Illumination – With cane – baton – umbrella or club
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-03-27
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With cane, baton, umbrella or club
C362S800000, C362S802000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206537
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to an electrically illuminated attention-attracting device, and a method of using it.
2. Background Art
Bicycle flashers are examples of electrical devices designed to attract attention. Because a flashing light is more noticeable than one that is constantly on, a bicycle flasher mounted on the rear of the bicycle or worn by the rider is an effective safety device. However, the flashing light can be annoying, and even distracting.
Light sticks are sold at outdoor sporting events such as baseball games, and are designed to attract attention in a more pleasant manner. Such devices are powered by a chemical reaction to provide the illumination. Such devices, therefore, use a non-replenishable power source, and when depleted, they are not useful and are discarded. Thus, it would be preferable to have a novel attention attracting device, which would be powered by a replenishable power source, so that the device would be re-usable.
It would be desirable to have a novel attention-attracting device which is inexpensive to manufacture, and yet it is re-useable. Ideally, such a device should be adaptable to various different applications designed to attract attention, in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The device should also be useful for safety purposes, and be interesting and intriguing to use.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved attention attracting device, wherein the effect produced by the device is novel and interesting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and improved attention attracting device, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be used in a variety of different applications.
Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved electrically illuminated attention attracting device, which is capable of producing intriguing light patterns, and which is capable of a wide variety of different applications.
An electrically illuminated attention attracting device and a method of using it, relate to using a device emitting alternatingly at least two different colored lights. The device is turned on and off alternatingly to emit alternatingly the different colored lights. The device is then moved to provide a visually perceptible light pattern comprising a sequence of alternating multicolored light images where the length of each one of the colored light images varies with the speed of movement of the device.
The inventive electronic attention-attracting device includes a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) attached to an apparatus that enables the LED to be moved quickly in space. In one form of the invention, the device includes a flexible wire or cable with the LED at one end and a battery and electronic circuit mounted in a hand held housing at the other end. Such a wire or cable is about three feet long in one form of the invention. A user could grasp the LED and move it quickly about in space, thereby achieving a sparkler-like effect. Alternatively, the user could twirl the LED in a circular pattern by swinging the wire in a circular configuration about the hand held housing. The resulting effect is to “write” a circle of multicolored light in the air.
According to the invention, the LED is pulsed, causing light bars to appear rather than a continuous light pattern. The LED is capable of pulsing with more than one color. The circuit in the housing of the device controls the LED such that it not only pulses, but it pulses in different colors. When such a device is moved rapidly, for example by being twirled in a circle at a fast rate, different colored bars or lines of light are perceived visually by an observer. Where two colors are employed, the colored bars or lines alternate. The resulting light pattern image is startling and attractive. If the color pulsing rate is constant, twirling the LED faster produces proportionately longer color bars. In this regard, the speed of rotation is proportioned to the perceived lengths of the colored bars or lines.
When such a device is attached to a moving body such as a vehicle including, but not limited to, an automobile, bicycle, and others, relative motion between the moving body and a stationary observer causes a colored bar pattern to appear in the air. This gives more visibility and interest than a device such as a bicycle flasher. When the device is attached to the spokes of a bicycle, the motion is more rapid and a very interesting spiral pattern of multicolored bars is produced.
When the device is twirled rapidly in a circular configuration, a colorful pattern of multi-color alternating semi-circular bars appears in the air. Since the device is powered by an inexpensive battery, the source of power can be replaced.
According to the invention, the device is included at a desired location along a jump rope, so that the act of jumping rope produces multicolored circles in the air. The appearance of multicolored light bars greatly enhances the visual appeal of the jump rope.
According to another form of the present invention, the device is included in a throwable device, so that the light pattern described in the air is a spiraling pattern of multiple color bars, thus a very interesting and attention attracting effect is created. Still another form of the present invention relates to the device included in a shoe to produce a multicolored light pattern, which changes as the running speed increases.
Additionally, the device can be included in a body attachable unit, such as a pet collar worn by a dog or other animal. The flashing of different colors attract attention to the dog at night, when visibility is limited. As the dog moves about rapidly, the pattern of multicolored bars would enhance the attention-attracting effect.
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Foley & Lardner
Kleinke Bernard L.
Tso Laura K.
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