Illumination – Plural light sources – With support
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-05
2001-03-20
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With support
C362S121000, C362S124000, C362S249070, C362S259000, C362S807000, C362S227000, C362S806000, C362S808000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203171
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus used in connection with an ornamental lighting display.
Various ornamental lighting displays are known and used to decorate interior and exterior spaces. Ornamental displays are particularly used during holiday seasons, such as Christmas or Easter.
One type of ornamental lighting consists of a plurality of bulbs connected in series with an insulating wire between successive lights. Such a strand of lights may be draped around a Christmas tree or hung along a window frame or along a roof or side of a house, building or other such structure. Additionally, the strand may be wrapped around the trunk of a tree or a pole to provide ornamental lighting of the tree or pole. Further, the strand may be draped throughout branches of a tree to provide for lighting of the tree.
It is known in the art to provide a group of elongate tubular members to simulate tree branches bearing lights. These tubular members are attached to a tree to simulate the appearance of lighted tree branches. It is also known to string such ornamental lights in a movable and flexible net that may be draped over an object having any type of contour. Other known apparatus include an ornamental lighting frame in the shape of a star that has a number of small openings, each having a retainer, so that light bulbs may be supported by the frame.
It is also known that a preformed design, such as a candy cane, may be fabricated with a plurality of openings in which to insert light bulbs, and having interior wires connected thereto, thus providing for a lighted display while hiding the interior wires. Further, it is also known that wire or similar material may be shaped into a frame having the appearance of various objects including, for example, a reindeer, Santa Claus, or a Christmas tree. These frames may then have strings of lights attached to them to provide for an ornamental display in the desired shape.
There are certain problems with these known apparatus for lighting displays. For example, it is not possible to create a unitary display between an ornamental lighting frame and a permanent object, such as a tree or light post, as the frame generally cannot be attached to the object effectively. Even if such known frames are attached to a stationary object, the lighting provided by the display does not provide for continuous lighting between the object and the frame. Further, such a frame does not utilize the stationary object's properties (i.e., size, mass, and shape) effectively. Rather, such a frame uses the stationary object only to remain stationary or suspended. These frames do not envelop or engulf any portion of the stationary object into its design, the design thereby remaining separate from the object. Great amounts of raw materials are required to build a unitary display of the prior art, as only a frame alone can create a unitary display. It is therefore desired to create a uniform lighting display between an object and an ornamental lighting frame so that when activated it appears that the object and lighting frame are a unitary object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, in a broad aspect, comprises a lighting structure which may be temporarily added to a permanent structure such that the two structures appear to blend or integrate with one another to form a single structure. Moreover, lighting displays associated with the two structures appear to become a unitary or single display. The apparatus of the invention more particularly is configured to surround or otherwise encompass the permanent structure but is readily removable from the latter structure for ready storage and reuse. In certain embodiments, two or more lighting structures may be attached to the permanent structure.
The invention, in one preferred aspect, comprises a frame which is sufficiently open along at least a portion of its length to fit around or encase a permanent structure and which may be deformed or provided with interengaging members to hold the frame and the permanent structure together. Lighting displays on the frame and the permanent structure are configured to enable the two to merge without interference. The result is the appearance of a single structure with a single unitary and continuous display. The frame includes contour trace lines, which are used incorporate the stationary object into the display, thereby providing for continuous lighting along a transition area between stationary object and frame.
In another preferred aspect, the temporary frame or structure may extend beyond or branch away from the permanent structure. Thus, the added structure may provide a more complex overall structure or a structure which appears suspended above or around the permanent structure. In any case, it is possible to provide a lighting display which appears integral or otherwise unitary.
In one preferred form, the apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of shaft members which are designed or adapted to extend along the permanent structure, and a plurality of structural members that intersect and join the shaft members. Both types of members are preferably compliant to fit the contours of the permanent structure, but sufficiently firm to retain any given or desired shape. It is also preferred that openings be formed or otherwise provided along the apparatus to enable the apparatus to be placed on or around the permanent structure. Additional tying members such as straps or other releasable members may be employed to hold the apparatus in place relative to the permanent structure, but to be readily removed when desired.
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Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
Husar Stephen
Ward John Anthony
LandOfFree
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