2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as light passes through one to another different medium, the light is refracted. There is also a situation called a Total Internal Reflection in certain types of medium and at certain light incident angles. The Total Internal Reflection is the situation where the light is not refracted, but completely reflected. Especially when the light is incident from a medium of a predetermined density to a denser medium, the Total Internal Reflection of light occurs by gradually increasing incident angle to a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is called a Critical Angle. When the light is incident at an incident angle greater than the Critical Angle, the light is reflected. An optical fiber transmits data by using such principle of Total Internal Reflection. The optical fiber conducts light from an end to the other end thereof and has high conductivity.

The optical fiber is a fiber-shaped wave guide tube used for light transmission. The optical fibers are fabricated by locally heating a basic materials of the optical fiber at a high

temperature more than 2000°C and extruding thin fibers therefrom. Immediately after the heating, the optical fibers are first clad for maximizing mechanical strength maintenance and convenient handling. A material chemically stable and capable of preventing moisture penetration is used for the first cladding, such as a silicon resin, epoxy-acrylate, lacquer, urethane, EVA, etc. 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 flexibility of the core is higher than the same of the cladding, the light is easily focused on the core without a leakage during a transmission. The optical fiber may be made of synthetic resin, but usually, the optical fiber is made of material of high transparency such as a glass or plastic. The plastic optical fiber is mainly made of a polymethyl-metaacrylate, or polycarbonate resin. The plastic optical fiber is 5 to 10 times thicker than the optical fiber made of silica glass, with a short signal transmission distance approximately of 200m. Advantages of using the plastic optical fiber is that the plastic optical fiber is cost efficient, compact-sized, light-weighted, and has a strong flexibility against deformation, and even an inexperienced user can easily position and connect the optical fiber.

Such optical fibers are used in a wide range of fields such as electrics, electronics, communications, medical equipments, optics, and even interior decorations, for their advantageous characteristic that light is conducted lengthwise from one end to the other end at a high conductivity. The plastic optical fibers, in particular, are applied for cloths, bags, hats, interior decorations, and accessories, for an ornamental display's purpose. For example, the optical fibers are implanted in an object in an arrangement that ends thereof are exposed from outer surface of the object, while light emitting elements such as LED and control

portion are provided at the other ends thereof. The control portion flicks on and off the light emitting elements according to a predetermined program.

One example of the optical fiber used for ornamental display is disclosed in U. S.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional method for fixing fabric with optical fiber will be disclosed below.

A reference numeral 10 denotes a fabric garment. Respective optical fibers 1'-8'are passed through the fabric garment 10 from an inside surface B to an outside surface A. The respective optical fibers 1'-8'are secured to the inside surface B and/or outside surface A by cement 12. Each optical fiber has a sequin 13 mounted on an end of the optical fiber for enhancing efficiency of light illuminated from the end of the optical fiber. Reference numerals 1 through 8 denote the ends of the optical fibers extended from the outside surface A of the fabric garment 10. In order to prevent the optical fibers from being accidentally broken or torn apart while a user puts on and off the fabric garment 10, the fabric garment 10 has a thin liner 14 extending all over the fabric garment 10. The liner 14 is secured to the inside surface B of the fabric garment 10 by general fastening means such as a Velcro fasteners, clips, buttons, or stitches.

The conventional fixing method, however, has the following disadvantages.

First, the ends of the optical fibers extended from the outside surface A of the fabric garment 10 cause the outside surface A of the fabric garment 10 to be rough enough to hurt the user.

Second, since an adhesive 12 has to be applied to the respective optical fibers, the

process becomes complicated. Also, uneven application of adhesive 12 on the surface of the fabric garment 10 deteriorates the appearance of the fabric garment 10.

Third, since the liner 14 cannot closely contact the inside surface B with the optical fibers, the adhesive 12 may be separated from the inside surface B when the user puts on and off the fabric garment 10. When the adhesive 12 is separated from the inside surface B, the optical fibers 1-8 are separated from inserting holes formed in the fabric garment 10 to a space which is defined between the inside surface B and the liner 14. As a result, the optical fibers cannot serve a desired function, i. e., they cannot serve garment ornamental function anymore.

Fourth, in its structure, the ornamental optical fiber display includes a driving portion (not shown) having corresponding electronic components for driving the light emitting elements, and the conventional optical fiber display uses a tape for securing the driving portion to the fabric. The tape, however, cannot secure the driving portion to the garment firmly enough, and unable to protect the driving portion from contaminations which are caused by entry of rain, snow, or water.

Finally, due to the above-mentioned shortcomings and disadvantages, the application range of the conventional optical fiber display is narrowed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome the problems and disadvantages of the related art, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing structure for an optical fiber display that has an improved end of an optical fiber passed

through an optical fiber implanting object and protruding from an outer surface of the optical fiber implanting object, and a method therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing structure for an optical fiber display capable of evenly smoothing an outer surface of an object, and a method therefor.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing structure for an optical fiber display capable of firmly securing an object with an optical fiber, and a method therefor.

Yet another object is to provide a fixing structure for an optical fiber for protecting a driving portion from contaminations caused by entry of rain, snow, or water.

The above objects are accomplished by a method for fixing an optical fiber according to the present invention, including the steps of (A) forming a base, the base having a hole which gradually decreases in diameter from one surface of the base to the other surface of the base; (B) connecting the base to an object, to which the optical fiber is implanted, at predetermined location; (C) implanting the optical fiber in the object, the optical fiber being passed through the object and the base; (D) forming a head on the optical fiber, the head corresponding to the hole of the base; and (E) fixing the head in the base.

It is preferable that the head is formed by heating a light emitting surface of the optical fiber.

A fixing structure for an ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of optical fibers having light emitting surfaces and light receiving ends; an object through which the plurality of optical fibers are passed through in a predetermined arrangement; a driving portion disposed

in the object for illuminating various colors of lights to the light receiving ends of the optical fibers according to a predetermined program; and a fixing layer for closely fixing the plurality of optical fibers and the driving portion on an inner surface of the object.

It is preferable that the object includes a waterproof layer disposed on an inner surface and/or outer surface of the object.

It is also preferable that the fixing layer is a foaming composition.

A method for fixing an ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of (A) forming a waterproof layer by applying a waterproof agent on an object to which the optical fiber is implanted; (B) implanting the optical fiber in a predetermined arrangement on an area where the waterproof layer is formed ; (C) installing a driving portion in the object, the driving portion for illuminating a light according to a predetermined program to a light receiving end of the optical fiber implanted in the object; and (D) forming a fixing layer for fixing the optical fiber and the driving portion on an inner surface of the object.

The waterproof layer forming step (A) includes the steps of (A1) composing the waterproof agent with a diluted solvent; (A2) applying the composition of the waterproof agent and the diluted solvent on the object by a predetermined thickness; and (A3) hardening by drying the object with the waterproof composition for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature.

It is preferable that the waterproof agent is applied by a thickness ranging from 0. lmm to 0. 5mm.

The fixing layer forming step (D) includes the steps of (D1) preparing a foaming

composition by composing a raw ingredient with a foaming agent; and (D2) forming the fixing layer by applying the foaming composition that fixes the optical fiber and the driving portion on an inner surface of the object.

The step (D1) includes the steps of (Dll) composing a polyol with 4,4'- diphenylmethane diisocyanate in a predetermined proportion; and (D12) forming a urethane foaming composition by rotating the composition of the polyol and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate at a predetermined speed.

It is preferable that the foaming composition is rotated at a speed more than 6000rpm.

The step (D2) includes the steps of (D21) installing a jig, the jig having a space defined between the waterproof layer for housing the optical fiber and the driving portion therein, the jib pre-heated at a predetermined temperature; (D22) injecting the foaming composition into the jig; and (D23) hardening the foaming composition for a predetermined time for a predetermined elasticity of the foaming composition.

It is preferable that the pre-heating temperature ranges from 40°C to 45°C.

A fixing structure for an ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base having at least one hole passed through the base, the hole having a diameter gradually decreasing from one surface to the other surface of the base; at least one optical fiber having a light emitting surface and a light receiving end formed on both ends, respectively, and a head formed on the light emitting surface of the optical fiber in a shape corresponding to the hole of the base; an object connected to an inner surface of the base where the hole has the smallest diameter, the object on which the optical fiber inserted in the hole is implanted; a driving portion installed in the

object, the driving portion operating to illuminate various colors of lights to the light receiving end of the optical fiber according to a predetermined program; and a fixing layer for closely fixing the optical fiber and the driving portion on the inner surface of the object.

It is preferable that the object has a waterproof layer formed on an outer surface and/or inner surface thereof.

It is also preferable that the fixing layer is formed of a urethane foaming composition.

A method for fixing an ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of (a) forming a waterproof layer by applying a waterproof agent on an object at a predetermined location, the object on which an optical fiber is implanted; (b) forming a base, the base having a hole which gradually decreases in diameter from one surface of the base to the other surface of the base; (c) connecting the base to an area of an object where the waterproof layer is formed ; (d) implanting the optical fiber in the object in a predetermined arrangement, the optical fiber being passed through the object and the base; (e) forming a head on the optical fiber in a shape corresponding to the hole of the base; (f) fixing the head in the base; (g) installing a driving portion in the object, the driving portion for illuminating a light according to a predetermined program to the optical fiber implanted in the object; and (h) forming a fixing layer for fixing the optical fiber and the driving portion on an inner surface of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above objects and other features of the present invention will be clarified by the following description with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a conventional connection of a fabric and an optical fiber; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an optical fiber fixing structure according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the optical fiber fixing structure of FIG. 2 being fixed; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method for fixing the optical fiber of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining the fixing structure for the optical fiber display and method thereof in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a method for fixing the optical fiber of FIG. 5; FIG. 7A is a detailed flowchart for explaining a process of forming a waterproof layer of FIG. 6; FIG. 7B is a detailed flowchart for explaining a process of forming a fixing layer of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fixing structure for the optical fiber display in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for fixing the optical fiber display of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings.

The fixing structure for the optical fiber display according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

According to the present invention, an optical fiber fixing structure 100 includes an object 10, a base 20, and optical fibers 30.

The base 20 has holes 25 vertically perforated in the base 20. The holes 25 are formed such that diameters of the holes at an outer surface C of the base 20 is greater than the diameter of the holes at an inner surface D. The outer surface C of the base 20 is where light emitting surfaces 39 of the optical fibers 30 are located. The inner surface D of the base 20 is connected with the object 10. The base 20 is secured to the object 10 by general fasteners, such as stitches, adhesives, or the like.

It is preferable that the diameters of the holes 25 are gradually decreased from the outer surface C to the inner surface D of the base 20.

Each optical fiber 30 includes a body 34 and a head 38. The head 38 extends from the body 34. The light emitting surface 39 of the head 38 has a surface area greater than the sectional area of the body 34. It is preferable that the head 38 has a shape corresponding to the shape of each hole 25. The optical fibers 30 are implanted in the object 10, in a manner that the optical fibers 30 are vertically passed through the object 10.

The object 10 is connected with the optical fibers 30 and the base 20. The object 10 has inserting holes 14 through which the optical fibers 30 are passed.

The object 10 can be made of any materials used for cloths, hats, and bags such as rubber, leather, acrylic fiber, acrylic acid resin, fabric, etc.

Further, the object 10 can also have rubber label, high frequency label, embroider,

embossing silk, etc.

FIG. 3 shows the optical fiber fixing structure 100 in which the object 10, base 20, and optical fibers 30 are connected with each other.

The heads 38 can be secured in the holes 25 without requiring any fastener. This will be described in greater detail below when describing a method for fixing the optical fibers 30.

The heads 38 also can be secured in the holes 25 by the adhesive.

The method for fixing the optical fibers according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

The method for fixing the optical fibers according to the present invention includes a base forming step (S10), base connecting step (S20), optical fiber implanting step (S30), head forming step (S40), and optical fiber fixing step (S50).

In the base forming step (S10), holes 25 are vertically perforated in the base 20 to have diameter gradually decreased from an outer surface C to an inner surface D.

In the base connecting step (S20), the base 20 is connected with an object 10, which receives the optical fibers, at a predetermined location.

The optical fiber implanting step (S30) implants the optical fibers 30 in the object 10 by passing the optical fibers 30 through the object 10 and the base 20. Here, light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30 are inserted in the holes 25 of the base 20 so as to be passed through the object 10.

In the head forming step (S40), heads 38 are formed on the light emitting ends of the optical fibers 30. The heads 38 are fixed in the base 20. The heads 38 are formed by heating the light emitting ends of the optical fibers 30, thus melting the cores of the optical fibers 30.

The heads 38 are shaped to correspond to the shape of the holes 25.

In the optical fiber fixing step (S50), the optical fibers 30 are fixed in the base 20 by fixing the heads 38 in the base 20.

If the cores melted by the heating are combined with the base 20 by chemical reaction in the head forming step (S40), the optical fiber fixing step (S50) is simultaneously performed with the head forming step (S40).

On the other hand, the head forming step (S40) and the base forming step (S10) can be performed, separately. Then the base connecting step (S20), optical fiber implanting step (S30), and optical fiber fixing step (S50) are sequentially performed.

The fixing structure for the ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

5.

The fixing structure 200 for ornamental optical fiber display includes an object 10, optical fibers 30, a driving portion 40, a fixing layer 50, and a waterproof layer 60.

The driving portion 40 is disposed on the inner surface B of the object 10, and operates to illuminate various colors of light to the light receiving ends of the optical fibers 30 according to the predetermined program.

The driving portion 40 includes a light emitting element 42, on-off driving portion 44, printed circuit board 46, and protective portion 48.

The light emitting element 42 may be an LED.

The on-off driving portion 44 is connected to the light emitting element 42 and drives the light emitting element 42 on and off according to the predetermined program.

The light emitting element 42 and the on-off driving portion 44 are arranged on the printed circuit board 46.

The protective portion 48 is designed to house the light emitting element 42 and the light receiving ends 32 of the optical fibers 30 therein. An optical path is secured by the protective portion 48 between the light emitting element 42 and the light receiving ends 32 even after the formation of the fixing layer 50.

The fixing layer 50 closely secures the optical fibers 30 and the driving portion 40 to the inner surface B of the object 10. Preferably, the fixing layer 50 is made of a urethane foaming composition. This will be described later in detail.

The waterproof layer 60 is formed either on the inner surface B or on outer surface A of the object 10. The presence of the waterproof layer 60 prevents not only a penetration of the foaming composition in the outer surface A of the object 10, but also an entry of rain, snow, or water to the driving portion 40.

Although this embodiment uses the object 10 without waterproof treatment, the waterproof object 10 can also be used. If the waterproof object 10 is used, the waterproof layer 60 is not necessarily required.

The method for fixing the ornamental optical fiber display of FIG. 5 will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

The method for fixing the ornamental optical fiber includes a waterproof layer forming step (S110), optical fiber implanting step (S120), driving portion installing step (S130), and fixing layer forming step (S140).

In the waterproof layer forming step (S110), waterproof agent is applied on optical

fiber implanting locations of the object 10, forming the waterproof layer 60.

In the optical fiber implanting step (S120), the optical fibers 30 are implanted in the waterproof layer forming area in a manner of passing through the waterproof layer 60 and the object 10.

The driving portion installing step (S130) installs the driving portion 40 on the inner surface B of the object 10. The driving portion 40 illuminates the lights to the light receiving ends 32 of the optical fibers 30 in accordance with the predetermined program.

In the fixing layer forming step (S 140), a fixing layer is formed to fix the optical fibers 30 and the driving portion 40 on the inner surface B of the object 10. The fixing layer is made of a foaming composition.

Detailed steps of the waterproof layer forming step (S110) will be described below with reference to FIG. 7A.

The waterproof layer forming step (S 110) includes a waterproof agent diluting step (S112), waterproof agent applying step (S114), and waterproof agent dry-hardening step (sol6).

In the waterproof agent diluting step (S112), the waterproof agent is composed with diluted solvent. Here, the waterproof agent is suitable for the characteristics of the object 10, and the solvent corresponds to the waterproof agent.

In the waterproof agent applying step (S 114), the waterproof agent is applied on predetermined locations of the object 10 by a predetermined thickness. In this embodiment, the waterproof agent is sprayed on the area of the inner surface B of the object 10 where the foaming composition is molded later, by using an agent applying device (not shown) such as

a spray gun or nozzle to about 0.3mm in thickness.

Alternatively, the waterproof agent can be applied on a roller (not shown), which then applies such applied waterproof agent on the object 10.

The waterproof agent dry-hardening step (S 116) hardens the waterproof agent on the object 10 by drying the waterproof agent in a drier (not shown) for a predetermined time.

In this embodiment, as the waterproof agent, acrylic waterproof agent is composed with acetone solvent, and such composition of the acrylic waterproof agent and the acetone solvent is sprayed on the object 10 by O. lmm-0. 5mm of thickness. Such applied composition is dried for about 20 seconds in the temperature approximately from 90°C to 120°C, for hardening. Instead of the acrylic waterproof agent, a polyurethane waterproof agent can also be composed with solvents such as acetone, or toluene.

The waterproof layer 60 should be sufficiently thick. In the event that the waterproof agent is applied too thin, i. e., if the waterproof agent is applied below 0. 1mm, foaming composition may not stand the foaming pressure for forming the fixing layer 50 with the foaming composition, and weep out of the outer surface A of the object 10.

Detailed steps of fixing layer forming step (S 140) will be described below with reference to FIG. 7B.

The fixing layer forming step (S 140) includes a foaming composition preparing step (S142) and a fixing layer forming step (S144).

The foaming composition preparing step (S142) prepares a foaming composition by composing raw substance with foaming agent. In this embodiment, the foaming composition is prepared by composing poly-ether with 4,4'diphenylmethane diisocyanate in a 2: 1

proportion, and rotating the composition in a mixer (not shown) at a speed of 6000rpm into a gel state. Rotation at 6000rpm maximizes foaming efficiency, while minimizing a response completion time.

The fixing layer forming step (S 144) applies, dries and hardens the foaming composition, thereby fixes the optical fibers 30 and the driving portion 40 on the inner surface B of the object 10.

The fixing layer forming step (S 144) includes a jig installing step (su44-1), foaming composition injecting step (S144-2), and hardening step (S144-3).

In the jig installing step (S 144-1), a jig 70 is designed and installed to define a space between the waterproof layer 60, while housing the optical fibers 30 and the driving portion 40 therein. The jig 70 is installed by pre-heating at a temperature approximately from 40°C to 45°C. In the event that the pre-heating is performed below 40°C, response speed of the foaming composition becomes too slow, and accordingly, productivity is deteriorated. In the event that the pre-heating is performed above 45°C, the response speed of the foaming composition becomes too fast, and accordingly, particles of the foaming composition cannot be uniform or the fixing layer is overly hardened and thus cannot be elastic enough.

In the foaming composition injecting step (S 144-2), the foaming composition is charged in the jig 70 at a pressure of lkg/cm2 +0. 2 through an injection port formed on the jig 70.

The hardening step (S 144-3) forms a spongy fixing layer 50 of a predetermined elasticity through a reaction of the foaming composition charged in the jig 70. The jig 70 is

removed 5 to 10 minutes later to obtain a desired fixing layer 50.

A fixing structure 300 for the ornamental optical fiber display in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8.

The fixing structure 300 for the ornamental optical fiber display are the result of connecting the optical fiber fixing structure 100 of FIG. 3 with the ornamental optical fiber display fixing structure 200 of FIG. 5. Accordingly, the repetitious description thereof will be omitted.

A method for fixing the ornamental optical fiber display of FIG. 8 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

The fixing method includes a waterproof layer forming step (S152), base forming step (S154), base connecting step (S156), optical fiber implanting step (S158), head forming step (S160), head fixing step (S162), driving portion installing step (S164), and fixing layer forming step (S 166).

In the waterproof layer forming step (S152), waterproof agent is applied on predetermined locations of the object 10, to thereby form a waterproof layer 60. The waterproof layer forming step (S152) includes the sub-steps which are identical to the sub- steps of the waterproof layer forming step (S 110) described above. Accordingly, description thereof will be omitted.

In the base forming step (S154), a base 20 is formed, having holes 25 formed therein.

Here, diameters of the holes 25 are gradually decreased from one surface A to other surface B of the base 20.

In the base connecting step (S156), the base 20 is connected with an object 10, to

where the optical fibers 30 are later implanted. The base 20 is connected with the object 10 at locations where waterproof layer 60 is later formed.

In the optical fiber implanting step (S158), the optical fibers 30 are passed through the object 10 and the base 20 in a predetermined arrangement.

In the head forming step (S160), heads 38 are formed on the light emitting ends of the optical fibers 30 to correspond to the holes 25 of the base 20.

In the head fixing step (S162), the heads 38 of the optical fibers 30 are secured in the holes 25 of the base 20.

In the driving portion installing step (S164), the driving portion 40 is installed in the object 10 for illuminating the light to the implanted optical fibers 30 according to the predetermined program.

In the fixing layer forming step (S166), the fixing layer 50 is formed to fix the optical fibers 30 and the driving portion 40 on the inner surface B of the object 10. Since the sub- steps of the fixing layer forming step (S166) are identical with the sub-steps of the fixing layer forming step (S140) as described above, the repetitious descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, by forming the heads 38 on the optical fibers 30, the light emitting surfaces 39 of the optical fibers 30 arranged on the outer surface A are round-processed, and accordingly, the surface A becomes smooth. Also, due to the connection of the holes 25 and the heads 38, and due to the presence of the fixing layer 50, the optical fibers 30 are closely secured to the base 20. Further, since the heads 38 of the optical fibers 30 are formed of the melted ends of the cores, the light illuminated

through the light emitting surfaces 39 of the optical fibers 30 are spread in various directions, and aesthetic efficiency is enhanced. Further, by forming the waterproof layer 60 and the fixing layer 50, the driving portion 40 can be protected from possible contaminations caused by entry of rain, snow, or water, and accordingly, the stable operation of the driving portion 40 is guaranteed.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present device have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present device should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present device as defined by the appended claims.