Lighted decorative article having meridian-configured loops and method for visually signaling location of gift packages

• US 6,296,366 B1
• Filed: 03/01/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory Lee Hopps
• Original Assignee: Gregory Lee Hopps
• Inventors: Hopps, Gregory Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/260,425
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/154, 362/806, 362/800, 405/64, 405/71, 405/74, 428/5
• US Class Current: 362/154
• CPC Class Codes: D04D 7/00 Decorative or ornamental textile articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• 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: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A decorative article for gift packages includes meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within the loops. The article further includes an electrical lamp within the interior connected to a battery by wire having sufficient length for the battery to reside inside the package with the meridian-configured loops positioned on the exterior of the package. The loops may be made of ribbon having a surface which is reflective, partially translucent, metallic or metalized.

Claims

1. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages comprising:

a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops, at least some of said meridian-configured loops being of different sizes, the largest size ones of said meridian-configured loops defining a sphere-like envelope, said meridian-configured loops consisting of ribbon, said ribbon having a surface portion which is highly reflective respecting visible light;

at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

least one battery for powering said at least one lamp;

wire connecting said at least one battery with said at least one lamp, of sufficient length that said at least one battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said at least one lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package; and

switch means connected to said wire for selectable interrupting electrical connection of said at least one battery and said at least one lamp.

2. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops at least some of said meridian-configured loops defining a sphere-like envelope, said meridian-configured loops consisting of ribbon, said ribbon being at least partially translucent;

at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

at least one battery for powering said at least one lamp;

wire connecting said at least one battery with said at least one lamp, of sufficient length that said at least one battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said at least one lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package; and

switch means connected to said wire for selectably interrupting electrical connection of said at least one battery and said at least one lamp.

3. The article according to claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said translucent part of said ribbon directly faces said at least one lamp.

4. The article of claim 2 wherein said lamps are longitudinally elongated and material forming said meridian-configured loops has transverse width substantially that of longitudinal elongation of said lamps.

5. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages comprising:

a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops at least some of said meridian-configured loops defining a sphere-like envelope said meridian-configured loops consisting of ribbon, at least a part of the surface of said ribbon being reflective;

at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

at least one battery for powering said at least one lamp;

wire connecting said at least one battery with said at least one lamp, of sufficient length that said at least one battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said at least one lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package; and

switch means connected to said wire for selectable interrupting electrical connection of said at least one battery and said at least one lamp.

6. The article according to claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said reflective part of said ribbon surface faces said at least one lamp.

7. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops, at least some of said meridian-configured loops defining a sphere-like envelope, said meridian-configured loops consisting of ribbon, said ribbon being metallic;

at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

at least one battery for powering said at least one lamp;

wire connecting said at least one battery with said at least one lamp, of sufficient length that said at least one battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said at least one lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package; and

switch means connected to said wire for selectable interrupting electrical connection of said at least one battery and said at least one lamp.

8. An article for providing decorative addition to gift packages, comprising:

a plurality of meridian-configured loops connected together to define a generally open interior within said meridian-configured loops, at least some of said meridian-configured loops defining a sphere-like envelope, said meridian-configured loops consisting of ribbon, said ribbon having a metalized surface portion;

at least one electrical lamp in said open interior within said meridian-configured loops and connected to at least one of said meridian-configured loops;

at least one battery for powering said at least one lamp;

wire connecting said at least one battery with said at least one lamp, of sufficient length that said at least one battery may reside within the interior of a rectangular gift package hidden from view and said meridian-configured loops and said at least one lamp may be positioned on the upper exterior of said package; and

switch means connected to said wire for selectable interrupting electrical connection of said at least one battery and said at least one lamp.