US3571647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible electroluminescent structures
Assignee: Astronics Luminescent Inc
•
Filing: 1969-03-19
•
Granted: 1971-03-23
•
Expires: 1989-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Each cell comprises a first electrode made of a deformable, electrically conductive material, and a second electrode in the form of one or more insulated, electrically conductive wires or meshes mounted on, secured to, or imbedded in, the surface of the deformable electrode. A layer of electroluminescent phosphor covers the conductors defining the second electrode, and the exposed portions of the deformable electrode. The deformable electrode is on a substrate which may be rigid or flexible, and electrically conductive or nonconductive. Fabric may be coated or impregnated with the deformable electrode; and the conductors defining the second electrode may be sewn on one or both sides of the fabric beneath a layer of electroluminescent material. When an AC voltage is applied across the electrodes, the phosphor layer luminesces with an intensity greatest in the vicinity of the second electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Bessie A Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:32
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B33/00; H05B33/12; H05B33/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said insulation completely surrounds and encloses said second electrode to insulate it from both said first electrode and said electroluminescent material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein: said insulation surrounds a portion only of said second electrode; and the remaining portion of said second electrode is in contact with said electroluminescent material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said insulation and said second electrode are embedded at least part way in said first electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cell as defined in claim 4, wherein said first electrode is made of a deformable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein: said second electrode comprises an electrically conductive grid secured on said first electrode; and said electroluminescent material extends through the interstices in said grid into contact with said first electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cell as defined in claim 6, wherein said insulation comprises a mesh-type layer of dielectric material having therethrough a plurality of openings which register with the interstices in said grid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cell as defined in claim 7, wherein said grid and said layer of insulation are embedded in said first electrode so that the outer surface of said grid is coplanar with said face of said first electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, including: a third electrode mounted on said first electrode in spaced relation to said second electrode, and having a configuration different from that of said second electrode; further insulation interposed between said third electrode and said first electrode to insulate said third electrode electrically from said first electrode; said electroluminescent material extending over said third electrode and into contact with said first electrode in the space between said second and third electrodes; and a pair of switches for selectively connecting said second and third electrodes to an alternating current power supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said first electrode comprises a resilient layer of electrically conductive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell as defined in claim 10, wherein said layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive containing finely divided metal particles to render the layer electrically conductive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein: said support and said first electrode comprise two, flexible layers secured back to back; and said second electrode comprises an insulated electrical conductor sewn to said layers so that at least a portion of said conductor overlies the face of the flexible layer defining said first electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A cell as defined in claim 1, wherein: said support comprises a layer of fabric; said first electrode comprises a first layer of flexible, electrically conductive material secured to one side of said layer of fabric; and said second electrode comprises an insulated electrical conductor sewn to said layer of fabric so that portions of said conductor overlie the face of said layer of electrically conductive material to form a design thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cell as defined in claim 13, including: a second layer of flexible, electrically conductive material secured to the opposite side of said layer of fabric; and a further, insulated electrical conductor sewn to said fabric layer so that portions of said further conductor overlie the face of said second layer of electrically conductive material to form a design thereon, said connecting means being operable to apply an alternating current potential across said condUctors and said layers of electrically conductive material, respectively, and said electroluminescent material covering both said conductors and said layers of electrically conductive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electroluminescent cell comprising: a substrate; a deformable, plastic, conductive first electrode mounted on said substrate; a plurality of shaped electrodes mounted on said first electrode and arranged thereon to form indicia; means for insulating said plurality of electrodes from said first electrode and from one another; electroluminescent material covering said plurality of electrodes and said first electrode at least in part; and means for applying an alternating electric current across said electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cell as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of electrodes are conductive wire mesh.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cell as claimed in claim 16, wherein said insulating means is a thin dielectric insulating film interposed between said plurality of electrodes and said first electrode and in which said plurality of electrodes is embedded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |