Illuminated Light Effect Ornament

A hollow illuminated ornament housing a plurality of light strings controlled by electronics providing lighting effects communicated to the light bulbs which extend through the exterior surface of the shell. The ornament, in any configured shape, displays steady or electronically sequenced light patterns creating brilliant visual effects. The use of an electronic controller for the light effects allows for other pre-programmed features to be included in the invention such as timers, motion sensors and audio sensors to allow the ornament to react to the installation environment. The illuminated ornament can be used for ornamental installations, such as holiday decoration, or as general and mood lighting installations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1depicts an illuminated ornament assembly100. The illuminated ornament assembly100is comprised of two shell housings102and103that contain a plurality of lighting elements104which protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface109. The lighting elements104are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs).

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a portion of the inside of the illuminated ornament assembly100shown inFIG. 1. The LEDs104are connected in series on a plurality of light strings205,206and207which enter the illuminated ornament assembly through an aperture110. For purposes of illustration clarity, only a portion of the light string wires are shown, however the plurality of light strings205,206and207continue from ornament shell housing102to the other ornament shell housing103.

Power is supplied from an external source to the ornament through supply wires108into an electronic control interface assembly105referred to from this point on as a keypad. The keypad assembly105consists of selector buttons106and internal electronics, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), which is omitted from illustration for brevity as this circuitry is well known to those of ordinary skill. The selector buttons106allow for selection between preprogrammed lighting features controlled by the circuitry and software in the keypad assembly105. A wiring bundle107exits the keypad assembly105and enters the shell housing102of the illuminated ornament assembly100. The wiring bundle107consists of the wires required to supply power and electronic signals to the plurality of light strings205,206and207contained inside the illuminated ornament assembly100.

The LEDs104contained on the light strings205,206and207are assembled to the shell housings102and103from the inside by operatively coupling to bulb apertures111which are spaced apart on the exterior shell surface109of the illuminated ornament assembly100. Each of the light strings205,206and207can be arranged randomly or in a specified pattern such that the LEDs104contained on the light strings protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface109.

Shell housings102and103are assembled using integrated features. Shell housing103contains hardware recesses112to receive screws while shell housing102contains screw bosses208to engage the screws and retain the two shell housings102and103together.

FIG. 3depicts an illuminated ornament assembly300. The'illuminated ornament assembly300is comprised of two shell housings302and303that contain a plurality of LEDs304which protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface309.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of a portion of the inside of the illuminated ornament assembly300shown inFIG. 3. The LEDs304are connected in series on a plurality of light strings410,411and412which are operatively coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB)405. The PCB405is part of the integrated keypad assembly305which is operatively coupled to the shell housing302. Power supply wires307enter the illuminated ornament300through the integrated keypad assembly305and are operatively coupled to the PCB405. For purposes of illustration clarity only a portion of the light string wires are shown, however the plurality of light strings410,411and412continue to the other ornament shell housing303.

The keypad assembly305consists of a keypad housing310, selector buttons306and the PCB405. The selector buttons306allow for selection between preprogrammed lighting features controlled by the circuitry and software on the PCB and are accessible on the exterior of the illuminated ornament assembly300. Light string terminals407electronically isolate the plurality of light strings410,411and412from each other on the PCB405allowing for independent control and sequencing of each light string.

An additional hanging wire308is integrated and anchored into the keypad assembly305. The hanging wire308relieves strain from the power supply wires307when the illuminated ornament300is displayed hanging from a structure.

The LEDs304contained on the light strings410,411and412are assembled to the shell housings302and303from the inside by operatively coupling to bulb apertures311which are spaced apart on the exterior shell surface309of the illuminated ornament assembly300. Each of the light strings410,411and412can be arranged randomly or in a specified pattern such that the LEDs304contained on the light strings protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface309.

Shell housings302and303are assembled using integrated features. Shell housing303contains hardware recesses312to receive screws while shell housing302contains screw bosses413to engage the screws and retain the two shell housings302and303together.

FIG. 5depicts an illuminated ornament assembly500. The illuminated ornament assembly500is comprised of two shell housings502and503that contain a plurality of LEDs504which protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface509.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a portion of the inside of the illuminated ornament assembly500shown inFIG. 5. The LEDs504are connected in series on a plurality of light strings610,611and612which are operatively coupled to a PCB605. The PCB605is part of the integrated electronics assembly505which is operatively coupled to the shell housing502. Power supply wires506enter the illuminated ornament assembly500through the integrated electronics assembly505and are operatively coupled to the PCB605. For purposes of illustration clarity only a portion of the light string wires are shown, however the plurality of light strings610,611and612continue to the other ornament shell housing503.

The electronics assembly505consists of a main housing510and a PCB605. In this embodiment the PCB contains a plurality of light string terminals607, a main power terminal606and a remote electronic receiver component608. The remote receiver component608is capable of receiving and distributing commands to the light strings610,611and612from an external remote control by means of the circuitry and software in the PCB. The remote control itself is not illustrated for brevity as this type of device is well known to those of ordinary skill. Light string terminals607electronically isolate the plurality of light strings610,611and612from each other allowing for independent control and sequencing of each light string.

An additional hanging wire507is integrated and anchored into the electronics assembly505. The hanging wire507relieves strain from the power supply wires506when the illuminated ornament500is displayed hanging from a structure.

The LEDs504contained on the light strings610,611and612are assembled to the shell housings502and503from the inside by operatively coupling to bulb apertures511which are spaced apart on the exterior shell surface509of the illuminated ornament assembly500. Each of the light strings610,611and612can be arranged randomly or in a specified pattern such that the LEDs504contained on the light strings protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface509.

Shell housings502and503are assembled using integrated features. Shell housing503contains hardware recesses512to receive screws while shell housing502contains screw bosses613to engage the screws and retain the two shell housings502and503together.

FIG. 7is an exploded view depicting the preferred assembly features of the shell housings702and703. Light bulb apertures704allow for installation of LEDs. The preferred method of LED retention is a snap-fit design wherein the LEDs are simply pressed into the interior shell surface708. Hardware recesses706on shell housing702allow for screws707to be installed within the constraints of the exterior shell surface709. The screws707are then advanced and retained in the screw bosses705found on shell housing703securing the assembly.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the illuminated ornament assembly800. The ornament is comprised of two shell housings802and803that contain a plurality of at least partially light transmissive secondary decorative members805operatively coupled to the outside of the shell housings802and803. LEDs804operatively couple to the secondary decorative members805from the inside of the shell housings802and803wherein the LEDs804are at least partially visible on the outside of the ornament assembly800or light emitted from the LEDs804is visible through the at least partially light transmissive secondary decorative members805.

FIG. 9depicts a preferred design for the secondary decorative member902. The secondary decorative member contains a recessed ring904in the design to allow snap fit retention onto a shell housing.

FIG. 10depicts a preferred LED housing assembly1000. The LED housing assembly1000is comprised of an LED1002captured inside an LED housing1004. The LED housing contains a recessed ring suitable for snap-fit retention to the aforementioned shell housings or secondary decorative members.

FIG. 11depicts an illuminated ornament assembly1100wherein the illuminated ornament assembly1100sits atop a stand1104. The stand1104houses the electrical supply cord1106and can be of many alternate designs.

FIG. 12depicts an illuminated ornament assembly1200. The illuminated ornament assembly1200is comprised of two shell housings1202and1203that contain a plurality of LEDs1204which protrude at least partially through the exterior shell surface1208.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of a portion of the inside of the illuminated ornament assembly1200shown inFIG. 12. The LEDs1204are connected in series on a plurality of light strings1302,1304and1306which are operatively coupled to a PCB1308. The PCB1308is operatively coupled to an internal power supply1310referred to from this point as a battery pack. The battery pack1310and electronics are operatively coupled to the shell housing1202. For purposes of illustration clarity only a portion of the light string wires are shown, however the plurality of light strings1302,1304and1306continue to the other ornament shell housing1203. A hanging wire1212is anchored into a battery pack housing1210for use when the illuminated ornament assembly1200is displayed hanging from a structure.

This illuminated ornament assembly1200design embodiment is assumed to be operated by remote control. Aforementioned functionality of remote electronics applies to this design, but is omitted for brevity. An illuminated ornament containing an internal power supply is easily adaptable to any user interface previously mentioned either integrated or remote operated.

Internal power supplies such as the battery pack1310inFIG. 13are well known to those of ordinary skill. Specifics of the design details are omitted for brevity, but any type whether custom rechargeable batteries or standard disposable batteries of any type can be adapted to power the illuminated ornament assembly,

Assembly of any of the aforementioned components can be accomplished by other numerous methods employing integrated mechanical features or by use of adhesives, solder, potting processes, etc. It is assumed that shell housings are secured together with hardware and other components are operatively coupled to the shell housings by means of integrated snap-fit features. Electrical connections are assumed to be made by standard electrical connectors or by use of solder.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration. The true scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.