Decorative structure having dispersed sources of illumination

• US 6,575,585 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Webb T, Chernick, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Quach-Lee, Y. My
• Application Number:
  US09/912,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20030021101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 362/35, 362/96, 362/276, 362/806, 362/296, 404/41, 404/80, 404/31, 404/32, 405/02, 446/47, 446/48, 446/217, 446/218, 446/176, 446/201, 446/236
• US Class Current: 362/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/40 Windmills; Other toys actuated by air currents driving mechanisms for toy figures or vehicles A63H29/16
• CPC Class Codes: D04D 7/10 Decorative bow structures neckties with ready-made knots or bows A41D25/02
• 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: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• 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: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An illuminated assembly that can be configured as a pinwheel, pinwheel bow or decorative bow. The illuminated assembly includes segments of material that are folded over to form looped structures. At least some of the segments of material have a laminated structure, wherein two pieces of material are attached together. In the laminated segments of material are placed miniature light emitting diodes (LEDs). The wires that provide power to the LEDs travel through the segments of material in between the laminated layers. In the center of the assembly is a hub. In the hub are a power source and a control circuit. Each of the LEDs present in the assembly, interconnects with the control circuit in the hub. The control circuit contains a motion sensor and lights the LEDs only when motion is detected.

Claims

1. A pinwheel assembly, comprising:

a plurality of vanes radially extending from a common central area;

at least one light disposed on at least one of said vanes;

an electronic assembly coupled to said common central area, said electronic assembly containing a motion sensor for detecting motion of said common central area and a power supply for powering said at least one light, wherein said electronic assembly only powers said at least one light from said power supply when said motion sensor detects motion of said common central area;

an axle pin extending through said common central area and said electronic assembly, wherein said plurality of vanes and said electronic assembly are free to rotate in unison around said axle pin.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said vanes is comprised of a front piece of material and a rear piece of material that are laminated together.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said at least one light is coupled to said electronic assembly with wire and said wire is disposed between said front piece of material and said rear piece of material in each vane.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronic assembly includes a central aperture through which said axle pin passes.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said electronic assembly is balanced about said central aperture.

6. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said power supply is a plurality of batteries that are symmetrically oriented about said central aperture.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light is a light emitting diode.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said vanes contains at least one light.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein each said light is symmetrically arranged around said common central area.

10. A decorative assembly, comprising:

at least one segment of material having a central point and salient points that are folded over to said central point to form loops, wherein said at least one segment of material is comprised of two pieces of laminated material;

lights disposed on at least some of said loops;

an electronic assembly coupled to said at least one segment of material, wherein said electronic assembly contains a power supply for said lights;

wires extending between said lights and said electronic assembly, wherein said wires pass between said two pieces of laminated material.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, further including a pin axle extending through said at least one segment of material and said electronic assembly, wherein said at least one segment of material and said electronic assembly are free to rotate about said axle pin.

12. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said electronic assembly includes a motion sensor that detects motion of said electronic assembly and wherein said electronic assembly lights said lights when motion is detected.

13. A decorative assembly, comprising:

at least one segment of material having a central point and salient points that are folded over to said central point to form loops;

lights disposed on at least some of said loops;

an electronic assembly coupled to said at least one segment of material, wherein said electronic assembly contains a power supply for said lights and a motion detector that detects motion of the electronic assembly, wherein said electronic assembly lights said lights when motion of said electronic assembly is detected.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said at least one segment of material is configured as the vanes of a pinwheel.

15. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said at least one segment of material is configured as the loops of a decorative bow.

16. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said at least one segment of material is comprised of two pieces of laminated material.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said lights are coupled to said electronic assembly with wire and said wire is disposed between said two pieces of laminated material.

18. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said lights are light emitting diodes.