Decorative fiber optic lamp

The present invention discloses a decorative fiber optic lamp including an enclosed base attached to a lamp shade. A motor has a rod connected to a special effects wheel located directly above a light source. The motor is connected to a transformer which is in turn connected to a power source for operating the motor to thereby rotate the wheel. An elongated fiber plug is located immediately above the light source and extends within the lamp shade. Light transmitters are bundled or joined within the fiber plug and extend from the center of the fiber plug through the top end of the fiber plug and at that point, expand outward or fan out in all directions into the lamp shade. Also, the fiber strands extend downward, thereby forming a tree-like appearance. Light is illuminated from the light source and modified as it travels through the special effects wheel and into the bottom of the fiber plug. As a result, special effects are generated within the lamp shade, thereby creating a decorative lamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates, in general, to novelty lamps, and in 
particular fiber optic lamps. 
2. Related Art 
Novelty lamps, such as fiber optic lamps, have long been used for the 
decorative effects produced by the lamps at parties, nightclubs, and 
amusement parks. One example of such a lamp includes a fiber optic lamp 
having a cylindrical solid wood base with a light source attached in the 
center of the wood base. The cylindrical solid wood base has a hollow 
plastic elongated cylindrical section attached at the perimeter of the 
cylindrical wood base. Approximately one hundred and fifty fibers are 
located at the center of the plastic cylindrical section and extend 
therethrough and away from the light source. The fibers extend over the 
edge of the plastic cylindrical section and droop in a downward direction. 
Each fiber is approximately eighteen inches long. Light emitting from the 
light source travels through the fibers, from tip to tip. Since the fibers 
are spaced apart from each other, this lamp provides minimal light and is 
visible only in dark environments. 
A second example of a fiber optic lamp is a lamp with the fibers arranged 
in the form of a flower. Some of the fibers are arranged within actual 
silk flowers and other fibers are arranged in the form of a flower. In 
most embodiments of this lamp, the flower at the base of the lamp is 
actually made of fibers and thus, the fiber tips of the flowers emit 
light. Other fiber flowers in the lamp are arranged around a base flower, 
and have silk flowers with fibers bundled inside, or fanned around, the 
silk flower. 
This flower fiber optic lamp uses a rotating translucent color wheel 
located between the light source and the fibers and is comprised of 
various colors. The color wheel rotates to change the colors emitted at 
the tips of the fibers and to create a sparkling effect. Because the 
production costs of this lamp are relatively high, the number of flowers 
contained in this lamp are usually limited to four or five, and all the 
flowers must face one direction. 
Also, since the flowers must all face in one direction to provide a full 
and vibrant appearance to the bouquet, it can only be viewed from certain 
directions and thus, can only be placed in limited areas, such as on a 
shelf. In addition, since the flower at the base of the lamp is very 
intricate, very small diameter fibers are needed. As a result of using 
such small diameter fibers, the lamp does not provide a good light source, 
and is rather obscure. 
Another example of a novelty lamp is a disco-type lamp. A light source is 
enclosed by a translucent multi-colored rotatable cylinder with different 
shapes. A clear plastic dome covers the multi-colored cylinder and light 
source. The light emitted from the light source permeates through the 
multi-colored and shaped cylinder to thereby create a light show of 
various colored shapes on the walls and ceiling in the room where the lamp 
is located. Also, various colors on the cylinder allow the colors 
projected on the walls and ceiling from the lamp to change as the 
multi-colored cylinder rotates. Thus, the lamp itself is not a decoration. 
Instead, the purpose of the lamp is to decorate the lamp's surroundings. 
Consequently, all of the lamps mentioned above are used in dark 
environments. In addition, the flower fiber optic lamp is costly. Further, 
the disco-type lamp cannot contain the light within the unit itself. 
Therefore, what is needed is a decorative fiber optic lamp which can be 
used in dark as well as lighter environments. What is also needed is a 
fiber optic lamp that is not costly. What is further needed is a fiber 
optic lamp that displays decorations within the lamp and not onto its room 
surroundings. What is further needed is a decorative lamp that can be seen 
from all directions. 
Whatever the merits of the above mentioned systems and methods, they do not 
achieve the benefits of the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to 
overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and 
understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a 
decorative fiber optic lamp. 
The lamp of the present invention includes an enclosed base attached to a 
lamp shade. A light source is mounted on a pedestal and located at a 
center section within the base. A motor, located adjacent the pedestal, 
has a rod connected to a special effects wheel which is located directly 
above the light source. The motor is also connected to a transformer which 
is in turn connected to a power source for operating the motor, thereby 
rotating the wheel. 
In addition, an elongated fiber plug is located immediately above the light 
source and extends within the lamp shade. Light transmitters are bundled 
or joined within the fiber plug and extend from the center of the fiber 
plug through the top end of the fiber plug and at that point, expand 
outward or fan out in all directions into the lamp shade. Also, the fiber 
strands extend down toward the base of the lamp, thereby forming a 
tree-like appearance. 
Light is illuminated from the light source and modified as it travels 
through the special effects wheel and into the bottom of the fiber plug. 
The modified light is sent through the fiber plug and into entrance tips 
of the fiber optic strands. Exit tips, located at opposite ends, release 
the modified light toward the inner surface of the lamp. 
The special effects wheel is located directly above the light source and 
has various shades of colors, including black or opaque, located on 
different sections of the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the light source 
illuminates white light onto the section of the wheel above or aligned 
with the light source. Consequently, since the wheel is constantly 
rotating, varying colors of light are modified and projected from the 
wheel as the wheel rotates. Each different color projected by the wheel 
and traveling through the fiber optic strands is based on the location of 
the shade or color section of the wheel directly above or aligned with the 
light source. As a result, special effects are generated within the lamp 
shade, thereby creating a decorative lamp. 
An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive decorative 
fiber optic lamp which can be used in dark as well as lighter 
environments. 
A feature of the present invention is to have a special effects device for 
modifying light. Another feature of the present invention is to have 
varying intensities of light illuminated. 
An advantage of the present invention is that the lamp of the present 
invention can be used in both dark and light environments. Another 
advantage of the present invention is that several special effects can be 
created. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be 
placed in any location and is not limited to certain viewing directions. 
The foregoing and still further features and advantages of the present 
invention as well as a more complete understanding thereof will be made 
apparent from a study of the following detailed description of the 
invention in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made 
to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is 
shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention 
may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be 
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the 
scope of the present invention. 
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention, 
including the interior components. The lamp 10 of the present invention 
includes an enclosed base 12 attached to a lamp shade 14, such as a 
spherical shaped globe, but can be of many different shapes and sizes. The 
enclosed base 12 can be opaque or translucent and can be of many different 
shapes and sizes. A light source 16, such as a light bulb ranging from 8 
to 50 watts, is mounted on a pedestal 18 and located at a center section 
20 within the base 12. A light of less than 8 watts can be used if it is a 
prefocused lamp with a narrow intense beam of light. The size of the light 
bulb can vary. 
A motor 22, located adjacent the pedestal 18, has a rod 24 connected to a 
special effects wheel 26, such as a glass or plexiglass wheel. The wheel 
26 is located directly above the light source 16. The motor 22 is 
connected to a transformer 28 which is in turn connected to a power source 
30 for operating the motor 22 and rotating the wheel 26. 
In addition, a bottom end 34 of an elongated fiber plug 32 is located 
immediately above the light source 16 and extends to a top end 36 within 
the globe. Light transmitters 38, such as transparent cylindrical fiber 
strands 46, are bundled or joined within the fiber plug 32 and extend from 
a center 42 of the fiber plug 32 at a trunk location 42 and through the 
top end 36 of the fiber plug 32. As a result, from within the center of 
the globe, the fiber strands 46 expand outward or fan out in all 
directions from the top end 36 of the fiber plug 32. Also, the fiber 
strands 46 extend downward, thereby forming a tree-like appearance. 
Referring to FIG. 1, light 50 is illuminated from the light source 16 and 
modified 52 as it travels through the special effects wheel 26 and into 
the bottom 34 of the fiber plug 32. The modified light 52 is sent through 
the trunk 42 of the fiber plug, where the bundled fiber strands 38 are 
located. Entrance tips 54 located at the trunk 42 of the bundled fiber 
optic strands 38 receive the modified light, while exit tips 56, located 
at opposite ends, release the modified light toward the inner surface 58 
of the lamp shade or globe. Also, fiber optic strands with light emitting 
sides 59 can be used. Each light emitting side 59 can vary in distance 
from the inner surface 58 of the lamp shade 14 so that a faint ring is 
visible from the outside of the lamp, thereby creating a sparkling effect. 
FIG. 2 illustrates the special effects wheel 60 of the present invention. 
The special effects wheel 60 is located directly above the light source 16 
and can be a translucent multi-colored rotating glass or plexiglass wheel 
having various sections 62 with different shades of colors, including 
black 64 or opaque, located on different sections of the wheel 60. The 
opaque and color sections 62 and 64 can be for example, pie shaped 
sections, single lines, or circular dots. 
As the wheel 60 rotates 66, the light source 16 illuminates white light 68 
onto the section 69 or sections of the wheel 60 above or aligned with the 
light source 16. Consequently, since the wheel is constantly rotating, 
varying colors of light are modified and projected from the wheel as the 
wheel 60 rotates 66. Each different color projected by the wheel 60 and 
through the fiber optic strands is based on the location of the shade or 
color section 69 of the wheel 60 directly above or aligned with the light 
source. In addition, the opaque sections 64 of the wheel 60 block light 68 
from passing through the wheel 60. 
As a result, when the opaque or black section 69 of the rotating wheel 60 
is aligned with the light source, no light is projected by the wheel 60 at 
that moment and strands of a fiber are "shut off" temporarily. Thereafter, 
when the opaque section 70 of the rotating wheel is no longer aligned with 
the light source, light will reenter the fiber strands and illuminate the 
exit tips of the fiber optic strands. This process continually repeats 
since the special effects wheel 60 is constantly rotating 66. Also, when 
several fibers are grouped together, some fibers are deprived of light, 
while others continue to receive light, thereby causing a sparkling effect 
because the opaque section of the rotating wheel 60 does not block light 
through all of the bundled fibers simultaneously. 
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative special effects wheel 60 configuration of 
an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Several modifications 
can be made to the special effects wheel 60 to obtain a desired effect. 
First, the sparkling effect of the lamp can be modified by altering the 
size and frequency of the opaque sections on the color wheel 60. For 
example, small and thin opaque sections can be implemented on the special 
effects wheel so that the fibers will turn on and off intermittently 
quickly, thereby making the sparkling effect very rapid and not very 
visible. However, if the opaque sections are larger, the light will not 
pass through certain fiber for a longer period of time, while passing 
through other fibers, thereby creating more of a sparkling effect. 
Further, an additional filter wheel 72, such as a heat-resistant, opaque 
plastic wheel with several random holes 74, can be located directly 
between the special effects wheel 60 and the light source 16. In one 
embodiment, there can be limited or no space between the filter wheel 72 
and the special effects wheel 60. Also, the filter wheel 72 and the 
special effects wheel 60 can be attached. In addition, the special effects 
wheel 60, can have random holes 61 located directly on the special effects 
wheel 60, as shown in FIG. 5. 
The two wheels could both be connected to the rod 24 of the motor 22 of 
FIG. 1 to thereby rotate both wheels at the same speed. Alternatively, a 
separate rod or a separate motor with a rod can be connected to the filter 
wheel to thereby rotate the wheels at different speeds. As a result, the 
light source 16 illuminates 80 periodically 82 through the holes 74 of the 
filter wheel 72 and into the special effects wheel 60, which in turn 
modifies the light projected into the fiber optic strands, thereby 
creating a sparkling effect. 
Further, the special effects wheel 60 can be located approximately one 
eighth to one quarter of an inch above the filter wheel 72. This space 
between the wheels 60 and 72 would allow the heat from the light source 16 
to rise through the holes 74 in the filter wheel 72 and around the special 
effects wheel 60, thereby cooling the lamp base 12 and preventing heat 
damage to the components. 
FIG. 4 illustrates the interaction of the of the lamp shade 14 and the 
interior components of the present invention. The inner surface 58 of the 
globe 14 refracts the modified light from the tips of the fiber strands 
through the globe 14 to an outer surface 84 of the globe 14. The intensity 
of the light exhibited on the outer surface 84 of the globe 14 is 
determined by the distance the individual fiber strand tip 56 is from the 
inner surface 58 of the globe 14 (as shown in FIG. 1). 
For example, the tips of the fiber strands which are in close proximity to 
the inner surface of the globe create small intense circles 86 of light on 
the outer surface 84 of the globe 14. The tips of fiber strands which are 
further from the inner surface 58 of the globe 14 create larger circles 88 
of light on the outer surface 84 of the globe 14. In addition, the circles 
of light on the outer surface 84 of the globe 14 will flash on and off and 
change colors when the special effects wheel rotates based on the 
description above. Thus, the lamp 10 of the present invention is easily 
visible in dim and dark conditions, and can be visible in brighter 
environments if a higher intensity light source is used. 
Also, since the fiber optic strands fan out in all directions, the lamp has 
a full and vibrant appearance. Further, the diameter of the fiber strands 
used in the lamp can be very large so that abundant light passes through 
the fiber optic strands, thereby making the lamp very visible, even in 
lighter environments. In addition, extremely large diameter fiber strands 
can be used to increase the visibility and brightness of the lamp. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
Alternatively, two or more light sources 90 can be implemented on the 
pedestal within the enclosed base. Additional light sources will increase 
the intensity of light sent through the fiber optic stands, thereby 
increasing the brightness and special effects of the lamp. 
This concludes the description of the preferred embodiment of the 
invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the 
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and 
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention 
to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are 
possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of 
the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by 
the claims appended hereto.