Collapsible lighted skeletal structure

• US 5,629,057 A
• Filed: 05/20/1996
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyo Electric Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Toyo Electric Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Wang, Dennis, Wang, Jessica
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, ALEXANDER S
• Application Number:
  US08/650,290
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 428/8, 428/9, 428/11, 428/27, 428/17, 428/23, 428/12, 428/7, 362/122, 362/252, 362/806
• US Class Current: 428/9
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/00 Processes for producing special ornamental bodies
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A skeletal structure is formed of at least 4 and usually 6-12 curved members, each pivotally connected together at their upper and at their lower ends so as to have a generally spherical shape resembling a pumpkin. The skeletal structure is collapsible so that the curved members are parallel to each other for packaging or storage. A string of miniature electrical lamps can be attached removably to the curved members for providing a decorative appearance to the skeletal structure.

Claims

1. A collapsible skeletal structure, comprising:

at least four curved members including a primary curved member which can be each positioned about a common central axis, each said curved member having an upper and a lower end;

two hub members one being rigidly attached to the upper end and the other attached to the lower end of said primary curved member, each said hub member having multiple radial spokes each having in alignment with one of said curved members;

each said curved member having two spur elements rigidly attached at its upper end and two spur elements, attached to its lower end, the spur elements at each said end being pivotably attached to the spur elements of the adjacent curved member;

two adjacent secondary curved members each having connection means for connecting the secondary curved members together, whereby the curved members can all be pivoted into a expanded symmetrical shape and then collapsed into a compact shape in which all the curved members are generally parallel to each other.

2. The skeletal structure of claim 1, wherein 6-12 curved members are provided in the structure.

3. The skeletal structure of claim 2, wherein the structure resembles a pumpkin shape and includes a stem member pivotally attached to the upper hub member.

4. The skeletal structure of claim 3, wherein an auxiliary form having the shape of two eyes and a mouth is removably attached to three adjacent curved members.

5. The skeletal structure of claim 1, including a string of electrical lamps removably attached to each said curved member.

6. A collapsible skeletal structure, comprising:

twelve curved members including a primary curved member which can be each positioned about a common central axis, each said curved member having an upper end and a lower end;

two hub members one being rigidly attached to the upper end and the other attached to the lower end of said primary curved member, each said hub member having multiple radial spokes each in alignment with one of said curved members;

each said curved member having two spur elements rigidly attached at its upper end and at its lower end, the spur elements at each said end being pivotably attached to the spur elements of the adjacent curved member;

two adjacent secondary curved members each having pivotable connection means for connecting the secondary curved member together; and

a string of electrical lamps removably attached to each curved member, whereby the curved members can all be pivoted into a symmetrical expanded shape and then collapsed into a compact shape in which all the curved members are generally parallel to each other.