[001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/607,572, filed on September 8, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Field of Invention

[002] The present invention relates to animated decorative devices, such as Christmas ornaments, tree-toppers, yard art, window deck art and hats, having rotating illumination sources, which form a variety of light patterns during operation.

Background

[003] There are known types of decorative devices, such as ornaments, tree toppers and yard art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,618,103 to Fussell discloses a motorized, rotatable, lighted ornament including at least one electrical outlet and at least one electrical motor, both attached to an ornament base, an electrical input selectively communicating with a current distributing means (here, first and second circuit bifurcations) in electrical communication from the electrical input to the motor and to the electrical outlet. The electrical outlet is of such size and shape as to convey electrical current from the current distributing means (i.e., the first and second circuit bifurcations) to at least one miniature electrical light. Additionally, the ornament may be equipped with a hanger means, such as a rotary hook, on the ornament base for rotating the ornament. The input line may comprise a Christmas tree light plug, and the outlet for optional lighting and electrical actuation may comprise a

miniature light socket for a midget light, a flasher light, L.E.D. lamp, or the like. The motor taught by Fussell rotates the ornaments themselves not the light source within the ornament.

[004] Peloquin, in U.S. Published Application No. U.S. 2003/0185015, provides for a pigtail lighted Christmas ornament comprised of a blown glass body and a pigtail electrical cord. One end of the pigtail cord is electrically coupled to a light source. The opposite end of the cord is connected to a pigtail electrical connector. The pigtail connector connects with a receiving socket so as to provide power for the ornament's light. Additionally, the ornament body possesses two openings, a first through which the pigtail cord passes, and a second containing a soft grommet seated therein. The grommet tightly, but removably, grips the socket so the lamp is held securely in its proper location.

[005] U.S. Patent No. 5,772,312 to Pihl-Niederman et al discloses a lighted holiday ornament comprised of a hollow shell housing a portion of a string of lights exiting through one or two cord apertures in the ornament shell. Optionally, the ornament may include one or more light bulb apertures in its exterior surface, such that each aperture receives a light bulb from the string of lights running through the ornament, permitting the aperture light to project out of the ornament shell. The ornament shell may also possess a plurality of translucent surface members (e.g., spikes) for illumination by the interior light bulbs.

[006] Vogel et al., in U.S. Published Application No. U.S. 2002/0089856, provide for an illuminated, animated ornament comprised of inner and outer hollow globes mounted to a housing which contains powering components to rotate the inner globe. The surface of the inner globe carries an image, which, when illuminated by a light source mounted inside

the globes, projects onto or through the outer globe. Furthermore, because the inner globe rotates, the projected image appears animated, rather than stationary.

[007] U.S. Patent No. 6,007,212 to Chan discloses a novelty hat with blinking light at the ball end of the hat. More specifically, the hat includes an elongated portion terminating in an apex, the apex having a ball attached to one end. The ball end of the hat includes a hollow plastic ball portion having disposed therein a shelf secured to a blinking light. The wiring of the light extends outwardly of the plastic ball and into a channel extending through the apex portion of the hat. The wiring connects to a battery disposed within the apex channel. A power switch, coupled with the wiring, extends outwardly of the hat portion, and allows for easy activation of the device.

[008] U.S. Published Application No. 2003/0079387 to Derose discloses an ornament or sign comprised of a solid, shaped body, which has at least one light scattering translucent surface, groove, and/or ridge formed therein. Each surface, groove, or the like provide a design or image formed by etching the surface, groove, etc. into the body of the ornament or sign. The body, furthermore, has disposed therein an opening for at least one light source. The light source, in turn, comprises electrical leads connecting to an electrical conductor or PCB. The light source is positioned within the ornament or sign such that, upon illumination, light exiting the ornament or sign is scattered by the etched surface, groove, ridge, or the like.

Summary of Invention

[009] An object of the present invention is to provide an animated, decorative illuminated device, which is fun to watch and creates a festive atmosphere.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated, animated device in which a plurality of light sources are rotated within a housing in such a way that creates light patterns during the rotation.

[0011] The scope and content of the present invention is not intended to be limited by or to the above mentioned objects.

[0012] Briefly, the invention is characterized in particular by the use of a housing formed at least in part of a translucent material, a first printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon, the first printed circuit board mounted within the housing to rotate about a central axis and including a program for selectively turning on and off the plurality of light sources so as to form patterns of lights as the first printed circuit board rotates, a second printed circuit board fixed within the housing, a motor connected to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board to rotate the first printed circuit board, a pigtail wire can be included that is connected to the second printed circuit board and has a pigtail connector for connecting the animated decorative illuminated device to a first power source comprising an external power source, a second power source comprising at least one battery connected to the motor and to the second printed circuit board, and a switch connected to the second printed circuit board and the at least one battery to selectively turn on and off the motor using the at least one battery.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an animated decorative illuminated Santa hat having a rim and a pointed end remote from the rim is disclosed. The hat includes a housing formed at least in part of a translucent material connected to the pointed end, a first printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources

disposed thereon, the first printed circuit board mounted within the housing to rotate about a central axis and comprising a program for selectively turning on and off the plurality of light sources so as to form patterns of lights as the first printed circuit board rotates, a second printed circuit board fixed within the housing, a motor disposed within the housing and connected to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board to rotate the first printed circuit board, at least one battery connected to the motor and to the second printed circuit board; and a switch disposed within the rim disposed so as to be actuable by pressing on the rim and connected to the second printed circuit board and the at least one battery to selectively turn on and off the motor using the at least one battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] For better understanding of the invention and additional obj ects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment, wherein

[0015] Fig. 1 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources within an ornament, in its package, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ornament of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 3 is a side view of the ornament of Fig. 1 plugged into a tree, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a side view of the ornament of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 5

[0019] Fig. 5 A is a back view of the ornament of Fig. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 5B is a schematic view of the connections between various elements according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another ornament in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Fig. 7 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources within the ornament of Fig. 6;

[0023] Fig. 8 is a back view of the ornament of Fig. 6;

[0024] Fig. 9 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources within a tree-topper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 10 is a side view of the tree-topper of Fig. 9;

[0026] Fig. 11 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources within another tree- topper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 12 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources within a window decoration according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 13 is a side view of the window decoration in accordance with the embodiment shown in Fig. 12;

[0029] Fig. 14 illustrates rotation of an ornament in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 15 is a side view of the ornament of Fig. 14;

[0031] Fig. 16 illustrates rotation of the illumination sources in a Santa hat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 17 illustrates an extended view of the hat in Fig. 16;

[0033] Fig. 18 illustrates use and wearing of the hat of Fig. 16;

[0034] Figs. 19A illustrate another configuration for the ornament in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Fig. 20 illustrates a window decoration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 21 illustrates a configuration for yard art according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] ^• Fig. 22 illustrates an exploded view of the yard art shown in Fig. 21 ; and

[0038] Figs. 23A-23Q illustrate possible lighting patterns available in the yard art shown in Fig. 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0039] The invention will be described in general with reference to Figs.1 -5, which illustrate one embodiment of the animated decorative illuminated device 1 according to the

present invention. Referring now in detail to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a star-shaped ornament 1 in its packaging 2 that can be hung on a branch of a tree 74 via a loop 72 (Fig. 3). Loop 72 can be made of a molded plastic, or other suitable material. The housing 10 is formed at least in part of a translucent material. In one embodiment, the front face 12 is formed of a clear or semi-clear plastic material, and the rear face 14 (Fig. 5) is formed at least in part of an opaque plastic, which may or may not be a colored opaque plastic. It is understood that the invention contemplates embodiments in which a front face of the housing is made of a colored, clear or semi-frosted plastic material and a rear face of the housing is made of an opaque colored material. The rear face can be plastic or plastic coated by a shiny metal, such as chrome plating, which may or may not be colored.

[0040] According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5, the rear face 14 includes star points 16 which are made from a colored opaque plastic material and a central portion 18 of the housing 10 which is made from a clear plastic material. The housing may also be made of a colored translucent plastic material, in whole or in part. The use of a housing, which is clear or semi-translucent on the front side and opaque on the rear (the opaque quality created by a suitable coating, such as chrome plating), allows for light to reflect off of the rear side to enhance the effect of the light patterns. The central portion 18 has a hole 22 defined in the center through which the motor 24 fits. The housing 10 has a housing extension 20 that is connected to the housing 10 so as to cover the hole 22. The housing extension 20 may be made of a clear or semi-clear plastic material, or it may be made of an opaque colored material. The rear face can be plastic or plastic coated by a shiny metal, such as chrome plating, which may or may not be colored.

[0041] A printed circuit board 42 (first control means) is mounted within the housing 10 and includes a plurality of light sources 50. The motor 24 includes a motor shaft 26, which extends out of the motor body 25. The motor 24 may be any motor suitable for use in ornaments, tree toppers or yard art, for example, the motor disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,568,970 and 5,954,418, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0042] The printed circuit board 42 is mounted on the motor shaft 26 to rotate about a central axis coaxial to the motor shaft 26. A coil spring 28 is mounted on the motor shaft 26 between the motor body 25 and the printed circuit board 42 to transfer electrical power to the printed circuit board 42 and back to the batteries located in the handle. An integrated circuit (IC, not shown) on the printed circuit board 42 includes a program for selectively turning on and off the plurality of light sources 50. The program controls the lighting of the light sources 50 so as to form patterns of lights as the motor 24 rotates the printed circuit board 42. The IC is an off the shelf component, which can be purchased, for example, from MUPAC Development Ltd., in Hong Kong, China, model # MD - 264.

[0043] Figs. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment with five light sources 50 on the printed circuit board 42. However, it is understood that any number of light sources can be used according to the design and size of the animated decorative illuminated device 1. Additionally, the light sources 50 in one embodiment are light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, it is understood that different type of light sources can be used within the scope of the invention, such as fiber optic light sources.

[0044] A second printed circuit board 40 is mounted so as to be fixed within the housing 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5, it is mounted to the inside of the

housing extension 20. Two contact bars 44, 46 are connected to the inside of the housing extension 20. Batteries 48 are connected between the contact bar 44 and a spring 52 and the other contact bar 46. The embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5 includes four batteries. However, it is considered within the skill of the ordinary artisan to use a different number of batteries and or type of battery depending on the particular size and design of the animated decorated illuminated device 1.

[0045] The housing extension 20 has an opening 30 through which pigtail connector wire 3 passes to be connected to contact 54. A pigtail connection device is a known connection means having a pigtail connector at one end arranged to be readily inserted into a standard socket and arranged to permit use of devices to produce a variety of attractive effects. Contact 54 connects the pigtail connector wire 3 having a pigtail connector 70 to a circuit board 40 (second control circuit means). The printed circuit board 40 is fixed in position within the housing. In particular, it is fixedly connected to the inside of housing extension 20 at a connection point 56.

[0046] Fig. 5B shows a schematic representation of the connections between the printed circuit boards (PCB) 40, 42, the motor 25, and the battery 48. The motor 25 is connected to battery 48, PCB 40 and PCB 42, and to ground, to rotate the printed circuit board 42 about the central axis of the motor shaft 26. The battery 48 is also connected to PCB 40. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill that various contact leads (not shown) actually form the connections illustrated in Fig. 5B. In particular, a contact lead electrically connects the printed circuit board 40 to contact bar 46. Two contact leads electrically connect the motor 24 to the printed circuit board 40. One contact lead is a ground wire

connected between the motor 24 and a metal screw 60 connected to the motor housing. A contact lead electrically connects the contact bar 44 to the motor 24. Additionally, the connections reflected in Fig. 5B are applicable as well to the other embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] The pigtail connector wire 3, as noted above, is connected to the printed circuit board 42. Pigtail connector wire 3 ends in a pigtail connector 70, which allows the animated decorative illuminated device to be connected to an external power source (not shown). The external power source can be, for example, a Christmas tree light string socket 76 that is plugged into the wall socket in a conventional manner. In this case, the pigtail connector 70 is in the form of the conventional Christmas tree bulb plugs. Alternatively, in embodiments where the animated decorative illuminated device is larger, such as in yard art embodiments, the pigtail connector 70 can be a conventional electrical plug that fits into a conventional wall socket.

[0048] A switch 38 is removably connected to the printed circuit board 40 via the wire 36 and the plug 34, which plugs into socket 32. Depression of the switch 38 causes the motor 24 to be selectively turned on and off using the battery power source.

[0049] The animated decorative illuminated device according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 1-5, includes a flat sheet 62 made of a rigid material, such as Styrofoam® or a thin plastic. The sheet 62 is mounted on the motor shaft 26 so as to cover the printed circuit board 42 in a plane perpendicular to the shaft. The sheet 62 has a cut-out portion 64 disposed so as to allow the plurality of light sources 50 on the printed circuit board 42 to be exposed. The plurality of light sources are disposed in a line extending

from the shaft to the external circumference of the at least one decorative sheet. The outer face 66 of the sheet 62 is covered by a thin opaque sheet (not shown), which is adhered to the outer face 66. The opaque sheet may be silver, red or any other color or pattern as desired and may be made of foil or other suitable material.

[0050] When the device is in the packaging, for example, on store shelves, the switch 38 sticks out of the package in an area containing a "TRY ME" sign 5. The prospective purchaser can then sample the product by depressing the switch 38 and watching the light patterns that are formed when the light sources are rotated about the motor shaft 26. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire 36 and switch 38 are removable. Thus, when the user takes the device home, and plugs it into a socket using the pigtail connector 3, 70, for example, a Christmas tree light string socket, the wire/switch can be removed. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the switch is disposed within the housing, sticking out just far enough so that it can be depressed by a user wanting to animate the device. In this case, the switch is not removable.

[0051] Figs. 6-8 illustrate another embodiment of the inventive device, in which housing 100 has an upper portion which is in the shape of a globe or sphere 104 and a lower portion 102 having a tubular shape. Tubular portion 102 is made of a rigid material, such as, for example, cardboard or Styrofoam®, and may be covered with an outer decorative colored sheet (not shown), made of, for example, colored foil.

[0052] In this embodiment, the motor 26, printed circuit boards 40 and 42, and the batteries 48 are not shown. They are disposed within the tubular portion 102. Additionally,

the connections reflected in Fig. 5B are applicable as well to the embodiment of Figs. 6-8. The tubular portion 102 is closed on the bottom end, having two openings therein. One opening 180 provides access to socket 132. Socket 132, like socket 32 in the previous embodiment, allows a wire 136 to be plugged in via plug 134 to connect to the printed circuit board 40 (not shown in Figs. 6-8). The other opening 182 provides an outlet for pigtail connector wire 103, which connects pigtail connector 170 to the printed circuit board 40.

[0053] The motor shaft 126 sticks up through the housing 104 into the sphere. Connector 172 is connected on the end of shaft 126 and serves as a seat for the PCB assembly 174. PCB assembly 174 includes the printed circuit board 42 (not shown) and two decorative sheets 161 and 162. The two decorative sheets 161 and 162 are connected one on each face of the printed circuit board 42. The plurality of light sources 150 extends out from between the two decorative sheets 161 and 162. Each of the decorative sheets 161 and 162 has an outer face 163 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 6) covered by an opaque colored thin sheet (not shown separately). Here, as in the last embodiment, when the motor rotates the printed circuit board 42, the light sources 150 are illuminated in light patterns that are pleasing to the eye and fun to look at.

[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the switch 138 is connected directly adjacent to a battery box 140. The battery box 140 is removably connected via the wire 136, plug 134 and socket 132 to the motor 24. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the switch 138 is disposed so as to be actuable from outside the packaging for the device and selectively operated by a user wishing to try the device. Additionally, the battery box 140 and the

connecting wire 138 can be removed from the decorative illuminated device after the device is purchased.

[0055] Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, in which the device is in the form of a tree topper 200 for use on the top of Christmas, or other holiday, trees. The topper 200 is formed of a star-shaped upper housing 204 and a conical-shaped lower housing 202. The lower end of conical-shaped lower housing 202 is open so that it can sit on the treetop. In this case, as with the second embodiment, the motor 26, printed circuit boards 40 and 42, and the batteries 48 are not shown. They are disposed within the lower housing 202.

[0056] The back side 206 of the upper housing 204 may be made of a colored plastic material, either opaque or translucent. The front side 208 may be made of a clear or colored translucent plastic material so that the light patterns can be seen through the housing 204 and the light can reflect off of the back side 206 to enhance the effect of the light patterns. The front side 203 of the lower housing may be a clear plastic having a thin foil covering. The rear side 205 may be colored and/or opaque as well, either by chrome-plating or other suitable material.

[0057] The pigtail connector wire 103, with the pigtail connector 170, extends out from the opening of the lower housing 202. The wire 136, with a switch 138 and battery 140 extends out from the opening as well. In this case, the wire 136 may be permanently fixed within the lower housing 202.

[0058] As in the first embodiment, the sheet 62 covering the printed circuit board 42 has a cut-out 64 through which the light sources 50 can be seen. When the motor is activated,

either by depression of the switch 138 or by plugging the pigtail connector 170 into socket 176, the printed circuit board 42 rotates around the axis of motor shaft 26 and the program within the printed circuit board 42 turns on and off the light sources 50 so as to form patterns of light that are fun and interesting to watch.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the decorative illuminated device 300 is in the form of another style for tree topper. In this embodiment, the upper housing 304 comprises at least two globes 305, 306 sitting one on top of another connected through a neck 307. On top of the top globe 306 is a hollow pinnacle 308. The lower housing 302 is in a tubular shape having a bottom end 309, which is open so that the topper 300 can be placed on a tree 74. In this case, the motor 26, printed circuit boards 40 and 42, and the batteries 48 are shown schematically in dotted lines. They are disposed within the tubular portion 302.

[0060] In this embodiment, the printed circuit board 342 has a long, thin shape and extends from the globe 305 through the neck 307 to the globe 304. The printed circuit board 342 has a first plurality of light sources 350 connected to a first longitudinal side in the globe 305 and a second plurality of light sources 352 connected to a second longitudinal side in the globe 307. According to this embodiment, within each globe 305, 307, two decorative sheets 361 and 365 are connected to one face of the printed circuit board 342, and two decorative sheets (not shown) are connected to the other face of the printed circuit board 342. The two sets of light sources 350 and 352 extend out from between the respective sets of decorative sheets.

[0061] Each of the decorative sheets 361 and 365 has an outer face (not shown) covered by an opaque colored thin sheet (not shown separately). Here, as in the last

embodiment, when the motor rotates the printed circuit board 42, the light sources 350 and 352 are illuminated in light patterns that are pleasing to the eye and fun to look at. The light patterns in the two globes 305 and 307 can be either the same, or they can be different. As before, the program running on the printed circuit board 342 controls the light patterns.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the animated decorative illuminated device 400 includes a housing 404, similar to the housing described above with respect to Figs. 1-5. Around the circumference of the front of the housing 404 is a snowflake shaped plastic sheet or faceplate 402. The plastic snowflake can be clear or frosted translucent material, and may or may not be colored. The motor, printed circuit boards and light sources are the same as that described above with respect to Figs. 1-5. As with the previous embodiments, the device includes a pigtail connector wire connected to a pigtail connector and a removable wire and switch that plugs into a socket in the housing.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the animated illuminated decorative device 500 is made in the shape of a snowman ornament. The housing 502 is the same as the housing 18, 20 described above with respect to Figs. 1-5. The upper portion 504 of the housing, i.e., the faceplate, is in the shape of the upper half, including the head, of a snowman. The plastic that forms the snowman can be colored, in whole or in part. The stomach portion of the snowman is formed by the bulb-shaped front 503 of the housing. The bulb portion 503 may be clear or semi-translucent, and may or may not be colored.

[0064] In this embodiment, the motor shaft 26 extends through into the bulb portion 503. The printed circuit board (not shown) is connected to the motor shaft parallel to the motor shaft 26. As in previous embodiment, two decorative sheets 561 (only one is shown)

are connected one on each side of the printed circuit board. The light sources 550 extend outwardly from between the two decorative sheets. As in prior embodiments, the device includes a pigtail connector wire connected to a pigtail connector and a removable wire and switch that plugs that a socket in the housing.

[0065] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 16-18, the decorative illuminated device is set within a Santa's hat 600. According to one embodiment, this hat is a standard sewn hat with rim 606. The hat can be made of any material suitable for this type of hat, for example, a fake fur white trim and soft red material for the main part of the hat. Of course, it is understood that the invention could be implemented in any type of hat or novelty clothing item. The housing is in the shape of a globe 602, which is connected at the pointed end of the hat. The motor is disposed in a box 608 at the end 604 of the hat. Velcro® fasteners 610, 612 are provided on the hat so as to allow the pointed end 604 to be fastened to the portion of the hat worn about the head.

[0066] A battery box 640 and switch (not shown) are sewn into a lining of an opposite end 606 of the hat at a given location. The switch can be activated by depressing a particular spot 638 on the opposite end of the hat corresponding to the location of the switch. The wire 639 connecting the switch and the motor is sewn into the lining of the hat. Depression of the spot 638 will cause the motor to be turn on by the battery (not shown) and rotate the printed circuit board and decorative sheets. The lights, as in previous embodiments, are lit in patterns by a program running on the printed circuit board.

[0067] Generally, the present invention can employ an infinite number of decorative shapes and sizes, including, for example, globes, spheres, candy canes, words, letters,

numbers, Santa Clauses (see e.g., Figs. 19A and 19B), Christmas trees, snowmen, reindeer, and angels, among others. Additionally, well known commercially recognizable shapes, such as Mickey Mouse®, a Coca Cola® bottle profile or other commercially recognized shapes, may be used with the permission of the owners of such commercially recognized shapes and trademarks. Additionally, other holidays might employ lighted ornaments, such as Thanksgiving, Halloween or Easter wherein shapes such as turkeys, pumpkins, witches, ghosts, or Easter bunnies may be used. Further, the devices may be designed in larger sizes so as to be used for yard art that can be used outside (see e.g., Figs. 21, 22, and 23A-23Q), or window ledge decorations (see e.g., Fig. 20), and to be plugged into a standard outside wall socket. The list is essentially endless as to the different types of shapes, sizes and figures useful for the present invention.

[0068] Figs. 21, 22 and 23A-23Q illustrate an embodiment of yard art according to the present invention. The yard art 700 includes a base702, a pole section 704, an electronic light display unit 706, a light arm 710, and a sign 708. The light arm 710 includes one or more LEDs 712, which can be sequentially and/or simultaneously illuminated by control of a circuit board (not shown), to form various light patterns as the light arm 710 is rotated about its axis by a motor (not shown), including but not limited to the patterns shown in Figs. 23 A- 23Q.

[0069] The base 702 includes, for example, three base legs 7022. The base legs 7022 can be secured to the ground via spikes 710 inserted into holes 712 in the base legs 7022. The pole section 704 includes a lower post 7046 and an upper post 7048. A support connector 7042 connects the lower post 7046 to the base 702, via screws 7100. A post

connector 7044 connects the lower post 7046 to the upper post 7048, and includes a height adjustment screw 7050 to allow the height of the yard art to be adjusted. The upper post 704 connects into a bracket 7060 provided on the back face 7064 of the electronic light display unit 706. The sign 708 is connected to the upper post 7048 via a sign mounting bracket 7082. The sign mounting bracket includes two parts 7082A and 7082B, which are connectable to one other via screws 7108 so that the sign mounting bracket surrounds the upper post 7048. The sign 708 is connected to an outer face of the part 7082B of the sign mounting bracket 7082.

[0070] The back face 7064 of the electronic light display unit 706 also includes a housing 776, with a keyhole 778. The bracket 7060 includes an adapter mount 7062, to which an AC/DC adapter 770 can be connected, via screws 7104. The AC/DC adapter includes a power cord 772 that can be plugged into a standard outside (or inside) wall socket. A power connected 774 out of the housing 776, from the circuitry (not shown) and motor (not shown) provided in the housing 776 and can be plugged into the AC/DC adapter 770 to provide a power source to the motor and/or LEDs. Batteries (not shown) may also be used in addition or instead of the AC/DC adapter 770.

[0071] Although the above description of the different embodiments provides for decorative sheets having solid opaque film sheets on outer surfaces, the sheets could also be in the form of images or patterns. In addition, without departing from the inventive design, the decorative sheets can be omitted in their entirety. In this case, during the rotation the light patterns would appear to be free floating within the housing.

[0072] Further, according to the present invention, the motor housing described above is designed to allow the use of assorted faceplates. This provides advantages in the reduction of costs for the molds, as well as allowing the motor housing to be sent for UL approval one time, but be used for several different embodiments of the invention.

[0073] Although various features of the invention have been described with particular embodiments. It is considered within one of ordinary skill in the art to mix and match the features in other embodiments not depicted in the figures.

[0074] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention.

[0075] Thus the expressions "means to..." and "means for...", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or

steps for carrying out the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation.