WO2000019143A1

WO2000019143A1 - Decorative ornament

Info

Publication number: WO2000019143A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/022279
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward D. Clinton
Original assignee: Clinton Edward D
Priority date: 1998-09-28
Filing date: 1999-09-24
Publication date: 2000-04-06
Also published as: AU6163199A

Abstract

A decorative ornament (10) comprises a collar (12) for placement on a free end of an electrical candle without a bulb mounted on the candle free end. The collar (12) is provided with an opening extending therethrough and through which a bulb base portion is extendible to fasten to the candle free end to clamp the collar (12) between the candle free end and the bulb. A planar generally transparent member (16) is fixed to and extends from the collar (12), the member (16) having an opening (20) therein defined by inner edges (18) of the member (16) disposed to extend along opposite sides of, and over a top portion of, the bulb. Outer edge portions (22) of the planar member (16) are of a texture which provides luminescence substantially greater than luminescence of a remainder of the member (16) and the collar (12). Activation of the bulb illuminates the member outer edge portions (22) and produces a light image corresponding to the configuration of the member outer edge portions (22).

Description

DECORATIVE ORNAMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to decorative ornaments and is directed more particularly to ornaments adapted for attachment to electrical candles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Electrically powered "candles" are well known and are used extensively, particularly during the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons, for decoration of windows, trees, table tops, fireplaces, in menorahs and the like.

The bulbs for such candles generally are small incandescent bulbs. Efforts have been made to increase the usual appeal of such bulbs by the introduction of flame-shaped bulbs, flickering bulbs, and various colors and configurations of bulbs.

There is, however, always a need for new and more decorative lighting ornaments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a decorative ornament for use in conjunction with electrical candles, which ornament provides a visual scene greatly enhanced relative to bulbs alone.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device as is easily attached to the free end of an electrical candle. A still further object of the invention is to provide such a device of extremely low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, a feature of the invention is the provision of a decorative ornament comprising a collar for placement on a free end of an electrical candle without a bulb mounted on the candle free end. The collar is provided with an opening extending therethrough and through which a bulb base portion is extendible to fasten to the candle free end to clamp the collar between the candle free end and the bulb. The ornament further comprises a planar generally transparent member fixed to and extending from the collar, the member having an opening therein defined by inner edges of the member disposed to extend along opposite sides of, and over a top portion of, the bulb. Outer edge portions of the planar member are of a texture which provides luminescence substantially greater than luminescence of a^* remainder of the member and the collar. Activation of the bulb illuminates the member outer edge portions and produces a light image corresponding to the configuration of the member outer edge portions.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular devices embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, from which its novel features and advantages will be apparent.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of decorative ornament illustrative of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view thereof;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the ornament of Figs. 1-4 mounted on a free end of an electrical candle;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of decorative ornament;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view thereof; and

Fig. 9 is a bottom view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figs. 1-5, it will be seen that an illustrative ornament 10 includes a collar 12 having a central opening 14. A planar, generally transparent, member 16 is fixed to, and extends from, the collar 12. The member 16 is provided with inner edges 18 which define an opening 20 in the member. Outer edge portions 22 of the planar member 16 are provided with textured surfaces 24 which provide luminescence markedly greater than luminescence of a remainder of the member 16 and of the collar 12. The outer edge portions 22 may be roughened to provide the appropriate textured surfaces 24, or the outer edge portions may be molded with a multitude or micro ridges and grooves, or the like, to provide the textured surfaces.

The ornament is of a substantially transparent material, such as glass, or an appropriate rigid, transparent, sufficiently heat-resistant, plastic material, such as polystyrene.

A base portion 26 of a bulb 28 can be extended through the collar opening 14 and threadedly connected to a free end 30 of an electrical candle 32 (Fig. 5) in known fashion.

The inner edges 18 of the planar member 16 are disposed so as to extend along opposite sides 34, 36 of the bulb 28 and over a top portion 38 of the bulb.

In operation, the bulb 28 is removed from the candle 32. The ornament collar 12 is placed on^'the free end 30 of the candle 32 and the bulb threaded base portion 26 is extended through the collar opening 14 and into threaded engagement with candle threads 40 (Fig. 5). Threaded attachment of the bulb 28 to the candle 32 serves to lock the ornament collar 12 in place, with the bulb disposed in the planar member opening 20.

Upon electrical activation of the bulb 28, light passes through the collar 12 and the planar member 16 and concentrates in the textured surfaces 24. Thus, when the candle is disposed in a dark area and viewed from a distance, as for example a candle in a window viewed from a street, the observer typically sees only the bulb and the brightly lit textured area, that is, the bulb and a "halo" around the bulb.

In Figs. 6-9 there is shown an alternative embodiment which differs from the embodiment described hereinabove only in the configuration of the planar member 16. The structure and operation of the ornament of Figs. 6-9 are substantially the same as described above with respect to the ornament of Figs. 1-5.

It will be apparent that a host of configurations can be used in the planar member, other than the "halo" of Figs. 1-5 and the "star" of Figs. 6-9.

There is thus provided a decorative ornament for use in conjunction with electrical candles and "regular" bulbs. The novelty resides in the manner of depiction of the light from the bulb and not in the bulb itself, which eliminates the need for a "specialty" bulb. The regular bulbs are easy to purchase at any time of year and are relatively inexpensive. There is further provided such a device as is very easily attached to an electrical candle and which is of extremely low cost, and therefore readily available to a wide market.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to the particular constructions herein disclosed and/or shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A decorative ornament comprising: a collar for placement on a free end of an electrical candle without a bulb mounted on the candle free end, said collar having an opening extending therethrough and through which a bulb base portion is extendible to fasten to said candle free end to clamp said collar between said candle free end and said bulb; and a planar generally transparent member fixed to and extending from said collar, said member having an opening therein defined by inner edges of said member disposed to extend along opposite sides of, and over a top portion of, said bulb, outer edge portions of said planar member being of a texture which provides luminescence substantially greater than luminescence of a remainder of said member and said collar; whereby activation of said bulb illuminates said member outer edge portions and produces a light image corresponding to the configuration of said member outer edge portions.

2. The ornament in accordance with claim 1 wherein said planar member inner edges are so disposed as to be spaced from said bulb.

3. The ornament in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ornament is of glass and said planar member textured outer edges comprise roughened glass surfaces.

4. The ornament in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ornament is of a substantially clear rigid plastics material and said planar member textured outer edges comprise roughened surfaces of said planar member.

5. The ornament in accordance with claim 2 wherein said planar member is of a halo-like configuration.

6. The ornament in accordance with claim 2 wherein said planar member is of a star-like configuration.

7. The ornament in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plastic material is polystyrene.