Abstract: Decorator balls are illuminated from the inside-out using a self-contained, battery-powered LED module. The decorator ball itself is made from one or more elongated elements creating a hollow form with gaps or apertures in areas where the elements do not overlap. The module has a battery powered light-emitting diode (LED) and a solar panel to charge the battery. The module is coupled to the decorator ball such that the LED illuminates the decorator ball from the inside-out. White LEDs, LEDs of a particular color, or color-changing LEDs may be used. Either the solar panel or an additional photodetector may communicate with electronic circuitry within the module to activate the LED when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. The module may include a hanger for hanging the decorative article, and a reflector may be provided within the decorator ball to diverge and disperse the light from the LED.

Abstract: A solar-powered hanging lantern includes an interchangeable shade. The article comprises a housing having an upper surface with a solar cell and a lower surface with a light source. A rechargeable battery and electronics within the housing charge the battery using the solar cell and illuminate the light source when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. The housing includes a cylindrical sidewall with a diameter and a peripheral rim extending outwardly form the cylindrical sidewall. A shade is provided having an upper, generally cylindrical opening slightly larger than the diameter of the housing, the shade being installed onto and over the housing such that the cylindrical opening rests on the peripheral rim, with an elastomeric ring being placed onto and over the housing to maintain the shade in position. The ring may be an O-ring and/or may include an inner groove to receive the opening of the shade.

Abstract: Decorator balls are illuminated from the inside-out using a self-contained, battery-powered LED module. The decorator ball itself is made from one or more elongated elements creating a hollow form with gaps or apertures in areas where the elements do not overlap. The module has a battery powered light-emitting diode (LED) and a solar panel to charge the battery. The module is coupled to the decorator ball such that the LED illuminates the decorator ball from the inside-out. White LEDs, LEDs of a particular color, or color-changing LEDs may be used. Either the solar panel or an additional photodetector may communicate with electronic circuitry within the module to activate the LED when ambient light falls below a predetermined level. The module may include a hanger for hanging the decorative article, and a reflector may be provided within the decorator ball to diverge and disperse the light from the LED.

Abstract: A solar-powered hanging lantern includes an interchangeable shade. The article comprises a housing having an upper surface with a solar cell and a lower surface with a light source. A rechargeable battery and electronics within the housing charge the battery using the solar cell and illuminate the light source when ambient light falls to a predetermined level. The housing includes a cylindrical sidewall with a diameter and a peripheral rim extending outwardly form the cylindrical sidewall. A shade is provided having an upper, generally cylindrical opening slightly larger than the diameter of the housing, the shade being installed onto and over the housing such that the cylindrical opening rests on the peripheral rim, with an elastomeric ring being placed onto and over the housing to maintain the shade in position. The ring may be an O-ring and/or may include an inner groove to receive the opening of the shade.

Abstract: A holder for a circle gazing globe has a receiver for receiving the tubular neck of the gazing globe and a member affixed to the receiver and encircling at least a portion of the gazing globe when the gazing globe is mounted in the receiver. The encircling member takes a variety of forms. In one aspect, a hanger is carried on the encircling member for movably coupling the encircling member and the gazing globe to a fixed support surface. In another aspect, at least two fingers are resiliently coupled to the receiver and have at least one portion engageable with the gazing globe to releasably mount the gazing globe in the receiver.