Abstract: A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, such as in a Christmas tree. The system includes a plurality of light emitting balls. The light emitting balls each include a light emitting device, a ball power module, and a housing configured to secure the light emitting device and the ball power module, therein. The system includes a passive transport medium configured to receive the balls and permit the balls to traverse the medium under gravitational force. The system includes a lifting mechanism functionally coupled to the medium and configured to lift the plurality of light emitting balls to a top portion of the medium. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system includes a motivating apparatus configured to actively urge the plurality of light emitting balls to traverse the medium.

Abstract: A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, including a plurality of lighted balls; wherein the lighted balls include a light emitting device; a ball power module and a housing. The system includes a medium having a plurality of clear plastic tubes, spirals, tracks, or spouts; wherein the lighted balls moves therethrough. The system also includes a lifting mechanism configured to lift the lighted balls to a top portion of the medium; and a loading mechanism in communication with the collection chamber and configured to load the lighted balls into the lifting mechanism. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system further includes a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the lighted balls through the medium; wherein the circulation mechanism includes a pressurized air system configured to project air through the medium during operation.

Abstract: A sculpted decorative object, such as a Christmas tree, is shown which has a motor driven vertical drive shaft and three rotating sections. Rotation of the vertical drive shaft and an associated drive gear causes relative rotation of a driven gear and, in turn, a respective rotating section of the object about the axis of the drive shaft. A fiber optic bundle is mounted within each rotating section of the object. Each bundle contains several fiber optic strands which terminate at a LED light source at one end and at a light emitting element at an opposite end. Each LED light source is supplied from a common electrical source by means of a series of wiper contacts and rotatable contact rings carried by respective stationary and rotating portions of the sculpted object.

Abstract: An illuminating imitation plant, comprising a stem, twigs and leaves. Said stem is made as the pattern of a real plant stem and stem light circles and light bands are arranged outside or inside the stem at intervals; the elastic supporting rod is installed in the middle of said stem and interposes pin said stem; meanwhile, the illuminant bodies are installed inside twigs on which multiple leaves are distributed; said leaves imitate the natural leaves and colors and show natural flexible patterns and are also inserted with elastic strips and with distributed light bands made of illuminant bodies and photo conducting materials. The twigs and leaves are ideally elastic and flexible especially can wobble vividly when it is breezy. They also glow more evenly and dimly and the effects of night illuming and decorating are excellent.

Abstract: A decorative light assembly comprises a plurality of optical fibers formed into a bundle having a length greater than one inch, the bundle having a first end for receiving light, and a second end that is fused for providing the received light as decorative illumination. The decorative light assembly is for use on, e.g., Christmas trees, windows, doors, etc.

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 Christmas tree lighting system for utilization with natural or artificial Christmas trees includes an outer elongated tubular covering having a zippered opening extending the length thereof. This outer cover may be either attached to the trunk of the tree, or suspended from an upper branch to extend along the trunk of the tree. The outer covering has attached to its interior one or more elongated flexible tubular casings, with a longitudinal zippered opening extending from the upper end thereof downwardly a predetermined distance toward the lower end thereof. The tubular casings in turn enclose a plurality of flexible optical fibers extending from the bottom thereof substantially toward the top of the casing. When the zippered casing is opened, the optical fibers may be bent outwardly therefrom and spread apart to lie along branches of a tree in which the lighting system is used. A source of light is applied to the bottom end of the optical fibers at the base of the tree.

Abstract: A water-resistant base device for optical-fiber Christmas trees, consisting of a main base unit, a upper base cover, a rotating unit, a fixing unit, a water-resistant hood, a top cover and a tree unit. The rotating unit is installed on the fixing unit structure on the upper cover of the base, using a ringed wall protruding from the top periphery of the main base unit, the water-resistant hood fastened onto the top of the upper base cover, and the arched top cover covering the top of the water-resistant hood, to enable heat radiation and water resistant functions to the entire base assembly, so the Christmas tree can be installed for indoor and outdoor purposes.

Abstract: A decorative light assembly comprises a plurality of optical fibers formed into a bundle having a length greater than one inch, the bundle having a first end for receiving light, and a second end that is fused for providing the received light as decorative illumination. The decorative light assembly is for use on, e.g., Christmas trees, windows, doors, etc.

Abstract: Optical means including an optical source, selection means and optical guiding means, the optical source includes means for producing a plurality of optical regions of different colours, the optical guiding means include a plurality of elongated optical guides for guiding light coupled to the upstream ends of the optical guides to their downstream ends, the selection means includes means for selectively aligning the upstream ends of the optical guides to one or a plurality of the optical regions.

Abstract: A light emitting diode module for attaching to a surface of a sign, which includes a mounting plate having top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted to the top surface of the mounting plate, a housing having top and bottom surfaces, a first electrical connector attached to the bottom surface of the mounting plate and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diodes, a second electrical connector attached to the top surface of the housing for engaging with the first electrical connector, a third electrical connector attached to the housing and electrically connected to the second electrical connector, and a power supply for providing a voltage to the third electrical connector. As the bottom surface of the mounting plate is placed on the top surface of the housing, the first electrical connector engages with the second electrical connector for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting diodes to the third electrical connector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optically marked surface. In the preferred embodiment, the optically marked surface (15) comprises a light source (16), a surface to be marked (18), optical material (19) capable of illumination by the light source, the optical material, the surface and the light source being so configured and arranged that illumination of the optical material is visible on the surface. The present invention also discloses turf comprising artificial or natural turf fibers and fiber optic filaments extending between the turf fibers. The present invention also provides a method of marking a surface comprising the steps of providing a light source, providing a surface to be marked, providing an optical material capable of illumination by the light source, configuring and arranging the optical material, the surface, and the light source such that illumination of the optical material is visible on the surface, and illuminating the optical material.

Abstract: A service unit provided with a door having an evenly illuminated lens is disclosed. The service panel, typically containing at least one outlet, provided behind the door further preferably includes a socket for receiving a lamp. The lamp used in the present invention preferably directs light towards a bottom side of the unit, in a direction across the lens when the door is in a closed position, such that the light is evenly distributed across the lens. The door includes an opening for receiving the lens that is further preferably provided with an indented lip recessed from the front surface of the door such that the lens lies substantially flush with the front surface of the door. A plastic rivet may secure the lens to the lip, as may a bead of adhesive along the lip. The lip is preferably not present along the top side of the opening for allowing the top side of the opening to serve as a rain shed for the lens. The lens may include an alphanumeric symbol for identifying a particular camp site.

Abstract: A decorative fiber optic tree formed of a plurality of light conducting optical fibers, each having a first end and a second end. The fiber optic tree includes a base unit having an interior chamber to house a light source. The light source is arranged to produce light that is directed through an opening on an upper surface of the base unit. An elongated and perforated center tube may be included having a top end and a bottom end, and is substantially vertically oriented. The center tube, which is removeably mounted on the base unit, is positioned at least in part over the opening in the upper surface of the base. The optical fibers are disposed partially within the center tube with the first end of each fiber located near the bottom end of the center tube and suitably positioned to enable light from the light source passing through the opening to be coupled into each respective optical fiber.