Waving illuminated novelty device with spinning light sources

Abstract

A novelty item that spins at least one array of lights to produce a predetermined changing pattern of lights. The device has at least one array of lights that is supported by at least one flexible arm. The arms radially extend from a spinning hub. Consequently, when the arms rotate, the various lights in the array of lights rotate about the hub in a variety of circular pathways. A control circuit is provided in the hub that spins with the arms. The lights in the array of lights are coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit selectively flashes the lights in the array of lights in a manner that is synchronous to the speed at which the various lights are traveling in their circular pathways. As a result, the control circuit can cause the spinning array of lights to produce any desired pattern, display or alphanumeric message.

1 . An assembly, comprising: 
 a motor;    at least one arm extending from said motor, wherein said motor rotates said at least one arm about a central point when activated;    a plurality of light sources supported by said at least one arm, wherein at least some of said plurality of light sources are positioned at different distances from said central point;    a handle; and    an elongated support extending between said handle and said motor, wherein said elongated support is longer than said at least one arm, therein supporting said at least one arm away from said handle as said at least one arm is rotated by said motor.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated support enables said motor and said at least one arm to waive in a back and forth motion relative said handle.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said elongates support includes at least one resilient section that enables said elongated support to elastically bend.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said elongated support is pivotably connected to said handle, therein enabling said elongated support to rock back and forth relative said handle.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , further including at least one resilient element that engages said elongated support and biases said elongated support into a fixed orientation relative to said handle.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated support is configured at a flexible length of soft plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a control circuit that selectively lights said light sources as they spin to produce a predetermined changing pattern of light.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said control circuit rotates with said light sources.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein different light sources within said plurality of light sources emit different colored light.  
   
   
       11 . An assembly, comprising: 
 an array of light sources;    a motor for spinning said array of light sources in a circular pattern;    a handle; and    an elongated element connecting said array of light sources to said handle, wherein said resilient element enables said array of light sources to move through a predetermined range of motion relative to said handle as said array spins in said circular pattern.    
   
   
       12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said array of light sources is mounted on a circuit board and said circuit board is mounted on an arm that is rotated by said motor.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said elongated element includes at least one resilient section.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , further including a control circuit that selectively lights said light sources as they spin to produce a predetermined changing pattern of light.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said control circuit rotates with said light sources.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein different light sources within said array of light sources emit different colored light.  
   
   
       17 . A method of producing a spinning light assembly, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a handle;    attaching an elongated support to said handle having a first end coupled to said handle and a free second end;    providing an array of light sources;    providing a motor for spinning said array of light sources in a circular pattern at a predetermined speed of rotation; and    attaching said motor with said array of light sources to said second end of said elongated support, wherein said elongated support enables said array of light sources to move through a predetermined range of motion relative to said handle as said array of light sources spins in said circular pattern.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a control circuit for lighting said array of light sources in a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said control circuit lights said array of light sources in at least one predetermined pattern that is synchronized with said predetermined speed of rotation to produce a coordinated display image.