Keith D Bean

US Patent:

20040190309, Sep 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/403776

Inventors:

Kevin Bixler - Littleton CO, US
Deanna Bixler - Littleton CO, US
Keith Bean - Johnstown CO, US

International Classification:

F21S004/00

US Classification:

362/565000

Abstract:

A hanging ornament having a central core and a plurality of radiating spires. Each spire is solid and allows light to pass. Within each spire is wiring and a string of small lights. An electrical cord having a plug suitable for connection to local electrical outlets leads to wiring within the core, which in turn provides electricity to a plurality of sockets. Each socket connects one spire to the core and further connects the core wiring to the spire wiring. Each spire may be removed individually and replaced should the lights within malfunction or the spire become broken. This also aids space saving storage of the invention. In embodiments, the lights of the spire may be mini lights, sub-miniature lights, light emitting diodes, high intensity light emitting diodes or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the light passing spires may be textured, transparent, translucent, clear or colored, and in yet other embodiments, removable sheaths may be employed on the spires to provide color and/or to the light emitted by the spires. Various other embodiments are detailed in the body of the present document.

US Patent:

20050231975, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Apr 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/826884

Inventors:

Kevin Bixler - Littleton CO, US
Deanna Bixler - Littleton CO, US
Keith Bean - Johnstown CO, US

International Classification:

F21V021/00

US Classification:

362565000, 362806000

Abstract:

The present invention teaches a hanging ornament having a central core and a plurality of radiating spires. Each spire allows light to pass. An electrical cord having a plug suitable for connection to local electrical outlets leads to wiring within the core, which in turn provides electricity to a centrally located light bulb. Each spire is seated in a socket which connects one spire to the core. Lenses may advantageously be employed with the spires to focus the light. Light steps within the hollow spires may aid in light diffusion, for example by having surface areas in accordance with the inverse square law, or fiber optic bundles within the spires may serve the same purpose.