Abstract:
An illuminated assembly, comprising a skull of an animal having a nasal cavity, a brain cavity, and a pair of eye sockets, and a lighting harness comprising at least four lighting elements, wherein at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the nasal cavity, at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the brain cavity, and at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within each of the eye sockets.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/773,698, filed Feb. 22, 2013, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/601,914, filed Feb. 22, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,371, filed Sep. 4, 2012, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an illuminated animal skull, and, more specifically, to an illuminated animal skull comprising a lighting apparatus to illuminate cavities and translucent areas of the skull. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Three-dimensional cavernous structures can be difficult to light for ornamental purposes. Examples of three-dimensional cavernous structures can include sculptures and animal skulls, either of which may be translucent. Such structures typically need to be lit from the inside, but if the light source is too close to the material of the structure, the light may run too hot thereby damaging or deteriorating the interior of the structure. As a result, in some instances, the decision is made to not light the structure rather than risk damaging or deteriorating the structure. 
         [0004]    Another problem with lighting three-dimensional cavernous structures is finding a light source that is capable of evenly distributing the light so that the entire structure is well-illuminated, rather than one intense light source that does not allow for adequate observation of a structure&#39;s ornate detail. 
         [0005]    European mounts or skull mounts are used for mounting animal heads such as deer, elk, and bear heads. If the animal is antlered, the antlers are typically left intact. Animal skulls can also be mounted on such mounts. The skulls are cleaned of all flesh and soft tissue through a boiling process, and then the skull is typically bleached. There are other well-known methods for removing tissue from a skull. 
         [0006]    Although a bleached skull is white, after mounting it may appear dark and visually difficult to distinguish the features of the skull. As a result, mounted skulls in dimly lit areas may not appear very attractive. Presently, there are no effective ways to improve the appearance of a mounted skull. 
         [0007]    Thus, there exists a long felt need for a lighting apparatus which is capable of lighting the interior of a three-dimensional cavernous structure without damaging or deteriorating the interior, providing adequate light distribution, and also improving the appearance of a mounted skull to make it more aesthetically appealing and impressive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention broadly comprises an illuminated assembly, comprising a skull of an animal having a nasal cavity, a brain cavity, and a pair of eye sockets, and a lighting harness comprising at least four lighting elements, wherein at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the nasal cavity, at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the brain cavity, and at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within each of the eye sockets. 
         [0009]    The present invention also comprises an illuminated skull of an animal, comprising a plurality of cavities and, a lighting harness, comprising at least one lighting element, operatively arranged to emit light through the plurality of cavities. 
         [0010]    The present invention further comprises a lighting harness, comprising a first lighting element, a second lighting element, a third lighting element, a fourth lighting element, a first wire having a first length, wherein the first lighting element is operatively arranged on the first wire, a second wire having a second length, wherein the second lighting element is operatively arranged on the second wire, a third wire having a third length, wherein the third lighting element is operatively arranged on the third wire and, a fourth wire having a fourth length, wherein the fourth lighting element is operatively arranged on the fourth wire, wherein the second length is shorter than the first length, the third length is shorter than the first length but is of substantially similar length as the second length and, the fourth length is shorter than the first, second, and third lengths. 
         [0011]    Although the lighting apparatus disclosed herein is described in connection with a skull and a skull mount, it will be appreciated that the lighting apparatus may also be used with any other suitable three-dimensional cavernous structure. 
         [0012]    European mounting is a method commonly employed to mount a skull such that it can be displayed, for example, on a wall. Recent advances in light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) technology make it possible to produce significant light intensity with minimal heat. Thus, LED lights can be mounted in close proximity to valuable objects without the risk of burning or damaging or deteriorating the objects. 
         [0013]    The present lighting apparatus and mount includes a wiring harness, a switch, and an AC adapter in one of the preferred embodiments. The lighting harness installs internal to the skull and the wiring harness includes a plurality of LEDs. 
         [0014]    When power is supplied to the LEDs they emit light that illuminates the bones of the skull, as well as emit light through the eye and nose openings defined in the skull. Depending on the transparency of the skull, the emitted light may be seen through the bone. The LEDs are embodied to have virtually any desired color or be a multicolor RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED. 
         [0015]    The skull can be mounted on a European style mount or other suitable mount, and the switch allows the user to select 120V or 240V. 
         [0016]    In other preferred embodiments there are light sensors, motion sensors, and audio chips that are incorporated into the lighting apparatus. 
         [0017]    In other preferred embodiments the wiring harness is powered by a direct current via a DC battery, and may be powered by solar power. 
         [0018]    A general object of the invention is to provide a lighting harness with light emitting diodes which is operatively arranged within the skull of an animal to illuminate translucent areas of the skull. 
         [0019]    A further object of the invention is to provide an illuminated animal skull which can vary the color of the light emitting diodes. 
         [0020]    An even further object of the invention is to provide a lighting apparatus capable of lighting the interior of a three-dimensional cavernous structure without damaging or deteriorating the interior, while providing adequate light distribution. 
         [0021]    An even further object of the invention is to improve the appearance of a mounted skull to make it more aesthetically appealing and impressive. 
         [0022]    An even further object of the invention is to provide a remote control and receiver connected to the lighting harness to control and change the color of the light emitting diodes. 
         [0023]    An even further object of the invention is to provide a lighting apparatus which can illuminate in a plurality of modes, such as a demo mode, where the lighting apparatus illuminates in a predetermined order and timing sequence. 
         [0024]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a reading and review of the following detailed description of the invention, in view of the appended drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of the components of a lighting apparatus; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a switch for use in the lighting apparatus taken along line X-X of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view of a circuit for use in the switch; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a deer skull wherein the lighting apparatus is installed in a deer skull; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a European mount attached to a wall for use in connection with the deer skull shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mount supported on a flat surface for use in connection with the deer skull shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of a table mount supported on a flat surface; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of remote control  150 ; and, 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a remote control and receiver communication system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, it is understood that this patent is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as claimed. 
         [0036]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention. 
         [0037]    Adverting now to  FIG. 1 , shown therein are the components of the lighting apparatus  10 . Lighting apparatus  10  includes lighting harness  12  that includes harness power cord  14 . Harness power cord  14  has outer casing  16  that provides for insulation, and disposed internal to outer casing  16  are a plurality of electrical leads  18 . In one of the preferred embodiments, electrical leads  18  are in the form of electric leads  26   a,    26   b,    26   c,    26   d,    26   e,    26   f ,  26   g,  and  26   h.  Harness power cord  14  also has opposed first and second harness power cord ends  20  and  22 . First power cord end  20  has attached to it electric socket  24 . Second end  22  of harness power cord  14  joins to wire guide component  22   a.  As shown, electric leads  26   a,    26   b ,  26   c,    26   d,    26   e,    26   f,    26   g,  and  26   h  extend through wire guide component  22   a  such that they are disposed outside outer casing  16  and exposed in that they are no longer disposed internal to outer casing  16 . Electric leads  26   a,    26   b,    26   c,    26   d,    26   e,    26   f,    26   g,  and  26   h  that extend beyond wire guide component  22   a  are capable of branching out from one another. 
         [0038]    Lighting harness  12  also includes light source  27 . In one of the preferred embodiments, light source  27  is in the form of a LED. Attached to the first pair of electric leads  26   a,    26   b  is LED  28 , attached to the second pair of electric leads  26   c,    26   d  is LED  30 , attached to the third pair of electric leads  26   e,    26   f  is LED  32 , and attached to the fourth pair of electric leads  26   g,    26   h  is LED  34 . It is to be understood that in other preferred embodiments there may be more or less than four pairs of electric leads and more or less than four LEDs. The use and operation of an LED is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and is therefore not described in greater detail herein. 
         [0039]    LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are able to emit any desired color of light. Thus, the coloring of the LEDs is not limited to white light or any particular color. In a preferred embodiment, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are multicolor RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs. It is pointed out that electric socket  24  is for delivering electrical power to electric leads  26   a,    26   b,    26   c,    26   d,    26   e,    26   f,    26   g , and  26   h.    
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , lighting apparatus  10  further includes switch assembly  46 . Switch assembly  46  includes housing  48 , which defines inlet and outlet openings  49 ,  50 . Aligned with inlet opening  49  and disposed internal to housing  48  is first plug  52 , and aligned with outlet opening  50  and disposed internal to housing  48  is second plug  54 . Switch assembly  46  also includes switch  56  that is movable from a first switch position  57  (for 2 amps, 240 volts) to a second switch position  57   a  (for 5 amp, 120 volts) shown in dashed lines, and as indicated by the arrow designated A-A in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Switch assembly  46  also includes board  47  and resistor  59 . Switch  56  is soldered to board  47 , first and second plugs  52 ,  54  are soldered to board  47 , and resistor  59  is soldered to board  47 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram of circuit board  58  for use in switch assembly  46 . Construction, use and operation of circuit boards is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and is therefore not described in greater detail herein. 
         [0041]    Electric socket  24  is capable of being fitted on second plug  54  such that electrical power can be delivered to LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , lighting apparatus  10  also includes power source cord  60  having first power cord source end  62 , and second electric socket  64  attached to first power cord source end  62 . Second electric socket  64  is capable of being fitted on first plug  52  disposed in housing  48  such that electrical power can be delivered to switch assembly  46 . There is also second power cord source end  68  that is connected to transformer  70 , which has prongs  74  adapted to be inserted into, for example, standard wall receptacle  75  (see  FIG. 4 ). Standard wall receptacle  75  provides external power source  77  in the form of alternating current for powering lighting apparatus  10 . Transformers are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art and are not described in greater detail herein. 
         [0042]    When electrical power is delivered to LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  causing them to emit light  100  (see  FIG. 4 ), transformer  74  is plugged into wall receptacle  75 , second electric socket  64  is moved onto first plug  52 , switch  56  is moved to the appropriate position, and electric socket  24  is moved onto second plug  54 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , housing  69  is in the form of skull  72 , and more specifically, in the form of a deer skull. It should be appreciated that the skull can be a real, synthetic, or an artificial skull. Skull  72  defines eye socket openings  74 , nostril openings  76 , and antlers  78  that extend from skull  72 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , skull  72  is supported on a wall mount (embodied herein as a European style head mount) that is secured to wall  82 . In another preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , table mount  84  supports skull  72 . Wall mount  80  includes plaque  90  to which skull  72  secures, for example with glue or fasteners. Plaque  90  has opposed first and second sides  91 ,  92  and skull  72  secures to first side  91  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). Second side  92  secures to connecting member  93 , and connecting member  93  secures to base member  94 . Connecting member  93  is substantially perpendicular to base member  94 , and at an angle relative to plaque  90 . 
         [0045]    Table mount  84  also has plaque  90  and base member  94  as described above. Plaque  90  secures to connecting member  93   a,  and connecting member  93   a  secures to base member  94 . Shelf  86  supports base member  94 . In one of the preferred embodiments, plaque  90  defines plaque opening  95 . Harness power cord  14  can be fitted through plaque opening  95 . 
         [0046]    To illuminate skull  72 , lighting harness  12  is fitted and arranged in skull  72 , and first, second, third, and fourth LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are provided with power such that light  100  (depicted as arrows in  FIG. 4 ) emits from first, second, third, and fourth LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . Shown in  FIG. 4 , harness power cord  12  extends over plaque  90  to switch assembly  48  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and then to transformer  70  that is plugged into wall receptacle  75  in order to provide power to LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . Some of the light exits though eye socket openings  74  and nostril openings  76 , and some of light  100  is transmitted through skull  72  to cause skull  72  to glow in the color of light  100 . Skull  72  can be made of real bone or synthetic bone and may be embodied as virtually any desired animal skull including mammal, reptile, and aquatic creature skulls. In other preferred embodiments, lighting apparatus  10  is placed within a three-dimensional cavernous sculpture or some similar structure rather than a skull. 
         [0047]    In another preferred embodiment, switch assembly  46  is not utilized and lighting harness  12  is powered by a direct DC battery hookup. The present invention can have a plurality of possible configurations including but not limited to any number of lights. With respect to the type of light used, typically LEDs are used as they generate very little heat and good light intensity, but other types of lights may be used as well, and other power sources may be used. 
         [0048]    The power source is flexible and may include but is not limited to using batteries (DC), direct wiring (AC), and solar panel designs. Quick connections and on/off switches may be integrated into the design. 
         [0049]    LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are controlled with a manual on-off switch that is part of lighting apparatus  10 . For example, receptacle  75  may be under the control of a wall-mounted switch to power apparatus  10  or power off lighting apparatus  10 . In addition, as shown in FIG.  4 , in other preferred embodiments lighting apparatus  10  can be under the control of motion sensor  120 , light sensor  130 , and/or audio chip  140  (all shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 4 ) that are in controlling communication with the power source. Motion sensor  120  is preferably on all of the time but may be overridden so that light does not come on when motion is detected. Likewise, light sensor  130  is preferably on all of the time but can be overridden so that the light does not come on when light is detected. Audio chip  140  can make a sound and can record an event or audio recording to be played back at a desired time. All of these components may be mounted inside skull  72 , in or on mount  80 , table mount  84 , or on wall  82 . 
         [0050]    Lighting apparatus  10  can be sold as kit  200  that includes the components shown in  FIG. 1 , that is, lighting harness  12 , switch assembly  46 , and transformer  70 . For example, a taxidermist may buy just lighting apparatus  10  and use his or her own skulls  72 . Indeed, lighting apparatus  10  has many applications for the lights in the field of taxidermy. Lighting apparatus  10  can be installed in full body mounts of animals to light and illuminate virtually any area of the body of the animal in addition to skull  72 . Lighting apparatus  10  can also be used in connection with stuffed animals (not shown). Lighting apparatus  10  may also be used external to skull  72  such that full mounts can be illuminated from beneath, above, or from the sides. The availability of lights, for example the LEDs described herein, that produce little to no heat makes lighting taxidermy from the inside and out more feasible. 
         [0051]    As shown in rear view of  FIG. 7 , table mount  84  is supported on flat surface  86   a  of shelf  86 . In this embodiment, storage compartment connecting member  93   a  has a pair of spaced apart connecting supports  87   a,    87   b  that interconnect base member  94  and plaque  90 . Compartment space  88  is defined between first and second connecting supports  87   a,    87   b,  and plaque  90 . Compartment space  88  receives switch assembly  46  therein. Base member  94  defines base member opening  94   a  disposed between first and second connecting members  87   a,    87   b,  through which power source cord  60  extends. Plaque  90  defines plaque opening  90   a  proximal first and second connecting members  87   a,    87   b  through which harness power cord  14  extends. Base member  94  also defines groove  94   b  on the side opposite from which first and second connecting supports  87   a,    87   b  extend, and groove  94   b  is sized to accommodate power source cord  60  therein. As shown, switch assembly  46 , power source cord  60 , and harness power cord  14  are disposed in an out of the way location such that table mount  84  is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, lighting apparatus  10  comprises remote control  150  and receiver  170  which connect to lighting apparatus  10  in order to vary the color of LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 . LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are multicolor RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs, which can vary in color depending on the signal that is received. As shown in  FIG. 8 , remote control  150  sends signal  165  to receiver  170 . In a preferred embodiment, remote control  150  transmits signal  165  to receiver  170  via radio frequency signals. It should be appreciated, however, that the use of different types of wireless communication is possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, remote control  150  and receiver  170  could communicate through infrared signals. Signals  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,  and  168   d  are representative of the color changes of LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34 . Remote control  150  sends signal  165  to receiver  170  to initiate signals  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,  and  168   d,  which are sent to LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  in order to change the color of each LED. Signals  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,  and  168   d  are sent from receiver  170  in a predetermined order and timing sequence. In a preferred embodiment, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate identical colors when a signal is received and each LED changes color in the same predetermined order during the same timing sequence. It should be appreciated, however, that the use of different combinations of color and timing sequences is possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , remote control  150  comprises power button  151 , mode+ button  152 , mode− button  153 , demo button  154 , speed+ button  155 , speed− button  156 , color+ button  157 , color− button  158 , bright+ button  159 , and bright− button  160 . Every time a button is engaged on remote control  150 , remote control  150  sends signal  165  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) to receiver  170 . When power button  151  is engaged, receiver  170  turns on or off lighting apparatus  10 , depending on which state lighting apparatus  10  is currently in. When either mode+ button  152  or mode− button  153  is engaged, receiver  170  changes the predetermined order and timing sequence of LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34 . In a first mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  each illuminate the same color in a pulsing pattern. In a second mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate a single color and then immediately change to another color, rotating through each color in a predetermined order. In a third mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate a single color, then immediately turn off, and then illuminate again with a different color than the previous color in a predetermined order. In a fourth mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate the same color and turn on and off in quick succession, similar to a strobe light. In a fifth mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate a single color, then slowly turn off, and then illuminate again with a different color than the previous color in a predetermined order. In a sixth mode, LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate a single color and do not change unless receiver  170  receives signal  165  from remote control  150 . 
         [0054]    When demo button  154  is engaged, receiver  170  places lighting apparatus  10  into the fifth mode described previously. When speed+ button  155  or speed− button  156  is engaged, the rate at which LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate increases or decreases, respectively, when lighting apparatus  10  is in the first mode, second mode, third mode, or fifth mode. When color+ button  157  or color− button  158  is engaged, remote control  150  sends signal  165  to receiver  170  in order to change the color of LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  according to a predetermined order when lighting apparatus  10  is in the sixth mode. When bright+ button  159  or bright− button  160  is engaged, the intensity at which LEDs  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  illuminate is increased with bright+ button  159  or decreased with bright− button  160 . In a preferred embodiment, remote control  150  and receiver  170  are an Easy-Plug Multi-Color LED Controller with RF Remote Control, available for purchase from HIT International LLC, located at Suite 111, Building 3100, 8000 GSRI Avenue, Baton Rouge, La. 70820. 
         [0055]    It will be appreciated that various features of the above-described invention and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.