Patent Publication Number: US-2018035837-A1

Title: Work area illuminating curtain

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/372,128, filed Aug. 8, 2016, entitled “Illuminating Isolation Curtain,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/415,314, filed Oct. 31, 2016, entitled “Work Area Illuminating Curtain,”, U.S. Design Application, Ser. No. 29/582,876, filed Oct. 31, 2016, U.S. Design Application, Ser. No. 29/590,018, filed Jan. 6, 2017, entitled “Work Area Illuminating Flexible Curtain,” and U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 62/451,278, filed Jan. 27, 2017, entitled “Work Area Illuminating Curtain”, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to work area curtains and more particularly to work area vehicle flexible illuminating curtains. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flexible work area or isolation curtains may be used to separate or divide one working area from another and to contain objects, tools, debris, dust, and other items in one or excluded from a self-contained working area. This may include various industrial and clean room work areas. Isolation curtains may be particularly useful in the automotive repair context to prevent cross contamination of materials. In particular, it may be advantageous to separate work areas designated for vehicle aluminum repair from those work areas designated for vehicle steel repair. 
     Dust, debris, and other particulates caused by welding, brazing, grinding, sanding, buffing, polishing, and other abrasive techniques may create hazy or dusty working conditions within the working area. As a result, the lighting conditions of these work areas may be compromised, even with proper ventilation and dust extraction systems. Poor lighting conditions can make service and repair tasks more difficult and can affect the quality of the repair. 
     In the past, lighting systems in working areas separated or enclosed by isolation curtains have been suspended from the ceiling or integrated with overhead truss systems. In some cases, the inner curtain walls of an isolation curtain may comprise a reflective surface such that the light from an overhead lighting system may reflect off of the curtain walls and better illuminate the working area. However, due to the haze, dust, and debris generated during a repair, the lighting conditions within a work station may be less than optimal, even with these reflective surface solutions. The sides of a vehicle and other areas not directly lit by the overhead lighting system may be particularly poorly lit, compromising optimal repair service conditions. Moreover, repair professionals, tools, and other objects may shade or block certain areas of the vehicle from the overhead lighting systems, which may also compromise repair conditions. For example, in work bays with service lifts, collision repair benches and work benches when vehicles are elevated thereon, they literally block out overhead lighting. 
     Thus, there is a need for a lighting system for work area isolation curtains that addresses these noted challenges. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a work area illuminating isolation curtain having a length and a height comprises an illuminating source extending along the length of the curtain. The illuminating source may be positioned along the length such that when the illuminating source is illuminated, the emitted incident light rays shine generally perpendicular to the curtain or generally parallel with respect to a ground surface or floor of the work area. This may allow for the emitted light rays to better illuminate the front, rear, or side surfaces of an object enclosed by the isolation curtain. 
     In another embodiment, a work area illuminating isolation curtain having a length and a height comprises an illuminating source extending along the length of the curtain. The illuminating source may comprise LED strips housed within pockets extending generally parallel to the bottom edge of the curtain. A vertical pocket may house an LED strip as well and may connect the LED strips housed within the horizontal pockets with a power source and/or a controller. The illuminating source may be positioned along the length such that when the illuminating source is illuminated, the emitted incident light rays shine generally perpendicular to the curtain or generally parallel with respect to a ground or floor surface of the work area. This may allow for better illumination of the working area enclosed by the isolation curtain. 
     In yet another embodiment, a work area illuminating isolation curtain having a length and a height comprises an illuminating source extending along the length of the curtain. The illuminating source may comprise LED strips housed within pockets extending generally parallel to the bottom edge of the curtain. The LED strip may be in electrical connection with a power source and/or a controller. Sensors may be positioned along the pockets or elsewhere such that they may track motion in and conditions of the working area. The sensor inputs may be received by the controller and the individual LEDs disposed along the LED strips may be configured to adjust their elevation angles to better illuminate a particular section of an object being worked on within the working area. 
     In yet another embodiment a work area illuminating curtain having a length and height comprises illuminating sources extending along the length of both sides or opposed faces of the curtain. The illuminating sources may be positioned so that when illuminated the light rays extend generally perpendicular to their respective side of the curtain or generally parallel to a ground surface or floor of the adjacent work area. This may allow the emitted light rays to illuminate work areas on both sides of the curtain and the front, rear, side, or under surfaces of an object in the work area and elevated from or above the floor of the work area. The illuminating sources may comprise LED light strips received within pockets extending generally parallel to the bottom edge of the curtain or the floor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a facility housing a number of exemplary illuminating isolation curtains; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain detailing the direct lateral illumination of an object contained within a working area. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of one side of another form of an exemplary illuminating curtain; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the other side of the curtain of the  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the curtain of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary end view of a pocket and light strip of the curtain wall of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another form of an exemplary illuminating curtain with light strips on both sides of the curtain; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of one side of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of one end of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of the other end of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the other side of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are top and bottom views respectively of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged fragmentary end view of opposed pockets and light strips on opposite sides of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a view of one side of another form of an exemplary illuminating curtain with light strips on both sides of the curtain; 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of one end of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an end view of the other end of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a view of the other side of the illuminating curtain of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Multiple embodiments of an illuminating isolation curtain  2  are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals reference like structures. Although illuminating isolation curtain  2  may be illustrated and described herein as including particular components in a particular configuration, the components and configuration shown and described are provided for example purposes only. The figures and descriptions of the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the breadth or the scope of the inventive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed descriptions of illuminating isolation curtain  2  are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain  2 . The illuminating isolation curtain  2  may comprise a curtain wall  4  having a first surface  6  and a second surface  8  (see  FIG. 4 ). In this embodiment, the first surface  6  is shown as the inner surface of the curtain wall  4  and the second surface  8  is shown as the outer surface. An illuminating source  10  may be integral with the first surface  6  of the curtain wall  4  such that when the illuminating source illuminates, the sides, front, and/or the back of an object may be directly lit by laterally emanating light rays. 
     The curtain walls  4  may be coupled with a track  12  in a known manner, such as by hooks and grommets. The illuminating isolation curtain  2  may be disposed about the track  12  such that it forms an enclosure or isolated working area  20 . The illuminating isolation curtain  2  may be configured to move about the track  12  to allow for an opening in the front or back of the working area  20  for easy ingress and egress. Velcro® or other known securing means may couple different curtain walls  4  of the illuminating isolation curtain  2  together during repair to ensure proper isolation of the work area  20 . The track  12  may be suspended by cables  14  or the like from the ceiling or other overhead structure. The canopy above the working area  20  may be opened or closed and may contain dust extraction systems, ventilation systems, heating and cooling systems, overhead lighting systems, and other like systems. 
     The curtain wall  4  may comprise an ultraviolet (UV) window section  16  that may allow for persons to see into or out of the working area  20 . The UV window section  16  may serve as eye protection for observers viewing a welding process or similar process involving high light intensity. Curtain wall  4  may also comprise a reflective section  18  for reflecting overhead light into the working area  20 . Toward the base of the curtain wall  4 , a floor sweep section  19  may comprise a weighed hem to ensure proper containment of particulates within the working area  20 . The curtain wall  4  may be made of a non-combustible, flame retardant flexible material. The curtain wall  2  may be of any height H or length L. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary top plan view of a facility having a plurality of isolated working areas  20  enclosed by illuminating isolation curtains  2  is shown. Illuminating isolation curtain  2  may have n number of curtain walls  4  and n number of sides S. As illustrated, working area  20   a  is enclosed by two curtain walls  4  on four sides S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4 . Working area  20   b  is enclosed by two curtain walls  4  on three sides S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and by a facility wall  21 . Working area  20   c  is enclosed by one curtain wall  4  on two sides S 1 , S 2  and by facility walls  21 . Working area  20   d  is enclosed by one curtain wall  4  on one side S 1  and by facility walls  21 . The illuminating sources  10  that are integral with the curtain walls  4  are shown illuminating light rays  22  directly onto the various surfaces of the vehicles located within the working areas. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain  2  is shown. The curtain wall  4  is illustrated having an illuminating source  10 . The illuminating source  10  may be comprised of any number of light radiating sources, such as LEDs, incandescent, fluorescent, phosphorescent, high-intensity discharge, and electroluminescent. In this embodiment, the illuminating source  10  comprises LED strips  24  that are inserted into horizontal pockets  26  and a vertical pocket  28 . The horizontal and vertical pockets  26 ,  28  may be comprised of a transparent or semi-transparent material that is either integral with or affixed to a first surface  6  or second surface  8  of the curtain wall  4 . The transparent or semi-transparent material may be a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic or a polycarbonate material, for example. Preferably, a heat-resistant, low-scratch, and flexible material is selected such that the protection of the LED strips  24  is not compromised and the illuminating isolation curtain  2  may freely be moved about the track  12 . The illuminating isolation curtain  2  may have any number of horizontal pockets  26  and any number of vertical pockets  28 . The horizontal pockets  26  (and corresponding LED strips  24 ) may be disposed along the entire length L of the illumination isolation curtain  2  and may be positioned in spaced apart relationship from one another along the height H. In one embodiment, the horizontal pockets may be positioned at twenty-four inches, forty inches, and eighty-four inches along the height H measured from the base of the curtain wall  4 . 
     The vertical pocket  28  may connect the horizontal pockets  26  such that the horizontal pockets  26  may be in electrical communication with one another and a power source (not shown). The vertical pocket  28  may extend downward toward the base of the curtain wall  4  to allow for electrical wires and cords to feed out of the bottom such that they may extend to a power source (not shown) and/or a controller  30 . The controller  30  may be used to brighten or dim the illuminating source  10  as appropriate. The controller  30  may be controlled by any means known in the art, such as by a desktop station or wirelessly by an electronic device. It should be noted that the illuminating isolation curtain  2  need not comprise a vertical pocket  28  connecting the illuminating sources  10  as the illuminating sources  10  housed within the horizontal pockets  26  may individually be connected with a power source and/or controller  30 . 
     To conserve energy, sensors  32  may be integral with the LED strips  24  or located elsewhere within the isolated working area  20  to track movement of a repair professional. The sensors  32  may communicate with the controller  30  via a network, including via a wireless network or wired network, such that the controller  30  may adjust the light intensity (lumen output) of the illuminating source  10  in a particular area of the isolated working area  20  (i.e., the illuminating source can be brightened or dimmed). Sensors  32  may also be configured to sense the haziness or dustiness of the isolated working area  20  and communicate with the controller  30  to brighten the area. In the event no motion is detected by sensors  32  in a particular area of the isolated working area  20 , the LED strips  24  may be configured to dim or completely shut off 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of an exemplary illuminating isolation curtain  2  is shown illuminating an object contained within a working area  20 . In this embodiment, a vehicle  34  is illustrated as the object contained within the working area  20 . Light rays  22  are shown emanating from LED strips  24  directly onto the side of vehicle  24 . Top light rays  22   c  may be emitted from the individual LEDs of top LED strip  24   c,  mid light rays  22   b  may be emitted from the individual LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b,  and bottom light rays  22   a  may be emitted from the individual LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a.  It will be appreciated that the front and rear of vehicle  34  may also be directly illuminated by LED strips  24 . 
     In one embodiment, the LED strips  24  may be situated within the horizontal pockets  26  in a fixed position. The LED strips  24  may emanate light rays  22  in a general lateral direction (or a direction generally parallel with the ground or floor). It will be appreciated that light rays propagate from a light source and that not all light rays may emanate in a lateral direction. 
     In another embodiment, the individual LEDs of the bottom, mid, and top LED strips  24 a,  24 b,  24   c  (collectively LED strips  24 ) may be configured to adjust their elevation angle (i.e., a polar angle in a two-dimensional polar coordinate system). The elevation angles of the individual LEDs of the LED strips  24  may be controlled by controller  30  via inputs from sensors  32 . 
     In a first example, if a repair professional is sanding the mid section  34   b  of the vehicle  34 , the LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b  may be configured to remain aligned with horizon B, but the LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  and the LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  may be configured to adjust their respective elevations to better focus the incident light rays  22  onto the mid section  34   b  of vehicle  34 . Specifically, to better focus the illumination on the mid section  34   b,  the individual LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle Φc with respect to horizon C and the individual LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle θa with respect to horizon A. Angle Φc may be −45° with respect to its corresponding horizon C and angle θa may be 45° with respect to its corresponding horizon A. Horizons A, B, and C are contemplated to be substantially parallel. 
     In a second example, if a repair professional is sanding the top section  34   c  of the vehicle  34 , the LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  may be configured to remain aligned with horizon C, but the LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b  and the LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  may be configured to adjust their respective elevations to better focus the incident light rays  22  onto the top section  34   c  of vehicle  34 . Specifically, to better focus the illumination on the top section  34   c,  the individual LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle θb with respect to horizon B and the individual LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle θa with respect to horizon A. It is possible that the individual LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  will be adjusted by an angle θc with respect to horizon C. Moreover, it is contemplated that θa may be greater than θb. For example, θb might be a 45° angle with respect to horizon B and θa might be a 60° angle with respect to horizon A. 
     In a third example, if a repair professional is sanding the bottom section  34   a  of the vehicle  34 , the LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  may be configured to remain in position, but the LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b  and the LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  may be configured to adjust their respective elevations to better focus the incident light rays  22  onto the bottom section  34   a  of vehicle  34 . Specifically, to focus the illumination on the bottom section  34   a  of the vehicle  34 , the individual LEDs of mid LED strip  24   b  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle Φb and the individual LEDs of top LED strip  24   c  may adjust their elevation angle by an angle Φc. It is possible that the individual LEDs of bottom LED strip  24   a  will be adjusted by an angle Φa. Moreover, it is contemplated that Φc may be greater than Φb (in absolute value). For example, Φb might be a −40° angle with respect to horizon B and Φc might be a −65° angle with respect to horizon C. 
     In another embodiment, the LED strips  24  may be in communication with an electric motor (not shown) that may drive the LED strips about an axis of rotation to adjust the elevation angle of the respective LED strips  24 . The LED strips  24  may be configured to rotate about a flexible shaft, for example. When sensors  32  detect motion or conditions of the working area  20 , these inputs may be received by the controller  30  such that the elevation angles of the LED strips may better illuminate the particular section of the vehicle  34  being worked on. 
       FIGS. 5-8  illustrate a presently preferred form of the illuminating curtain wall  4  with generally opposed surfaces  6  and  8  either one of which may be the inner surface and other the outer surface. For discussion purposes surface  6  may be considered to be the inner surface relative to a working area  20  with an object such as a wheeled vehicle, typically a motor vehicle, received in the work area. The wall  4  may have a longitudinally extending section  16 ′ of a transparent and flexible material attached to and received between upper and lower longitudinally extending sections  18  and  19  of a flexible opaque material. Desirably the intermediate section  16 ′ may be of a clear or tinted transparent material or of an ultraviolet material which will allow a person to visually see into or out of the work area  20  and will provide eye protection for an observer outside of the work area viewing a welding or similar process of high light intensity occurring within the work area. Desirably the curtain wall  4  has a plurality of spaced apart rows or strips  24  of lights illuminating the interior of the work area and an object received in the work area. The rows or strips  24  of lights desirably extend longitudinally on the curtain generally parallel to the bottom edge  40  of the curtain wall or generally parallel to the ground or floor of the work area. In addition or alternatively, spaced apart rows or strips of lights  32  may extend either generally vertically with respect to the ground or floor of the work area (generally transversely to the longitude of the wall). As shown in  FIG. 7  each one of four longitudinal rows or strips  24  of lights may be located on the wall relative to the ground or floor of the work area and/or bottom  40  of the wall at respective heights A, B, C, and D. For most wheeled vehicles and typically motor vehicle applications the vertical height A may typically be in the range of 18-30 inches, height B may be in the range of 36-48 inches, height C may be in the range of 52-64 inches, and height D may be in the range of 70-90 inches. 
     Desirably the inside surface of sections  18  and  19  of the curtain wall may have a light color such as white or a reflective interior surface to better illuminate the interior of the work space and an object therein and the exterior surface of these upper and lower sections  18  and  19  may be of a darker color to decrease the adverse visual appearance of dirt, stains, soiling and the like of their exterior surfaces. Desirably the vertical height or extent of the bottom section  19  may be in the range of about 22-34 inches, the vertical extent or height of the transparent or translucent section  16  or  16 ′ may be in the range of 20-60 inches and the vertical extent or height of the top section  18  may vary and typically will be selected so that when it is suspended in use, such as from a track, ceiling or otherwise, the bottom edge or end  40  of the wall  4  will be closely adjacent to the ground or floor of the work area  20  and if the wall has a flexible seal strip along the bottom edge  40  of section  19  the seal strip will engage the ground or floor of the work area underlying the wall. Typically the overall longitudinal length of the wall  4  may be more than twice the combined transverse or vertical heights of the bottom section  19  and transparent section  16  or  16 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  each row or strip of lights  24  is desirably received in an associated longitudinally or transversely extending pocket  26  or  28  with an outer face or cover  42  overlying the lights and through which they emit light when turned on. Desirably this outer face or cover  42  is a strip of clear transparent material such as polyvinyl chloride or a polycarbonate material. Desirably this outer face or cover  42  of transparent material extends longitudinally and transversely over its associated row or strip of lights  24  and is attached adjacent and along its longitudinal edges  44  and  46  to an underlying section  19 ,  16 , or  16 ′ and/or  18  of wall  4  such as by stitching or desirably heat sealing or melt welding it to its associated section or sections. As shown in  FIG. 5  depending on the vertical extent of the transparent section  16  or  16 ′ one or more of the longitudinally extending rows or strip of lights  24  and its associated outer face or cover  42  may be attached to the transparent section  16  or  16 ′. If the rows or strings of lights  24  and their pockets  28  extend vertically their associated outer transparent face or cover  42  may be attached adjacent its longitudinal edges  44  and  46  to both the lower section  19  and transparent mid section  16  or  16 ′and if desired also to at least part of section  18 . 
       FIGS. 9-16  illustrate another presently preferred form of an illuminating curtain wall  4 ′ which is similar to the form of  FIGS. 5-8  except that it has light strips  24  on both sides  50  and  52  of the curtain wall which may facilitate lighting work areas or bays on both sides of the curtain wall. As shown in  FIG. 2 , adjacent working areas or bays  20   e  may be illuminated by curtain walls  4 ′ and the bays  4   e  adjacent a facility wall may also be illuminated from the side and/or end by a curtain wall  4 . This may be particularly useful when one or both of the work areas or bays have an object such as a motor vehicle therein elevated above the floor of the work area or bay since the vehicle may block the light from overhead light fixtures. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-13  the curtain wall  4 ′ may have a longitudinally extending section  16 ′ of a transparent and flexible material attached to and received between upper and lower longitudinally extending sections  18  and  19  of a flexible and desirably opaque material. Desirably the intermediate section  16 ′ may be of a clear transparent material, a tinted transparent material or a transparent and ultraviolet radiation blocking material which allows a person to visually see into or out of the work area  20  and will provide eye protection for an observer viewing through this ultraviolet radiation blocking material a welding or other process of high light intensity occurring within the work area. 
     Desirably, the curtain wall  4 ′ has a plurality of spaced apart rows or strips  24  of lights on both sides of this curtain wall which illuminate the work area and any object therein on the side on which the strips  24  of lights are disposed. On both sides of the curtain wall  4 ′, a plurality of rows or strips  24  of lights desirably extend longitudinally generally parallel to the bottom edge  40  of the curtain wall or generally parallel to the ground or floor of the work area. In addition, or alternatively, spaced apart rows or strips  32  of lights may extend generally vertically with respect to the bottom edge of the curtain wall or the ground or floor surface of the work area associated with the curtain wall. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , four vertically spaced apart and longitudinally extending rows or strips  24  of lights may be located on each of the sides  50  and  52  of the curtain wall. The four strips of lights on both sides of the curtain wall  4 ′ may be located relative to the ground or floor of the work areas and/or the bottom edge  40  of the wall at respective heights A, B, C, and D which may be the same or different heights on both sides of the wall and for typical motor vehicle application may be in the same ranges of vertical height as those of the curtain wall  4  of  FIGS. 5-8 . 
     Desirably both sides of the exposed surfaces of sections  18  and  19  of this curtain wall  4 ′ may have a light color such as white or a reflective surface to better illuminate the work areas or bays on each side of this curtain wall and an object therein. Desirably the transverse or vertical height or extent of the bottom section  19  may be in the range of about  22  to  34  inches, the transverse or vertical extent or height of the transparent or translucent section  16 ′ may be in the range of about  20  inches to  60  inches and the vertical extent or height of the top section  18  may vary and typically will be selected so that when the curtain wall  4 ′ is suspended in use, such as from a track, ceiling or otherwise, the bottom edge or end  40  of the wall  4 ′ will be closely adjacent to the ground or floor of the work areas  20 . If the wall  4 ′ has a flexible seal strip along the bottom edge  40  of section  19 , the seal strip will typically engage the ground or floor surface of the work areas underlying the wall. Typically the overall longitudinal length of the wall  4 ′ may be more than twice the combined transverse or vertical height of the bottom section  19  and the transparent or translucent section  16 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16  each row or strip of lights  24  is desirably received in an associated longitudinally or transversely extending pocket  26  or  28  with a transparent or translucent outer face or cover  42  overlying the lights  24  and through which they emit light when turned on. Desirably this outer face or cover  42  is a strip of clear transparent and flexible material such a polyvinylchloride or a polycarbonate material. Desirably this outer face or cover of transparent material extends longitudinally and transversely over its associated row or strip of lights  24  and is attached adjacent and along its longitudinal edges  44  and  46  to an underlying section  19 ,  16  or  16 ′ and/or  18  of the wall  4 ′ such as by stitching or desirably heat sealing or melt welding it to one side of its associated section or sections. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-20 , depending on the transverse or vertical extent of the transparent section  16  or  16 ′ of the curtain wall  4 ′ one or more of the longitudinally extending rows or strips  24  of lights and its associated outer face or cover  42  of its associated pocket  26  may be attached to the transparent section  16  or  16 ′. If the rows or strips  24  of lights and their pockets  28  extend transversely or vertically at least a portion of their associated outer transparent face or cover  42  may be attached adjacent its longitudinal edges  44  and  46  to both the lower section  19  and the transparent mid-section  16  or  16 ′ and in some cases, even to at least a portion of the top section  18 . 
     Desirably each row or strip  24  of lights may be a plurality of LED lights mounted in spaced apart relation on one face of a strip  48  of a flexible and desirably opaque material which may have a white or reflective surface. The transverse width of the interior of the pockets  26  and  28  desirably may be narrow enough relative to the transverse width of the strip  44  to maintain the desired orientation of the LED lights while still permitting the light strip  24  to be inserted into its associated pocket  26  or  28  and removed for any needed service or replacement. Suitable flexible strips of LED lights spaced about ¾ of an inch apart on a flexible opaque white strip about 0.4 of an inch wide are commercially available as part number WFLS-NW300X3 from SuperBriteLEDS.com which also sells suitable power supplies for these LED lights with or without a dimmer and a remote control. In some applications it may be desirable to mount the power supply in a pocket or pouch on the curtain wall  4  or  4 ′ and in other applications to locate the power supply remote from the curtain wall  4  or  4 ′ and connect it with the LED light strips with suitable conventional electric wiring. 
     The words used herein are understood to be words of description and not words of limitation. While various embodiments have been described, it will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.