Patent ID: 7427153

Claim:
A radially arranged fiber optic panel, the panel comprising: a planar backing member, the planar backing member having a geometry defined by an upper surface, a lower surface and a contiguous panel perimeter edge, the panel having an interior aperture extending completely through the upper and lower panel surfaces, the aperture defined by a contiguous aperture sidewall; a first plurality of fiber optic strands disposed upon the upper surface of the planar panel, each of the first series of fiber optic strands having a first proximal end secured proximate the interior aperture sidewall, each strand emanating away from the aperture and terminating at an opposite, second distal end proximate to the panel perimeter edge; said first series of fiber optic strands forming a outwardly projecting strand configuration wherein the first proximal ends of adjacent strands significantly overlap each other to form a multi-layered strand structure proximate to the interior aperture, and wherein the degree of overlapping of adjacent strands continuously decreases as the strands project outward from the interior aperture toward the panel perimeter, the strands having a at least one of a near complete and completely non-overlapping arrangement at their second distal ends; at least a second plurality of fiber optic strands disposed upon the upper surface of the planar panel, each of the first series of fiber optic strands having a first proximal end secured proximate the interior aperture sidewall, each strand emanating away from the aperture and terminating at an opposite, second distal end proximate to the panel perimeter edge; said second series of fiber optic strands forming a outwardly projecting strand configuration wherein the first proximal ends of adjacent strands significantly overlap each other to form a multi-layered strand structure proximate to the interior aperture, and wherein the degree of overlapping of adjacent strands continuously decreases as the strands project outward from the interior aperture toward the panel perimeter, the strands having a at least one of a near complete and completely non-overlapping arrangement at their second distal ends; a first illumination source disposed within the interior aperture for communicating light to the first proximal ends of the first series of fiber optic strands; and, a second illumination source disposed within the interior aperture for communicating light to the first proximal ends of the second series of fiber optic strands, wherein, the first and second illumination sources can be synchronized to communicate light to the first and second fiber optic strands in a manner imparting an animated visual image.