Lighted guide strip

Abstract

A lighted guide strip includes an elongated metal housing defining an upwardly open U-Shape and outwardly extending upper flanges. The housing is secured to a pair of transversely extending mounting flanges for attachment to a support surface. A support body within the housing receives and supports a plurality of light emitting diode arrays together with reflective structure while a light transmissive top cover is secured to the outwardly extending flanges by a pair of generally L-Shaped retaining straps and conventional fasteners. The entire lighted guide strip may be embedded within a roadway, taxiway or runway in a flush mount installation. The top cover is removable to gain access to internal components by removing the fasteners and retaining straps.

1 . A lighted guide strip for use in a roadway, taxiway or runway, said lighted guide strip comprising: 
 an elongated generally U-Shaped housing having an interior channel and opposed outwardly extending mounting flanges;    a support body, received within said interior channel, defining an upper surface having a plurality of light emitting diode channels formed therein;    a plurality of light emitting diodes supported within said light emitting diode channels;    a top cover formed of a light transmissive material received upon said mounting flanges covering said U-Shaped housing; and    a pair of retaining straps and a plurality of fasteners cooperating to secure said top cover to said mounting flanges in a removable attachment.    
   
   
       2 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 1  wherein said top cover defines an upper surface, opposed edges and a lower surface, said lower surface facing said mounting flanges.  
   
   
       3 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 2  wherein said retaining straps each define a generally L-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 3  wherein said retaining straps are secured to said upper surface at said opposed edges such that a portion of each L-shaped cross-section extends inwardly upon said upper surface and a portion extends downwardly.  
   
   
       5 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 4  wherein said inwardly extending portions of said L-shaped cross-sections each define a first plurality of apertures and wherein said top cover defines a second plurality of apertures aligned with said first plurality of apertures and wherein said fasteners pass through said first and second pluralities of apertures.  
   
   
       6 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 5  further including a resilient gasket interposed between said top cover and said mounting flanges.  
   
   
       7 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 6  further including a reflector supported upon said upper surface.  
   
   
       8 . The lighted guide strip set forth in  claim 6  further including a plurality of solar-power elements supported upon said upper surface.  
   
   
       9 . A lighted guide strip for use in an imbedded flush mount installation within a roadway, taxiway or runway, said lighted guide strip comprising: 
 an elongated housing defining an upwardly open channel;    a plurality of light emitting diodes supported within said housing;    a light-transmissive top cover; and    attachment means for securing said top cover to said housing to cover said light-emitting diodes in a removable attachment which allows said top cover to be removed and reinstalled while said lighted guide is installed in a flush mount installation.