LED light set

[00002] 1. Field of the Invention

[00003] The present invention relates to a light set and, more particularly, to a LED light set, which provides a better sideway illumination, is easy to manufacture, and has lead wires well protected on the inside.

[00004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[00005] Neon lights are intensively used in signboards and houses for decoration. However, neon lights are expensive and not durable in use. Recently, non-neon light type flexible light bars are developed to substitute for neon lights. FIG. 3 shows an example of these flexible light bars. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flexible light bar comprises a transparent outer sleeve 5, a plastic inner tube 50 mounted in the outer sleeve 5 and defining an axially extended passage hole 51, two wire conductors 52 axially embedded in the plastic inner tube 50 and arranged in parallel, and a series of bulbs 60 mounted in the passage hole 51 inside the plastic inner tube 50 and electrically connected to the wire conductors 52. When turned on, the light of the bulbs 60 passes through the plastic inner tube 50 and the outer sleeve 5 to the outside. This design of flexible light bar is still not satisfactory in function. Because the bulbs 60 are arranged along the axis of the passage hole 51, the major part of the light of the bulbs 60 passes axially forwards, and only a small part of the light of the bulbs 60 passes radially through the peripheral wall of the inner tube 50 and the peripheral wall of the outer sleeve 5. Further, the bulbs 60 consume much electric energy, and produce heat during operation.

[00006] FIG. 4 shows another design of flexible light bar according to the prior art. According to this design, the flexible light bar comprises an outer sleeve 7, a plastic core 70 axially fitted into the outer sleeve 7, the plastic core 70 having a plurality of radial through holes 72, two wire conductors 71 axially embedded in the periphery of the plastic core 70 and arranged in parallel, a plurality of bulbs 80 respectively mounted in the radial through holes 72, and a lead wire 81 connecting the legs of the bulbs 80 in series. This design of flexible light bar still has drawbacks. Because the lead wire 81 extends to the outside of the flexible light bar, it tends to be stretched or damaged by an external object. Further, the bulbs 80 consume much electric energy, and produce heat during operation.

[00007] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a LED light set, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. It is another object of the present invention to provide a LED light set, which provides a better sideway illumination. It is another object of the present invention to provide a LED light set, which is easy to manufacture. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a LED light set, which has the lead wires well protected against external objects.

[00008] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the LED light set comprises a flexible plastic tube, the flexible plastic tube having an axially extended passage hole and light guide hole and a plurality of inside lamp holes radially extended between the passage hole and the light guide hole, two metal wire conductors embedded in the flexible plastic tube, LEDs respectively mounted in the inside lamp holes inside the flexible plastic tube, each LED having two legs extended in reversed directions and suspended in the passage hole, and lead wires connecting the legs of the LEDs in series.

[00009] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[00015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a LED light set in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a flexible plastic tube 10. The flexible plastic tube 10 has an axially extended passage hole 11, an axially extended light guide hole 13, a plurality of inside lamp holes 12 radially connected between the passage hole 11 and the light guide hole 13. Two metal wire conductors 20 are respectively symmetrically embedded in the flexible plastic tube 10. A plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 30 are respectively mounted in the inside lamp holes 12 inside the flexible plastic tube 10, each having two legs 31 extended in reversed directions and suspended in the passage hole 11. The legs 31 of the LEDs 30 are connected in series by lead wires 40.

[00016] As indicated above, the invention has advantages as follows:

• [00017] 1. Because the LEDs are radially arranged inside the flexible plastic tube, the LED light set provides strong sideway illumination.
• [00018] 2. Because the legs of the LEDs and the lead wires are received in the passage hole inside the flexible plastic tube, the assembly process of the LED light set is simple and time-saving, and the lead wires are well protected by the flexible plastic tube against external objects.
• [00019] 3. Because LEDs are used instead of bulbs, the LED light set is safe and durable in use and, does not produce heat during operation.

[00020] A prototype of LED light set has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1 and 2. The LED light set functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

[00021] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.