Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An electroluminescent apparatus comprising: a substrate composed of a polymeric resin, a first conductor fixed to the substrate and spaced inwardly from the edges of the substrate in a preselected pattern to form a first electrode, a luminescent coating covering a first portion of the first conductor leaving at least one edge of the first conductor uncovered, the luminescent coating extending across a second edge of the first conductor onto the substrate; and a pair of second conductors situated adjacent to, but separated from, each other on the substrate, one of the pair of second conductors covering substantially the whole of the luminescent coating and extending across the second edge onto the substrate, the other of the pair of second conductors extending along the at least one edge of the first conductor and onto the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electroluminescent apparatus comprising: a substrate composed of a polymeric resin, a first conductor fixed to the substrate and spaced inwardly from the edges of the substrate in a preselected pattern to form a first electrode, a luminescent coating covering a first portion of the first conductor leaving at least one edge of the first conductor uncovered, the luminescent coating extending across a second edge of the first conductor onto the substrate; and a pair of second conductors situated adjacent to, but separated from, each other on the substrate, one of the pair of second conductors covering substantially the whole of the luminescent coating and extending across the second edge onto the substrate, the other of the pair of second conductors extending along the at least one edge of the first conductor and onto the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a flexible transparent sheet having a body portion and a lead portion, said first conductor being confined to the body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pair of second conductor extends along said lead portion parallel to each other from said body portion to a terminal end remote therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a water vapor impervious coating extending over the entirety of the luminescent coating and all but an end portion of the pair of second conductors, the end portion of said second conductors further comprising pin elements fixed at a predetermined spacing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electroluminescent device comprising a substrate having a surface bounded by a perimeter, a first conductor fixed to the substrate surface in a preselected pattern to form a first electrode, the first conductor having at least one edge spaced inwardly from the surface perimeter, a luminescent coating covering a first portion of the first conductor while leaving a second portion of the first conductor uncovered, the coating extending unitarily onto the substrate surface along at least one portion of said at least one edge, a pair of second conductors situated adjacent to but separated from each other on the substrate surface by a predetermined distance, one of the pair of second conductors extending unitarily on top of the luminescent coating within said at least one portion to substantially cover the luminescent coating to form a second electrode parallel to said first electrode, the other of the pair of second conductors extending unitarily on top of said second portion of the first conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electroluminescent device comprising a substrate having a surface bounded by a perimeter, a first conductor fixed to the substrate surface in a preselected pattern to form a first electrode, the first conductor having at least one edge spaced inwardly from the surface perimeter, a luminescent coating covering a first portion of the first conductor while leaving a second portion of the first conductor uncovered, the coating extending unitarily onto the substrate surface along at least one portion of said at least one edge, a pair of second conductors situated adjacent to but separated from each other on the substrate surface by a predetermined distance, one of the pair of second conductors extending unitarily on top of the luminescent coating within said at least one portion to substantially cover the luminescent coating to form a second electrode parallel to said first electrode, the other of the pair of second conductors extending unitarily on top of said second portion of the first conductor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the substrate comprises a flexible transparent sheet composed of a polymeric resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 the first conductor comprises a transparent metal oxide film spaced inwardly from the edge of the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the luminescent coating covers substantially the whole of the first conductor leaving only one edge of the first conductor uncovered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said other of the pair of second conductors extends along said only one edge of the first conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the substrate comprises a body portion and a lead portion, said first conductor being confined to said body portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said pair of second conductors extend along said lead portion parallel to each other from said body portion to a terminal end remote therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pair of pin elements attached to said pair of second conductors at the terminal end of said lead portion remote from said body portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a water vapor impervious coating extending over the entirety of the luminescent coating and all but an end portion of the pair of second conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the luminescent coating comprises a light-emitting layer and an opaque, light-reflecting layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the opaque layer comprises a metal oxide powder in a matrix.