Abstract:
Various wearable bands capable of being illuminated are disclosed. A wearable band includes a band strip defining multiple openings therein, a light source, and multiple optical fibers. Each optical fiber has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each optical fiber operably coupled to the light source. Each optical fiber is configured to transmit light originating from the light source toward the second end. Light transmitted along each optical fiber is visible through a corresponding opening of the wearable band. The openings may be arranged to form at least one letter or symbol, may be arranged along an outline of a decoration on the band strip, may be arranged to fill a region within at least one letter or symbol located on the band strip, and/or may be arranged to enhance and be conformal with a graphical design located on the band strip.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/559,961 entitled “Illuminated Novelty Wrist Band with Variable Light Display” filed Nov. 15, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Illuminated novelties such as buttons, fiber optic flowers, advertising displays, and clothing with internal fiber optic strands are common but are typically limited in terms of the number of lights that are viewable and/or the configuration of such lights. This invention relates to a “wrist band” herein referred to as a “band” or “wearable band” that is comfortable to wear and capable of displaying a statement or symbol. 
         [0003]    Several patents describe the addition of fiber optic bundles into soft sewn clothing and rigid display animation used for advertising. U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,365 to Wainright teaches the addition of optical fibers on articles of clothing without bulges and detachable to allow the clothing item to be cleaned, eliminating destruction or distortion around the empty socket holes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,872 to Way uses a rotating opaque disk to sequentially illuminate the fibers in a pre-selected pattern. U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,843 to Guritz present the use of optical strands with flexible circuit boards to items of clothing for ornamental purposes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In some embodiments, a wearable band includes a band strip defining a plurality of openings therein, a light source, and a light-transmissive light pipe operably coupled to the light source. The light pipe includes a plurality of molded integral light projection cylinders on a surface of the light pipe. Each cylinder has a longitudinal axis normal to a surface of the light pipe, and each cylinder is positioned to fit into a corresponding opening. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, a wearable band includes a band strip defining a plurality of openings therein, a light source, an encasing structure, multiple reflectors, and multiple optical fibers. The encasing structure is operably coupled to said light source. The encasing structure structure. Each cylinder has a longitudinal axis normal to the surface of the encasing structure, and each cylinder is positioned to fit into a corresponding opening. The reflectors are configured to reflect light from the light source toward respective cylinders. The optical fibers are disposed within said encasing structure, are operably coupled to the light source, and are configured to transmit the light from the light source toward respective reflectors. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, a wearable band includes a band strip defining multiple openings therein, a light source, and multiple optical fibers. Each optical fiber has a first end and a second end, with the first end of each optical fiber operably coupled to the light source. Each optical fiber is configured to transmit light originating from the light source toward the second end. Light transmitted along each optical fiber is visible through a corresponding opening of the wearable band. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The following will be apparent from elements of the figures, which are provided for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily to scale. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an illuminated wearable band (e.g., wrist band) with decorative panel in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a decorative panel with light projections in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the outside of a ribbon with decorative panel in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged inside rear view of the ribbon with light pipe and LED and circuit board in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a light pipe with light projector cylinders for edge illumination in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an optical fiber bundle with LED attached thereto in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an inside view of a ribbon with optical bundle and circuit board in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a combined optical fiber bundle and encasing structure in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 8  with an encasing structure in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a wearable band having a circular segment in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a rear plan view of optical fibers and an encasing structure, in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    This description of certain exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “up” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “upward,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. 
         [0020]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a band which may be worn for decoration, e.g., around the neck, wrist, hips, ankles, or other part of a person&#39;s body. The band may be relatively thin so as to be comfortable. For example, a piece of plastic with a thinness of about 1 mm may be formed in a ribbon and decorated on one face with a desired statement or symbol (a desired theme). The plastic may be soft and flexible for comfort and for ease of wearing and removal. Small holes may be punched through the ribbon to correspond with the statement or symbol to allow light emanating from an LED to pass out of the holes and be seen by the wearer. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of an illuminated wrist band with decorative panel in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 1 , a band  1  includes a panel  2  that is a part of band strip  3 . Respective ends of band strip  3  may be bonded together at junction  12  to form the circular band  1  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, a hook and loop fastener, clasp, wristwatch-type fastener in conjunction with plural openings defined by said band strip, or any other known fastener may be provided so the user can adjust the band to the size of his/her wrist (or another body part) for desired comfort. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , panel  2  is decorated with an illuminated theme  50 , which may include any letter, symbol and/or statement (in this example, the word “LOVE”). Theme  50  is displayed by light (which may be of any color or wavelength) emanating through holes  18  defined by the band strip  3 . Any number of holes  18  may be used. In some embodiments, the holes are arranged near a decoration or design on the band strip  3 , to provide illumination around the decoration or design. For example, a flower decoration on band strip  3  may be illuminated by light emanating through holes surrounding the flower. Thus, light may be visible through holes in the band strip  3  that are arranged to be conformal with the graphic design, to highlight the graphic design. The graphic design (e.g., letter(s), symbol(s), or other design) may be printed on the band strip  3 , or may be effectuated by an embossing or debossing process. In some embodiments, rather than being arranged along the outline of a decoration, the holes  18  may be arranged to fill a region within a letter, symbol, or decoration. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , band strip  3  may have the form of a ribbon including a first portion  51  and a second portion  52 . The ribbon may be folded along fold line  11  (e.g., with first portion  51  folded under second portion  52 ) into a band having half the width of the ribbon and sealed, e.g., with an adhesive or other sealing technique. The holes  18  that allow light emanating from the LED to be seen by the wearer may be pierced in second portion  52 . 
         [0024]    The rear plan view of  FIG. 4  shows the construction of band strip  3  with a light pipe  4  adjacent to and bonded to a light emitting diode (LED)  5  for optical alignment. LED  5 , which may have a thickness of about  2  mm, is connected to printed circuit board  6  by wires  27  and provides a light source. An integrated circuit (IC) module  8  is attached upon circuit board  6 . IC module  8  generates a pulse signal to provide continuous electricity to the LED  5 . IC module  8  may control LED  5  to provide a steady (constant) lighting display and/or a pulsed (e.g., flashing) lighting display. Such an IC module  8  is readily available for controlling an LED. A battery  7  provides power to the circuit board  6  through wires  28 . Battery  7  may be a thin lithium cell with a maximum thickness of about 2.4 mm in some embodiments. A switch  60  may be provided to allow the wearer to toggle the display mode between steady (constant) and pulsed (flashing) modes, and/or toggle the LED  5  between an illuminated state (“on”) and a non-illuminated state (“off”). 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of light pipe  4  in accordance with some embodiments. In a technique referred to as “edge illumination” LED  5  is bonded to an end of a light-transmissive light pipe  4  at an opening  10  defined by light pipe  4 . LED  5  illuminates the edge of light pipe  4 , which may be a physical, tangible medium for transmitting light and which may be molded from optical grade acrylic plastic. On the top surface  19  of light pipe  4  are molded integral cylinders  21  arranged in accordance with the desired theme (e.g., arranged to spell out the word “LOVE”). Each cylinder  21  has a longitudinal axis (main axis) normal to the top surface  19  of light pipe  4 . Cylinders  21  may be referred to as light pipe cylinders or light projection cylinders, as light is projected through them. A top surface of cylinders  21  may have a coloring (e.g., white coloring) applied thereupon to enhance the illuminative effect. Cylinders  21  may have the same size (e.g., same diameter) as corresponding holes  18  ( FIG. 2 ) so that each cylinder fits through a corresponding hole. Thus, light passes upwards through the cylinders  21  and is visible to the wearer. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an optical fiber bundle  16  with LED  5  attached thereto in accordance with some embodiments. Optical fiber bundle  16  includes optical fibers  13 - 1 , . . . ,  13 -N (referred to generally as “optical fibers  13 ”). The terminal ends of the respective optical fibers  13  are secured into a bundle by a wrapping  14  and coupled to LED  5 . In some embodiments, the other ends  15  of the respective optical fibers  13  may be formed to turn at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the main body of the respective fibers, so that bent ends  15  may be inserted through respective holes  18  ( FIG. 2 ) in the band strip  3  and protrude past the holes. Different optical fibers  13  may have varying respective lengths  17  to correspond to portions of theme  50  that are at varying distances from LED  5 . Thus, light emanates from LED  5  and travels to the ends of optical fibers  13 , and because the bent ends  15  are inserted through respective holes  18  in panel  2  ( FIG. 2 ), light passing upwards through holes  18  is visible to the wearer of the band. The light emanating from the optical fibers  13  may be so arranged to be conformal with a graphic design on the band, to highlight the graphical design when the ends of the fibers are illuminated. 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the inside of band strip  3 , e.g., before portion  51  is folded over portion  52 . Bent ends  15  of respective optical fibers  13  are inserted through holes  18  in band  3 . The bent ends  15  may be trimmed to have a uniform height above the outer surface of band strip  3 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a combined optical fiber bundle  16  and encasing structure  19  in accordance with some embodiments. Encasing structure  19  may be molded with cylinders  210  attached thereto and with optical fibers provided therein as shown in  FIG. 9 . Each optical fiber  13  is directed to a corresponding cylinder  210  shown in  FIG. 9 . The terminal end of optical fiber  13  (the end not near a corresponding cylinder  21 ) is in contact with LED  5 . Tape  25  or adhesive may be applied to retain the optical fibers  13  in position. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 8  with an encasing structure  19  in accordance with some embodiments in which optical fiber  13  is a straight fiber that does not have a bent end. Light  23  emitted by LED  5  is transmitted along optical fiber  13  and is directed by a reflective surface (reflector)  24  to pass upward through surface  26  and into and through cylinder  210  (along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder) for projection to the viewer. In some embodiments, encasing structure  19  is the same material as light pipe  4  shown in  FIG. 5 . In other embodiments, encasing structure  19  is formed from a different material than light pipe  4 , and at least a portion of encasing structure  19  is light transmissive so that light exiting an end of optical fiber  13  is transmitted to reflector  24  and reflected to pass through cylinder  210  to be visible to the viewer. The fibers of bundle  16  are retained by tape  25  or with adhesive. Optical fiber  13  does not have a reflector within the optical fiber itself and does not protrude through a hole  18  in this example. Thus, optical fibers  13  in the example of  FIG. 9  do not have to be trimmed to a uniform height. 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a wearable band having a circular segment in accordance with some embodiments. The circular segment encasing structure  29  has an LED  5  attached thereto. Circular segment encasing structure  29  is similar in some respects to encasing structure  19  described in  FIG. 9  but is formed in a curved shape (e.g., in the shape of a portion of a circle) that allows band strip  3  to be formed into a comfortable wrist band (or band to be worn on another part of the body) with no flat surfaces. Light passes within optical fiber  13  to a reflective surface  24  and is projected upwards  23  via cylinder  212  to the viewer. By molding the encasing structure  29  into a curved shape conforming to the desired diameter of the band, a uniform circular form factor is created. 
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a rear plan view of optical fibers and an encasing structure as in  FIG. 10 , in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG . 11 , the individual optical fiber  13  is shown in juxtaposition to reflective surface  24 , which directs light through top surface  26  and through cylinder  212 . 
         [0032]    While examples of various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.