Abstract:
The invention described herein permits decorative or other lighting of a transparent and translucent surface, and an opaque decorative service by placing a light source within a frame and contacting the light source with the transparent or translucent surface. The light source may also be located within the frame between the transparent or translucent surface and the opaque decorative surface. The transparent, translucent surface and the opaque decorative surface may be eroded in one or more places to provide contrasting images on the transparent surface, the translucent surface and the opaque decorative surface. The transparent, translucent surface and the opaque decorative surface may also be at least partially painted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to decorative or other lighting of transparent or translucent surfaces by placing a light source within a frame.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Art Practices  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,346 Sekiguchi et al., issued Dec. 7, 1997 describes an efficient economical process is provided to produce an impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are striped or manipulated, eliminating rows of pixels and replacing them with pixels from other images, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed images can be printed on a viewable surface of the display. A lenticular lens, fresnel lenticular lens plate, lens with a textured surface, plate lens, ultraviolet cured resinous lens, lens with an undercut, cluster of anamorphic lenses, transparent rods, or grid, can be placed in front of the images to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation, morphing or movement as the angle of sight changes. The images can also be printed directly on the back surface of the lens to provide self-contained lenticular graphics. The special display can be used to provide: an attractive calendar, post card, decoding card, business card, bookmark, computer disc case, compact disc case, laser disc case, video cassette case, audio cassette case, display box, bag, insulating cup, lid, book, mural, picture frame, game piece, jewelry, button, shoe ornament, multi-faced hanging display, premium, award display, self-standing plaque, shelf header slide-in display, bumper sticker, pen, credit card, swinging display, wag, place mat, traffic sign, compact disc, laser disc, recordable disc, monitor, television screen, computer screen, flat screen panel display, and display with multiple rotating panels, as well as other products.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,686 Parker et al., issued Apr. 29, 1999 contains a disclosure of light distribution systems include a light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to the light emitting portion and a power source for the light source. A sealed holder or pocket may be provided for the light emitting portion. The light emitting portion may be located on an upper portion of a shoe and include a raised or relieved area from which light is emitted. The light distribution systems may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the light emitting portion. An information display system may also be provided, including a liquid crystal display located on an upper portion of a shoe, and a motion sensor for controlling operation of the display.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,020 Kurokawa et al., issued Jul. 13, 1999 contains a description of a lighting apparatus  1  has a convex lens  11  arranged so that its optical axis is at an angle theta with respect to the normal of an observation portion  3   a  (e.g., a semiconductor substrate or the like), with a camera  5  arranged in the path of the reflected light rays. When a light-emitting portion  13  is arranged along the optical axis of the lens  11 , a bright field illumination takes place. If a knob  29  is turned, the light-emitting portion  13  moves along a ball screw  25 , thereby changing the illumination from a bright field illumination to a dark field illumination. When a knob  37  is turned, the light exiting the lens  11  will diverge if the light-emitting portion  13  is moved close to the lens  11 , converge if the light-emitting portion  13  is moved far away from the lens  11 , and be parallel if the light-emitting portion  13  is positioned at the focal point of the lens  11 . By changing the position of the light-emitting portion  13  in this way, it is possible to change the illuminating angle and the illuminating angle distribution, and by adjusting the position of the light-emitting portion  13  in accordance with the optical characteristics of the object  3 , it is possible to obtain a high contrast image. It is also possible for these adjustments to be carried out automatically by using an actuator, microcomputer or the like.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,089 issued Feb. 29, 2000 to Parker et al., discloses a light distribution system includes an area light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to an input edge of the light emitting portion for conduction within the light emitting portion and emission therefrom, and a power source for the light source. A holder may be provided for the light emitting portion. The holder may be made of a flexible material to permit the holder to conform to a contoured surface such as the arm or other body part of a person. Also, a flexible band or belt may be provided for personal wear. The light distribution system may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the area light emitting portion. An information display system controlled by an interactive switch may also be provided for displaying selected information.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,343 issued to Recknagel et al., Feb. 29, 2000 Recites lighting system includes at least one light string having a plurality of independently controllable light modules, each emitting light in response to an activation signal uniquely associated with the light module. The lighting system preferably includes a controller coupled to the light strings for generating and transmitting activation signals to the light modules to independently control the lights of the light modules. Each of the light modules may include a multi-color lighting device for emitting light of different colors such that the controller may select colors of the light emitted from each one of the light modules. The lighting system may also include a plurality of address modules each associated with and coupled to one of the light strings and coupled to the controller so that the controller may transmit activation signals to the light modules of a specific light string by transmitting an address to which the associated address module will respond by enabling the light modules of the associated light string to respond to the activation signals transmitted with the address signal from the controller.  
           [0009]    Light ropes useful in the present invention are available from sales@ns1-1tg.com telephone 800-527-2923 or 303-926-1100, facsimile 800-527-4358 303-926-0011 and through http://www.ns1-1tg.com/lightrope/lrope.html.  
           [0010]    To the extent that the foregoing patents and citations are relevant to the present invention they are herein incorporated by reference.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention also describes lighting system comprising:  
           [0012]    a frame member;  
           [0013]    said frame member having a void portion,  
           [0014]    an electrical light source emitter for emitting an electrical light,  
           [0015]    said void for at least partially receiving said electrical light source emitter,  
           [0016]    a transparent or translucent glass member;  
           [0017]    said transparent or translucent glass member disposed such that said electrical light source emitter, when emitting light, substantially contacts said transparent or translucent glass member;  
           [0018]    an opaque glass member located within said void portion;  
           [0019]    provided further that said opaque glass member does not substantially interfere with the transmission of electrical light from said electrical light source emitter through said transparent or translucent glass member.  
           [0020]    A further aspect of the lighting system of the present invention comprises:  
           [0021]    a frame member;  
           [0022]    said frame member having a void portion;  
           [0023]    an electrical light source emitter for emitting an electrical light;  
           [0024]    said void for at least partially receiving said electrical light source emitter;  
           [0025]    at least one transparent or translucent glass member,  
           [0026]    an opaque glass member located within said void portion;  
           [0027]    said electrical light source emitter, when emitting light, disposed between said transparent or translucent glass member, and said opaque glass member;  
           [0028]    provided further that said opaque glass member does not substantially interfere with the transmission of electrical light from said electrical light source emitter through said transparent or translucent glass member.  
           [0029]    The present invention also describes a method of lighting comprising:  
           [0030]    emitting an electrical light generated by an electrical light source emitter from within a frame member;  
           [0031]    said frame member having a void portion;  
           [0032]    said frame member further comprising at least one decorative transparent or translucent glass member, and at least one decorative opaque glass member;  
           [0033]    wherein the emitted electrical light passes through at least one of send decorative transparent or translucent glass member and reflects from said decorative opaque glass surface.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective of a finished product embodiment according to the invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 is the reverse view of a finished product embodiment according to the invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment according to the invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 3;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention taken along lines  3 - 3 ;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 is a view of plurality of window pains with eroded glass and lighting; and,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 as taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 3. 
     
    
       [0042]    With more particular reference to the drawings the following is set forth.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 shows a series of framed eroded glasses  10 . Each of the framed eroded glasses  10  are supplied with a light source from a rope light  12  which receives power from a power source  14 .  
         [0044]    The framed eroded glasses  10  are furthered denominated separately as eroded glass  20 , eroded glass  30 , and eroded glass  40 . The framed eroded glass  20  is retained in a framing unit  22 , the framed eroded glass  30  is retained in a framing unit  32  and the framed eroded glass  40  is retained in a framing unit  42 .  
         [0045]    As best seen in FIG. 2 is the reverse view of the framing unit  22 . The framing unit  22  has two outer side walls  52 . The framing unit  22  has outer top wall  56  and an outer bottom wall  58 .  
         [0046]    The framing unit  22  has an inner top wall  66  and an inner bottom wall  68 . The framing unit  22  has two inner side walls  72 . A surface  76  extends from the two outer side walls  52  and the outer top wall  56  and the outer bottom wall  58  toward the two inner side walls  72  and the inner top wall  66  and the inner bottom wall  68 .  
         [0047]    A back plate  90  is secured to the framing unit  22 . The back plate  90  may partially protect the various glass components of the present invention. The back plate  90  is conveniently any opaque material. If desired, the opaque material forming the back plate  90  may be a reflective material such as a mirror or metal coated film. The advantage of employing a reflective material is that the light transmitted through the glass is enhanced.  
         [0048]    The height dimension of the back plate  90  is less than the corresponding height dimension of the two outer side walls  52 . The width dimension of the back plate  90  is less than the corresponding width dimension of the outer top wall  56  and the outer bottom wall  58 .  
         [0049]    The height dimension of the back plate  90  is greater than the two inner side walls  72 . The width dimension of the back plate  90  is greater than the inner top wall  66  and an inner bottom wall  68 .  
         [0050]    A channel  94  is cut into the inner top wall  66 . The channel  94  extends to but not through outer top wall  56 . The channel  94  is also present in the inner bottom wall  68 . The channel  94  extends to but not through the outer bottom wall  58 . The channel  94  extends to each inner side walls  72  to but not through the two outer side walls  52 .  
         [0051]    The formation of the channel  94  adds another step to the operation to form the finished product but permits a tight fit of the various components into the channel  94 .  
         [0052]    A series of tabs  102  extend along the surface  76 . A pair of hangers  106  extends from the outer top wall  56  of the framing unit  22 .  
         [0053]    As best seen in FIG. 3, is a portion of the obverse the framing unit  22  shown in FIG. 2. A piece of engraved glass  120  is fixedly connected into the channel  94 . The engraved glass  120  may be of any aesthetically pleasing design.  
         [0054]    A string of rope lights  12  shown in the channel  94 . The rope lights  12  are available from sales@ns1-1tg.com. The rope lights  12  may be connected in parallel or series but to avoid the ‘Christmas tree problem’ parallel lighting is preferred.  
         [0055]    As best seen in FIG. 4 is a cross section a portion of the framing unit  22 . The frame shown in FIG. 4 is that of a picture frame. A wall relief extension  128  is fixedly connected to the outer side walls  52 . Additional wall relief extensions  128  may be added outer top wall  56  and the outer bottom wall  58  and at other portions of the outer side walls  52 . The wall relief extension  128  permits the dissipation of heat when the rope light  12  is in use in the framed eroded glasses  10 .  
         [0056]    A frame face  134  may be utilized to retain the engraved glass  120  in the framed eroded glasses  10 . While the term eroded glass is utilized throughout the specification and claims it is to be understood that the glass may be cut, drilled, engraved, etched or the like. Typically, the glass will be purchased as a planar workpiece. The planar workpiece will then be engraved to remove a portion of the outer surface of the glass to give an aesthetically pleasing design. The non-planar surfaces generated by the engraving will reflect and refract light differently than the planar workpiece. It is preferred that that glass be clear although translucent glass may be utilized in whole or part. Colored glasses may be employed herein in whole or part as well. While the term glass is utilized herein it is understood that materials such a plexiglass or other plastics may be utilized as long as such materials are transparent or translucent.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention based on FIG. 3. The alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5 demonstrates the usefulness of the present invention in a wall mounted window  140 . The two outer side walls  52  extend into a wall  142  of a home to retain the piece of engraved glass  120  in place.  
         [0058]    A breathable covering piece  144  is made a part of the framed eroded glasses  10 . The breathable covering piece  144  serves the same purpose as the wall relief extension  128  to permit dissipation of heat when the rope light  12  is in use in the framed eroded glasses  10 . A layer of protective glass  150  is utilized minimize any risk posed by the use of eroded glass in the window.  
         [0059]    The lighting system according to the present invention utilizes the piece of engraved glass  120  to at least partially retain the light rope  12  in the channel  94 . The direct contact of the engraved glass  120  to the light rope  12  in the channel  94  is desired as the light from the light rope  12  is more effectively transmitted through engraved glass  120 .  
         [0060]    In use, and referring to FIG. 4, the light source is activated. As the light source is directly against the eroded glass the light is transmitted through the eroded glass. As the eroding process creates a plurality of surfaces within the glass the light is redirected as it passes through the glass. The eroded portion of the glass surface  120  then reflects and refracts the incident light bringing out the image eroded into the glass.  
         [0061]    As best seen in FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of a plurality of pieces of eroded glass  160  mounted in a window  162 . The light ropes  12  extend around the window frame such that the inner most piece of eroded glass  164  has a common light rope  12  with the outer piece of eroded glass  166  and the outer piece of eroded glass  168 .  
         [0062]    As is best seen in the FIG. 7 is a further embodiment of the present invention. A frame  200  has an outer frame portion  210 . The frame  200  has a backing segment  214 . The outer frame portion  210  provides a covering to an inner frame portion  220 . The frame  200  may be thought of as a box.  
         [0063]    The inner frame portion  220  retains a transparent eroded piece of decorative glass  230 . A rope light  236  is disposed along the inner frame portion  220  in close proximity to the eroded piece of transparent decorative glass  230 . An opaque piece of eroded glass  240  is positioned between the backing segment  214  and the transparent eroded piece of transparent decorative glass  230 . The opaque piece of eroded glass  240  is retained by inner frame portion  220 .  
         [0064]    If desired the eroded piece of transparent decorative glass  230  and the opaque piece of eroded glass  240  may be painted. Any suitable paint which may be permanently adhered to a glass surface may be employed.  
         [0065]    A photosensitive switch (not shown) may be engaged to activate the rope light  236  to generate light. The photosensitive switch will, when activated, permit light from the rope light  236  to reflect from the opaque piece of eroded glass  240 . The light from the rope light  236  ultimately passes through the eroded piece of transparent decorative glass  230 . In this manner, a decorative artwork having three-dimensional properties is obtained.  
         [0066]    The eroded piece of transparent decorative glass  230  is visible in well-lighted conditions, such as daylight, even without the light from the rope light  236 . As the opaque piece of eroded glass  240  is not particularly visible when in a region of substantial light (daylight or a well lighted room), the decorative art may actually appear as two different works of art depending on whether the light from the rope light  236  is activated.