Illuminated anti-trip cable duct
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a pleasant illuminated anti-trip cable duct for use in protecting wires that cross pathways. The illuminated anti-trip cable duct may also be used to illuminate raceways or paths, such as aisles in auditoriums or churches. The anti-trip cable duct incorporates an integrated light transmission window and electroluminescent wire. Installation is straightforward and very similar to installation of standard, non-illuminated cable duct. Unlike rope or string lighting, which may not be arbitrarily cut, the present invention may be cut to any arbitrary length at the job site, provided that a minimum length is used. Lengths of the present invention may be cascaded together, enabling long illumination runs. The present invention may be provided in rolled lengths, adding to ease in shipping, warehousing, and job site installation. Little additional skills are required for installation, making the present invention an attractive alternative to typical non-illuminated anti-trip duct.
1. A flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct, comprising:
a first longitudinally extending side, said first longitudinally extending side forming a generally flat surface along a first axial direction and a second axial direction, the second axial direction extending longitudinally and generally perpendicular to the first axial direction;
a second longitudinally extending side opposing said first longitudinally extending side, said second longitudinally extending side forming a generally semi-circular surface along said first axial direction;
a flexible body formed of the volume enclosed by said first longitudinally extending side and said second longitudinally extending side, said body flexible in a third axial direction generally perpendicular to said first axial direction and said second axial direction;
a cable compartment extending longitudinally along said second axial direction within said body of the duct;
a light transmission window extending longitudinally along said second axial direction of said second longitudinally extending side, said light transmission window conformed within said generally semi-circular surface of said second longitudinally extending side, thereby presenting an uninterrupted smooth surface;
an illumination source channel extending longitudinally along said second axial direction of said second longitudinally extending side, said illumination source channel at least partially enclosed by said light transmission window;
a flexible, severable electroluminescent wire extending longitudinally along said second axial direction of said second longitudinally extending side and disposed within said illumination source channel; and
means for supplying electricity to said electroluminescent wire.
2. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said illumination source channel is approximately 0.2 inch diameter.
3. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an inverter providing between 40 volts and 120 volts at a frequency of between 200 Hertz and 4000 Hertz.
4. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electroluminescent wire is approximately 3.2 mm wire size.
5. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an inverter contained within said cable duct.
6. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an inverter powered by a battery.
7. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an inverter powered by an external power supply.
8. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises conventional power mains.
9. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an extension connector.
10. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 wherein said electricity supplying means comprises an inverter, wherein said inverter provides a changing pattern of power to said electroluminescent wire.
11. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 10 wherein said changing pattern of power is a preprogrammed pattern.
12. The flexible, illuminated anti-trip cable duct of claim 1 , further comprising connection means attached an end of said electroluminescent wire.