-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JgMSdioQBRGA79xgMQii14nxlZY59cflmT7NLWC3ndKCUiEyfSBJd9NNBiu6ESRm
 yKJGfWEUMgKGoSvJwZGLfw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000099106-04-000055.txt : 20040712
<SEC-HEADER>0000099106-04-000055.hdr.sgml : 20040712
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040712145208
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000099106-04-000055
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040709
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040712

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LISS VICTOR S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192075

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-02257
		FILM NUMBER:		04910068

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ANTHEM INC.
		STREET 2:		120 MONUMENT CIRCLE
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRANS LUX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000099106
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES [3990]
		IRS NUMBER:				131394750
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 RICHARDS AVE
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06856-5090
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2038534321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 RICHARDS AVENUE
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06856-5090
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000099106</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRANS LUX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>tlx</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192075</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LISS VICTOR S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ANTHEM INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 MONUMENT CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>INDIANAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46204</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>14.013</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>101.125</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-07-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-12-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1427</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Victor Liss</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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