2. Related art Optical fibers are fiber-shaped waveguides used for light transmission. The optical fibers are made by locally heating basic materials at a high temperature of more than 2,000°C and extruding thin fibers therefrom. A primary coating is conducted for the purpose of keeping mechanical strength and for the convenience of handling. As materials for the primary coating, silicon resin, epoxy acrylate, lacquer, urethane, EVA, etc. are used.

The optical fiber is usually of a double cylindrical structure that is formed of a core at a center, and a cladding surrounding the core. Since the flexibility of the core portion is higher than that of the cladding portion, light is focused on the core, and enters the optical fiber without leakage.

The optical fiber is usually made of glass or plastic having a high transparency, and it can also be made of synthetic resin. The material for the plastic optical fiber is mainly

polymethyl-metacrylate resin or polycarbonate resin. The plastic optical fiber has a thickness 5-10 times higher than that of silica glass optical fiber, and a short signal transmission distance, which is approximately 200m. The plastic optical fiber is low price, and even an inexperienced user can easily adjust its position and can connect thereto. Also, the plastic optical fiber is small-sized and light-weighted, and has a strong flexibility against deformation.

The above-mentioned optical fiber is used for ornamental displays as well as in the fields of electrics, electronics, communication, medical equipments, and optics, because it is possible to transmit light from one end to the other end in its longitudinal direction, and it has a high conductivity. Particularly, the plastic optical fiber can be adapted to ornamental optical fiber displays, for example, apparel, bags, hats, interior decoration supplies, accessories, etc.

One example of conventional ornamental optical fiber displays is disclosed in the U. S.

Patent No. 4,875,144 to Harry L. Wainwright.

However, since the conventional ornamental optical fiber display is fixed in fabrics, it cannot be removed and mounted on other objects even in case of need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a removable ornamental optical fiber display that is mounted on various types of object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental optical fiber display

capable of providing a dynamic aesthetic effect by using optical fiber that is illuminated in various motions.

In order to achieve the above-described objects of the present invention, there is provided an ornamental optical fiber display, including a display portion having a plurality of optical fibers and a driving portion for emitting light to the plurality of optical fibers; and a body portion connected to the display portion in a manner of partially extending the optical fibers externally, and also removably connected to an object.

The driving portion preferably includes a luminous element for emitting light to the optical fibers; a power source for supplying power to the luminous element; a printed circuit board having a driving circuit for connecting the luminous element to the power source; a housing portion for housing the optical fibers and the luminous element; and a switch for switching the power source.

The housing portion preferably includes a luminous element connecting portion in which the luminous element is installed; and an optical fiber inserting portion having a second engaging portion engaged with a first engaging portion formed in the luminous element connecting portion and having an optical fiber installed therein.

The housing portion preferably includes a luminous element connecting portion having a plurality of through holes formed therein for connecting ends of the luminous elements and connection ends for connecting the ends of the luminous elements inserted in the through holes to the driving circuit of the driving portion; and an optical fiber inserting portion having a fourth

engaging portion engaged with a third engaging portion formed in the luminous element connecting portion and a luminous element protecting portion for housing the luminous element in the state of being connected to the luminous element connecting portion and protecting the luminous element from external impacts.

The body portion is formed in an arch shape for elastically holding the object.

The body portion includes a fastening member formed on a side for holding or removing the body portion in/from the object.

The fastening member is a pin.

The body portion includes a plurality of recesses formed in a predetermined pattern for supporting and guiding the plurality of optical fibers extending from interior to exterior of the body, so that the plurality of optical fibers can be extended therethrough in an arrangement according to the predetermined pattern.

The body portion further includes an ornamental member.

The ornamental member is removably connected to the body portion.

Accordingly, the ornamental optical fiber display is easily held in and removed from the object. Also, since the optical fibers emit light in a predetermined motion, the ornamental optical fiber display provides a dynamic and colorful aesthetic effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages

thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view illustrating an ornamental optical fiber display according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection state of the ornamental optical fiber display of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the housing portion of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the housing portion of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Ornamental optical fiber displays in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

An optical fiber display 100A in accordance with the present invention includes a display portion 110 and a body portion 120.

The display portion 110 includes a plurality of optical fibers 30 and a driving portion for emitting light to the plurality of optical fibers 30.

The driving portion includes at least one luminous element 10, a power source 20, a

housing portion 40, a printed circuit board 50, and a switch 60.

The power source 20 includes a power source battery 20a and a connection portion 20b for connecting the battery 20a to the printed circuit board 50. The switch 60 controls power from the power source 20 to the driving portion.

The housing portion in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The housing portion 40 is formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The luminous element 10 is inserted in one side of the housing portion 40, while light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30 are inserted in the other side thereof. The housing portion 40 is formed in such a manner that illuminating or flashing light from the luminous element 10 cannot leak to directions other than the focusing direction toward the optical fibers 30. The housing portion 40 is made of a material that does not permit light to pass.

The housing portion in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The housing portion 40A includes a luminous element connecting portion 42a and an optical fiber inserting portion 46a.

The luminous element connecting portion 42a has a space for holding the luminous element 10 therein. The luminous element connecting portion 42a protects the luminous element 10 from external impacts. On the luminous element connecting portion 42a, a first engaging portion 44a is formed to be engaged with the optical fiber inserting portion 46a.

The optical fiber inserting portion 46a securely receives the light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30. On the optical fiber inserting portion 46a, a second engaging portion 48a is formed. The second engaging portion 48a has a shape corresponding to the first engaging portion 44a, and is engaged with the first engaging portion 44a. The optical fiber inserting portion 46a is made of an elastic material, which is elastically engaged with the luminous element connecting portion 42a.

The housing portion in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The housing portion 40B includes a luminous element connecting portion 42b and an optical fiber inserting portion 46b.

The luminous element connecting portion 42b has a plurality of through holes 41b formed therein for connecting ends of a plurality of luminous elements 10. Further, a plurality of connection ends 43b are disposed in the luminous element connecting portion 42b for connecting the ends of the luminous elements 10 inserted in the plurality of through holes 41b. The luminous element connecting portion 42b also has a third engaging portion 44b engaged with the optical fiber inserting portion 46b in a manner of receiving the optical fiber inserting portion 46b.

The optical fiber inserting portion 46b securely receives the light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30. The optical fiber inserting portion 46b has a fourth engaging portion 48b.

The fourth engaging portion 48b has a shape corresponding to the third engaging portion 44b, and is engaged with the third engaging portion 44b. The optical fiber inserting portion 46b has

a luminous element protecting portion 49b for housing the luminous elements 10 when the optical fiber inserting portion 46b is engaged with the luminous element connecting portion 42b. Accordingly, the optical fiber inserting portion 46b protects the luminous elements 10 from external impacts, and prevents leakage of the light, which is emitted from the luminous element 10 to the light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30, to directions other than the direction of focusing toward the optical fibers 30.

The body portion 120 is removably mounted on an object (not shown), and is connected to a display portion 110.

The body portion 120 can be formed in an arch shape, for example, in a hair band shape, for elastically holding the object. In the case that the body portion 120 is formed in a hair band shape, the light emitting ends of the optical fibers 30 extend from interior to exterior of the body portion 120 by a predetermined length.

Alternatively, the body portion 120 includes an upper casing 120a and lower casing 120b for housing the display portion 110.

In the lower casing 120b, a cover 120c, which is removable from the body portion 120, is formed on a position where the power source battery 20a is installed.

Inside the lower casing 120b, a supporting portion 120d is formed to support a housing portion 40. The body portion 120 has a plurality of recesses 120e. The plurality of recesses 120e is formed in a predetermined pattern for supporting and guiding the optical fibers 30. For example, the recesses 120e can be formed in a'V'pattern, or in a wave pattern. The optical

fibers 30 extend from interior to exterior in a predetermined arrangement. The recesses 120e are formed in various directions according to the shape of the body portion 120.

Alternatively, the body portion 120 includes a fastening member 120f removably held in an object at one side thereof.

The fastening member 120f is preferably a pin (not shown). Also, it is preferable that the pin is removably connected to an object by being passed through the object.

Alternatively, the fastening member 120f is a holding member that is securely held in the object by holding parts of the object. Here, any one among the well-known holding means such as a hair pin, holder, etc., can serve as the holding member.

An ornamental member 130 is removably connected to the body portion 120.

Alternatively, the ornamental member 130 can be connected to the body portion 120 by generally-known connecting methods.

The ornamental optical fiber display 110A in accordance with the present invention can be mounted on various objects such as bags, garments, etc., as well as hair accessories, corsages, bouquets, broaches, etc.

The optical fibers 30 can illuminate and flash various colors of light alternately or simultaneously according to the number of luminous elements 10, color of the light emitted from the luminous elements 10, and a predetermined program of the driving portion. In addition, when the object moves, the optical fibers 30 extending from interior to exterior of the body portion 120 sways according to the movement of the object, providing a dynamic and colorful aesthetic

effect.

Further, when a user wearing or possessing the optical display moves at night, since car drivers can easily recognize the user by the light illuminating and flashing from the optical fibers 30, there is an additional advantage of car accident prevention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to the preferred embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.