ORNAMENT WITH BACKLIT FILM IMAGE

• US 20120081905A1
• Filed: 09/29/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Santiago
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Santiago
• Inventors: Santiago, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,146,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/294
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 1/22 the material being plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/045 with spherical surface
• 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: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0481 Signs, boards or panels having a curved shape

Abstract

An ornament with a backlit film image having a substrate with an at least partially transparent portion viewable therethrough when backlit. A first end cap and a second end cap are configured to receive and retain a portion of the substrate in a substantially closed loop shape such that the first and second end caps and the substrate support one another into a substantially upright position to define an enclosure. A light source is disposed within the enclosure and positioned to illuminate the backlit film image at least partially viewable through the transparent portion of the substrate.

Claims

1. An ornament with a backlit film image, comprising:

a substrate having an at least partially transparent portion viewable therethrough when backlit;

a first end cap and a second end cap configured to receive and retain a portion of the substrate in a substantially closed loop shape, wherein the first and second end caps and the substrate are supported into a substantially upright position to define an enclosure; and

a light source disposed within the enclosure and positioned to illuminate the backlit film image at least partially viewable through the transparent portion of the substrate.

2. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a substantially rigid transparent substrate.

3. The ornament of claim 2, wherein the backlit film image is tensioned to expand into an interior surface of the transparent substrate.

4. The ornament of claim 2, wherein the backlit film image wraps around a portion of an exterior surface of the transparent substrate.

5. The ornament of claim 4, including an adhesive for retaining the backlit film around the exterior surface of the transparent substrate.

6. The ornament of claim 1, including a plug selectively attachable to the first end cap, wherein the plug includes an insert for selectively retaining and hanging the light source within the enclosure.

7. The ornament of claim 1, including a reflector coupled to the second end cap.

8. The ornament of claim 7, wherein the reflector comprises a domed reflector positioned to reflect light from the light source onto the backlit film image.

9. The ornament of claim 7, wherein the second end cap includes a vent to permit convection cooling throughout the enclosure.

10. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the first and second end caps include a channel configured for slide-fit reception of the substrate.

11. The ornament of claim 10, wherein the channel includes a projection configured for selective engagement with an aperture in the substrate for locking engagement therewith.

12. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a translucent pocket defined by a pair of generally overlying films for slidably receiving and supporting the backlit film image.

13. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the first end cap includes an insert configured to receive and hang the light source within the enclosure.

14. The ornament of claim 13, wherein the insert comprises an X-slit or a set of flaps formed from a portion of the first end cap.

15. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the backlit film image comprises a portion of the substrate.

16. The ornament of claim 1, wherein the light source is coupled to an elongated strand having additional lights coupled thereto.

17. The ornament of claim 1, including an adhesive disposed on a portion of the substrate for retaining overlapping portions thereof in the closed loop shape.

18. An ornament with a backlit film image, comprising:

a substantially rigid transparent substrate having an at least partially transparent portion viewable therethrough when backlit;

a first end cap and a second end cap configured to receive and retain a portion of the substrate in a substantially closed loop shape, wherein the first and second end caps and the substrate are supported into a substantially upright position to define an enclosure;

a light source disposed within the enclosure and positioned to illuminate the backlit film image at least partially viewable through the transparent portion of the substrate;

a plug selectively attachable to the first end cap, wherein the plug includes an insert for selectively retaining and hanging the light source within the enclosure; and

a domed reflector coupled to the second end cap and positioned to reflect light from the light source onto the backlit film image.

19. The ornament of claim 18, wherein the backlit film image is tensioned to expand into an inner surface of the transparent substrate.

20. The ornament of claim 18, wherein the second end cap includes a vent to permit convection cooling throughout the enclosure and the first and second end caps include a channel configured for slide-fit reception of the substrate.

21. The ornament of claim 20, wherein the channels include a projection configured for selective respective engagement with an aperture in the substrate for locking engagement therewith and the substrate includes a translucent pocket defined by a pair of generally overlying films for slidably receiving and supporting the backlit film image.

22. The ornament of claim 18, wherein the insert comprises an X-slit or a set of flaps formed from a portion of the first end cap and the light source is coupled to an elongated strand having additional lights coupled thereto.

23. The ornament of claim 18, including an adhesive disposed on a portion of the substrate for retaining overlapping portions thereof in the closed loop shape, wherein the backlit film image comprises a portion of the substrate.

24. An ornament with a backlit film image, comprising:

a substantially rigid transparent substrate having an at least partially transparent portion viewable therethrough when backlit, wherein the backlit film image is tensioned to expand into an inner surface of the transparent substrate;

a first end cap and a second end cap having respective channels configured for slide-fit reception of the substrate in a substantially closed loop shape, wherein the first and second end caps and the substrate are supported into a substantially upright position to define an enclosure;

at least one projection coupled to each respective channel configured for selective engagement with a respective aperture in the substrate for press-fit engagement therewith;

a light source disposed within the enclosure and positioned to illuminate the backlit film image at least partially viewable through the transparent portion of the substrate;

a plug selectively attachable to the first end cap, wherein the plug includes an insert comprising an X-slit or a set of flaps formed from a portion of the first end cap for selectively retaining and hanging the light source within the enclosure; and

a domed reflector coupled to the second end cap and positioned to reflect light from the light source onto the backlit film image, wherein the reflector includes a vent to permit convection cooling throughout the enclosure.