Spring supported illuminated novelty device with spinning light sources

• US 7,179,149 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2004
• 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): Ricci; John A.
• Application Number:
  US10/944,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20060063467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 446/236, 446/242, 446/484, 446/485, 417/234, 417/363
• US Class Current: 446/242
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08

Abstract

A novelty item that spins at least one array of lights to produce a predetermined changing pattern of lights. The device has at least one array of lights that is supported by at least one flexible arm. The arms radially extend from a spinning hub. Consequently, when the arms rotate, the various lights in the array of lights rotate about the hub in a variety of circular pathways. A control circuit is provided in the hub that spins with the arms. The lights in the array of lights are coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit selectively flashes the lights in the array of lights in a manner that is synchronous to the speed at which the various lights are traveling in their circular pathways. As a result, the control circuit can cause the spinning array of lights to produce any desired pattern, display or alphanumeric message.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a motor;

at least one fan blade extending from said motor, wherein said motor rotates said at least one fan blade about a central point when activated, whereby said at least one fan blade creates a lateral force when rotated by said motor;

a plurality of light sources supported by said at least one fan blade, wherein at least some of said plurality of light sources are positioned at different distances from said central point;

a handle; and

a resilient support extending between said handle and said motor, wherein said resilient support enables said motor and said at least one fan blade to move through a predetermined range of motion relative to said handle.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said resilient support includes a spring having a first end coupled to said handle and a second end coupled to a housing that holds said motor.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said spring is surrounded by a flexible protective sleeve.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, further including a control circuit that selectively lights said light sources as they spin to produce a predetermined changing pattern of light.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said control circuit rotates with said light sources.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein different light sources within said plurality of light sources emit different colored light.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said lateral force created by said at least one fan blade is sufficient to flex said resilient support.

9. An assembly, comprising:

fan blades;

an array of light sources supported by at least one of said fan blades;

a motor for spinning said fan blades and said array of light sources in a circular pattern, wherein said fan blades create a lateral force when spun by said motor;

a handle; and

a resilient element connecting said motor to said handle, wherein said resilient element enables said array of light sources to move through a predetermined range of motion relative to said handle as said array spins in said circular pattern.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said array of light sources is mounted on a circuit board and said circuit board is mounted on one of said fan blades that is rotated by said motor.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said resilient element includes a spring having a first end coupled to said handle and a second end coupled to a housing that holds said motor.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein said spring is surrounded by a flexible protective sleeve.

13. The assembly according to claim 9, further including a control circuit that selectively lights said light sources as they spin to produce a predetermined changing pattern of light.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein said control circuit rotates with said light sources.

15. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes.

16. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein different light sources within said array of light sources emit different colored light.

17. A method of producing a spinning light assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a handle;

attaching a resilient support to said handle, wherein said resilient support is elongated, having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is coupled to said handle;

providing fan blades;

providing an array of light sources that are supported by said fan blades;

providing a motor for spinning said fan blades and said array of light sources in a circular pattern at a predetermined speed of rotation; and

attaching said motor with said array of light sources to said second end of said resilient support, wherein said resilient support enables said fan blades and said array of light sources to move through a predetermined range of motion relative to said handle as said fan blades and said array of light sources spins in said circular pattern.

18. The method according to claim 17, further including the step of providing a control circuit for lighting said array of light sources in a predetermined pattern.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said control circuit lights said array of light sources in at least one predetermined pattern that is synchronized with said predetermined speed of rotation to produce a coordinated display image.