Lighted decorative article having meridian-configured loops and method for visually signaling location of gift packages

• US 20020039288A1
• Filed: 10/01/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory Lee Hopps
• Original Assignee: Gregory Lee Hopps
• Inventors: Hopps, Gregory Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/968,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20020039288A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/154
• CPC Class Codes: D04D 7/00 Decorative or ornamental textile articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A decorative article for gift packages includes meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within the loops. The article further includes an electrical lamp within the interior connected to a battery by wire having sufficient length for the battery to reside inside the package with the meridian-configured loops positioned on the exterior of the package. The loops may be made of ribbon having a surface which is reflective, partially translucent, metallic or metalized.

Claims

1. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a. a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops;

b. at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

c. at least one battery for powering said lamp;

d. wire connecting said battery with said lamp, of sufficient length that said battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package;

e. switch means connected to said wire for selectably interrupting electrical connection of said battery and said lamp(s).

2. The article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said meridian-configured loops are of different sizes.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said meridian-configured loops are connected facingly together.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said meridian-configured loops collectively define a sphere-like shape.

5. The article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said meridian-configured loops are twisted.

6. The article of claim 3 wherein said meridian-configured loops are connected together at a common location.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said meridian-configured loops are in vertical planes.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein said vertical planes are at random angles one to another.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein said meridian-configured loops are a material strips having essentially unlimited length, finite width and thickness which is minimal relative to the width.

10. The article of claim 9 wherein said width may be from about one sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}) inch to about two (2) inches.

11. The article of claim 9 wherein width of a meridian-configured loop varies within the meridian-configured loop.

12. The article of claim 9 wherein width of a meridian-configured loop varies from loop to loop.

13. The article of claim 1 wherein at least some of said meridian-configured loops define a sphere-like envelope.

14. The article of claim 2 wherein largest size ones of said meridian-configured loops define a sphere-like envelope.

15. The article of claim 1 wherein said lamp is connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops proximate said common location.

16. The article of claim 1 wherein said meridian-configured loops are ribbon.

17. The article of claim 13 wherein said ribbon is opaque.

18. The article of claim 14 wherein said ribbon has a surface portion which is highly reflective respecting visible light.

19. The article of claim 13 wherein said ribbon is at least partially translucent.

20. The article of claim 15 where at least a portion of said translucent part of said ribbon directly faces at least one of said lamps.

21. The article of claim 13 wherein at least a part of the surface of said ribbon is reflective.

22. The article of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of said reflective part of said ribbon surface faces at least one of said lamps.

23. The article of claim 1 wherein at least one of said lamps blinks when energized.

24. The article of claim 19 wherein said lamps are longitudinally elongated and material forming said meridian-configured loops has transverse width substantially that of longitudinal elongation of said lamps.

25. The article of claim 13 wherein said ribbon is metallic.

26. The article of claim 13 wherein said ribbon has a metalized surface portion.

27. The article of claim 13 wherein said ribbon is self-supporting.

29. The article of claim 28 further comprising switch means connected to said wire for selectably interrupting electrical power to said lamp.

28. A article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a. a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops;

b. at least one electrical lamp with said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

c. wire connecting a power source to said lamp.

30. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a. opaque ribbon formed into a plurality of sphere-like meridian-configured loops of different sizes connected facingly together at a common location and residing in vertical planes oriented at random angles respecting one another to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops;

b. at least one blinking electrical lamp with said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least some of said meridian-configured loops proximate said common location;

c. at least one battery for powering said lamp;

d. wire connecting said battery with said lamp, of sufficient length that said battery may reside within the interior of said package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package;

e. switch means connected to said wire for selectably interrupting electrical connection of said battery and said lamp.

31. A method for visually signaling location of a gift package comprising the steps of:

a. providing a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a sphere-like shape having a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops;

b. positioning said plurality of meridian-configured loops in said sphere-like shape proximate to a gift package whose location is to be signaled;

c. positioning at least one blinking electrical lamp within said open interior;

d. providing at least one battery for powering said lamp;

e. connecting said battery with said lamp with wire of sufficient length that said battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package;

f. providing a switch in said wire for selectably interrupting electrical connection of said battery and said lamp.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said lamp self-energizes into a blinking state when powered.

33. A method for visually signaling location of a gift-package comprising the steps of:

a. providing a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a sphere-like shape having a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops;

b. positioning said plurality of meridian-configured loops in said sphere-like shape proximate to a gift package whose location is to be signaled;

c. positioning at least one blinking electrical lamp within said open interior;

d. connecting said lamp to a source of electrical power.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said lamp self-energizes into a blinking state when powered.