Ornamental Or Decorative Patents (Class 362/605)
  • Patent number: 7722237
    Abstract: A self-contained illuminating device for mounting on or in a closed container for illuminating both the enclosed space of the container and an area of the device which has an insignia or graphic imposed thereon, e.g. for advertising purposes. The device has a shell made of a translucent material and a miniature light source. The shell is adapted to function as an optical waveguide for propagating light emitted by the light source down the shell while simultaneously illuminating surfaces of the shell bearing the advertisement. Additionally, the shell may include a light scattering element for distributing light at a periphery of the shell. The illuminating device comprises a circuitry, including a position-sensitive switch, e.g. a tilt switch, for activating the light source dependent on the position of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Lumincity Inc.
    Inventors: David Alan Watson, Linda Lee Pond, Rhonda Renee Puckett
  • Patent number: 7654718
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing having a panel with an opening extending therethrough, a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the opening, an optically-transmissive layer located on a side of the panel opposite a side of the light source and extending over the opening, and a reflective element disposed on the optically-transmissive layer and located at least partially coincident with a location of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Trentent Tye, Troy Tye
  • Patent number: 7654717
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Trujillo
  • Patent number: 7631996
    Abstract: A lamp shade includes a light permeable bottom layer and a light reflection structure provided on the light permeable bottom layer and including a plurality of reflective stripes formed and distributed on a surface of a side of the light permeable bottom layer and a plurality of recessed gaps formed between the reflective stripes and each located between any two adjacent reflective stripes. Each of the recessed gaps has a depth direction extending into a thickness direction of the light permeable bottom layer. Thus, the light patterns of the lamp shade will produce variations by provision of the reflective stripes and the recessed gaps of the light reflection structure, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the lamp shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 7611261
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Rebecca M. Richmond, Ronald L. Carlson, Therese F. Steiger, Brenda S. Klenke, Keri Lauderdale Olson
  • Patent number: 7550935
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downloading one or more lighting programs including one or more lighting effects. The lighting program(s) may be downloaded from a web site to one or more LED-based lighting devices that are configured to execute the downloaded lighting program(s) so as to reproduce the lighting effect(s). In various examples, a variety of programming devices may be employed to facilitate wired or wireless downloading, including one or more computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, media players (e.g., MP3 players), and the like. Information may be uploaded to the web site to facilitate selection and/or creation of lighting effect(s) that are included in the downloaded lighting program(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20090086503
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Trujillo
  • Publication number: 20080170411
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to light occluding devices and methods. In one embodiment of the present invention, a light occluding device comprises a tapered sidewall extending from a first end having a first diameter to a second end having a second diameter, and a base. The base comprises a step ring having a uniform diameter greater than the first diameter of the tapered sidewall, and an optional flange fixed to a second end of the step ring, radially extending out from a center of the light occluding device. A shoulder is defined by an intersection of a first end of the step ring and the first end of the sidewall, and the first diameter of the first end of the sidewall is greater than the second diameter of the second end of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Fails, Lauren Dunn, Benjamin Merrick, Michael Baldassari
  • Patent number: 7387397
    Abstract: A vehicle backlit panel includes a base substrate, an electroluminescent element and an outer substrate. The electroluminescent element is disposed on one side of the base substrate. The outer substrate overlies the electroluminescent element. The outer substrate includes a translucent substrate portion having areas of different thicknesses as measured in a direction of illumination through the outer substrate to form a three-dimensional graphic image with a three-dimensional appearance resulting from different translucency levels of the areas of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather S. Konet, Jason M. Gray, Michael R. Miller, Jennifer J. Sterling
  • Patent number: 7349608
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed toward a stationery item having bundles of fiber optics that extend through an outside surface of the stationery item in order that points at the terminating points of the fibers can be viewed. These points can be arranged to coincide with a printed object on the outside surface of the stationery item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Inkology, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Silberman
  • Publication number: 20080062713
    Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination device. The device includes a light engine in an acoustic tile that introduces light into a plurality of optical fibers using an LED. In between the LED and the fiber ends, an LCD is used to modify the light introduced. To do this, the LCD is programmed to display petal-shaped sections which individually change in contrast to become more occluded and then more transparent. This creates an aesthetically pleasing effect resembling stars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Dwyer, J. Boyd Hildebrant, Jeff Graham
  • Patent number: 7341360
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Rebecca M. Richmond, Ronald L. Carlson, Therese F. Steiger, Brenda S. Klenke, Keri Lauderdale Olson
  • Patent number: 7300193
    Abstract: A polyurethane decorative lighting product comprising a casing made of polyurethane material and a lighting source positioned in the casing. By using polyurethane material, this invention greatly simplifies the manufacturing process and increases the production efficiency. In addition, since the material is elastic in nature, the semi-finished products and finished products are not easily broken or cracked from an impact or fall which may occur during transportation. The elastic nature of the material also makes it unnecessary to use special packing materials to meet safety and protection requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Zhiping Xie
  • Patent number: 7278770
    Abstract: A structure for double-sided light box, comprising a frame having a plurality of wiring ducts disposed on its inner surface for placing electric wires, said frame having two trenches correspondingly disposed on an outer rim of said frame, an upper and a lower lid pivotally connected to said trench with a plurality of spring blades disposed among said upper and said lower lid and said frame to fixedly hold said upper and said lower lid to said frame by means of a elastic force of the spring blades; a recess being disposed at a inner rim for holding surrounding edges of a lighting component and a double-sided backlight module; said backlight module having its upper and lower surface attached to one advertising panel respectively, with said upper and said lower lid clasping fixedly advertising panels and said backlight module; when said lighting component generating a first light source, said first light source projecting light on said backlight module to let said upper and lower surface of said backlight module
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Safe Fire Protection Equipment
    Inventor: Tai-Wan Lu
  • Patent number: 7261455
    Abstract: A system for creating a flickering effect comprising a simulated candle housing, a light communicating channel on the housing, a source of ultraviolet light disposed in the channel, and a simulated flame having ultraviolet material thereon movable back and forth from its vertical axis mounted in the housing, the light focused on the simulated flame simulating a flickering flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Schnuckle, Holger Irmler, Alfredo Ayala, Jamie Robertson, Bryan S. Tye
  • Patent number: 7226187
    Abstract: This invention provides a bright decorative molded article exhibiting a bright color, and particularly a gold color tone. Also, this invention provides a molded article located in the beam path of a radar device that allows only a small radio transmission loss. This bright decorative molded article comprises: an opaque resin substrate; a light-emitting device provided thereon; a transparent resin layer covering the substrate and the light-emitting device; a bright decorative layer (upper surface layer) covering the light-emitting device on the transparent resin layer; and a bright decorative layer (lower surface layer) provided on the surface of the substrate at a portion covered by the bright decorative layer (upper surface layer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hikohito Yamazaki, Itsuo Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7121708
    Abstract: An illuminated logo unit (300) includes an image panel (301), and an underlying illuminating device (310) transmitting light beams to the image panel. The illuminating device includes an inner discoid light guide plate (312) fitted into an outer annular light guide plate (311), and four light sources (369, 359) separately emitting light beams toward respective emitting surfaces (360, 350) of the light guide plates. A reflective film (362) coated on a circumferential wall (361) of the inner light guide plate prevents light beams in each light guide plate from interfering with light beams of the other light guide plate. A reflective film (352) coated on a circumferential wall (351) of the outer light guide plate prevents light beams from leaking thereout. By the use of the light guide plates, the illuminated logo unit attains uniform illumination in each of two illumination areas thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 7091843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a functional and ornamental vehicle accessory are provided. The vehicle accessory includes a housing and a mounting mechanism for coupling the accessory to a vehicle. The vehicle accessory can also include a light source or light conducting member. Wiring for electrically connecting the light source can be included such that the vehicle accessory can illuminate during a variety of vehicle functions. The vehicle accessory can also operate as a communication hub for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Rajiv Singh Lal
  • Patent number: 7077555
    Abstract: A lamp crystal has a transparent body formed with an outwardly open bore and having an outer surface having a region with a matte finish, and a light-emitting diode fixed in the bore. The outer surface is substantially smooth and polished except at the region with the matte finish. The matte-finish region extends peripherally around the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Herner Glas Bernd Hoffbauer GmbH & Co. Leuchten und Industrieglas KG
    Inventor: Bernd Hoffbauer
  • Patent number: 7008097
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: an optical waveguide having a first lateral surface for emitting light and a second lateral surface for receiving light; a scattering cap secured to the first lateral surface of and extending substantially the length of the waveguide; and a light source (e.g., a plurality of LEDs spaced a predetermined distance from one another) positioned adjacent to the light-receiving surface of the waveguide. Light entering the waveguide is efficiently transmitted to the scattering cap and is then preferentially scattered so as to exit with a broad elongated light intensity distribution pattern being formed along a lateral surface of the scattering cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: iLight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Hulse
  • Patent number: 6953276
    Abstract: An illuminated device comprises a light source and an illumination plate, having a first face and a second face, separated by edges, and a diffusion cover, having an inner surface. The diffusion cover overlies the illumination plate and is shaped to form an enclosure defined by the inner surface and the first face. The light source delivers light into the illumination plate via the edges. The light undergoes scattering or primary diffusion within the plate, before emerging from the first face at shallow angles, into the enclosure. A reflective layer prevents light emerging from the second face. Within the enclosure, the light undergoes secondary diffusion to provide uniform illumination of the cover and a color, graphic or message superposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Morton Graham
  • Patent number: 6945685
    Abstract: A belly door for a gaming machine includes a frame for receiving a sheet of artwork and a light reflective chamber having an open face which is located behind the frame when in a closed position. Clamping means are provided for clamping the artwork between the frame and the chamber. A recess extends along one edge of the chamber including sockets for receiving a fluorescent light tube when the chamber is in the closed position. A diffuser panel is disposed in the chamber behind the artwork located so as to be edge lit by the fluorescent light tube. The reverse face of the panel, which in use, faces the rear wall of the chamber defines a series of white opaque dots which in use, diffuse and direct the light in a forward direction perpendicular to the plane of the panel. The size of the dots in the panel increases with the distance of the dots from the fluorescent light tube. This arrangement ensures that the light panel produces a very evenly balanced lighting of the artwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Sokolov, Errol D'Souza, Vladimir Halic, Ian Frederick Johnson