Abstract:
The present invention relates to a mimic shaped Shell Body Light Sculpture. The main constructional feature is to mount decorative lights on and/or in the shell body of the mimic figure in the purpose of enhancing fidelity of the mimic figure decorative effects, so as to prolong the service life of the product and to make the product more convenient for use. The advantages of the present invention include: the mimic figure presenting integral sparkling starlight effects while it&#39;s lighted at night, and still presenting most vivid and life-like images while is not lighted at the daytime; resolving the problems of bulb breaking, falling off, power cords messing up, short circuits and so on, at the same time increasing the reuse rate, the transportation and installation, convenience, while the cost being reduced.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shell body light sculpture, in particular, a shell body light sculpture provided with decorative lights on and/or in it&#39;s shell. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are two kinds of light sculptures available in the present market. The first one is called Light Wire Sculpture or called Decorative Silhouette. It&#39;s made with metal or plastic wire or strip, wound and welded together to make a dummy animal or human being figure, on which a number of decorative lights are attached with ties or clips; the second one is called Blow-Mold Light Sculpture. It&#39;s to employ the blow-molding technique to make an integral dummy shell body in which 1 to 5 halogen bulbs, or illuminating lamps, or C7, C9 type lamps are fixed to illuminate the plastic shell. It can be noted that there are a number of defects existing in the above-mentioned light sculptures. 
     With regard to the first kind of light sculpture in the prior art, on the one hand, as it&#39;s made with metal or plastic wire or strip, the integral body only presents a skeletal frame work, far from achieving the realistic effects of appearance true to life; on the other hand, since the power cords and decorative lights are all exposed, the appearance is in a mess, the integral simulating effect is poor, the decorative effect is poor of course. Further more, the decorative lights on said light wire sculptures in prior art are all exposed, the bulbs are always broken and the lights would fall off during the transportation and installation. This would cause disconnection of power source or short circuit, resulting in totally or partially ceasing of illuminating. 
     With regard to the second kind of light sculpture in the prior art, first, it employs a blow-molded shell body, but it only employs with 1 to 5 common illuminating lamps or holgen bulbs all inside the shell body. This makes only a few portions, not all of the shell body illuminated, so the whole image cannot be seen at night. Second, as the shell body in the prior art is blow-molded as the whole piece, it&#39;s packing volume is comparatively quite large, causing higher cost and greater inconvenience in transportation and storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the present invention is to provide a shell body light sculpture, which can present static and realistic decorative effects by using shell body, fixed with many decorative lights. The lights or lighting rays shines through or out on the shell body to illuminated the whole shell body sculpture of various figures, such as animals, human being figures and articles etc. 
     The further object of the present invention is to provide a shell body light sculpture whose shell body is detachable and/or foldable. The packing volume is effectively reduced by means of using separable joints between various parts of the shell body, so that the transportation cost is greatly reduced and storage is much more convenient. 
     To achieve the above purposes, the present shell body light sculpture comprises a shell body of optional mimic figures and a plurality of series and/or paralleled decorative lights, wherein a plurality of decorative lights can be detachably mounted on the shell body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the shell body is provided with a number of hole portions for mounting the decorative lights; and a number of light buttons fitting the hole portions for fixing the decorative lights. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the light button is provided with a wall portion to be fitted with the hole portion, used for gripping a lamp holder of the decorative light; and a shoulder portion projecting outward from the wall portion, used for lapping the shell body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the light button is provided with a slit extending across the shoulder portion and the wall portion. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the slit is a conical slit widening gradually from the shoulder portion to the wall portion. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the inner side of the wall portion is provided with hole portions mated with the prefabricated protrusions on the lamp holder of the decorative light. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein a base portion is provided on the inner side of the wall portion, used for fixing the lamp holder of the decorative light. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein protrusions are provided on the outer side of the wall portion with a space of constant pitch from the shoulder portion, used for fastening with the shell body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the light buttons are designed to be integrally shaped hole portions and are projecting from the inner side of the shell body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the shell body is provided with depression portions at the hole portion, for accessing the inlay stripes. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the shell body is to be shaped through assemblage of detachable coupling parts. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts are disposed along the image body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprises a hole portion provided in one lateral edge of the shell body and a projecting pin provided correspondingly on the other lateral edge of the shell body, its capping head piercing through the hole portion. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprise two hole portions provided correspondingly with each other in each lateral edge of the shell body; and one through pin having a cap-like end, piecing through the two hole portions. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprise two hole portions provided in parallel with each other in each lateral edge of the shell body and one jam sheet having two spaced apart projecting pins, their capping heads piercing respectively through the two hole portions. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body are of a mortise and tenon joint structure or a zipper socket joint structure. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprise a groove provided on lateral edge of the shell body and a ledged portion provided correspondingly on the other lateral edge of the shell body mated with the groove. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprise an inward curled knot curled inwardly from one lateral edge of the shell body and an outward curled knot curled outwardly from the other lateral edge of the shell body to be mated with the inward curled knot. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body are of a hinge joint structure and/or a screw joint structure or a plastic hasp joint structure. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein the coupling parts of the shell body comprise at least two hole portions staggered with each other on each of the lateral edges of the shell body, and a through pin piercing through the at least two hole portions from outside of the shell body. 
     A shell body light sculpture according to the present invention, wherein surface of the shell body is provided with an ornamental layer. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, as it adopts the process of fixing the decorative lighting strings from the inside of the shell body or intermediately of it, the decorative lights and its power cords are situated within said shell body or intermediately of it, so the problem of the lights falling off during transportation and use is properly resolved, and also the service life and reuse rate is increased greatly. According to the other one aspect of the present invention, as it employs a detachable and foldable shell body, the packing volume of the product is considerably reduced, so the transportation cost is reduced and storage space is greatly saved. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, as said shell body is made up of several molded pieces (Not only whole big shell body), the shell body can be molded with great details, so said Shell Body Light Sculpture of the present invention can most vividly present the image it represents no matter whether it is illuminated at night or not at the day time. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Now the present invention will be obvious by description combined with the following drawings and the preferred embodiments. 
     FIG. 1 is the integrally static schematic view of one of a shell body light sculptures of the present invention, as an image of deer assembled with a number of decorative lights on the shell body; 
     FIG. 2 is the partial schematic view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, showing the dynamic decorative lighting effects of the present invention while it&#39;s illuminated; 
     FIG. 3 is the schematic view of the first embodiment of the shell body of the present invention assembled with the decorative lights, showing how the light button hold the decorative lights; 
     FIG. 4A is the schematic view showing the assemblage of decorative light with said light button of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4B is the sectional view adopted along line D—D in FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 5 is the perspective view of the decorative light bulb inserted in the lamp holder with depression portion for fixing with the said hole in said shell body of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is the perspective view of the light button of the present invention provided in the shell body, showing the Light Button fixed in the shell body by means of said shoulder portion and said protrusions on the wall portion of said light button; 
     FIG. 6B is the bottom view of the light button of the present invention shown in FIG. 6A, showing the base portion provided at the bottom for holding the lamp holder of said decorative light; 
     FIG. 7 is the schematic view of the second embodiment of the shell body of the present invention, assembled with the decorative lights, showing said light button anchoring said decorative light and said hole portion to be mated with the protrusions on the lamp holder of said decorative light; 
     FIG. 8 is the schematic view of the third embodiment of the shell body of the present invention for disposing the decorative light; 
     FIG. 9 is the schematic view of the fourth embodiment of the shell body of the present invention assembled with said decorative lights, showing the decorative lights fixed on said shell body by means of inlay stripes; 
     FIG. 10 is the schematic view of the first embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as a deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the projecting pin provided on one segment of said shell body mated with the hole portions of the other segment; 
     FIG. 11 is the schematic view of the second embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein through pin pierces through the hole portions provided in both shell body segments; 
     FIG. 12 is the schematic view of the third embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image show in FIG. 1, wherein a jam sheet having two spaced apart projecting pins, the pins pierce respectively through the two hole portions in the shell body; 
     FIG. 13 is the schematic view of the fourth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein said coupling parts have mortise and tenon joint structure; 
     FIG. 14 is the schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the coupling parts are of zipper socket joint structure; 
     FIG. 15A is the schematic view of the sixth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the through pin pierces through the staggered hole portions in the two shell body segments; 
     FIG. 15B is the sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A adopted along line E—E; 
     FIG. 16 is the schematic view of the seventh embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the outward curled knot provided on one shell body segment is mated with the inward curled knot provided in the other segment; 
     FIG. 17 is the schematic view of the eighth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the ledge portion provided on one shell body segment is mated with the groove provided in the other segment and the surface of the shell body is covered with an ornamental layer; 
     FIG. 18 is the schematic view of the ninth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer imaged shown in FIG. 1, wherein the coupling parts are of a hinge structure; 
     FIG. 19 is the schematic view of the tenth embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer image shown in FIG. 1, wherein the coupling parts comprises the plastic hasp; 
     FIG. 20 is the schematic view of the eleventh embodiment of the connecting of the coupling parts of the shell body as the deer imaged shown in FIG. 1, wherein the coupling parts are connected with pin piercing through the shell body. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following is further detailed descriptions for the present invention. 
     First, let&#39;s take one of the deer images as an example to describe the constructions of various parts of the shell body light sculpture  10  of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, for mounting said decorative lights, the convenient and lower cost transportation and storage, firstly, the integral figure is divided along its longitudinal axis into two separate divisions in which the shell body of the Shell Body Light Sculpture of the present invention is provided with detachable or foldable structure. Accordingly, it&#39;s necessary to provide coupling parts in the shell body, for example, at the location A or B. At the same time, a number of decorative lights  14  is detachably fixed on and/or in the shell body  12 . While the lights lit up they produce dynamic light effects at the shell boy of the present invention, such as shown in the schematic view of the deer head in FIG.  2 . 
     The construction of the mounting of the decorative light  14  on and/or in the shell body  12  is shown in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.  3 . In said first embodiment, a number of hole portions  120  are firstly provided in the shell body  12 , and the decorative lights  14  are mounted on and/or in the shell body  12  by means of Light Buttons. Light Button  20  fitted in the hole portion  120 . FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the assemblage of the decorative light  14  of the present invention with the Light Button  20 . More detailed perspective view of the decorative light  14  is shown in FIG.  5 . The lamp holder  16  is used in the present invention to fix the decorative light  14 , performing the function of protecting the decorative light  14 , and the power cords  18  are used to connect other decorative lights (not shown). FIGS. 6A-6B show the detailed construction of the Light Button  20  of the present invention, it comprises integrally: a wall portion  204  mated with the hole portion  120 , used for gripping the lamp holder  16 ; a shoulder portion  202  projecting outward from the wall portion  204 , for lapping the shell body  12 ; a slit  208  extending across the shoulder portion  202  and the wall portion  204  used for inserting in said power cords  18  from this slit  208  to facilitate the mounting of said decorative light  14 . Further more, to fasten the decorative light  14  tighter, the Light Button  20  also comprises a base portion  210  provided on the inner side of the wall portion  204  for fixing the shoulder portion of  160  of the lamp holder  16 , as shown in FIG.  4 B. As the Light Button  20  tightly grips the lamp holder  16 , the slit  208  is preferably to be made in the form of a conical slit, widening gradually from the shoulder portion  202  to the wall portion  204 . Besides, on the outer side of the wall portion  204 , protrusions  206  are provided with space of a constant pitch from the shoulder portion  202 , used for fastening with the shell body  12 . Obviously, the decorative light  14  can be fixed tight enough, according to the practical requirement, it could be either higher than the outer surface of the shell body  12  or lower than the outer surface of the shell body  12  by adjusting the height of the Light Button  20 . 
     The construction of the decorative light  14  mounted on and/or in the shell body  12  can be modified, if, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of hole portions  209  are provided in the wall portion of the Light Button  20  to be mated with the protrusions  161  prefabricated on the lamp holder  16 , so the decorative lights are better fixed. The construction of the decorative light  14  assembled on and/or in the shell body  12  can be further simplified, if, as shown in FIG. 8, the Light Button  20  for accommodating the decorative light  14  is designed to be integral with the shell body  12  and projecting inwardly from the shell body  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, it&#39;s also possible to provide a depression portion  122  in the shell body  12  near the hole portion and inlay stripes  212  to be also provided mated with the depression portions  122  to fix the decorative lights  14  of the present invention by embedding the inlay stripes  212  into the depression portions  122 . 
     It is more preferable that a foldable shell body structure is provided and used in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention. The coupling parts  30  are substantially perpendicular with the shell body and comprise: a hole portion  302  provided on one lateral edge of the shell body  12 ; and a projecting pin  304  provided correspondingly on the other lateral edge of the shell body. Its capping head  306  pierces through the hole portion  302 . Thus, the projecting pin  304  can fasten the two shell body segments  12  together. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprises: two hole portions  310  provided correspondingly with each other on each lateral edge of the shell body  12 ; and on through pin  312  having a cap-like end  314  piercing through the two hole portions  310  to fix the whole shell body  12 . 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the third embodiment of connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  is first provided with an depression portion  320  and comprise: two hole portions  322 , provided parallel with each other on each lateral edge of the shell body  12 ; and one jam sheet  324  having two spaced apart projecting pins  326 , their capping heads  328  piercing respectively through the two hole portions  322 . In this way, the jam sheet  324  is disposed in the depression portion  320 , being substantially flush with the surface of the shell body  12 . 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the fourth embodiment of connecting the coupling the portions  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein each shell body segment  12  is respectively provided with: a tenon  330 ; and a mortise  332 , so to form a mortise and tenon joint structure. 
     FIG. 14 is the schematic view of the fifth embodiment of connecting the coupling the portions  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprises: a number of female tooth grains  340  provided on one side of the shell body segments  12 ; and a number of male tooth grains  342  provided on the other shell body segment  12 , so as to for a zipper socket joint structure. 
     FIG. 15A is a schematic view of the sixth embodiment of connecting the coupling the portions  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprises: two hole portions  350  and  352 , provided aligned and staggered with each other on each lateral edge of the shell body  12 ; and a through pin  354 , piercing through the two hole portions  350  and  352  from outside of the shell body  12 , so as to form a folding cylinder joint structure, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.  15 B. 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the seventh embodiment of connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprise: an inward curled knot  360 , curled inwardly from one lateral edge of the shell body  12 ; and an outward curled knot  362 , curled outwardly from the other lateral edge of the shell body  12  mated with the inward curled knot  360 . Of course, the shell body has fairly good resilience. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the eighth embodiment of connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprises: a groove  370 , provided on one lateral edge of said shell body  12 ; and a ledge portion  372  provided correspondingly on the other lateral edge of said shell body mated with said groove. 
     FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the ninth embodiment of connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  employs a hinge joint  380 , that is, the two limb flaps of the hinge joint are separately provided on each of the two shell body segments, so that the shell body of present invention in foldable. 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the tenth embodiment the connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  provide a plastic hasp  386  on the overlapping portions of the two shell body segments  12  to for a simply constructed joint. 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the eleventh embodiment of the connecting the coupling parts  30  of the shell body of the present invention, wherein the coupling parts  30  comprise a through pin  390 , piercing directly through the upper and lower sides of the shell body  12 . 
     Apparently, in order to enhance the ornamental effect, the shell body of the present invention can be covered with various ornamental layers, such the scored layer  124  shown in FIG.  17  and the coating layer or paint layer  126  shown in FIG.  19 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it should be understood that various changes and modifications could be made within the protection scope of the appended claims.