GB2250447A - Improvements in and relating to novelty decoration sets - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrically operated decoration set comprises a figurine 1 in the form of an angel having a body portion and a pair of movable wings 18, 19 adapted to move relative to the body portion, an electrically operated actuator (25, Figure 2) within the body portion and adapted to move the wings 18, 19, and a rod 2 fixed at one end to the figureine 1 and slidably inserted at the other end in a control box 3. The control box 3 incorporates motor and gear means 7, 8, 9 for moving the rod 2 and hence the figurine 1 between first and second positions and limit switches 10, 11 for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals for activating the actuator (25) in the angel's body portion to move the wings 18, 19. The figureine may also be provided with a light 20. The limit switches and control circuit 14 are arranged so that when the rod 2 and figureine 1 are in the uppermost position in respect of the control box, light 20 and wings 18, 19 are activated, but when in the lowermost position, they are deactivated. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in and relating to Novelty Decoration Sets This invention relates to novelty decoration sets of the type which are typically used to adorn Christmas trees and the like.

Novelty decoration sets are known which comprise what are termed "fairy lights" being simply a string of often multi-coloured electric light bulbs which are placed around a Christmas tree to provide a highly decorative effect. More sophisticated kinds of decoration sets include, for example, a string of individually tuned Christmas bells, again adapted to be placed around a Christmas tree, with each of the bells including an electrically actuated hammer. An electrical circuit is provided which controls the sequence of the chiming of the bells and is pre-programmed so that the bell set can play a variety of tunes by arranging for the bells to be struck in appropriate sequence.

It is also known to decorate, for example, Christmas trees by placing thereon non-electrically operated ornaments such as balls, small gifts and toy figurines, typically those depicting angels and fairies.

All of the foregoing decorations and decoration sets which are typically used on Christmas trees are, once installed at the chosen position not adapted to move and it is accordingly an object to the present invention to provide a novelty decoration set in which visual stimulation is enhanced by movement of at least part thereof.

According to the invention there is provided an electrically operated novelty decoration set comprising a figurine having a body portion and at least one appendage adapted to move relative to said body portion, an electrically operated actuator at least partially within the body portion and adapted to move said at least one appendage, a rod fixed at one end thereof to the figurine and at the other end being movably mounted relative to control apparatus, the control apparatus incorporating means for moving the rod and hence the figurine between first and second positions and means for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals for activating said actuator to move the appendage, and for controlling the movement of the rod and hence the figurine.Conveniently, the figurine may be in the shape of an angel and the appendage may be one or both of a pair of wings movably mounted to the rear of the body portion of the figurine so that, in operation, the figurine depicts that of a flying angel. The actuator may comprise a solenoid cooperable with an actuating lever so as to provide a rocking motion when the solenoid is activated and deactivated respectively, the actuating lever being drivingly connected to a pair of swivellable levers, each incorporating an arcuate slot for receiving part of a respective actuating lever, and each such swivellable lever having connected thereto a respective wing of the figurine, such that upon activation and deactivation of the solenoid, each of the wings are made to beat.

The rod may conveniently be provided with a rack, cooperable with a pinion gear and drive assembly in the control apparatus, which control apparatus may be conveniently referred to and is so hereafter as a "control box". The drive assembly may include a DC motor and worm gear drivingly coupled to the pinion gear within the control box so that the rod and hence the figurine can move up and down as required.

The rod may be movably mounted in bushings in the control box and may be provided with upper and lower slots, each being cooperable with a corresponding limit switch on the upper and lower parts of the control box in order to define the limit of movement of the figurine i.e. the first and second positions referred to above. The lower end of the control box may also include a tube for receiving the free end of the rod when in the first position.

The control box may conveniently be provided with an adjustable clip or other mounting device to facilitate fixture of the novelty decoration set upon a Christmas tree or the like.

The means for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals to operate the novelty decoration set may comprise an electrical circuit in the control box including a first multi-vibrator to control the timing of the movement of the rod, and a second multi-vibrator to control the timing of the movement of the appendage, and further circuitry to control the respective movements of both, if desired. The circuit may also provide for activation of one or more other electrical devices, such as light bulbs, synchronously with activation of the appendage actuator and/or the figurine.In the event that the figurine is in the form of an angel, the angel may be provided, for example, with a light bulb which is turned on by the electrical circuitry when the figurine rises from the first position up to and at the second position whilst the wings are beating, but when at rest in the first position the light bulb is switched off.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations of the general idea of this invention can be adopted. For example, several figurines may be provided, each being adapted to move from the first to the second positions either simultaneously or in sequence as in, for example, the case where several angels are seen to fly upwards and out of a Christmas tree in sequence, remain at an elevated position corresponding to the second position referred to above for a predetermined period, and then to move back within the Christmas tree until reactivated.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a general arrangement of a novelty decoration set according to one embodiment of the invention in which the figurine is in the form of an angel, Figure 2 is part of an exploded view of the figurine and rod of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a corresponding part-exploded view of control apparatus for moving the figurine of Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows an electrical circuit for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals for actuating the device according to the above embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a figurine 1 in the shape of an angel fixed to the upper end of a rod 2 which is itself movably mounted with respect to control apparatus in the form of a control box 3. The control box 3 is activated by an electric supply from a plug 4 adapted to be received within a corresponding socket 5.

The rod 2 is provided with teeth 6, thus forming a rack in mesh with a pinion gear 7, itself in mesh with a worm gear 8 fixed for rotation on the free end of a drive shaft (not shown) of an electric motor 9. Limit switches 10, 11 are provided at the upper and lower parts of the control box 3 and are each cooperable with corresponding slots 12, 13 (shown in Figure 2) in a manner to be described.

An electrical circuit board 14 is located within control box 3 on the side of the rod 2 opposite the pinion gear 7 and is electrically connected to the figurine 1 by means of electrically conductive ribbon 15 received within a channel 16 (shown in Figure 2) running along the length of the rod 2 behind the teeth 6.

A mounting clip 17 is provided at the top of the control box 3 and is used to position the decoration set as desired on a Christmas tree.

The angel figurine 1 is provided with a pair of movable wings 18, 19 and is shown clasping a light bulb 20 which is electrically connected to the circuit board 14 in a manner to be described.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown collectively an exploded view of part of the figurine 1, rod 2 and control box 3 of Figure 1, the only essential difference being that in case of Figure 3 the mounting clip 17 is shown disposed to one side of the control box as opposed to being on the top surface. Essentially, however, the construction is as is shown in Figure 1.

The figurine 1 is composed of a body having a front portion 21 and rear portion 22 which are, in use, secured together as a snap-fit.

On the front portion 21 is a cut-out section 23 which, in use, is designed to permit access to and adjustment of the inner workings of the angel body. A further cut-out portion 24 is provided on the rear portion 22 of the body for purposes which will be described below.

Between portions 21 and 22 is disposed a solenoid coil 25 mounted on a solenoid frame 26. The frame includes a pair of tabs 27 (only one of which is shown) for receiving screws by which the frame may be secured to corresponding mounting lugs 28, 29 on the inside of the rear portion 22. Towards the top end of the frame 26 are disposed three further lugs 30, 31 and 32 disposed at 90 degrees to lugs 28, 29. Lug 32 is used to locate the upper end of the solenoid coil 25 within the solenoid frame and lugs 30 and 31 respectively receive a spigot 33, 34 depending from a pair of swivel levers 35, 36. Each of the levers has an actuate portion 37, 38 including a correspondingly shaped slot 37a, 38a, and a slotted ear portion, 39, 40 at approximately right angles thereto.The arcuate slots 37a, 38a are received upon an "L" shaped actuator lever 41 which, in use, rocks towards and away from the solendid coil 25, thus providing for rotational movement of the swivel levers 35, 36.

The slotted ear portions 39, 40 on the swivel levers 35, 36 are adapted to receive and grip (e.g. by crimping) correspondingly shaped tabs 42 on respective wings 18, 19 (only one of which is shown).

Mounting tabs 42, in use, are free to move within the slot 24 in the rear portion 22 of the body of the figurine.

Depending from the front body portion 21 of the figurine is the rod 2 which includes at either end of the rack portion composed of teeth 6, upper and lower slots 12 and 13 referred to in the description concerning Figure 1. At the rear of the rod 2 is the flat flexible ribbon of wire 15, the upper end of which is designed to be connected to the electrical components in the figurine, and the lower end of which is for connection to the circuit 14 described in Figure 1. There is shown at Figure 2a a detailed view of the reverse side of the lower end of rod 2 showing the manner in which the ribbon of wire 15 is contained, in use, within the correspondingly shaped channel 16.

In Figure 3 there is shown an outer case 43 including a pair of aligned holes 44, 45 for receiving respective upper and lower bushings 46, 47, each such bushing including a rectangular hole for, in turn, receiving the rod 2 and the ribbon of wire 15. Upper bushing 46 is retained in place by a retainer clip 48 whereas lower bushing 47 is retained by means of an outer housing tube 49 designed, in use, to provide protection for the lower end of the rod 2 when in its lowest position.

A motor and gearbox frame 50 is provided so as to accurately position the pinion gear 7, worm gear 8 and motor 9 in the manner as indicated. Pinion gear 7 is carried upon a shaft 51 which, in turn, is carried by either side of the gear box frame 50. The gear box frame 50 is also provided with four mounting lugs 52 (only two of which are shown), by which the frame 50 is secured to four mounting spigots 53 on the rear inside face 54 of the outer case 43.

In Figure 4 is shown an electrical circuit which is suitable for providing the appropriate signalling for operation of this embodiment of the invention. The circuit essentially comprises two multi-vibrators 55, 56 for providing the timing signals for operating, respectively, the movement of the rod 2 and the movement of the wings 18, 19 and the light bulb 20 on the figurine. Multi-vibrator 55 comprises transistors T1, T2 which each oscillate at about 0.1 to 0.06 Hertz. This represents approximately a 15 seconds period, whereafter there is an approximately 15 second delay before further oscillation occurs. This provides directional control for the motor 9.When V2 is positive with respect to V1, the motor 9 rotates in one direction so that the rod 2 travels up until it reaches the upper limit defined by limit switch 13, in which case it then stops and the switch 13 opens, therefore breaking the circuit to the motor 9. Diode D2, which is arranged across the upper limit switch 13, provides an electrical block in this direction. Similarly, when V2 goes negative with respect to V1, the motor 9 reverses direction and rod 2 travels downwards. Diode D2, in this direction, can now conduct electricity to therefore provide power to the motor 9.

When switch 12 opens at the lower limit of the travel of the rod 2, the motor is turned off. At this point, switch 13 is, of course, closed, switch 12 is open and diode D1 then blocks the flow of electricity in the reverse direction.

This cycle repeats itself by V2 going positive with respect to V1, such that D1 conducts electricity and allows the motor to reverse direction such the rod can go back downwards.

Multi-vibrator 56 comprises transistors T3 and T4 which oscillate at about 3 Hertz to 8 Hertz, thereby producing a corresponding rocking effect on the actuator lever 41 which is transmitted via the swivel levers 35, 36 to the wings 18, 19. Transistor T5 turns off when switch 12 opens and thus wings 18, 19 and the light 20 are deactivated when the figurine is in its lowest position i.e. the first of the two positions referred to above.

As aforesaid, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment but it is intended to encompass other similar arrangements, particularly where a number of figurines are either physically or electrically connected to each other to provide, if preferred, sequential operation around parts of the Christmas tree. Other applications will become readily apparent to the reader within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims (14)

1. An electrically operated novelty decoration set comprising a figurine having a body portion and at least one appendage adapted to move relative to said body portion, an electrically operated actuator at least partially within the body portion and adapted to move said at least one appendage, a rod fixed at one end thereof to the figurine and at the other end being movably mounted relative to control apparatus, the control apparatus incorporating means for moving the rod and hence the figurine between first and second positions and means for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals for activating said actuator to move the appendage, and for controlling the movement of the rod and hence the figurine.

2. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 1 wherein the figurine is in the shape of an angel and the appendage is at least one of a pair of wings movably mounted to the rear of the body portion of the figurine.

3. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid cooperable with an actuating lever so as to provide a rocking motion when the solenoid is activated and deactivated respectively, the actuating lever being drivingly connected to a pair of swivellable levers, each incorporating an arcuate slot for receiving part of a respective actuating lever, and each such swivellable lever having connected thereto a respective wing of the figurine, such that each of the wings are made to beat upon activation and deactivation of the solenoid.

4. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the rod is provided with a rack, cooperable with a pinion gear and drive assembly in the control apparatus.

5. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 4 wherein the drive assembly includes a DC motor and worm gear drivingly coupled to the pinion gear of the control apparatus.

6. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the rod is movably mounted in bushings in the control apparatus and is provided with upper and lower slots, each being cooperable with a corresponding limit switch on the upper and lower parts of the control apparatus in order to define the limit of movement of the figurine.

7. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 6 wherein the lower end of the control apparatus includes a tube for receiving the free end of the rod when in the first position.

8. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to any of the preceding claims wherein the control apparatus is provided with an adjustable mounting device to facilitate fixture of the novelty decoration set upon a Christmas tree or the like.

9. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said means for sequentially generating predetermined electrical signals comprises an electrical circuit in the control apparatus including a first multi-vibrator for control of the timing of the movement of the rod, and a second multi-vibrator for control of the timing of the movement of the appendage.

10. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 9 wherein the electrical circuit in the control apparatus includes further circuitry for control of the respective movement of the appendage and the rod.

11. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 10 or 11 wherein the electrical circuit provides for activation of one or more other electrical devices synchronously with activation of the appendage actuator and/or the figurine.

12. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to Claim 11 wherein the said other electrical device is a light bulb attached to the figurine, the light bulb being turned on by the electrical circuitry when the figurine rises from the first position up to and at the second position whilst the wings are beating, but the light bulb being turned off when at rest in the first position.

13. An electrically operated novelty decoration set according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first position is the down position and the second position is the up position.

14. An electrically operated novelty decoration set substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.