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US 7,395,629 B1Granted
Devices incorporating flexible, extended-in-length light sources including catch net, batons and safety devices
OwnerJeffery A. Thomasinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable illuminated, transparent or translucent tubular device is provided. The light source is a flexible, extended-in-length light source mounted in the tubular device, with a housing associated with the tubular device. The housing encloses batteries, and in some instances circuitry, for powering the light source. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular device is a handle for a fish or crab net, with the light source extending around the loop of the net.
Claims16
A catch net comprising:
- a rigid, light transmissive, elongated body having an enlarged loop at one end, and a housing at an opposite end,
- a flexible, extended-in-length, electrically powered electroluminescent material of a character such that light is uniformly and contiguously generated along the length and breadth of said flexible, extended-in-length electrically powered electroluminescent material,
- an electrical power source in said housing, said power source further comprising;
- at least one low voltage, direct current battery,
- an inverter selectively coupled to said at least one battery for transforming low voltage, direct current from said at least one battery to a high voltage oscillating electrical potential, and applying said high voltage oscillating potential to said electroluminescent material in order to uniformly and contiguously generate said light,
- said flexible, extended-in-length, electrically powered electroluminescent material extending the length of said rigid, light transmissive elongated body and along said enlarged loop,
- a net supported by said loop, whereby said article may be used as a catch net with said rigid, light transmissive elongated body and said enlarged loop being uniformly and contiguously illuminated by said electroluminescent material.
4 more elements
An elongated body for a portable article, said body incorporating a source of illumination in an extended configuration, said article comprising:
- a rigid, light transmissive, elongated tubular body having an enlarged loop at one end, and a housing at an opposite end, said enlarged loop having a groove along an outer edge thereof,
- a flexible, extended-in-length, electrically powered electroluminescent wire of a character such that light is uniformly and contiguously generated along the length and breadth of said flexible, extended-in-length electrically powered electroluminescent wire,
- said flexible, extended-in-length, electrically powered electroluminescent wire extending the length of said tubular body and around said enlarged loop, and being held in said groove around said enlarged loop,
- an elongated support disposed in generally coaxial relation within said tubular body, said elongated support having a plurality of ridges thereon for holding said electroluminescent wire in a spiral configuration around said elongated support within said tubular body,
- a net supported by said loop, whereby said article may be used as a catch net with said rigid, light transmissive elongated body and said enlarged loop being uniformly and contiguously illuminated by said electroluminescent wire,
- an electrical power source in said housing, said power source further comprising;
- at least one low voltage, direct current battery,
- an inverter selectively coupled to said at least one battery for transforming low voltage, direct current from said at least one battery to a high voltage oscillating electrical potential, and applying said high voltage oscillating potential to said electroluminescent material in order to uniformly and contiguously generate said light.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.