Abstract

An illuminated article in the form of a garment or article of wearing apparel includes an electrically conductive harness mounted at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the garment. The harness includes a housing which receives a plurality of illumination devices, such as light emitting diodes. A pair of electrical conductors mounted in an elongated strip are securable within the housing in engagement with the leads of the light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, a removable cap is insertable into the housing for connecting the electrical conductors with the leads of the illumination devices. A cover member is attached to the garment and forms a slot on the outer surface of the garment into which the harness is inserted. An electrical power source including a battery and an on/off switch is also mounted in the article and receives one end of the electrical conductors in the harness to connect the illumination devices to the battery for selectively illuminating the illumination devices. In another embodiment, a separate housing is provided for each illumination device which receives each illumination device in a snap-fit connection. The electrical conductors extend through the housings and are electrically connected to each illumination device. A plurality of harnesses may be mounted on the article and interconnected by a connector which connects the electrical conductors in each harness together.