Patent US4864473A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4864473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroluminescent dome light for a convertible automobile
Assignee: ASC Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-21
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Granted: 1989-09-05
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Expires: 2008-03-21
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an electroluminescent dome light for a convertible vehicle. The lighting element consists of a thin piece of electrically conductive material, which is specially treated with an electroluminescent coating. The element is enclosed in a phosphorous treated laminate which provides structure and diffuses the light emitted, giving it qualities of incandescent light. Two electrical connectors attach to the element to provide a means for generating an electrical current though the conductive material. The lighting element is held in place on the headliner of the convertible by a housing, with a means of attachment.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Tokarz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:34
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B33/00; H05B33/12; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/40; B60Q3/49; B60Q3/70; B60Q3/74; B60Q3/745; H05B1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An electroluminescent dome light for a convertible-type vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side, of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorous-treated laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having coating with the electroluminescent coating; and (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighted element, the housing including a means for attachment to a convertible top.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An electroluminescent dome light for a convertible-type vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side, of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorous-treated laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having coating with the electroluminescent coating; and (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighted element, the housing including a means for attachment to a convertible top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dome light of claim 1 wherein: (a) the electrically conductive material is aluminum; and (b) the electroluminescent material is a blend of phosporescent elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dome light of claim 1 wherein the laminate material is mylar or arlar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dome light of claim 3 further comprising: a pair of electrical connectors for connecting the lighting element to a power source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The dome light of claim 4 further comprising: a housing comprising: (a) a back wall and two side walls; (b) an opening to receive the lighting element; and (c) a pin comprising a flexible metal material having an upwardly pointed terminus that projects from the housing into the convertible top headliner to secure the housing to the headliner of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The housing of claim 5 further comprising: a tab comprising a flexible plastic material, having an outwardly pointed terminus, for securing the housing to the headliner of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electroluminescent light for the interior lighting of a vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side, of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; and (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element, the housing including a means for attachment of the housing to the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electroluminescent light for the interior lighting of a vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side, of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; and (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element, the housing including a means for attachment of the housing to the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The light of claim 7 wherein: (a) the electrically conductive material is aluminum; and (b) the electroluminescent material is a blend of phosphorescent elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light of claim 10 wherein the laminate material is mylar or arlar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light of claim 9 further comprising: a pair of electrical connectors for connecting the lighting element to a power source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The light of claim 10 wherein the housing further comprises: (a) a back wall and two side walls; (b) an opening to receive the lighting element; and (c) securement means comprising a flexible metal material having an outwardly pointed terminus the terminus projecting from the housing into the vehicle fabric surface in the interior of the vehicle to secure the housing to the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light of claimm 11 wherein the securement means comprises: a tab, the terminus of the tab penetrating the soft cloth fabric of the interior of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electroluminescent dome light for a convertible-type vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an aluminum electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating which comprises a phosphorescent blend wherein the coating is applied to one side of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated mylar or arlar laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element comprising a back wall and two side walls, an opening to receive the lighting element, and a pin comprising a flexible material having an outwardly pointed terminous that projects from the housing into the convertible top headliner to secure the housing to the headliner of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electroluminescent dome light for a convertible-type vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an aluminum electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating which comprises a phosphorescent blend wherein the coating is applied to one side of the material; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated mylar or arlar laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element comprising a back wall and two side walls, an opening to receive the lighting element, and a pin comprising a flexible material having an outwardly pointed terminous that projects from the housing into the convertible top headliner to secure the housing to the headliner of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electroluminescent light for the interior lighting of a vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an aluminum, electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side of the material, the electroluminescent coating comprising a phosphorescent blend; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated mylar or arlar laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element, comprising: a back wall and two side walls, an opening to receive the lighting element, and a pin comprising a flexible material having an outwardly pointed terminous that projects from the housing into the vehicle interior to secure the housing to the vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electroluminescent light for the interior lighting of a vehicle comprising: (a) a lighting element comprising: (1) an aluminum, electrically conductive material having an electroluminescent coating on one side of the material, the electroluminescent coating comprising a phosphorescent blend; (2) an electrically conductive coating disposed about the periphery of the electroluminescent coating; (3) an insulating material disposed about the periphery of the electrically conductive coating; and (4) a light diffusing coating comprising a phosphorus-treated mylar or arlar laminate encapsulating the electrically conductive material, the light diffusing coating having contact with the electroluminescent coating; (b) means for generating an electric current through the conductive material; and (c) a housing for the lighting element, comprising: a back wall and two side walls, an opening to receive the lighting element, and a pin comprising a flexible material having an outwardly pointed terminous that projects from the housing into the vehicle interior to secure the housing to the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-04 | 1993-03-06 | 1993-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-04 | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-04 | 2001-03-06 | 2001-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |