US1923144A - Illuminated ornamental device for decorative purposes - Google Patents

Description

E. J. GRAF Aug. 22, 1933.

ILLUMINATED ORNAMENIAL DEVICE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES Filed March 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT ATTORNEY Aug. 22, 1933; E 'GRAF 1,923,144

ILLUMINATED ORNAMENTAL DEVICE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES Filed March 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1933 ILLUMINATED ORNAMENTAL DEVICE FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES I Elmer JsGrai', Roselle Park, N. J.

Application March 13, 1931. Serial No. 522,275

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in decorative electrical devices,- and more particularly is directed to electrically illuminated ornamental units such as are used on Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved unit of the character described comprising few and simple'parts, which is compact and complete in itself, may be plugged directly into an electric light socket, and has no loose parts which may be subjected to tampering and removal.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described comprising a plurality of bulbs electrically connected in predetermined spaced relation to each other to represent any of a number of various symbols, and a homogeneous holding element uniting said bulbs with a plug or plug cord into a unitary structure.

These and other advantageous objects, which will later appear, are accomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and exhibited in the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 represents a front elevational view of one form of my invention, in which the plug is separate from and secured to the holding element by means of a flexible cord.

Figure 2 represents a partial fragmentary and partial sectional view thereof, showing the method of connecting the bulbs and flexible cord, in the holding element.

Figure 3 represents a partial sectional side elevational view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 represents a side elevation view of this form of my invention.

Figure 5 represents a partial sectional front elevational view of a form of my invention in which the plug is embedded in the holding ele-' ment, and forms a unitary structure with the bulbs and said holding element. 4

Figure 6 represents a partial sectional side elevational view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 represents aperspective view of one of the bulbs and its terminal wires, used with my invention.

Figure 8 represents a fragmentary partial sectional front elevational view of a form of my invention in which additional ornamentation, such as holly leaves or tinsel, as shown, is embedded within the holding element, and in which an opaque or semi-opaque coating is applied to a bulb to create a hazy effect or to create the effect of only a small portion of the bulb being lighted.

. JAN 2 8-1936 Figure 9 represents a front elevational view of a wreath to which a plurality of my improved units, embodying the features shown in Figure 8, are applied.

Figure 10 represents a side elevational view of 0 a form of my invention wherein several layers of bulbs are arranged in the holding element, in staggered relation to each other.

Figure 11 represents a front'elevational view of a unit of this type applied to a candle holder.

Figure 12 represents a front elevational view of a form of my invention wherein the holding element is given the form of a rod-like candle holder, the bulbs being arranged in line thereon, to simulate the appearance of a group of candles arranged on a holder.

Figure 13 represents a similar view, in which the holding element is arced to create an arced candle effect.

Figure 14 represents a similar view, in which the holding element is angularly bent midway its length to create the effect of two angularly arranged groups of bulbs.

Figure 15 represents a front elevational view of an arrangement of a series of units of the type shown in Figure 12, to create a long, continuous row of candles effect.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention comprises essentially the electrical unit 1, consisting of the electric bulbs or exhausted envelopes 3, arranged in spaced relation to each other, to represent any of a number of various symbols, such as the star form shown in Figure 2, or the crucifix form shown in Figure 8, or the candle form, shown in Figures 11 and 12.

Unique and attractive ornamental effects may be obtained by arranging the bulbs preferably in staggered relation, in two or three parallel layers, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, in one holding element 2. 95

The bulbs in each unit may be connected in series or parallel, and the bulb connections are embedded within and protected by the holding element 2, which, in its preferred form, may co nsist of a plastic sealing compound, such as sealing wax or the like, which maybe formed to represent any desired configuration, such as the flower ornamentations 4 of the holding elements shown in Figure 9, and may be curved or bent, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, into any desired shape.

The holding element 2 may be provided with additional ornamentation by embedding therein holly leaves or tinsel 5, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Electrical connection of the unit may be made 110 by means of the plug 6, either secured to one side of the holding element 2 and unitary therewith, as shown in Figure 6, or separate from the holding element 2 and connected thereto by a flexible electric cord '7, as shown in Figure 1.

The arrangement of alternate forms of units creates a highly ornamental effect, as is seen from Figure 9 wherein alternate forms of units are arranged on a wreath, which may be provided with electric sockets into which the units may be directly plugged.

By grouping a series of units of the same type together, ornamental effects may be obtained, as is shown in Figure 15, wherein a continuous candle effect is obtained by grouping several units of the candle type shown in Figure 12 together, and for this purpose the units may be provided with any desired or convenient interlatchlng members.

By arranging units back to back, in staggered relation, the exposed ends of the bulbs of both units may be seen from either side.

The bulbs 3 may be given any color or combination of colors desired, for religious or holiday occasions, and may be partially coated with opaque or semi-opaque substances 8 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, to provide for illumination of only selected portions of the bulbs.

To manufacture the units described, it is merely necessary to first so arrange the bulbs 3 relatively to each other, in a suitable mold (not shown) as to represent the symbol desired, and to electrically connect the bulbs with the plug 6, in the type of unit shown in Figure 6, or to electrically connect the bulbs with the flexible electric cord 7 in the type of unit shown in Figure 1, and, if desired, additional ornamental elements, such as the holly leaves or tinsel 5 shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be placed in the mold, and then a plastic sealing compound, such as sealing wax or the like, constituting the holding element 2, is poured into the mold uniting with the bulbs and plug, in the type of unit shown in Figure 6, or with the bulbs and flexible cord 7, in the type of unit shown in Figure 1, and also the holly leaves or tinsel 5, in the type of unit shownin Figure 8, to form a unitary structure.

It will be noted that the device thus made is complete in itself as an electric unit, does not require assembling by the user, has no loose parts which may be tampered with or lost, and is ready to be plugged into an electric socket.

The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive and illustrative only, and not as restrictive or limitative of the invention, of which obviously an embodiment may be constructed inclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A deviceof the character described, comprising a base of moldable material, a plurality of exhausted envelopes spaced apart and mechanically independent of each other and permanently embedded directly in said moldable material, fllaments in said envelopes, and conductors connecting the filaments, said conductors being embedded in the base.

2 A device of the character described, comprising a base of moldable material, a plurality of exhausted envelopes spaced apart and mechanically independent of each other and permanently embedded directly in said moldable material, filaments in said envelopes, a plug embedded in the base, and conductors connecting the filaments and the plug, said conductors being embedded in the base.

ELMER J. GRAF.

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