Illumination – Supports – Object sound or sighting controls movable light support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2001-07-17
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supports
Object sound or sighting controls movable light support
C362S362000, C362S287000, C362S431000, C362S414000, C362S418000, C362S806000, C362S253000, C362S249070, C362S259000, C362S086000, C362S386000, C362S553000, C362S809000, C362S363000, C362S393000, C446S429000, C446S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260989
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to illuminated celebratory devices and, more specifically to a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball having a digital display counting down the seconds until a predetermined time that the ball will reach the bottom of a vertical support post thereby activating the confetti sprayer, noisemakers, and flashing lights to announce the onset of a celebration.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other illuminated devices designed for celebrations. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,361 issued to Lonnie Lawrence on Feb. 11, 1997.
Another patent was issued to Elizabeth Wen on Aug. 31, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,452. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,789 was issued to Allen E. Crabtree on Feb. 25, 1992 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 21, 1983 to Robert M. Smith as U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,598.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,361
Inventor: Lonnie Lawrence
Issued: Feb. 11, 1997
A movable and flexible net arranged in an M×N pattern is set forth. The pattern is defined by a plurality of parallel strands having eyelets therein to releasably engage and hold lamps in a light string. The net of the present disclosure, while supporting an attached light string, can be draped to any contour determined by a supportive surface, and can be likewise positioned in a deployed pattern with that contour or stored for later use. The net in the M×N rectangular pattern is formed of flexible strands to enable storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,452
Inventor: Elizabeth Wen
Issued: Aug. 31, 1993
A confetti tossing apparatus. Lengths of folded paper are fixedly attached between end panels and a body of confetti is disposed within the lengths of folded paper. The apparatus opens to a first position to display a first part of a celebratory greeting, for example the word “HAPPY” '. The apparatus is jerked while holding the end panels causing the apparatus to open to a second position. A second part of the celebratory greeting for example the word “BIRTHDAY” is displayed in conjunction with the first part of the greeting, and the opening of the apparatus to its second position causes confetti to be tossed outwardly from the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,789
Inventor: Allen E. Crabtree
Issued: Feb. 25, 1992
A laser light show device and method produces a surface projected or suspended holographic image, and includes multiple image projectors. One image projector provides the object image information representing the primary subject. For surface projections, additional background image projectors provide background image information generated using a wobbler plate-reflected beam diffracted through a spherical lens, a beam undimensionally diffracted through a rotating cylindrical amorphic dipolyhedral, and a beam diffracted through multiple diffraction gratings. A suspended holographic is produced by parabolically focusing multiple images projected onto a spherical image screen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,598
Inventor: Robert M. Smith
Issued: Jun. 21, 1983
A disco light assembly which includes a multiplicity of individual electric lamps formed in a circle, or in any other appropriate configuration, and which are illuminated in any desired sequence in response to a disco beat. The individual lamps are preferably of the high intensity type, and each generates a shaft of light, preferably white, when illuminated. A common regulated power supply is provided which supplies a continuous filament current to all the lamps which is of sufficient amplitude to maintain the filaments in a warm state but insufficient to illuminate the lamps. Each lamp has its own control module connected to the common power supply, and when a module is triggered, it causes a high current pulse to be introduced to the corresponding lamp for a few milliseconds, followed by a power current of sufficient intensity to illuminate the lamp. The power current continues for so long as the lamp is to be illuminated. A rapid turn-on circuit is included in each module, so that each lamp is turned on without creating any undue thermal stress in the lamp filament. However, the lamps turn off at a relatively slow rate. This obviates irritating strobe light effects.
While these illuminated celebratory devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses an illuminated celebratory device having a confetti blower housing with LED digital display and other visual and sound effects mounted on top of a vertically standing pole having tracks thereon upon which a movable ball is slidably mounted. The ball also has digital displays and lamps thereon. The pole is mounted on a base stand. In operation, at a predetermined time, the ball begins its descent from atop the pole and as it descends pole lamps illuminate and the LED's show the appropriate time. When the ball reaches its destination at the bottom of pole, the LED's indicate the appropriate time and all celebratory features of the device activate.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball wherein the ball reaches the bottom of its vertical support post precisely at a predetermined time whereupon lights throughout the device will start flashing as noisemakers go off and confetti and glitter is expelled from the uppermost portion to announce the onset of the celebration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball having a multiplicity of lamps on or within the surface of the ball and at least one digital display to provide a 10-second countdown to the event as the ball is descending
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball wherein the vertical support consists of: a vertical pole having a series of lamps located therein and a tracking mechanism to guide the movement of the ball; a base subjacent to the vertical pole to house the ball drive mechanism and provide stability to the celebratory device; and a confetti blower housing located at the apex of the vertical pole.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball having a confetti blower housing containing an external, programmable digital display screen, a confetti/glitter blower, noisemaking devices such as a P.A. system, sirens, amplified caps, etc., and top-mounted lights or lasers to enhance the reflective properties of the confetti and glitter.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball for a synchronized descent whereby the ball reaches its nadir at a predetermined time and activates the confetti, noisemakers and lights to signal the onset of the celebration.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball having a microprocessor to allow an operator to program the digital display on the confetti blower housing accordingly, i.e. “HAPPY NEW YEAR”, “2001” “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”, etc.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball having a microprocessor to allow an operator to program the individual light systems of the confetti blower housing, the vertical pole, and the illuminated ball to activate sequentially, steady on, flashing, or as a rapid strobe as the ball passes through its points of operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a synchronized confetti sprayer and descending illuminated ball including a timing device to assure the synchronicity of the ball reaching its destination and the activation of lights, noisemakers and confetti with the accurate moment to be celebrated.
A still further object of the p
Kroll Michael I
O'Shea Sandra
Ton Anabel M
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