Patent Publication Number: US-2016238222-A1

Title: Rotating multi-axis illuminated novelty device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The following description relates to an illuminated novelty device, for example, an illuminated novelty device with one or more illumination devices rotatable about multiple axes. 
     Illuminated novelty devices may be used to provide visual effects for example, at parties or celebrations and the like, or as part of a performance or other artistic or entertainment endeavor. Some conventional illuminated novelty devices may be large, cumbersome or difficult to move. Others may need to be connected to an external power source, such a standard wall outlet via a plug for operation. 
     In addition, conventional illuminated novelty devices may be limited in the visual effects they are capable of providing. For example, some such devices include stationary lights or other illuminated features. To provide a dynamic or “moving” effect, a user must physically move the device. Other such devices may incorporate a strand of blinking lights or illuminated members that may blink or illuminate in sequence to provide the effect of a moving light. However, this moving effect is limited to a path of the strand of lights. Further, such a configuration may result in excess lights or illuminating members on the device. 
     Some illuminated novelty devices may include moving lights or illuminated features that are driven along a travel path. However, this “moving” visual effect is typically limited to a travel path about a single axis. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an illuminated novelty device that is portable and may provide a dynamic and variable visual effect. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, there is provided a rotating multi-axis illuminated novelty device. The illuminated novelty device includes a base having a first driving element, the first driving element having a first shaft extending outwardly therefrom and driven to rotate on a first axis by the first driving element. The device also includes a hub operably connected to the first shaft to rotate therewith, the hub having a second driving element with a second shaft extending therefrom, the second shaft configured for rotation about a second axis extending in a different direction than the first axis. The device further includes an illumination device operably connected to the second shaft and rotatable therewith. The illumination device includes one or more illuminating elements. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illuminated novelty device according to an embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1  partially disassembled to show interior components; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially disassembled front view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1  showing interior components, according to an embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially disassembled front view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1  showing additional interior components; 
         FIG. 7  is a cut-away perspective view showing a hub of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 8  is partially disassembled top view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1  showing interior components; 
         FIG. 9  is a partially disassembled top view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 1  showing additional interior components; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the illuminated novelty device according to another embodiment described herein; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the illuminated novelty device of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of an illuminated novelty device  10  described herein. According to one embodiment, the illuminated novelty device  10  generally includes a base  12 , a hub  14  rotatably positioned relative to the base  12  and configured to rotate about a first axis A 1 , and one or more illumination devices  16  rotatably positioned relative to the hub  14  and configured to rotate about a second axis A 2 , angled relative to the first axis A 1 . The one or more illumination devices  16  may rotate about second axis A 2  simultaneously with the hub  14  rotating about the first axis A 1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the illuminated novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  12  may be formed as a hand grip configured to be held by a user of the illuminated novelty device  10 . In one embodiment, the base  12  may be ergonomically shaped so as to be accommodated in the user&#39;s hand. For example, the base  12  may be substantially cylindrical in shape and formed with a concavity along its length, such that a diameter at first and second opposing ends  18 ,  20  of the base  12  is greater than a diameter at a section between the first and second end  18 ,  20 . In addition, the base  12  may include one or more indentations or finger grips formed at spaced apart intervals around a circumference of the base  12 . The base  12  may be formed with a removable cover or as adjoining halves or sections to allow access to interior components of the base  12 . 
     The illuminated novelty device  10  may also include a switch  22 . In one embodiment the switch is positioned on the base  12  and may be actuated to operate the illuminated novelty device  10  as described further below. The switch  22  may be, for example, a rocker switch, a slidable switch, a push button, a rotatable knob or other suitable switch. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hub  14  includes one or more arms  24 , each arm having a respective illumination device  16  positioned thereon. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hub  14  includes two arms  24 . In one configuration, the arms  24  are diametrically opposed and extend on or along the second axis A 2 . 
     The second axis A 2  may extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis A 1 , but is not limited only to this range. The hub  14  may also include a cover  26 . 
     Although the illustrated embodiments show two arms  24  extending from the hub  14 , it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, in one embodiment, a single arm  24  may extend from the hub  14  to support a single illumination device  16 . In another non-limiting embodiment, four arms  24  may extend from the hub. In such a configuration, the four arms  24  may be positioned so as to form two diametrically opposing pairs of arms  24 , each arm  24  supporting a respective illumination device  16 . Further, it is understood that the one or more arms  24  may extend from the hub  14  at different or varying angles. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of illuminated novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , each illumination device  16  includes a frame  28  and one or more illuminating elements  30 . In one embodiment, each illumination device  16  includes three illuminating elements  30 . However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration and the number of illuminating elements  30  may be varied. In addition, different illumination devices  16  on the illuminated novelty device  10  may include different numbers of illuminating elements  30 . 
     In one embodiment, each frame  28  may be formed substantially in a circular shape with one or more spokes  32  extending from an inner radial section to an outer radial section. The one or more illuminating elements  30  extend radially outward relative to a respective arm  24 . In one embodiment, the illuminating elements  30  extend within, along, and/or secured to a spoke of a frame  28 . In another embodiment, as detailed further below with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the frame  28  may be formed substantially as a plate and the one or more illuminating elements  30  may be secured to and extend outward from the plate, for example, in a radial direction. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3 , the illuminating elements  30  may be angularly spaced. In one embodiment, the illuminating elements  30  may be equally spaced about the illumination device  16 . However, it is understood that this description is not limited to such a configuration. In addition, the illuminating elements  30  may extend radially outward to different radial extents. The radial length of the illuminating elements  30  may be varied by varying a length of a neck portion  34  of each illuminating element  30 . Further still, in some embodiments, the illuminating elements  30  of an illumination device  16  may extend in a common plane. 
     Each illuminating element  30  of the one or more illuminating elements  30  may be implemented as individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) or closely positioned LEDs contained in a common casing or shell. The LEDs may be multi-colored and emit different colors during use. That is, a single illuminating element  30 , such as an LED, may emit multiple colors with respect to time. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. For instance, the one or more illuminating elements  30  may be implemented as strands of LEDs, or alternatively, may be formed from a chemiluminescent material or mixture, or the like. Further still, the illuminating elements  30  may be implemented as incandescent lights, or the like. The illuminating elements  30  may also be formed as fiber optic lighting elements formed as thin, elongated tubes configured to reflect internally directed light to create a visual effect. The internally directed light may be from an LED or other similar light source. 
     The novelty illumination device  16  may also include a board having electronic control circuitry (e.g., a controller) printed thereon. The illuminating elements  30  may be electrically connected to the control circuitry. Accordingly, in use, the control circuitry may operate the illumination device(s)  16  to, for example, change a color of the emitted light in a desired, controlled, or preprogrammed sequence, to remain on, to blink or to illuminate in a predetermined timed pattern. The control circuitry may be integrated in the frame  28 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the illuminated novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment described herein. In  FIG. 4 , the cover  26  of the hub  14  is removed to partially show interior components.  FIG. 5  is a partially disassembled view of the illuminated novelty device  10  of  FIG. 1  showing interior components of the device  10  in the base  12  and the hub  14 , according to an embodiment described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the novelty illumination device  16  includes a first driving element  36  configured to rotate the hub  14 , and in turn, the one or more illumination devices  16  on or about the first axis A 1 . The first driving element  36  is positioned at least partially within and secured to the base  12  and includes a first shaft  38 . The first shaft  16  is rotatably driven on or about the first axis A 1  by the first driving element  36  and is connected the hub  14  to rotatably drive the hub  14  on or about the first axis A 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is another section view of the illuminated novelty device  10  showing interior components, with the first driving element  36  omitted for clarity. Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , the hub  14  may be connected to the driving element  36  and the first shaft  38  so as to be driven to rotate by the first driving element  36  and the first shaft  38 . For example, in one embodiment, the hub  14  may be connected to the first driving element  36  and first shaft  38  by a gear train  42 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , for example, the gear train  42  may include a fixed gear  44  positioned on, and rotatable with the first shaft  38 . The gear train  42  may further include a gear  46  eccentrically positioned on, and connected to, the hub  14 . The fixed gear  44  and the eccentrically positioned gear  46  may be position in meshed engagement, such that rotation of the fixed gear  44  causes the eccentrically positioned gear  46  to rotate about the first axis A 1 , which in turn causes rotation of the hub disk or body  40  on the first axis A 1 . The hub cover  26  may be fixedly secured to the hub disk or body  40  to rotate therewith. The hub  14  may also be rotatably connected or coupled to the base  12  by way of a rotational bearing assembly, such as a ball or roller bearing assembly. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, however. For example, the first shaft  38  may be keyed to the hub disk or body  40  to cause the hub disk or body  40  to rotate with the first shaft  38 , and the gear train  42  may be omitted. 
     The gear train  42  may be implemented in alternative configurations as well.  FIG. 7  is a cut-away perspective view showing interior components of the hub  14  according to another embodiment described herein. Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the gear train  42  may be implemented as a planetary gear system. That is, the first shaft  38  and the first driving element  36  may be connected to the hub  14  by way of a planetary gear system. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the gear train  42  may include a sun gear  47   a  fixedly connected to the first shaft  38  to rotate therewith, a ring gear  47   b  fixed connected to the hub  14 , and a planet gear  47   c  between the sun gear  47   a  and ring gear  47   b.  It is understood the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations detailed above, and that other similar or known configurations may be used to rotatably couple the hub  14  to the base  12 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the illuminated novelty device with the hub cover  26  removed to show interior components, according to an embodiment described herein. Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the illuminated novelty device also includes a second driving element  48  configured to rotate the one or more illumination devices  16  about the second axis A 2 . In one embodiment, the second driving element  48  is formed as a gear drive. The gear drive may include a first gear plate  52  connected to a second shaft  54  and configured to rotate on the second axis A 2 . The first gear plate  52  meshes with a second gear plate  56  positioned on the first axis A 1 . The meshed engagement between the first and second gear plates  52 ,  56  causes the second shaft  54  to rotate on the second axis A 2  in response to relative rotation between the first and second gear plates  52 ,  56 . 
     It is understood that the second gear plate  56  may be driven to rotate by the first shaft  38 . Alternatively, the second gear plate  56  may be stationary, decoupled from the first shaft  38 , and the first gear plate  52  may be driven around the first axis A 1  via a connection between the second shaft  54 , the arms  24  and the cover  26 . That is, the cover  26  may be driven to rotate on the first axis A 1  as described above. Rotation of the cover  26 , and in turn the arms  24 , may cause the second shaft  54  and the first gear plate  52  to rotate on or about the first axis A 1 . The meshed engagement between the first gear plate  52  and the second gear plate  56  may then cause the first gear plate  52 , and in turn, the second shaft  54 , to rotate on the second axis A 2 . 
     It is understood that other similar gear couplings suitable to convert rotation from one axis to a different axis may be incorporated.  FIG. 9  is a top view of hub  14  showing a cut-away section having a variation of the driving gear  56  that may be used to drive the driven gear  52  in a known manner. 
     The second shaft  54  may be formed as a single shaft extending across the hub  14  and into the one or more arms  24 . The one or more illumination devices  16  are connected to the second shaft  54  to rotate together with the second shaft  54 . In one embodiment, the one or more illumination devices  16  are connected to the second shaft  54  at an open end or portion of the respective one or more arms  24 . 
     In another embodiment, the second shaft  54  may include two or more decoupled sections and the second drive mechanism may include two or more first gears  52  meshed with the second gear  56 , each first gear  52  associated with a second shaft  54  section. In this embodiment, rotation of individual shaft sections may be independently controlled based on gear ratios. It is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations described above. For example, the individual sections of the second shaft  54  may extend from adjacent sides, or may be angled relative to one another at a non-zero or non-180 degree angle. Depending on the gear configuration, the shaft sections may be controlled to rotate in the same or opposite directions from one another, as desired. 
     In the embodiments above, the first driving element  14  may be, for example, an electric motor, or the like. In addition, the second driving element  28 , as described above, may be a gear drive. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show front and side views of the illuminated novelty device according to an alternative embodiment. Further discussion of features similar or identical to those detailed in the embodiments above is omitted. It is understood that various features from the following embodiments may be used together with or in place of various features detailed in the embodiments above, and vice versa. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the second driving element  48  may alternatively be one or more second electric motors  58 . A single second electric motor  58  may drive the second shaft  54 , or, alternatively, individual second electric motors  58  may independently drive separate, decoupled sections of the second shaft  54 . In this embodiment, the one or more second electric motors  58  may form the hub  114 . The one or more second electric motors  58  are connected to the first shaft  38  so as to rotate therewith. Accordingly, the first shaft  38  may rotate the one or more second electric motors on or about the first axis A 1  and the one or more second motors  58  may rotate the second shaft  54  on or about the second axis A 2 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the frame  128  of each illumination device  116  may be formed as plate-shaped member to which the one or more illuminating elements  30  are secured and from which the illuminating elements  30  extend radially outward. Although not depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , it is understood that the hub cover  26  described above may be included to house the one or electrical motors and at least a portion of the second shaft  54 . The hub  114  may also include an additional support structure  60 . The support structure  60  may rotate with the first shaft  38  and be connected to the second driving element  48  over a greater area than the first shaft  38 . Thus, the support structure  60  may provide a stronger coupling, by way of increased contact area, and may also serve to stabilize the second driving element  48  on the first shaft  38  in use. In the embodiments above, the hub  14  including the second driving element  48  and the second shaft or shafts  54  may rotate together about the first axis A 1 , being driven by the first driving element  36 . 
     In the embodiments above, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , for example, the base  12  may further include electrical connectors for electrically connecting to and receiving power from a power supply P. The power supply P may be, for example, a battery, batteries or battery pack or a thin film battery. The power supply may be rechargeable. Other similar and suitable power supplies apparent to those having skill in the art may be implemented as well. In one example, the power supply may be a standard electrical supply received from a wall socket. Accordingly, in the embodiments above, the electrical connectors may be, for example, contacts or leads configured to engage a battery terminal or wire, a positive interlocking electrical connection formed by a mating pair of heads, or a cord or plug configured to extend from base to engage a corresponding wall socket. It is understood that the present description is not limited to these example and that other suitable electrical connections known to those having skill in the art may be implemented as well. 
     The base  12  may include a housing or receptacle  62  configured to receive the power supply P. The power supply P is electrically connected to the first driving element  14 , the illumination devices  16  and illuminating elements  30 . The power supply P may also be electrically connected to the second driving element  48 . The electrical connections between these elements may be of a suitable type commonly used in the art, such as electrical contact connections. The switch  22  may be provided on the base  12  may be actuated, for example, between ON and OFF positions to selectively supply current from the power supply P to the first driving element  36 , the one or more second electric motors  58 , the illumination devices  16 , the controller, and/or illuminating elements  30 . 
     In operation, the first driving element  36  may rotate the first shaft  38  on the first axis A 1 . Accordingly, the hub  14 , second shaft  54 , one or more illumination devices  16  and one or more illuminating elements  30  may be rotated on or about the first axis A 1 . Additionally, the second driving element  48  may drive the second shaft  54  to rotate on the second axis ‘A 2 ’. Accordingly, the one or more illumination devices  16  and one or more illuminating elements  30  may be driven to rotate about the second axis A 2  while simultaneously rotating about the first axis A 1 . 
     In the above embodiments, a hand-held, portable illuminated novelty device may be provided. The illuminated novelty device may provide a unique visual effect resulting from the multi-axis rotation and positioning of the illuminating elements  30 . For example, by rotating the illuminating elements  30  simultaneously about two axes, a visual effect may be provided where individual illuminating elements may appear to form corresponding trails, lines or arcs of light travelling along substantially spherical surfaces of differing radii. 
     It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.