Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to light an object. One end of each optical fiber in a group is bound into a bundle and the other is distributed to provide light as desired. There are more than one group of fibers and more than one bundle. A base structure includes a motor assembly, multiple light sources and a light governing disk with concentric tracks. Each track provides a different light pattern. The bundles are associated with the base structure and positioned such that one light source directs light through one said concentric track to one said bundle. Upon actuation, the motor turns the light governing disk so that one concentric track on the light governing disk moves between a light source and a bundle and the ends of the fibers in that bundle reflect the light pattern on the concentric track.

Abstract: The present invention provides a revolving stand for supporting the trunk of a decorative display for circular rotation and includes a rotational unit in which the display can be received and formed of an outer casing with an open top and a turntable assembly, both of which are supported by a base that is semi-permanently associated with the rotational unit to position the unit in an elevated condition.

Abstract: The panel branch disclosed is used with an artificial tree. The panel branch includes a plurality of twigs, a channel element, a number of inserts, and a hook-like member. Each twig is inserted through an aperture in the insert and the insert, in turn, is placed in and secured in the channel element. The hook-like member has a short side used to secure the branch to an artificial trunk and a long side secured in the channel element. Optical fibres are associated with the twigs of the panel branch. Each optical fiber is threaded through an aperture in an insert and gathered into a bundle. A socket with a light source is provided to receive the bundle of optical fibres such that the branch is lighted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial tree for use outdoors that includes a tree with trunk, branches and twigs protected from moisture penetration and a plurality of optical fibers also protected from the outside element. A housing encloses a light source assembly and a fan with a hood for protection from overheating. The housing includes a sloped overhang for moisture protection. A collar with a transparent closed end is inserted into an opening in the housing. The trunk of the tree fits into the collar with its bottom end and one end of every fiber abutting the transparent closed end of the collar. When the light source assembly is on, the tree is lit by the optical fibers and the light assembly is protected from moisture and overheating. An added protective feature is that the housing sits on legs such that there is clearance between the housing and the ground.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a panel branch to be associated with an artificial tree. The panel branch includes a plurality of twigs, a channel element, an number of inserts, and a hook-like member. Each twig is inserted through an aperture in the insert and the insert, in turn, is placed in and secured in the channel element. The hook-like member has a short side and a long side. The long side of the hook-like member is secured in the channel element and the short side is used to secure the panel branch to an artificial trunk. In addition, optical fibres are associated with the twigs of the panel branch. Each optical fiber is threaded through one of the apertures in an insert and gathered into a bundle. When the panel branch is associated with the artificial tree, a socket with a light source is provided to receive the bundle of optical fibres such that the branch is lighted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative tree with an electronic light controller, which tree includes at least two separate and independent sets of light elements and a control unit that is adapted to receive electrical power from a power source and supply such power to each of the light element sets in a desired selectable sequence to provide a variety of different types of light displays for the tree.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial tree for use outdoors that includes a tree with trunk, branches and twigs protected from moisture penetration and a plurality of optical fibers also protected from the outside element. A housing encloses a light source assembly and a fan with a hood for protection from overheating. The housing includes a sloped overhang for moisture protection. A collar with a transparent closed end is inserted into an opening in the housing. The trunk of the tree fits into the collar with its bottom end and one end of every fiber abutting the transparent closed end of the collar. When the light source assembly is on, the tree is lit by the optical fibers and the light assembly is protected from moisture and overheating. An added protective feature is that the housing sits on legs such that there is clearance between the housing and the ground.

Abstract: A revolving support stand for an ornamental display including a base having a housing and a trunk holder that is seated in the top opening of the base and includes a pair of electrical outlets. An electrical motor is located in one side of the base and provides a drive for gear teeth located on the trunk holder to rotate the trunk holder with respect to the base. A bearing race is centrally positioned in the base so that a bottom portion of the trunk holder is seated on the race, which serves as a truss bearing to overcome axial loads applied on the housing by the ornamental display supported by the stand.

Abstract: A coaxial light emitter a fibre optic lighted artificial tree of the present invention serves as a trunk for the tree and includes two spaced apart light sources that individually provide light to fibre optic bundles for a portion of the tree so that the tree can be separated into parts for the purposes of packaging or storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial bark for a decorative tree and a method of creating the material and applying it. The artificial bark includes an undercoat preferably made of a foamable plastic coating, a top coat also preferably made of a foamable plastic coating which is texturized, and a layer of colorant. The undercoat is applied to a structural member of the tree and then air dried. Then the top coat is applied, texturized by dragging a comb-like instrument across its surface, and air dried. Next, the undercoat and topcoat on the structural member are heat cured. Due to differences in the content of the undercoat and the top coat, heat curing causes the texture created in the top coat to be accentuated. After cooling, a colorant is applied to complete the artificial bark's resemblance to real tree bark.

Abstract: A fibre optic lighted artificial tree that includes a base member, a trunk member and a plurality of branch members that are individually provided light from a separate fibre optic bundle and light source for each branch member. The tree also includes a top that is lighted by another fibre optic bundle and light source that are separate and apart from those associated with the branch members.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for lighting a decorative tree which includes optical fibers with their first ends distributed in branches and ornaments of the tree, a color sleeve loop, a roller and track system attached to a motor which rotates the color sleeve loop through the system, and a light source. As the color sleeve is moved by the motor between the light source and the optical fibers, the color of the light provided to the optical fibers changes thereby changing the color displayed in the tree. The preferred embodiment uses a color sleeve with two different tracks of color and a divider which divides the optical fibers into two sets. Then one set of optical fibers is exposed to one color track and the other set exposed to the other track; light provided to one part of the tree will change colors differently than light provided to another part of the tree.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial bark for a decorative tree and a method of creating the material and applying it. The artificial bark includes an undercoat preferably made of a foamable plastic coating, a top coat also preferably made of a foamable plastic coating which is texturized, and a layer of colorant. The undercoat is applied to a structural member of the tree and then air dried. Then the top coat is applied, texturized by dragging a comb-like instrument across its surface, and air dried. Next, the undercoat and topcoat on the structural member are heat cured. Due to differences in the content of the undercoat and the top coat, heat curing causes the texture created in the top coat to be accentuated. After cooling, a colorant is applied to complete the artificial bark's resemblance to real tree bark.

Abstract: The present invention provides stability for a decorative tree. Specifically, the decorative tree will have a base part, the lower section of which fits into a stand assembly and an upper section of which includes receiving means for an internal sleeve. The internal sleeve is sized to snugly receive a tree trunk and is formed to provide a plurality of clearances between the internal sleeve and the base part to accommodate parts associated with the trunk of the decorative tree such as bundles of fiber optics.

Abstract: A revolving support stand for an ornamental display including a base having a housing and a trunk holder that is seated in a top opening of the base and includes an electrical outlet. An electrical motor is located in the base and provides a drive force to rotate the trunk holder with respect to the base.

Abstract: A stand (8) for supporting an artificial tree of a type having a plurality of optical fibers comprises: a housing (4) having a base (3) and a sidewall defining one or more windows (6), a screen (9) in each window (6), an internal light source (54), a decorative image-bearing material (38) or shape arranged between the light source and the screen, and a tree trunk supporting sleeve (20).

Abstract: An artificial tree or foliage article is provided with at least one bundle of optical fibers (11) having a proximal end at which, in use, a light source is directed, and a distal end, wherein adjacent the distal end the fibers are bent sharply to induce fractures therein.

Abstract: An artificial tree has a trunk (2), at least one tubular bracket (4) for fitting on the trunk, a fixing ring (6) and a branch (12) having a stem portion, wherein the tubular bracket (4) defines an opening for insertion of an end of the stem, the fixing ring (6) being adapted to fit over the tubular bracket and to be deformable so as to tightly grip the tubular bracket.

Abstract: An artificial tree has a trunk (22), a plurality of branches (24) secured to the trunk (22), and a plurality of optical fibers extending along the trunk (22) from an illumination source (46) to the branches, and being arranged in bundles (26) which extend along the branches (24), the bundles (26) being loosely secured to the branches (24) to allow a limited degree of movement, and splaying out at the branch tips.