Patent Abstract:
A multi-structure lighting device. The lighting device includes multiple elongate structures that create a luminescent effect, and at least one connector. Each elongate structure is permanently affixed to another elongate structure by the connector. The connector can be a cross-shaped connector that includes ends that are inserted into the ends of chemiluminescent tubes thereby permanently affixing the tubes.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a lighting device having a plurality of illuminating structures. More particularly, the invention provides a lighting device having at least one connector structure that permanently affixes the plurality of illuminating structures. 
     2. Background Art 
     Illuminating structures are well known. These structures have been used to add interest to children&#39;s toys and jewelry, create items for temporary lighting, and even as fishing lures. The use of chemiluminescent chemicals is one common method of creating an illuminating structure and is well known in the art. In these devices, a semi-translucent tube contains two chemicals. The mixture of the two chemicals creates a temporary lighting effect. To prevent the chemicals from mixing prematurely, the tube is filled with one of the chemicals, and ampules (frequently glass or plastic) that contain the second chemical are inserted into the tube. A user can then break the ampule to allow the chemicals to mix, generating the luminescent effect. Depending on the chemicals used, color of the tube, etc. different colors can be created. Various combinations of chemicals can be used to obtain a desired color and are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,910 issued on Dec. 6, 1977. 
     Multiple colors may be desired to further add interest or functionality to a particular illuminating structure. In this case, barriers are frequently inserted into the tube that separate multiple ampules that contain different chemicals in order to generate the different colors. The barriers prevent the various chemicals from mixing, which would lessen the creation of distinct color areas. However, this adds a great deal of complexity to the manufacturing process since the various fluids, ampules, and barriers must be alternately inserted into a tube. When several color schemes are desired, the complexity is further increased. 
     Alternatively, tubes of varying colors have been inserted into a structure having recesses that subsequently hold the tubes in place. However, using this process does not allow for a substantially uniform structure (e.g., an elongated rod having multiple colors) because the recesses must be of a wider diameter than the tubes to be inserted. Further, because of the circular design, the tubes may be prone to fall out. 
     As a result, there exists a need for a lighting device that includes a plurality of elongate structures that create a luminescent effect, and at least one connector for permanently affixing the elongate structures together. The connector can be such that it forms a contiguous surface with the elongate structures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention provides a lighting device that includes multiple elongate structures, that each create a luminescent effect, and a connector that permanently attaches the elongate structures, forming a larger structure. 
     A first aspect of the invention provides a lighting device, comprising: a plurality of elongate structures, wherein each of the plurality of elongate structures includes a first end and a second end, and wherein each of the plurality of elongate structures creates a luminescent effect; and at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector permanently affixes an end of a first elongate structure to an end of a second elongate structure. 
     A second aspect of the invention provides a lighting device, comprising: a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality of tubes including: a first end; a second end; a first solution within each tube; and an ampule within the first solution containing a second solution, wherein each ampule is breakable to allow the first solution to mix with the second solution to create a luminescent effect; at least one connector, the at least one connector including: a first protrusion for insertion into the first end of a first tube; a second protrusion for insertion into the first end of a second tube, wherein the at least one connector permanently affixes the first end of a first tube to the first end of a second tube and wherein the at least one connector forms a contiguous surface with the first tube and the second tube. 
     A third aspect of the invention provides a lighting device, comprising: a plurality of hollow elongate structures, wherein each of the plurality of elongate structures includes: an inner chamber; a first end having a first barrier element disposed within the inner chamber; a second end having a second barrier element disposed within the inner chamber; a first solution disposed between the first barrier element and the second barrier element within the inner chamber; and an ampule within the first solution containing a second solution, wherein the ampule is breakable to allow the first solution to mix with the second solution to create a luminescent effect; and at least one connector, wherein the at least one connector permanently affixes an end of a first elongate structure to an end of a second elongate structure. 
     The exemplary aspects of the present invention are designed to solve the problems herein described and other problems not discussed, which are discoverable by a skilled artisan. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 depicts a cross-section of a connector according to one aspect of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section of a portion of a lighting device according one aspect of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section of a lighting device according to another aspect of the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of a lighting device according to yet another aspect of the invention. 
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention provides a lighting device that includes a plurality of elongate structures that each creates a luminescent effect, and at least one connector that permanently affixes the elongate structures to form the lighting device. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, a cross-section of an exemplary connector  10  is shown. Connector  10  has a first protrusion  12  and a second protrusion  14  that each permanently affixes to an end of an elongate structure. While first protrusion  12  is shown opposing second protrusion  14 , it is understood that first protrusion  12  and second protrusion  14  can be disposed in any relation to each other. Further it is understood that connector  10  can comprise more than two protrusions for permanently affixing ends of elongate structures, and can affix any number of elongate structures in any relation to each other. 
     FIG. 2 shows a portion of a lighting device  20  that comprises a first elongate structure  22  and a second elongate structure  24  permanently affixed by connector  10 . When attached, connector  10  can form a contiguous outer surface  25  with elongate structures  22 ,  24 . Alternatively, connector  10  can have an outer surface unique from elongate structures  22 ,  24 . For example, connector  10  can include bumps for gripping lighting device  20 , form a widened portion of lighting device  20 , etc. Connector  10  can be attached to the surface of inner chamber  26  and/or end  27  of each elongate structure  22 ,  24  using any means now known or later developed, including: an adhesive, fusion, etc. 
     While connector  10  is shown having a relative size and shape when compared with elongate structures  22 ,  24 , it is understood that this size and shape is only exemplary, and the invention is not limited to any particular size or shape of connector  10 . Similarly, elongate structures  22 ,  24  can have any desired shape. For example, elongate structures  22 ,  24  can be tubular, rectangular, triangular, etc. Further, elongate structures  22 ,  24  can be any width, and can have different widths. Elongate structures  22 ,  24  can also have an inner chamber  26  or be solid. 
     Each elongate structure  22 ,  24  creates a luminescent effect. For example, elongate structures  22 ,  24  can be translucent and configured to create a chemiluminescent effect. Elongate structures  22 ,  24  are shown having an inner chamber  26  and an ampule  28  disposed therein. Inner chamber  26  can also contain a first solution, and ampule  28  can contain a second solution. Ampule  28  can be breakable to allow the first solution to mix with the second solution to create the luminescent effect when desired. Various combinations of solutions can be used to generate the desired luminescent effect. Further, each elongate structure  22 ,  24  can include different solutions to generate a different luminescent effect (i.e., a unique color). Additionally, elongate structures can comprise different colors (e.g., tinting) to vary the luminescent effect. 
     While elongate structures  22 ,  24  are shown using the chemiluminescent effect described above, it is understood that elongate structures  22 ,  24  can create the luminescent effect using any means now known or later developed. Similarly, connector  10  can also create its own luminescent effect and/or propagate the luminescent effect generated by elongate structures  22 ,  24  using any means. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, connector  10  acts as a barrier to trap the first solution and ampule  28  within inner chamber  26  of elongate structures  22 ,  24 . Alternatively, FIG. 3 depicts a lighting device  120  comprising elongate structures  122 ,  124  and connector  110 . Similar to FIG. 2, each elongate structure includes an inner chamber  126  containing a first solution  127  and an ampule  128  containing a second solution  129 . However, each elongate structure  122 ,  124  in FIG. 3 further includes a barrier element  130 . 
     Barrier element  130  can be used to trap first solution  127  and ampule  128  within inner chamber  126 . Barrier element  130  can be permanently affixed to the surface of inner chamber  126  using any means, including; an adhesive, fusion, etc. Alternatively, barrier element  130  can be placed in the desired position and secured by conforming to the shape of inner chamber  126 . When barrier element  130  is permanently affixed to elongate structure  122 ,  124 , connector  110  can be permanently affixed to barrier element  130  in addition to, or alternative to being permanently affixed to elongate structures  122 ,  124  using any means as described above. 
     Elongate structures  122 ,  124  are shown having a closed end  132  for trapping first solution  127  and ampule  128  on the non-affixed end. Alternatively, FIG. 4 shows a lighting device  220  having elongate structures  222 ,  224  with barrier elements  230 ,  234 ,  236  for trapping a first solution  227  and ampule  228  within inner chamber  226 . Barrier element  234  is configured to allow an additional connector  210  to be affixed to the end, while barrier element  236  is configured to provide similar surface as a closed end. While lighting devices  120 ,  220  are shown having elongate structures having either an open end with a barrier and a closed end or two open ends with barriers, it is understood that a lighting device can include any combination of elongate structures. For example, a lighting device having three elongate structures affixed in a row by two connectors may use two elongate structures having a closed end for each end elongate structure, and an elongate structure having two open ends for the center elongate structure. 
     The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5