The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 24, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2000
Peter A. Hochstein, Troy, MI (US);
Gregg K. Reber, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Relume Corporation, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
An electrically driven light emitting diode (LED) assembly and the method of assembling same. The assembly includes an electrically and thermally conductive heat dissipater ( ) sandwiched under an electrically insulating layer ( ) with circuit traces ( ) disposed over the insulating layer ( ) to prevent electrical conduction between the traces ( ) and the heat dissipater ( ). A plurality of light emitting diodes ( ) have electrical leads ( ) extending laterally from opposite extremities of each LED ( ) to overlie the traces ( ) for electrical contact with the traces ( ) for powering the LEDs ( ). An independent and generally U-shaped holding device ( and ), as viewed in cross section, defines a base overlying the LED ( ) and a pair of legs ( ) depending therefrom and transversely to the electrical leads ( ) between the LED ( ) and the heat dissipater ( ). The base defines a hole ( ) and the LED ( ) protrudes ( ) through the hole ( ) to emit light. The insulating layer ( ) includes a void ( ) surrounding each LED ( ) and the legs ( ) of each associated holding device ( and ) and each holding device ( and ) includes a tensioning portion ( or ) for applying a force urging the LED ( ) through the void ( ) and into thermal engagement with the heat dissipater ( ) and the electrical leads ( ) thereof into engagement with the traces ( ). The tensioning portion may comprise barbs ( ) on the legs ( ) and/or undulations ( ) in the legs ( ).