The invention relates to a lighting object, comprising a base on which a long, slender, at least substantially transparent covering is fixed, in addition to a light source arranged in the covering.

Lighting objects of this type are frequently applied, for instance as standard lamp, for the purpose of lighting a part of the room and in order to contribute toward a certain desired atmosphere.

The inventive lighting object also has for its object to contribute toward a certain desired atmosphere, but adds a dimension thereto through the option of choosing the amount and type of light in a longitudinal direction of the covering. For this purpose it has the feature that the covering is divided in a longitudinal direction into a first and a second long, slender part-covering, and that the light source comprises a long, slender strip manufactured from an insulating material, provided with printed wiring and a number of light-emitting diodes. Both sides of the strip are preferably provided here with groups of light-emitting diodes positioned along a longitudinal axis of the strip.

A favourable embodiment of the inventive lighting object has the feature that each group comprises a red light- emitting diode, a green light-emitting diode, a blue light-emitting diode and a white light-emitting diode, so that colour and saturation can be adjusted per group. Use is preferably made of power LEDs known in the field, light-emitting diodes with a relatively large surface area which can radiate light of a particularly high intensity.

A further favourable embodiment of the inventive lighting object has the feature that each side comprises sixteen groups of light-emitting diodes. In respect of actuation, a number amounting to a power of two is advantageous, and it has been found experimentally that

with sixteen groups an apparently continuous progression of intensity and/or colour can be realized, while the cost price of the lighting object remains acceptable.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an advantageous embodiment has a feature that the strip is disposed between the first and the second part-covering such that the light of the light-emitting diodes is radiated at least substantially in a direction of the first and second part-covering, whereby these first and second part-coverings themselves seem to form a light source .

A further advantageous embodiment of the inventive lighting object has the feature that the first and second part-covering are dimensioned such that a gap- like space remains open therebetween via which at least a part of a side of the strip can be discerned. Direct and even prominently visible placing of the strip having thereon the components mounted in surface-mounted device technology gives a surprising effect, while a significant additional advantage is that the strip with the components situated thereon is sufficiently cooled, whereby the lighting object has an almost unlimited lifespan.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a favourable embodiment has the feature that the lighting object is provided with a controller and actuating means for actuating the groups of light-emitting diodes in accordance with a chosen pattern in space and time. The base is preferably provided here with at least one operating member for selecting a pattern.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the base is provided with connecting means for connecting a supply voltage. This connection can, if desired, consist of a cord with which the lighting object can be connected to a voltage source. An advantageous and surprising embodiment of the inventive lighting object has the feature however that the base is provided on an

underside with a number of contact pins, and that there is further provided a plate-like member manufactured from an insulating material and provided with a pattern of conductors to which a supply voltage can be connected and on which the base can be placed. The plate-like member can for instance form the top of a table or a top side of a cabinet or a bookshelf on which the inventive lighting object can be placed almost at random, and wherein the pins in combination with the pattern of conductors provide for the feed of a supply voltage.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Fig. IA shows in side view a possible embodiment of a lighting object according to the invention; Fig. IB is a front view of this embodiment; Fig. 2A shows in side view an alternative embodiment of a lighting object according to the invention;

Fig. 2B is a front view of this embodiment; Fig. 3A shows a front view of a possible embodiment of a printed circuit board, or print, for the lighting object according to the invention; Fig. 3B is a rear view of this embodiment;

Fig. 4A shows a possible embodiment of a driver for two light-emitting diodes; Fig. 4B shows a possible embodiment for a feed of supply voltage; Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a power supply print.

Fig. IA shows a side view of a possible embodiment in relatively trim form of a lighting object according to the invention, consisting of a first column 1 and a second column 2 manufactured from a transparent or semi- transparent material such as glass or plastic, and a base 3 to which first column 1 and second column 2 are fixed. Placed between first column 1 and second column 2 is a printed circuit board or print 4 on which are mounted light-emitting diodes and a control for the

light-emitting diodes. Operating means 5 are accommodated in base 3, and base 3 is further provided with a connection 6 for a supply voltage. At the top the first column 1 and second column 2 are connected by a bridge 7 for the purpose of mechanical stability. Fig. IB shows this embodiment in front view, with first column 1, base 3, print 4 which is visible through the semi-transparent first column 1, with groups of light- emitting diodes 8a,.., 8p thereon.

Fig. 2A shows a side view of an alternative, more rounded embodiment of a lighting object according to the invention, again consisting of a first column 1 and a second column 2 manufactured from a transparent or semi- transparent material such as glass or plastic, and a base 3 to which first column 1 and second column 2 are fixed. Placed between first column 1 and second column 2 is a print 4 on which are mounted light-emitting diodes and a control for the light-emitting diodes. Operating members 5 are accommodated in base 3, and base 3 is further provided with contact pins 9 with which the base 3 can be placed on a power supply print provided with conductors via which a supply voltage can be fed. When sufficient conductors are arranged and the distance between the conductors is greater than the thickness of contact pins 9, the lighting object can then be placed at a random location on the power supply print and the lighting object will almost always be provided with a supply voltage. The power supply print can for instance form a top of a piece of furniture on which one or more lighting objects according to the invention can then be placed. Fig. 2B shows a front view of this embodiment, with first column 1, base 3, print 4 which is visible through the semi-transparent first column 1, with groups of light-emitting diodes 8a,.., 8p thereon and contact pins 9. First column 1 and second column 2 can be given a solid form or have more the shape of a shell. They can also be manufactured from an opaque material, whereby the light-emitting diodes are not directly visible except from the side.

Fig. 3A shows a front view of a possible embodiment of a print 4 for the lighting object according to the invention. This is a print with so-called surface- mounted device components, whereby a very trim, compact and relatively inexpensive design is possible. In addition to the groups of light-emitting diodes 8a,..,8p, print 4 comprises a commercially obtainable controller 10 and eight selectors lla,.., Hh which can each actuate four light-emitting diodes, in addition to 64 drivers, not shown in the figure, each for two light- emitting diodes, which are actuated by selectors Ha,.., Hh. Each driver herein powers a light-emitting diode on the shown front side of print 4 as well as a light- emitting diode which is mounted at a corresponding location on the rear side of print 4 and which radiates the same colour of light. Mounted perpendicularly of print 4 on the underside of print 4 is a print 12 on which operating members 5 are fixed, in addition to possible components involved in the power supply to print 4. Fig. 3B shows this embodiment in rear view, with groups of light-emitting diodes 8'a,..,8'p, of which the individual light-emitting diodes are connected in series to corresponding light-emitting diodes on the front side. Operating members 5 comprise in this embodiment a dip switch, with which a program loaded into controller 10 can be selected, and three potentiometers with which parameters can be set. There are thus programs for instance for continuous light, continuously moving colour waves, continuously moving colour segments and the like, wherein for instance colour, speed and length of the waves or segments can be set with the potentiometers in a manner which is further self-evident to a skilled person.

Fig. 4A shows a possible embodiment of a driver for two light-emitting diodes. The driver comprises a capacitor 13 which is charged by a pulse-like signal via a resistance 14 and which opens a FET 15 for a time depending on the length of the pulse-like signal, whereby light-emitting diodes 8 and 8' light up. The pulse-like signal comes from controller 10 and is fed to

the driver via a selector 11, likewise controlled by- controller 10.

Fig. 4B shows a possible embodiment of a feed for a supply voltage via which the positive and negative supply voltage supplied through contact pins 9 are conducted to print 4. The assumption here is that at least one pin 9 makes contact with a positive supply voltage and at least one pin 9 makes contact with a negative supply voltage, wherein diodes 16 provide for a voltage feed to print 4.

Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a power supply print 17 on which a lighting object according to the invention can be placed, wherein pins 9 rest on power supply print 17. Power supply print 17 is manufactured from an insulating material provided with a pattern of conductors to which a supply voltage can be connected. The surface of power supply print 17 in fact consists of two part-surfaces 18,19, wherein part-surface 18 is connected to a positive supply voltage and part-surface

19 to a negative supply voltage. If the insulating strip

20 between the two part-surfaces is wide enough, pins 9 will not cause short-circuit and a supply voltage is always available. Also shown is a base 3 placed on power supply print 17, wherein pins 9 provide the power supply.

If desired, power supply print 17 can be provided with a more complicated pattern, for instance such that power supply print 17 acquires a decorative or even artistic character.