting element  108  unused. The unused lighting element  108  may serve as a spare, or may activated when desired. Lighting elements  108  may be light emitting diodes, for example. Each each one of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  comprises a multicolor light emitting diode (LED). Such LEDs may be controlled such that each emits light selectively of different colors. This minimizes the number of LEDs that must be provided and mounted on the first supporting substrate  110 . The second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  may be identical in type and function. 
     By light emitting diode (LED), it is meant LED assemblies comprising a discrete lens projecting well above the supporting substrate, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Polycarbonate is one of a number of constituent materials which may be utilized to form the hollow plastic tube  102 . Other materials which may be substituted include other transparent or translucent plastics, such as acrylic plastics. Polycarbonate is readily commercially available, is readily extruded, is strong enough to serve as a hand hold which may have to support the full weight of several people, and is transparent or translucent. 
     Lighting elements  108  arrayed along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102  are readily visible therethrough, and do not interfere with the function of the rail  100  as a hand hold. Lighting elements  108  may be mounted to the supporting substrate  110  to facilitate assembly of the rail  100 . The supporting substrate  110  is sufficiently strong to support the individual lighting elements  108 , and to contain necessary electrical conductors (not shown). The supporting substrate  110 , which may be slightly bendable, is also rigid enough to be readily insertable into and through the hollow plastic tube  102  for all of the length L of the latter. The electrical circuit  112  is contained within the supporting substrate  110  in the assembly. The electrical circuit  112  is shown only schematically, and will be understood to include individual conductors in numbers and sizes necessary to accomplish the described functions. Also, electrical insulation and resistors and other electronic control components (none shown) are enclosed within or otherwise made integrally with the assembly. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 2 , each one of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  faces a first radial direction  114  relative to the through passage  194  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . The illuminated rail  100  further comprising at least one second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  located within and extending along the through passage  104  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . The at least one second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  includes at least one second supporting substrate  118  on which each one of the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  is mounted. The electric circuit  112  is electrically connected to each one of the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108 . Each one of the second series  118  of active lighting elements  108  faces a second radial direction  120  relative to the through passage  104  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . The second radial direction  120  is different from the first radial direction  114 . 
     The first and second radial directions  114  and  120  are radial relative to a longitudinal center line  122  of the through passage  104 . In this way, light emitted from the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  can be readily seen from one side of the illuminated rail  100 , and light emitted from the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  can be readily seen from another side of the illuminated rail  100 . 
     Where two series  106  and  116  are arranged back-to-back, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the illuminated rail  100  further comprises a resilient cushion  124  located between the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  and the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108 . The resilient cushion  124  both protects electronic components from shock and also spaces apart the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  so that the assembly formed thereby, in combination with the resilient cushion  124 , takes up most of the volume of the through passage  104 . This prevents the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  from twisting and/or rotating within the through passage  104 . If not prevented, twisting and/or rotating could damage the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108 , or might cause the active elements  108  to change in direction of light emission. 
     The resilient cushion is  124  is coupled to at least one of the first series  106  of active lighting elements and the second series of active lighting elements. This may be accomplished by adhesive (not shown), for example. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the resilient cushion  124  is coupled to both of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  and the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108 . For example, the adhesive may be applied to opposed sides of the resilient cushion  124  to maximally stabilize the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  against twisting and rotation. 
     The electrical circuit  112  carries both operating electrical power and also control signals controlling illumination of each one of at least the first series  116  of active lighting elements. Where two series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  are provided, the electrical circuit  112  carries both operating electrical power and also control signals controlling illumination of each one of the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  independently of illumination of each one of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108 . 
     Power and control signals may comprise different signals or electrical currents, or alternatively, may be the same. That is, turning power pulses on and off may be utilized both to power the active lighting elements  108  and also to control when the active lighting elements  108  are illuminated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the illuminated rail  100  further comprises at least one support stanchion  126  coupled to the hollow plastic tube  102 . Each one of the at least one support stanchion  126  has a first end  128  engaging the plastic tube  102 , and a second end  130  having means  132  for being fastened to an environmental object  2 . The first end  128  of one support stanchion  126  may comprise a socket or sleeve  134  which slips over the hollow plastic tube  102 , and adhered or otherwise fastened for engagement thereto. Where the environmental object  2  being provided with the illuminated rail  100  is a boat, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the means  132  for being fastened to the environmental object  2  may be for example a flange  136  bearing holes  138  for receiving fasteners  140  such as bolts, rivets, expansion pins, and the like. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , the hollow plastic tube  102  has a first end  142  and a second end  144 , and is of monolithic construction devoid of joints between the first end  142  and the second end  142 . Each one of the at least one support stanchion  126  is between the first end  142  of the hollow plastic tube  102  and the second end  144  of the hollow plastic tube  102 . In this way, the hollow plastic tube  102  remains strong and watertight along its length L. This applies to the hollow plastic tube  102  as shown in the example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the hollow plastic tube  102  is V-shaped (as seen in the plan view of  FIG. 4 ) to match an external contour of a prow  4  of the boat  2  when the hollow plastic tube  102  is placed in overlying relationship over the prow  4  of the boat  2 . 
     It would be possible to utilize two or more separate hollow plastic tubes  102  complementing one another to form the V-shape (this option is not shown). Each of these two or more separate hollow plastic tubes  102  would of course have its own independent through passage  104 , series  106  of active lighting elements  108 , and supporting conductors and controls where necessary or desired. Two separate hollow plastic tubes  102  could share a common support stanchion  126  at the prow  4  of the boat  2 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , the through passage  104  extends continuously through the hollow plastic tube  102  and continuously along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102 , and is non-circular in cross sections taken along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102 . A non-circular through passage  104  enables the assembly including the first and second series  106 ,  116  to be prevented from rotating and twisting within the through passage  104 . Any one of many non-circular cross sectional configurations may be utilized. For example, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the through passage  104  extending continuously through the hollow plastic tube  102  and continuously along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102  is rectangular in cross sections (such as cross sections A-A and B-B called out in  FIG. 4 ) taken along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102 . 
     The through passage  104  extending continuously through the hollow plastic tube  102  and continuously along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102  may comprise at least a flat facet  146  considered in cross sections taken along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102  (e.g., the cross sections A-A and B-B in  FIG. 4 ). The flat facets  146  enable the first and second supporting substrates  110 ,  118  to lodge sufficiently firmly against the interior surface of the through passage  104  so as to preclude twisting and/or rotation. At least one of the first supporting substrate  110  of the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108  and the second supporting substrate  118  of the second series  116  of active lighting elements  108  comprises a flat face  148  abutting the flat facet  146  of the through passage  104  extending continuously through the hollow plastic tube  102  and continuously along the length L of the hollow plastic tube  102 . This construction stabilizes the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  within the through passage  104  by engaging the flat facets  146  of the through passage  104 . 
     Still other cross sectional configurations of the through passage  104  are possible. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the through passage  104  may have a cross sectional configuration of a regular polygon. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the through passage  104  may have an “H” or “I” shaped cross sectional configuration, or other profile having both convexities and concavities. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the through passage  104  may have curved elements combined with straight elements. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 3  and also to  FIG. 9 , the illuminated rail  100  may further comprise a controller  150  hard wired to and operable to illuminate at least the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108 , and a user interface  152  operable to receive commands from a person (not shown) using the illuminated rail  100  and to transmit the commands to the controller as signals  154  selectively illuminating at least the first series  106  of active lighting elements  108 . In illuminated rails  100  having first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements, the user interface  152  and controller  150  would control both. Using antennae  156 ,  158 , the user interface  152  transmits the commands to the controller  150  wirelessly. 
     The controller  150  comprises a data processor  160  and a memory  162 , and computer instructions loaded into the memory  162 . The computer instructions are operable to selectively illuminate at least the first series  106  of acting lighting elements  108  according to at least one pre-established sequence, loaded into the memory  162  and capable of being processed by the data processor  160  to generate power and control signals  154  corresponding to the commands received by the user interface  152 . The user interface  152  includes input devices such as keys  164  which can be manually depressed to enter commands into the user interface  152 . The user interface  152  may be provided with the controller  150  (although as a physically separate component, such as a remote controller for audiovisual equipment), or alternatively, may comprise a personal communications device such as a cellular phone. 
     The controller  150  may comprise an electrical microprocessor made for example by Arduino. Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino is a commercial entity which intends its products for use by those creating projects having interactive features. Commercially available programming products of Arduino may be found online for example at a retailer such as Adafruit Industries (https://www.adafruit.com/products/191). Arduino product Mega 2560 R3 (Atmega 2560, assembled), product number 191, has proved satisfactory in the role of controller  150 . 
     The first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  may comprise LED strip products also available from Adafruit Industries, such as NeoPixel digital RGB LED strip, product identification 1461 (https://www.adafruit.com/products/1461). 
     The controller  150  is connected to a battery  166  carried on the boat  2  and to the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108 . The controller  150  may include a switch (shown as normally open contacts  168 ) to connect the first and second series  106 ,  116  of active lighting elements  108  to electrical power. If additional series (not shown) of active lighting elements  108  are provided, each of these would be operably connected to power and, where necessary, control signals. Where power and control signals are not one and the same, the controller  150  will be understood to provide both types of signals. Some lighting assemblies (e.g., including the series  106  or  116  of active lighting elements  108 ) may have internal electronic components (not shown) which respond to control signals generated by the controller  150 , for example, to switch individual active lighting elements  108  on and off, and to change colors thereof. 
     The illuminated rail  100  has been described herein in connection with the boat  2 . It should be understood that the illuminated rail  100  may be used for attachment to other types of transport vehicles, such as ships, underwater boats, motorized and unpowered wheeled or tracked land vehicles, and aircraft (none of these examples is shown). The illuminated rail  100  may be used with elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks. Also, the illuminated rail  100  may be used with static structures such as buildings, stairways and walkways, docks, piers, large scale platforms and scaffolds, industrial equipment such as large scale storage tanks and processing apparatus, and mobile structures such as tents, ladders, small scale or temporary scaffolds. 
     While the disclosed concepts have been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred implementation, it is to be understood that the disclosed concepts are not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but are intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 
     It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein in any feasible combination, and 
     all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. 
     Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples presented and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in the context of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims.