Abstract:
An ornamental lighting device in which the housing decorative design may be varied by the user. The light device has an inner housing and an outer housing with an open space between them. The inner housing surrounds the light bulb and the outer housing surrounds the inner housing. The open space is completely or partially filled with light-altering objects such as, for example, multi-colored marbles. Light from the bulb passes through the marbles so as to create a multi-colored effect.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices, and more particularly to lighting devices that provide ornamentation as well as illumination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lighting devices, such as lamps, chandeliers, and the like, primarily provide illumination to an area. To enhance their commercial and decorative value, the structure of the lighting device and he shade are often made to be as attractive as possible. When the lighting device is a lamp, its base may be a sculpture, or its shade may have a graceful shape. When the lighting device is a chandelier, it may be hung by a decorative chain, and the light bulbs may be extended on radial arms. 
     In addition, certain lighting devices have shades that are made of colored glass in patterns, typically known “Tiffany” shades. The light emanating from a lighting device with a Tiffany shade is diffused and multi-colored, creating a warm and attractive glow. 
     Another type of shade for creating an interesting effect with light is that made with pierced, or cut, opaque panels. A fairly common cut pattern is that of a star. When the light from the light source, or bulb, passes through a cut star pattern in an opaque shade, the star shape is projected to a room surface to create an artistic and interesting effect. A similar effect is created by painting an opaque shape onto a shade, allowing a light outline of the shape to be projected outward from the lighting device. 
     The present invention recognizes that while the concepts of Tiffany style shades and pierced shades are generally considered warm and attractive in appearance, an owner of such a lighting device might, in time, desire a different appearance or lighting effect. However, there is no easy way the owner can alter the existing shade to achieve a different but warm and attractive appearance. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device capable of assuming different configurations and creating a warm and attractive light in any of such configurations. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a lighting device in which the created effect may be easily changed by its user. 
     Another object is to provide a lighting device which simulates a bubble gum dispenser but gives off an easily changed warm and attractive multi-colored light. 
     These and other objects will be more clearly understood through the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a lighting device capable of creating a variable ornamental lighting effect. The lighting device, in the illustrated embodiment, utilizes the structure of a modified inoperative bubble gum dispenser. The device includes an inner housing surrounding a typically electrical energized light source and an outer housing surrounding and spaced outwardly from the inner housing so that a space forms between the inner and outer housings. Both inner and outer housings are able to transmit light. The space, in a first preferred embodiment, is filled with a quantity of colored and/or shaped light-altering objects, for example multi-colored glass marbles of different diameters. When the light source is illuminated, rays of light project outward through the marbles and the two housings to create a warm and artistic effect. Other items, such as shaped opaque objects, may fill the space between the housings to create different lighting effects. The device incorporates a removable cover which makes it easy to change or rearrange the marbles or other objects impinged upon by the light from the light source. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the lighting device of the invention based on use of a modified, inoperative bubble gum machine. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 1, taken in the direction of line  2 — 2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective conceptual view of the housing portion of a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective conceptual view of the housing portion of a third embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective conceptual view of the housing portion of a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective conceptual view of the housing portion of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective conceptual view of the housing portion of a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is first described with reference to FIG.  1 . Lighting device, or lamp  10  in the embodiment used for illustration is generally in the form of a simulated, inoperative candy vending machine, commonly known as a bubble gum dispensing machine. Lamp  10  comprises base  12  and an upper portion including outer housing  14 . Coupling  14   a  is fixedly attached to the bottom of outer housing  14  and adapted to engage and be supported by the top edge of base  12 . As is standard for bubble gum machines, outer housing  14  is transparent, or optionally translucent, and is formed of glass, plastic or the like. Base  12  includes simulated base operator  18 , in this embodiment being a simulated twist knob  13  and dispenser chute  15 . As the lighting device  10  is a simulated, not actual, candy vending machine, twist knob  13  and dispenser chute  15  are inoperative. Base  12  is preferably opaque. Outer housing  14  is generally a hollow cylinder, in this case being substantially square in cross section. The top of outer housing  14  has an opening at its upper end (not shown) that is closed by removable cover  16 . Cover  16 , in the preferred embodiment, is opaque. An optional loop  17  (shown in FIG. 2 in dashed lines) or other means of attachment may be added to cover  16  and cover  16  attached to the top of outer housing  14  by a screw, snap fit or other fitting to enable light  10  to be suspended from a ceiling or beam. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, lighting device  10  is shown in a cross section taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . Outer housing  14 , coupling  14   a , base  12 , and cover  16  are situated as described with respect to FIG.  1 . The outer edge of coupling  14   a  rests upon the outer top edge of base  12 . A light source, for example electric light bulb  26 , is mounted in a bulb holder  28  that is mounted in base  12  with bulb  26  situated thereabove. In the alternative, light source  26  may be non-electric, for example, a candle or a chemical light device. Inner housing  24  is coaxially positioned within outer housing  14  and surrounds bulb  26 . It will be understood that the shape of inner housing  24  may differ from the shape of outer housing  14 . The bottom edge of inner housing  24  is sized to be supported on an annular rim  14   r . Inner housing  24  and outer housing  14  at their respective lower ends connect to and rest on coupling  14   a  and by being spaced apart provide a storage chamber for receiving and holding the marbles  20 . 
     The upper portion of inner housing  24  is partially closed by vent  32  which is perforated with an array of openings to allow the air heated by bulb  26  to escape. A gap exists for the escape of heated air at the intersection of outer housing  14  and cover  16 . The space between inner housing  24 , vent  28  and outer housing  14 , in the illustrated embodiment, is filled or partly filled with a plurality of glass marbles  20  of different color and diameter or other light-altering objects. Inner housing  24  and outer housing  14  are preferably made of substantially rigid, light-transmitting material. When bulb  26  is lit, its illumination travels outward through inner housing  24  and vent  32 , through the marbles  20  or other light-altering objects, through outer housing  14 , and into the surrounding room, causing a unique and artistic effect. Perforated vent  32  may be formed of an opaque material which, in an alternate embodiment that has a light-transmitting cover, will add a silhouette dimension to the light-altered effect of the invention. 
     The light-altering objects  20 , in the illustrated embodiment being colored marbles, are visible through outer housing  14 . When the light source, being a bulb (shown in dashed lines) that is obscured from direct view by the light-altering objects  20 , is illuminated, light will radiate outward through the marbles and cause colored lighting to be transmitted into the room in which situated. When the light source is not illuminated, the apparatus appears like a bubble gum vending machine filled with marbles. In either case, the invention provides substantial decorative effect to a room. The preferred embodiment light-altering objects, marbles, are considered to be interesting and attractive by virtue of having differing diameters and differing colors. In order to achieve a different effect, the user may remove the cover  16  and change the marbles being used for other marbles or for other objects, or change the light source, at will. 
     As will be understood, the lighting device of the invention may, in other embodiments be in the form of a simulated fish bowl, diver&#39;s helmet, computer, or the like, rather than a bubble gum vending machine. Variant conceptual geometric shapes of the housings are illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 and are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. 
     While FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of marbles occupying the space between outer housing  14  and inner housing  24 , other light-altering objects may be used as previously maintained. Some examples of other type of light-altering objects are opaque or translucent stars, triangles, etc., hollow rings and translucent sea shells. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention described above in terms of a preferred embodiment is susceptible to numerous variations of shape and size. Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, a number of alternate embodiments of the housing portion of the present invention are conceptually illustrated. In each such alternate embodiment, an inner housing A and an outer housing B are assembled to provide a space therebetween. The space is adapted to be filled by the user with one or more light-altering objects, such as marbles or the like. In FIGS. 3-6, the inner housing A and outer housing B are suitably connected at their lower ends to form a storage space in which to retain the marbles or other light-altering objects. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, the depicted embodiment of the invention is adapted for hanging from a ceiling supporting surface by a suspension member, or chain  34 . In FIG. 7, the inner housing is shown supported on and within outer housing B. In this example, the marbles  20  or other light-altering objects are stored in the space surrounding and below inner housing A. Those skilled in the art will also understand that others of the illustrated alternate embodiments are also capable, with the addition of a suspension member, of being suspended. 
     The description above of specific embodiments of the invention is considered to be an example thereof and not a limitation of the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.