An ornament for simulating a flying creature

Abstract

An ornament 1 for simulating a flying creature comprises a body 2 containing a motor (11, figure 2) and a flapping mechanism (25). The ornament 1 also has a pair of wings 15 outside the body 2, and a

Description

The present invention relates to an ornament for simulating a flying creature. An ornament may be provided in an outdoor area, such as a garden, to provide a decorative effect. Such an ornament may be made to have the appearance of a flying creature. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ornament comprising the appearance of a flying creature that can provide an attractive effect. According to the present invention there is provided an ornament for simulating a winged or flying creature, the ornament comprising: a body containing a motor; a pair of wings outside the body wherein each wing extends from an arm that extends outwardly from inside the body; a flapping mechanism inside the body, the flapping mechanism being connected to the arms inside the body to flap both wings up and down at the same time, together or simultaneously when the flapping mechanism is driven by the motor; and a solar panel for providing power to the motor. By the ornament having a flapping mechanism that is configured to flap the pair of wings up and down at the same time this makes the ornament simulate a flying creature and can make the ornament have an attractive effect. By the ornament having a solar panel, the ornament does not require mains electricity for it to operate. The flying creature may be, for example, a butterfly, dragonfly, bee or a bird. The creature may be a mythical or fantasy creature and may be, for example, a dragon or a fairy. The present invention provides an inexpensive ornament. The solar panel may be electrically connected to the motor. The body may have a front end, a rear end and two opposing sides. The front end may have a head of the flying creature. Each arm may extend outwardly from inside the body through an opening in the body. Each arm may extend outwardly through a respective opening in a respective side of the body. The ornament may be suitable for use outdoors. The body may have a drain hole for any water which enters the body to drain out. The body may have a shape which simulates a body of the flying creature. The body may have two shells which may be an upper shell and a lower shell. The ornament may include at least one light source for illuminating the ornament, the solar panel being configured to provide power to the at least one light source. The at least one light source may be electrically connected to the solar panel. The at least one said light source may be inside the body. When the at least one light source inside the body is illuminated and the body has at least one opening, light shines through the at least one opening to illuminate the ornament. The at least one light source may be located inside the body in the vicinity of or by or adjacent the openings. The at least one light source, when illuminated, can make the ornament have a more attractive effect, particularly when the ornament is in dark surroundings such being outside at night. The at least one light source may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or LED light. The LED light may emit white light or light of another colour. The LED light may be a colour changing LED light. The ornament may include an automated processor. The automated or computerized processor may comprise an electronic control processor or processing device or processor unit or controller or microcontroller or control unit or chip. The automated processer may be configured to control when the motor drives the flapping mechanism. The automated processer may be configured to control when the at least one light source is illuminated. Where the at least one light source comprises a colour changing LED light, the automated processer may be configured to control when the LED light changes the colour of the light emitted. The ornament may include a timer. The automated processer may include or be connected to a timer. The timer may be configured to control when the motor drives the flapping mechanism. The timer may be configured to control when the at least one light source is illuminated. Where the at least one light source comprises a colour changing LED light, the timer may be configured to control when the LED light changes the colour of the light emitted. Use of a timer enables power to be conserved. The automated processer may be configured to check that the rechargeable power supply has sufficient power before activating the motor to drive the flapping mechanism and / or before causing the at least one light source to illuminate. Each arm may be rotational or pivotable about a pivot connection or arm pivot connection. The pivot connection may be inside the body. Each arm may have a slot on the opposite or other side of the pivot connection to the wing. The slots of both arms may be connected to the motor by an elongate member. The elongate member may comprise part of the flapping mechanism. One end portion of the elongate member may have a shaft that extends into the slots of the arms to form a first pivot connection. The shaft may be configured to slide along the slots. The opposite end portion of the elongate member may have a second pivot connection which rotatably connects the elongate member to a rotatable member that is rotated by a motor shaft of the motor wherein the second pivot connection is at a radial distance to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft. The motor shaft may extend from the motor. The rotatable member may comprise a disc. The rotational member may comprise part of the flapping mechanism. The slot in each arm may comprise part of the flapping mechanism. There may be a pair of light sources and these may be mounted in a structure wherein the second pivot connection is able to rotate about the motor shaft and in between the light sources. The structure may have an opening or gap for the second pivot connection to be able to rotate about the motor shaft and in between the light sources. The ornament may include a rechargeable power supply electrically connected to the solar panel. Thus, the solar panel is used to charge the rechargeable power supply. The rechargeable power supply may comprise a rechargeable battery. The at least one light source may be electrically connected to the rechargeable power supply. The motor may be electrically connected to the rechargeable power supply. The solar panel may be electrically connected to the motor and / or the at least one light source via the rechargeable power source. The timer in conjunction with the rechargeable power source enables the ornament to operate at night. The ornament may include a stand or hanging structure or hanging member or hanger. The stand may support or hold the body. The hanging structure may enable the body to be hung. This may be from a separate support such as a tree. The stand or hanging structure may comprise a pole. The pole may be cylindrical. The pole may be hollow. The pole may have a longitudinal or vertical axis. The stand may comprise a stake. The pole may form at least part of the stake. The pole may be arranged to be inserted into the ground. The solar panel may extend outwardly from the stand or hanging structure. The ornament may include a housing for the solar panel wherein the housing is connected to, and may extend outwardly from, the stand or hanging structure, the housing containing the rechargeable power supply. The solar panel may be mounted on and / or fixed to the housing. The automated processor may be housed in the housing. The housing may be connected to the stand or hanging structure via a friction or torque hinge. Thus, the solar panel can be set at a required angle. This may be done to maximize collection of sunlight. Where the stand or hanging structure comprises a pole, the solar panel can be set at a required angle relative to the pole or the longitudinal axis of the pole. The body and / or the housing may be rotatably connected to the stand or hanging structure. This may be a rotatable friction connection. Thus, the body and / or housing can be set at a required orientation relative to the stand or hanging structure. The stand may have a vertical axis when positioned on or inserted into the ground or a longitudinal axis. The hanging structure may have a vertical axis when hung or a longitudinal axis. The body and / or housing may be rotatable about this axis of the stand or hanging structure. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ornament for simulating a flying creature in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the ornament; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ornament with a pole of the ornament omitted; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view comprising a flapping mechanism of the ornament; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a body of the ornament including the flapping mechanism; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an ornament for simulating a flying creature in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, an ornament 1 for simulating a butterfly according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a body 2 having a front end 3, a rear end 4 and two opposing sides 5, 6, the front end 3 having a head 7. The body 2 has an upper shell 8 and a lower shell 9. The lower shell 9 holds a motor housing 10 inside of which there is a motor 11 (see Fig. 2). The base of the lower shell 9 has a socket 12 the inside of which receives a top end of a hollow pole 13 in a friction fit. The opposite end of the pole 13 has a rounded end 14 for insertion into the ground. The ornament 1 has a pair of wings 15 which are transparent and have solid markings 16 on them. Each wing 15 extends from an arm 17 which extends outwardly through a respective opening 18 in a respective one of the sides 5, 6 of the body 2. An end portion 19 of each arm 17 distal from the body 2 extends perpendicular to a main arm portion 20 of the arm 17 and has a socket 21 for receiving a tongue 22 of the wing 15. The tongue 22 and the socket 21 each have an opening 23, 24 (see Figs. 3 and 4) for receiving a fixing (not shown) to fix the wing 15 to the arm 17. The end of each arm 17 inside the body 2 is connected to a flapping mechanism 25 which is mounted on a flange 26 at one end of the motor housing 10. The flange 26 has a circular aperture 27 inside of which a disc 28 of the flapping mechanism 25 is able to rotate, the centre of the disc 28 being mounted on the end of a motor shaft 29 (see Fig. 2) extending from the motor 11. Each main arm portion 20 is rotationally or pivotably mounted on a respective arm shaft 30 extending from the motor housing end flange 26, the arm shaft 30 extending into a circular aperture 31 (see Fig. 4) in the main arm portion 20 to form a pivot connection 32 (see Fig. 5). A fixing (not shown) holds a washer 33 over each arm pivot connection 32 preventing the arm 17 from coming away from the arm shaft 30 on the flange 26. Each main arm portion 20 has a slot 34 on the opposite side of the arm pivot connection 32 to the end portion 19 holding the wing 15. The part 35 of each main arm portion 20 having the slot 34 has half the thickness of the rest of the main arm portion 20 with these parts 35 of the two arms 17 overlapping wherein the slot part 35 on one arm 17 being further from the motor housing flange 26 than the slot part 35 on the other arm 17 enabling the arms 17 to be aligned. The arm thickness is in the direction of the axes of the arm pivot connections 32. An elongate member 36 of the flapping mechanism 25 has a shaft 37 extending perpendicular to the main body of the elongate member 36 at one end wherein the shaft 37 extends into the slots 34 of the main arm portions 20 to form an elongate member first pivot connection 38 (see Fig. 5), the elongate member shaft 37 being configured to slide along the slots 34. The opposite end of the elongate member 36 has a cylinder 39 extending perpendicular to the main body of the elongate member 36 which receives a pin 40 extending from the disc 28 mounted in the motor housing flange 26, the pin 40 being mounted on the disc 28 at a radial distance to the axis of rotation 41 (see Fig. 5) of the motor shaft 29, and the pin 40 and cylinder 39 form an elongate member second pivot connection 42. A fixing (not shown) holds a washer 43 over the elongate member second pivot connection 42 preventing the elongate member 36 from coming away from the pin 40 radially mounted on the disc 28. The slots 34 in the arms 17 may be considered part of the flapping mechanism 25. A V-shaped structure 44 (see particularly Fig. 5) is centrally mounted in the lower shell 9 so that it is centrally aligned with the axis of rotation 41 of the motor shaft 29. The V-shaped structure 44 is aligned with the openings 18 in the sides 5, 6 of the body 2. The structure 44 is mounted with a space being provided between the two arms 45 of the V-shaped structure 44 so that the second pivot connection 42 is not obstructed from rotating about the axis of rotation 41 of the motor shaft 29. The distal end of each arm 45 of the structure 44 has an LED light 46 which is adjacent the respective opening 18 in each side 5, 6 of the body 2, and each arm 45 is hollow. The pole 13 which supports the body 2 extends through a cylindrical collar 47 which extends through a semi-circular plate 48 wherein the collar 47 forms a friction connection with the pole 13. The plate 48 is connected to a housing 49 by a friction hinge 50. A solar panel 51 is mounted in an upper surface of the housing 49 and extends outwardly from the pole 13. The solar panel 51 is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery 52 (see Fig. 2) stored in the housing 49, the solar panel 51 being used to charge the rechargeable battery 52. The rechargeable battery 52 provides power to an automated processor or chip 53 mounted inside the housing 49, and the automated processor 53 has a timer 54. Wiring 55 extends from the rechargeable battery 52 through respective holes 56, 57 (see Fig. 2) in the housing 49 and the hollow pole 13 to the motor 11. Sealing may be provided between the wiring 55 and the edge of the holes 56, 57. The wiring 55 also extends to the LED lights 46 through the hollow arms 45. The wiring 55 provides an electrical connection between the motor 11 and the LED lights 46 enabling the battery 52 to provide power to them. The timer 54 of the automated processer 53 is programmed to set when the motor 11 drives the flapping mechanism 25 to cause both wings 15 of the ornament 1 to flap up and down at the same time, and when the LED lights 46 are illuminated. The timer 54 may be programmed to have a daily cycle setting when the wings 15 are flapped and when the LED lights 46 are illuminated. The timer 54 may be programmed to flap the wings 15 and illuminate the LED lights 46 each morning provided that the automated processor 53 has checked that the battery 52 has been sufficiently charged by the solar panel 51. In use, when the timer 54 activates the motor 11, the motor 11 rotates the disc 28 so that the pin 40 on the disc 28 is rotated radially about the axis of rotation 41 of the motor shaft 29. This causes the elongate member 36, via the first and second elongate member pivot connections 38, 42, to move the main arm portion slot part 35 of each arm 17 up and down with the wings 15 at the opposite ends of the main arm portions 20 to move down and up as each arm 17 pivots or rotates about their respective arm pivot connection 32 with the motor housing flange 26 so that the wings 15 flap. When the LED lights 46 are illuminated, light shines through the openings 18 in the sides 5, 6 of the body 2 to illuminate the ornament 1. The lower shell 9 may have a drain hole (not shown) to enable any water that may get inside the body 2 to drain away. Referring to Figure 6, an ornament 60 for simulating a butterfly according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The body 61 of the ornament 60 is effectively the same as the body of the first embodiment except that it does not have a socket on its base from which a pole extends but instead has a hanging structure 62 comprising a hollow pole 63 and an S-shaped hook 64. The pole 63 extends up out of the upper surface of the body 61. The distal end of the pole 63 from the body 61 has a hoop 65 through which one end of the S-shaped hook 64 is hooked. The opposite end of the S-shaped hook 64 can be hooked onto a support (not shown) which may, for example, be a branch of a tree or a free standing support. The housing 66 with the solar panel 67 is similar to that of the first embodiment except that the housing 66 is shown to be disc shaped. The semi-circular plate 68 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and has a friction connection with the pole 63 which extends through it, and the plate 68 is connected to the housing 66 by a friction hinge 69 like before. The hollow pole 63 would contain wiring like before connecting the battery inside the housing 66 to the motor and LED lights inside the body 61. In a modification of the second embodiment, the hanging structure may comprises a hook which extends from the housing which has the solar panel and houses the rechargeable battery and automated processor and the housing is connected to the upper surface of the body of the ornament. Whilst particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The wings may not have any markings. The body may be transparent. The housing or body may have a switch for a user to use to switch the colour of light emitted by the LED lamps. This may be from white light to another colour. There may be one LED or LED lamp emitting one colour and a colour changing LED lamp wherein the switch may be used to swap between the two. The automated processor may be programmed by application software in a remote electronic device, such as a smart phone, to set when the wings flap and / or the LED lights are illuminated and also possibly to change the colour of light emitted if colour changing LED lights are used. There may be LEDs or LED lights on the outside of the body. The solar panel may be detachably connected to the body. The ornament may not necessarily have a timer. The LED lights and motor may operate whilst the battery has a sufficient charge. In the first embodiment, the pole may be a stake which has a sharpened end for insertion into the ground.

Claims

2513CLAIMS:

1. An ornament for simulating a flying creature, the ornament comprising: a body containing a motor,5 a pair of wings outside the body wherein each wing extends from an armthat extends outwardly from inside the body, each arm being rotational about a pivot connection inside the body;a flapping mechanism inside the body, the flapping mechanism being connected to the arms inside the body to flap both wings up and down at the18 same time when the flapping mechanism is driven by the motor, the flapping mechanism comprising an elongate member; anda solar panel for providing power to the motor,wherein each arm has a slot on the opposite side of the pivot connection to the wing, the slots of both arms being connected to the motor by the elongate15 member, one end portion of the elongate member having a shaft that extends into the slots of the arms to form a first pivot connection, the elongate member shaft being configured to slide along the slots, and the opposite end portion of the elongate member having a second pivot connection which rotatably connects the elongate member to a rotatable member that is rotated by a motor shaft of28 the motor wherein the second pivot connection is at a radial distance to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft.

2. The ornament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a shape which simulates a body of the flying creature.

3. The ornament as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including at least one light source for illuminating the ornament, the solar panel being configured to provide power to the at least one light source.30 4. The ornament as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one said light source05 06 25is inside the body.

5. The ornament as claimed in any preceding claim, including an automated processor.

6. The ornament as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on claim 3 or 4, wherein the automated processer is configured to control when the at least one light source is illuminated.10 7. The ornament as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the automatedprocesser is configured to control when the motor drives the flapping mechanism.

8. The ornament as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, including a timer.

159. The ornament as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the automated processer includes or is connected to a timer.

10. The ornament as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the timer is configured 25 to control when the motor drives the flapping mechanism.11, The ornament as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the timer is configured to control when the at least one light source is illuminated.25 12. The ornament as claimed in any preceding claim, including arechargeable power supply electrically connected to the solar panel.

13. The ornament as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one light source is electrically connected to the rechargeable 30 power supply.

14. The ornament as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the motor is electrically connected to the rechargeable power supply.

15. The ornament as claimed in any preceding claim, including a stand or hanging structure for the body.

16. The ornament as claimed in claim 15 when dependent on claim 12, 13 or 14, including a housing for the solar panel wherein the housing is connected to the stand or hanging structure and contains the rechargeable power supply.

17. The ornament as claimed in claim 16, wherein the housing is Connected to the stand or hanging structure via a friction hinge.

18. The ornament as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the solar panel extends outwardly from the stand or hanging structure.

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