Christmas-tree, decorative, artistic and ornamental object illumination apparatus

• US 5,034,658 A
• Filed: 01/12/1990
• Issued: 07/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roland Hierig, Vladimir Ilberg
• Original Assignee: Roland Hierig, Vladimir Ilberg
• Inventors: Hierig, Roland, Ilberg, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US07/464,150
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 315/76, 315/149, 315/248, 315/363, 362/123, 362/227, 362/249, 362/252, 362/800, 362/806, 362/810
• US Class Current: 315/76
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/0827 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/08 Christmas tree decorations
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/00 Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• 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: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 7/06 for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 Imitation candle

Abstract

An illuminating system is provided for objects such as Christmas trees, decorations, works of art and ornaments. Electrically operated, light-emitting elements are hung on or fastened to or within these objects. The light-emitting elements include an electrical oscillatory circuit which can include, for example, inductive and capacitive elements. An energy source powers the elements with direct connection by way of electromagnetic waves or infrared light. The energy source can take the form of, for example, a high-frequency transmitter or an infrared radiation source.

Claims

1. An illuminating system for objects such as Christmas-trees, decorations, works of art, and ornaments, comprising at least one light-emitting element operatively associated with at least one energy source without physical contact, wherein the light-emitting element is operatively directly connected to an electrical oscillatory circuit comprising an inductance element and a capacitance element connected in parallel.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one energy source emits electromagnetic waves to the element to supply energy without physical electrical connection.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes which radiate visible light of different colors.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light-emitting element comprises at least two LEDs being connected antiparallel to the oscillatory circuit.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is selected from a group consisting of electroluminescent elements, vacuum fluorescent elements, and plasma lights.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is a neon bulb.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is an incandescent bulb.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light-emitting element and the oscillatory circuit have a candle-like form.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one light-emitting element and the oscillatory circuit are incorporated into glass balls or other glass objects.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element and the oscillatory circuit are operatively associated to form decorative shapes.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is incorporated into ornamental works of art made of glass, precious stones, precious metals, plastics and the like.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is incorporated into toys, objects of daily use, textiles, or other objects.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the oscillatory circuit has a coil in the form of a large loop which permits the system to be used on hanging ornaments with different shapes.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a high, constant frequency transmitter which radiates sufficient power continuously or in pulses.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the high-frequency transmitter includes an antenna in the form of a rod, dipole, or loop.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the antenna is coated with a high-frequency voltage protection agent.

17. The system according to claim 14 wherein the oscillatory circuit associated with the at least one light-emitting element is tuned to the resonant frequency of the high-frequency transmitter.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is located in the vicinity of or directly inside at least one large loop of an auxiliary oscillatory circuit which is tuned to the same resonant frequency as said high-frequency as said high-frequency transmitter.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical oscillatory circuit includes coils and an antenna, and the antenna and the coils of the oscillatory circuit are comprised of a superconductor that operates at room temperature.

20. An illuminating system for objects such as Christmas-trees, decorations, works of art, and ornaments, comprising at least one light-emitting element operatively associated with at least one energy source without physical contact, wherein the at least one energy source emits infrared light to the element to supply energy without a physical electrical connection.

21. An illuminating system for objects such as Christmas-trees, decorations, works of art, and ornaments, comprising at least one light-emitting element operatively associated with at least one energy source without physical contact, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is operatively connected to a solar cell panel which supplies appropriate voltage and current to the light-emitting element.

22. An illuminating system for objects such as Christmas-trees, decorations, works of art, and ornaments, comprising at least one light-emitting element operatively associated with at least one energy source without physical contact, wherein the energy source comprises one of an infrared radiation source, a laser, and a group of light-emitting diodes connected in parallel or in series, which modulates the infrared light continuously, in pulses, or in modulated form.