Solar-powered rotating ornamental device

Abstract

A device providing a spinning ornamental design is provided. The device includes a fixed post, a spinning unit, and an electric motor. The spinning unit includes the ornamental design and a solar panel. The electrical motor receives power from the solar panel and includes a stator housing attached to the spinning unit and a rotor shaft fixed to the fixed post.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device providing a spinning ornamental design, the device comprising:
 a fixed post;   a spinning unit comprising:
 the ornamental design; and 
 a solar panel; and 
   an electrical motor receiving power from the solar panel and comprising:
 a stator housing attached to the spinning unit; and 
 a rotor shaft fixed to the fixed post. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises a diffraction grating. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the diffraction grating provides an illusory shape when the ornamental design is rotating. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the illusory shape is not apparent when the ornamental design is not rotating. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is located upon a surface of the ornamental design. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is located below a surface of the ornamental design. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the surface of the ornamental design is one of transparent and translucent, such that light can pass through the surface to the solar panel. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the surface of the ornamental design comprises holes to permit light to reach the solar panel. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises an alternating color design. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises a flower design. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises a three dimensional design. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spinning unit comprises a plurality of angled vanes such that wind applied to the vanes will cause the spinning unit to rotate. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor shaft is affixed to the fixed post through an adjustable hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental design comprises a plurality of rings attached to a perimeter of the spinning unit. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spinning unit comprises a spinning unit base and an interchangeable ornamental face. 
     
     
         17 . A device providing a spinning ornamental design, the device comprising:
 a fixed post;   a spinning unit comprising:
 the ornamental design comprising a plurality of layers of ornamental flower pedals located about a center portion of the spinning unit, such that the plurality of layers create a three dimensional representation of a flower; and 
 a solar panel; and 
   an electrical motor receiving power from the solar panel and comprising:
 a stator housing attached to the spinning unit; and 
 a rotor shaft fixed to the fixed post. 
   
     
     
         18 . A device providing a spinning ornamental design, the device comprising:
 a fixed post;   a spinning unit comprising:
 the ornamental design comprising a diffraction grating layer comprising a pattern of etched lines at ninety degree angles to each other, wherein the diffraction grating, when rotated, provides an illusory shape in form of a cylinder; and 
 a solar panel; and 
   an electrical motor receiving power from the solar panel and comprising:
 a stator housing attached to the spinning unit; and 
 a rotor shaft fixed to the fixed post.