Fiber optic display apparatus and methods of osillating illuminated optical fibers
First Claim
1. An optical fiber display apparatus comprising:
- (a) a housing;
(b) a holding member functionally connected to the housing, and capable of induced movement about a pivot point axis;
(c) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end rigidly attached to the holding member and a second end extending beyond the holding member, the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand defining a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand, wherein the longitudinal axis defined by the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand is relatively perpendicular to the pivot point axis of the holding member, and wherein the second end of the fiber optic strand is unrestrained and free to move about randomly as the holding member moves about the pivot point axis; and
(d) a light source illuminating the first end of the fiber optic strand, whereby light emits from the second end of the fiber strand.
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Abstract
A fiber optic display device reciprocates fiber optics to create decorative optical fiber light displays. The device can include one or more optical fibers contained at one end by a holding member and left suspended freely at the other end. The holding member and optical fibers are functionally attached about a pivot point axis that is across the longitudinal axis of the fibers and the holding member, to a housing. A light source can be affixed to either the holding member or the housing, opposite the freely suspended optical fiber ends, and is oriented to expose and illuminate the optical fibers. A drive means causes the holding member and optical fibers to reciprocate back and forth about the pivot point axis of the holding member.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical fiber display apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a holding member functionally connected to the housing, and capable of induced movement about a pivot point axis; (c) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end rigidly attached to the holding member and a second end extending beyond the holding member, the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand defining a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand, wherein the longitudinal axis defined by the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand is relatively perpendicular to the pivot point axis of the holding member, and wherein the second end of the fiber optic strand is unrestrained and free to move about randomly as the holding member moves about the pivot point axis; and (d) a light source illuminating the first end of the fiber optic strand, whereby light emits from the second end of the fiber strand. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical fiber display apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing; (b) a holding member moveable about a pivot point axis functionally connected to the housing; (c) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end attached to the holding member and a second end unrestrained, the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand defining a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the holding member and relatively parallel to the at least one fiber optic strand at a point of attachment of the strand to the holding member, wherein the pivot point axis of the holding member is relatively perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand, whereby movement of the holding member about its pivot point axis causes the second unrestrained end of the at least one fiber optic strand to reciprocate back and forth through space; (d) a light source functionally connected to the housing or holding member and illuminating the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand, whereby light emits from the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand; and (e) means for moving the holding member about its pivot point axis comprised of a first magnetic member attached to the holding member and a corresponding second magnetic member attached to the housing, wherein the first and second magnetic members comprise at least one electromagnetic coil of wire and at least one permanent magnet, and further wherein an electric current signal conducting through the electromagnetic coil of wire causes movement of the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand about the pivot point axis of the holding member, in direct proportion to polarity, strength and frequency of the electric current signal, and wherein the electric current signal source is selected from the group consisting of an amplifier, radio, signal generator, microphone, speaker output, AC line voltage, AC power supply, DC power supply. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical fiber display apparatus comprising:
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(a) a first housing; (b) a holding member moveable about a pivot point axis functionally connected to the first housing; (c) at least one fiber optic strand having a first end attached to the holding member and a second end unrestrained, the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand defining a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the holding member and relatively parallel to the fiber optic strand at a point of attachment of the fiber strand to the holding member, wherein the pivot point axis of the holding member is relatively perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand, whereby movement of the holding member about its pivot point axis causes the second unrestrained end of the at least one fiber optic strand to reciprocate back and forth through space; (d) a light source functionally connected to the first housing or the holding member and illuminating the first end of the at least one fiber optic strand, whereby light emits from the second end of the at least one fiber optic strand; (e) means for moving the holding member about its pivot point axis comprised of a first magnetic member attached to the holding member and a corresponding second magnetic member attached to the first housing, wherein the first and second magnetic members comprise at least one electromagnetic coil of wire and at least one permanent magnet, and further wherein an electric current signal conducting through the electromagnetic coil of wire causes movement of the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand about the pivot point axis of the holding member, in direct proportion to polarity, strength and frequency of the electric current signal, and wherein the electric current signal source is selected from the group consisting of an amplifier, radio, signal generator, microphone, speaker output, AC line voltage, AC power supply, DC power supply; (f) a second housing containing a base plate, the base plate attached to the first housing and moveable about an axis extending through the second housing and the base plate that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holding member and the at least one fiber optic strand and relatively perpendicular to the pivot point axis of the holding member; and (g) drive means for moving the base plate about the axis extending through the second housing and the base plate, wherein the drive means is functionally attached to the second housing and comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an actuator rod, cam wheel, gear, sprocket, pulley, electric motor, magnetic coupling, whereby movement of the base plate and the first housing create a second, simultaneous movement of the holding member, the light source and the at least one fiber optic strand about the axis extending through the second housing and the base plate and across the pivot point axis of the holding member.
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Specification