US4727459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas discharge illumination device
Assignee: NEON MODULAR SYSTEMS Inc A CORP OF NEW YORK
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Filing: 1986-07-03
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Granted: 1988-02-23
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Expires: 2006-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A noble gas illumination device such as a neon tube in which the glass neon tube is clear and uncoated and is surrounded by a clear plastic tube. The clear plastic tube may be tinted or colorless. If it is tinted, it alters the color of the light emanating from the device. Whether tinted or untinted, the clear plastic tube makes the uncoated neon tube appear to have a larger diameter, thereby creating the illusion that the electric discharge beam in the neon tube is extremely thin and focused and has the appearance of a laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Pacifico A. Palumbo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/025; G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806; Y10S362/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An illumination device for producing light from an electric discharge through a gas filled tube, and discharge having the appearance of being thin and ray-like, like a gaseous laser discharge, said illumination device comprising an elongated gas filled electric discharge illumination tube having no coating on the wall thereof of the type that alters the nature of the light emitted therefrom so that the thickness of the discharge appears thinner than the inner diameter of said illumination tube, said illumination tube having terminals located at axially opposite ends of the tube, and a transparent plastic tube in surrounding relation with said illumination tube for increasing the apparent diameter of said illumination tube whereby to enchance the visual effect of the thinness of said illuminated gas discharge to thereby simulate with a gas discharge illumination device the appearance of a gaseous laser discharge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An illumination device for producing light from an electric discharge through a gas filled tube, and discharge having the appearance of being thin and ray-like, like a gaseous laser discharge, said illumination device comprising an elongated gas filled electric discharge illumination tube having no coating on the wall thereof of the type that alters the nature of the light emitted therefrom so that the thickness of the discharge appears thinner than the inner diameter of said illumination tube, said illumination tube having terminals located at axially opposite ends of the tube, and a transparent plastic tube in surrounding relation with said illumination tube for increasing the apparent diameter of said illumination tube whereby to enchance the visual effect of the thinness of said illuminated gas discharge to thereby simulate with a gas discharge illumination device the appearance of a gaseous laser discharge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illumination device of claim 1, wherein the gas with which said illumination tube is filled is a noble gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said transparent plastic tube is substantially colorless.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said transparent plastic tube is tinted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illumination device of claim 4, wherein said transparent plastic tube is tinted for altering the perceived color of said illuminated gas discharge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said illumination tube and said transparent plastic tube are both straight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said transparent plastic tube is substantially colorless.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said transparent plastic tube is tinted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said transparent plastic tube is tinted for altering the perceived color of said illuminated gas discharge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination device of claim 2, wherein said illumination tube and said transparent plastic tube are both straight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination device of claim 3, wherein said illumination tube and said transparent plastic tube are both straight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination device of claim 4, wherein said illumination tube and said transparent plastic tube are both straight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illumination device of claim 5, wherein said illumination tube and said transparent plastic tube are both straight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An illumination display comprising a plurality of substantially parallel illumination devices as set forth in claim 10, said illumination devices being of such lengths and perceived color as to form an illuminated sign.
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) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-08-24 | 1992-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-22 | 1995-08-24 | 1996-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-22 | 1999-08-24 | 2000-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |