Decorating with a lighted device

• US 7,611,261 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Olson, Keri Lauderdale, Carlson, Ronald L., Klenke, Brenda S., Steiger, Therese F., Richmond, Rebecca M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Y My Quach
• Application Number:
  US11/968,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20080102229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/244, 362/248, 362/249, 362/251, 362/252, 362/311, 362/351, 362/565, 362/605, 362/644, 362/806, 362/808, 362/809, 362/812, 428/7, 428/11, 428/13
• US Class Current: 362/240
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/0827 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/08 Christmas tree decorations
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 1/00 Shades for light sources , i.e. lampshades for table, floor, wall or ceiling lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/00 Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A decoration device may include a backlit panel inside an interior space of an ornament structure. The panel may include a decorative scene that is viewable from outside the ornament structure, and one or more light sources may be substantially aligned with certain elements of the scene (e.g., candles, a fireplace, stars, or the like) so that those elements have the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene.

Claims

1. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene to shield light from passing through selected areas of the decorative scene when light is emitted rearwardly of the panel and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene, wherein the panel includes a curved panel subpart to provide three-dimensional scene; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

2. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene to shield light from passing through selected areas of the decorative scene when light is emitted rearwardly of the panel and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene, wherein the decorative scene includes a scene element having the appearance of a light source, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the scene element so that the scene element has the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the scene element is a fireplace image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the fireplace image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted fireplace in the decorative scene.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the scene element is a candle image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the candle image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted candle in the decorative scene.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the scene element is a star image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the star image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted star in the decorative scene.

6. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable, wherein the ornament structure comprises a polymer material;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene to shield light from passing through selected areas of the decorative scene when light is emitted rearwardly of the panel and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a second light source that is disposed adjacent to the ornament structure such that light emitted from the second light source is transmitted through the polymer material to provide a light-piping effect to the ornament structure.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the ornament structure comprises a decorative shape formed in the polymer material so that the decorative shape is disposed on an outer surface of the ornament structure.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a second light source disposed in the interior space of the ornament structure and proximal to the decorative shape formed in the polymer material such that light emitted from the second light source provides a backlighting effect to the decorative shape.

10. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene, the at least one substantially opaque portion being adjacent to the at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion, wherein the panel includes a curved panel subpart to provide three dimensional scene; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is non-viewable through the substantially opaque portion while being viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

11. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene, the at least one substantially opaque portion being adjacent to the at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion, wherein the decorative scene includes a scene element having the appearance of a light source, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the scene element so that the scene element has the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is non-viewable through the substantially opaque portion while being viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the scene element is a fireplace image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the fireplace image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted fireplace in the decorative scene.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the scene element is a candle image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the candle image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted candle in the decorative scene.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the scene element is a star image, the substantially transparent or translucent portion being aligned with the star image of the scene element to provide an appearance of a lighted star in the decorative scene.

15. A decoration device, comprising:

an ornament structure having an opening through which an interior space of the ornament structure is viewable, wherein the ornament structure comprises a polymer material;

a panel disposed in the interior space, the panel having a decorative scene displayed on a front side of the panel such that the decorative scene is viewable through the opening, the panel further having at least one substantially opaque portion aligned with the decorative scene and at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion aligned with the decorative scene, the at least one substantially opaque portion being adjacent to the at least one substantially transparent or translucent portion; and

at least one light source disposed rearwardly of the panel such that light emitted from the light source is non-viewable through the substantially opaque portion while being viewable through the substantially transparent or translucent portion of the panel and through the opening of the ornament structure.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a second light source that is disposed adjacent to the ornament structure such that light emitted from the second light source is transmitted through the polymer material to provide a light-piping effect to the ornament structure.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the ornament structure comprises a decorative shape formed in the polymer material so that the decorative shape is disposed on an outer surface of the ornament structure.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a second light source disposed in the interior space of the ornament structure and proximal to the decorative shape formed in the polymer material such that light emitted from the second light source provides a backlighting effect to the decorative shape.