Tabbed circuit board and method for manufacturing same
View Patent ↗A circuit board for receiving and operably connecting a plurality of electrical components generally comprises: a flexible substrate of a predetermined length and having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge; a conductive trace applied to the flexible substrate; and a plurality of integral tabs arrayed along the first lateral edge, one or more electrical components being operably connected to the conductive trace at a respective tab, and wherein each tab can be manipulated from a first position in which the tab is aligned with the remainder of the substrate to a second position in which the tab is oriented at an angle relative to the remainder of the substrate.
1. A circuit board for receiving and operably connecting a plurality of electrical components, comprising:
a flexible substrate of a predetermined length and having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge;
a conductive trace applied to said flexible substrate; and
a plurality of integral tabs arrayed along the first lateral edge, one or more electrical components being operably connected to said conductive trace at a respective tab;
wherein each said tab can be manipulated from a first position in which said tab is aligned with the remainder of said substrate to a second position in which said tab is oriented at an angle relative to the remainder of said substrate.
2. The circuit board as recited in claim 1 , wherein said electrical components are light-emitting diodes.
3. The circuit board as recited in claim 1 , wherein, in the second position, said tab is oriented substantially perpendicular to the remainder of said substrate.
4. An illumination device, comprising:
a plurality of light-emitting diodes;
a light-diffusing member for receiving light emitted from said light-emitting diodes; and
a tabbed circuit board for receiving said light-emitting diodes and including
a flexible substrate of a predetermined length and having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge,
a conductive trace applied to said flexible substrate, and
a plurality of integral tabs arrayed along the first lateral edge, one or more electrical components being operably connected to said conductive trace at a respective tab,
wherein each said tab can be manipulated from a first position in which said tab is aligned with the remainder of said substrate to a second position in which said tab is oriented at an angle relative to the remainder of said substrate.
5. The illumination device as recited in claim 4 , and further comprising a housing that receives said light-emitting diodes and any accompanying electrical accessories.
6. The illumination device as recited in claim 5 , in which said housing generally comprises a pair of side walls that define an open-ended channel, with said circuit board being received and housed in said open-ended channel.
7. The illumination device as recited in claim 6 , in which internal surfaces of said side walls are constructed of or coated with a light-reflecting material.
8. The illumination device as recited in claim 6 , wherein, in the second position, said tab is oriented substantially perpendicular to the remainder of said substrate.