Abstract: An umbrella includes a staff assembly, a plurality of upper ribs, a plurality of corresponding lower ribs and a canopy. The staff assembly includes an inner staff member and an outer staff member slidably mounted thereon. The upper ribs are pivotally connected to the inner staff member. The lower ribs are pivotally connected to the outer staff member and to the upper ribs. The canopy is mounted on the upper or lower ribs. Sliding the inner and outer staff members with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof shifts the ribs and the canopy between a deployed position in which the ribs and canopy extend generally radially outwardly from the staff assembly so as to open the umbrella, and a retracted position in which the ribs and the canopy are collapsed inwardly toward, the staff assembly so as to close the umbrella.

Abstract: A projector includes a support structure, which supports a light source and an image medium. The image medium is arranged such that light from the light source passes through one or more images carried by the image medium, thereby projecting intermediate images. An image dispersion element, having a plurality of reflective surfaces, is mounted in fixed position in the path of the intermediate images, to simultaneously redirect the intermediate images in a plurality of different directions from the projector to create a plurality of final images. An image medium driver drives the image medium relative to the light source. As an image carried on the image medium moves in the path of light emitted by the light source, the intermediate images move relative to the image dispersion element, and, consequently the final images move across the surface onto which they are projected.

Abstract: An automated musical instrument includes at least one tine, circuitry, a switch, and a trigger. The tine produces a first audible sound when vibrated. The circuitry produces a second audible sound when activated. The switch is connected to the circuitry and is operable when actuated to activate the circuitry. The trigger is selectably operable substantially simultaneously (a) to vibrate the tine to produce the first audible sound and (b) to actuate the switch in turn to activate the circuitry to produce the second audible sound.

Abstract: An ornamental display assembly includes a display container having an opening at a first end. A closure member is provided and is movable between an open position, wherein the opening is unobstructed by the closure member, and a closed position, wherein the opening is blocked by the closure member. A decorative sculpture is displayed inside the container. An electronic apparatus is disposed in the container in operable communication with the closure member, such that when the closure member is in the open position the electronic apparatus is activated, and when the closure member is in the closed position the electronic apparatus is deactivated. The electronic apparatus is a music box, a lighting display, an electric motor, or any combination thereof. The ornamental display assembly further includes a magnetically operated switch for activation of the electronic apparatus, and a magnet located in the closure member.

Abstract: A display globe assembly includes a transparent dome defining a cavity in which a scene is disposed and a base supporting the transparent dome. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the cavity of the dome and is rotated by a driving mechanism. An arm is attached to and projects generally radially from a distal end of the shaft within the cavity and engages an ornament disposed on exterior surface of the dome to move it thereon.

Abstract: An image projector including a film assembly, a motor, a light source, and a lens. The film assembly mounts a plurality of films such that the film assembly secures a first film of the plurality of films in a stationary position with respect to the film assembly and rotatably secures, with respect to the film assembly, a second film. The motor rotates the second film. The light source projects light through the plurality of films. The lens focuses the light projected through the plurality of films. The light projected through the plurality of films and the lens forms an image having a stationary portion and a rotating portion.

Abstract: A light string display includes a plurality of lighted picture frames, where each picture frame includes a frame having a rear flange and a front border defining an interior viewing area. Each picture frame also includes a back plate, an electric lamp, a hanger, a stand, and a mount. The back plate is receivable in the flange for holding a display item between the frame and the back plate in the interior viewing area, and the mount is fixable to the back plate for supporting the electric lamp, and for providing electrical connection to the electric lamp. The mount selectively supports the hanger in an extended/exposed position for hanging the frame on an external support structure; the mount also selectively supports the stand in an extended position for supporting the frame in an upright orientation on a support surface. Wiring connects respective mounts of the picture frames in series and electrically connects respective electric lamps of the picture frames to a power source.

Abstract: An expandable three-dimensional display device is provided with a cover and a support post at least partially disposed within the cover. The display device includes a mechanism associated with the cover and support post that is operable alternately to expand the cover to an enlarged configuration about the post to provide a three-dimensional display and collapse the covers to a collapsed configuration. A light is mounted within the cover to illuminate it. Addition display structure is formed to be mounted on the upper end of the support post which projects through the cover and additionally to be secured to the cover in order to provide the assembled display with further texture and interest.

Abstract: An animated display for use with magnetically-attractable, movable figurines includes a display surface and a magnet for attracting one of the figurines across the display surface. A drive mechanism is provided for intermittently moving the magnet in a closed path below the display surface. The figurines can pivot to simulate motion as they move across the display surface.

Abstract: An ornamental display globe includes a transparent hollow sphere filled with a transparent liquid and a figurine disposed inside the sphere. The figurine is maintained in a preferred orientation in the transparent liquid when the transparent hollow sphere is subjected to movement.

Abstract: A magnetic driving mechanism for a moving display includes a guide track secured to a base of the display, a magnet driver arm rotatably supported on the base, and a driving assembly for rotating the driver. A magnet support is mounted in a slot of the driver and capable of radial and rotational movement as it travels in the guide track. A turning mechanism allows the magnet support to turn as it travels in the guide track.

Abstract: A lighted display device includes a sculpted frame formed of thin wire or tubing. The frame outlines a character or an object and has one or more closed portions defined by the wire or tubing enclosing an area or partially enclosing an area. The display further includes a string of lights disposed along selected portions of the frame, and at least one translucent panel disposed in the closed portions or partially-closed portions of the frame.

Abstract: A display device comprising a main enclosure having liquid disposed therein, a pressure change actuator coupled in fluid communication with the main enclosure for performing at least one of compressing and decompressing of the contents of the main enclosure, thereby respectively increasing and decreasing the internal pressure within the main enclosure, and a diving member disposed in the liquid of the enclosure and having at least one liquid-filled cavity therein in fluid communication with the liquid of the main enclosure, the diving member comprising at least one air-filled flexible member disposed in the liquid-filled cavity.

Abstract: A musical device includes a mounting base, a plurality of sound producing bodies, and a plurality of striking mechanisms for striking the sound producing bodies to create a melody. Each striking mechanism includes two striking arms, each for striking a respective sound producing body at a striking position. Each striking mechanism includes a driving device for driving each striking arm from a rest position to a position intermediate the rest position and the striking position. The momentum of the striking arm carries the striking arm from the intermediate position to the striking position while the striking arm is not in contact with the driving device. This enables the musical device to recreate desired tones without any damping.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an animated display includes a plurality of planetary gears supported on a rotatable planetary gear support. Each planetary gear meshes with a stationary sun gear and is affixed to a multi-finger magnet support. Rotation of the planetary gear support causes the magnet support to revolve about the sun gear and also to rotate about its own central axis. One magnet from a first set of magnets is supported in each finger of the magnet support and travels in a first orbit about the rotational axis of its respective magnet support and in a second orbit around the sun gear. The rotatable planetary gear support can also support a second set of magnets for orbital movement about the sun gear. An optional auxiliary magnet support rotates about a center axis of the sun gear and supports a third set of magnets for orbital movement.

Abstract: A climbing toy includes an upper line, a lower line and an upper reel mechanism from which the upper line depends and which selectively winds in the upper line. An action figure is connected to a lower end of the upper line. A lower reel mechanism is disposed in the action figure, and the lower line depends from the lower reel mechanism, which is biased to reel in the lower line. A fixing mechanism holds a lower end of the lower line. A switch is operably connected to the upper reel mechanism and is switchable between (i) an active state, in which the upper reel mechanism is activated to wind in the upper line, and (ii) an inactive state, in which the upper reel mechanism is not activated to wind in the upper line and allows the upper line to be unwound therefrom. In the active state, the action figure is pulled toward the upper reel and the lower line is unwound from the lower reel mechanism.

Abstract: A musical device for generating music using a tape loop having a plurality of holes a mechanism, which includes a plurality of guide rollers for defining a tape path, for transporting the tape loop along the tape path. A unit for generating music using the plurality of holes in the tape loop is disposed in the tape path. The musical device also includes a device for hindering movement of the tape loop to fold the tape loop.

Abstract: An undulating display includes a rigid track, a pair of linking members secured to the track, a first pivot member having first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, and a second pivot member pivotally supported on the second pivot axis of the first pivot member. The pair of linking members is secured to the second pivot member. The display also includes an drive mechanism for pivoting simultaneously the second pivot member about the second pivot axis and the first pivot member about the first pivot axis thereby to produce undulating motion of the track.

Abstract: An erectable wire frame structure for displaying a wire sculpture. The structure includes upper and lower frame assemblies which are pivotally connected by elbow-like hinges which allow the upper frame assembly to be rotated from a folded, closed position to an open, upright position. Retaining pins lock the frame assemblies in the upright position. Attached to the lower frame assembly is a rear frame assembly which is adapted to extend rearwardly at a predetermined angle from the upper portion thereof. The rear frame assembly cooperates with downwardly extending leg sections of the lower frame assembly to provide a support structure which is free-standing. Wire sculptures, such as light sculptures, can be attached to the wire frame, creating a light display which can be anchored in a lawn, hung on a wall or allowed to stand alone using the rear frame assembly for support. Alternatively, the wire sculpture itself may form a portion of the wire frame structure.