Patent Document

RELATED CASES 
   This invention is described in my Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/358,802, filed May 2, 2002, and now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to electrical lighting and is particularly directed to improved lighting devices for providing decorative and attractive patterns. 
   PRIOR ART 
   The world is constantly seeking new and different devices which are esthetically pleasing and which provide calming, relaxing and meditatively stimulating experiences. Over the years, numerous such devices have been popular for some period of time and which have subsequently been replaced by newer such devices. Lava lights, fiber optic spray lamps, etc. are examples of such decorative lights. However, there is a constant search for new and different devices and none of the prior art devices have been entirely satisfactory. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
   These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention and an improved decorative lighting device is provide which can be formed in a plurality of ways to provide a multiplicity of decorative and esthetically pleasing patterns. 
   These advantages of the present invention are preferably attained by providing an improved decorative lighting device comprising a central column containing at least one light source, a rigid member lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said column, and a plurality of optical fibers extending from a point adjacent the top of said column about said rigid member to a point adjacent the bottom of said column. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved decorative lighting device. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative lighting device which can be formed in a plurality of ways. 
   An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative lighting device which can provide a multiplicity of decorative and esthetically pleasing patterns. 
   A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative lighting device comprising a central column containing at least one light source, a rigid member lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said column, and a plurality of optical fibers extending from a point adjacent the top of said column about said rigid member to a point adjacent the bottom of said column. 
   These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a decorative lighting device embodying the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is a vertical section through the lower portion of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternative form of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the lighting device of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIG. 1  shows a decorative lighting device, indicated generally at  10 , having a central column  12 . The column  12  is preferably formed of thin material, of less than about 1/16th inch thickness and preferably about 22 guage, and may be formed of metal or other self-supporting material. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the column  12  is circular in cross section and may be opaque or translucent and is perforated as seen at  17 , preferably in a lincane pattern. This allows light to pass through the perforations, yet prevents undesired banding shadows. However, it should be clearly understood that the central column  12  is hollow and may have substantially any desired cross section. Thus, for example, as seen in  FIG. 4 , the central column  12  is rectangular in cross section. The column  12  may be used alone. Preferably, however, at least one rigid member  14  is located about the column  12  and lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the column  12 . The rigid member  14  may be transparent, translucent or opaque and may be colored and the outer edges of the rigid member may be beveled, curved as in a half bullnose or otherwise contoured. Also, the rigid member  14  has a central opening  16  having a lateral dimension greater than that of the column  12 . The rigid member  14  may be a plane, undulating or otherwise shaped in cross section and the opening  16  may be dimensioned so as to allow the rigid member  14  to have a friction fit about the column  12 . Alternatively, the opening  16  may be so large that the rigid member  14  is merely a band disposed about the column  12 . Again, if desired, the opening  16  may have any dimension between these two extremes. A plurality of fibers  18  each have one end connected to the column  12  adjacent the upper end  20  thereof and extend about the rigid member  14  and connect to the column  12  adjacent the lower end  22  thereof. The fibers  18  may be flexible or rigid and may be formed of transparent, translucent or opaque material and may be colored. The fibers  18  may be illuminated externally, by light passing out of the perforations  17 , or may be illuminated internally, by light passing through the perforations  17  to which the fibers  18  are attached and travelling through the fibers  18 . One suitable material for the fibers  18  is monofilament nylon, such as is used for fishing line. Also, the fibers  18  may be connected to the rigid member  14  or may extend about the rigid member  14  with sufficient tension to retain the rigid member  14  in the desired location. Finally, at least one high intensity light source  24 , such as a Halogen bulb, is mounted withing the column  12  adjacent one end thereof. Preferably, the light source  24  is located adjacent the lower end  22  of the column  12 , however, if desired, the light source  24  could be located adjacent the upper end  20  of the column or, if desired, light sources  24  could be provided adjacent each end  20  and  22  of the column  12 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , the light source  24  is preferably mounted in a small column  26  having a friction fit within the lower end  22  of the column  12 . If desired, light altering means  28 , such as color filters or the like, may be provided adjacent the light source  24 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . In addition, if desired, a louvered cylinder  30  may be provided about the light source  24  to prevent the user from directly viewing the light source  24  and suffering possible injury to their eyes. Also, if desired, reflective means  32  may be mounted below the light source  24  to reflect the light upward through the column  12  and fibers  18 . The light source  24  should be a narrow spot light having a beam angle of less than 30° and preferably not more than 10°. The desired effect is that of a column of soft light. At angles between 10° and 30°, light from source  24  will shine through the perforations  17  of the column  12  and will illuminate the optical fibers  19  and to shine on the surface of the rigid member  14 . At angles of 10°, the light will be confined within the column  12 , yet will shine through the perforations  17  to illuminate the optical fibers  18  and to shine through the rigid member  14 . At angles greater than 30°, the light will be scattered and will fail to properly illuminate the column  12 . Also, the interior of the column  12  must not be coated or other wise finished, as this destroys the desired effect. The column  12  may be mounted on a base  34  which may contain suitable control means, such a transformer  36  or dimmer  38  and having a cord  40  to connect the lighting device  10  to a suitable power supply, such as a wall outlet, not shown. 
   In use, when the lighting device  10  is plugged in and turned on, light from light source  24  beams upward within the column  12  and out through perforations  17 , thereby illuminating the fibers  18  and the rigid member  14 , providing a soothing and pleasing pattern. Also, shadows caused by the fibers  18  will be seen on the ceiling and walls of the room, adding to the effect of the lighting device  10  itself. If desired, spaces may be left between some of the fibers  18  to facilitate cleaning of the column  12 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the fibers  18  are connected to the upper and lower ends  20  and  22  of the column  12  which has a friction fit about the small column  26 . The light source  24  is mounted in the small column  26 , together with suitable light altering means  28 , such as filters, color plates and the like. The louvered shield  30  serves to prevent the user from seeing directly into the light source  24  to prevent possible eye injury. As noted above, the rigid member  14  has a central opening  16  which may frictionally engage the column  12  or may be of substantially any greater dimension, as indicated by dotted line  40  in  FIG. 3  or as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The rigis member  14  is maintained in place by the tension on the fibers  18 , which may be connected to the rigid member  14  or may pass through suitable slots or hole adjacent the outer periphery of the rigid member. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show an alternative form of the lighting device  10  which is intended to be hung from an overhanging surface  42 , such as a ceiling or the like, by suitable means, such as ring  44  and hook  46 . In this form of the invention, the controls are mounted in the base  34  and an electrical cord  48  serves to deliver electrical energy from the base  34  to the lighting device  10 . In this form of the invention, a plurality of annular rigid members  14  are provided at spaced intervals along the length of the column  12  and are maintained in place by the fibers  18  which are either connected to the rigid members  18  or pass about the outside of the upper and lower rigid members  50  and  52  and inside of the middle rigid member  54 . Also, if desired, the lighting device  10  can be made for mounting on a wall, such as a sconce, by dividing the lighting device  10  in half along the dashed line  60 . When this is done, it will be necessary to provide at least one spacer member, as seen at  62 , to maintain the rigid members  14  at the desired distance from the column  12 . 
   Obviously, numerous other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

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