CN1509670A - Christmas tree with optical fibre lamp decoration - Google Patents

Abstract

A Christmas tree having: a base; a trunk consisting of two or more interconnected segments, the first segment being supported by the base; a plurality of branches extending from each segment, at least one branch connected to each segment associated with; and the optical fiber, which extends from each light source to the position on the branch of the respective segment. The light source modules are connected to each other by cables. Each light source includes one or more LEDs. The LEDs of each module are mounted on a PCB located in the housing. The optical fibers have ends secured in receptacles that are inserted into respective housings.

Description

Christmas tree with fiber optic lights

technical field

The invention relates to a Christmas tree or a multi-segment display device with fiber optic decorations. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to Christmas trees constructed from multiple trunk sections, each section having fiber optic decorative lighting, and each section of fiber optics having a separate light source.

Background technique

Christmas trees are known to be decorated with fiber optic decorative lights. Furthermore, a halogen light source is provided in the base of a Christmas tree having a continuous trunk with a plurality of branches extending from it. Fiber must pass through the base of the tree to each branch to be decorated. This Christmas tree is not as easy to transport as a Christmas tree made up of segmented trunks. This is due to the overall length of the trunk.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or actually ameliorate the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or more generally to provide a Christmas tree with a segmented trunk and to provide each segment of the tree with a fiber optic decorative light, wherein each segment of fiber has a separate light source or power supply.

The invention disclosed herein includes:

base;

a central part consisting of two or more interconnected segments, the first of which is supported by a base;

multiple branches extending from each segment;

two or more light source modules, at least one of said light source modules being associated with each segment; and

Fiber optics that extend from each light source to locations on the branches of the respective segment.

The light sources may be electrically interconnected for synchronous operation, or not.

Each light source preferably comprises one or more LEDs.

The LEDs of each module are preferably mounted on the PCB. On the other hand, other types of light sources can also be used, requiring the use of a PCB or not.

The PCB is preferably located within the housing.

The optical fiber has an end secured in a receptacle which is inserted into said housing.

The display means preferably takes the form of a Christmas tree having a base, wherein the central part forms the trunk of the tree and the first said segment is supported by the base.

Description of drawings

Preferred forms of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic segmental sectional view of a Christmas tree and its lighting system,

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a Christmas tree made up of the segments shown in Figure 1 and part of the lighting system mounted thereon,

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light source module,

Fig. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram for controlling the lighting effect.

Detailed ways

A Christmas tree 10 is shown schematically in the drawing with a base 11 which typically has three legs 27 protruding.

Christmas tree sections 12 , 13 and 14 extend upwardly from the base and are supported by the base 11 . Each segment has a trunk 28 with radial branches 29 .

Associated with the tree 10 is a lighting system comprising a transformer plug assembly or battery assembly 15 from which an electrical cable 16 extends to a socket.

A string of lighting modules 20 are interconnected by an insulated cable 19 , the first module having a plug 18 to be plugged into a socket 17 . From each module 20 extend a plurality of optical cables 27 to be placed on branches 29 of the respective tree sections 12, 13 and 14. That is, each module 20 is for one tree segment.

Each module 20 includes a lighted socket 22 in a base into which is mounted a printed circuit board (PCB) 23 on which one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 24 are electrically mounted. The PCB 23 is to be connected to the conductive end of the insulated cable 19. For this purpose, the ends of the cables can pass through the base plate 30 . Housing 22 may be cylindrical or otherwise. Adjacent to the upper opening 32 of the housing 22 is an inner recess 31 . Immediately adjacent to the opening 32 is an inner snap-engaging ring 33 .

The ends of the bundle of optical cables 27 are accommodated in an optical plug 26 whose shape corresponds to that of the housing 22 . The optical plug 26 has an annular ridge 34 with which an engaging ring 34 engages to secure the optical plug in the housing 22 so that the end of the bundled optical cable 27 is presented to the LED 24.

Circuits as shown in Figure 4 can be provided on each PCB 23 or in a plug assembly or battery box to achieve sequential lighting and polarity reversal of the LEDs to change the frequency of light emission, or to control the expression through the optical cable 27 glow effect.

It should be understood that various modifications and changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of using LEDs as light sources, halogen bulbs or ordinary tungsten lamps can be used. However, for reasons of efficiency, it is best to use modern LEDs that emit a lot of light.

Claims (7)

1. A display device, comprising: a central part consisting of two or more interconnected segments; multiple branches extending from each segment; two or more light source modules, at least one module associated with each segment; and Fiber optics, extending from each light source to locations on the branches of the respective segment. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light source modules are electrically connected to each other. 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein each light source comprises one or more LEDs. 4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the LEDs of each module are mounted on a PCB. 5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein each PCB is located in the housing. 6. A display device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the optical fiber has an end fastened in a receptacle, said receptacle being inserted in said housing. 7. Display device according to any one of the preceding claims in the form of a Christmas tree with a base, characterized in that the central part forms the trunk of the Christmas tree, the first said segment being supported by the base.

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