Novelty Light Device

Abstract

A novelty-type light device which includes a generally hollow body mounted on a support means and within which is disposed a light source. The hollow body is defined by a plurality of generally planar panels angularly oriented relative to each other. The panels are semireflective, at least semitransparent whereby when the light source is viewed through any one of the panels a reflection of the light source is seen on one or more of the other panels through said one section to provide multiple reflections to give an "infinity" effect.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There presently are available a variety of light devices which are designed as novelty items which are used in dens, offices, bars or the like for novelty or conversation purposes or for providing a desired atmospheric effect. Many of the devices use liquids of other mediums which, when employed with various types of light sources, are designed to give unusual effects. This invention relates to a new novelty-type light device.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new novelty-type light device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light device which includes a support means, a light source mounted on the support means, and at least a pair of semireflective, at least semitransparent sections mounted on the support means and oriented relative to the light source whereby when the light source is viewed through one of the sections, a reflection of the light source on the other section is also seen through the one section. Preferably, the sections are defined by generally planar panels angularly oriented relative to each other.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, a generally hollow body is mounted on a base or support means and is defined by a plurality of said generally planar, semireflective, at least semitransparent panels, with the light source disposed within the hollow body to provide multiple reflections and thereby give an "infinity" effect. The light source preferably comprises a plurality of miniature incandescent light bulbs.

The illustrated forms of light devices of the character described herein have a cube-shaped hollow body mounted on the base or support means. The miniature incandescent light bulbs are of the wire lead type. The six flat sides of the cube comprise panels which have a smoky tint and which are partially silvered on the inside surfaces thereof to provide for reflections of the miniature lights and to provide for sufficient transparency to see multiple reflections thereof on the inside surfaces of the other panels behind a particular one panel through which an observer is viewing.

In one illustrated form, the hollow body is oriented with one of the major cross axes of the cube being oriented generally vertically relative to the base, and with the wire lead bulbs extending outwardly from the major cross axis.

Provision may be made for rotation of the miniature bulbs as a group within the hollow cube.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a novelty type light device embodying the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale and partially broken away, of the light device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one corner of the light device looking from the inside thereof;

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram for the miniature incandescent lamp bulbs of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second form of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through the light device shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram for the device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 includes a pedestal or base support, generally designated 10, on which is mounted a cube-shaped hollow body, generally designated 11, oriented vertically on one of the major cross axes of the cube. The hollow body is defined by six generally planar sections or panels 12 held together by support ribs 14 along the joined edges thereof so as to form the cube. The panels 12 may be secured to the support ribs 14 by appropriate adhesives.

Within the cube-shaped hollow body defined by the panels 12 is disposed a light source which, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, includes a plurality of miniature incandescent lamp bulbs 16 which, preferably, are of the type commonly called "wire lead lights," , normally of a low-voltage rating, preferably about a 10-volt capacity. A support wire 18 is disposed within the hollow cube defined by the panels 12 along the vertical major cross axis of the cube, and the wires 20 of the wire lead lights are wrapped thereabout with the miniature incandescent bulbs 16 extending outwardly therefrom, preferably at random spacing. FIG. 5 shows a wiring diagram for the miniature bulbs 16, and the circuit includes a low-voltage transformer 22, preferably about 6 volts, connected through an electrical line 23 with plug 24 adapted to be used with a wall socket. The transformer steps down the voltage in the ordinary house circuit to the low voltage required for the miniature lamp bulbs 16.

Each of the panels 12 which define the cube-shaped hollow body are fabricated of a substance commonly called "black plastic." More particularly, the panels have a smoky tint and the inside surfaces thereof are partially silvered so as to give multiple reflections from all six sides of the cube and thereby provide an "infinity" effect when looking into the cube. The panels may be either plastic or glass, or plastic on glass with the plastic tinted and the inside glass partially silvered.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8, means, described hereinafter, are provided for rotating the light source within the cube-shaped hollow body. Like numerals will be applied where applicable. In this form of the invention, the hollow body 11, comprising the six planar sections or panels 12, is oriented in an upright position with the side panels generally vertically disposed and the top and bottom panels generally horizontally disposed. The hollow body 11 is fixed by means of bolts 30 to a generally hollow base support, generally designated 32.

Within the hollow base support 32 is mounted an electric motor 34 electrically connected in parallel with a transformer 36, as shown by the wiring diagram presented in FIG. 8. A shaft 38 extends upwardly from the motor 34 and has an electrical connector 40 at its upper end. Connector 40 is formed of two interfitting sections 42 and 44, with the upper section 44 being secured to and electrically connected with the lead wires 20 bearing the miniature incandescent lamp bulbs 16 at their free ends. Thus, the lights can be replaced as a unit by simply removing the unit including the upper section 44 of the connector from the lower section 42. A lead wire 46 conducts electricity from the low-voltage side of the transformer 36 to connector 40 through means of a slip ring or collar 48 which encircles connector portion 42 to establish contact therewith while permitting relative rotation of the portion 42 with motor shaft 38. As shaft 38 is rotated by motor 34, the assembly comprising the wire lead miniature lamp bulbs will be caused to rotate within the hollow body 11 to further enhance the "infinity" effect when looking into the cube as the image of the rotating miniature lamp bulbs 16 are reflected off of the panels 12.

With the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, full voltage from the electrical source is provided to the motor 34 through the external line 50, including plug 52, to rotate shaft 38, connector 40, and the wire lead bulbs 16. Transformer 36 is a low-voltage transformer, preferably about 6 volts, and supplies low voltage to the miniature lamp bulbs 16, through the lead wire 46 including slip ring 48, with the other lead wire 54 from the low-voltage side of the transformer being grounded to a metal box 56 which encloses the motor 34. An additional pair of lead wires 58, 60 extend from the high-voltage side of transformer 36 and through a wall of box 56 to the motor, with leads 58, 60 and the motor being well insulated against electrical contact with box 56.

Obviously, any number of shapes or forms of lighting fixtures are comprehended within the concepts of the present invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A novelty-type light device comprising, a support means, a generally hollow body mounted on the support means and defined by a plurality of generally planar semireflective, at least semitransparent panels angularly oriented relative to each other, a light source within the said hollow body comprising a plurality of miniature incandescent lamp bulbs, whereby when the light source is viewed through one of said panels a reflection of the light source on at least one of the other of said panels is also seen through the one panel.

2. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said generally hollow body is cube-shaped

3. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cube-shaped body is mounted on said support means at a corner of the cube so that a diagonal axis of the cube extends vertical).

4. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 1, including a source of power for said light source within said support means, and said plurality of miniature light bulbs include wire leads extending from said hollow body into said support means and connected with said source of power.

5. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said panels are partially silvered on the inside surfaces thereof to provide for said reflection and to permit viewing through said panels.

6. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 1, including means for rotating said light source within said hollow body.

7. A novelty-type light device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said light source includes a motor disposed within said support means.