US20060203509A1

US20060203509A1 - Fiber Optic Enhanced Party Decorations

Info

Publication number: US20060203509A1
Application number: US11/308,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Curtis Simpson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-10
Filing date: 2006-03-09
Publication date: 2006-09-14

Abstract

A system of decorative lighting for symbolic fixtures deploying fiber optics. The system is particular useful for party fixtures such as table decorations, artificial candles, and party hats. The inventions teach the arrangement of providing strategically and artistically placed holes on the surface of the fixture, and then deploying fiber optic wiring on the interior of the fixture, providing illumination to the fixture when an associated fiber optic power source is activated.

Description

This application claims priority from provisional patent application 60/661,308 filed on Mar. 10, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to decorative lighting for ornamental items such as party favors and, more particularly, to fiber optic based decorative lighting.
The use of fiber optics for specific decorative purposes is well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,111 teaches the use of fiber optic bundles to produce Christmas tree lights. The present invention contemplates and teaches the novel use of fiber optic lighting in a much wider array of decorative items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention teaches generally the enhancement of three dimensional symbolic fixtures by placing holes in the outline of the symbol and then placing fiber optics wiring on the interior of the fixture. When the fiber optic wiring is activated, the outline of the figure is emphasized with light. Although there is a wide range of applications for this technology, the preferred embodiment is plastic letters and numbers each having a number of holes around the perimeter. The invention includes a fiber optic light source having a plurality of wires emitting from the source. For each hole on the decorative fixture, at least one wire is arranged near the hole. When the fiber optic source is engaged, each hole outlining the character is illuminated by the fiber optic wire corresponding to the whole. The preferred embodiment is used to produce decorations for birthday parties and similar occasions. The decorative characters have a number of uses, including, but not limited to, substitute candles for a birthday cake and party table decorations.
An alternative embodiment teaches the deployment of holes illuminated by fiber optic wiring in a party hat, wherein the wiring and fiber optic power source are hidden within the hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates generally the characters in a two dimensional illustration.
FIG. 2 shows generally the interaction between the fiber optics and the characters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates generally the characters in a two dimensional illustration. The actual characters are three dimension objects, typically free standing. FIG. 1 show generally the numeral “7” 10 and the character “E” 10′. Typical perimeter holes 20 and 20′ illustrate one possible hole arrangement.
FIG. 2 shows generally the interaction between the fiber optics and the characters. Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 further illustrations a fiber optic source 30 and 30′ capable of emitting light through fiber optic cabling 40 and 40′. When the fiber optic source 30 is engaged, light is emitted at the end of each fiber optic wire 40, illuminating each hole 20 and the entire character 10 is thus illuminated.
An alternate embodiment of the claimed invention is party hats having characters illuminated in a similar fashion. The party hats can be made of a variety of materials; in the preferred embodiment the hat are made of a polyester fabric with the fiber optic power source and corresponding fiber optic wires hidden within the hat.
This description is provided to teach generally the application of the invention in the context of specific embodiments. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the invention is applicable in other areas. The above description is provided for illustration, not limitation. The invention is limited only by the claims as set forth below.

Claims

1. A system of decorative symbolic fixtures comprising:

a symbolic fixture, the symbolic fixture includes an interior space, the symbolic fixture having a plurality of surfaces, at least one surface forming a plurality of openings,

a fiber optic light source, the fiber optic light source having on state and an off state,

fiber optic wiring, the fiber optic wiring is attached to the fiber optic light source, the fiber optic wiring is positioned within the interior space of the fixture,

wherein the fiber optic wiring emits lights when the light source state is on, fiber optic wiring refrains from emitting lights when the light source state is off,

wherein when the light source state is on, light is emitted through the openings.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the symbolic figure forms an alphanumeric character.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the symbolic figure forms a hat.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the fiber optic light source and the fiber optic wiring are concealed within the hat.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the symbolic figure forms a candle.