Abstract:
An animated light sculpture framework is configured for enabling the framework to be quickly and easily unfolded and erected for use and to be quickly and easily folded together into a compact configuration for transport and/or storage. A head and neck portion of the light sculpture framework is vertically movable in an oscillating manner to simulate natural movement by use of a motor connected to the framework and a counterweight operably positioned between the head and neck portion and the motor.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/218,839, filed Jul. 18, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an animated light sculpture framework and more particularly to an animated, free-standing, collapsible, three-dimensional wire framework and light supporting display for use as a decorative light sculpture wherein the head and neck portions of the display are moved up and down in an oscillating manner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,927 is incorporated by reference into this application, as provided by Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Section 608.01(p). Particular attention is directed to the drawings and specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,927 where the subject matter being incorporated may be found. Further, the reference numerals used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,927 to identify various elements of the invention described therein are also used herein to identify identical elements found in this invention. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an animated, free-standing, three-dimensional, collapsible wire framework and light supporting display for use as a light sculpture wherein the head and neck portions of the display are moved up and down in an oscillating manner. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides an animated, three-dimensional wire framework and light supporting display comprising: a first wire frame assembly defining a first predetermined portion of a figure; an additional wire frame assembly defining an additional predetermined portion of the figure, the additional frame assembly hingedly connected to the first frame assembly; at least one support defining a further predetermined portion of the figure, the support connected to the first frame assembly; a motor connected to the first frame assembly; a first arm member connected to and extending from the motor for rotation in response to activation of the motor; a second arm member defining first and second ends, the first end rotatably attached to the first arm member; a counterweight having a first receptacle connected thereto; the second end of the second arm member rotatably positioned within the first receptacle; a third arm member attached to and projecting from the counterweight, the third arm member defining a distal end; a second receptacle attached to the additional wire frame assembly; and the distal end of the third arm member positioned within the second receptacle, whereby activation of the motor causes substantially up and down movement of the additional wire frame assembly. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the invention showing the head and neck portion of the display in a downward position; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the invention showing the head and neck portion of the display in an upward position; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the invention showing a detailed illustration of the motor and counterweight when the head and neck portion of the display is in a downward position, as shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the invention showing a detailed illustration of the motor and counterweight when the head and neck portion of the display is in an upward position, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown animated wire framework and light supporting display  20  in the shape of a deer, including the head and neck portions  28  of a deer. Assembly  20  includes first and second wire frame assemblies  22 ,  24  defining lower and upper body portions of the deer, respectively. Second frame assembly  24  is hingedly connected to first frame assembly  22  by hinges  26 ,  26 ′. Third wire frame assembly  28 , which defines the head and neck portions of the deer, is hingedly connected to first frame assembly  22  by hinges  30 ,  30 ′ for movement of assembly  28  in a substantially up and down oscillatory manner. 
     Fourth wire frame assemblies or leg portions  32 ,  32 ′,  33 ,  33 ′ are connected to first wire frame assembly  22 , as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,927. 
     In accordance with this invention, animation of wire framework display  20  is provided by mounting a conventional electrically powered motor  100  to first wire frame assembly  22 , which is a lower body portion of a deer. Preferably, motor  100  is suspended beneath wire frame assembly  22  and is connected to assembly  22  by welding or other conventional means. A wire cage  102  preferably at least partially protectively surrounds motor  100 , and cage  102  is conventionally attached to frame assembly  22 , such as by welding or other similar conventional means. 
     Motor  100  includes a first arm  104  which extends from the motor and which rotates in response to activation of the motor by electricity. Motor  100  is connected to a conventional electrical source of power (not shown) by a conventional electrical cord  106 . 
     A second, L-shaped arm  108  is rotatably attached at a first end  110  thereof to motor arm  104  by a pin  112 . 
     Second end  114  of L-shaped arm  108  is rotatably positioned through first cylindrical receptacle  116 , which is conventionally attached to a counterweight  118 , such as by welding. 
     Counterweight  118  is located between wire frame assembly  22  and wire frame assembly  24  and a third arm member  120  is connected to counterweight  118 , such as by welding. 
     Arm member  120  projects forwardly from counterweight  118  and forward, distal end  122  of arm member  120  is positioned within second cylindrical receptacle  124 , which is conventionally attached, such as by welding, to a rearward and upper portion  125  of head and neck assembly portion  28 . 
     Distal end  122  of arm member  120  defines an opening  126  therein, and a pin  128  is removably positioned through opening  126  to hold arm member  120  and distal end  122  of arm member  120  within cylindrical receptacle  124 . 
     Similarly, second end  114  of arm  108  defines an opening  130  therein, and a pin  132  is removably positioned through opening  130  to hold end  114  of arm  108  within cylindrical receptacle  116 . 
     Wire element  134  at the lower rear of neck portion  28  is angled forwardly to permit wire frame assembly  28 , including the head and neck portions of the deer, to move up and down in an oscillating manner when motor  100  is activated. 
     In operation and use, electrical cord  106  is connected to a conventional electrical outlet (not shown) to energize motor  100 . Energization of motor  100  causes motor arm  104  to rotate in a continuously circular manner. This, in turn, causes second, L-shaped arm  108  to move in a manner to change the rotating motion of motor arm  104  to an up and down oscillating motion imparted to counterweight  118 . The up and down oscillating motion of counterweight  118 , in turn, causes third wire frame assembly  28 , including the head and neck portions of the deer, to move in a responsive oscillatory manner so that the head and neck portions of the deer move in an up and down manner. The head and neck portions of framework  20 , as defined by third wire frame assembly  28 , are rotated about hinges  30 ,  30 ′ as the head and neck portions are oscillated in an up and down direction. 
     When it is desired to collapse or fold display  20  from its erected configuration, second wire frame assembly  24 , which is the upper body portion of the deer, is opened by rotating frame assembly  24  upwardly and backwardly about hinges  26 ,  26 ′. This allows access to the interior of display  20 , and pins  128 ,  132  are removed. Forward end  122  of arm member  120  can then be removed from cylindrical receptacle  124 , and second end  114  of arm  108  can be removed from cylindrical receptacle  116 . Counterweight  118  can then be removed. 
     Display  20  can then be collapsed or folded from its erected configuration into the compact folded configuration shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,927 for storage or transport, and counterweight  118  can be packed or stored with the collapsed and folded display  20 . 
     Arm member  120  is preferably generally Z-shaped in configuration, however, other shapes for arm member  120  could be used. 
     Electrical cord  106  is also preferably electrically connected in a conventional manner to conventional string lights, such as Christmas lights, (not shown) which can be quickly and easily removably attached to framework or display  20  in a conventional manner. 
     The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.