Patent Publication Number: US-6210022-B1

Title: Ornamental light display

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ornamental light display and more particularly to such a display that can be utilized in the rear window of a motor vehicle or on the mantle of a fireplace or other prominent locations in a home or other building for both aesthetic and functional uses. 
     Ornamental light displays have fascinated some ever since Edison invented the light bulb. Since Edison invented the light bulb a number of different lights have been provided, different light circuitries have been provided in motor vehicles have become common place, and electricity has been used throughout our society. It is therefore highly desirable to provide a new and improved ornamental light display incorporating up-to-date technology. 
     Additionally, both houses and commercial building have been fully wired such that electrical aesthetic light displays may be utilized for decorative purposes in most all buildings. Decorative light displays add a feature over all other decorative articles inasmuch as their appearance may change dramatically from daylight to night time use and through the use of flashers, lenses, filters, and ornaments and the like may provide a myriad of appearances aesthetically pleasing to nearly all persons. It is therefore highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display which is aesthetically pleasing in both day time use and night time use. It is also highly desirable to provide such an ornament display which can be useful to house clocks, worship centers, or other appliances or to provide occasional lighting for other functions, as desired. 
     Motor vehicles have also increased in use to the extent that many families have more than one motor vehicle. All motor vehicles are now mandated by Federal and state law to have an electrical system which includes head lights, turn lights, parking lights, brake lights, interior lights, and the like. This lighting system is run by a battery charged by a generator run by the motor vehicle engine. Thus the lighting system can function when the motor vehicle is both functioning and not functioning. Federal and state now mandate that all motor vehicles have stop lights, brake lights, turn signals and they must be suitably positioned at the rear of the vehicle and sized as prescribed. Many persons wish to provide supplement turn signal and brake light indicia through ornamental design to customize their motor vehicle. It is therefore highly desirable to provide a new and improved display that can be operatively connected to the lighting system of a motor vehicle to customize the vehicle. It is also highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display having at least three (3) ornamental lights, one connected operatively to the left hand turn signal, one connected operatively to the right hand turn signal, and one operatively connected to the brake light. It is also highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display for motor vehicles which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can be used to customize a motor vehicle both in the day time and in the night time. It is also highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display of the type described for a motor vehicle which can be operated with or without other lights of the vehicle lighting system. 
     Most recently, lights have evolved in many ways. Various persons have been highly interested in the variable intensity of lights, the various combination of monochromatic lighting, the development of lasers, and various combinations of these technologies. It is therefore highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display which may encompass monochromatic, various combinations of monochromatic and laser lighting systems. 
     Still others have been highly interested in the way light is dispersed by reflective and refractive devices. Both artists and physicists have been long utilizing prismatic and reflective devices to disperse, bend and transform light sources into a variety of end uses. Particularly significant is the dispersion of lights by crystals. Almost everyone has been enthralled by the dispersion of sunlight on a diamond ring, for example. It is therefore highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display which utilizes reflective and refractive means for enhancing the display. It is also highly desirable to provide a new and improved light display using multifaceted crystalline ornaments for dispersing light. 
     Finally, it is highly desirable to provide a new and improved lighting display which encompasses all of the above features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved ornamental light display incorporating up-to-date technology. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display which is aesthetically pleasing in both day time use and night time use. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide such an ornament display which can be useful to house clocks, worship centers, or other appliances or to provide occasional lighting for other functions, as desired. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved display that can be operatively connected to the lighting system of a motor vehicle to customize the vehicle. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display having at least three (3) ornamental lights, one connected operatively to the left hand turn signal, one connected operatively to the right hand turn signal, and one operatively connected to the brake light. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display for motor vehicles which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can be used to customize a motor vehicle both in the day time and in the night time. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display of the type described for a motor vehicle which can be operated with or without other lights of the vehicle lighting system. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display which may encompass monochromatic, various combinations of monochromatic and laser lighting systems. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display which utilizes reflective and refractive means for enhancing the display. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved light display using multifaceted crystalline ornaments for dispersing light. 
     Finally, it is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved lighting display which encompasses all of the above features. 
     In the broader aspects of this invention, there is provided a new and improved lighting display comprising a base having an upwardly facing top surface. The top surface is reflective and has a plurality of spaced apart apertures therein. A light is positioned in each of the apertures such that a light beam from each light shines upwardly away from the reflective top surface. A frame is supported on the base and extends over the apertures. Ornaments are hung from the frame over each of the apertures whereby the light beams may be dispersed by the ornaments during use. 
     In specific embodiments of the invention, light displays for use in motor vehicles as supplemental stop lights and turn signal lights is provided. In other specific embodiments, an ornamental light display is provided for decorative purposes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and objects of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front end and top and one side of the ornamental light display of the invention including three spaced apart lights and suspended crystal ornaments; 
     FIG. 2 is a planar end view of the ornamental light display of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a planar side view of the ornamental light display of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a planar top view of the ornamental light display of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front end and top and one side view of a modified version of the ornamental display of the invention which has an enclosed frame supported on the base over the apertures; 
     FIG. 6 is a planar end view of the light display of the invention shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a planar top view of the light display of the invention shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a planar side view of the light display of the invention shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a planar bottom view of the light display as shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear view of the light display shown in FIG. 5 with the gable side removed showing the interior of the enclosure; 
     FIG. 11 is a planar bottom view of the enclosure of modified version of the ornamental display of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the light display of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4; and 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry associated with the modified version of the light display of the invention shown in FIGS. 5-11. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and  12 , there is shown the new and improved display  8  of the invention to include a base  10  having an upwardly facing top surface  12  opposite ends  14 ,  16 , front side  18 , a rear side  20  and a bottom  22 . 
     Top surface  12  has a plurality of spaced apart apertures  24  therein. In each of the apertures  24  there is positioned a light  26  having a directional beam  28  extending upwardly and outwardly away from the top  12 . In a specific embodiment these beams  28  extend upwardly in a generally perpendicular direction. Supported on the base  10  is a frame  30 . Frame  30  is shown to have two generally vertically extending elements  32  which are secured to the top surface  12  of the base  10  between the three apertures  24  illustrated. These beams  32  have opposite ends  34 ,  36  and are of generally the same length. End  34  is secured to top surface  12  of the base  10  and end  36  is shown to be spaced apart at the same elevation over the apertures  24 . A horizontal frame beam  38  is provided so as to extend over the apertures  24 . Beam  38  is secured to end  36  of beams  32 . Beam  38  also has opposite ends  40 ,  42 . Ends  40 ,  42  extend beyond beams  32 , but are still positioned over top  12 . Thus, beam  38  is shorter than the length of top  12  between opposite ends  14 ,  16 . Similarly, as shown, beams  32  have length which is greater than the height of base  10  between bottom  22  and top  12 . 
     In specific embodiments, base  10  may take a variety of other shapes including a base  10  which is square rather than rectangular, circular, elliptical or any other geometric shape as a length through its center from opposite peripheries longer than the frame  30 . 
     In a specific embodiment, beams  32 ,  38  may be of any cross sectional shape, have a length of thickness ratio of below 1 to 12 and have an aesthetic exterior design. In specific embodiments, lights  26  may be monochromatic, incandescent lights, candle flames, lasers, or any other light source or combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, apertures  24  may have light filters therein to alter the light beam in any known way, including changing white light to monochromatic light, diffusing light, concentrating light or including lenses for focusing the light of light beams  28  or combinations thereof. 
     Each of the lights  26  is operatively connected to a connector  44  through a step down transformer  46 . The connector  44  may consist of a group of conventional connectors. If the light display of the invention is used in a motor vehicle, connector  44  is attached to the electrical system of the vehicle. In these days, most all motor vehicles have a 12 volt electrical system. Transformer  46  thus would be a step down transformer from 12 volts to the voltage of light  26 . Lasers for example operate from 4.5 volts and thus, in the version where lasers are used in an automotive system, transformer  46  would be a 12 volt to a 4.5 volt step down transformer. Similarly, in a motor vehicle where the lights  26  are connected to the brake lights and turn directional lights, connector  44  would be connected to the brake light circuit and the respective right and left turn directional light circuits as desired. 
     In a specific embodiment in which the display  8  is not utilized in a motor vehicle, connector  44  becomes the connector to either 120 volt or a 240 volt line voltage of the power source, and transformer  46  becomes a step down transformer from the line voltage to the voltage at which the lamps  26  function. 
     Hanging from the horizontal beam  38  of the frame  30  are a plurality of ornaments  48 . Ornaments  48  are hung from horizontal element  38  over the apertures  24  respectively by an element  50  as shown. In specific embodiments, ornaments  48  are positioned within the light beam  28 , are hung by cords  50  which are rigid or flexible and chosen from the group of filaments existing of rods, wires, cords, thread, rope, cable, chains, flexible or rigid. Ornaments  48  in specific embodiments may also be of a variety of different ornaments. They may be artistically aesthetic such as Christmas tree ornaments, they may be reflective ornaments, they may be refractive ornaments, they may be multi-faceted reflective and/or refractive ornaments, they may be crystalline ornaments like diamond, zircons, and glass crystals with both multi-faceted reflective faces and refractive faces and may vary in size. In FIGS. 1 through 3 as shown ornaments  48  are three in number with the centrally located ornament  48  being substantially larger than the other two ornaments  48 . Depending upon the filament  50  these ornaments may be fixed in position or capable of swinging movement about an at rest position as shown. In other specific embodiments as will be mentioned hereinafter, the ornaments may be rotated as desired about the longitudinal axis of the filaments  50 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 through 11 and  13 , there is shown a modified version  52  of the new and improved light display of the invention in which like reference numerals are utilized to indicate like elements. 
     This modified version  52  includes a base  10  having a top  12  and front  18 , rear  20  and bottom  22  surfaces and a plurality of apertures  24  in the top surface  12 . The base also includes lights  26  having beams  28  extending upwardly from the top  12  of the base  10  and a frame  30  extending over the apertures. 
     Frame  30  however, is distinctly different from the frame  30  illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. Frame  30  in this version partially encloses light beams  28  by having upstanding sides  54  secured to the top  12  outward of the apertures  24  and extending laterally across essentially the entire width of base  10 . These sides  54  are shown to extend upwardly of the base  10  a distance similar to beams  32 . An enclosure  56  is supported by upstanding sides  54 . Enclosure  56  is illustrated as having a bottom  58  and a peek roof-like top  60  secured to the bottom at their longitudinal peripheries  62 . The enclosure  56  is enclosed by opposite gable ends  64 . 
     In specific embodiments, enclosure  56  may take a variety of other shapes including rectangular box shapes in which the length of the box extends beyond the walls  50  or between the walls  50  and is aligned with longitudinal axis of base  10  or extending transversely of the longitudinal axis  10 , other cylindrical shape, parallelogram shapes, or triangular or frusto triangular shapes, of sizes extending between upstanding walls or sides  54  or extending beyond sides  54  as is desired. In a specific embodiment, one such cylindrical shape would have circular cross-sections extending in planes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of base  10 . In another specific embodiment, enclosure  56  is a sphere supported by sides  54 . 
     In specific embodiments, sides  54  and the exterior surfaces of enclosure  56  and base  10  may take a variety of esthetic forms. In one specific enclosure, the exterior of sides  54  are mirrored as is the top  12 , sides  18 ,  20  and sides  14 ,  16  of base  10  and the exterior sides of enclosure  56  are mirrored with the exception of the gable ends  64  which are surfaced differently. In a specific embodiment, the gable ends  64  are opaque in nature and illuminated from within enclosure  56 . In specific embodiments, gable ends  64  may be of stained glass, leaded construction or may be like esthetically pleasing to the eye sheets of material. In specific embodiments, a decorative clock may be positioned in the center of one of the gable ends  64  or a service club, or fraternal organization indicia or religious indicia, or any other significantly meaningful indicia may be positioned on one of the gable ends  64  in place of the decorative clock. 
     Enclosed within enclosure  56  is a light  66  and a plurality of motors  68  within which to rotate the ornaments  48 . Referring to FIG. 13, the contents of the base  10  and the enclosure  56  will now be described. Enclosed within enclosure  56  is a light  66  and a plurality of motors  68  and a step-down transformer  70 . Motors  68  are mounted over each of the apertures  24  and are provided in the same number as the apertures  24 . Each of the motors  68  have a motor shaft  71  from which each of the ornaments  48  are hung. The motors  68  when engaged rotate the ornaments  48  in a slow rotation about the vertical axis which is extending upwardly from the apertures  48  coexistent with the axis of the motor shafts. Each of the motors  68  rotate the crystal from which the crystal depending therefrom. In a specific embodiment, the motors rotate each crystal one rotation per minute. Motors  68  are operatively connected to the transformer  70  and to the power source  72  which is contemplated to be either a battery power source or conventional 110 volt or 220 volt alternating currant line source. In a specific embodiment, transformer  70  is in all respects similar to transformer  46  and is a step-down transformer from 110 volt power source to 12 volts from which the lights and the motors operate. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, the contents of base  10  and enclosure  56  will now be described with reference to the electrical schematic showing the interconnections between the various elements of the invention. Tracing the circuitry from the power source  72  is a power line  76  which extends through the sensor  74  to the transformers  46  and  70  and to the light  66  in the enclosure  56 . If a clock  78  is attached to the enclosure, clock  78  as shown by the alternate dash lines is connected directly across the line voltage  72 , or in parallel to the motors  68  depending upon the line voltage required by the clock  78 . If the clock  78  is driven by  115  alternating currant voltage, the clock is positioned as shown at the middle of FIG.  13 . If the clock  78  is driven by a lower voltage, clock  78  is positioned parallel to the motors  68  as shown in the middle of FIG.  13 . Motors  68  are shown connected in series to the transformer  74  and in parallel to the lights  26  which are connected in series with the transformer  46 . Also connected in parallel with the motors  68  and the lights  26  is the light  66 . All are connected in series with the motion sensor  74  when used. In a specific embodiment, the motion sensor  74  is eliminated so that the lights  66 , the lasers  26  and the motors  68  and the clock  78  are engaged at all times. 
     Each of the parallel circuits are then returned to the source  72  by line  80 . 
     In operation, the ornamental light display of FIGS. 1-4 provides an aesthetically pleasing ornamental display. Whenever the display is connected to a power source, the lights  26  are illuminated shining their beams  28  vertically upwardly and generally perpendicularly to the top  12  of the base  10  so as to impact upon the ornaments  48  hung immediately above each of the apertures  24  so as to position the ornaments  48  within the beams  28 , respectively. The beams  28  are reflected and refracted by the ornaments  48  and the ornaments  48  are illuminated in a aesthetically pleasing manner such that the reflected and refracted light also is reflected by the surrounding mirrored surfaces. In a specific embodiment, top surface  12 , end surfaces  14 ,  16 , side surface  18  and  20  all have mirrors superimposed thereon such that reflected and refracted light from the ornaments  48  reflect from these base  10  surfaces causing an aesthetically pleasing light display. 
     Whenever the light display is utilized in the back window of a motor vehicle and connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle, the lights  26  are illuminated as controlled by the electrical circuitry of the motor vehicle. As above described, when viewing FIG. 1, the central light  24  is illuminated whenever the brake lights are lit. The two lights  24  spaced apart by a central light  24  are respectively connected to the left turn signal and the right turn signal light and are illuminated whenever the left turn signal and right turn signal lights are illuminated, respectively. These lights  24  flash as do the tail lights when the turn signals are engaged, and the ornaments  48  swing within the beams  28  of the respective lights as the vehicle swings on its vehicular suspension. 
     The modified version of the ornamental display of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 11 function similarly. Similar to the light display illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, lights  24  are illuminated whenever power is supplied to them causing beams  28  to be directed upwardly at the ornaments  48  which are positioned within the beams. The ornaments  48  refract and reflect the light on them and the ornaments  48  are illuminated by the beams  28 . In a specific embodiment, all of the surfaces of elements  46 ,  50  and  10  have mirrors superimposed thereon. The light refracted and reflected from the ornaments are reflected by the mirrored surfaces of the enclosure  46 , the elements  50  and the base  10 . Beams  28 , as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4 above-described, may be varied considerably by whatever filters or lenses are positioned in apertures  24 . The variation that can be accomplished by lenses and filters within the apertures  24  are too varied to list here but are well known to those skilled in the art. All known filters and lenses known to the art are contemplated in this invention. 
     Whenever connected to the power source  72 , motors  68  are engaged to rotate the ornaments  48  within the beams  28 . Whenever connected to the power source  72 , lights  66  illuminate the interior of the enclosure  56  such that any transparent or translucent portion of the enclosure  68  is illuminated for viewing. In a specific embodiment, the sides  64  of the enclosure  58  are illuminated so as to aesthetically present an organizational indicia or a religious symbol or the like. As with the embodiment above in specific embodiments, any of the lights can be flashed instead of steadily illuminated if desired. Further, as described with regard to FIG. 13 alternatively, the power source  72  may be connected to motors  68 , lights  26  and lights  66  through a motion sensor  74  if desired. 
     As can be imagined a person skilled in the art of ornamental light displays, each of the lights  24 , each of the motors  68 , and the light  66  can be alternatively isolated from the circuit shown in FIG.  13  and/or combined with one or more of the elements shown in FIG. 13 to produce a myriad of aesthetically pleasing different designs. Examples of these displays include rotating the outer two ornaments  48  by motors  66  and maintaining the centrally located ornament  48  stationary, flashing the centrally located light  24  and maintaining the outwardly positioned lights  24  steadily illuminated, flashing light  66  to illuminate the enclosure  56 , and any and all combinations or alterations thereof in either the base  10  or the enclosure  56 , in either the light display illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 or the light display illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 11. 
     The present invention provides a new and improved ornamental light display incorporating up to date technology which is aesthetically pleasing both during the day and during the night which may take the form of house clocks, worship centers, appliances or occasional lighting as desired. The new and improved light displays of the invention can be operatively connected to the lighting system of a motor vehicle, to serve as auxiliary break light and turn signal lights so as to customize one&#39;s motor vehicle, and to provide new and improved light displays utilizing both laser lighting, monochromatic lighting or multicolored lighting as desired. The new and improved invention utilizes both reflective and refractive lighting and aesthetically pleasing illuminated ornaments which may be rotated or otherwise moved within the beams of light to be reflected by adjacent mirrored surfaces or otherwise dispersed to produce the myriad of aesthetically pleasing effects of the displays of the invention. 
     While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, the protection afforded by any patent which may issue upon this application is not strictly limited to the disclosed embodiment; but rather extends to all structures and arrangements which fall fairly within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.