Modular LED lighting systems and flexible or rigid strip lighting devices

A connector assembly for printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprising:

• a plug at one end of a PCB;
• and
• a socket, with a plug hole, at an opposing end of the PCB;
• wherein the PCB comprises an electrical circuit of at least two electrically conductive planar strips with edges disposed parallel to one another lengthwise along the substrate strip;
• wherein the plug is a male plug formed from one end and from an upper exposed surface of the conductive planar strips;
• wherein the plug and plug hole are oriented lengthwise in relation to the substrate strip and are capable of providing removable, friction-fit, and electrical interconnection of two or more PCBs;
• and
• wherein the plug and socket are integrally formed as part of the lighting strip provided as a single unit.

A modular lighting system comprising:

• a plurality of modular lighting strips each comprising:
• a non-conductive substrate strip comprising an electrical circuit of at least two electrically conductive planar strips with edges disposed parallel to one another lengthwise along the substrate strip;
• a plurality of light sources operably connected to the electrical circuit;
• a male plug at one end of the substrate strip, wherein the plug is formed from one end and from an upper exposed surface of the conductive planar strips;
• and
• a socket at an opposing end of the substrate strip;
• wherein the plug and socket are integrally formed as part of the lighting strip provided as a single unit;
• wherein the plug and socket provide for removable, friction-fit, and electrical interconnection of two or more circuits;
• and
• means for operably connecting a modular lighting strip to an electrical power supply for providing power to the light sources.

A modular lighting system comprising:

• at least one first printed circuit board (PCB), optionally comprising at least one operably mounted light emitting diode (LED), wherein the first PCB is capable of being operably connected to a power supply and to a second PCB;
• at least one second PCB with at least one operably mounted LED, which is capable of being operably connected to the first PCB and optionally operably connected to a third PCB;
• one socket and one plug, integrally formed on a PCB for operably connecting two consecutive PCBs and as part of the PCB provided as a single units;
• wherein the PCB comprises an electrical circuit of at least two electrically conductive planar strips with edges disposed parallel to one another lengthwise along the substrate strip;
• wherein the plug is a male plug formed from one end and from an upper exposed surface of the conductive planar strips.