US4924362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated article and waterproof illuminated harness
Assignee: ALLIKO UNLIMITED CORP A CORP OF MI
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Filing: 1988-09-01
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Granted: 1990-05-08
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Expires: 2008-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated article in the form of a garment or article of wearing apparel includes an electrically conductive harness mounted at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the garment. The harness includes a housing which waterproofingly encloses an illumination device, such as a light emitting diode. A pair of electrical conductors mounted in an elongated strip are connectable to the leads of the light emitting diodes. An electrical power source including a battery and an on/off switch is mounted in a waterproof housing and receives one end of the electrical conductors to connect the illumination devices to the battery for selectively illuminating the illumination devices. A plurality of harnesses may be mounted on the article and interconnected by a waterproof connector which connects the electrical conductors in each harness together. In a preferred embodiment of the harness, each light emitting diode and attached portions of the electrical conductors are inserted into a mold which then has a housing molded therearound to form a watertight, corrosion-free enclosure about each light emitting diode.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Janko
- 👤 Matthew McAllister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:55
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V31/00; F21V31/04; A; A01; A01K; A01K27/00; A01K27/006; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/01; A41D27/00; A41D27/08; A41D27/085; F21S; F21S4/00; F21S4/10; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/0008; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/03; H05K1/038; F21W; F21W2121/00; F21W2121/06; F21Y; F21Y2115/00; F21Y2115/10; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10007; H05K2201/10106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a plurality of harnesses, each harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means; means for interconnecting the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses to form an electrical circuit between the illumination means in the harnesses and the electrical power source; the harnesses mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a plurality of harnesses, each harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means; means for interconnecting the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses to form an electrical circuit between the illumination means in the harnesses and the electrical power source; the harnesses mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors, the housing comprising: a preload insert formed of a moldable material, the preload insert having a slot configured to encompass the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; and an outer body moldingly joined to and encompassing the preload insert, the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors, the housing comprising: a preload insert formed of a moldable material, the preload insert having a slot configured to encompass the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; and an outer body moldingly joined to and encompassing the preload insert, the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The illuminated object of claim 2 wherein: the preload insert has a through bore formed substantially perpendicularly to the slot; the outer body has a through bore formed therein in communication with the illumination means; and a lens is mounted on one end of the bore over the illumination means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The illuminated object of claim 2 wherein the source of electrical power comprises: a battery; a waterproof housing for the battery; means for connecting the battery in a waterproof manner to the electrical conductors in the harness; and manually operable switch mounted in the housing for electrically connecting the battery to the electrical conductors for the flow of electrical power thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The illuminated object of claim 2 wherein the object is a garment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated object of claim 2 wherein the illumination means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illuminated object of claim 6 wherein the light emitting diode is a side emitter light emitting diode
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a plurality of harnesses, each harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface; means for interconnecting the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses to form an electrical circuit between the illumination means in the harnesses and the electrical power source, the interconnecting means comprising: a preload square, the preload square having slots formed therein for receiving the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses; means for connecting the electrical conductors of the plurality of harnesses together; and an interconnection plate surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the preload square and interconnected ends of the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a plurality of harnesses, each harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface; means for interconnecting the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses to form an electrical circuit between the illumination means in the harnesses and the electrical power source, the interconnecting means comprising: a preload square, the preload square having slots formed therein for receiving the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses; means for connecting the electrical conductors of the plurality of harnesses together; and an interconnection plate surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the preload square and interconnected ends of the electrical conductors of a plurality of harnesses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illuminated object of claim 8 further including a plurality of electrically conductive posts mounted within the interconnection plate and connectable to the electrical conductors in the harnesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; a plurality of illuminatible devices attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; a plurality of discrete housings, each surrounding and encapsulating an illuminatible device and the attached portions of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; a plurality of illuminatible devices attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; a plurality of discrete housings, each surrounding and encapsulating an illuminatible device and the attached portions of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
An illuminated object of in the form of an elongated band having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; and an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; an aperture formed in the band; the illumination means disposed in the aperture and viewable from the outer surface of the band; and a housing molded over the band, through the aperture in the band and about the illumination means to encapsulate the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
An illuminated object of in the form of an elongated band having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; and an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; an aperture formed in the band; the illumination means disposed in the aperture and viewable from the outer surface of the band; and a housing molded over the band, through the aperture in the band and about the illumination means to encapsulate the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
118 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface; the object including a woven fabric material layer; the illumination means being disposed in registry with one side of the fabric layer; and the housing moldingly impregnating and extending through both sides of the fabric material layer and encapsulating the illumination means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
An illuminated object having an outer surface comprising: a harness including: an electric power source housed in a waterproof housing; electrical conductors connectable to the electric power source; an illumination means attached in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a waterproof enclosure about the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors; the harness mounted on the object with the illumination means being viewable from the outer surface; the object including a woven fabric material layer; the illumination means being disposed in registry with one side of the fabric layer; and the housing moldingly impregnating and extending through both sides of the fabric material layer and encapsulating the illumination means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of manufacturing an illuminatible harness comprising the steps of: attaching the leads of an illumination means to electrical conductors; positioning the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors in a mold; molding a single piece, waterproof housing around the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means; and connecting the ends of the electrical conductors to an electrical power source.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of manufacturing an illuminatible harness comprising the steps of: attaching the leads of an illumination means to electrical conductors; positioning the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors in a mold; molding a single piece, waterproof housing around the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means; and connecting the ends of the electrical conductors to an electrical power source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 further including the steps of: sequentially repeating all of the steps for each of a plurality of illumination means to be mounted on the harness.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of positioning further comprises the step of: attaching a preload insert formed of a moldable material to the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors to center the illumination means in the mold prior to molding the housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 13 further including the steps of: in the step of molding, forming a bore in the housing over the illumination means; and attaching a lens to one end of the bore over the illumination means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: forming an aperture in an object; and inserting the illumination means after attaching the illumination means to the electrical conductors into the aperture in the object before the illumination means and the object are placed into the mold and the housing is molded thereover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
An illuminatible harness comprising: electrical conductors connectable to an electric power source; a plurality of illumination means disposed at spaced locations in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a plurality of housings, each housing surrounding and forming a waterproof body around one illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the one illumination means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
An illuminatible harness comprising: electrical conductors connectable to an electric power source; a plurality of illumination means disposed at spaced locations in electrical contact with the electrical conductors; and a plurality of housings, each housing surrounding and forming a waterproof body around one illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the one illumination means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The illuminatible harness of claim 18 further including: an electric power source mounted in a waterproof housing; one end of the electrical conductors being connected to the electric power source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
The illuminatible harness of claim 19 wherein the source of electrical power comprises: a battery; a waterproof housing for the battery; means for connecting the battery in a waterproof manner to the electrical conductors in the harness; and a manually operable switch mounted in the housing for electrically connecting the battery to the electrical conductors for the flow of electrical power thereto.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
An illuminatible harness comprising: electrical conductors connectable to an electric power source; a plurality of illumination means attached at spaced locations in electrical contact to the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a single, molded, waterproof body encapsulating all of the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
An illuminatible harness comprising: electrical conductors connectable to an electric power source; a plurality of illumination means attached at spaced locations in electrical contact to the electrical conductors; and a housing surrounding and forming a single, molded, waterproof body encapsulating all of the illumination means and the attached portion of the electrical conductors adjacent to the illumination means.
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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) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |