Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/933,386 entitled Decorative Ornament For Recessed Can Ceiling Light Fixture Or Dome filed Jun. 6, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a decorative ornamentation for use with a commonly used recessed can ceiling light fixture or semi-flush light fixture, for aesthetic purposes. Consumers like to decorate for holiday seasons and add accents in their homes in unique ways. Consumers also typically wish to decorate the interiors and exteriors of their homes inexpensively and in a manner that will not impart damage to their homes in the process. Hence, having decorations that are cost-effective, temporary (if so desired) and easy to install by the consumer without professional assistance or the need for special installation tools, equipment and/or methods is desirable. 
         [0003]    In particular, it is known in the art that consumers use lighting fixtures in their homes and businesses in order to provide aesthetically-pleasing lighting options. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,423 illustrates a type of light fixture having releasably attachable objects and methods for trimming light fixtures. However, such fixtures are complicated, requiring (at a minimum) knowledge of implementing and managing electrical connections, as well as expert knowledge and special tooling or equipment (i.e., ladder) to effectively place the fixture. Such fixtures, as result, are costly and complicated to use. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,940 also illustrates a type of decorative ornament used on or in homes. However, such decorative ornament utilizes mounting blocks and mounted springs as a means of connecting the ornament to (as described therein) the shutter on a house. Again, the installation of such an ornament would be complicated, most likely requiring some degree of knowledge and/or special tooling or equipment to install properly. 
         [0005]    There exists a need for a decorative ornament for light fixture that is easy to install and remove without use of complicated tooling and/or risk of damaging the surface to which it is connected. Also, there is a need for a decorative ornament that is relatively inexpensive for the average consumer to purchase. Further, there is a need for a decorative ornament that does not require knowledge or need of electrical manipulation with a light fixture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a decorative ornament. The decorative ornament may include any number of different materials and components sufficient to achieve a desired aesthetic effect when installed at or near a light source of a home or business interior or exterior. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the present invention provides an easily removable decorative ornament. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an inexpensive method of decorating an interior or exterior of a home or business. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a decorative ornament that is easy to install. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a decorative ornament for a light fixture that requires no electrical work or need to alter a light fixture whatsoever. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of the decorative ornament shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of the decorative ornament shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective top view of the decorative ornament shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective top view of the decorative ornament shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of an assembly used to attach a decorative ornament to a light fixture in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of an assembly used to attach a decorative ornament to a light fixture in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a photograph of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a photograph of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a photograph of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a photograph of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19   a  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19   b  is a sectional side view of the embodiment of the decorative ornament shown in  FIG. 19   a.    
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of a decorative ornament in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  12  show a decorative ornament  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The decorative ornament  10  generally include at least one anchor portion  20 , at least one support portion  30  and a least one decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  2  indicates three anchor portions  20  having hook  22  and chain  24  assemblies, the anchor portion  20  being positioned approximately equilaterally from one another (although other orientations are contemplated herein), in operable connection with a light fixture (not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; shown in  FIG. 12 ) and a support portion  30 . The decorative portion  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  12 , includes a plurality of beaded string assemblies  42  affixed hangingly from a support portion  30 . 
         [0033]    An anchor portion  20  may include any number of materials, designs, shapes and lengths that would serve to secure a decorative ornament  10  to a light fixture (not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; shown in  FIG. 12 ) or a surface at or near a light fixture of a home or office exterior or interior (not shown), including but not limited to hooks, clips and other fasteners. Accordingly, an anchor portion  20  may include a variety of shapes and sizes, including but not limited to L-shaped, U-shaped, arcuate, paper clip-type configurations and other similar shapes that one of ordinary skill in the art would contemplate for use in accordance with the present invention. An anchor portion  20  may include a variety of materials, including but not limited to, plastic, metal, wood, glass, nylon, elastic and any combination thereof. An anchor portion  20  further may include any predetermined length selected to achieve a desired aesthetic and physical result. Most preferably, the anchor portion  20  is comprised of material that is heat- and/or flame-resistant or, at a minimum, heat-tolerant. 
         [0034]    A support portion  30  may include any number of materials and designs that would serve to support a decorative portion  40  of a decorative ornament  10 , while also providing an operable connection with at least one anchor portion  20 . A support portion  30  may include any number of materials and shapes. The types of materials contemplated for use in a support portion  30  would include, but are not limited to, different types of metals (for example, various gauges of wire, rings, etc), plastics, wood, glass, nylon and elastic, as well as any number of combinations thereof. 
         [0035]    The types of shapes contemplated for use in a support portion  30  would include, but are not limited to, rings, circles, squares, rectangles, ellipses, whether such shape (and/or material) is contiguous or non-contiguous and/or such shape is occupying one dimensional plane or multi-dimensional planes, in orientation. Preferably, a support portion  30  is constructed of materials (for example, rigid plastic), shapes, or a combination thereof, such that a predetermined weight of a decorative portion  40  is provided adequate support to achieve a desired aesthetic effect of an installed decorative ornament  10 . Most preferably, a support portion  30  is comprised of material that is heat- and/or flame-resistant or, at a minimum, heat-tolerant. 
         [0036]    A decorative portion  40  may include any number of materials and designs that would serve to provide a desired aesthetic effect of a decorative ornament  10 . Such designs of the decorative portion  40  may further include numerous patterns and orientations, whether predetermined or customized, as desired by the consumer. The decorative portion  40  may include beading, chains, ribbons, strings, wires and any combination thereof (each of various possible shapes, sizes and materials), of any desired predetermined length contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art, selected to achieve a desired aesthetic or physical result. Materials contemplated for use in the decorative portion  40  may include, but are not limited to, glass, wood, metals, fabric, nylon, plastic, paper and other materials that are known by ordinary persons of skill in the art. Most preferably, a decorative portion  40  is comprised of material that is heat- and/or flame-resistant or, at a minimum, heat-tolerant. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , removably connected with a light fixture  50 , and also operably connected with a substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornament  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hook  22  and beaded string  26  assemblies, operably connected with the substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . Additionally, the combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40  include a substantially planar support portion  30  which is operably connected with a helical or spring-like decorative portion  40 , the decorative portion  40  including a foundation of memory wire  48  threaded through decorative beads  45  (as well as optionally affixed additional decorative beaded strings  42 , as shown) and formed into a desired overall shape. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , removably connected with a light fixture  50 , and also operably connected with a substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornament includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hook  22  and chain  24  assemblies, operably connected with the substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 , in the form of a substantially bowl shape, all of which produces a desired decorative and lighting effect. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , a support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornament  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hook  22  and beaded string  26  assemblies, operably connected with a support portion  30  including a rigid material ring, which is operably connected with a decorative portion  40  including numerous beaded string assemblies that are gathered at a predetermined region along the length of the strings assemblies, to produce a desired aesthetic effect. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate two different embodiments of anchor portions  20  contemplated for use with the present invention. Namely,  FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of a hook  22  and beaded string  26  assembly contemplated for use as an anchor portion  20  as described herein.  FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment of a hook  22  and chain  24  assembly as contemplated for use as an anchor portion  20  as described herein. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , a support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornament  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hook  22  and beaded string  26  assemblies, and a substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . The combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40  include a support portion  30  which is operably connected with the anchor portions  20  by a first support ring  32  placed in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a light fixture  50  and a second support ring  34  placed in a substantially parallel orientation relative to a light fixture  50 , and decorative portions  40  operably connected with the above-described support portions  32 ,  34 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 13 ,  15  and  16  illustrate decorative ornaments  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including (each) three anchor portions  20 , a support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornaments  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hook  22  and chain  24  assemblies, operably connected concurrently with a surface of a light fixture  50  and a support portion  30  including a rigid material ring, which is operably connected with a decorative portion  40  including numerous beaded string assemblies  42  that are gathered at a predetermined regions along the lengths of the beaded strings assemblies  42  (respectively), to produce desired aesthetic effects. 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , a support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornaments  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hooks  22 , operably connected with a support portion  30  including a rigid material ring, which is operably connected with a decorative portion  40  which is operably connected with the support portion  30  by first attachment rings  44  at numerous predetermined locations along the support portion  30  and, further, by second attachment rings  46  connected with the first attachment rings  44  and supporting gathered beaded string assemblies  42 , to produce a desired aesthetic effect. 
         [0044]      FIG. 17  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20 , a support portion  30  and a decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornaments  10  includes three anchor portions  20  having three separate hooks  22 , operably connected with a support portion  30  including a rigid material ring, which is operably connected with a decorative portion  40 . The decorative portion  40  is operably connected with the support portion  30  at numerous predetermined locations along the support portion  30  as shown and, further, the decorative portion  40  is connected by rings  48  supporting beaded string assemblies  42  that are interconnected at predetermined regions along the lengths of the beaded string assemblies  42 , to produce a desired aesthetic effect. 
         [0045]      FIG. 18  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including two anchor portions  20  removably connected with a light fixture  50 , and also operably connected with a substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornament includes two anchor portions  20  having hook  22  and chain  24  assemblies, operably connected with the substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 , in the form of a substantially cylindrical-shaped plastic piece and having a plurality of plastic strips  43  hangingly affixed thereon, all of which produces a desired decorative and lighting effect. 
         [0046]      FIG. 19   a  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including a substantially combined anchor portion  20  and support portion  30 , removably connected with a light fixture  50 , and also operably connected with a decorative portion  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19   b , the decorative ornament  10  includes a substantially combined anchor portion  20  and support portion  30  is removably affixed at or about a light fixture  50  at its rim  52 , which is also operably connected with a decorative portion  40 . The decorative portion  40  includes the form of a substantially cylindrical-shaped plastic piece and further includes a plurality of plastic strips  43  hangingly affixed thereon, all of which produces a desired decorative and lighting effect. 
         [0047]      FIG. 20  illustrates a decorative ornament  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention, including three anchor portions  20  removably connected with a light fixture  50 , and also operably connected with a substantially combined support portion  30  and decorative portion  40 . More specifically, the decorative ornaments  10  includes three anchor portions  20  (only one is shown) having three separate hook  22  and chain  24  assemblies, operably connected with a substantially combined support portion  30  including a rigid material ring, which is operably connected with a decorative portion  40 . The decorative portion  40  includes a substantially cylindrical, substantially translucent fabric material (for example, nylon) operably connected with a weighted ring  47  of predetermined shape and material (as earlier described herein) sufficient to hold the decorative portion  40  at a predetermined position and length, sufficient to produce a desired aesthetic effect. 
         [0048]    Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Technology Category: 2