Novelty lighting system

• US 20060176703A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ‎Howler Brands, LLC
• Original Assignee: ‎Howler Brands, LLC
• Inventors: Love, Jeffrey S., Cayton, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US11/055,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20060176703A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/350
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/005 comprising inserts
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0028 Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Lighting units for use in a variety of enclosures/containers to achieve a desired illumination effect are provided. The enclosures/containers are susceptible to illumination from within, defining an interior region for receipt of a lighting unit. The enclosure/container and the lighting unit are combined to achieve a desired illumination effect, e.g., consistent with a holiday and/or seasonal theme. The lighting unit generally includes a plurality of light elements that are adapted to generate at least three light colors, e.g., red, green and blue. The light elements are adapted to generate light in a pre-selected manner, e.g., pursuant to a selected illumination pattern. The combination may be employed with enclosure(s) having holiday/seasonal themes, e.g., a Jack-O-Lantern, a pumpkin, a ghost, a witch, a black cat, a skeleton, a Santa Claus figure, a candy cane, a reindeer, a snow man, an igloo, a ski lodge, a snowmobile, and the like.

Claims

1. In combination:

a. an enclosure defining an interior region;

b. a lighting unit positioned within said interior region of said enclosure, said lighting unit including a plurality of light elements that generate at least three light colors, said light elements being adapted to generate light in a pre-selected manner.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure is a hollow-shelled item.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure is a figurine.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure is fabricated in a form having a holiday or seasonal theme.

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein said enclosure is selected from the group consisting of a Jack-O-Lantern, a pumpkin, a ghost, a witch, a black cat, a skeleton, a Santa Claus figure, a candy cane, a reindeer, a snow man, an igloo, a ski lodge, and a snowmobile.

6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said lighting unit includes a base member and a cover.

7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said base member supports a reflector element and wherein said plurality of light elements extend through said reflector element.

8. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said cover includes a window.

9. A combination according to claim 8, wherein said window is supported by an outer flange.

10. A combination according to claim 8, wherein said window defines an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein a plurality of nubs are formed on said inner surface of said window.

11. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of nubs define a substantially octagonal grid.

12. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of nubs include nubs of at least two different sizes.

13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein said at least two different sizes are first nubs and second nubs, and wherein said first nubs are larger than said second nubs.

14. A combination according to claim 13, wherein said first nubs and said second nubs are positioned in alternating rows.

15. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said lighting unit includes programmed circuitry that controls illumination of said plurality of light elements.

16. A combination according to claim 15, wherein said programmed circuitry includes a printed circuit board.

17. A combination according to claim 15, wherein said programmed circuitry supports a plurality of illumination parameters for said plurality of light elements.

18. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said programmed circuitry cooperates with a selection mechanism that permits a user to select from said plurality of illumination parameters for said plurality of light elements.

19. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of illumination parameters includes sequential illumination of said plurality of light elements.

20. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of illumination parameters includes selection of a desired illumination from said at least three light colors.

21. A combination according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of illumination parameters includes at least two sequential illumination operations, wherein a first of said two sequential illumination operations provides for powering up of a second light element while a first light element is powering down, and wherein a second of said two sequential illumination operations provides for illuminating only one light element at a time.