FIBER OPTICS DECORATIVE ORNAMENT

• US 3,727,044 A
• Filed: 06/11/1971
• Issued: 04/10/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Poly-Optical Products Incorporated (RSL Fiber Systems, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey L. Monroy
• Inventors: Monroy, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Queisser, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roskos, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US05/152,310
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 240/1R,1P,1S,1T,1EL
• US Class Current: 362/554
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/40 having fibre bundle mating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A decorative structure comprising a hollow body enclosing an electric lamp and carrying a spray of optical fibers laterally thereof. The hollow body is formed of separate but matinglyengageable anterior and posterior members, each defining opposing coincident annular surfaces, an opening being formed through the coincident surfaces at the juncture of the anterior and posterior members to receive the bundled ends of an optical fiber spray. In one embodiment, the anterior member is coniform. In another embodiment the anterior member is spheriform and the structure incorporates a plurality of optical fiber sprays.

Claims

1. A decorative device, comprising:

a hollow body comprising separable, matingly engaged anterior and posterior members, said members defining opposing coincident annular surfaces, said hollow body being formed with at least one side opening through said coincident annular surfaces at the juncture of said anterior and posterior members, and an opening through the bottom thereof;

an electric lamp disposed internally of said hollow body through said bottom opening; and

an optical fiber spray comprising a plurality of flexible optical fibers having light emitting and light receiving ends and means for bundling said light receiving ends, said bundled fiber ends being inserted through said side opening and disposed adjacent said lamp for illumination by said lamp.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said hollow body is formed with a dependent neck which defines said bottom opening.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said hollow body is formed with a hollow dependent neck defining said bottom opening and including at least one resiliently deformable means protruding internally of said neck to secure said lamp.

4. The invention according to claim 3 in which saId neck has an internal generally cylindrical configuration.

5. The invention according to claim 1 including ribs internally of said hollow body on opposing sides of said opening for retaining said bundled fiber ends.

6. The invention according to claim 1 in which said bundling means comprises a member having an annular flange spaced from said light receiving fiber ends and extending radially outwardly from said bundled ends, the diameter of said flange exceeding the diameter of said opening.

7. The invention according to claim 6 including an annular lip around said side opening as a stop for said flange to limit the insertion of said bundled fiber ends to a predetermined extent.

8. The invention according to claim 1 in which said anterior member is coniform.

9. The invention according to claim 1 in which said anterior member is spheriform.

10. The invention according to claim 1 in which said body defines a plurality of openings, each opening formed to receive the bundled light receiving ends of an optical fiber spray.

11. The invention according to claim 1 in which said hollow body is coniform from at least the top of said side opening

12. The invention according to claim 1 in which said bundling means comprises a member short relative to the length of said fibers and said side opening is defined to close-fit said member.

13. The invention according to claim 1 in which said bundling means comprises a member short relative to the length of said fibers and which constitutes the sole fiber contact of said support.

14. The invention according to claim 1 in which said fibers are unrestrained to flare outwardly from said bundling means.

15. The invention according to claim 1 in which said hollow body is opaque.

16. The invention according to claim 1 in which said anterior member is coniform from its coincident annular surface, said posterior member is spheriform from its coincident annular surface, and said posterior member is formed with a hollow cylindrical dependent neck and includes means for securing said lamp within said body.

17. The invention according to claim 16 including opposing ribs spaced inwardly from said annular junction, at least one of said ribs extending anteriorly of said body from each of said anterior and posterior members to position said bundling fiber ends, said bundling means constituting sole fiber contact support and comprising an annular member short relative to the length of said fibers, said fibers being unrestrained to flare outwardly from said bundling means.

18. The invention according to claim 1 in which said anterior and posterior members are each spheriform, from said coincident annular surfaces, said posterior member being formed with a hollow cylindrical dependent neck, including said bottom opening and means for securing said lamp within said body, and said body defines a plurality of openings, including said side opening, each of said openings being formed to receive the bundled light receiving ends of an optical fiber spray.

19. The invention according to claim 18 including ribs on opposite sides of each of said openings and spaced inwardly therefrom to position said bundled fiber ends, said bundling means constituting sole fiber contact support and comprising an annular member short relative to the length of said fibers, said fibers being unrestrained to flare outwardly from said bundling means.