Abstract: A kaleidoscope is made by installing a kit of parts within a beverage bottle that has been altered by cutting off the bottom of the bottle. The kit includes multiple lens systems and reflective tubes that are sized, shaped and arranged to create a dazzling composite image. In some examples, the composite image includes a multifaceted reflection of an assortment of viewable items plus a halo-distortion of the items encircling the multifaceted reflection. In addition to collecting ambient light directly from an axial direction, the kaleidoscope collects reflected light from multiple radial directions as directed by a multifaceted light-gathering reflector surrounding a transparent object container that contains the viewable items.

Abstract: A kaleidoscopic device is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, the kaleidoscopic device may have a housing mounted within a wall and a collection drum that has a plurality of display elements. The collection drum may be intermittently rotated and/or rotated at various speeds by a driving system that has a motor. A mirror structure may be mounted within the housing and used with the display elements in order to generate a decorative kaleidoscopic effect.

Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.

Abstract: A light show device includes a light source configured to generate a light beam having a substantially constant diameter, a container having a substantially transparent portion, a plurality of mirrors, each mirror connectable or connected to the container rotatably about at least one axis, and a particulate source configured to create inside the container a substantial suspension of particulates, where the device is configured to allow a reflection of the light beam between at least a majority of the mirrors.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact, thin, and lightweight lighting system and projector. A lighting system included in a projector according to the present invention is provided with an LED array having LEDs and a reflective plate at the rear side of the LEDs in the light emitting direction, retardation films, a taper rod lens array, a rod lens array, and a reflective polarizing plate.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope includes a kaleidoscope body assembled in the shape of a sleeve so as to locate surfaces of mirrors therein and a support body, having two concave parts, attached to an end portion of the kaleidoscope body and supporting an image material assembly at the end portion. A retaining member is attached to one of the support body, the end portion of the kaleidoscope body and a part adjacent the support body and kaleidoscope body, to prevent the image material assembly from falling from an opening end of the concave parts. The image material assembly is supported rotatably and detachably by the support body so that it can change from the image material assembly attached in the kaleidoscope body to a different image material assembly.

Abstract: A projection lamp (10) for the projection of colored light effects includes a light source (18) and a transparent container (12) which is arranged in the beam path of the light source (18) and which is filled with an emulsion (26) of differently colored emulsion components (28,30), the container (12) being configured as an open, arched dish, the light source (18) being arranged below or above the dish (12) in order to project the dish content on a projection area, and the projection lamp further includes an exciter (40) for stirring and mixing the emulsion (26).

Abstract: One type of kaleidoscope has an object cell that contains a multitude of small objects immersed in a viscous liquid. By inverting the object cell, a user can enjoy a continuous ever-changing display of pleasing and colorful symmetrical images as the objects cascade through the viscous liquid under the influence of gravity. Eventually the objects settle to the top or bottom of the object cell as determined by their densities, and the viewer needs to invert the object cell again. It is desirable to prolong each cascade so as to reduce the frequency with which the object cell must be inverted. Several ways of accomplishing this are disclosed. The walls of the cell may converge and may be provided with bumps or other surface irregularities. The movement of the objects may be impeded by the provision of fixed obstacles within the object cell. In another approach, an upwelling and circulation of the viscous liquid is produced by a simple pump that is mobilized by inverting the object cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for group viewing of kaleidoscopic images in which such system is a fully-integrated unit that is compact, attractive and of relatively low cost. In preferred form, the system uses a TEE-shaped outer housing in which system elements for the separate functions of cooling, for kaleidoscopically projection, for viewing and for angular pattern driving are accurately and compactly provided. The system elements that provide the functions of cooling, kaleidoscopic projection and viewing are positioned in first and second parallel arms (of circular cross section). While a third transverse arm (of square cross section attached to a flared base supported on a horizontal surface of a desk, table or the like, supports the angular driving elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projecting kaleidoscopic system for viewing kaleidoscopic images on a screen external of a conventional kaleidoscope.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope having a removable object tube with inner elongated mirrored planar surfaces. The object tube is of a transparent solid material filled with a clear transparent viscous liquid with a plurality of contrasting color discrete particles therein.

Abstract: The housing of this device contains an electric lamp and an electric motor, the drive shaft of which rotates a circular, light transmissive, polarized cell, which is removably mounted in the housing over a light transmissive plate, which is mounted in an opening in the housing to direct diffused light from the lamp onto one side of the cell. The cell has a chamber filled with a liquid, and a plurality of small, birefringent elements which float randomly in all directions as the cell rotates, and which disperse light from the lamp into a variety of constantly changing colors and hues that are visible from the side of the cell remote from the diffuser.

Abstract: A display device comprises a sealed flat container formed by two rectangular sheets of glass 10,11 spaced from each other by a small amount and sealed together by a glue layer 12 at their outer edges. The container encloses water and detergent, a quantity of air and fine sand 26. After settling of the sand in one direction, the container is inverted causing bubbles 27 of the air to rise and form a bubble layer partially supporting the sand while allowing it to percolate gradually downwardly between the bubbles.

Abstract: An amusement device for producing a variety of unusual changing images and colors comprising a tube having an interior reflecting surface extending substantially the entire length thereof. An object case at one end of the member contains one or more birefringent objects of varying size and shape. An eye piece is disposed at the other end of the chamber. Light polarizers are disposed on both sides of the birefringent objects. At least one of the light polarizers is dimensioned so that it is free to rotate within the tube when the tube is tapped, shaken or turned.

Abstract: A Magnetic Optical Toy comprising a mirrored viewing chamber, various ferrous metal pieces lying randomly and freely within the mirrored viewing chamber, a movable magnet against and about the exterior surface of the mirrored chamber, and a viewing area into the mirrored chamber allowing the observation of the interior of the mirrored chamber with both eyes of the observer in order to perceive a three dimensional image.As the magnet is moved against and about the outside surface of the internally mirrored chamber various shapes and sizes of ferrous metal pieces are attracted and otherwise moved within the mirrored chamber and form a random design pattern which is reflected in the mirrored chamber resulting in a viewable three dimensional reflected design configuration. The design configuration changes as the magnet is manipulated by the observer.

Abstract: An horizon projection device for an aircraft simulator.The device comprises an aerial image 4 of a part of the Earth's surface, an optical image projector comprising a variable magnification system 13, an optical scanning device 18 and a wide angle projection lens 17. The optical system 13 forms in the focal plane of the wide angle lens 17 an intermediate image whose dimensions depend on the magnification. Controls responsive to the altitude, to the attitude and to the heading simulated by the pilot act on the magnification of the optical system 13, particularly to correct an apparent altitude variation due to the shift between the eyes of the pilot and the wide angle lens, during simulation of the aircraft going over on to its back.

Abstract: An optical image multiplying device includes an object cell containing a plurality of tumbler objects, each of which carries a pictorial image on a selected region thereof. The pictorial region of each object includes transparent portions which permit the viewer to see detail of the objects behind it. The pictorial regions are surrounded by transparent regions that permit the individual images or distinctive parts thereof to become periodically quite recognizable as the objects tumble relative to one another. Additionally, placement of the pictorial regions on geometrically different parts of their respective tumble objects enhances periodic recognizability. A selected region immediately adjacent, and possibily surrounding the pictorial region is provided with transparent color, but a portion of at least one tumbler object is preferably clear. A number of generally transparent beads, typically clear or of primary colors in a subdued tone may be included in the object cell.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope is provided having an object enclosure containing a multiplicity of pattern producing objects mounted to one end of a tubular body member. The mounting method employed permits object enclosure rotation in two directions about the body member. Preferably, the object enclosure includes a first wall arranged in a spherical shape encompassing a chamber. A second wall is concentrically arranged with respect to the spherical shape interiorly of the chamber. The first and second walls delimit at least one compartment for the pattern producing objects. The chamber volume inboard of the second wall is visually unobstructed to permit observation along a line of sight therethrough. Consequently, two compartment segments on opposite sides of the object enclosure may be viewed simultaneously. The first wall of the object enclosure has a material thickness having first and second outboard surfaces on opposite sides thereof. One of the first and second outboard surfaces has a plurality of facets formed in it.

Abstract: A light show apparatus for projecting an image upon a viewing surface in response to a variable sound source such as music or the like including illumination means directed through a light transmitting surface having a plurality of moveable particles disposed thereon wherein the illumination means is varied and the like transmitting surface is vibrated by vibrating means, simultaneously, to produce an ever-changing display of light projected upon the viewing surface by projection means.

Abstract: An animated visual effect device is carried by a support such as a platform from which the device may depend, the device being adapted to be received in the projection gate of a projector between the light source and the projection lens system of the projector for projection of visual effects produced in the operation of the device, the support carrying means such as a power source, compressor, or the like, for operating the device. Visual effects may be produced by bubbling of air through differently colored viscous fluid contained in generally laminal chambers disposed for successive passage therethrough of the projection illumination.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope wherein the admitted light is reflected into an otherwise darkened chamber which contains one or more varieties of reflective objects whose surfaces pick up the admitted light and reflect it in varying patterns between angled mirrors of the kaleidoscope in a reflecting tube. The color of the admitted light and thus the colors of the pattern may be selectively determined by the admission of only predetermined colors of light to the interior of the device. Apparatus is provided to filter the admitted light and reflect it to the reflective objects.