RUBSTRIP WITH INTEGRAL LIGHTING FOR POSSIBLE USE IN AN AIRCRAFT
A rubstrip for protecting an exposed surface, such as a surface in the interior of an aircraft. The rubstrip is configured to house a light source within its interior. In some embodiments, an exterior of the rubstrip is formed with at least one passageway configured to emit light from the light source. The rubstrip is configured both to protect the surface from damage and to protect the housed light source from damage.
1 . A passenger aircraft comprising:
a) an interior passenger cabin; and
b) a rubstrip comprising an integral light source, the rubstrip configured to protect various surfaces of the interior passenger cabin from damage, the rubstrip also configured to protect the integral light source from damage.
2 . The rubstrip of claim 1 , wherein the integral light source is housed within an interior of the rubstrip.
3 . The rubstrip of claim 1 , further comprising at least one passageway along an exterior of the rubstrip, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to emit light from the light source.
4 . The rubstrip of claim 3 , wherein the at least one passageway comprises at least a portion of an external surface of the rubstrip that is transparent or semitransparent to allow for the emission of light from the light source.
5 . The rubstrip of claim 3 , wherein the at least one passageway is an opening or a cutaway portion.
6 . The rubstrip of claim 1 , wherein the rubstrip is injection molded or extruded.
7 . The illuminated rubstrip of claim 1 , wherein the light source is selected from a group consisting of: a single source light emitting diode, continuous lighting, an electroluminescent wire, a fluorescent bulb, an incandescent bulb, an arc lamp, a molded silicone encapsulated light, and one or more light emitting diodes.
8 . A rubstrip assembly comprising:
a rubstrip comprising at least one passageway along an exterior of the rubstrip; and
a light source housed within the rubstrip,
wherein the at least passageway is configured to emit light from the light source, and
wherein the rubstrip is configured to protect a surface from damage and is also configured to protect the light source from damage.
9 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the surface is an interior surface of an aircraft.
10 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one passageway is integrally formed with the exterior of the rubstrip.
11 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one passageway is a transparent or semitransparent surface of the exterior of the rubstrip.
12 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one passageway is an opening or a cutaway portion.
13 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a cover that covers the at least one passageway.
14 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the light source is selected from a group consisting of: a single source light emitting diode, continuous lighting, an electroluminescent wire, a fluorescent bulb, an incandescent bulb, an arc lamp, a molded silicone encapsulated light, and one or more light emitting diodes.
15 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the light source is integral with the rubstrip.
16 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , further comprising at least one diffuser configured to diffuse light emitted from the light source.
17 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a retainer assembly that retains the light source within the rubstrip.
18 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a base configured to help secure the rubstrip to the surface.
19 . The rubstrip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the light source is coupled to an interior of the rubstrip.
20 . A method of assembling a rubstrip with integral lighting comprising:
coupling a light source to an interior of the rubstrip such that an exterior of the rubstrip protects the light source from damage,
wherein the rubstrip is configured to protect a surface of an aircraft from damage.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising aligning the light source with at least one passageway of the exterior of the rubstrip, wherein the at least one passageway is configured to emit light from the light source.