Display Device With Free Article Movement Patents (Class 40/409)
  • Patent number: 6165041
    Abstract: A liquid-type rocking ornament includes a transparent container and a seat assembled to a bottom of the container. The transparent container has a dual-liquid and some floating decorative articles seal therein. Differently shaped recess, hole or slit may be formed on outer surface of the transparent container at suitable position for holding clips, pen or cards. The seat includes a semispherical shell and a weight fixedly connected near an inner bottom center of the shell, so that the whole liquid-type ornament could rock under a minor push without easily tumbling over. The liquid in the rocking ornament presents dynamic and interesting scenes that last for a period of time in the transparent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 6153273
    Abstract: A bubble-producing ornament having a clear liquid container connected to a seat and a vertically extended tube and a downward extended path outside the tube being provided inside the container. The tube has a lower end always facing an upward opened conic area provided on a bottom of the container to gather a plurality of balls therein. An air nozzle is connected to the lowest central portion of the conic area so that compressed air can be supplied from an air pump to blow out via the air nozzle to produce bubbles and force the balls in the conic area to sequentially move upward along the tube. When the balls move out of the top of the tube, they roll along the path outside the tube to finally move back to the conic area again. The balls are then sent upward again by the compressed air in a circular manner. The moving balls together with the bubbles create a dynamic and changeful sight in the ornament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Vincent K. Lee
    Inventor: Yunn-Fen Lee Lin
  • Patent number: 6145228
    Abstract: A decorative hollow Christmas ornament supports a generally spherical body having a plurality of flat, small reflective surfaces for rotation about a horizontal axis. A light source disposed a distance from the reflective spherical transmits light to the small flat surfaces so that their images are then reflected to a wall, such as the exterior of a house, to simulate descending snowflakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: James L. LaChance
  • Patent number: 6139396
    Abstract: A transparent spherical toy includes upper and lower shell halves. The upper shell half has a bottom end face, a thickness reduced rim portion extending downwardly from the bottom end face, an outer recess formed outside of the inner space and extending upwardly from the bottom end face, and a male thread formed on the rim portion. The lower shell half has a top end face, an inner wall, a ring-shaped shoulder projecting into the inner space from the inner wall adjacent to the top end face so that the rim portion is seated against the shoulder, a female thread formed on the inner wall between the top end face and the shoulder and engaging the male thread, and a notch formed in the top end face above the female thread and aligned with the outer recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 6135843
    Abstract: A novelty device comprised of a transparent body defined by a chamber. First and second horizonal partitions having a plurality of openings depicting text or design traversing said chamber. The first and second partitions in a generally spaced parallel relationship dividing the chamber into a top area, a central area between the partitions and a bottom area. A particulate film material disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Thoughtworks
    Inventors: Michael Merk, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, Jr., Dennis Futo, Paul Brokaw
  • Patent number: 6061937
    Abstract: A crystal ball water sealing structure includes a hollow, transparent, spherical water container having a neck and an inside annular groove within the neck, a rubber stopper plugged into the neck of the spherical water container to seal the spherical water container in a water tight condition, the rubber stopper having an outward flange forced into engagement with the inside annular groove in the neck of the spherical water container and an inside annular groove, and a spring element mounted in the inside annular groove in the rubber stopper, the spring element imparting an outward pressure to the rubber stopper, causing the rubber stopper to expand radially and to engage with the periphery of the neck of the spherical water container so as to prevent a water leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Sally Meng
  • Patent number: 6057497
    Abstract: A decorative display device comprising figurines arranged in tiered first and second scenes, one scene being placed above the other. Each of the upper and lower tier scenes is coupled to a wind-up drive and music box mechanism and when rotated appears to be in synchronization with the music. The rotatable and music synchronized scenes are more noticeable and aesthetically pleasing and, thus, provide a more interesting display. The upper and lower tier scenes may rotate simultaneously, at different speeds (but in the same direction), in opposite directions, in opposite directions at different speeds, or one scene may rotate while the other scene remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas E. DeVivo
  • Patent number: 5979092
    Abstract: A driving seat of a crystal ball, comprising a disk shape seat, a plurality of gears, a swing block, a restoring block, a rotary disk, and other components, wherein the long hole of the extending arm of the swing block is located on the shaft of a driven gear, the driven gear is engaged with an active gear, and the gear on the lower end of a rotary disk is engaged with a small gear on the upper end of the active gear. By this structure, when the active gear is rotated, the swing block is driven to rotate to swing forward and backward, and at the same time, the rotary disk is driven to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Jack Liu
  • Patent number: 5938318
    Abstract: A novelty shadow projecting lamp is disclosed having at the center a light source contained in a protective enclosure. A portal or opening lets light escape in a predetermined direction, and is in visual communication with and surrounding a light source enveloped by a bi-phased liquid. The bi-phased liquid includes bits of meltable wax. A heat source located in the base portion of the lamp, is in thermal communication with the liquid. As the heating element melts the wax, which is suspended in the liquid, the wax melts and floats freely in the liquid, thereby passing through the light source and casting shadows onto walls and surrounding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Mattsen
  • Patent number: 5919078
    Abstract: A toy is intended to resemble a cyclone type vacuum cleaner. The toy vacuum cleaner includes a body comprising a cylindrical container which has a transparent cylindrical outer wall. A core extends axially into the container to define a space between itself and the outer wall. A fan assembly is mounted to close an open end of the container. A multiplicity of polystyrene beads are disposed within the space between the core and the outer wall. The fan assembly includes a fan rotor mounted substantially coaxially with the container, to be driven by a motor, whereby on activation of the motor, the fan causes a circulation of air within the container, which circulation causes the beads to move in approximately circular paths about the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Cassidy Brothers, plc
    Inventor: Paul Michael Cassidy
  • Patent number: 5896687
    Abstract: A double-layered and bi-directional rotary decoration including a base seat assembly, a driving mechanism, a lower rotary mechanism and an upper rotary mechanism. When a driving motor of the driving mechanism drives a first gear to rotate, a second and a third gears are rotated in a reverse direction and a fourth gear is rotated in the same direction as the first gear so that the lower rotary mechanism disposed with first decorative articles and the upper rotary mechanism disposed with second decorative articles are rotated in reverse directions to achieve a double-layered and bi-directional live visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 5884423
    Abstract: A vibration snowing mechanism is disclosed. It includes a base board, an upper fixing ring, a lower fixing board, a glass tube, a bottom sealing pad, multiple supporting columns, an upper fitting member, a lower fitting member, a screen assembly, a vibration linkage and multiple plastic granules. When a driving gear is rotated, the vibration linkage is vibrated up and down and a screen member of the screen assembly is also vibrated up and down. At this time, the multiple plastic granules pass through the orifices to drop down as snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Szu-Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 5878515
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a musical water ball provides a waterproof effect and enables the decoration of the water ball to rotate more smoothly and accurately. The driving mechanism includes a seat member, a silicone gasket, a central shaft rod, a fastening plate, a spring and a driven perforated disc. The silicone gasket is disposed in an inner hole seat of the seat member. The silicone gasket is formed with inner and outer rings that define an annular groove. When water flows into the annular groove, a fastening pressure is formed to bind the gasket to the central shaft rod. Water is thus prevented from infiltrating back so as to avoid rusting of the driving mechanism. Each of upper and lower ends of the shaft rod is formed with engaging teeth for engaging with a corresponding structure of the rotary tray and a corresponding structure of the central hole of the driven perforated disc. A spring is fitted around the shaft rod to abut against the fastening plate to provide a buffering effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
  • Patent number: 5857277
    Abstract: A plaything (10) comprises a display means (12) for displaying a desired scene (14). A particulate material (16) is provided on the display means (12). The plaything (10) further includes pick-up means (18) to pick-up at least some of said particulate material (16) at the bottom regions of the display means (12) and to deposit the picked up particulate material at the top region of the display means (12) to simulate falling snow. The plaything can be filled with a suitable fluid, for example, water. The plaything also includes drive means (28) for driving the pick-up means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Maylodge Limited
    Inventor: Hedley John Mayze
  • Patent number: 5842296
    Abstract: A crystal ball having an assembled motive die set. The crystal ball includes a music box and a driving base, wherein the driving base has a plurality of driven gears which are driven by the center motive gear installed on the base of the driving substrate. Assembled motive die sets representing different motion types are mounted on the upper cover of the base with respect to the driven gears, and are changeable as desired. The motive die set is influenced by the dynamic force of the music box through the driving base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Liu
  • Patent number: 5794364
    Abstract: A projectile launching and recirculating display apparatus and method are provided which preferably include a collector extending in a generally horizontal plane, and having an opening positioned in a medial portion thereof for collecting a plurality of projectiles, such as balloons, therein. A blower has an output positioned to underlie the collector opening for blowing a gas upwardly through the opening and thereby blowing the plurality of projectiles upwardly when overlying the collector opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Randel William Richmond
  • Patent number: 5778576
    Abstract: A novelty lamp which comprises a transparent container with a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer portion, and an inner portion. The inner portion extends upwardly from the bottom surface of the container and defines a hollow area. The bottom surface of the container is mounted in a base member. Two substances are received in the container. One of the substances has a higher relative density at room temperature and is immiscible with the other substance. Upon application of heat, which is supplied by a light bulb mounted within the base member, globules of the substance with the initially higher relative density become less dense, rise in the other substance and flow around the outer and inner portions of the container. As the globules rise toward the top surface of the container they cool, become more dense and drop back down toward the bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Spencer Gifts
    Inventor: Ali Kaviani
  • Patent number: 5775014
    Abstract: A crystal water globe comprising a housing assembly having a lower housing and a transmission having a motor-driven shaft extending through the lower housing. Movable decorations or figures of the crystal water globe and a motor are disposed at opposite sides of the lower housing. Plugs sealingly connected to the lower housing and heavy oil contained between the plugs and the lower housing are utilized to seal the interface between the motor-driven shaft and the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Chung-kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 5735724
    Abstract: A toy assembly is provided with manual and electrical operation units which can be selectively actuated to rotate a shaft, which has a helical advancing path, in one direction in an ascending chamber. Toy elements are moved upward in the ascending chamber and descend by gravity along a descending path provided in a descending chamber. The manual operation unit incorporates a first clutch mechanism for disconnecting the manual operation unit from the rotary shaft so as to prevent the rotary shaft to turn in another direction that can move the toy elements downward. A second clutch mechanism is provided to disconnect the rotary shaft from the electrical operation unit when the rotary shaft is driven via the manual operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Udagawa
  • Patent number: 5729923
    Abstract: A crystal water ball mechanism employed to simultaneously turn a lower, outer decoration and an upper, inner decoration and a crystal water ball device incorporating such a mechanism. The lower and upper decorations are respectively affixed to an outer ring which is driven to turn by a first driving element via a coupling ring and affixed to a rotating plate which is driven to turn by a second driving element via a connecting member of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Chung-kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 5675921
    Abstract: A transmission structure is set forth for a crystal-like ball, which comprises a glass ball and a rubber seal; the center of the rubber seal has a tube-shaped round hole for receiving a shaft of a rotary structure; the shaft extends from the inside of the glass ball to the outer end of the rubber seal, and connects with a universal joint; the shaft is to be driven in rotation with a transmission structure so as to actuate an ornament in the glass ball to rotate. The outer edge of the open end of the glass ball is connected with the upper edge of a hollow and round ornament; the bottom edge of the hollow and round ornament is glued onto an outer top surface of a base disc on a base. The hollow and round ornament is a transparent member, through which a rotary ornament therein can been seen. The bottom edge of the rotary ornament is glued onto the ring surface of the turntable on the base; the turntable is mounted on a projected ring of the base disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 5655321
    Abstract: A water ball structure includes a base defining a cylindrical housing to received therein a music box type driving device and support thereon a water ball. The driving device is fixed on a disk which is received within a bottom opening of the housing and snap-held by resilient paws formed on the housing. A circumferential wall is provided to fix to and concentrically surround the housing. A rotation ring is supported on the circumferential wall by a ball bearing arranged on the top of the wall so as to allow the rotation ring to be rotatable relative to the housing in a concentric manner by being driven by the driving device through a gear train coupling therebetween. A toothed ring is fit over the housing and snap-held by paws provided on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Chih-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 5603176
    Abstract: A simulated suspended animation biosphere assembly includes an outer housing having a transparent wall portion, a transparent gel in the housing and at least one action component movably suspended in the gel. The action component is adapted to resemble an actual action element which is capable of voluntary controlled independent action movement and which is movably suspendable in a natural environmental medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred D. Eddins, Linwood E. Doane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5502908
    Abstract: An animated display having a case defining an internal display chamber that is visible from externally of the case. A plurality of discrete particles are provided within the display chamber. Structure is provided on the case for propelling the discrete particles in a continuous circular path with the particles suspended in a fluid within the display chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas A. Schutz Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Powell, Marvin L. Adenau, Thomas C. Tuten
  • Patent number: 5458012
    Abstract: The present invention provides a crystal ball which move upwardly and downwardly, wherein the convex surface of the planetary gears which is used to drive the revolving disk is a bevel to form a bulgy state, and a mantle surrounding said bulgy convex surface is on the upper side of the revolving disk; and the dynamic phenomena including revolution, rotation and moving upwardly and downwardly performed by the doll inserted into said mantle are driven by the rotation of the revolving disk and the planetary gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Jian H. Liu
  • Patent number: 5426878
    Abstract: An amusement device which includes a transparent tank filled with a liquid medium such as water. Contained within the tank is a plurality of uniform diameter, positive and negative buoyant spheres. Disposed inside the tank is a downward directional tubal system and an upward directional tubal system which are used to move the spheres in opposite directions of their buoyancies. Located beneath the floor of the tank is an air pump which feeds air into the tubal systems to create currents which forcibly move the spheres through the tubes. Also disposed in the tank are downward and upward directional tracks which route the spheres to their respective staging areas, depending upon their buoyancies. For example, positive buoyant spheres travel upward in the liquid medium along the underside of the upward directional track while the negative buoyant spheres travel downward in the liquid medium along the top side of the downward directional track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Todd L. Branson
  • Patent number: 5426877
    Abstract: Pearl shaped bodies are caused to ascend and descend in a liquid filled container by an electromagnetically driven rotator blade assembly which moves the liquid and bodies upwardly through a pressure robe, after which the bodies may descend downwardly along a spiral glide path encircling the length of the pressure tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 5416995
    Abstract: A display device includes a decorative model for simulating a doll, people, animal and the other articles with the decorative model having a base provided with a driving device within the base, a rotary body such as a crystal ball rotatably mounted in a central or middle portion of the decorative model and driven by the driving device such as a spring or a motor and a swing device such as a pair of swinging arms of a doll or a people universally secured to the decorative model by a universal joint, having at least a coupling link slidably coupled to an endless groove recessed in a universal rail circumferentially sinuously wound on a spherical surface of the rotary body, whereby upon operation of the driving device to rotate the rotary body, the swinging arms of the swinging device will be swung along the universal rail disposed on the rotary body to produce a three-dimensional decorative effect for the decorative model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Hsieh-Yi Teng
  • Patent number: 5412888
    Abstract: An assembly for producing an artificial snowfall in a Christmas tree display arrangement is stored as a pack having a base 10 with a carrying handle 16 and a lid 18 adapted to fit over the base 10. Within the latter is an air blower unit comprising an electric motor and fan located below a cover 44, moving air from externally to a fan outlet 40 and thereafter into an air transporting tube assembly provided with a venturi, through an aperture 64 in the cover 44. A Christmas tree can locate through a central aperture 62 in the cover 44 onto a stand within the base 10. Artificial snow in the form of plastics beads is available on the cover 44 and can be moved through the venturi to the top of the tree, from where the beads fall by gravity through the tree to be collected by the cover 44 and its petal sections 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Manthorpe Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Ian Rickuss, Daniel O'Leary
  • Patent number: 5406728
    Abstract: An enclosure having a flat surface for facilitating the application of an image to the flat surface for viewing. Preferably, the enclosure is spherical except for the flat surface and is attached to a base. The flat surface may be perpendicular to the bottom of the base. The image may be any flat image including a hologram, and may be applied in any manner. The enclosure may be made of glass or plastic, include an object therein, and may be filled with a liquid. The liquid may contain particles such as glitter or particles which resemble snow flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Willitts Designs International, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Willitts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5378513
    Abstract: A decoration set includes a transparent container having upper and lower terminal portions interconnected to by a slanting middle part. Each of the terminal portions defines a reservoir adapted to carry a sandy medium stored within the container. A board is mounted within the container and includes opposing sides provided with rippled surfaces which cause a decorative pattern as the sandy medium flows thereover. The container can be oriented in a first upright position wherein the sandy medium flows over the rippled surface causing a pattern on one side of the board and an inverted, upright position wherein the sandy medium flows over the rippled surface causing a pattern on the other side of the board. The side surfaces also include vents through which the sandy medium flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Vincent K. W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5329714
    Abstract: A floating body disposed within a liquid-filled container has top and bottom portions provided with extensible and retractable objects, some of which have a greater buoyancy then the body and the remainder of which tend to sink in the liquid. The body and objects have various configurations and designs which create three-dimensional changes during floating of the body each time the container is turned upside-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Vincent K. Lee
  • Patent number: 5314368
    Abstract: A toy or display suspends a ball in mid-air and moves the ball in a closed path without any visible means of support above a housing. The ball is moved radially toward, and alternately away from, a central housing axis, and may also be raised and lowered in elevation during its travel along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5280682
    Abstract: An ornament and display rotator has a reduction geared rotational shaft (3) of a miniature motor (2) extended from an apex (4) of a cone-shaped housing (1). Ornament and display attachment means (14, 17, 18, 23, 24, 51) adaptable to a wide variety of ornaments (6) and other objects for rotation are provided on the rotational shaft (3). Linear bearing (25, 29) means also is provided as needed for vertical load bearing relationship between the apex (4) of the cone (1) and the rotational shaft (3). Adaptable means for attachment of the base (9) of the cone-shaped housing (1) to a wide variety of objects and structures is provided. The cone-shaped housing (1) is adaptable to stored energy motors (47) and gas powered motors (42) in addition to small electrical motors (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Ornamotor, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Fussell
  • Patent number: 5272604
    Abstract: A vessel filled with two liquids of different specific gravities is provided with a centrifugal impeller for creating a vortex from the liquid of lesser specific gravity to simulate a cyclone. Ornaments may be disposed within the vessel for generating additional visual effects during the formation of the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 5255460
    Abstract: A diagrammatic indicator assembly includes a hollow, transparent housing which is substantially Z-shaped in side view with upper and lower terminal portions interconnected by an angled central portion. Each of the terminal portions define reservoirs adapted to carry a sandy medium stored within the housing. An inclined plate is mounted within the housing and includes opposing sides provided with a plurality of holes for retaining some of the sandy medium as it flows thereover. The housing can be orientated in a first upright position wherein the sandy medium flows over and is retained in the holes on one side of the plate and an inverted, upright position wherein the sandy medium flows over and is retained in the holes on the other side of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Vincent K. W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5228225
    Abstract: A progressive liquid display device comprising a plurality of display strips movably held in a liquid between plural pairs of symmetrical grooves behind a transparent wall, the symmetrical grooves each having a stop plate fastened therein to confine the moving range of the corresponding display strip. The display strips will sink or float when the device is turned upside down and be stopped by the stop plates with one strip rising behind another to form a desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Vincent K. W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5109620
    Abstract: A display providing the illusion of a stream of liquid coming from an unconnected spigot, the stream flowing into a receptacle. A transparent tube, hidden within the stream, runs from the receptacle to the spigot to carry the liquid upwardly to the spigot. A second tube, colorless and transparent, surrounds the stream of water, to prevent evaporation and accidental spillage on a person. A small colorless and transparent air tube runs from the receptacle upwardly between the inner and outer tubes to a mixing chamber at the top of the tubes. Air is drawn upwardly through the tube by a Venturi effect within the mixing chamber and mixes with the water. As a result, the downwardly flowing water is filled with bubbles and can be seen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Mechtronics Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur L. Torrence
  • Patent number: 5037346
    Abstract: A toy flashlight includes a color filter assembly that is releasably mounted to a handle housing and contains at least two distinct color filters. Light beams are transmitted through the colored filters. A globe is included as part of the color filter assembly and includes reflective objects in a variety of colors and shapes therein. By moving the flashlight, color beams of light are scattered off the reflective objects to provide a random color light display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: I & K Trading Company
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Cimock
  • Patent number: 4944969
    Abstract: A multipurpose board has a frame circumferentially supporting at least three transparent plates with segregating clearances between the transparent plates. Particles only partially fill each segregating clearance, the particles in the respective segregating clearances having different physical properties. When the board is moved, particle flow in each segregating clearance permitted by the only partial filling thereof forms varieties of wave-like combinations when movement is stopped, which are visible three dimentionally through the transparent plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Nobutane Usui
  • Patent number: 4939859
    Abstract: A kinetic sculpture apparatus comprising a transparent tank filled with a transparent liquid and an air supply system wherein air bubbles are introduced along the bottom of the container and thus are distributed thorughout the liquid. Immersed in the liquid are a multiple of vessels that are substantially closed on their sides and top, and substantially open on their bottom. The vessels are weighted so that they have a negative buoyancy when holding a small amount of air but will become positively buoyant when they accumulate more air from the rising air bubbles. The vessels are also weighted so that their center of gravity remains below their center of buoyancy even when in a full positive state. The apparatus comprises techniques for releasing the air from the vessels at the top of their rise so that will sink back towards the bottom until they collect more air and rise again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Gordon E. Bradt
  • Patent number: 4928412
    Abstract: A decorative cup is formed by attaching a fluid filled tank to the exterior of a cup. The tank also contains decorative particles suspended in the fluid. A pump that agitates the fluid and particles is built into a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Gary S. Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 4860469
    Abstract: Apparatus for exhibiting grains of precious stone comprises in a container assembly at least two communicating compartments, which communicate with each other through at least one passageway, which constitutes a singling path for grains of precious stone. That communicating passageway is constricted so as to permit singled grains having a given size to move freely through the passageway. The container assembly contains an aggregation of grains of precious stone. The at least two compartments communicating with each other have different elevations. The communicating passageway is defined by a slideway, which is inclined from the vertical, or constitutes a path for a free fall of grains of precious stone from the aggregation. Such apparatus can be used as a sales display container, an ornament, or a gift article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Firma Ernst Winter & Sohn (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Dietrich Borse
  • Patent number: 4691459
    Abstract: A decorative artificial aquarium with artificial fish therein moved in a circular path within the aquarium by a whirlpool pump which creates a circular current of water therein and which artificial aquarium includes a baffle to prevent the artificial fish from being sucked into the intake of the whirlpool pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: George Butler
  • Patent number: 4686784
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Graham Smithies
  • Patent number: 4490931
    Abstract: Biological material, such as a natural plant, is displayed within a transparent casing containing a preserving liquid which may consist at least partially of isopropyl alcohol. The material is attached either to a float or to a swivel anchor or to both so that, regardless of its weight, it is controllably suspended submerged in the liquid. The material is connected to the float or anchor, preferably by plastic threads substantially invisible in the liquid. The liquid in the casing is caused to move so that the biological material will rotate and afford a noticeable and aesthetic display. Music in conjunction with the rotation of the biological material may also be provided, as well as a light source for illuminating the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph D. Fleemin
  • Patent number: 4332096
    Abstract: A gravity flow display device which is usable for selectively and alternatingly exhibiting two different but conceptually related displays. The device has two thin transparent walled half-hourglass compartments through which displays at their rears are visible. The device further contains non-transparent particulate matter which is capable of flowing from compartment to compartment in response to gravitational force and which is of a sufficient quantity to almost completely fill only whichever of said compartments contains it. When said non-transparent particulate matter is contained within one of the two transparent compartments, the display attached to said compartment is blocked from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: The Michael Kohner Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Kohner, Frank Kohner
  • Patent number: 4215500
    Abstract: A display device for creating amusing visual effects from the motion of beads of expanded polystyrene or similar materials in a stream of flowing air, accompanied by the audible effects attendant thereto. An air flow is introduced into the bottom of a vertical, transparent column into which has been placed a plurality of beads sufficiently small to be floated by the stream of air. The top and bottom openings of the vertical column are closed by wire screens to contain the beads while allowing air to pass. Colored lights may be employed to illuminate the top and bottom regions of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Inventor: Gordon Sharp