Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THREE-DIMENSIONAL LIGHTING STRUCTURE UTILIZING LIGHT ACTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Background
[00011 Existing lighting having miniature or light emitting diode (LED)
technology employs rigid
plastic frames to support two-dimensional shapes. These frames detract from
the focus on the pattern
and are bulky to store. Moreover, the frames used in current dimensional
lighting are flat and
therefore only support a two-dimensional ornament, thereby not providing a
lighted three-dimensional
user experience. This rigidity also denies flexibility in the number or
quality of shapes that are
available.
[00021 Existing miniature light technology furthermore has an operational
life that is limited.
Power load increases occur when one or more bulbs burn out and must be borne
by the remaining
lights until the entire circuit burns out at once, leaving a useless lighting
fixture in which the problem
bulb or bulbs are difficult to identify and replace. Additionally, such
conventional lighting is
notorious for using considerable power and generating considerable heat.
[00031 There therefore exists in the art a need for dimensional lighting
that is three-dimensional,
non-bulky, easy to store, flexible, and resilient to individual power outages.
Summary of the Invention
10003A1 In a broad aspect, the invention pertains to a three-dimensional
lighting structure,
comprising at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light active
material, with each sheet
of light active material being a sheet of light transmitting material having a
plurality of lighting
elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers of the each
sheet of light active
material and comprise emissive electroluminescent material and having
circuitry coupled to the
plurality of light elements within. There is provided at least one folding
element of the at least one
sheet of light active material, with a collapsible three-dimensional lighting
structure formed of the
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at least one sheet of light active material and the at least one folding
element. A power supply
element provides power to the circuitry coupled to the plurality of lighting
elements of the at least
one sheet of light active material. A fastening element is coupled to the at
least one sheet of light
active material at at least one fastening point of the at least one sheet of
light active material. The
collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure is removably retained in a
three-dimensional form by
the fastening element, and a center element that is a portion of the at least
one non-rigid, flexible,
foldable sheet of light active material is located and coupled at a back side
of the three-dimensional
lighting structure.
10003B1 In a further aspect, the invention provides a three-dimensional
lighting structure. A
plurality of sheets of light active material includes at least one non-rigid,
flexible, foldable sheet of
light active material and at least one substantially rigid sheet of light
active material to which other
non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheets of the plurality of sheets of light
active material are coupled.
Each sheet of light active material is a sheet of light transmitting material
having a plurality of
lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers of
the each sheet of light
active material, and comprise emissive electroluminescent material and have
circuitry coupled to the
plurality of light elements within. There is provided at least one folding
element of the plurality of
sheets of light active material, with a collapsible three-dimensional lighting
structure formed of the
plurality of sheets of light active material, and the at least one folding
element. A power supply
element to provide power to the circuitry is coupled to the plurality of
lighting elements of the
plurality of sheets of light active material, and a fastening element is
coupled to the plurality of
sheets of light active material at at least one fastening point of the
plurality of sheets of light active
material. The collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure is removably
retained in a three-
dimensional form by the fastening element. A center element is a portion of
the at least one
substantially rigid sheet of light active material located and coupled at a
back side of the three-
dimensional lighting structure, and forms a substantially rigid backing of the
three-dimensional
lighting structure.
100030 In a still further aspect, the invention comprehends a method of
creating a three-
dimensional lighting structure, comprising folding at least one non-rigid,
flexible, foldable sheet of
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light active material along at least one folding element to create a
collapsible three-dimensional
lighting structure having a center element of the at least one non-rigid,
flexible, foldable sheet of
light active material located and coupled at a back side of the three-
dimensional lighting structure.
Each sheet of light active material is a sheet of light transmitting material
comprising a plurality of
lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers of
the each sheet of light
active material, and that comprise emissive electroluminescent material and
have circuitry coupled
to the plurality of light elements. The three-dimensional lighting structure
is removably retained by
activating a fastening element to retain the three-dimensional lighting
structure created by folding the
at least one sheet of light active material along the at least one folding
element.
10003D1 Yet further, the invention provides a method of creating a three-
dimensional lighting
structure, comprising folding at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet
of light active material
of a plurality of sheets of light active material along at least one folding
element to create a
collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure. The plurality of sheets of
light active material are
sheets of light transmitting material. The collapsible three-dimensional
lighting structure is attached
to a substantially rigid sheet of light active material of the plurality of
sheets of light active material.
The substantially rigid sheet of light active material has a center element
that is a portion of the at
least one substantially rigid sheet of light active material located and
coupled at a back side of the
three-dimensional lighting structure and forms a substantially rigid backing
of the three-dimensional
lighting structure, configured to couple the three-dimensional lighting
structure to a surface. The
three-dimensional lighting structure is removably retained by activating a
fastening element to retain
the created three-dimensional lighting structure.
10003E1 The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a three-
dimensional lighting
structure. At least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light active
material is provided, with
each sheet of light active material being a sheet of light transmitting
material comprising a plurality
of lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers
of the each sheet of
light active material, and that comprise emissive electroluminescent material
and have circuitry
coupled to the plurality of light elements. The at least one non-rigid,
flexible, foldable sheet of light
active material is provided with at least one folding element along which the
at least one non-rigid,
flexible, foldable sheet of light active material are foldable to create the
three-dimensional lighting
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structure. The at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light
active material has a center
element located and coupled at a back side of the three-dimensional lighting
structure, and provides
a fastening element to removably retain a collapsible three-dimensional
lighting structure created
when the at least one sheet of light active material are folded along the at
least one folding element.
10003F1 Still further, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a
three-dimensional lighting
structure. There is provided at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet
of light active material
of a plurality of sheets of light active material, and at least one
substantially rigid sheet of light active
material of the plurality of sheets of light active material to which the at
least one non-rigid, flexible
foldable sheet of light active material is coupled. Each sheet of light active
material of the plurality
of sheets light active material is a sheet of light transmitting material
comprising a plurality of
lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers of
the each sheet of light
active material and comprise emissive electroluminescent material, and have
circuitry coupled to the
plurality of light elements and with the at least one substantially rigid
sheet of light active material
having a center element located and coupled at a back side of the three-
dimensional lighting structure
The at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light active material
with at least one folding
element is provided along which the at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable
sheet of light active
material are foldable to create the three-dimensional lighting structure, and
provide a fastening
element to removably retain a collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure
created when the at
least one sheet of light active material are folded along the at least one
folding element.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0004]
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with
particularity in the
appended claims. The invention itself however, both as to organization and
method of operation,
together with objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by
reference to the following
detailed description of the invention, which describes certain exemplary
embodiments of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a three-dimensional lighting structure in accordance
with certain
embodiments.
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FIG. 2 is a top view of a three-dimensional lighting structure assembly in
accordance with
certain embodiments.
FIG. 3 illustrates storage of a three-dimensional lighting structure in
accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a three-dimensional lighting structure in
accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a three-dimensional lighting structure in
accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a rectangular three-dimension lighting structure in accordance with
certain
embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a rectangular three-dimension lighting structure comprised of
multiple sheets of light
active material in accordance with certain embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a rectangular three-dimension lighting structure comprised of a
single sheet of light
active material in accordance with certain embodiments.
FIG. 9 is a sheet of light active material having non-centered folding
elements in accordance
with certain embodiments.
FIG. 10 is a clip assembly fastening element in accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 11 is a front view of a three-dimensional lighting structure attached to
a substantially rigid
backing in accordance with certain embodiments.
FIG. 12A is a top view of a three-dimensional lighting structure assembly
light active material
attached to a substantially rigid backing, in accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 12B is a top view of a three-dimensional lighting structure assembly
light active material
having a sheet of light active material that is substantially rigid that
serves as a substantially rigid
backing, in accordance with certain embodiments.
FIG. 13 illustrates storage of a three-dimensional lighting structure attached
to a substantially
rigid backing, in accordance with certain embodiments.
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FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a three-dimensional lighting structure of light
active material
attached to a substantially rigid backing, in accordance with certain
embodiments.
FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom view of a three-dimensional lighting structure
formed of sheets of
light active material.
FIGs. 16A and 16B present front and top views of an artistic scene employing
three-dimensional
lighting structures, in accordance with certain embodiments.
[0005] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity
and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the
dimensions of some
of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements
to help to improve
understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Detailed Description
[0006] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different
forms, there is
shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific
embodiments, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of
the principles of
the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific
embodiments shown and
described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to
describe the same,
similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.
[0007] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and
bottom, and the like may
be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or
action without
necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order
between such entities or
actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof,
are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or
apparatus that comprises
a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other
elements not
expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
An element preceded
by "comprises ...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence
of additional
identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises the element.
[0008] Reference throughout this document to "one embodiment", "certain
embodiments", "an
embodiment" or similar teiiiis means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of the
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present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places
throughout this
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one
or more embodiments without limitation.
[0009] The term "or" as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or
meaning any one or any
combination. Therefore, "A, B or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A
and B; A and C;
B and C; A, B and C". An exception to this definition will occur only when a
combination of
elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually
exclusive.
[0010] In accordance with various embodiments, three-dimensional lighting
structures, employing
light active technology and arranged in one or more three-dimensional shapes,
such as stars,
balls, snowflakes, diamonds, and the like, which may or may not be
geometrically patterned
(geo-pattern), are disclosed. Such light active technology may be arranged in
sheet or string
format and includes organic light emitting diode (OLED) and inorganic light
emitting diode
(ILED) lighting technology. OLED technology employs organic compounds that are
deposited,
such as in rows and columns, as a film onto a flat carrier by a printing
process. The resulting
pixels of the organic compounds form an emissive electroluminescent layer that
can emit light of
varying colors. ILED technology uses inorganic materials.
[0011] The ease with which some light active technology may be folded, cut and
shaped provides
for lighting structures to be given a three-dimensional presentation in shape
when used and then
easily folded for ready storage in accordance with various embodiments. The
durability of light
active technology material provides for durable construction that can be used
indoors or
outdoors, and can be reused a number of times. The long lighting life
associated with light
active technology, such as OLED, is also attractive. Using this technology,
the "support"
framing that might otherwise be needed for decorative lighting can be
minimized while still
enjoying the longevity associated with light active technology.
[0012] The various embodiments described herein accord several advantages over
non-three
dimensional lighting. Other geo-dimensional lighting uses rigid plastic frames
to support either
miniature light strings or LED light strings, for example, in a flat, two-
dimensional arrangement,
and these frames detract from focus on the pattern and are bulky to store. The
use of a rigid
support structure does not provide for anything but a flat, two-dimensional
lighting apparatus.
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This is quite different from the three-dimensionality of the lighting
structure supported by the
collapsible, non-rigid and non-bulky frame of the various embodiments
described herein-a clear
improvement in the art. Three-dimensional lighting, as opposed to a simply
flat, two-
dimensional, is achieved. The degree of three-dimensionality achieved is
somewhat dependant
on the number of sheets or plies of light active technology used or the
intricacy of folding of one
or more sheets of light active technology employed to render a three-
dimensional form, which
may be in a geometrical-pattern (geo-pattern) form though this is not
required. As shown in the
figures, and discussed below, the three-dimensional lighting may have multiple
sheets of light
active technology material that can be opened, or fanned open from closed,
relatively flat closed
storage, similar to the un-illuminated tissue paper balls, or it may be
comprised of one sheet of
light active technology material. For example, a three-dimensional structure
may be achieved by
fan folding a single sheet of active lighting material. As used herein, a
sheet or ply of light
active material refers to a single formed sheet containing an emissive
electroluminescent layer
composed of a film of organic compounds (in the case of OLED) or a film of
inorganic
compounds (in the case of ILED). A sheet or ply of light active technology
material may be
comprised of lighting of only one color, or it may be comprised of various
sections of varying
colors; consider the red, white and blue colors of a flag, for instance, in a
single sheet.
[0013] The three-dimensional decorative lighting disclosed herein does not
have a structural frame
and is collapsible into a flat shape for easy storage.
[0014] Light active technology, sometimes referred to herein as active
lighting material, provides
advantages in the embodiments herein. The use of active lighting characterized
as being
permanently embossed between sandwich layers and therefore virtually flat,
means that there are
no obtrusive bumps or encapsulated lights to interfere with the simplicity of
the sheet or to be
damaged by some sort of impact on the lighting structure itself. Moreover,
there is a
considerably longer light life associated with light active technology, vastly
longer than that
associated with regular LED lights and particularly current mini-lights often
used in decorative
lighting. Current decorative lighting suffers from increased power loading
when individual
bulbs in a strand burn out, i.e., the reduced resistance causes an increase in
the wattage to the
remaining lights. In time, the power load becomes so high that all of the
remaining lights burn
out at once. And, in the case of OLED, in which arrangement of each of the
OLED light pixels
is in parallel, power overload is mitigated.
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[0015] The use of light active technology in multi-dimensional lighting allows
for greater flexibility
in selection and arrangement of shapes. Whereas conventional lighting uses
fixed wiring that is
generally limited to a small number, such as three to nine, homogeneous
shapes, the three-
dimensional decorative lighting has "power" strings of various lengths that
are electrified in
parallel and accordingly has multiple attachment points (sockets) so that the
user can mix a
virtually unlimited number of geo-shapes at his choosing and can skip sockets
without having
blank (unlit) sections.
[0016] Light active technology further provides considerable power savings,
using considerably less
power than current mini-lights and LED lights. It also produces significantly
less heat than
either of the conventional alternatives.
[0017] Three-dimensional dimensional lighting may be manufactured from plastic
laminates having
active lighting and is formed from one or more sheet plies of light active
technology, such as by
die pressing, die cutting, or other mechanical, heat, or light (e.g. laser)
means, that are folded,
secured or otherwise arranged into one or more three-dimensional arrangements
to produce one
or more desired three-dimensional shapes. The edges of the plies of the light
active material can
be sealed in order to protect, as necessary, the diode lighting and powering
circuitry within.
Sheet edges may be sealed by heat, light (e.g. laser), mechanical techniques,
such as die-
pressing, die-cutting under pressure, an adhesive, such as a silicon based
bonding agent, that may
be applied by a sealant gun after the edges are formed. Such treatment not
only permits the
three-dimensional lighting to be used in inclement weather but to also be
directly subjected to
submersion conditions if desired.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a front view of an unopened three-dimensional
lighting structure 100 is
seen, in which only one sheet of light active material is visible. The shape
is that of a snowflake
as indicated by shaped portions 140 but many shapes may be used, as previously
discussed. The
three-dimensional shape has one or more folding elements, shown here as mid-
line creases 110
(indicated by the dashed lines of FIG. 1), holes and/or perforations 120 to
facilitate expansion
from a flat (storage) shape to the three dimensional shape. The edges of the
three-dimensional
shapes in this embodiment will have slots 130 for the insertion of a fastening
element (such as
bead chain 210, for example, of FIG. 2) that will hold the light active sheets
in the three
dimensional shape; such slots are illustrated at the tips at either end of the
horizontal axis of the
three-dimensional structure. The sheets will vary in number depending on the
degree of light
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production, size and three dimensionality desired. The sheets may be heat or
laser welded, or
otherwise formed along the ornament's folding elements, such as a midline, by
these folding
element retention elements to provide a hinge point. The light active sheets,
in some
applications, will be mechanically attached along the midline folding element
by appropriate
folding element retention elements such as stainless steel staples or glue. A
hole 160, illustrated
at the top of the three-dimensional lighting structure, is provided for
hanging using wire,
monofilament, hooks, etc. and may be reinforced if necessary by brass or other
material. A
power supply element, such as power cord 170, shown at the top of the ornament
100, provides
electrical power to the discrete lighting elements of the light active
technology material, whether
they be OLEDs or ILEDs, for example. In FIG. 1, the discrete lighting elements
of the light
active technology material are denoted by reference number 150.
[0019] A three-dimensional decorative lighting may be fixed, variable or both.
Fixed three-
dimensional dimensional lighting has a fixed number of consistent three-
dimensional shapes
permanently attached to a power feed line, such as the power cords evidenced
in FIGs. 1-5.
Variable dimensional lighting will utilize separately selected shapes that are
plugged into
multiple power sockets of a "power string" (various lengths). For either type,
self-adhesive type
fasteners (such as Velcro()) may be used to suspend the power cord on
surfaces. These fasteners
facilitate the removal of the power cord when the three-dimensional lighting
structure is un-
installed.
[0020] The three-dimensional lighting structure's laminate materials may be
clear, opaque or
colored (totally or in selected spots) to provide variety. Various power,
timer, programmable
(such as phased/sequenced), remote switch, etc. illumination arrangements may
be optionally
employed as desired. Such arrangements may be remotely controlled by
programmable means,
such as firmware, controller, and computer. The power supply element(s)
described herein may
be provided with power by any number of power sources, including, but not
limited to, DC
power, AC power, battery power, solar power, low voltage transformer, back-up
supplies, or any
combination thereof.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of a three-dimensional lighting structure 200 in
accordance with certain
embodiments.
In this view, an opened, fully three-dimensional ornament has folding
mechanisms or elements 220, such as creases, slots, perforations at the
appropriate point of the
sheets of light active material 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 and employs a shape
maintainer, referred
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to as a fastening element, such as a molded beaded "chain" 210, around the
peripheral of the
three-dimensional structure. The flexibility of sheets 230, 235õ 245, 250 can
be easily seen and
contribute greatly to the pliability and three-dimensional nature of the three-
dimensional
ornament; while sheet 240 is substantially planar and may also be
substantially rigid to lend
structural support to the three-dimensional lighting structure, other sheets
are easily shaped to the
desired ornament shape. The sheets 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 may be affixed to
each other by
means of a folding element retention element such as by using a heat seal or
weather-resistant
fasteners, such as made of brass or stainless steel, for example. While the
use of folding
mechanisms/elements is apparent along the mid-line of the plies in this
figure, this is by way of
example only and not limitation. For example, other three-dimensional shapes,
such as a box-
kite arrangement may utilize folds/creases other than along the mid-line of
its plies of light active
material. Power cord 260 is used to provide power to the plies of light active
material.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates storage of a three-dimensional lighting structure
300 in accordance with
certain embodiments. This top view of structure 300 shows that the structure
may be collapsed
(after removal of the beaded "chain" shape maintainer/fastening element of
FIG. 2, for example)
and sandwiched down into a smaller version for storage, due to the use of
flexible active lighting
and the corresponding absence of a rigid frame structure. The folding element
creases 320,
perforations at the center of the structure, are the locations at which
folding of the sheets 230,
235, 245, 250 occurs, and are still visible, as indicated by the parallel,
vertical lines shown in the
center. Power cord 330 is used to provide power to the plies of light active
material.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a three-dimensional lighting structure
400 in accordance with
certain embodiments. This view illustrates what an exemplary three-dimensional
lighting
structure might look like and is presented as an aesthetically pleasing
snowflake shape. It can be
seen that the folding elements 470, shown as center folding creases, or
slotting, perforations, etc.
in the middle of the design are evident, as are the perforated patterns 440
repeated in each sheet
410, 420, 430 of the three-dimensional lighting structure. While the
perforations 440 in this
example are shown as diamond shaped, any size or shape may be utilized and may
have a
positive impact on three-dimensional lighting structure performance. For
example, as the size of
the perforations increases, the amount of wind resistance offered by the three-
dimensional
lighting structure lessens.
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100241 The power cord 450 is clearly shown going to each layer or sheet of
light active material 410,
420, 430, as are the dashed representations of same 450', 450" for the bottom
two layers
indicates that they may either be powered separately or together with the top
layer. Either way,
when power is provided to the light active material of the sheets via power
cord 450, the lighting
of every layer is powered. Power cord 450 (450', 450") provides electrical
power to the discrete
lighting elements of the light active technology material, whether they be
OLEDs or ILEDs, for
example. The discrete lighting elements of the light active technology
material are denoted by
reference number 460.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a three-dimensional lighting structure 500
in accordance with
certain embodiments. In this view, a chain shape maintainer or fastening
element 510 around the
periphery of the three-dimensional lighting structure to hold the three sheets
of light active
material 520, 530, 540 open in position is evident. At the center, the use of
an optional end clip
550, a fastening element useful for maintaining the desired three-dimensional
shape of the three-
dimensional lighting structure while open, is shown. It is noted here that
only three sheets of
light active material 520, 530, 540 are shown, but any number of sheets may be
used within the
spirit and scope of the invention. Fastening element 550 may be made of
plastic or other
substantially rigid material. As a shape retainer, end clip 550 accepts the
ends of sheets 520,
530, 540 as shown into grooves into which the sheets may snugly fit.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary rectangular shaped three-
dimensional lighting
structure 600 is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. This
ornament 600 has six
sides: a top 610, a bottom 620, a back side 630 in which a candle-shaped
lighting figure is
shown, a left side 640 in which a star-shaped lighting figure 645 is shown, a
front side 650 with a
snowflake-shaped lighting figure 655, and a right side 660 in which a snowman-
shaped figure
665 is shown. It can be seen that each of the four sides with patterned
lighting, each has its own
arrangement of lights within the side to create a unique design, whether it be
a snowman, a
snowflake, a star or a candle. The "x" symbols on the drawing indicate the
presence of the
lighting elements within the sheet(s)/ply(s) of active lighting material for a
particular side of the
ornament. The placement of the lighting elements to create the lighting image
of a desired shape
of each of the four sides may occur by appropriate placement of the lighting
elements during
manufacture, such as by proper placement of the elements by means of "pick and
place"
manufacturing or the like. And, while the shapes may be made by using the
lighting elements to
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simply outline the desired shape, it can be seen by reference to the candle
shape 635, for
example, that lighting elements may be used to fill in a design as well; the
lighting elements
within a design may be evenly spaced or not. Moreover, the desired decorative
shape may be
formed by some combination of lighting and shading, such as by placement of
lighting elements
on a field of colored material. In this manner, the lighting may be used to
simply enhance the
effect of a colored or shaded portion of the active lighting material. The
lighting elements
employed in the three-dimensional lighting structure may themselves be of
varying colors. As
examples of the above, consider a painted angel may be accentuated by the
placement of a halo
formed by lighting elements, one or more candles enhanced by placement of
lighting elements to
represent candle flames, and a holiday tree with lighting elements
strategically placed to yield
the desired effect.
[0027] Any given three-dimensional lighting structure may theoretically be
comprised of one sheet
or ply of light active material, as illustrated in FIG. 8, or multiple sheets
of material, as shown in
FIGs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, for example. When a single sheet of light active
material is used, folding
of the sheet at one or more folding elements to create a three-dimensional
surface together with a
fastening element to hold the three-dimensional shaping into place defines a
three-dimensional
lighting structure.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the rectangular three-
dimensional lighting
structure 700 is comprised of six different sheets/plies of active lighting
material: top 710;
bottom 720; back side 730 having a candle-shaped figure 735 comprised of
lighting elements
powered by power cord 737; left side 740 having a star-shaped figure 745
comprised of lighting
elements powered by power cord 747; front side 750 having a snowflake-shaped
figure 755
comprised of lighting elements powered by power cord 757; and a right side 760
having a
snowman-shaped figure 765 comprised of lighting elements powered by power cord
767. It can
be seen that each separate sheet of light active material has its own power
cord to power lighting
elements within that particular sheet. The sheets of light active material are
smaller but more
power cords must be dealt with.
[0029] Conversely to FIG. 7 in which a three-dimensional lighting structure is
formed from multiple
sheets of material, FIG. 8 illustrates that a similarly shaped ornament may be
formed from one
sheet/ply of light active material. Ornament 800 is formed from a single
sheet/ply 810 of light
active material having various sections that when folded along folding
elements 820 form a six-
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sided rectangular shaped, three-dimensional lighting structure with shapes
830, 840, 850, 860 as
shown in FIG. 6.
A particular advantage of the unitary ornament 800 is that only a single
power cord is needed to power all lighting elements within the single sheet
810. It is noted that
any number of sheets of light active material may be utilized to create the
three-dimensional
lighting structure. Thus, while FIG. 7 illustrates multiple sheets and FIG. 8
illustrates one sheet,
it is understand that any number of sheets, including up to a theoretically
infinite number of
sheets may be employed so long as the result is a three-dimensional light
active structure that
retains its three-dimensional nature by means of a fastening element.
[0030] As previously mentioned, folding elements, such as bends, creases,
perforated portions, etc.
may be along the center or midline of a sheet of light active material. Top
view 900 of FIG. 9
illustrates that this limitation is not a requirement of the various
embodiments. Ply/sheet of light
active material 910 has two folding elements, 920 and 930, both of which are
off-center, not
mid-line, with respect to sheet 910. It is noted that such folding elements
920 and 930 are
particularly useful in the creation of non-symmetrical three-dimensional
lighting structure
shapes. Examples of non-symmetrical three-dimensional ornaments might include
animal
shapes, nature shapes (flowers, trees), etc.
[0031] While it is envisioned that a fastening element may be used to fasten
together two or more
sheets of light active material, it may also be used to fasten a single sheet
or ply of material to
itself, at appropriate fastening points to help retain three-dimensional
shapes created by shaping
the one or more sheets of light active material. Such might be the case, for
example, where a
three-dimensional shape is created from a single sheet or from a small number
of sheets which
are, at various locations, are self-attached or fastened. For example,
consider that the petals of a
flower are made from a single sheet and feature the appearance of separate,
wavy petals by self-
attaching the material at the start of a new petal, much like the art of
origami. The folds to be
affixed are folded edges of the same sheet/ply of material. The fastening
element may be made
of weather-resistant material, such as plastic, brass or stainless steel.
And, as previously
mentioned, the fastening element for fastening two or more plies/sheets of
material may also be
affixed to each other using a heat seal or weather-resistant fasteners, such
as made of plastic,
brass or stainless steel, for example; FIG. 10 illustrates a clip that may be
used for this purpose.
Velcro or glue may be used as a fastening element, in addition to the clips of
FIGs. 5 and 10, and
the beaded chain of FIGs. 2 and 5. And, FIG. 5 provides an illustration that
one or more
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fastening elements may be used in combination; that drawing illustrates the
use of a beaded
chain together with an end clip.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 10, an exemplary clip serves as a fastening
element for fastening
together the light active material is shown. Clip element 1000 is comprised of
a unitary body
portion 1010, formed as a substantially u-shaped body. Proximate either
lateral end of the body
portion 1010, substantially round projections, herein referred to as dimplets
1020, are formed
along the inside surface of body portion 1010 and may be integral unitary body
portion 1010;
conversely, they may be separately formed by affixed to the inside surface of
body portion 1010
as shown. Clip element 1000 fits snugly over the ends of two or more
surfaces/edges of light
active material and the dimplets 1010 are designed to match up with
corresponding depressions
1030 found within the surface of the light active material sheet being
fastened together. Here,
there are three sheets/folded edges of light active material being fastened
together in which the
two outer sheets/folded edges of material have the depressions suitable for
receiving the dimplets
1020 when clip assembly 1000 is forced over the three sheets/folded edges of
material.
[0033] It is further understood that fastening elements serve to retain the
three-dimensional shape of
the lighting structure formed by folding/bending one or more sheets of light
active material. For
example, it is further envisioned that a fastening element, in addition to the
clips, beaded chain
and self-adhesive means discussed above, can be provided by a tab portion that
can be mated
with a slot portion upon folding the sheet(s) along the one or more folding
element lines. The
tab portion in an exemplary embodiment may be formed along an edge of one
sheet of light
active material. The slot portion may be formed elsewhere in the same sheet or
in another sheet,
but is operable to receive the tab portion when the one sheet is folded along
the one or more
folding elements to mate the tab portion to the slot portion. Once the tab and
slot portions are
mated, other fastening elements, described above, can be optionally used to
strengthen the
fastening/retaining function of the fastening element. Moreover, any number of
slots and
corresponding tabs may be used as desired.
[0034] Consider again, for example, FIGs. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, formed of one
sheet of light active
material, either or both of the portions that will serve as top and bottom
surfaces when the sheet
is followed along folding elements 820 may operate as tab portions that may be
inserted into a
mating edge portion of the sheet that serves a slot function. This may be
further enhanced by
extending the length of the tab portion(s) to be retained within a slot edge
to which it is mated.
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Once the tab(s) and slot(s) portions are mated, they may be further retained
in place by the
application of one or more additional fastening elements, such as tape, glue
or velcro, that serve
to bolster the retention function.
[0035] Furthermore, it may be considered that folding elements, such as
perforations along which a
sheet(s) may be folded may additionally serve a slot function. Consider that
the dashed line that
represents folding line 920 in FIG. 9 could be representative of one or more
slot portions that
function to receive one or more tab portions that may be mated to them by the
folding process.
Of course, folding the sheet along folding line 920 also may be considered to
form a tab portion.
And, the use of two such sheets of material as sheet 910 in this manner would
demonstrate
corresponding tab and slot portions.
[0036] In accordance with further example implementations, it is desired to
provide increased visual
impact to three-dimensional lighting structures that employ active light
technology. This may be
accomplished by attaching or affixing a center element of the three
dimensional lighting
structure to a substantially rigid backing, which, in turn may be attached or
affixed to a surface,
such as an outside wall, indoor wall, or the like. The center element may be
one of the sheets or
a portion of one of the sheets of light active material at the geometrically
considered center of the
design and shape of the three-dimensional lighting structure, in the case
where the three-
dimensional lighting structure is formed of multiple sheets of light active
material. Or, the center
element may be considered to be a portion of a sheet of light active material
at the geometrical
center of the design and shape of the three-dimensional lighting structure, in
the case where the
three-dimensional lighting structure is formed of a single sheet of light
active material. The
geometric center of a three-dimensional lighting structure may be that
location or part of the
three-dimensional lighting structure that may be considered to be the "back"
of the lighting
structure and so may be attached to the substantially rigid backing without
detracting or taking
away from the aesthetic of the structure. As shown herein, it may generally be
the backside of
the structure, though different locations may be used for different sized and
shaped three-
dimensional lighting structures. The substantially rigid backing may in some
implementations
be a sheet of light active material possessing enough rigidity to support
attachment of the three-
dimensional light structure to it; in this case, the sheet of light active
material that serves as
substantially rigid backing for the three-dimensional lighting structure is
not non-rigid, flexible
and foldable as are other sheets of light active material in the structure.
These improvements can
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be used to increase the three-dimensional effect of the environment in which
the three-
dimensional lighting is used. Moreover, this provides a less costly approach,
as fewer of the
active lighting sheets need to be used.
[0037] The substantially rigid backing provides a sturdy backing for mounting
the three-dimensional
lighting structure to a surface, like an exterior or internal wall, partition,
or divider that may be
solid, such as drywall, siding, brick and stucco, or with openings, such as
slatted fencing, lattice
work, and grid-patterned. The backing material may have holes which may be
reinforced with
grommets to allow for the attachment of the three-dimensional lighting
structure by single nails,
hooks, screws or by mounting with multiple nails, hooks and screws. The
substantially rigid
backing may be made of commercially available solid plastic, corrugated
plastic or other
material, so long as the backing is rigid enough to support the three-
dimensional lighting
structure attached to it. For example, the backing may be a PVC rigid vinyl
sheet, characterized
as being resistant to water, chemicals and tearing, as well as having
excellent printability, or a
PVC plastic sheet that may be transparent, nearly invisible, abrasion
resistant, and UV
(ultraviolet) resistant.
Further, corrugated plastic or corriboard, known under various
tradenames, including Coroplast, IntePro, Correx, Twinplast, Twinwall,
Corriflute or Corflute,
for example, has a composition similar to that of corrugated fiberboard and
may include extruded
twinwall plastic sheets from high-impact polypropylene resin and are capable
of standing up to
adverse weather conditions and/or harsh chemicals. The substantially rigid
backing may be UV
resistant, and may be clear, opaque or colored. The center element of the
three-dimensional
lighting structure may be affixed to the backing material by using a variety
of materials and
techniques, such as Velcro, laminate staples, laser or heat sealing or
welding, adhesive, etc.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 11, a front view of a three-dimensional lighting
structure 1100 in
accordance with certain embodiments is shown. The single sheet of light active
material shown
serves as the center element of the three-dimensional lighting structure and
is attached to
substantially rigid backing 1110. This can also be observed in the top or
cross-sectional view of
lighting structure 1200 in FIGs. 12A and 12B. In FIG. 12A, light active sheet
240 serves as the
center element of the three-dimensional lighting structure 1200 and is shown
attached to
substantially rigid backing 1110. In this implementation, it can be seen that
bead chain 210
extends through sheet 240 and serves to retain the three-dimensional shape of
the lighting
structure, as previously discussed. Substantially rigid backing 1110 may
attach to a wall,
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CA 02809629 2013-03-15
partition, divider or other suitable surface, which may be substantially flat.
In the alternate
implementation of FIG. 12B, it can be seen that the center element also can
serve as the
substantially rigid backing, thereby eliminating the need for a separate
backing element. To be
suitably rigid, sheet 240' is thicker than in the embodiment of FIG. 12A. In
this example, the
substantially rigid backing is a sheet of light active material 240'
possessing enough rigidity to
support attachment of the three-dimensional light structure to it; sheet of
light active material
240' serves as substantially rigid backing for the three-dimensional lighting
structure and is not
non-rigid, flexible and foldable as are other sheets of light active material
in the structure that are
coupled to it.
[0039] It is noted that while substantially rigid backing 1110 is shown as
circular or oval, it is
intended that any shape of backing may be used, including square, rectangular,
diamond or
patterned shapes. Additionally, backing 1110 may be the approximate size,
shape and pattern of
the center element attached to it.
[0040] In FIG. 13, a view of a collapsed lighting structure 1300 foiiiied of
three sheets of light active
material is provided. Sheet 240 serves as the center element of the three-
dimensional lighting
structure and is shown affixed to backing 1110. In the exploded view of three-
dimensional
lighting structure 1400 of FIG. 14, the third and bottom sheet 430 serves as
the center element
and is attached to backing 1110 as indicated.
[0041] These views illustrate exemplary three-dimensional lighting structures
with the center
element attached to a substantially rigid backing 1110. The aesthetically
pleasing snowflake
shape shown is attached to backing 1110 which may be used to attach the
lighting structure to a
surface. It can be seen that the folding elements 470, shown as center folding
creases, or
slotting, perforations, etc. in the middle of the design are evident, as are
the perforated patterns
440 repeated in each sheet 410, 420, 430 of the three-dimensional lighting
structure. While the
perforations 440 in this example are shown as diamond shaped, any size or
shape may be utilized
and may have a positive impact on three-dimensional lighting structure
performance. For
example, as the size of the perforations increases, the amount of wind
resistance offered by the
three-dimensional lighting structure lessens.
[0042] The power cord 450 may be used to power each layer or sheet of light
active material; power
cords 450', 450" may also be used to power the bottom two light active layers.
Either way,
CA 02809629 2013-03-15
when power is provided to the light active material of the light active
sheets, the lighting of every
layer may be powered. Power cord 450 (450', 450") provides electrical power to
the discrete
lighting elements of the individual sheets of light active technology
material, whether they be
OLEDs or ILEDs, for example. The discrete lighting elements of the light
active technology
material are denoted by reference number 460.
[0043] FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom view of three-dimensional lighting
structures 1500 formed of
sheets of light active material, in accordance with certain implementations
and embodiments.
Chain shape maintainer or fastening element 510 around the periphery of the
three-dimensional
lighting structure hold the three sheets of light active material 1520, 1530,
1540 open in the
three-dimensional structure formed. Sheet 1520 serves as the center element of
the three-
dimensional structure and is affixed or attached to backing 1110 as shown. At
the center, the use
of an optional end clip 550, a fastening element useful for maintaining the
desired three-
dimensional shape of the three-dimensional lighting structure while open, is
shown. It is noted
here that only three sheets of light active material are shown, but any number
of light active
sheets may be used within the spirit and scope of the invention. Fastening
element 550 may be
made of plastic or other substantially rigid material. As a shape retainer,
end clip 550 accepts the
ends of sheets 1520, 1530, 1540 as shown into grooves into which the sheets
may snugly fit.
[0044] It can be seen from the above that attaching a center element of the
three-dimensional
lighting structure to a substantially rigid backing can eliminate
approximately half of the layers
of light active material, in the examples shown in which a spherical shape,
for instance, if cut in
half; reference can be made to FIGs. 12A and 12B which are roughly half the
size as the three-
dimensional structure in FIG. 2 and similarly FIG. 13 is roughly half the size
as the three-
dimensional structure in FIG. 3. Of course, the difference in the number of
sheets used in the
three-dimensional structure with backing may vary greatly depending upon the
size, shape and
configuration of the lighting structure.
[0045] Referring now to FIGs. 16A and 16B, an implementation in accordance
with various
embodiments is shown. The scene created is a visually interesting winter scape
in which three-
dimensional structures, in this example snowflakes 1610 attached to flat wall
1630 are used in
combination with other decorative elements, such as hanging three-dimensional
light active
lighting structures 1620, elements 1635 painted on flat wall 1630, and a
foreground area 1640
with its own three-dimensional elements, such as free hanging or pole mounted
three-
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dimensional lighting, are used to great effect. The use of varying sizes and
depths increases the
three-dimensional effect of the overall scene, especially where a focus to a
distant point is
desired, i.e. parallax effect. Such a decorative scene would be especially
effective in store and
similar displays.
[0046] From the foregoing, it can be seen that consistent with certain
implementations, a three-
dimensional lighting structure may have one or more one non-rigid, flexible,
foldable double-
faced sheets of light active material, with each sheet of light active
material having a plurality of
lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more laminate layers and
that comprise
emissive electroluminescent material and having circuitry coupled to the light
elements within; at
least one folding element of the at least one sheet of light active material,
with a collapsible
three-dimensional lighting structure fonned of the at least one sheet of light
active material and
the at least one folding element; a power supply element to provide power to
the circuitry
coupled to the lighting elements of the at least one sheet of light active
material; a fastening
element coupled to the at least one sheet of light active material at at least
one fastening point,
the collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure removably retained in a
three-dimensional
form by the fastening element; and a center element of the three-dimensional
lighting structure to
which the at least one sheet of light active material and fastening element
are coupled and
located at a back side of the three- dimensional lighting structure.
[0047] Also, consistent with certain implementations, a three-dimensional
lighting structure may be
created by: folding at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light
active material along at
least one folding element to create a collapsible three-dimensional lighting
structure having a
center element located at a back side of the three-dimensional lighting
structure, with each sheet
of light active material having lighting elements that are sandwiched between
two or more
laminate layers and that comprise emissive electroluminescent material and
having circuitry
coupled to the light elements; and removably retaining the three-dimensional
lighting structure
by activating a fastening element to retain the three-dimensional lighting
structure created by
folding the at least one sheet of light active material along the at least one
folding element.
[0048] A method of manufacture of a three-dimensional lighting structure
includes: providing at
least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet of light active material, with
each sheet of light active
material having lighting elements that are sandwiched between two or more
laminate layers and
that have emissive electroluminescent material and having circuitry coupled to
the plurality of
17
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light elements; providing the at least one non-rigid, flexible, foldable sheet
of light active
material with at least one folding element along which the at least one non-
rigid, flexible,
foldable sheet of light active material are foldable to create the three-
dimensional lighting
structure having a center element located at a back side of the three-
dimensional lighting
structure; and providing a fastening element to removably retain a collapsible
three-dimensional
lighting stnicture created when the at least one sheet of light active
material are folded along the
at least one folding element.
[0049] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present
invention have been
described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various
modifications and
changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention
as set forth in the
claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in
an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the
scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems,
and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more
pronounced are not
to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of
any or all the claims.
The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any
amendments made during
the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as
issued.
18
