Patent ID: 12204139

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

An embodiment of the lighting apparatus of the present invention is shown inFIGS.1-2. The lighting apparatus may comprise a base layer102, a light transmitting substrate104, one or more lighting elements106, and a protective layer108.

In one embodiment, the base layer102may be a backing that is comprised of an opaque or transparent material, such plastic, wood, metal, glass, or the like. In another embodiment, the base layer102may comprise a surface of another object to which the lighting solution is to be applied. For example, the base layer102may be an exterior of an object, such as a wall of a building, cooler lid, truck bed, sign, billboard, or the like. For another example, the base layer102may be a flooring material, such as the interior floor or subfloor of building, vehicle, boat, airplane, or the like, or an exterior flooring material, such as a patio, deck, pool deck, driveway, walkway, street, or the like.

The substrate104may be a light transmitting medium comprised of clear, transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material. For example, the substrate104may be comprised of a sheet of polycarbonate or acrylic material. The substrate104may be cut to any desired shape. One or more channels112may be formed within an upper surface104aor lower surface104bof the substrate104. One or more lighting elements106may be disposed within each channel112. The lighting elements106may comprise flexible strips including a plurality of LED lights. The lighting elements106within the substrate104direct light through the light transmitting medium and emit a light from the upper surface104aof the substrate104.

The channel112which contains the lighting strips can be configured in any desired orientation. Preferably, the channel112is formed withing the upper surface104aof the substrate104to allow for easier replacement of the lighting elements106as may be necessary over time. Preferably, the channel112is between about 0.125 to 0.25 inches wide to accommodate placement the lighting elements106.

Wiring122for the lighting elements106may be run beneath the lower surface104bof the substrate104and be electronically connected to a controller124. The controller124may be electrically connected to a plug-in, battery-operated and/or rechargeable power supply126. The controller124may be activated to turn on or off the lighting elements106via a wired or wireless switch or remote control, and may also be used to control colors and lighting programs for the lighting elements106.

The lower surface104bof the substrate104may be sanded and painted. The painted lower surface104bmay match the base layer102, which may provide an even color when light permeates the substrate104. The painted lower surface104bmay also provide a desired color for backlighting. The painted lower surface104bmay also hide or limit the visibility of the base layer102, the wiring122, and the controller124.

The substrate104may be adhered to the base layer102by a bonding agent, such as adhesive, resin, or putty. The bonding agent may be chosen to suit the nature of the installation. Preferably, the adhesive is Sikaflex® 295UV, for which it has been found to provide improved bonding to the surface of about 200 PSI of yield strength for embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the substrate104may be fixed to the base layer102using a fixing means, such as screws, nails, Velcro®, or the like. In yet another embodiment, the substrate104may be a movable such that is not permanently affixed to the base layer102.

The protective layer108may be disposed over the substrate104to serve to cover and seal the lighting elements106and protect the substrate1104. The protective layer108may comprise a non-slip material that reduces slipping if it is intended to be walked on. For example, in one embodiment, the protective layer108may be a non-skid, high-density foam, such as EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam. In another embodiment, the protective layer108may comprise a UV protective film that encloses the light emitted from the substrate104. The protective layer108may be opaque so as to block the light emitted from the light transmitting substrate104or semi-transparent or translucent so as to partially obstruct the visibility therethrough or to alter the light being emitted from the light transmitting substrate.

To create the lighting apparatus, a scan is created of the area to be covered on the base layer102. Then a CAD design is generated which may comprise the surface profile of the base layer102and an offset for the channel112inward from the surface profile. The sheet stock of the light transmitting substrate104may be milled to shape along with the channel112. The shape profile may be milled to the bottom and the channel profile may be cut to a depth and width to accommodate the strip elements106. The protective layer108may be cut to match the profile of the substrate104. The substrate104may be affixed to the surface of the base layer102using the appropriate bonding agent or fixing means. The wiring122for the lighting elements106may run beneath the lower surface104bof the substrate104and connected to the controller124. The protective layer108may be disposed over the upper surface104bof the substrate104which will serve to seal the lights and protect the light transmitting substrate104.

This lighting apparatus of the present invention can serve to draw attention or advertise using the light transmitting medium of the substrate104to create a sign or label. As shown inFIG.1, openings114may be milled into the protective layer108or the protective layer108can be broken into parts and arranged to create a design which allows for light to pass through. Designs may also be milled into the upper surface104aof the substrate104to create condensed regions of light within the substrate104. The lighting may draw attention to a design or logo being advertised.

The above description is only to preferred embodiments of the present invention and it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make improvements and modifications without departing from the technical principles of the present invention and as such, variations are also considered to be the scope of protection of the present invention.