US3564233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optics illumination system
Assignee: Noma International Inc
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Filing: 1968-04-29
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An ornamental illumination system for a Christmas tree employs a light source located at the base of the tree, which is coupled to a fiber optics harness. The harness distributes light from the source to a plurality of translucent ornamental shapes distributed decoratively about the tree. A color wheel at the light source controls the apparent colors illuminating the ornamental shapes, which shapes themselves may be made of different colors of translucent materials. The resulting displays of colors may be complex.
Inventors
- 👤 Mason C Cox
- 👤 Thomas H Mcnamara
- 👤 George E Prifogle
- 👤 Wilfred P Bazinet Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:47
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S10/00; F21S10/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An ornamental illumination system for a Christmas tree display comprising: an assemblage of separately encapsulated fiber optic conduits having first ends of each conduit closely positioned one another to form a light receiving termination for said assemblage and with said light receiving termination placed in a location proximate to the base of the trunk of a Christmas tree and with said assemblage of separately encapsulated fiber optics leading generally upwards from the base region of said tree along the trunk thereof and each conduit of said assemblage individually branching out to tree locations to be illuminated and with each conduit being separately terminated at second ends thereof at said locations to be illuminated; a light source positioned at said location proximate to the base of the trunk of a Christmas tree and coupled to said light receiving termination of said assemblage and with said source adapted to project illumination in concentration upon said light receiving termination and with an actuatable color filter having a plurality of differing colors interposed between said light source and said light receiving termination; and a plurality of translucent ornamental shapes each having a recess therein and each being fitted thereby in a close fit over the encapsulation of a respective conduit at said second end thereof to thereby display light originating from said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An ornamental illumination system for a Christmas tree display comprising: an assemblage of separately encapsulated fiber optic conduits having first ends of each conduit closely positioned one another to form a light receiving termination for said assemblage and with said light receiving termination placed in a location proximate to the base of the trunk of a Christmas tree and with said assemblage of separately encapsulated fiber optics leading generally upwards from the base region of said tree along the trunk thereof and each conduit of said assemblage individually branching out to tree locations to be illuminated and with each conduit being separately terminated at second ends thereof at said locations to be illuminated; a light source positioned at said location proximate to the base of the trunk of a Christmas tree and coupled to said light receiving termination of said assemblage and with said source adapted to project illumination in concentration upon said light receiving termination and with an actuatable color filter having a plurality of differing colors interposed between said light source and said light receiving termination; and a plurality of translucent ornamental shapes each having a recess therein and each being fitted thereby in a close fit over the encapsulation of a respective conduit at said second end thereof to thereby display light originating from said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ornamental illumination system of claim 1, wherein said tree is artificial and having a hollow trunk for containing the vertically disposed bulk of said harness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The ornamental illumination system of claim 1, wherein each individual branching is separately encapsulated up to a point prior to its ornamental termination end and from that point subdivided into subgroups each subgroup having its own particular ornamental termination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ornamental illumination system of claim 1 employing a rigid light guide as a heat insulator between said light source and said source termination of said harness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ornamental system of claim 1 employing a light source having a lamp in combination with an elliptical section reflector with the diameter of said reflector defining a collection angle substantially matched to the numerical aperture of the optical pickup located at one focus thereof, the radiating portion of said lamp being located at the other focus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ornamental display system of claim 1 with said second end of each conduit being cut at an angle to exhibit a fiber optic section within said recess of said translucent ornamental shape to thereby display a bright core in each said recess from the light originating from said light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ornamental display system of claim 1 with said plurality of translucent ornamental shapes comprising a plurality of differing colors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The ornamental display system of claim 1 with said light source employing a high-intensity lamp and a reflector therewith to project illumination upon said light receiving termination wherein the collection angle defined by the size and shape of said reflector is matched to the numerical aperture of the fibers in said fiber optic conduits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |