CA2074319A1 - Lighting arrangement for christmas trees - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A decorative lighting device for Christmas trees having a rigid branch and a set of flexible branches all made of light conductive material. The flexible branches are attached to the rigid branch at a position intermediate their top and bottom ends. The flexible branches are sized accordingly so that at least a portion of the branch will self supportingly project laterally from the rigid branch. A light source projects light onto the bottom end of the branches. The branches have a diameter such that light travelling through them will substantially diffuse radially along their entire length as well as diffuse axially at the top end. A colored disc positioned between the light source and the branches is adapted to create light colour patterns.

Description

2~7~3~

.L :I:L E-; .(2!: ::!:!::!r.` .. T.h!'.'F.-h.! I 1: l2!`'l 1.... :L ~ r l ''I" :[ hl f ., .4 F; F;.: A hl l:'.i l..: ~I E: hl '1- F L-.~ F;.l r:: H F; :L ':.; "F' lvl A S 'T' F: E': I:. r;
1 1. 1:.? ~ f t; l1 F? i 1 I VQl~ t ~ r~ ~

rh e pr e~.ient invfer-ti,"n r e:Lal,e-..; t.,::, I;he f:i.r-~:l.d ,:::,f :L:ic~ht ,."ndu,:tive rnd; .~nii m l:J re pairt:i~-ulilrly t,~ cie~ r~ni;i~f~? ~tru~:t~ .f?
ac:laptec:l t,:~ be ucied -.us a l~:hrlstmi~i t r ee def::,.:,rdt:il::l n u~.-i:ing 1:i. ,CIFI t ~ I. ll i d~ - t i V~.? ~
F~ r iF ~2!.Jhl~ f.2E.-'.{~IE. .I.!.`!~.)r;l`.`!.r..l .
A sei~r,-h am,:,nr..lst F:~ri,:::,r patents hi~Ci r.f.?vea:Lec:l rlumr?rC~.
d~-.". ument s ciis,:1"si ng stru,-tures p er tinent t r:~ t he fie:lc:l~ I.J~S~
F:,i.~t;r.!nt hk~ 3~F3ly~1LC3 t,.:, r~ :L ~n et c~ ndy lJo5~l pi~te n t hll:::l., ~3 ~ r;3;~ J B74 t ,-, F.l,.-,sen~-~s.; t L- ,-, t h d i -i, 1, .,se r..l LnI.lnd l er.i gr ,. ,up ~ f ,-,p t i ~::
fi.ber.c:~ he].c:l tr:lgether at ,-,ne encl~ A light s,:,ur,-:e :is p:Li.~ ec:l i:~t t hf3 gr,::upel:l end. "I~he l:ight tr;~vQ:Ls thrl::lugh eit,:h f:i.bre sLIbc.;tantia:Lly wi.i;hs::ll..lt; riiC.ipQrsincl anti emer~es at t hC! ~ t hQr enc:l t,:::, pr,~du,..f..~ i~ set "f pin p,-,:il-t :Lil~:e :I:ightS..
lJ~ 1..3., pdten t hll~ y ~ t Ç,.'~ I~I t,:::, F:"r y Jr .~ y l..l., S,~ pal;QIl t hll::~, '7,13f;1 t,., I::etr,-,ne i.~nli l.J.S~ patenl; hll-l. 3y465y 1.3'.~ t,::, Se~ l dl:L
shr~w el,::~nllatecl g:Li.~c:is ,..~r :Lul::ite r,::,cls ac:laF:~tQd t;,::, ,:::~::.nrll..l,:::t 1:i.~Jht thrr,ugh the br~n,-hes ,~,f ~ hristm;.~s tr~.~e :in ~:::,r~ ..7r te previ.l:le bu:lb 1ike :::hristmi~s lights f~ r the t 'f ee..
lJ..'3. paterlt hl}~. '31SF.-~:F,''3'3 t,:., I~ ,; et c.~l shl::lw; ;..1 system emF) :l. l.,y i. r l CJ niC...?F) ~ , e l y en r.: aF:~ 51..l :l i~ t ec:l ep t i. c ;.~ :l. f :i t:) r e ~:: ,::,n cl l.l :i l; .; wh :i ,:: h are brr~nr:heLi of f ~4 r,-"n a ,:ent 'fal. ~ F:)ti,:~ 1 f:i.I:~re l::)uncl:L~n wh:i~-h :is p"sitir.~neci i~l,-,n~ the trurlk: ,:::,r ;a ~::::hri.st ma~..i tr~?e~ 'IhF..~ :L:i.Çlht wh:il::h i s tri~nsmitteci thrl-ll.lçlh the ,::entr~.~l bunl::ll e e f fibQr; :i:L].~ :in;..~.t F:?';

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2~3~9 translu,ent sh~pes m~unted ,n the terininal ends c,f the fiber.
~Ihe ab,ive menti,-,r,ecl strll,tuies ckl n,:,t pr"visle what ic~
referred t" f~t line 4~ "f U~S patent Nl-l. 39 7F.JF.~ 9~7f~ hfl~ a spray like eFfe~-t~ Bc~th LI~S. pc~ter7t N~ ~y76i;937FJ c~ns~ 5 siis,-llsse stru,-tures whilh attempt t,-, pr,:,vide sill:ll c~ visual effect.
H"wever~ the stru,-ture slescribed in U~S~ patent Nc~

3,~ ,385 requires numer,~us ele,-tri,:al ~-c~nne,:ti,snsJ while the structure siisclc~sed in iJnS~ paterlt N-lu 397F,i-~937F, requiref-, a set sf tis;s fsr tyinsl the bundle "f clptical fit~ers t" the trunF~ ,-,f the tree~ Bllth the electrical ,-,-,nrlecti,_,ns c~nd the ties are ,-umbersc"ne and time ,,~nsumins~ to install~
Ll~S. patent Ncl~ ~',76i-"374 disclc~c3efj a de,,-,rative stru,_ture usinc~ tsptical fibers whil:h are linkeci t,:, stru,-tural r,-,cis while lJ~B. patent ~Irs. 3~F37F3r503 digcl,ssec; a structure usirlcl ,-,pti,cal fibers whil:h ~re c~llfineLi anci suF)pt:,rtecl by a bendablle wire c.3pir~11y wc~und ~rc,und a plurality ,:,f Fibers.
The lJ.S. patent hll~. 4~364,10~ t,s Huppert c~nci l~ast"r,:, ciiscltssecj c~ strutt;ure which attempts tc, eliminate the neecl f,sr structures recluired tcs buncile a mass ,~f frayile ,spti,:al fibers ani el iminates the safety hf~zard ever present with the use clF
larye am~sunts Isf ele,:tri,al wirin~a t~s pr,svide illuminati,srl~ by prt~viriiny an intern~lly lic~htecl ~;hr:istm~s tree whi~:h transmits the lir~ht tcs the exteri~sr ,sf the ciisplay.
The stru,-ture pr,sposeci t~y the present inventi,~n C-~1SC
eliminates the neecl f,sr structural reinft:,rcement. The nr-~w :, Yf "~"~i f .~

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~743~9 t r u t U1~ d aP t e(i 1 ~ J rr dUI i th e ipl ~y - l 1 1 e e r r 1 t W i l l ~ t tl lr~
uCir~ ,::,F ;~ny cipe,:::i f:i.,..: , ,;mpl:i.~::atec:l e:Le,..:tr:i.~.:a:L w:i~ :i.n Cl ~ r ~.itr~ :tl..lr~ L
r ei r ~F,"r, emel~t. Ihe new .~it f l..l~::t Ll ~ e u ses ":I.:ic~ h t p :iI:~ h:i,:: h ~.~r e t)~:~th se:l. l ~l.lpp~:;l t:i.n(~ n r:l L~ enc:lab:le..
The er,tif e lerlr!th ,:,f the ea~-~l f:ibl e :i.~ ,F,I i f:i~ dal3tec:l t,., ~ ,w rctdi~ll.y thus p lrllvidirl r=1 r~l11 enh an~: ecl ~ r.t.l. effe,-:t~
Fuf therm,:-,re7 the pfe ~erlt invellti~ rl pi l::lpu~ir:l~; a ~itl U::tUl e wh:il:: h ,.-all be reclr:li:Ly ,::ust,::,m:i~.ecl in any shaF)e, s:i~e ar)l:l nature. -rh e :inc;t;;~ ttil::lll pr~ elil...lre :iCi ferill,:eli t,-, a ~jinllle ~rtep ,::~pelrati.,-,rl.
:[n~;tea.d c~f p~ p~ciincl a fi.~,;ed ~.haF)e arti Fi,::i~:t1 tree r..5 :ic; the ~ase wi th patent hl~ 3, 4f;5, :l3J and patent hll.l. 4~3~`Fy :L~:3~ whi,::h, ,.~nce pur,..haserl, ~ f fer ,:~n:l y ca rli ven shclpe and ~ .e an~:l wh:i. ~.h pr ~veri t ,., t~e r el ca t i vel y ,- ,~rnp l e ,;, t he pr e~ien t i rlven t i ~:~n , ., f f er ~ i a cirL~ r at i ve s. t r ul:: t ur e wh :i ~:: h I an l:: r e~ t e a var :i e t y ,:., f c:le,: ,::,r a t :i ve pattern anli whil:~ .; adaptal::)le tr.:l a variety "f tree~i.
T'hf3 pr e.~;en t :i nvent i. ~ n pr ,::~v:L cle~c~; the C;F:~r ay :I. :i. ~Ih t e f f~..n::: t W i. ~; h l"JU t t he n llmer I u ~ ,n n e,:: t :i l::ln~ l::l f t hf:l ~ j t r u,... t ur e d e~ n:: r i b ed :i. n paterlt hk~. 3,Ç;;;4,'3~5 ~:lr the nLlmer~.luC; tie~.i rec:ll..l:i.rec:l t:)y the ~;t;rU~ture cie~;r.:rit~eci irl U~S. patent 3,7f;6,37f~, thll~; fa,ri:Litatill~3 installat:i~n. Fh~ F)reser)t inventi~n al5~::l e:l.:i~ni.n-.-~te~i the need f ~:~r l~bs t r uc t i n 13 ' iLlpp ~ ~r t i n~3 5 t r u i: t ur es ~ i~.n- h a~; t he :L l:ln ~3 i. t l.ld i na l ~"i rl~cls ~f the s,trul::turel:l c:l ~ : r:i. t)f:` c:l :in F:~at f~nt hl~ 3, 7Ç:.:,Ç:.;,37~:F and the ,i , -ipi ral ly~ w~-~un~leli wi r es ~ f the strllr.. tur e cJI..? i,::r :i t:il:!d i. n patent; hll:..
~3, S7S, 51~3 .
The inventi~n u t:i1:i;~ed an ~pt:i,::~-~t:L pr i n ~:::i p 1 e ,::lPte n r e fer r ed tl::l i~5 trans--il].umirlati,:~n ,:~r rn,.,rç-~ ,-"mrn,..!n:ly, as a ":Li~.lht pipe"~

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2~7~3~9 The phell,"nellc3 is ~-hara-:terize(i by the fa~ t that l:ight r ays intr"Li~..n:::eLI int~ nne e.lnLI ,-,f a relatively c.im,:"-~th arti.,-:l.e mac:le c.lF
c~lass "r ,-ertail7 type ~-~f trarlspclrent plac.,tics ~.;u.-h aci l:::.lVI~Ivl A
will be t~ar)smittec:l thereal"nLIy withc~ t di FFuc;:i,::,n unti:L the l.ight rc~ys en,-Gunter the transl~.l,-ent eLige clF the arti~::le clr C;,-,me c,t~ler light cl:i FFu~inLl ~,bstructi,:,n. fhenreti,..i.~llyy :i F the tranciparerlt 1ight transmi1;tin9 materii31 is ,-,f unif,-,rm density, Free Frc:,m i mper f ec t i, Ins anLI t he , .,ut er s~lr Fa, e i s r e1 a t i ve1 y ~ifnCl~, t h y t he ligt7t rays will r7c,t be visible when the arti,.~le i c I viewed transverse t" be path ~If travel ,~f the light rays~ Hl-,oever; the lil3ht ri~ys will travel the lenc~th ,.,f the article anLi will illumini3te the end therec,f ,~r any tri3nslu,-ent rlbstrLI,-til,n whi., h may defusé)the rays~ This is true irrespective ,~f the l::oll~,ur rlF
ti"le light anLi a translu~:ent ,~bc,trLI~ ti,-,n placecl in the path c,F
the ligi7t will l314w as if it were tlr7e s,-n.lr,::e ,-,f l:igi'lt~
-:~1 a~is anci mc,s t c 1 ear p 1 as t i c s i, e~ipec i al 1 y t hc.~se~ ,-, f t he mcJti'7yl meti'7ar:rylate type, ,:~Ften desigl7ateci as "lu~: i te" pr,-"::ess this er7ci or eJge lightir79 ability ancl may t)C? used :in the ~nstruc t i 4n 4f the i nvent i c,n ~
Al 1 t he i nven t i on desc r i bed i n t he at),-,ve merl t i "neci pa t en t 5 wer e i nt ended t 1~ ~pt i mi z e t he enc1 1 i gl7t i ng e f f ec t ~ Ti7e pr esen t inventi~n departs frc:,m tt7e sp.ir i t r.~f these previc,usly menti,-,ned inventi4ns by pr~p~::sir79 a ~;tru~ ture aclapteli tc, prl:~vide a radial cii ffusi,:~n transverse tc~ the path cjf light a~ :ng the ent:ire lr ngti7 clf each inciividual branch as well as an ca~ial cii ffusi,:~n at tt7e cii~tal end Ijf ea, h bran,-t7~
,,~
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2~)7d53~9 sin1-e tlltl hrclnl heC7 ~Jf l;he preC~r~7erlt invent~ re f ~r ee fr::lm .-any - bn. t r ul:: t i. ncl s t r ~ : t ~.lr c-~ L r e:i n f :: r t.: i nil :: :: mp - ne n t c; 7 t he r c~d i a].
all~w -f the brall~-hec:7 .-reate c~ pleasiny a6thet:i::c~l eFFe-l; a:L~-~nc thei.r enti.re lenllth..
T~e ir~ven~ ..r~ :i5 th~lC-, ver 5c~l:i Le~ ec-~c-;y ~' ir~c.-~ L ~
strLIl-tLlrally simple and ac7theti . ally ..ptimal . :[t pf vii:ies bl~.th a raciiaL di Ffusi.-..n al.ony the entire lenyth ::.f ea.-h Fihre and an a~ial di f f Llsi---n at ~ di6tar7t tip .-.f e~.:h Fibre whi . h . ari be ct nnet ted tc a terminatinrl strl.l~ture whi-h pr.::.vicles a bu:Ltl liF:e ef fe.- t ~
These arlv~ntayes are .~btained by usinrl a ciet l.:lF li~:lht pipes whi.. h are -.ptimally si~ed c~nd .~pti.-c~lly -I-.up:Led t.- a sLli t ab 1 e l i yh t s. .ur ~ e i~lo6 t s t r uc t ur es ri es r i b ed i n t h e p r ev i. C.IUS p a t en t 5 I.lSer.l fibers havir~ra a riiameter t - smci71l t~ pr-.vide the advantayec..;
ciftererl by the pre.-.ent inventi.tln~ IVI Ist .:t them u!ied c~F)til.. aL
fibers whi.-h h~ve a smal:L d:iameter in order tl. enC7llre that t he 1 i yht r ays ar e subs t arlt i al 1 y par al 1 e:L t c t he F :i. t:~r e t hur7 minimiziny refracti.~n~ These fibers .~re desi~aneri t.. . arry liyht ::ver a yreat ~ial dist~n. e~ The use ~F Fibers hclvi.ny a lar4er riiameter by the present inventi.~n all.-.wc.-7 b..th strLI.-tural suf ficiency and ~nhan`se radial di f fu~ /n since scme .: f the :liyht ray~b wil:L eventuaLly reach the refra ti.~n anyle :: f the material~
The l ar ~aer f :i ber s use.l wi t h t he pr esen t i nven t i .:.n ~:I :i f Fused :L ar ye amcunts :~F liyht and therefc.re a suitable hil~h eneryy l:iyht ~b~ur c e had t .::: be c.p t i :: al 1 y - ._.nne.:: t ed t u t he F i t:~er s ~ Over t he .. . .

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2~7~319 (~
I.;.~-at. Few yeai c; the ~:ide sFjref~ri :.:mmr.~ :ia:l.:i.A.v.ï~ :n r::lF t~,e h:i.rll e~ Jy L~ t :~ rim~ lly ~ i:?Fe~ a~ r.~l~ t g r e;.~ t :L y r eri L.l ::: e d t 1~ r:! ~:: -: s t ::: -F ~ :: h :I. :i. f l 1 ~ 1; '-ir~.ll' 1 i? . 1 :1 1 n tn' ~.:l r I y t; :::- t 1 ) f.:
s l; )~ Ll ~ r es l:if?~ r i t3 f.?l:~ i ll t ~l e Ij i- ev i ~ ; :l y Ir,ell t i. .~ .f.~ r.: ll t j, t ~, e pteserlt :inverlt:i.~:::l-) thL.lC; L~seci i"la:L::rlerl type :::IF :I.:irJht; a5 :it.. :L:i.11~lt : ulr .: e .
'rO FLlrthe. enFi..ln::e the aesl;het:i~::al eF F f!l t p)'l.lVi.il ed by the p ir eserlt ir)ventil-lny t aF inr~ rivc~ntc~l3e . F the f~- I t ha t t~le ir ad ii~ll r~ Ji n l~ .r: ::L.lr~ n t; h e F~ L :I. e n 9 t h ::: F ec-~ -h Fi t:) ir e 9 i'l S et ..:. F
seg fnen t e~ r ed ci i s .- h as c~ l ;.-. b eerl rl eve :L . -.p e cl u A :L t h .: L~
fiie)l::s havf? alrec~rly been rliç.i~ :L ..seri by prev:i us pcrter)ls r)aff)ely pat.;ent Nl:~. 3~4J5,13~, the inver)l;i~lrl propos es a set l..F ri:is~ç.i h;.3v:ir)g a spe-i Fi.:: ::.-lll.lLlr serlrl)er)t~lt:i. n acli:pted t:~ fL.lrther Ipti.mi;~e 1 ~)e i-~est;~eti -i.~11y p].easinrl ef Fe-t f eateci by the cievi ::e.

L"!MMAF~Y,_p,,F-, I~!.E.~- ...Ll~!VE',-.l~!,-,r,:l:rlhl A~::::::::rr:J:inl3 I;~ .;he pYeFerrel::l emt:~::(:i:i.mç..!nt; of thft i.rlvç3llt;:i.:::l), :i.s pr~p:~secJ a light;:ing cie.vi::e F.Jr illumir)ill;:ir)ll i... tree, thc tree havirlc~ il trunk: i~nci a set ~F t.~rar-::hes e~;ter)c:l:i.l)(l s~..lt:)ç.;ti.~r)t:i~ :L:Ly lateraLly Fr m it~.' "r'he :Liyhting dev:i~.e has a r:ig:i.rl br~nl:::h mac:le l:::lF :L:inht -onriu tive materi~l. rh is r:igid br~n-h llas a bi~se ar-li c~ t-~p el-ld arlci is aclapterd t~:~ c-~:~;tenl::l sLIbstii~rlt:i~ ~:L:I.y pari:l:l.:Le:l. t;.::: the t;rL.lnk: ~ F
~h f3 t ree~ -rh e clevil::e al~;~::: has a set .:F r 1.3:L;-~t:ively Fle~;ible branrhes mildr- I::F :Lirlht r.l::~lldu::t:i.ve mi.~ter:i;.l:l.. E.: l.l:::h :::lne ~:::IF t;hese fle~ible bran. he~i has a t~p enli ;.3nd i~ b~se enl:l.. 'I'he fle~ :L e bran~.~hes are c:l:iv:irJec:l :i.nt gr ::/l.lF:)s I::I F tJ:i F Ferenct :Lengt;hs. Eil::h ~m~e ~,.. ...

2~7~3~9 pl:l~; i t :i .::r1eli :i ri tel me~i ate bi?t we~i.ir~ :i. t; bi-~ Je .~r~li t: p Yn~ :::l tl ~t e~
::rlP . f tiie t r ~ :::hes :i~:.; c.l:i.~..p:: .; ~.? ~:l t:; utst~ l.:l.y ;..~;:i.;...:l.:l.y t:::. tiie r i cii ~i t~ r ar -.i~ ::v~. r ~.t f :i. t S t p :: ,- t :i. .:: r ~ :: f :i t ~3 :L i.~ ti1 P~. t ~.-! r 'i~il r ~i~"l b et w ~
-the ba .-;e er~r:l arll::l t.he ;i t tal::lli mcl mPar~C; i~r~cl ther~ L:~r .~r~ c.~C.; : f f :i r~ an ul-~restrail1ed m.~ ?r e~;ter~cl:il~c~ fr:nli tl~e ~.tt~-.-~::ilir~cl meial~s t:: il.s t::p er-, cl .
E~F;. [ FF: I~F~SI :F;. I F T :[ Ohl OF -F HF r)F AW I i~ iS
__ _ _ . __ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ ._ __ __ _. _ ._ ._ __ ._ Arl emb::r:li.melnt ::F the :irlver1ti::ll) wi11 n~ w te c:lec~::r:iL:~ y way rJ f e ~fi ;ample with refe f er::e t: tF1e fl.lll-wincl dfi:i.Wil)'.-.l'j i.11 Whil ily F~iclure 1 :i.; ia Fr.~lnt view c:lF a li.~.lhtir~cl a~ rar1~lelner~t emh:::c.ly:ir~y t h e i.r~vemt:i ..rl m ur lteci irl a C:hr i s trrliat tree, F i. C:JL.lr e .: is a detai :Lec:l vi.ew .- f tile bi.ise p~::lr ti. ::r~ ::: F ar1 emrJ: ii:imet1t -~f the :irlvellti~_~l 5pe::i F:i ::i~.l 1y adaptec' F~ r ur3e w:i th treeS; hav:i.l~3 ~ ar~ie supF:~ Y t:ir~i l:.;..~ .ie.., F-:iC3llr'e ,:'s':.t is ;.a detai .eci Vil:..W :: f the ha ;e p::r ti ::rl .. f ar .?mb ~:ir.:l:imel\t ,::.~f the i.r~vr.?r~t:i.~ ;F e~::::i fi :::a:l :l.y .lc:laF:/tec:l f r uS..;e w:i. tl~
~;r~.?es..; ~ :tV~:~ a S~ .A].l s.i~lpF:~ rt:illc-~ aSiev F ic~ur e :3 :is a ~::r :: is 5 e:: t:i~ rla:l view tal~el~ :l. :.:l~l.l 1 :ir~e .3 ~. .: F
f i. gl.1r e Fic3ure 4 :i~.; a .r~ss se~.ti~:~n31 vi.ew taF~erl a:l.::rl(l :l.i.ne :l 4 :::f f i r~ u r ,r3 ~ ,3 ~
FiC,Urr.? 5 :i!.i an enlarc~lel::l view t;al:er~ insi.~::le arr::w l-lF F:i.cll..lre ~3y '~f`(~ Fic-ure Sa is itl'1 er~larcerJ vi.ew tal::r.:?r~ '::iiCik i.ti'fC:lW 5a l::lF
f i c L.l r r: :l y ~l F:ic3ure f i; a r ::ss se:::ti.::r~i1L v:iew tak:er~ a:lrr~ C:l al~r ::w f.:. -f: :: F
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fil3Ure Jy F'ii-lure ;' is a t,::,p view l-:lF the .seilifner3ted ~ Les.lr c:l:i.sl:: use,ci t~
,-reate ,~han~i17c~ r p~tter n5y F-igui e 7a :i 5 a t ~r-~ view ~:~f' the sec~mer~l;ed ,~ :,].,:,Ss~r c:li.~ ha~:i.r ar-~ ther ~ lur patterll ~rrar-~.~efnent~
F:irlure ,'3 i5 a cross se~~ti~-~rlal view t..~k:en al~nLJ line 8--.'3 ,::,f fiyure 7v Figure 3 :is a t,-,p vir-~w "f an,-,t,~er enlbr:~cl:imelit l.lF a seclmented 1 el e reri riisc y F'i.r~ure lO is a ~-res5 Ser tic:,nal view tak:en alc:lncl arr,-:,w ].~ --10 f~f fir~ure 3, ~fJ~ iS~-Figure :Ll ls an enLarrleci view tak:en inside ai,T'i c:~w ].l -:Ll "~F
f if~ure 1 y '~''~''~ - ` ''""' Fir~ure 1:~ is an enl--lrc~eri view taken inside arr~w 1:'-.-'L:2 ~ f f i,rdure? 1 ~ .snci Fir~,ure 13 :is a ,~re6s-sr-~f:tic:,rlal view tahen -.sl~:::nrl arr,.-:,w 1~-:1.3 ~f figure 1~.

~E r,~ I ~E~_~ES~,F L EI I Q~--QF---~lE--r~r: -r-;EE~r~ Fir-D-F--lvlBLD I MEhl"r r~e f er r i r7r~ t ~ f i gur e l y t her e i s sh,~wn a l i clh t :i nrl ar r ar7E~emen t 1-~ mc,untecl ,:~n a l:hristmas tree lZ illustrated in phant,::lm lines~
The lir~htinE~ arranE~ement lr~ mpriseC-i a set ,:,f' re:latively flexibl br~anrhr3s 14~ The br~nches l~:F are s~ ciivil.ied int~.
carr~ups ~f civen lenEIth~ Ea.:h clr,-~up r.,f branc~tF.-!s :L4 is attached tsy a ~-c~llar 16 to a, entral riE~ici supportillg brarl, h 13~
Ea,..h one ~f the flexible branches 14 runC; a].,:,n~ the rir~iri bre,n,_h 18 ,:lver a ~;e~:ti"n indi,-ated by the letter A and then ' . ' :

~Q,7431~

bran,:hes ~f F ir~ ~.n unfestra:ilteli marllll?r ~:,ver a ;~:.?i::ti'::'n lr1)i:i.~::a-ted b y ~ ~ ~ F! :1. e t t e ~ " ~ .. f t ~ L l..l 1 :: e 1-~ t ~:. ,F, ~ :1. 1. ":::1 ~ l :i. i..? ~ , e adap,teli t~::l be m,-,unteli at the f fe~e en(:l of the br..~ "::h~ , top ,::,rnament :'::, :is at:li.~ tec:l I,i> be Fi~./:er:l at the t,::,p tefm:ir~ l enil i:~f the rir~id brarl, h 113~ "rhe f:il,iri bYdl-ll-h l~3 :is ali~-tpteii t,-, exten~i ver t i. ,: a:L 1 y i r~ a po5:i t; i. ,-,n r e:L e t i vel y ar:l ji.~,:: en t t; he s t e~n :; :~: o F t he tree 1~. As il:L~ strated ir, figures 1 a,nri :~:, the ,'':Le~;ib:Le bran,:hes :1.4 whi.,:h bran,:h 1:: F F rree1y Fr,:"n Llhe ,::i::,:l.:Li-~r~ ; afe aliapterJ t,-, be abul;tirl~,ly supp,-,rteli by the bran,::hes :~:, ,::,F the tref?
and fol:ic~,ge thereon~ Typi,.:c~.llyy they clre th~.ls ar:lapted t"
ari,:,pt a relistively ar,-l-late ,::,-,rlfigurati,.,l1 illuc;trate~ :::Leaf:Ly :in f'ic~,ure :l ~ T,le bran,-hF!s 14 need n~Jt brs spreari aF)ar t~ ;in,::e they are unre~;trained fr,.,m the p,-,:int ~,t whil-h they emerge frr"n the r ea.;F)ec: t i. ve ~ l '1 .ar 16 y t; he ,:: ,::,mt) i na l; i. ,::,n ,::, f t hei. r o WI I wei. gh t terlsi le strenL3th ar1d resi 1 i~en,::e tenl:ir; t,::, sprQal::l them ap.~r t ..
As :i:ll~.lstrated more spF..!,::::i f'il.al:l.y :i.n f:igures :;'.~ thrc:~LIslh 5ay the fl(aXit;~lF~ l.JYa~ .5~ri.? 13r~ F~el:i t:i~ lt'ly t"l~ e~ c;.~r~ l::l t~le r igicl brarl, h 18 by a gather:irlll base ,:::,::,:1.:1.ar :;;'6 pr ~::,vicler:l w:ith r.l ollventior1al s, rew t:i~hter1il1L me,-hanism :~3. The base ,:olli~r ~
ie.. aricapted to e,;ert an :inwarr:l rarl:i~.l:l F:lre.~.-,sL.~re on I he i:I.eevr.? 3C) havi ng an abut t i nl3 f 1 anL3e 3..~ ~
As illustraterl i.n f:is~res ~ 3 anl..l C5y when a re:l.at:i.vr...~:l.y :I.arge bacie c~uppor1; su, h a~s a plarlt~ p,-,t '3~ is usel:i a r:J a Cj L~p poYl; for the stem ;~r~ of tree 1~ the r:igis:l t:)ran,:::h 'J8 ici posit:i,::~r-el::l e,.r~entri::ally relative t o t h e gr~.,upC; o f f:1.e~,;i b :Le bran,-hes 1 ,L.
-rh e m rl"j ,::~rity clf ~Gh:'~ f1e,;ib1e bran,::~les l :F be:i.rlg F:)~ ni t:i,:..,ned ,:1" rr~ er :: .

:L I !
t; l::~ t ~ .? s; C; C?IIi .; ~ C~ ; el j l ~ 1 :L 11~::: :i F:) .I I 1 Y :j. I j ~::ill C? ,::I :i. ~ i ïl t i ~ ïC.
i:L1Il ;traI;S-I1 bY tl1 e arr:.w~; 36 : F F:jrl~ r e 3~.
&-S, :i1:Ll~ t~ :i r~ -F:iClllf,~S; :; ~Y ~ r)t:l ';S~ er; ~ F:~F:)~ `G jI-j~1 Sie ~ nis~l 1 cii.;.~s.~ne~t~?r .~ 1 s.~Si ~tll.r.~ -t~ l tyF~e l:~ ? ;'~ :i .;
used F,.!r s~.lF:iF.,:::,rtincl t;he stem :~1:. ,.,f t;he tree l~y the r :i.~ :i t:Jrslnl:::
1.'3 wh:i--~h e:~;terlcis ver~ti~ Ly i~i.ja~ ent the stein ':;." c:~F tlle tr ee 1:;~
i5 p~Siiti nec:l ~r~ntr;11l~y with reclardS, t:: the ~ r1~:::entri-..: F:1 exi.t:)1e bran~ hec~ Sin e the rigi~i hran,:~l lf? 1S ~.iiaptell t. e.~.telld v.F-~r ti~:al:Ly acl ji:~:::re~nt ~the 5 t em ;~y th e.! F:Le~;ib1e t:1r Ini:ll eci 1;1 ~rr:!
ar..lis~pteci t~:~ fall urlres~tf ainin~31y in aLl ciirec:t:i rlSi ~.~i incli~-al;eli hy the ar r .:ws 41~ f f:igLlre ~F~ rhe bran,::hes l .f3 anL:l 1 ~:F clr ::~.tF:)ec:l at thr..sir b~ tt::ln ell!i L:1Y t h e ~ 11 af :;:~f:: are aciS~pteri t~ t:) e supp,.,r t ed at t; h e t:)i.lS e by .a :I:i~3 h ti ng mec h iï n :i~im C:F~ T-h e 1 i.cl h t:i. n 1~l me-:: h arli sm F :' r.~ riS~jf.~S.-5 r~ ii r~ la ~ i.,ci al:~teci 1:~i~r~ti~ la~r Ly kl:::~ e~ ,sie t h e Lil~ LG
is~ r ~.~: e an l:i t i~ f..~ ::: ::: 1 ::: I.lr ::: h ~n g :i n cl me ::: ~ an :i S;m ..
As; i ~ S;1;rs~teci m ::r e sl::)e,::::i. f :i~ l 1 y :i n f :i(1 U r e (.;, I,he p ~ r ~t:i:::n :F (.J
. i f t h f..! ~i l F.~eve .3~ e ~s t er-~ cl i n cl t:l e L ~ J t h é .al ) U t ~t :i. 1")1 l F :I. an jCI f.? '3:;.' :i S
~cii~p~el:l kc:~ br.~ fittin ~31 y irle5erk f.!ii thr::lli3h i.~ ap e rtur i! pi''~.,iVil:i ec:l :ir kh e t;~:-p p L ate 4L:3 ~:~ f t h e h~ U;:i rl1l -i4 AL I ~ f th e F:i.t:)e r S 1 f3 an c:l :L l termirlate _n a flat plal717er Sjurfa::e 51) s~:~ a5 t: f ::rm a urlif~ r m 'an CJ f,:n~ re-~eiv:in~ lht Fr,::,m th e :l~:iclht c;::llrc:e li:;" slS~; w:i.ll be . _.,~
iie5c r ibeci h ere:i na f t er~
A ~ r eci S er~lmerrt ecl cl i SC .r~ :F :i ~.i r ~.:~ i.; i.~ t ah 1 y m~ Un t ec:l acl ji~.,:: en tthe ~i;ur f a::e 51) between th e 1i9ht s::l.lr ~ e ':~:. ;..- n~::l lnh ~.:.? Siur fa, e 51) s;

a-t 1i ca ~t e~ ki r~I F ~ ::m ~t~e L:iCI~ s.~ r~::: e c~ F~ i~.S. ~ i t~ :)L.l~ t~ e di~ 54 bef~-~re rea hirlc3 the sur fa, e 51), 2(~743~L9 r~ fn~ te~ ,3~ t; F l-llr me(:i :i1lt ~ ]. ~ J1 t11 ~r e~ ;:ic:,rl l:lp~ 5r~ rl~ e ~ .1t 1~.~s; i.-. t~ r~ iC:~ ::1-.. ; F~; r? !1 -~
f e,- e1ve ~ t 1. i(31 .,'~ 1"'1'11'-)i1~;.. ?~1 Ly l ;~ p e~ f I i ~ t. ~:~iïi e 1''111 .f::,f) C~l.I''i( I ;ï
::y:Li.riclr:i.:::~-.l:L tc:lp er~c:l ~ T~e er~rls ~ f,:;. ;.lre i.. ~t:l~F!I:;ei.l tl:::l tlr re-m" vi.,t~ly l1l erte(:i lrl~.;i/le ;.~ p~:if .:-,F ::-rresF3-rl(::li.ll ~ -ileeve-3 6 - ~lld ~;J Wllil~ ClW r~:~ti.ti.~ ,r tl1e s~ ;.. r~ fC~ l::t~ e~ r.. :ic;
i~di~p te(i t -~ erlgarle i~. ri r i Vi n Cl ~ e;.--~ r r;f.~ ~hl.Jllr~ teii t ::- the cir i ve ':;11i~ F t :~ F the rri::: L; :::r r,~i~ -rhe m . t~::r r;F3 i; i. tse:l. F m:::~ l7 tel:i t ::: i.~ ml.:ll..lll t :i rlc ~f;:1'::~:: et 71:) Fi;e~i t: c.~
Ac3 :i:L:Lu;.;t f ~t ed :i.rl F:i L! ure;.; 7y 7i~ urlrl 3y the i::l:i'-_ r; I whi1 11 i;;
mdcie : f rel i~l; i vel y tri~l1sp~r er~ t m;-.~tef i i~'L i ;.~ pr vi ciefi w:i th ;~ set l:-. F
-ll,:~re r.l t r;~.n 511..1l:: er~t ;erlrrler~tci 7:c'~ Orl,. e the m:t;::: r fl..l i.s ;.l:::t:iv-~t;e(::l thu;; r :: t;.~t :i nrJ the cii sl:: 51 y the :: - lcr efi se~ mel ~ts '7:;~ ri? ~d;..~ te(:i t ...
pa~-3s sequent~ J.:l.y t:)etweer) the :Liyht s:::l..lrf::e 5~c' s.~nd tlle sl..lr Fi~:e c.jO, t~ ::)f:i rlçJ t~lç.~ f~y~; l:lF :1.i.~ t e~ 1 Fr~I~n t11 f:~ 1.:i.f.~ t s::l..~ :: (?
5~ n(:i wh:i.~::h w:i:1.:L tri.~vr..?:l. L.~p t~e t:)r~ ;..; :1.i.:3 i~r~c:l :1. 1..

reli?~t ir~ç) ~c:l the ~ mre i:~r t r~ mc.~J.y i n lJ.. '.,.. patf.~r~t 1~11:::l.. '.19 4~ 57 :L 3.~.. 1 he cii.s, 5~ rel .;~t:il~ 1;,-, th e p r l.:?Se nt i rlvel1t:i.,.~n (i:i F F e r ;; F r,::lm Ci:isl s prr?vi-usly rl:isr..:L~ cied wi.th r e;;pe}:t t1:: twc:l i~ ipe~::t;;.. "F'he c Im u::tl..lri~J.
rli~ture }:If the impr~ve(i ri:is:: i~rl(i .~ spe,:::ifil: ;;eymr?rlt p;..~tterr7 w~lil::
Fu r th er- enhi.~nl.r.!ci th e i~sth et :i:::ii.:L eFF e 1::t p r:::1v:i.c:l e d 1:.)y the c:lev:i}:e..
sil7ce the ~ 1t s,:.-,l..lr, e r5;; i~; relrd;:i.vely p::wer Ful. y the di;.;
5cL mLIst be Sliver) i~ strL~ ure wh:i}:h wi.l:L pr~:?ver1t :it Fr:::~m me:l.t~;:il-~r w;~rpirl(~ l~e~ .use ~f the (3el~er;~ted hr.?;.:~t. ~ J::~ ;tru:tur~ L
emt)orl:iment;s h~ve beer~ c:level::lped :i.n ur(::l~-?r tll m(~f~t t.;lle ;.~t:),..:,ve S~ 3 ~ ~

mf:-!r~ t i ,-,n eri ,: r i t eY i a w i t h "u t Ul ~ cl u L y i n ~: r eas i r~ r:l t h e m~n u F a~ t ur i n rl ~:, ,c,ts~
In the Firc3t o F the~e tw" emb,-,di mentC;~ i L lustr ate!l in fir~ures 7 and ~y the disl: 54 r c,mprises a sheet "f relatively thill material 74 ,-,n which the ~ l"feri seslmer~ts are pr Lnted by a ,,nventi,-,nal p~intil7r~ pf~ -ess~ The ~;heet 7~ is salndwi her:l between a pair ,- f protective layer s '7~ and 76~ rnc-~rie e F felatlYely heat fesistive tfarlspafent material.
Fiyures ~3 anrl 10 illustrate a ser,-,r1d ernh,-,riiment F,-Ir the disc 54~ In this ernb~ditner-t the c r,l~red se~rnente. 74 afe mcl,r~ufa~~tured r~f relatively flexible material~ Ear h ,~ne ,-~f the serlmerlts 7~ is adapteli to be snappinyly inserted between a pair ,-,f retainin~
pr r nys 7~3 extendinrl inteyrally fr,~m the rlisc 54 ~ rhe rlis,: is provilieli wi'th 6uitahly sized apertures '73 extendir-y therethr,-"lyh~
first examF)le r f a secluential ,-"L,,ur pattern ic illustrc-lted irl fiyure 7 wherein A131~E~F represent seclrnents ~f var i~us c~l~ratior- while 1; represents areas whf-~re thr3 cli s~ 54 i.s tran~parenl; and the pat,-hed sp4ts ~3C) represent reyiorls where the sheet 74 is printed in bla,-k with this first e~;ample r-~F serlment pattern, the c~lour r~f each seyrnent 72 is ,-,:,nstant aLonrl the raclius clf each inciividual seyment '7;~
The ~.e~3ment pattern illustrated in fiyure ' 7U pr,-,viries ~34~l ) anc~ther type l~f brant h c olt~ur c harlr,~iny se~lllen,~e~ A yreclter amclunt c f cclc~ur variaticn in the mass of bran,:hes is pl-lssible fc,r a yiven r,~tation of the di5c 5r~ The inn, vati~n resides in var yi ny t he c ol or at i orls nc~ t on 1 y c i r c um f er ent i al L y bu t al so 2~7 ~

:L ~...
1.y .. l~ ?~.Jfrii.?lll. 7:;.. i r he :i n ~ent:i ::r) :i:. aliapl:e-:l t: a L:l.c:w t" e ~ er 1; r erll::l:i.:l.y cle I.I~e s~ Tiel-)te~ t~ t.. ~C.;tl.? . r ~
the di 5i: ~J~Iy the ~ e~ ~TI ere1y ner-~licj -t - r r::-t.~ t11e ~ :i n~l nut ~3:;:
bef-re rem-:vinci tl~e ~ er 4~3 The b~.lt Ll8 i i thell un.:nrewecl and a new cl:i5-. .::i;l icj F:)CCi:it:i ::nec, t:~eFore l;hF..! aL!::n~e menti.:::r~ecl i~F:!~..?rat:i.:n .
ar e per f - ,r med i n r e~er c. jed -.r der ~
Ac; ment:i.~-~necJ prr?Yi:.Ll.:Ly c.l *;el; :: F tran j:L~.e::.r?nt reFra::ti.ve t"::ciies :21) are al:iaptel:i t~ be m cirlteci c-ll; the free enli ..f the hran-:hes :1.:1 . Th r? reFra::ti.ve b.::.diec-i 21..~ ..n.;:i ;t :i.n t:):1.;::::, c; f vari .~ c-jhape~.; and si 2inri haYi.ng a c.-.n:i ::a:L1y taperinl3 apertl..lre E34 r h re 1_ :~ni ::a:L aper tllr e F3 ,- i. n u -iecl t -:. Fi.; thr- ~ e~ ~r~l tive b.::l:ii-..-~ 1) t.::. the er-d p::rl;i. ~-ln ::1F the bra~ r7 ej 1, and t ::reate a l"f."' 11 a:::t:i. Vr..! iur fa: e wh:i.::h re~C r a~:::,;--i Li.~ll1t ~ t-.i:ic:le ::~, t,11.? L!l:::ILI:iL3C.i ~

e~t:i ~la i~ 1:),.lll, 1i1 -~ 1~Ffr*~ i:i r~.:.-..: t~e fr~ ?~ ..;e(:i f.:::.~
t:)c:lth the bl::~c:lj.c.~; 1 F anl:i the t:)ran:::he.i :L~I :i. .; rr! :1. .II.:i.~/ ~:.? :1.y F:1.e ;:i.t:l:Le anc:l rer;i.l:ient, t.::. p .;:itic:~n the t:)::di-..~s :L F, the u;er ml?rQ:Ly needs t.::l ni.multanec~l..l.i:L~Y pu:;h the t;erm:i.nal enc:l ~:IF a bran-::h :1.;1 :in.;:i.cle the aper ture f.34 and t :: r_tate appr~ ;:imately :L/ F 1;.::. 1/:;; a turn the blldy ~ re1ative t-. the hri~n.-:h :L~F~ -rh e t:! ~ riy i~ .; thu.;
relrasably threaded t . the term:inal enci .::f a t:~ran::h 1 F~
~ r.; i 1 1 C.l .; t r a t eci i n F :i .c.l~.lr e :1. 9 a 't :::~F) ::: r n amerl t ~.IA:l 'i. ~'.:i a~:i ap t eci t c:
be Fixeci at the tc:l:~ kermin.~ll enci ..:1f the r:i~lir.i hr an.:.l-~ :L8 The t:p rnamerlt ~ ._mpri~jes a .;et ::: F t;.::~p ::r n amr!nt F:Le ;:it:!:L e t:!ran~.::he~i ~3t.~:
which are c.~r~ peci t~gether at their hl:ltt~:~m end hy a ::::~nne.:~tin~l Iar ~.3~-3 anci wh:i.l::h are :in~.ier ted at the:ir l;::p r.?ncl :int.. an 2~319 :L ' :~
1' 1 1clfli~ ! r~ l, t-~]. F :i ~ e t.~ t~ ;.. t; .-~ , i f i. cl .!1' e :L ~ l. :l. 2~ s~
i i ad-.pted t,::, i:~e Fitti n ~31y p,-,:;:it:il:i n ~.-.!l:i l317 t~ p ~ f t; h e bran ,: h lF.3 ~.;,.
ti 7 t~t t~ I ~; 1 ic-l~ i t w:i :L 1 tr~ L ~I F! t II r~::~l.11 ll I t;i 1 e i ! r t~ II ,:::l 1 ~!C.i ~:3G..
'l~he ~ ,re "F ti~ re i rlv~-!llt:i~-~n re~;:ideri i1- t~e ~ tlma:L t~ Lni3 ,:,r' the F:Le~;:ible b raril...lneci :!.4 ancl the ii~::d.sr.~ ,.:,F thr` pr ~:~F:~er :llc:li~t ti, .ur .- e S:~ ~ A~; merl t i ~ ~hed p f evi SIUg1 y y t he IJ~~ e.~;ent i nVel1 l., 1 S ~n pr~3vides F,-,r blranci7es whish are s~':Lexii~Le yet el F ti~ppc:" tirlcl and Wil i ,- i~ ar e tacJap t eli t ::. cl i ve ~- u t a. subs t an t i a:L 1 y r acl i al ci :i F f L.l';i ~::,n al,3nc3 their enti.re lenc:lth ac-.; wr;11 as an a.,;ia:L cIi Ffl..l~ n at thr..!:ir terminal end. In the preFerred ~.--m.l:~ iimer-t, the l~ra~ e~i L4y l3 anci l36 ar e mc.lnLl f ta~:: t u~r ec:l Fr om F:~ l yfT)e t; i ~y'.l. me l~ .,.: r y:L a t e sonver.ti,-,nally i:n,-.wn a~-i , ast asryli,- h.avinc~ a modlllu~; clF
e1at:.ti,.ity appr,-,ximate1y ~F 5 "; llj ? P~s~'[ n arll::l a t,:::,ta:l. :L:i.clht kranc~imittar7sl* ~ f appr,::,xima~ely "3'~'% wi th a refral:tive :ir7lie,; "F
appr,::ximatr*ly 1~4~3~ "rhr.? t)ri~n,::het.i :L4 are typi~:::a:l.J.y si;~.er:l w:ith a ciiamr3ter varyir~ etwer.?l~ ixty th,::ll.'lsal~ ,::,F an :i.rll::h and tw,:-., hur7clrr?ci ancl fi Fty th::~lcianrici clF an :i.n, h while thf.:! :Lenyth var :ie~i f ,~
LJetW?e~11 3(:~" anci '7~ When a ~imaller c:li~-lmeter i.~, useci~ the l:i.~ht transmi.ttin CJ eFfer. t ht~ proven tc:, be ~.lnsatiiFast,:::,ry w~i:Le :i. F a larc~er dic~meter is useliJ the brar7shec.:i are n,::,t al:lcl~ tel::l t~ bel7li ~iuf fisiently ts, pr"viJr-! a F:)1et~t-,:inCl ~npracy :I.:iF:e ae~ith~!ti~::a:L eF Fe,:::t~
W~7~3n LlC-.,i r~r~ L7r al7~ ~7~?c j :L ~s, :i 1~ t ~7e ~-~t:)~ ,ve ~ t :i ~ li r ~ cle cc;u i t ab 'l r~.! l i ,r;s h't ~ l..S,r' ~:: e lI~LI~.'.i t c~ c~ t:) ~! e~F) L ~ yer~l ~ r l ~ rl Q~..!l l y '.:, i. r~:: S-~ t ~7 r.?
brc-~r7,:hes 14 c~re si;~eti a,.~ rc:linl31y t,:~ generatll a ~iub~.itantial amsJun t ,~ F r ad :i al :L i c3 h t emi g.~ n al ,::,n g t h e:i r en t :i. r e :L en Cl t h, a ~ ul7.c;tanS~,ially pr~wer ful lir~ht ~;,-,ur,. e mll~it be useri. A hal,-~r3en ....

2~ ~3 1~Y

f F~ F L in 1 ~ F~ .! s; .~ 1:! 1 l w i ~ lr F l l 1 1 i ~3 1 1 1; 5~

[ l i t 1 ~ ~s:? ~ ; F ~ i e Irl l:) l::l l:~l i Ir~ l l t l: l F t i l e :i l ~ V ~ ! 11 t i l::l l ~ y ~ l::l L t S ~ y W sJ t; ~ r l ~ l s-; t .f.. ~ e ~ t :i. ~ s~i f.? ~ F ~ f :I r.:l F. ` 5; 1 7 ;; ~
Fl-ll-lt~-all~ es ~t ~ t~rllre ~:lf 3 F r.c~t Ftrlm tl)e lL~ )t s~ lrl F~"
E~;per :i.mer)t~.~t:i.c:nl iL)~-ls-i pr ,::~ven t~ t the ~ t c;l:::lL.lr ~:::e must rlF.-r)er-~:~te i~ p p r l-~ l In .r~. t e 1 y .~ t 1 e S~ S-i t 1 9 ~ t l~ f 5 ~:) (:1 F, -":, t, - s ~ l l r~ <~ t ~ f e e t 1 l~
der tr:, pYl-lvlde rl pr-.,pet s.~S~it;hetic:.-~l efie,.:t w:i.tll t~r;.~ leS; ~.;:i e~:l ir-~ thF att,-,ve mellti,.-.,ned ri.~.rl~.leSi..
A~Ci mer)t;:i~:~ ner:l p revic:luS~:iLyy r.1rll::~tller mc.~:ir) s~nl ~fr~r)ts~ le ~ F the pre~;ent invent:i~ n l::,Yer tlle pr :i.~.~t ci ted c.~r t :i i :i t~i e~lSie ~ f i.n 5t,all;.~ tic:n~ 1 rldeF-!c:l~ the uS-~ier melrely rleeri~-i tl.::l f:i.t S;t: Ftc~S~iti~-~r-~
thr..~ htinr~ me,-l1.~:1,r1iS-im ~f~ in ~1 pc~5i ti,-~n ~d ja,::ent ti~e tree c~j5lp pC~Irti ng bc~i e 34~ C~nl e th e 1 i~liL~tirl ~ me 1 lls.~ll i.~;m ~ i irl F~ l ,.~, e ~ u~ ier ~ el1 p :i. vl~ t ~ p r- c~l t e,:: t :i ve ,:: ,:::,ver ~F:) I l:-J :i vl::l t i~. :1. :1. y m~'::lLlr~ t ,F*Ci ar~ l el l t t; l l ~.! i.~F~ er t ~..lr e F:~ r l::lv :i. ~::l el.l :i r) I; l ~ e t l:::lF:) I::: l:::lVt:~ I:::l r t ~l e ~r.. jllC~ rl)e ,::,::,ver ~ ;f!~:i l;l::l I:l.ll'.. i~.:.! ,::,ff tl~c~ rtllle :i.l~
t 1~1 F ~ F t c: c:, v e r ~ I E ~ W ~1 F..! r I t ~ tt r i 111 l ~1 e 5 L F~ i l r l l::l :L ~ Y e I I ,::, t; 1::1 l ? :i. 11~ 1 I..l 5 e !::l ., Or1,:: e t he I- over ~ c~; been p :i vl-~t eci i n a p~ ~Ci i t i r n i l L l l~ i t r a t ed y F ~iF:iF~ :i f:i,~ally il-~ Fir~ e~ :.`y :i ,v, sy tiL~F? ~ el tl)~?rl ~ ?l~ e:l.y p,-,siti,-,r,s the rl:lll i~r '3It with its pl-lrt i,~,n 4t; e~;t enr:li.n~J iI ïtll t lle apertulie~ r.~lf the tl::~p ,-.,::,ver Fl.3 n~nc:l the rat:)uttj.r)~l fl..!ir1~1e 3-.,~' p,~ ,iti,::,l1el.i :i.rl an al:tl..~tt:in~.3 re:l.i~t:i.~::nlsl~ W:it~l tlle tllp ,::,::,ver F~3..
.C..~ ~ i t a t F~ Ftr r-.~v :i, c..i L ~/ y t l ~ e b ~ r~ l e~...i I. i~ rl e~ l r ~ t l::) e ~ il:. r e~
ap,~rt ~-ii.n,::e the ~:rnnbinati.,r~n ,::~f the:i r "wn wei~ht, ten~i:i:Le ;t;r~.?n~t~1 anI::l r~F.~ii.lien~ e t;enc:Is t~, c;prr?i.~c:l tI)em aF:1i~r t. The C.l'.~.!l" Cllilmjf lleel:l~i ~7~3~9 -t ~ ? ~ :? ~ -".~ l.. ? 1; :i. ,:: ;.~ :L . ~ ~ f ~ 1; n :r .::1, ;.~ :L :1. f t ~ r 1. ~ c;
e r~ip l~ e ~ 3 l.l -t t :i. ~ :1. y ~ P F:~ ::1 t~ ~ t I ~ ~.? t3 r ~ :.? t ,~ ~ !F.. ~
1.~.... Thi ~ ent:i l_l!n t~ler er,~" f.:.~ L II::lw~; tlle n~,e f t,::. f ed~ Ly f i?F:i-~c-ii t:i.~ r~ tliP t:~ 1Q~ t~ j r:; ~ l t~ ite wi. tlir~ t ~Indlle eFf l-lr~L~ Clf time i::l:-lr~ lfn:ir~il nl:31~r ~ti~::,rl~ :[n th e p ~ fer~ ed emt3 I~ ii. nnen ty pl:.l1y,::: ar bc,n:~t e :ii u~, ed t 1_! m~rl u f~,:: t l.l~ e the fi:i~;,:: 5~ n d t f ;~ pr~r el i k t,.-iF~ e i s ~ e~i f ,::,r t~e 1...l-l~ r ~ i :L ~ ~

.

Claims (11)

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property is claimed are defined as follows:

1-. A lighting device for illuminating a tree, said tree having a trunk and a set of branches extending substantially laterally therefrom, said lighting device comprising;
- a rigid branch made of light conductive material, said rigid branch having a rigid branch base and a rigid branch top end, said rigid branch being adapted to extend substantially parallel to the trunk of said tree, - a set of relatively flexible branches made of light conductive material, each one of said flexible branches having a flexible branch top and a flexible branch base end, said relatively flexible branches being divided into groups of given lengths, each one of said groups being attached by an attaching means to said rigid branch at a position intermediate between said flexible branch top and base end so that each one of said flexible branch is disposed substantially axially relative to said rigid branch over a first portion of its length extending between said flexible branch base end and said attaching means and then branches off in an unrestrained manner over a second portion of its length extending from said attaching means to said flexible branch top end, - a gathering means for closely gathering said flexible and rigid branches in a fixed position therewithin at the base ends to define a generally planner base termination surface, - a supporting means for supporting said base end of said flexible and rigid branches, - a light source positioned in said base supporting means adjacent said planner base termination surface and directed to project light onto said surface, - said flexible branches having a diameter such that said flexible branches self supportingly project substantially laterally from said rigid branch over said second section of their length thus defining a spray of separate flexible branches and also such that when said light source illuminates said surface, each one of desired results said branches generates a radial diffusion along its entire length and diffuses axially at its top end.

2-. A lighting device as recited in claim 1 wherein said flexible branch which consists in rods of polymethyl methacrylate having a diameter varying in a range between 60 thousands of an inch and 250 thousands of an inch and a length varying between 30" and 72".

3-. A lighting device as recited in claim 1 wherein said rigid branch is a rod having a diameter greater than 25 thousands of an inch.

4-. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a set of translucent reflective bodies mounted on said top end of said flexible branch for reflecting the light axially diffusing from said top end of said flexible branches.

5-. A lighting device as recited in claim 4, wherein said reflective bodies comprise a conically tapering aperture and are adaptive to be releasably mounted on said tip end of said flexible branches with said top end of said flexible branches engaging said conically tapering aperture.

6-. A light device as recited in claim 1, wherein a coloured segmented disc is rotatably mounted between said light source and said base termination surface, said disc being mechanically linked to a rotating device, said disc being provided with a set of coloured translucent radial segments wherein these segments being positioned so that the light emanating from said light source passes through said segments of said disc before reaching said base termination surface whereby when said disc is rotated by said rotating device said coloured segment passing sequentially in front of said light source are adapted to colour said light reaching said surface which will travel through said branches.

7-. A disc as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said segments has a colour pattern which varies radially.

8-. A disc as recited in claim 6 or 7, wherein said disc comprises a sheet of relatively thin material on which said colour segments are printed, said sheet being sandwiched between a pair of protective layers made of relatively heat resistant transparent material.

9-. A disc as recited in claims 6 or 7, wherein said disc comprises a set of prongs extending integrally therefrom and wherein said segments are made of relatively flexible pieces of material releasably mounted between said prongs.

10-. A lighting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said lighting means is an halogen type of light.

11-. A lighting device as recited in claim 10, wherein said halogen light generates at least 1,500 candles at a distance of 3 feet.