Patent ID: 7273300

Claim:
A method for simulating neon lighting using a light emitting diode (“LED”) device comprising: thermoforming a rod into a desired shape, the rod including a groove running along a greatest dimension of the rod, the groove being substantially U-shaped in a cross section taken normal to the greatest dimension of the rod, the rod being made from a light transmissive material that is rigid and formable when heated to retain a rigidly formed shape after being cooled, the rod also including light diffusing material for producing light that is similar to neon light; and after cooling of the rod pressing a light engine into the groove of the rod in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the greatest dimension of the rod, the light engine including a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) overmolded by a flexible material, the light engine being retained by the rod in the groove via a frictional fit or a snap fit between the flexible material of the light engine and the rod.