GB2232288A

GB2232288A - Novelty illumination device

Info

Publication number: GB2232288A
Application number: GB9007917A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Ferraioli; James Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-07
Filing date: 1990-04-06
Publication date: 1990-12-05
Also published as: GB9007917D0; GB8907853D0

Abstract

The novelty illumination device is in the shape of an animal or other figure, and incorporates illuminating means which is actuable by an electric or electromagnetic source on actuation of said source to give a warning that said source has been actuated. In one embodiment the device is in the shape of a toy dog 10 and the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of the dog's head, e.g. the eyes 14, which are electrically connected to an electrical circuit of a motor vehicle to illuminate when said electrical circuit is closed, e.g. the brake lights circuit. In another embodiment, said device is in the shape of a figure and the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of the figure or an object carried by the figure. More than one illuminating means may be provided each actuable by different electrical or electromagnetic sources. The electrical source may be an electrical circuit connected to the device to energise the illuminating means when the circuit is closed. The electromagnetic source may be a radio transmitter to actuate a receiver associated with the device. The device may be electrically connected to a telephone circuit so as to illuminate when the telephone receives a call or electromechanically linked to a doorbell and so as to illuminate by radio control when the doorbell is actuated. <IMAGE>

Description

NOVELTY ILLUMINATION DEVICE.

DESCRIPTION.

This invention relates to a novelty illumination device.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a novelty illumination device in the shape of an animal or other figure, said device incorporating illuminating means which is actuable by an electrical or electromagnetic source on actuation of said source to give a warning that said source has been actuated.

In one embodiment, said device is in the shape of an animal and the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of the animal's head, e.g. the eyes.

In another embodiment, said device is in the shape of a figure and the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of or on the figure or an object carried by the figure.

More than one illuminating means may be provided each actuable by different electrical or electromagnetic sources.

The electrical source may be an electrical circuit connected to the device to energise the illuminating means when the circuit is closed.

The electromagnetic source may be a radio transmitter to actuate a receiver associated with the device.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an illuminating warning device in the shape of an animal or other figure electrically connected to an electrical circuit of a motor vehicle to illuminate when said electrical circuit is closed.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an illuminating warning device electrically connected to a telephone circuit so as to illuminate when the telephone receives a call.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is povided an illuminating warning device electrically or electromechanically linked to a doorbell so as to illuminate when the doorbell is actuated.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a rear view of a motor vehicle embodying the novelty illumination device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the device in operation; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical circuit; Fig. 4 is a diagrammetic illustration of the device as a telephone warning device; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the device as a radio controlled doorbell warning device.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the novelty illumination device is shown as an additional brake light on a private motor vehicle.

The novelty illumination device of a high level brake warning light is in the form of a figure, in this embodiment a small dog 10, fixedly located adjacent to the rear window 11 of a private car 12, e.g. on the parcel shelf 13, and facing rearwards. The position of the toy in Fig. 3 is distorted for illustrative purposes.

The toy may be provided with an adhesive base covered with a removable cover prior to use.

The eyes 14 of the toy dog are in the form of lamp holders into which are located small bulbs which are coloured red or covered by a red cover which will show as red when the bulbs are illuminated. The holders 14 are electrically connected in series by an electrical connection 15 which terminates in a socket 16 at the base of the toy. When the toy is in position, the socket 16 can be connected to one, or both brake lights 16 of the vehicle, so that when the vehicle brake lights are illuminated, so also are the eyes of the toy.

Flex 18, about a metre length, will be provided for connection to the socket 16 and to the or each brake light via spade connections. The flex may incorporate a fuse 19.

The eyes 14 may as an alternative, be connected to the vehicles hazard warning system to flash intermittently when the hazard warning light is on. The eyes in this instance would show amber when illuminated. A relay switch could be incorporated to cause the light to flash intermittently.

Preferably, both the brake light warning system and the hazard warning system are separately connected to different features of the animal's head. The eyes, the nose and the ears are possible features that could be illuminated, e.g. the eyes connected to the brake lights and the nose connected to the hazard warning system.

The device may, of course, be other than a dog shape; for realism it is preferably a canine or feline domestic animal, but any other suitably sized animal or other figure, e.g. a cartoon character or a doll may be designed for the purpose.

The device is not limited to use at the rear of a vehicle; provided the light is of a suitable colour, the device can be mounted, e.g. in the cab of a lorry and connected to any suitable electrical current, e.g. the head lights or horn circuits.

The device is not restricted to use within a vehicle but could be located externally, particularly on a commercial vehicle.

The device could also be used in a domestic environment, e.g. connected to the telephone so that a part of the device will illuminate when the telephone rings, or connected to the door bell circuit so that a part of the device will illuminate when the door bell is actuated.

The device may be an animal or other figure or simply a box or other casing containing the illuminating means.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram which illustrates the deice 20 in conjunction with a telephone 21. The telephone is plugged into a master junction box 22 which is connected electrically to one or more outlet junction boxes 23 located in one or more part of the house. The device has a telephone lead 24 connected to it and the lead can be plugged into the or any one of the outlet junction boxes, as and when required. When the telephone rings, a part of the device will illuminate.

The part of the device to be illuminated is infinitely variable. For an animal, the most suitable feature would be the eyes but other parts of the animal may be chosen. For a figure, the part to be illuminated may be a part of the figures anatomy or clothing or the figure may be holding an object which is the part which will illuminate.

The device may be illuminated by other than electrical means; for example by electro magnetic means such as radio control.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram which illustrates a radio controlled device 30 for use with a doorbell 31. The doorbell incorporates a radio transmitter 32 powered, e.g. by a 9 volt dry cell battery. The transmitter is actuated when the doorvell is actuated. The illuminating warning device 30 incorporates a radio receiver 33 which is also powered by, e.g. a 9 v battery and connected to the light bulb or bulbs of the illuminating part of the device. A relay switch 34 may also be provided so that the device flashes intermittently.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A novelty illumination device in the shape of an animal or other figure, said device incorporating illuminating means which is actuable by an electrical or electromagnetic source on actuation of said source to give a warning that said source has been actuated

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in the shape of an animal and in which the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of the animal's head, e.g. the eyes.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in the shape of a figure and in which the illuminating means corresponds to a feature of or on the figure or an object carried by the figure.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which more than one illuminating means is provided each actuable by different electrical or electromagnetic sources.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the electrical source is an electrical circuit connected to the device to energise the illuminating means when the circuit is closed.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the electromagnetic source is a radio transmitter to actuate a receiver associated with the device.

7. An illuminating warning device in the shape of an animal or other figure electrically connected to an electrical circuit of a motor vehicle to illuminate when said electrical circuit is closed.

8. An illuminating warning device electrically connected to a telephone circuit so as to illuminate when the telephone receives a call.

9. An illuminating warning device electrically or electromechanically linked to a doorbell so as to illuminate when the doorbell is actuated.

10. A novelty illumination device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.