US4068118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated optical fiber display system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-29
•
Granted: 1978-01-10
•
Expires: 1996-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated optical fiber display system for Christmas trees, ornamental displays and signs and the like, in which an elongated column having a hollow interior contains a fluorescent light tube and the column supports a plurality of optical fiber elements enclosed in a sheath extending outwardly from the column and having the inner ends in a position to receive light from the fluorescent light tube in the column. The optical fiber elements may be decorated to resemble evergreen branches. The fluorescent light or a sleeve around the fluorescent light, containing colored and shaded areas, is rotated to vary the lighting characteristics emitted from the outer ends of the optical fiber elements. The concept involved in the present application has sufficient versatility that the sleeve and/or fluorescent light and the shading and coloring thereon may be varied to provide the ornamental characteristics desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis R. Carrington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:16
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G33/00; A47G33/04; A47G33/06; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system comprising a column having an external wall defining an elongated hollow interior, optical fiber elements each including a plurality of fibers enclosed in a sheath having an inner end extending into said wall and being supported thereby, an elongated illumination means disposed in the hollow interior of said column and having a movable translucent member through which light passes to the inner ends of said elements, said illumination means including a fluorescent light tube extending lengthwise of said hollow interior, and power means for moving said translucent member for varying the lighting characteristics emitted from the outer ends of the fibers of said elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system comprising a column having an external wall defining an elongated hollow interior, optical fiber elements each including a plurality of fibers enclosed in a sheath having an inner end extending into said wall and being supported thereby, an elongated illumination means disposed in the hollow interior of said column and having a movable translucent member through which light passes to the inner ends of said elements, said illumination means including a fluorescent light tube extending lengthwise of said hollow interior, and power means for moving said translucent member for varying the lighting characteristics emitted from the outer ends of the fibers of said elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 1 in which said movable translucent member is a sleeve disposed around said fluorescent light tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 1 in which said movable translucent member contains a shaded color area for varying the lighting characteristics transmitted to the inner ends of said elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 3 in which said power means includes a drive for rotating said sleeve relative to said fluorescent light tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 4 in which said column is cylindrical in shape and of opaque material, and the inner ends of said fiber elements extend through said wall and have the form simulating the branches of a tree.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 1 in which said movable translucent member consists of the outer wall of said fluorescent light tube, and said power means moves said fluorescent tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 6 in which said power means for moving said translucent member rotates said fluorescent light tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 7 in which said column is cylindrical in shape and of opaque material, and the inner ends of said fiber elements extend through said wall and have the form simulating the branches of a tree.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 8 in which the surface of said fluorescent light tube contains various areas of different colors and shades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
An illuminated optical fiber display system as defined in claim 1 in which a stand is provided for holding said column in a vertical position, and said illumination means includes a generally cylindrical elongated, rotatable translucent member having surface areas of different colors and shades for varying the lighting characteristics emitted from the outer ends of the fibers of said element, and in which said power means rotates said cylindrical member and a stand retains said column in a vertical position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-09 | 1981-07-11 | 1982-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-09 | 1985-07-11 | 1986-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-09 | 1989-07-11 | 1990-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |