Abstract:
A novel device is presented having at least one electroluminescent element and a casing to house at least a portion of the electroluminescent element, allowing at least part of the electroluminescent element to be extracted from the casing and at least part of the electroluminescent element to be retracted into the casing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to electroluminescent devices generally and, more specifically, to electroluminescent wires.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of electroluminescent (EL) wires and EL strips for the purposes of personal decoration is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355 (Voskoboinik), U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 (Baumberg) U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,867 (Chien), U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,325 (Chien), U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,451 (Tabanera), U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,071 (Feldman), US Patent Application No. 2001/0004808 (Hurwitz) and French Patent No. 2811206 (Simon), discuss the application of EL wires or EL strips to garments, clothing items, shoes and hats. In accordance with the prior art, the EL wires or EL strips are stitched, pasted or otherwise fixed to the object to be illuminated, for example, for decoration purposes. The power supply unit is typically stowed out of sight, for example, in a concealed pocket stitched into a clothing item or inside the heel of a shoe, and is thus not readily accessible.  
         [0003]     Prior art devices are characterized by a predetermined length and shape, which may not be readily adjusted, but which may be irreversibly cut to size. Furthermore, the prior art devices do not facilitate easy access and rapid replacement of the power unit or units.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Some exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a device incorporating an EL wire having adjustable features, e.g., length and shape, as well as convenient storage for an unused portion of the EL wire. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the invention enable easy access to a power unit of a device incorporating an EL wire.  
         [0005]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, device may include an electroluminescent wire and a casing for housing at least a portion of the electroluminescent wire when not fully extended.  
         [0006]     In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the device may further include couplers for coupling the EL wire to a desired location on an object, for example a clothing item. Once positioned at the desired location, the couplers may be locked in place. The couplers may then be released and repositioned as desired. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the couplers may be slid or otherwise moved along the EL wire. Once positioned at the desired location along the EL wire, the coupler may be locked in place. The coupler may then be released and repositioned at a new location of choice along the EL wire. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the EL wire may be used to form a variety of shapes in a variety of sizes simply by adjusting the position of the coupler on the object to which the EL wire is to be coupled, and/or the location of the couplers along the EL wire. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the invention when read with the accompanied drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an top view of a device including an EL wire and a casing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric, exploded-view, illustration of a device including a coil spring for automatically retracting at least a portion of an EL wire into a casing, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a power supply unit having two EL wires operatively connected thereto, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic front view illustration of an EL wire device incorporating a set of couplers, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic side view illustration of the device of  FIG. 4A ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic cross-sectional, back-view, illustration of a coupler attached to an EL wire in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic cross-sectional, side view, illustration of the coupler of  FIG. 5A ; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 5C  is a schematic front-view illustration of the coupler of  FIG. 5A ; 
     
    
       [0016]     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of these non-limiting illustrations, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and procedures have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.  
         [0018]     Throughout the specification and the claims, the term “spool” is used to denote a substantially cylindrical element around which an electroluminescent wire may be wound. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited in this respect, and other elements, providing similar functionality, may be used as part of some embodiments of the present invention, including but not limited to a bobbin, a disc and a spool.  
         [0019]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which schematically illustrates a top view of a device  100  including an EL wire and a casing, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]     The device  100  may include an electroluminescent (EL) wire  102  and a casing  104 . The EL wire  102  may be retracted into the casing  104 . The casing  104  may be used for housing at least a portion of the EL wire  102 . In the embodiment shown, a portion of the EL wire  102  is extended out of the casing  104 .  
         [0021]     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the length of the EL wire  102  extending out of the casing  104  may vary, and may be, for example, determined by a user. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the EL wire  102  may be fully or partially extended out of the casing  104 , as desired. It should be noted that when the phrase “fully extended” or a similar phrase is used to describe the extension of the EL wire  102  out of the casing  104 , it may not necessarily refer to a complete extraction of the EL wire  102  from the casing  104 . Rather, possibly, when the EL wire  102  is fully extended, a generally small portion (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the EL wire  102  may remain inside the casing  104 . The portion of the EL wire  102  inside the casing  104  may be used for anchoring or otherwise connecting the EL wire  102  to one or more elements inside the casing  104 .  
         [0022]     Some embodiments of the present invention may include a mechanism for preventing the extended EL wire  102  from retreating into the housing  104 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  may include a stopper  106 . The stopper  106  may be adapted to prevent the EL wire  102  from being completely retracted into the casing  104 , leaving at least an exterior end of the EL wire  102 , connected thereto, out of the casing  104 . Thus, the stopper  106  may allow convenient grasp of the EL wire  102  even when the EL wire  102  is in a fully retracted mode. The EL wire  102  may be readily extended as desired by pulling the stopper  106  or any part of the EL wire  102  protruding out of the casing  104 . The extension and retraction of the EL wire  102  in various embodiments of the invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.  
         [0023]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is an illustration of a device including a coil spring for automatically retracting at least a portion of an EL wire into a casing, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The device  200  may include a casing  201 . The casing  201  may include a first casing frame  202  and a second casing frame  204 . The device  200  may further include a rotatable spool  206 , which may be fitted into the casing  201  in a manner that enables rotation of spool  206  within casing  201 , as discussed in detail below.  
         [0024]     For example, a portion of the casing frame  204  and the rotatable spool  206  may be engaged or coupled such that spool  206  may rotate For example, the second portion of the casing  204  may have a bore  205 . The rotatable spool  206  may have a shaft  207 . The shaft  207  may be fitted into the bore  205  in a manner to allow the rotatable spool  206  to rotate around a central axis of the shaft  207 . According to one embodiment, the shaft  207  may include a bearing (not shown). According to further embodiments of the present invention, the spool  206  may be otherwise fitted or coupled to a portion of the casing  201 . According to embodiments of the present invention, the device  200  of the present invention may be otherwise designed to enable rotation of rotatable spool  206  in casing  201 , e.g., using suitable methods known in the art.  
         [0025]     The device  200  may further include an EL wire  210 . The EL wire may be any EL device, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355 (Voskoboinik) or U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 (Baumberg). It will be understood that the EL wire used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention may utilize any flexible EL device, such as EL strip, three-dimensional EL wire, EL tube, EL welt, etc. The EL wire  210  may be wound around the rotatable spool  206 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, the peripheral portion of the spool  210  may have a channel-like design. When retracted, the EL wire  210  may be wound around the spool  206  within the channel. The dimensions of the channel may be sufficient to hold several windings of the EL wire  210  around the spool  206 . In some embodiments, the channel may be large enough to hold the full length of the EL wire  210 .  
         [0026]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the device  200  may further include at least one power supply unit  214 , such as a battery. The at least one power supply unit  214  may be operatively connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  216 . One end of the EL wire  210  may also be operatively connected to the PCB  216 . Thus, the EL wire  210  may receive power from the power supply unit  214  through the PCB  216 . The PCB  216 , together with the power supply unit  214  coupled thereto, may be mounted or otherwise engaged with the rotatable spool  206 . When engaged, the spool  206 , the PCB  216  and the power supply unit  214  may all rotate as a single unit. The coordinated movement of the spool  206  and the power supply unit  214 , either directly or through the movement of the PCB  216 , may enable continuous contact between the EL wire  210  and the power supply unit  214 . The continuous connection between the EL wire  210  and the power supply unit  214  (possibly through the PCB  216 ) may enable a continuous supply of power to the EL wire  210  at all times, whether extended, retracted or during extension or retraction.  
         [0027]     A portion of the casing  201 , for example, the first casing frame  202  may include an openable cap or latch  220 . When the openable cap  220  is closed, the inside of the casing  201  may be inaccessible from the outside. However, removal or otherwise opening the openable cap  220  may expose at least a portion or portions of the inside of the casing  201 , and provide access to one more elements of the device  200 . Thus, by opening the cap  220  a user may be capable of adding, removing, replacing or modifying, or the like, one or more of the elements of the device  200 .  
         [0028]     In one embodiment of the present invention, openable cap  220  may enable access to a connection point or points (e.g. a set of output terminals) of one or more EL wires  210  to the power supply unit  214 . Thus, by opening the cap  220  a user may add, remove, replace or modify, or the like, each of the one or more EL wires  210 . The user may select to add additional EL wires  210 , or replace the EL wires currently utilized by the device as desired. The additional or replacement EL wire  210  or wires may have different colors, different length, different width, etc. The addition of EL wires  210  and the connection of the additional wires, either in parallel or serially will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the use of an openable cap or lid  220  may enable enhanced maintenance and serviceability capabilities, as well as added value features, for example, by enabling a user to replace dead or empty batteries with new ones, connect additional EL wires in parallel or in serial, connect additional unit or units for enabling additional features, etc.  
         [0029]     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the cap or lid  220  may also be used as a power switch. In one embodiment, the cap  220  may be rotated between a first state and a second state. When in the first state, the cap  220  may be adapted to disconnect the power supply unit  214  from one or more elements of the circuit (e.g. from the EL wire). Whereas, when the cap  220  is rotated to the second state, the power from the power supply unit  214  may be connected to the rest of the circuit. Thus, when the cap  220  is rotated to the first state, the active elements of the device (e.g. the EL wires) may be deactivated, and may be activated when the cap  220  is rotated to the second state. The cap  220  may enable the selection of additional operation modes in accordance with a variety of additional power schemes. For example, in one embodiment, the cap  220  may be rotated to a third state, causing the power supply unit  214  to be connected and disconnected from one or more elements of circuit (e.g. to the EL wire) in rapid succession. In the third state a flashing effect may be provided, whereby the EL wire  210  may repeatedly flash on and off. Those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the cap  220 , or any other power switch known in the art, may be designed to rotate between numerous states including, the states discussed above, as well as additional states, for providing a selection between numerous power schemes.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, the device  200  may include an intensity control unit (not shown) to control the intensity of the power to be delivered to one or more elements of the circuit. The intensity control unit may be connected to the power supply unit  214  and/or to any to additional intermediary elements the circuit (e.g. the PCB). The power intensity may be adapted to control one or more aspects of the operation of an element or elements of the circuit. For example, by adapting the power intensity delivered to EL wire  210 , the luminescence of EL wire  210  may be modified. Thus, a user may be capable of adapting the EL wire&#39;s  210  luminescence intensity to comply with current needs. In addition, by adapting the power intensity, the power consumption of the device  200  may be optimized. The intensity control unit may be manually controlled by a user, or may be controlled automatically in accordance with predefined criteria (e.g. the intensity of ambient light). Any suitable intensity control unit or units or any suitable elements may be used including any combination of suitable elements or units.  
         [0031]     In accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the openable cap  220  may expose only a portion of the areas within the casing  201 , and/or may provide access to only specific element or elements located within the casing  201 . Furthermore, the inner cavity of the casing  201  may be divided to one or more chambers or compartments. Each chamber or compartment may contain one or more elements of the device  200 . Each compartment may be designed to fulfill a specific functionality or functionalities. The functionality may be associated with the element or elements of the device positioned within the compartment. For example, the device  200  may include a power unit compartment for storing and utilizing a power supply unit  214 , such as batteries. The power unit compartment may be, for example, designed to retain the power supply unit  214  in electrical contact with the active elements of the device  200 , such as the EL wire  210 , under various conditions and operation modes. Each of the compartments may be physically separated from the other compartments. In addition, one or more of the compartments may also include an openable cap or lid  220 , which may provide access to one or more elements positioned within the one or more compartments.  
         [0032]     According to some embodiments of the device of the present invention, the EL wire  210  may be manually retracted into the casing  201 . In one exemplary embodiment, the device  200  may include a manual retraction mechanism (not shown). The manual retraction mechanism may include a revolving handle. The handle may be operatively connected to the spool  206 . The handle may be revolved at least in a first direction, causing the spool  206  to also rotate in the first direction, thereby pulling or otherwise retracting the EL wire  210  into the casing  201 . According to further embodiments of the device of the present invention, the handle may also be revolved in the counter direction causing the spool  206  to rotate in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, thereby extending the EL wire  210  out of the casing  201 .  
         [0033]     In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the device  200  may also include an automatic retraction mechanism  230 . The automatic retraction mechanism  230  may be operatively connected to the spool  206 . The automatic retraction mechanism  230  may be adapted to cause the spool  206  to rotate in a first direction, thereby pulling or otherwise retracting the EL wire  210  into the casing  201 .  
         [0034]     According to further embodiments of the device of the present invention, the device  200  may also include an automatic extension mechanism (not shown). The automatic extension mechanism may be adapted to cause the spool  206  to rotate in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, thereby extending the EL wire  210  out of the casing. The automatic extension mechanism may be constructed similarly to the automatic retraction mechanism discussed above. For example, the automatic extension mechanism may also include a spring. The spring of the automatic extension mechanism may be configured conversely to the configuration of the spring of the automatic retraction mechanism, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.  
         [0035]     However, it should be noted that the automatic retraction mechanism and/or the automatic extension mechanism may include any other suitable elements either in addition or in alternative to a spring, including but not limited to, motors, magnets etc. The automatic retraction mechanism and the automatic extension mechanism may conjointly use or more of the elements of the other mechanism. The operation of the automatic retraction mechanism and/or of the automatic extension mechanism may also affect the operation of one or more of the elements of the other mechanism. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the device of the present invention, the device may include any suitable combination of manual and automatic retraction and/or extension mechanism or any combination thereof.  
         [0036]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the spring  232  may be used for automatically winding and/or retracting the EL wire  210  into the casing  201 . The spring  232  may be configured to allow a user to extend the EL wire  210  or any portion thereof, simply by pulling the wire  210  out of the casing  201 . The spring  232  may be adapted to automatically retract the EL wire  210  upon the release of the EL wire  210 . A first end of the spring  232 , for example the inner end, may be connected to the casing  201 . For example, the first end of the spring may be connected to the second portion of the casing  204 . The second end of the spring  232 , for example the outer end, may be connected to the rotatable spool  206 . As a result, when the spool  206  is rotating in a first direction, for example in response to a force pulling the EL wire  210  out of the casing  201 , the second end portion of the spring  232  may also rotate with the spool  206 . Since the first end of the spring  232  may be anchored to the casing  201 , the spring  232  may be gradually wound. When the EL wire  210  is released the spring  232  may spontaneously begin to unwind. The unwinding of the spring  232  may cause the spool  206  to rotate in the opposite direction, and the EL wire  210  to coil around the spool  206 . Thus, at least partial automatic retraction of the EL wire  210  may be achieved. It should be noted, that in order to guarantee sustained and full retractability of the EL wire  210  over time, it may be desirable to configure the spring  232 , such that some redundant load is applied onto the spool  206  even when the EL wire  210  is substantially completely retracted. In such cases, it may be beneficial to use a stopper  106  which may prevent the EL wire  210  from being completely retracted into the casing  201 .  
         [0037]     In addition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the device  200  may further include a lock  250 . The lock  250  may be configured to lock the EL wire  210  in place, for example, by friction, preventing any further extension and/or retraction of the EL wire  210 . The lock  250  may be slid or otherwise moved between two states, a locked state and a released state. When the lock  250  is in a locked state, the EL wire  210  may be locked and may not be further extended and/or retracted. When the lock  250  is in a released state the EL wire  210  may be freely extended and/retracted. According to further embodiments, when in the locked state the lock  250  may permit the EL wire  210  only to be retracted and prevent any further extension of the EL wire  210 , and vice versa.  
         [0038]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  showing a power supply unit having two EL wires operatively connected thereto, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The power supply unit  302  may be connected to two or more distinct EL wires  306  and  308 , through an inverter  310 . The inverter  310  may be adapted to modify some characteristics of the power that is to be applied therethrough to the EL wires  306  and  308 . For example, the inverter  310  may be adapted to the convert the direct current (DC) output to an alternating current, which is to be input to one or both of the EL wires connected thereto. The inverter  310  may be adapted to modify other characteristics of the power to be applied to the EL wires  306  and  308 . The inverter  310  may be constructed using any known in the present or yet to be devised in the future electronic or other power modification and/or transmission elements.  
         [0039]     The EL wires  306  and  308  may be connected to the power supply unit or units  302  either serially or in parallel or in any combination thereof. In case that several (e.g. two or more) EL wires are connected to the power supply unit  302  serially, the result may be an extended EL wire (not shown) having several sections, wherein each section may correspond to one or more of the EL wires. Each section of the extended EL wire may have distinct characteristics. For example, an extended EL wire may be provided, wherein two or more sections of the wire may be adapted to emit a different color of light. The extended EL wire may be used to form larger and/or more intricate multicolor shapes. According to some embodiments of the device of the present invention, at least one of the EL wires connected to the power supply unit may be adapted to connect to at least one additional EL wire serially. For example, the tip of the portion of an EL wire connected to the power supply unit may include output terminals. The electrodes of an additional EL wire may be engaged or otherwise connected to the output terminals of the EL wire, thereby serially connecting the additional EL wire to the power supply unit. The additional EL wire may be removed simply by disconnecting the electrodes of the additional EL wire from the output terminals of the EL wire connected to the power supply unit. This may be done for example, by pulling the additional EL wire away from the EL wire.  
         [0040]     A different result may be achieved by connecting several (e.g. two or more) EL wires  306  and  308  to the power supply unit  302  in parallel. When connecting the EL  306  and  308  wires in parallel, the result may be several distinct EL wires  306  and  308 . Each of the distinct EL wires  306  and  308  may have distinct characteristics (e.g. different colors). In addition, each of the EL wires  306  and  308  may be used individually, to form a variety of distinct shapes in a variety of sizes. The EL wires  306  and  308  may be individually or jointly operated. According to some embodiments of the device of the present invention, the power supply unit  302  may be configured to connect to more than one EL wire in parallel. According to further embodiments of the present invention, the inverter  310  may be adapted to connect more than one EL wire to the power supply unit  302  in parallel. The inverter  310  may include two or more sets of output terminals  312  and  314 . Two or more corresponding EL wires  306  and  308  may be individually connected in parallel to each of the available sets of terminals  312  and  314 .  
         [0041]     According to some embodiments of the device of the present invention, newly added EL wires, whether connected serially or in parallel may also be retracted into the casing in a manner similar to the device for one EL wire. The EL wires may be retracted and/or extended either individually or jointly. When not fully extended the portion of the additional EL wire, which is not extended, may be stored inside the casing.  
         [0042]     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the device may enable a user to modify certain aspects of the operation of the device, for example, by adding, subtracting or combining EL wires in series or in parallel. Other aspects of the operation of the device may also be modified by controlling some aspects of the operation of other elements of the device. For example, certain aspect of the operation of the inverter may be modified to influence the operation of the EL wires. The operation of the elements of the device may be controlled either manually, by and operator, or automatically, by a controller, or by any combination thereof.  
         [0043]     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, power consumption of 1 meter of Lytec® 01S BG EL wire, manufactured by ELAM Electro-Luminescent industries Ltd. of Har-Hotzvim, Israel, at a voltage of 100V and a frequency of 800 Hz is around 2 mA. In accordance with these parameters, the luminosity of the Lytec® EL wire is in the order of 50-60 cd/m 2 . Two M batteries may provide sufficient power to activate a single EL wire in accordance with the above parameters, for a duration of approximately 25 hours. Those of ordinary skill in the art may compute a variety of values associated with different aspects of the operation of the device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and in accordance a variety of operational inputs and parameters.  
         [0044]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4A , showing a front view of an EL wire device incorporating a set of couplers, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reference is made to FIG.  4 B, showing a side view of the device of  FIG. 4A . The device  400  may include a casing  402 , an EL wire  404  and one or more couplers  406 . The casing  402  may be used for housing at least a portion of the EL wire  404  when not fully extended (not shown). In the embodiment shown, a portion of the EL wire  404  is extended out of the casing  402 . The couplers  406  may be placed or otherwise positioned on the portion of the EL wire  404  that is extended out of the casing  402 . The couplers  406  may be adapted to couple the EL wire  404  to one or more objects (e.g. clothing, shoes, etc.). The couplers  406  may be suitable for coupling the EL wire  404  to a variety of different objects having different characteristics. Alternatively, specific couplers  406  may be selected to couple the EL wire  404  to a specific object having predetermined characteristics, size and/or shape. Once positioned at the desired location, the couplers  406  may be locked, thereby coupling the EL wire  404  to the object. The couplers  406  may then be released and repositioned as desired and locked again to couple the EL wire  404  to the object at the new location.  
         [0045]     According to further embodiments of the present invention, the couplers  406  may be slid or otherwise moved along the EL wire  404 . The couplers  406  may then be locked, thereby fixing the coupler to a specific location along the EL wire  404 . The couplers  406  may be released and moved to a new location along the EL wire  404  and then locked again, as desired. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the EL wire  404  may be used to from a variety of shapes in a variety of sizes simply by adjusting the position of the couplers  406  on the object to which the EL wire  404  is to be coupled, and/or the location of the couplers  406  along the EL wire.  
         [0046]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5A , showing cross-sectional, back-view, of a coupler attached to an EL wire in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, to  FIG. 5B , showing a cross-sectional, side view of the coupler of  FIG. 5A  and to  FIG. 5C , showing a front-view illustration of the coupler of  FIG. 5A . The front portion of the couplers  500  may be designed to provide good grip on the object, to which the EL wire  502  is to be coupled. In the embodiments shown, the front portion of the coupler  500  may include a jaw  504 . Each jaw  504  may include a first portion and second portion  505 A and  505 B. The first and second portions  505 A and  505 B of the jaw  504  may be cooperatively engaged. The first and second portions of the jaw  505 A and  505 B may be designed to provide enhanced grip on the object to which to EL wire  502  is to be coupled. For example, the first and the second portions of the jaw  505 A and  505 B may include a set of pointed teeth facing the set of pointed teeth of the other portion. The teeth may be serrated to further enhance grip on some objects. The first and second portions of the jaw  505 A and  505 B may be otherwise designed to provide enhanced grip.  
         [0047]     The coupler  500  may also include a spring  506  and two levers  508 A and  508 B. The spring may be connected to only one portion of the jaw or to both. By pressing the levers  508 A and  508 B the spring  506  may be flexed and expanded outwardly. When the levers  508 A and  508 B are released, the spring  506  may return to its contracted state. When contracted, the spring  506  may fasten or lock together the two portions of the jaw  505 A and  505 B. When the levers are pressed together, the spring  506  may expand outwardly, unlocking the two portions of the jaw  505 A and  505 B, and causing the jaw  504  to open. A portion of the material or object to which the EL wire  502  is to be fastened may be placed between the two rows of teeth  505 A and  505 B. Once the material or object is in place, the levers  508 A and  508 B may be released locking first and the second portion of the jaw  505 A and  505 B together, and fastening the coupler  500  to the object or material. In the embodiment shown, the jaw  504  may be locked or released as desired.  
         [0048]     In addition, according to further embodiments of the device of the present invention, the couplers  500  may also be locked to a desired location along the EL wire  502 . For example, the EL wire  502  may be passed through the spring  506 . The spring  506  may be designed, such that when in contracted mode (e.g. released) the coils of the spring  506  may press onto the EL wire  502 , so as to lock the coupler  500  to the EL wire  502 . Alternatively, the spring  506  may also press the EL wire  502  against an object, for example against a portion of the coupler  500 , with sufficient force, so as to lock the coupler to the EL wire  502 . Thus, the coupler  500  may be locked to a specific location along the EL wire  502 . The coupler  500  may be moved to a different location along the EL wire  502 , by pressing the levers  508 A and  508 B, causing the spring  506  to expand, and releasing the coupler  500 . The coupler  500  may then be freely moved the coupler  500  to a desired location along the EL wire  502 . Once the coupler  500  is positioned at a desired location, the levers  508 A and  508 B may be released, locking the coupler  500  at the desired location along EL wire  502 . This process may be repeated as necessary.  
         [0049]     The coupler discussed above is purely exemplary in nature. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any one particular coupler design, and that rather, many other couplers may be used to couple the EL wire in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, to an object or a material. In addition, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, the couplers may or may not be moved, positioned and repositioned along the EL wire.  
         [0050]     While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.