Fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly

Details Fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly Fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly

1994-12-28

2001-02-20

Muir, D. Neal (Department: 3712)

Amusement devices: toys

Having chemiluminescent light source, optic fiber, mirror,...

C446S485000, C446S394000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06190229

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly and, more particularly, to a figurine having a bunch of fibers extending outwardly therefrom with the fiber bunch including at least one optical fiber for predetermined illumination of at least a portion of the fiber bunch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A figurine will often include a bunch or bundle or otherwise-configured plurality of fibers extending outwardly therefrom to simulate hair or the like. An example of such a figurine is one having the shape and appearance of a horse wherein the fiber bunch extends from that portion of the figurine resembling the neck of a horse to thereby define a simulated mane. Such a figurine may also have a fiber bunch extending from that portion of the figurine resembling the rear of a horse to simulate a tail.
While the figurine and fiber bunch may be illuminated by a variety of light sources, such light sources are typically incapable of selectively and decoratively illuminating the fiber bunch while directing little, if any, light onto the figurine body. Thus, selectively highlighting the appearance of the fiber bunch by way of a light source which casts little, if any, light on the figurine is difficult, if not impossible, with conventional illumination sources.
A possible approach to selectively lighting the fiber bunch may be to direct a narrowly focused beam of light from a light source near the figurine toward the fiber bunch. Such an arrangement, however, would likely be cumbersone and bulky. Also, if the light source were attached to the figurine, such a structure would be complicated to assemble. Moreover, a source capable of emitting such a narrowly focused beam of light would ordinarily be unduly expensive.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly having a bunch of fibers affixed thereto with the fiber bunch including at least one optical fiber incorporated in the bunch to decoratively illuminate the fiber bunch.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly having a bunch of fibers affixed thereto with the fiber bunch including a plurality of nonluminous fibers and at least one optical fiber to illuminate the fiber bunch.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly having a fiber bunch affixed thereto wherein the fiber bunch includes a plurality of optical fibers having different lengths generally less than the lengths of the nonilluminatable fibers to decoratively illuminate the fiber bunch longitudinally and integrally therewithin.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a fiber optic enhanced figurine assembly comprises a figurine body having a figurine outer surface, and a bunch of fibers affixed to the figurine and extending outwardly from the figurine outer surface. The fiber bunch includes a plurality of nonilluminatable fibers or strands extending outwardly at least a first distance from the figurine outer surface. The fiber bunch further includes at least one illuminatable optical fiber which extends outwardly from the figurine outer surface to a second distance less than the first distance of the nonilluminatable fibers. The figurine assembly further comprises an arrangement for selectively illuminating the at least one optical fiber to visually and decoratively enhance the fiber bunch.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.


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patent: 4998186 (1991-03-01), Cocca
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