US 4,060,722 A · Fibre optics display

Abstract

A fibre optic display fashioned to illuminate an artificial Christmas tree utilizing a plurality of fibre optic filaments fashioned into a main bundle within the trunk portion of the Christmas tree. The base of the tree is supported by an illuminating base structure. A color wheel housed within the illuminating base structure is rotated by the heat obtained from a light source similarly housed within the base structure, interjecting various colors of light into the free end of the fibre optic bundle. The bundle is divided into branch bundles, wherein each branch bundle is secured to the trunk portion of the tree at the point adjacent the opening through which the branch bundle emerges from the interior of the trunk. The branch bundles run along the individual branches of the tree by being secured to the outside surface of the individual branches or by being confined within a hollow causeway within the individual branches. In the latter case, the individual filaments emerge through small openings along the length of the branch and in the former case, the free ends of the individual filaments are disposed individually along the length of the branch. The light is intermittenly interrupted creating a "twinkling" effect. The fibre optic system forms an integral part of the artificial Christmas tree having only the illumination source - tree supporting base structure removably fastened at the base of the tree trunk. The illuminated free ends of the individual filaments may be provided with light reflectors or diffusers.

Claims6

Dependent claims

In an artificial Christmas tree comprising a trunk portion, a plurality of branches hingably secured to the trunk portion, the trunk portion having a hollow passageway extending substantially along the length thereof, the improvement comprising:

a. a plurality of fibre optic filaments having first ends of each closely positioned one another to form a light receiving termination thereof, the termination being disposed within the passageway adjacent the base of the trunk portion, the plurality of filaments forming a quantity of sub-pluralities of filaments, one of the sub-plurality of filaments comprising a bundle passing through an orifice communicating to the passageway and being disposed located adjacent each root of each branch, means to clamp each bundle at each orifice, the other ends of the plurality of filaments being disposed distributed along the length of the plurality of branches;
and
b. a tree trunk base supporting structure having a receptacle fixedly secured at the upper end thereof, the base of the trunk portion being removably secured within the receptacle, the receptacle disposing the trunk portion in substantially vertical alignment, the supporting structure comprising a housing, a lamp being disposed within the housing, the lamp being disposed producing rays of light communicating through a port in the housing to the light receiving termination of the plurality of filaments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fibre optics display

Life of this patent

Fibre optics display

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6