Abstract:
A decorative ornament capable of being completely illuminated about its surface including a hollow shell comprising a water-proof battery capsule is described. When the ornament is on display, the battery capsule is stored in a hollow shell of the ornament, in a manner such that only the removable lid of the battery capsule is visibly exposed. A battery pack, comprising one or more batteries, provides the power to illuminate the ornament and is enclosed within the battery capsule. The ornament surface is made using a water-resistant material. The battery capsule is made of a similar water-proof material and is sealed so as to prevent the battery pack from malfunctioning during various weather conditions. The battery pack&#39;s configuration enables the ornament to comprise a plurality of lighting modes, including full-on, blinking-on, and timer. The ornament can be displayed indoors or outdoors, and may be used year after year.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ornament capable of being completely illuminated about its surface, comprising an enclosed water-proof battery capsule within the ornament&#39;s hollow shell enclosing a battery pack, that is capable of being displayed outside for long periods of time in various adverse weather conditions, wherein the ornament has a plurality of lighting modes which can include full-on, blinking-on, and timer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Illuminated decorations have long been used to celebrate the holiday season. In particular, the presence and display of light strings, ornaments, and other illuminated decorations is an indicator that the holiday season has arrived, and creates a feeling of nostalgia. Christmas is most well known for being the time when lighted decorations are used, although lights are also traditionally used during other holidays such as Halloween and New Years. Lights and illuminated ornaments are used by themselves but are also presented together with other non-illuminated decorative elements. 
     Holidays are not the only time people use lighted strings and ornaments for decorative effect. For example, light strings are often placed on or near trees, buildings, lampposts, sidewalks of major thoroughfares, store windows, and other general places of assembly such as ice skating rinks Thus, lights and illuminated ornaments are used for decoration purposes all year round, both indoors and outdoors. 
     There are various kinds of illuminated decorations. The lights can be assembled on a string with each light a fixed distance apart from the next light. Alternatively, the decoration can be a lighted ornament. An ornament can itself be any number of things, including spheres or cubes, animals or animal-like characters (e.g., Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, snowmen, etc.) or any number of objects (e.g., sleds, trees, candy canes, etc.). 
     Traditionally, the lights and lighted decorations can have different lighting modes. For instance, instead of the lights being continuously illuminated, they can also be blinking on and off at set time increments. Additionally, the lights can be configured using a timer, such that they are on continuously or blinking but then set to turn off after a fixed number of minutes or hours. This way the lights can be used as decoration during the evening, but then are set to turn off after several hours to conserve energy. 
     Several configurations of ornament displays are possible. The ornaments themselves can be illuminated by being comprised of several lights or by just one light. Ornaments can have different sizes. If spherical, the ornaments can range from about the size of a golf ball (1.7 inches in diameter) to as large as a cage ball (72 inches in diameter) and everywhere in between (baseball, volleyball, basketball) although they can be larger or smaller and can be any shape. The corresponding triangular or rectangular ornaments can be of that approximate size as well. 
     The source of power for these lights, if not plugged into an electrical outlet, is typically a battery or battery pack comprising one or more batteries. Ornaments with exterior battery packs are known, but they have a form factor that can be difficult to handle, and are not aesthetically pleasing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,312 describes an ornament containing a hollow shell such that lights are placed inside of the ornament in order to illuminate the ornament. The ornament is powered using conventional AC power from a wall outlet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,620 describes an improvement of a water-draining passage structure of a lamp set for an ornament. While &#39;620 describes a water-draining passage structure, it does not describe a water proof ornament containing a water-proof battery capsule comprising a battery pack whose configuration enables a plurality of lighting modes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,414 describes an underwater flashlight comprising a water-proof battery pack which can be removably changed underwater. While &#39;414 describes a flashlight containing a water-proof battery pack, it does not describe an illuminated decorative ornament comprising a water-proof battery capsule comprising a battery pack which enables various lighting configurations including full-on, blinking-on, and timer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a unique illuminated ornament that houses a water-proof battery capsule containing a battery pack which enables a plurality of lighting modes. The battery pack consists of one or more batteries. The ornament is adorned with a plurality of light bulbs which may be secured to the shell through light bulb apertures on an exterior surface. The light bulbs can be any number of colors. The ornament can be further adorned with a plurality of translucent member decorations corresponding to each light bulb. The translucent member decorations may be secured to the exterior surface of the shell to permit light generated by the light bulbs to shine with an embellished appearance from the ornament. The ornament can be displayed indoors or outdoors using the battery pack as a source of power, the battery pack being housed within a water-proof battery capsule. The water-proof battery capsule protects the battery pack from rain, snow and extreme temperatures. Further, the battery pack&#39;s associated circuitry enables a multitude of lighting modes, including but not limited to full-on, blinking-on, and timer. Full-on mode illuminates the ornament continuously, blinking-on illuminates the ornament on and off after set time increments, and timer illuminates the ornament either full-on or blinking-on for a set number of minutes or hours, after which the ornament ceases being illuminated. Preferably, the present invention concerns an ornament that contains a water-proof battery capsule comprising a battery pack enabling a plurality of lighting modes, and is to be used together with similarly structured ornaments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an example spherical ornament in a closed arrangement containing an enclosed water-proof battery capsule. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the example spherical ornament in a partially open arrangement shown with the water-proof battery capsule inside. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the example spherical ornament in a partially open arrangement shown with the water-proof battery capsule inside. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the example spherical ornament in a fully open arrangement shown with its contents. 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up side view of the spherical ornament in an open arrangement. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an example water-proof battery capsule. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the example water-proof battery capsule. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the water-proof battery capsule in an open arrangement. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the example spherical ornament in a partially open arrangement showing all of its components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to an ornament which employs a hollow shell to house a water-proof battery capsule containing a battery pack used as a power source to illuminate the light bulbs and to enable a plurality of lighting modes including full-on, blinking-on and timer. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1 , one preferred spherical ornament  100  consistent with the present invention is embellished with a plurality of decorated light bulbs  170 . The light bulbs are typically either incandescent or light emitting diodes. In this embodiment, the spherical ornament  100  is comprised of one hundred two such light bulbs  170 , and the light bulbs  170  are each themselves decorated with a translucent member decoration  150 . The translucent member decorations  150  serve as aesthetic enhancement but also enhance the illuminative effect of the light bulbs  170 . The spherical ornament  100  is shown in a closed arrangement with the water-proof battery capsule  110  enclosed inside, although the removable battery capsule lid  130  is optionally visible. The water-proof battery capsule  110  can be designed to complement the shape of the ornament, although this is not required. For example, if the battery pack comprises cylindrical batteries, and the ornament is cube-shaped, then the battery capsule tube  135  may be cylindrical while the capsule lid  130  rectangular so as to complement visually and structurally the cube-shaped ornament. In the present example, the battery capsule  110  is cylindrically shaped with a circular battery capsule lid  130  such that the top of the lid  130  visually and structurally complements the shape of the example spherical ornament  100 . The type (e.g., size) of battery pack used will depend on the size of the ornament. As such, the battery pack&#39;s life can vary anywhere between two weeks to six months. The battery capsule  110  can accommodate a battery pack comprising one or more batteries. 
     In this example, the water-proof battery capsule  110  is made out of the same water proof plastic material as the ornament surface  160 , and lid  130  makes a water-impregnible seal when engaged (e.g., as a screw top). However, this material is not limited to plastic material, and may be any water proof material allowing the spherical ornament  100  to be displayed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Other examples of such water-resistant material include rubber and resin impregnated fiber. The ornament surface  160  is thick enough (greater than 0.1 mm) so that the ornament is both water-proof and durable. The ornament surface  160  may be in festive colors such as red and green for Christmas or orange and black for Halloween. The spherical ornament  100  also comprises a fastening wire  180 , which serves to fasten the ornament in a closed arrangement. The fastening wire  180  can also be used to hang the ornament from a suspended structure and/or to attach the ornament to other like ornaments. Lid  130  may alternatively use a quick-release construction, such as a spring-engaged button, for greater ease of consumer access and battery replacement. Pushing the button may pop out the battery compartment, which may then be popped back in against the spring tension, resetting the button. 
       FIG. 2  shows the example spherical ornament  100  in a partially open arrangement. The example spherical ornament  100  contains several ornament connectors  190  that permit the example spherical ornament  100  to be fastened together. The ornament is typically comprised of two halves. Thus, the example spherical ornament  100  contains an ornament half indicator  165  that protrudes slightly (approximately 0.5 mm) from the ornament surface  160 . When in a closed arrangement, the two halves of the ornament are fastened via the ornament connectors  190  using either an ornament tie  177  or a fastening wire  180 , either of which will run through the ornament connector apertures  195 , which are shown in more detail in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 2  further shows electrical wire  179  which connects to and serves to illuminate the plurality of light bulbs  170 . An optional gasket may be used at the seam between the halves. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the example spherical ornament  100 . The battery capsule  110  is housed in the hollow shell  101  of the ornament  100 . The light bulbs  170  are placed in the light bulb apertures  185  while the ornament is being displayed. Several such light bulb apertures  185  are located on the ornament surface  160  typically at equally spaced distances apart from each other. In the example spherical ornament  100  shown in  FIG. 3 , there are one hundred two such apertures  185 , one for each light bulb  170 . A light bulb  170  protrudes through each such light bulb aperture  185 . In the example spherical ornament  100 , they are separated, approximately, by 1 inch. The light bulbs  170 , when lit, illuminate the entire ornament. Further in this example, a translucent member decoration  150  is placed around every light bulb  170  at every light bulb aperture  185 .  FIG. 3  further shows a capsule accommodation  120  of approximately the same radius as the water-proof battery capsule  110 , allowing the capsule  110  to fit inside the ornament while the battery capsule lid  130  is exposed while still complementing visually and structurally the ornament surface  160 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a fastening wire  180  tied through the ornament connector apertures  195 . The fastening wire  180  is long enough to pass through the ornament connector apertures  195  and still has enough length to suspend the ornament from a ceiling or connect to other ornaments. A button activator  136  exists on the capsule lid  130  for a user to toggle between different lighting modes. 
       FIG. 4  shows the ornament in an open arrangement. A circuit board  200  is used in the conventional manner to route electrical current from the battery to the plurality of light bulbs  170  via the electrical wire  179 . The circuit board is approximately 4 inches lengthwise by 2 inches, or small enough to fit into the hollow shell  101  of the ornament  100 . The entirety of the electrical wire  179  is housed in the hollow shell  101  of the water-proof spherical ornament  100 . When the example spherical ornament  100  is in an open arrangement, the water-proof battery capsule tube  135  is visible. The battery capsule&#39;s  110  size will vary proportionately to the size of the ornament. In this example, the capsule  110  is about 7 inches long with a ¾ inch radius. The battery capsule lock clasps  115  join the halves of the battery capsule  110  together.  FIG. 4  also shows the light bulb interior casing  171  and light bulb exterior casing  172 . Typically four of the electrical wires will route through the underside of the interior casing  171  through the interior casing apertures  175  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), two through each interior casing aperture  175 . 
     The ornament connectors  190  can bee seen in more detail in  FIG. 5 . In addition to having an ornament connector aperture  195 , some of them can have ornament connector pegs  197  and corresponding peg apertures  198 . The pegs  197  are inserted into the peg apertures  198  when the ornament is closed. In this way, the pegs  197  and corresponding peg apertures  198  fasten the halves of the ornament together and ensure that the two halves are perfectly aligned when the ornament is in a closed arrangement. The ornament connectors  190  themselves can vary in size as some can be slightly smaller than the others, the smaller ornament connectors  190  typically being the ones that contain the pegs  197  and peg apertures  198 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the electrical wire  179  being routed into the light bulb interior casing  171  via the interior casing apertures  175  through the light bulb exterior casing  172  and ultimately to the light bulbs  170 . An interior casing ring  173  separates the interior  171  and exterior  172  casing. Importantly, the ring  173  serves to secure both interior  171  and exterior  172  casings against the bottom of the ornament surface  160 . Other manners of retaining the light bulbs in the shell may include rubber gaskets, clips, or any other mechanisms which would allow the light bulbs to be secured on the ornament surface. The exterior casing furrows  174  secure the translucent member decorations  150  to the light bulbs  170 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show the water-proof battery capsule  110  by itself. In this example, it is cylindrically shaped because the ornament is spherical, although the capsule  110  can be any number of shapes. Its shape will conform to the shape of the ornament within which it is housed. Generally, the same water resistant material used for the ornament surface  160  is used for the battery capsule  110 , although this need not be the case as they each merely need to be made of a suitable water resistant material. Screws are typically used in the battery capsule lock clasps  115  to join the two halves of the capsule together. The capsule tube half indicator  137  protrudes slightly from the capsule surface. The electrical wire  179  accesses the battery pack features within the capsule  110  through the capsule wire apertures  140 . Each capsule generally has two such capsule wire apertures  140 , one for each battery pack charge. 
       FIG. 8  shows the capsule  110  with its lid  130  open. In one embodiment, the lid  130  is secured onto the capsule tube  135  by twisting the lid  130  in a clockwise direction such that the lid lock  132  fits into the lid lock aperture  131 . The electrical wire  179  is routed from the circuit board  200  through the capsule wire aperture  140  and finally to the positive battery pack terminal  133 . The positive battery pack terminal  133  receives from the battery pack a positive charge and sends this charge to the circuit board  200  and then to the plurality of light bulbs  170 . Likewise, a negative battery charge is received from the battery pack via the negative battery pack terminal  134  and then sent via the electrical wire  179  to the light bulbs  170 .  FIG. 9  shows all of the components of the invention together. The mode functionality is provided by a suitable electronic circuit inside the unit. 
     Although the description here highlights a spherical embodiment of the invention, generally the present invention can employ any number of decorative ornament shapes and sizes. In each instance, a water-proof battery capsule, comprising a battery pack enabling multitude of lighting mode configurations, is enclosed within the hollow shell of the ornament where the size of the capsule is such that it fits within the ornament and such that its lid (or whichever portion is exterior to the ornament) visually complements and conforms to the ornament&#39;s shape. 
     While the above specification and example provide a description of the invention, many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiment is provided as illustrative only, and does not limit or define the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments are also within the scope of the claims.