Abstract:
A table having a light source diffused throughout its structure. The intensity and color of the light source can be varied using remote controlling devices. The color and intensity of the light emanating from the table may thus be synchronized with music or other entertainment media.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of fixture. More specifically, the invention comprises a table having a light source diffused throughout its structure. The intensity and color of the light source can be varied using remote controlling devices. The color and intensity of the light emanating from the table may thus be synchronized with music or other entertainment media 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The use of diffused and reflected light is well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,181 to Phillips (1990) discloses one such device. The Phlllips invention comprises a light source within a glass block structure. The diffusing properties of the glass block structure spread the light to create a soft and uniform distribution, resulting in a pleasing effect. 
     A similar concept is applied to different application in U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,437 to Downey (1988). The Downey device uses a light source directed through several holes to illuminate a water bed mattress. The mattress, which is made of a translucent material, is covered with translucent fabric. The result is that the water within the water bed mattress diffuse the light to illuminate the mattress. Colored filters may be placed over the holes to create different color combinations. 
     Diffused illumination is also employed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,154 to Carel et.al. (1999). The &#39;154 device uses a wrap-around lighting element diffused through stained glass. All these inventions employ diffused light to create a pleasing effect. However, all are static in nature; i.e., the intensity and color of the light does not change. In addition, all are conventional in that they simply project light through a translucent surface or surfaces. While this technique creates a pleasing effect, it is not sufficiently novel to entertain. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     1. To provide a table having a diffused internal illumination, the intensity and color of which can be changed; 
     2. To provide a table having a visually striking illumination effect; and 
     3. To provide means for remotely controlling the intensity and color of the light source within the table in order to synchronize the visual effect with music or other entertainment. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view, showing the proposed invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric section view, showing the location of the illumination source. 
     FIG. 3 is a detail view, showing more detail of the components depicted in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view, showing how the light within the invention is transmitted and he column. 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view, showing the components housed within the base of the table. 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view, showing how a table cloth is placed on the table. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view, showing how an optional illuminated centerpiece may be invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view, showing the details of the color filters employed. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 table 
                 12 
                 base 
               
               
                 14 
                 top 
                 16 
                 column 
               
               
                 18 
                 brace 
                 20 
                 light source 
               
               
                 22 
                 column interior 
                 24 
                 column mount 
               
               
                 26 
                 light ray 
                 28 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 30 
                 inner surface 
                 32 
                 center hole 
               
               
                 34 
                 battery 
                 36 
                 control module 
               
               
                 38 
                 gear motor 
                 40 
                 color wheel 
               
               
                 42 
                 table cloth 
                 44 
                 modified table cloth 
               
               
                 46 
                 cloth hole 
                 48 
                 centerpiece 
               
               
                 50 
                 diffused light 
                 52 
                 color filter 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts table  10  in its assembled form Base  12  is hollow, containing additional components which will be described subsequently. It is also substantially opaque. Column  16  extends upward from base  12  to top  14 . Column  16  is a hollow acrylic tube. Top  14  is made from flat acrylic plate. 
     A multitude of aluminum braces  18  are added to make the structure more rigid. As the invention is designed to transmit and diffuse light in order to create visual effects, it is significant that column  16  and top  14  are made of transparent materials. Clear acrylic is used because it is relatively inexpensive and durable. However, conventional glass or other transparent materials could be substituted. 
     FIG. 2 shows the proposed invention with the front half cut away for illustration purposes. The reader will observe that light source  20  is positioned to shine up through column interior  22  and ultimately out through center hole  32 . Light source  20  is fixed within base  12  by any conventional means. For purposes of visual clarity, these fixing means have not been illustrated. 
     Light source  20  projects a fairly focused beam of light, preferably having an angle of divergence between 5 and 15 degrees. While the exact nature of light source  20  is not critical, a battery powered halogen bulb is suitable. FIG. 3, also a cutaway or section view, shows the relationship of light source  20  to column  16  in greater detail. Column mount  24  is attached to base  12 . Column  16  fits into column mount  24  and is thereby secured with its open lower end directly over light source  20  . The reader will observe that column mount  24  has a hollow interior allowing the light to pass through it and into column interior  22 . 
     FIG. 4 is critical to understanding the operation of the invention. Light source  20  emits light rays  26  within column interior  22 . These strike inner surface  30 . Inner surface  30  is smooth and optically clear. Those skilled in the art will realize that when a light ray  26  strikes inner surface  30 , a portion is reflected back within column interior  22  and a portion is refracted within the wall of column  16 . The reflected portion continues upward through column interior  22 , but the refracted portion encounters outer surface  28 . Outer surface  28  has a finely textured surface such as the finish on a ground glass plate. As a result, outer surface  28  reflects very little light back toward column interior  22 . Instead. Outer surface  26  diffuses the light outward as diffused light  50 . The result is a very evenly distributed illumination source on outer surface  26 . 
     The texture required on outer surface  28  may be obtained by a variety of conventional means. Sandblasting, followed by treatment with mineral oils has been found to be particularly effective. Chemical etching could also be employed, as well as the addition of an adhesive diffusion film. Each of these approaches would produce the desired effect. 
     Returning briefly now to FIG. 2, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention creates a diffused light source on outer surface  28 . Some light rays are also directed out center hole  32 . In addition, because top  14  is made of clear acrylic, some light is scattered throughout its interior. 
     Additional visual effects may be created by varying the intensity and color of light source  12 . Turning to FIG. 5, the components for achieving this goal will be described. Color wheel  40  is placed over light source  20 . Turning briefly to FIG. 8, the reader will observe that color wheel  40  has a plurality of different color filters —such as red, blue, green etc. As it is turned, different filters are brought into place over light source  20 . 
     Returning now to FIG. 5, the reader will observe that color wheel  40  is connected to gear motor  38 , which rotates color wheel  40  to any desired position. Gear motor  38  is actuated by control module  36 . Control module  36  directs gear motor  38  to rotate color wheel  40  to a desired position (including continuous rotation). Control module  36  also provides electrical power to light source  20 . The voltage can be increased and decreased to vary the intensity of light source  20 . Control module  36  is therefore capable of creating many different visual effects. As one example, control module  36  can place a blue filter over light source  20 . The intensity of light source  20  can then be reduced while a red filter is rotated into place. The result will be a slow “fade” to a new color. 
     Battery  34  provides power to control module  36 , and ultimately to the other components. Although the invention could be powered via an AC line, the use of battery  34  allows many tables to be place in a dining area without concern over power cords. 
     Control module  36  is provided with a radio receiver so that it can be remotely commanded. The reader should appreciate that numerous tables  10  will often be employed in a particular entertainment installation. Each control module  36  within each table  10  can then be controlled via a central control unit. In this way, the illumination effects can be synchronized with music or other entertainment media to create a pleasing visual display. While not essential to the invention, it is helpful to employ a computer as the central control unit. In this fashion, simple software changes may be used to vary the visual effects created. 
     All the components shown within base  12  are fixed by conventional means. It is advantageous to contain them all within one electronics enclosure. In this fashion, all the components may be installed and removed from base  12  as an integral unit. It also facilitates cooling, safety assurances, etc. As such an enclosure is well known in the prior art, it has not been illustrated. 
     FIG. 6 shows table  10  as it would normally be presented to the public. Table  10  is covered with table cloth  42 . Table cloth  42  is ideally translucent. Linen has been found to be particularly effective. The reader will recall the light diffusing properties of column  16 . When light source  20  is turned on, table cloth  42  will be internally illuminated in a very uniform fashion. As long as table cloth  42  is made of translucent material, this internal illumination will be readily apparent, resulting in a visually striking effect. 
     Returning briefly to FIG. 2, the reader will recall that top  14  has an opening - center hole  32 . This opening produces a bright spot in the middle of table cloth  42 . FIG. 7 illustrates modified table cloth  44 . Modified table cloth  44  has cloth hole  46  cut into its center. Cloth hole  46  is placed over center hole  32 . This gains access to column interior  22  of column  16 . A center piece  48  can then be placed into cloth hole  46 . The reader will observe that center piece  48  has a downward extending cylindrical portion sized to fit snugly within center hole  32 , thereby holding center piece  48  in place. 
     The exterior of center piece  48  can be given the same diffusing surface as found on outer surface  28  of column  16 . Thus, the light escaping upward through cloth hole  46  is captured and diffused by center piece  48 , with the result that it takes on the same color and intensity of the entire table. Those skilled in the art will realize that many different types of center pieces  48  can be made via hand or mass production techniques. In addition, a conventional center piece such as a glass bowl filled with water or other objects can be employed. 
     Summary, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will appreciate that the proposed invention can provide a visually striking table structure. The invention has further advantages in that it: 
     1. Provides for changes in the intensity and color of the illumination; 
     2. Provides means for remotely controlling the intensity and color of the light source within the table in order to synchronize the visual effect with music or other entertainment; and 
     3. Provides for the addition of an internally illuminated centerpiece. 
     Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiment of the invention. As an example, many different types of transparent materials could be substituted for the clear acrylic employed in the invention. Likewise, many different surface treatments could be employed to obtain the diffusing properties of outer surface  28 . Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.