Abstract:
The light emitting decoration apparatus includes a sheet type light emitting member ( 40 ) that has a transparent electric conductive layer ( 641 ), fluorescent layer ( 66 ), and first and second electrode layer ( 64 ) that electrically isolated each other. Each electrode layer of the light emitting member has electric junction portions. The electric junction portions are adapted to be connected to wire type conductors by way of passing through.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a decorative illuminating apparatus, and more particularly, to a decorative illuminating apparatus using an EL sheet.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Electro-luminescent (EL) sheet is formed by depositing a fluorescent material on an organic film or a linear structural object. As an AC voltage is applied to the EL sheet, an electric field causes the fluorescent material to rapidly charge and discharge, resulting in the emission of light during each cycle. This phenomenon is called the electro-luminescence. A thin, lightweight sheet having a property of the electro-luminescence is called the EL sheet. Since it can be formed in various shapes, the EL sheet is widely used as a back light of an electronic apparatus, a signal plate, and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative apparatus illuminating light and having various shapes formed by using an EL sheet.  
         [0006]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating member having various shapes formed by using an EL sheet.  
         [0007]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of fabricating an illuminating member having various shapes formed by using an EL sheet.  
         [0008]     Further still another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement where a plurality of cables can be connected to an EL sheet, thereby obtaining various decorative shapes.  
         [0009]     Further still another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly where an illuminating member using an EL sheet and a cable can be simply and firmly connected.  
         [0010]     Further still another object of the present invention is to provide a cable capable of being connected to a decorative illuminating apparatus in various manners.  
         [0011]     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: an illuminating member having a shape of a sheet, the illuminating member comprising a transparent conductive layer, a fluorescent layer, and first and second electrode layers electrically isolated from each other, wherein electrical connection portions are provided to the first and second electrode layers of the illuminating member, and wherein a conductive wire passes through each of the electrical connection portions.  
         [0012]     It is preferable that the second electrode layer is in a contact with the transparent conductive layer.  
         [0013]     It is preferable that the fluorescent layer is interposed between the transparent layer and the first electrode layer, wherein the transparent layer is exposed at a region where the fluorescent layer and the first electrode layer are not formed, wherein the second electrode layer covers the exposed region of the transparent layer and is electrically isolated from the electrode layers.  
         [0014]     It is preferable that the fluorescent layer extends between the first electrode layer and the transparent layer and between the second electrode layer and the transparent layer.  
         [0015]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a cable for supplying an electrical power to the electrical connection portions, wherein the cable has two conductors.  
         [0016]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a connector having two connection pins connected to the electrical connection portions, wherein the two conductors of the cable are separately connected to the connector.  
         [0017]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises first and second connection rings passing through the illuminating member and connected to the electrical connection portions, wherein the two connection pins of the connector are inserted into the first and second connection rings, respectively.  
         [0018]     It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises a moisture proof layer at the opposite side of a light-emitting side of the illuminating member.  
         [0019]     It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises a printing layer at a light-emitting side of the illuminating member, and a figure is printed on the printing layer.  
         [0020]     It is preferable that the illuminating member further comprises a layer covering outer end portions of the first or second electrode layer so that the first or second electrode layer is not externally exposed.  
         [0021]     It is preferable that the illuminating member comprises a central portion and a plurality of extending portions extending from the central portion in a radial direction, thereby forming a flower-like shape, and the electrical connection portion is provided at the central portion.  
         [0022]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a coupling means having a support element and a fixing element, wherein the illuminating member is interposed between the support element and the fixing element, wherein the support element and the fixing element are detachably assembled, wherein the coupling means covers the electrical connection portion.  
         [0023]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a base where the cable is detachably fixed.  
         [0024]     It is preferable that the base comprises a circuit board having a connector, wherein the two conductors of the cable are connected to the connector of the circuit board.  
         [0025]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a circuit unit for supplying an electrical power through the cables, wherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of inverter devices corresponding to the cables.  
         [0026]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a circuit unit for supplying an electrical power through the cables, wherein the cables are divided into groups having one or more cables, and separate power supply devices are provided to the groups.  
         [0027]     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: an illuminating member made of an EL sheet; and a cable used for supplying an electrical power to the EL sheet, wherein the cable comprises two conductors and an insulating coat for covering the two conductors, wherein a connection passages is provided to the insulating coat to connect with each of the two conductors.  
         [0028]     It is preferable that the decorative illuminating apparatus further comprises a branch cable which is connected to the cable through the connection passage.  
         [0029]     According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating an illuminating member, the method comprising steps of: preparing a transparent electrode layer; forming a fluorescent layer on the transparent electrode layer except for a first region of the transparent layer, thereby exposing the first region and forming an exposed transparent layer; forming a dielectric layer on the fluorescent layer except for the first region, thereby still exposing the exposed transparent layer; forming a first electrode layer on the dielectric layer except for the first region, thereby still exposing the exposed transparent layer; and forming a second electrode layer at the same time, after, or before the step of forming the first electrode layer, wherein the second electrode layer covers the exposed transparent layer and is apart from the first electrode layer.  
         [0030]     It is preferable that the method further comprise a step of forming a moisture proof layer on the first electrode layer.  
         [0031]     It is preferable that the moisture proof layer is formed except for a second region of a lower electrode layer, thereby exposing the electrode layer.  
         [0032]     It is preferable that in the step of forming the electrode layer, the electrode layer is formed so that a third region of the dielectric layer is exposed, wherein the method further comprises a step of forming a through hole having a smaller size than the third region.  
         [0033]     It is preferable that wherein the method further comprise a step of forming a printing layer by printing a desired figure on the transparent electrode layer.  
         [0034]     It is preferable that the method further comprise a step of forming a glossy layer on the printing layer.  
         [0035]     It is preferable that outer end portions of the first electrode layer are covered with other layers.  
         [0036]     According to further still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decorative apparatus comprising: an illuminating member made of an EL sheet, the illuminating member comprising a central portion and a plurality of extending portion, thereby the illuminating member having a shape of a flower; a cable connected to the EL sheet, the cable having a shape of a stem; and a power supply device for supplying an electrical power to the EL sheet through the cable. It is preferable that the decorative apparatus further comprises another EL sheet having a shape of a petal, wherein the power supply device supplies the electrical power to another EL sheet.  
         [0037]     According to further still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decorative illuminating apparatus comprising: a plurality of layers including an electrode layer, wherein the electrode layer comprises an illuminating member having an EL sheet, wherein the EL sheet is divided into two regions by a dividing line, and wherein two connection rings are provided to pass though the two divided EL sheets, respectively.  
         [0038]     It is preferable that outer end portion of the EL sheet is covered with an insulating coat layer, so that the EL sheet is not externally exposed.  
         [0039]     It is preferable that the illuminating member comprises a central portion and a plurality of extending portions extending from the central portion in a radial direction, thereby forming a flower-like shape 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:  
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a decorative illuminating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a circuit board in the decorative illuminating apparatus of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a decorative illuminating object in the decorative illuminating apparatus;  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along lines C-C′ and D-D′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating object of  FIG. 4  with an illuminating member, a cable, and coupling means being assembled;  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross sectional view of an assembled portion of an illuminating member and a cable;  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along a line H-H′ of the decorative illuminating object of  FIG. 4  in order to illustrate coupling through holes.  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a connection ring before lined in an inserting hole;  
         [0049]     FIGS.  9  to  12  illustrate a method of fabricating an illuminating member of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0051]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a circuit board according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of an illuminating member according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0053]      FIG. 16  illustrates a method of fabricating an illuminating member according to another embodiment of the present invention; (a) is a plan view of the illuminating member and (b) is an enlarged cross sectional view of an end portion of the illuminating member;  
         [0054]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a decorative illuminating object according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0055]      FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of the decorative illuminating object of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 19  is a perspective, partially cutaway view of a cable and other connection parts according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0057]      FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view of additional cables connected to a cable connection portion of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0058]     The attached drawings for illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present invention are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of the present invention, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation of the present invention.  
         [0059]     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.  
         [0060]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a decorative illuminating apparatus according to the present invention. The decorative illuminating apparatus  10  comprises a base  20 , a decorative illuminating object  40 , and a decorative non-illuminating object  90 . The decorative illuminating and non-illuminating objects  40  and  90  are provided on the base  20 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 2  illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along lines A-A′ and B-B′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating apparatus of FIG.  1 . The base  20  comprises a case  23  and a circuit board  30  received in the case  23 . The case  23  has a shape of rectangular parallelepiped. The case  23  has upper and lower members  24  and  27 . The upper member  24  has a top plate  25  and four side walls  26 . The top plate  25  has a shape of rectangular. The four side walls  26  extend downward from four edges of the top plate  25 . On the top plate are provided a plurality of first and second connection parts  251  and  252  to which a cable  42  of the decorative illuminating object  40  and a lower end portion  92  of the decorative non-illuminating object  90  are inserted. The first connection parts  251  are provided to protrude upward from the top plate  25 . Each of the first connection parts  251  has a first connection hole  253  to which the cable  42  of the decorative illuminating object  40  is inserted and fixed. The first connection hole  253  has substantially the same cross section as that of the cable  42  in order to fasten the cable  42 . The diameter of the first connection hole  253  is determined to a degree that the cable  42  can be detachably and firmly fixed to the first connection hole  253 . A through hole  254  is provided below the first connection hole  253 . Two conductors  44  of the cable  42  pass through the through hole  254  into the case  23 . The two conductors  44  are connected to a connector  32  described later. Caps  259  are prepared to cover the first connection parts  251  which are not used. The caps  259  prevent water or contaminants from flowing into the case  23  through the first connection holes  253 .  
         [0062]     The second connection parts  253  are also provided to protrude upward from the top plate  25 . Each of the second connection parts  253  has a second connection hole  255  to which the lower end portion  92  of the decorative non-illuminating object  90  is inserted and fixed. The diameter of the second connection hole  255  is determined to a degree that the lower end portion  92  can be detachably and firmly fixed to the second connection hole  255 . It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the sizes of the first and second connection holes  253  and  255  may be determined depending on the cable  42  of the decorative illuminating object  40  and the lower end portion of the decorative non-illuminating object  90 .  
         [0063]     A step portion  261  is formed along lower edges of inner surfaces of the four sidewalls  26 . The step portion  261  is in a contact with an upper end portion  27  described later. A series of protrusions  262  are provided on inner surfaces of the step portion  261 . Each of the protrusions  262  is tapered downward. The protrusions  262  are engaged with corresponding recesses  292  provided on outer surfaces of side wall  29  of the lower member  27 . Distal ends of the side walls  26  are in a contact with a step portion  291  formed along upper edges of outer surfaces of the side walls  29  of the lower member  27  described later.  
         [0064]     The lower member  27  has a bottom plate  28  and four side walls  29 . The bottom plate  28  has a shape of rectangular. The four side walls  29  extend upward from four edges of the bottom plate  28 . As described above, the step portion  291  is formed along the upper edges of outer surfaces of the four sidewalls  29 . The step portion  291  is in a contact with the distal ends of the side walls  26  of the upper member  24 . A series of recesses  292  are provided on outer surfaces of the step portion  291 . The recesses  292  are engaged with corresponding protrusions  291  so that the upper and lower members can be engaged. Support ribs  293  are provided on inner surfaces of the side walls  29  of the lower member  27  to support the circuit board  30 . More specifically, edges of the circuit board  30  are mounted on step portions  294  of the support ribs  293 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , a power cable  99  passes through a side wall  29  of the lower member  27  into the case  23  and is connected to the circuit board  30 . Although in the embodiment an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V is supplied to the circuit board  30  through the power cable  99 , the present invention is not limited to it.  
         [0065]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a circuit board in the decorative illuminating apparatus of  FIG. 2 . Referring  FIGS. 2 and 3 , two connectors  32  and a plurality of inverter IC chips  100  are provided on an upper surface of the circuit board  30 . Each of the inverter IC chips  100  is electrically connected to a corresponding pair of pins  322  provided to the connector  32  and supplies an AC power to the connector  32 . Each of the connectors  32  mounted on the circuit board  30  has a shape of an elongated bar. A plurality of pairs of inserting holes  321  are aligned on an upper surface of each of the connectors  32 . And a plurality of pairs of pins  322  are aligned at the corresponding positions of the pairs of inserting holes  321  on a lower surface of each of the connectors  32 . The upper surfaces of the connectors  32  are adjacent to the lower surface of the top plate  25  of the upper member  24 . Each pair of the inserting holes  321  faces the corresponding through hole  254  below the first connection hole  253 . The two conductors of the cable  44  passing through the through hole  254  are inserted and electrically connected to the inserting holes  321 . The pins  322  are inserted into holes  301  on the circuit board  30  and fixed by a soldering method. As a result, the cable  42  is electrically connected to the circuit board  30  through a connector  32 . As a plurality of connectors  32  are provided in parallel, the first connection holes  253  can correspond to the pairs of inserting holes  321 .  
         [0066]     Although the commercial AC power is supplied to the decorative illuming object by using the inverter IC chips in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to it. Alternative embodiments of circuit boards for supplying an electrical power to a decorative illuminating object are illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , an adaptor circuit  100   b , a plurality of inverter circuits  101   b , and a plurality of connectors  32   b  are provided on a circuit board  30   b . The adaptor circuit  101   b  converts and transforms an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V to a DC power voltage of 9˜12V, and supplies the DC power to the inverter circuits  101   b . Each of the inverter circuits  101   b  is connected to the adaptor circuit  100   b  and two connectors  30   b . Each of the inverter circuits  101   b  converts the DC power to a stable AC power used to illumination and applies the AC power to the two connectors  32   b . Each of the connectors  32   b  has a pair of inserting holes  321   b  into which two conductors of a cable are inserted. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a case suitable for such a circuit board can be implemented in accordance with the aforementioned embodiment.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , three connectors  32   a , three transformers  101   a , and three intensity adjusting elements  102   a  are provided on a circuit board  30   a . An adaptor circuit (not shown) on the circuit board  30   a  converts and transforms an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V to a DC power voltage of 9˜12V. Each of the connector  32   a  has five pairs of inserting holes  321   a  into which conductors of cables are inserted. Each of the transformers  101   a  is connected to a corresponding connector  32   a . Each of the transformers  101   a  supplies the DC power to the corresponding connector  32   a . Each of the intensity adjusting elements  102   a  is connected to a corresponding transformer  101   a . Outputs of the transformers  101   a  are adjusted by using the intensity adjusting elements  102   a  so that the intensity of light emitted from illuminating members  60  can be adjusted. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a case suitable for such a circuit board can be implemented in accordance with the aforementioned embodiment. With such an arrangement of the circuit board, it is possible to supply different powers to groups of the illuminating members and separately adjust intensity of light emitted from groups of the illuminating members.  
         [0068]     Although in the embodiment an AC power voltage of 100 or 240V is supplied to each of the connectors, the present invention is not limited to it. Instead of the AC power supplier, a DC power supplier such as a battery may be used. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a power supplier suitable for such connectors can be implemented.  
         [0069]     Although in the aforementioned the cable and the circuit board are connected to each other with the connectors, the present invention is not limited to it. Alternatively, the cable and the circuit board may be connected to each other by using a soldering method without a connector.  
         [0070]     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the base  20  may be inserted in a vase-like container illustrated with dotted lines.  
         [0071]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a decorative illuminating object in the decorative illuminating apparatus.  FIG. 5  illustrates cross sectional views (a) and (b) taken along lines C-C′ and D-C′, respectively, of the decorative illuminating object of  FIG. 4  with an illuminating member, a cable, and coupling means being assembled. In an embodiment of the present invention, the illuminating object  40  has a shape of a flower having a petal and a stem. The illuminating object  40  comprises a cable  40 , an illuminating member  60 , coupling means for coupling the cable  40  with the illuminating member  60 , and a connector  120  for connecting the coupling member  80  and the cable  40 . The illuminating member  60  and the cable correspond to the petal and stem of the flower, respectively. The coupling means represents a calyx and stamens of the flower. The cable  42  comprises two conductors covered with an insulating coat  46 . At both ends of the cable  42 , the insulating coat  46  is peeled to expose the two conductors  44 . Returning to  FIG. 2 , the upper end of the cable  42  is inserted and fixed to the first connection hole  253 , and the lower end of the cable  42  is inserted and fixed to the connector  120 . Therefore, the cable  42  is not taken off by an unexpected external force. The two conductors  44  of the cable  42  inserted to the first connection hole  253  pass through the through hole  254  into the case  23  and are inserted to the inserting hole  321  of the connector  32 . The cable  42  can be removed from the base  20  with a hand pulling. The cable  42  preferably has a strength to a degree that it can stand erect. The cable  42  may be elastically bendable.  
         [0072]     Returning to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper end of the cable  42  is inserted to the connector  120 . The connector  120  has a body  121  having a shape of rectangular parallelepiped and two connection pins  112  provided on a top surface of the body  121 . Two inserting holes (not shown) are provided on a bottom surface of the body  121 , so that the two conductors  44  of the cable  42  pass through the two inserting holes and are connected to the two connection pins  122 . The body  121  is received into a connection passage  831  of a support element  82  of the coupling means  80  described later. Two connection pins  122  are inserted into two inserting holes  614  and  615  of the illuminating member  60 . The connector  120 , the illuminating member  60 , and the support element  82  are assembled by soldering ( 202 ,  204 ) or bending the pins. The two conductors  44  of the cable  42  are inserted/removed to/from the inserting holes (not shown) of the connector  120  assembled with the illuminating member  60  and the support element  82 . With such an arrangement, it is possible to easily replace a blossom part made of the connector  120 , the illuminating member  60 , and the coupling means  80 .  
         [0073]     The illuminating member  60  having a shape of a petal comprises a circular central portion  61  and a plurality of extending portions  62  which extend from the central portion  61  in a radial direction. The central portion  61  comprises two coupling through holes  61  and first and second inserting holes  614  and  615 . Preferably, the two coupling through holes  61  and the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615  are arranged so that a line connecting the two coupling through holes  612  can intersect a line connecting the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615 . The coupling means  80  further comprises a fixing element  86 . The fixing element  86  has an insert boss  87  which are inserted into the coupling through holes  612 . The first and second inserting holes  614  and  615  are lined with first and second connection rings  200  and  210  described later with reference to  FIG. 6 . The two connection pins of the connector  120  are inserted into the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615  and are fixed with the solders  202  and  204 . Although the connection pins are fixed with the solders, the connection pins are fixed by inserting the connection pins and bending protruding portions thereof. In addition, the bended portion may be also soldered.  
         [0074]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one of the connection rings  200  and  210  before lined in the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615 . Now, a method of lining the connection rings in the first and second inserting holes will be described. Each of the connection rings  200  and  210  comprises a cylinder  208  and a flange  206  having a knob  209 . With a hand gasping the knob  209 , the cylinder  208  is inserted into the inserting hole of the illuminating member  60 . Next, a sintering process is performed on the opposite portion of the flange  206 , so that the first and second connection rings  200  and  201  are lined in the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615  of the illuminating member  60 . Next, the knob  209  is removed.  
         [0075]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross sectional view of an assembled portion of the illuminating member  60  and the cable  40 . The illuminating member, that is an EL sheet, has a stacked structure of a coating layer  68 , a transparent conductive layer (transparent electrode layer)  641 , a fluorescent layer  66 , a dielectric layer  65 , a lower electrode layer  64 , and a moisture proof layer  74 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The lower electrode layer  64  is made of a highly conductive material such as silver. The fluorescent layer  66  is formed by depositing fluorescent ink. The fluorescent layer  66  is generally referred to as a phosphor layer. In  FIG. 6 , the arrows indicate Light emitted from the illuminating member. The coating layer  68  is made of a transparent material such as PE in the embodiment. The transparent electrode layer  641  is an indium oxide tin (ITO) film made by depositing ITO on a plastic resin film, such as PET. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that depths of the layers in  FIG. 6  is different from those of actual layers of the illuminating member  60 . The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure of the EL sheet. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that different structures of the EL sheet can be employed.  
         [0076]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the stacked structures near the first and the second inserting holes  614  and  615  of the illuminating member  60  are different from each other. Near the first inserting holes  614 , the moisture proof layer  74  is removed wider than the flange  206  of the first connection ring  200 . The lower electrode layer  64  is exposed at the region where the moisture proof layer  74  is not formed. The flange  206  of the first connection ring  200  contacts with the exposed portion of the lower electrode layer  64  and the opposite portion of the flange is caulked, so that the first connection ring  200  and the illuminating member  60  are assembled and the formation of the first inserting hole  614  is completed. Near the second inserting hole  615 , the moisture proof layer  74 , the lower electrode layer  64 , the dielectric layer  65 , and the fluorescent layer  66  are removed wider than the flange  206  of the second connection ring  210 . As a result, the transparent electrode layer  641  is exposed. A connection electrode layer  76  is formed on the exposed transparent electrode layer  641 . The connection electrode layer  76  is made of a highly conductive material such as silver. The flange  206  of the second connection ring  210  contacts with an outer surface of the connection electrode layer  76 , and the opposite portion of the flange is caulked, so that the second connection ring  210  and the illuminating member  60  are assembled and the formation of the second inserting hole  615  is completed. The two connection pins of the connector  120  are inserted into the first and second inserting holes  614  and  615 , and the solders  201  and  204  are applied. With such a structure, the one connection pin inserted into the first inserting hole  614  is electrically connected to the lower electrode layer  64  of the illuminating member  60 , and the other connection pin inserted into the second inserting hole  615  is electrically connected to the transparent electrode layer  641  of the illuminating member  60 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along a line H-H′ of the decorative illuminating object of  FIG. 4  in order to illustrate two coupling through holes  612 . The stacked structures near the two coupling through holes  612  of the illuminating member  60 , to which the two insert bosses  87  of the fixing element  86  of the coupling member  80  are inserted, are slightly different from that of other regions of the illuminating member  60 . Near each of the coupling through holes  612 , the moisture proof layer  74  and the lower electrode  64  are removed to expose the dielectric layer  65 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the lower electrode layer  64  and the transparent electrode layer  641  from being crushed during the formation of the coupling through holes  612  and to ensure a stable connection.  
         [0078]     Returning to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the coupling means  80  comprises the support element  82  and the fixing element  86 . The support element  82  and the fixing element  86  represent a calyx and stamens of a flower, respectively. The support member  82  has a connection portion  83  and a plurality of sepal-like supports  84 . The connection portion has a shape of a truncated cone. The plurality of sepal-like supports  84  are provided in a radial direction to correspond to the plurality of extending portions  62  of the illuminating member  60 . The connection portion  83  comprises a connection passage  831  at the center thereof and two inserting holes  822  and  832  at the both sides of the connection passage  831 . The connector  120  is inserted to the connection passage  831 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the connection passage  831  has a protruded rim  8311  at the upper inner surface thereof. The rim  8311  has a function of preventing the connector  120  from passing the connection passage  831 . The two connection pins of the connector  120  are protruded through an upper opening of the connection passage  831 . The two insert bosses  87  of the fixing element  86  are pressed and inserted into the two inserting holes  822  and  832  provided on the upper surface of the connection portion  83 , so that the support element  82  and the fixing element  86  are assembled. Each of the sepal-like supports  84  having a shape of a rising curve supports the corresponding extending portion  62  of the illuminating member  60 .  
         [0079]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the fixing element  96  having a shape of stamens comprises the two inserting bosses extending downward and a recess  88  at the center of a lower surface of the fixing element  96 . The two insert bosses  87  pass through the coupling through holes  612  of the illuminating member  60 , and are pressed and inserted into the two inserting holes  822  and  832 , so that the illuminating member  60  can be fixed. The recess  88  receives the solders  202  and  204  formed at the two connection pins of the connector  120 .  
         [0080]     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the decorative non-illuminating object  90  comprises a lower end portion  92  and a decorative portion  94 . The lower end portion having a cross section of circle are connected to the second inserting hole  255  provided on the top surface of the base  20 . The decorative portion may have various shapes such as a flower, a butterfly, a cattail, or the like.  
         [0081]     Now, operations of the decorative illuminating apparatus will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  5 , and  6 . AC power is supplied to the circuit board  30  in the base  20  through the power cable  99 . The circuit board  30  is connected to the cable  42  of the decorative illuminating object  40  through the connector  32  provided on the upper surface of the circuit board  30 . An inverter IC chip  100  supplies a stable AC power to the illuminating member  60  through the cable passing through an inserting hole  321 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the one of the two connection pins of the connector  120  is connected to the lower electrode layer  64  through the first connection ring  200 , and the other is connected to the transparent electrode layer  641  through the second connection ring  210 . As the AC current flows between the two electrode layers, light emits toward the coating layer  68 . Initially, the first connection ring  200  is connected to the transparent electrode layer  641  and the lower electrode layer  64 . At the time of a current flowing, the transparent electrode layer  641  near the first connection ring  641  is damaged and insulated. As a result, the first connection ring  200  is connected to only the lower electrode layer  64 . On the other hand, some portion of the transparent electrode layer  641  near the second connection ring  210  may be damaged, but the lower electrode layer  64  covering the transparent electrode layer  641  is not insulated. As a result, the conductors  44  and the transparent layer  641  are still electrically connected to each other, so that light can continuously emit.  
         [0082]     Now, a method of fabricating the illuminating member  60  illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5 , and  7  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9, 10 ,  11 , and  12 . Firstly, as shown in (a) and (b) of  FIG. 9 , a fluorescent layer  66  having a shape of a flower is formed on a substrate  63 . In  FIG. 9 , (a) is a plan view of the substrate  63  and (b) is a cross sectional view taken along the line E-E′ of the substrate of (a). The fluorescent layer  66  is not at a predetermined central region  601 . It is the predetermined central regions  601  that the second connection ring shown in  FIG. 6  is inserted into. The substrate  63  comprises a coating layer  68  and the transparent electrode layer  641 . In the embodiment, the coating layer  68  is made of a transparent plastic material such as PE, and the transparent electrode layer  641  is made of an indium oxide tin (ITO) film.  
         [0083]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a dielectric layer  65  is formed on the fluorescent layer  66 . The dielectric layer  65  has the same shape as the fluorescent layer  66 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a lower electrode layer  64  made of a highly conductive material such as silver is formed on the dielectric layer  65 . In  FIG. 11 , (c) is a plan view, and (a) and (b) are cross sectional view taken along lines F-F′ and G-G′ of (c) of  FIG. 11 . After the formation of the lower electrode layer  64 , the lower electrode layer  64 , the dielectric layer  65 , and the fluorescent layer  600  are removed at a predetermined region  601  to expose the transparent electrode layer  641 . On the exposed transparent electrode is formed a connection electrode layer  76  which are apart from the neighboring layers. The connection electrode  76  is made of a high conductive material such as silver. On the other hand, the lower electrode layer  64  is removed at two predetermined regions  8121  where the coupling through holes  612  of  FIGS. 4 and 7  are to be formed.  
         [0084]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 12 , a moisture proof layer  64  is formed. In  FIG. 12 , (c) is a plan view, and (a) and (b) are cross sectional view taken along lines K-K′ and L-L′ of (c) of  FIG. 12 . Next, the moisture proof layer  64  is removed at predetermined regions  601  and  602  where the first connection ring  200  of  FIG. 6  is to be inserted. On the other hand, the moisture proof layer  64  is removed at other predetermined regions  6121  where the coupling through holes  612  are to be formed. Although the moisture proof layer  64  is removed at the predetermined region  6121 , the present invention is not limited to it. Alternatively, the moisture proof layer  64  may not be removed at the predetermined region  6121 . Next, the substrate is subjected to a cutaway process for cutting the substrate along the contour of a flower indicated with dotted line in (c) of  FIG. 12 , so the illuminating member having a shape of a flower can be obtained. After or before the cutaway process, a punching process is performed to form two coupling through holes  621  and two inserting holes  614  and  615  which are lined with first and second connection rings  200  and  210 . When the two inserting holes  614  and  615  are lined with the first and second connection rings  200  and  210 , the illuminating member  60  shown in  FIG. 4  is completed.  
         [0085]     Although the layers in FIGS.  9  to  12  are illustrated to be thick, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that thicknesses of the layer are exaggerated.  
         [0086]     Although only a single flower is formed on the substrate  63  in FIGS.  9  to  12 , it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a large number of flowers can be formed on the substrate  63  for the purpose of mass production.  
         [0087]     Although the illuminating member has a shape of a flower in the aforementioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the flower. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the illuminating member may have various shapes such as a butterfly, a dragonfly, a mushroom, a bird, a charter, a numeral, and a symbol.  
         [0088]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of an illuminating member  60   a  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illuminating member  60   a  comprises a coating layer  68 , a printing layer  69 , and a glossing layer  79 . The printing layer  69  is formed by printing a desired figure of a flower or a star on the coating layer  68  with a printing process, such as a silk screen method and an offset printing method. With the formation of the printing layer  69 , it is possible to obtain an illuminating member having naturally or three-dimensionally appearance during its illumination. The glossing layer  79  is formed by coating a non-glossy material or a glossy material on the printing layer  69 . With the formation of the glossing layer  79 , it is possible to further increase the aforementioned printing effect. The other structures of the illuminating member  60   a  are the same as the illuminating member  60  of  FIG. 6 , and thus their description is omitted.  
         [0089]      FIG. 16  illustrates a method of fabricating an illuminating member according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to (a) and (b) of  FIG. 16 , contour  64111 , that is, an outer end portion, of the lower electrode layer  64  is formed to be interior to contours of the substrate  63  (including the dielectric layer  65  and the moisture proof layer  74 , and so on) and other layers (including the glossing layer  79 , the printing layer  69 ). The resulting member is subjected to a cutaway process for cutting the resulting member along the dotted line  16  drawn between the contour of the lower electrode layer  64  and the contours of the other layers  79 ,  69 ,  66 ,  65 ,  74 . As a result, an illuminating member having a desired shape of a flower is obtained. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the lower electrode layer  64  from being exposed. Therefore, an unpleasant electric shock can be avoided when the illuminating member contacts with a human body. The other structures of the illuminating member are the same as the aforementioned embodiment, and thus their description is omitted.  
         [0090]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate an illuminating member  60   a  according to anther embodiment of the present invention. The illuminating member  60   a  havening a shape of a flower comprises a circular central portion  61   a  and a plurality of extending portions  62   a  which extend from the central portion  61   a  in a radial direction. The illuminating member further comprises an EL sheet  63   a  and insulating coating layers  68   a  and  69   a  for covering the EL sheet  63   a . The EL sheet  63   a  has a stacked structure of a base layer  641   a , a fluorescent layer  66   a , an insulating layer  66   a , and a conductive layer  64   a . The insulating layer  65   a  is made of a dielectric material. The conductive layer  64  made of a highly conductive material such as silver serves as an electrode. The fluorescent layer  66   a  is formed by depositing fluorescent ink. The fluorescent layer  66   a  is generally referred to as a phosphor layer. In alternative embodiment, an insulating layer may be interposed between the base layer  641   a  and the fluorescent layer  66   a . Since the light-emitting surface of the EL sheet  63   a  is directed upward in  FIG. 18 , the base layer  641   a  is illustrated at the upper portion of the EL sheet  63   a . In  FIG. 18 , the arrows indicate Light emitted from the illuminating member  60   a . The base layer  641   a  made of a transparent conductive material comprises a base resin layer  202   a  and a conductive film  204   a . Preferably, the base resin layer  202   a  is made of a plastic resin material such as PET, and the conductive film is an indium oxide tin (ITO) film made by depositing ITO on the base resin layer  202   a . The resulting base layer  641   a  is referred to as a transparent conductive film or an ITO film layer. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that depths of the layers in  FIG. 18  is different from those of actual layers of the illuminating member  60 .  
         [0091]     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , there is provided a dividing line  611   a  for dividing the conductive layer  64   a  into two parts. The dividing line is formed to be a curve having a certain width. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, but the dividing line may be formed to be linear.  
         [0092]     Referring to  FIG. 18 , two printing layer  104   a  and  102   a  are formed on two coating layers  68   a  and  69   a , respectively. The coating layers  68   a  and  89   a  are wider than an EL sheet  63   a , so that the EL sheet  63   a  is not exposed. The dividing line  611   a  divides the conductive layer  64   a  provided in the central portion  61   a  of the EL sheet  63   a  into two electrode planes  671   a  and  672   a . When an AC voltage is applied between two electrode planes  671   a  and  672   a  connected to the corresponding conductors, light emits from the transparent electrode layer (the base layer)  641   a.    
         [0093]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , two coupling through holes  612   a  and first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a  are provided on the two electrode planes  61   a  and  672   a  of the central portion  61   a . The first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a  have the same structures as those of  FIG. 6 . The first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a  pass through all the layers of the illuminating member  60   a . The illuminating member  60   a  is connected to a cable in the same manner shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As not shown in  FIG. 17 , two conductors of the cable are electrically connected to the first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a , respectively. When currents are applied to the first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a , a short circuit may occur at the conductive film  204   a  of the base layer  641   a . However, heat generated at that time have a damage to the conductive films  204   a  near the first and second connection rings  200   a  and  210   a , so that the first and second rings  200   a  and  210   a  can be insulated from the conductive films  204   a . Therefore, there is no influence on the illumination of the illuminating member  60   a.    
         [0094]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a cable  42   a  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cable  42   a  represents a stem of a plant which is represented by a decorative illuminating object.  FIG. 19  is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the cable  42   a  and other connection parts  461   a  according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view of additional cables connected to a cable connection portion of  FIG. 17 . The cable  42   a  comprises two conductors  44   a  for flowing a current and an insulating coat  46   a  covering the two conductors  44   a . A plurality of connection parts  461   a  are provided on the insulating coat  46   a . Hereinafter, the cable  42   a  is referred to as a “stem cable.” Each of the connection parts  461   a  has a connection plane  462   a  substantially perpendicular to an extending direction of the conductors  44   a . In each of the connection parts  461   a , two connection passages  463   a  are provided from the connection plane  462   a  and to the two conductors  44   a , respectively. When a connector  15   a  described later is mounted on the connection plane  42   a , two leads of the connector  15   a  are inserted into the connection passages and electrically connected to the conductors  44   a . An additional cable (hereinafter, referred to as a “branch cable”) representing a branch of the plant is connected through the connector  15   a . Preferably, the branch cable is more slender than the stem cable. However, the present invention is not limit to it. The connector  15   a  has a body  151   a  having a shape of rectangular parallelepiped and two leads extending downward from the body  151   a . An opening  153   a  is provided on a top portion of the body  151   a  to fasten the branch cable  42   a . In the opening  153   a  are provided connection portions  1521   a  of the leads  152   a  to which the two conductors of the branch cable  42   b  are inserted and connected. The leads  152   a  are inserted into the connection passages  463   a  provided at the connection parts  461   a  of the stem cable  42   a . The end portion of the inserted lead  152   a  is electrically connected to the conductor  44   a  of the stem cable  42   a . When a branch cable  42   b  is not connected to a connection part  461   a  of the stem cable  42   a , a cap  18   a  is inserted the connection part  461   a  in order to prevent contaminants from being flowing into the connection part  461   a . The cap  18   a  comprises a cover  181   a  for covering the connection plane  462   a  of the connection part  461   a  of the stem cable  42   a  and legs  182   a  extending from the cover  181   a . The two legs are inserted into the two connection passages  463  provided to each of the connection parts of the stem cable  42   a.    
         [0095]     According to the present invention, the following advantages can be obtained. It is possible to use the decorative illuminating apparatus as an illumination apparatus. In addition, since a plurality of stem and branch cables are easily detachable to a base through a plurality of connection parts and portions, a user can decorate the decorative illuminating apparatus to his or her taste. In addition, it is possible to firmly assemble the cable and the illuminating member. In addition, since the cable can be easily detachable from the decorative illuminating object, it is possible to easily replace their components. In addition, according to a method of fabricating the illuminating member by using an EL sheet, it is possible to fabricate various shapes of the illuminating members in mass production. In addition, since the EL sheet has a moisture proof layer, it is possible to increase life time and durability of the decorative illuminating apparatus. In addition, since a desired figure is printed on the illuminating member and a glossing layer is formed thereon, it is possible to obtain three-dimensional appearance during the illumination of the illuminating member. In addition, since conductive layers in the illuminating member are not exposed, it is possible to avoid an unpleasant electric shock when the illuminating member contacts with a human body. In addition, since different powers can be supplied to groups of the illuminating members, light can more stably emit from a plurality of the illuminating members. In addition, since a plurality of branch cable can be added to a stem cable, it is possible to simply and easily obtain a plant-like decorative illuminating apparatus.  
         [0096]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.