Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for providing radiant heat for a small area. The invention provides the desired warmth, in a small, portable pod that does not produce gaseous odors or unwanted sounds, providing a safe, effective alternative to traditional space heaters.

Abstract: A device comprising a floating body/s that creates a meniscus that is either concave or convex in a liquid surface along a perimeter of the floating body/s, and a blade/s that are connected to the floating body/s which can change the direction of a flow of fluid, where there is another meniscus on the liquid surface that is curved in an opposing direction of the first meniscus so the second meniscus is able to repel the floating object from the first meniscus. If the first meniscus created by the floating body/s is convex, then the opposing meniscus on the liquid surface is concave, or if the first meniscus is concave, then the opposing meniscus is convex. Thus, embodiments can create various movements when fluid flow interacts with the blade/s, yet be repelled from areas on the liquid surface. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: Various components for artificial candles and other lighting devices are described that can be used to create a realistic flame effect in the devices. The devices include a flame element that extends upwardly from a housing. A light source can be disposed with respect to the flame element such that the flame element is illuminated. A variety of drive mechanisms could be disposed within the body of the device that can cause movement of the flame element with respect to the housing. The flame element can be coupled to a housing or mounting bracket of the device using various components to suspend the flame element within the housing.

Abstract: A festive atmosphere decorative lighting device which includes a lamp base, an LED bulb set inside the lamp base and an electrical switch for the bulb. A spinning assembly housed in the lamp base has an output shaft which is connected to an inner cover for spinning the inner cover. The inner cover fits over the LED bulb and has a cutout pattern of holes. The lamp base is also fitted with a transparent lamp shade which is superimposed above the inner cover. When the LED bulb is switched on and the spinning configuration spins the inner cover, light emitted by the LED bulb passes through the holes in the inner cover and presents a flowing vivid silhouette, as observed by a viewer.

Abstract: The visual alert for placement on free-range animals includes active and/or passive lighting to alert motor vehicle drivers of such animals crossing the roadway when traveling through open rangeland. The visual alert is a sleeve having fins extending radially therefrom, the fins having reflective and/or active lighting elements thereon. Power for active lighting is provided by electrical batteries that are recharged during daylight. The permanently installed sleeve may be formed as a circumferentially closed distensible unit that passes over the hoof of the animal, or as an open sheet that is rolled about the leg of the animal and permanently secured by plastic ties or other suitable elements. The sleeve is lined with a non-abrasive material to preclude injury to the animal during long term wear.

Abstract: To provide protection to the wiring of a light source provided on a ring member which is movably attached to a display screen of a display device, a plurality of connector is arranged on a connecting member where an end of a FPC wiring, which supplies electricity to a light source provided on the ring member and an end of a FFC wiring are connected to, and together with the connecting member a cover is connected to a moving member which has a covering board provided with a fixing pieces which fixes the end of each FPC and FFC wiring to the connecting board.

Abstract: An image projecting candle apparatus which is constructed of a generally elongated cylindrical body with a candle positioned therein and an annular display unit mounted on a top rim of the cylindrical body with colored transparent film mounted in the display unit and for turning by heated air rising out of the cylindrical body such that a team color of a person's favorite sports team can be projected either on the ceiling or on a wall.

Abstract: A display device includes an ultraviolet light source, a color light source, and a filter selectively hit by their lights. The filter has a first area part for displaying the first display contents excluding an overlapped parts when the ultraviolet light is emitted, a second area part for the second display contents excluding the overlapped parts when the color light is emitted, and a third display part for displaying the overlapped parts when one of the ultraviolet and color light is emitted. The first area part blocks the color light and produces visible light when the ultraviolet light hits the first area part, the second area part allows the ultraviolet and color lights to pass therethrough, and the third area part allows the ultraviolet and color lights to pass therethrough and produces the visible light when the ultraviolet light hits the third area part.

Abstract: A picture frame which contains a base member and a frame member that is pervious to light. The base member has a top opening exposing an internal space inside. A driving motor and at least a light generating element are housed inside the internal space of the base member. The frame member has a channel circling a window area which is filled with a fluid dispersed with spangles. The driving motor turns a magnetic element, which in turn drives a magnetically driven element with vanes inside the channel. The vanes propel the fluid and the spangles in the fluid to circle along the channel. The floating and moving spangles around the photo or picture in the window area, together with the light produced by the light generating element, therefore produce an appealing visual effect.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an inflatable display that has a plurality of inflation modules. The modules are inflated by a fan element. More specifically, a first inflation module is formed from a permeable material and configured to represent a predetermined shape or design when inflated, such as a snowman, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Uncle Sam or another seasonal or holiday character. The first inflation module is surrounded by a non-permeable material creating an enclosure around the first inflation module and forming a second inflation module. The first inflation module is formed with at least one exhaust port in its base, which has two purposes. First, the exhaust port acts to inflate the second inflation module.

Abstract: An electric fireplace having a fire simulating assembly is provided. The fire simulating assembly includes a semitransparent light filter screen, a mirror glass wall and a dynamic light source. The dynamic light source includes fixed light source and a photic cover composed with many rotating centrifugal blades. There are many photic apertures in flame shape. The centrifugal blades rotate around a center of the light source. There are clearances between the centrifugal blades causing light to reflect through the centrifugal blades. The electric fireplace achieves a natural effect of vivid, rising and leaping simulated flame.

Abstract: A backlit sign with an LED module, with a housing that includes a top wall having a first length, a bottom wall having a second length, and a pair of opposing sidewalls each having a third length, wherein at least a portion of one of the sidewalls is translucent. One or more LED modules are mounted to the top wall and include a plurality of LEDs for producing light. The first, second and third lengths are selected to maximize illumination of the sidewalls by the produced light, and to minimize a width and weight of the sign. A mirror can be used to increase the reflectivity of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A visual display including a container, liquidous fluid within the container, a source of gaseous fluid communicating with the liquidous fluid, and at least one binary bubble formed within the liquidous fluid in response to gaseous fluid entering the liquidous fluid. The liquidous fluid is preferably a polymer in water solution or a polymer in mineral oil or silicon oil solution. The binary bubble has two bulbous portions in fluid communication with each other through a neck. The binary bubbles may link together in a chain extending from the bottom of the container to the top of the liquidous fluid. In other constructions, the binary bubbles float up through the liquidous fluid and collapse into a large individual bubble. The display may also include a light emitting source and a filter for selectively changing the color of light emitted into the container.

Abstract: A candle structure comprises a fan, wherein the heated air generated by a candle may propel the fan. The candle is housed in a container having a bottom wall and a side wall. The side wall is formed with vents located above the candle so that adequate air needed to permit the candle to combust can be drawn through the vent, thereby to enhance propulsion of the fan. The fan serves to impart a new functional and aesthetically pleasing characteristic to the basic candle structure by distributing the heat and the scent generated by the candle, while concurrently rotating decorative elements.

Abstract: A candle structure comprises a fan, wherein the heated air generated by a candle may propel the fan. The candle is housed in a container having a bottom wall and a side wall. The side wall is formed with vents located above the candle so that adequate air needed to permit the candle to combust can be drawn through the vent, thereby to enhance propulsion of the fan. The fan serves to impart a new functional and aesthetically pleasing characteristic to the basic candle structure by distributing the heat and the scent generated by the candle, while concurrently rotating decorative elements.

Abstract: A visual display including a container, liquidous fluid within the container, a source of gaseous fluid communicating with the liquidous fluid, and at least one binary bubble formed within the liquidous fluid in response to gaseous fluid entering the liquidous fluid. The liquidous fluid is preferably a polymer in water solution or a polymer in mineral oil or silicon oil solution. The binary bubble has two bulbous portions in fluid communication with each other through a neck. The binary bubbles may link together in a chain extending from the bottom of the container to the top of the liquidous fluid. In other constructions, the binary bubbles float up through the liquidous fluid and collapse into a large individual bubble. The display may also include a light emitting source and a filter for selectively changing the color of light emitted into the container.

Abstract: An advertisement stand includes a transparent hollow member mounted on a hollow base, and confining a water-tight inner space filled with a liquid body. The hollow member has a surrounding wall adapted to be printed with an advertisement thereon. An air pump is mounted in the base and is operable so as to supply fine air bubbles into the liquid body via a diffuser set which is mounted on a bottom end of the hollow member. A lamp set is mounted on the base and is disposed beneath the hollow member. The lamp set is operable so as to radiate light that extends through the bottom end of the hollow member. The lamp set includes a first lamp unit disposed adjacent to the surrounding wall, and a second lamp unit surrounded by the first lamp unit.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a decorative member disposed on a plate, one or more light devices may be used for lighting the decorative member, and a fan device may be used to blow the decorative member and to oscillate or fluctuate the decorative member for generating the other decorative effects. One or more sockets are secured to the plate with brackets for plugging the light devices. The plate includes a housing having one or more air passages formed between the fan device and the decorative member for allowing the air stream to flow toward the decorative member.

Abstract: The present device relates to an advertising device which simulates the bubbling formed in a glass container containing a sparkling beverage. The device comprises a transparent container in the shape of a glass with a lid thereon, the container having a hydro-alcoholic solution in the color of the product to be advertised. To create the bubbles, a closed circuit inert gas system (such as nitrogen) having a compressor, a check valve and a cyclone separator for separating the gas from an entrapped liquid is provided. The system has a first tube with a bubblier attached thereto for injecting micro-bubbles into the container, a second tube for capturing the inert gas at the surface of the liquid in the container, and a third tube for returning the liquid sprayed by the gas back into the container liquid. A panel is preferably provided on which the container is positioned, wherein a back-lighting device and intermittent lights that flash at a rate controlled by a timer can be provided to illuminate the device.

Abstract: A fluid-filled light apparatus comprises a two-tube transparent container which provides light and produces distinct visual effects. The two-tube transparent container comprises an inner transparent tube suspended within an outer transparent tube. First terminal ends of each of the transparent tubes is sealed by a transparent tube cap which suspends the inner transparent tube within the outer transparent tube. A second terminal end of the outer transparent tube attaches the transparent tubes as one assembly to a base member. Each transparent tube holds liquid and decorative objects. The base member includes a motor, a power supply and an illuminating unit.

Abstract: The present invention of a Bubbling Liquid Display includes a variable-pressure air source which injects air into a liquid within a panel at variable flow rates into an number of individual chambers to create a unique bubbling pattern for each chamber which includes large bubbles which move upwards within the fluid in the display, and smaller bubbles which move downwards within the fluid in the display. The display may be drained a single chamber at a time, eliminating the need to completely drain the display for maintenance, and also is substantially leak-proof, despite being tipped or knocked over. The display incorporates a fluid which resists evaporation, corrosion, and algae formation, despite being constantly bubbled or exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat, and which may be effectively recirculated through the display. The display is also adaptable to retrofit vending machines, as well as a variety of other useful items, such as point-of-purchase displays and wall-hangings.

Abstract: This invention discloses a lamp shade assembly including a lamp shade, a plurality of vanes attached to the lamp shade, a pivot about which the lamp shade rotates, and a candle assembly located below said plurality of vanes, the candle assembly comprising a plurality of wicks with substantially different burning lives, the candle assembly when burning causing warmed air to rise and impinge upon the plurality of vanes, thereby causing rotation of the lamp shade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lamp stand which mainly includes a clear and closed tubular container as its main body. A rotational shaft with blades is mounted in the tubular container and can be driven by magnetic rotational members to rotate and stir liquid contained in the container, so that currents looking like flowing cloud or floating mists are presented in the container forming the lamp stand, providing changeful and beautiful view.

Abstract: A spinning ornamental incandescent bulb cover has a shade portion and a spinning turbine vane portion formed from a single flat sheet of flexible material. Convective air currents, generated by the heat of the bulb, are passed over the turbine vanes to rotate the entire shade. No internal or external support frame structure is required for the shade or the turbine vanes. The turbine vanes meet at a common central point at which there is located a downwardly directed needle which rides in a bearing to allow rotation. The bearing is provided by a small cup held by a spring which engages the bulb. The needle point support also provides for automatic vertical alignment of the shade regardless of the orientation of the needle. The overall shape of the shade is frustoconical so as to converge the convective air currents and increase their velocity relative to the turbine vanes. The turbine vanes have a varying angle of attack in the radial direction for increased efficiency.

Abstract: A lamp shade mounted on a lamp and rotatable thereon. A shade having a conical shape is supported on the lamp on a support member. The shade and the support member have cooperative bearing members to facilitate the free rotation of the shade. Slits are provided in the lamp shade surface that permit the projection of a portion of the lamp shade material from the defined conical surface of the shade to define unidirectional vanes. Air warmed by the bulb of the lamp when lit rises within the conical shape of the shade and exits through the slits and imparts a force on the vanes to cause the lamp shade to rotate. The support member for the shade is removably mounted to the lamp to facilitate transferring the support member and thus the shade from lamp to lamp. One support member is arranged to be removably clamped to the socket of the lamp and an alternative support is removably mounted to the bulb installed in the lamp.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for rotationally controlling a circular structure, such as a dome, from the outer circumference of the dome. The system uses an air driven motor having a circular fixed section and a movable section. The movable section is attached to the rim of the dome and is supported by pressurized air over the fixed section. Air, or other fluid, is used to drive the movable section, and hence the dome, around the circle. The dome speed is controlled by air pressure and the position of the dome is monitored.

Abstract: Dynamic fountain displays and methods of creating the same for providing water displays wnich may substantially constantly vary in interesting and seemingly endless ways. In one form, the fountains are comprised of a matrix of fountain nozzles positioned below a deck formed with open joint paving so as to be useable as a patio or walkway when the fountain is not used. Each nozzle is connected to a source of water under pressure through a proportional control system for that nozzle responsive to a computer output so that each nozzle may be independently and proportionally controlled by the computer as desired. To facilitate the programming of the settings for a large array of nozzles, a plurality such as 256 individual patterns for the array of nozzles are first mutually programmed.

Abstract: A multiple lamp shade system for a light bulb in which one of the lamp shades is rotatable and powered by heat given off by the light bulb. A multiply apertured base is held against a light bulb socket by surface contact with the light bulb. A light transmissible stationary inner lamp shade is attached at one end to the base. The other end of the inner lamp shade is partially occluded by a thrust plate on which is located an axially positioned upstanding pointed member. A peripheral annular gap is provided between the wall of the inner lamp shade and the thrust plate. A light transmissible rotatable lamp shade is co-axially mounted over the inner lamp shade and is bearingly supported via a bearing plate, at one end on the upstanding pointed member. A plurality of air vent chutes are annularly arranged adjacent the bearing plate. In operation, the light bulb heats the air within the lamp shades, causing an air convection current which upwells within the lamp shades.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative lamp for displaying three dimensional works of art, photographs, and the like. A frustoconical lampshade formed from a non-translucent material has an opening cut from it to provide a viewing aperture. A first translucent panel having an art motif or other suitable design on it is affixed to the inside of the lampshade and covers the opening. The curvature of the first panel corresponds to the curvature of the lampshade. Additional translucent panels containing artwork complimenting that on the first panel are mounted concentrically within the lampshade at predetermined distances apart from the first panel to create a three dimensional effect. The inner panels are configured in a frustoconical shape to conform to the general configuration of a standard lampshade.

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.

Abstract: A display assembly is provided which most desirably comprises a lamp mobile having a base, a d.c. motor mounted within the base with a shaft extending outwardly from it, and the mobile mounted to the shaft. The interconnection between the mobile and the shaft can be a curved distal end of the shaft engaging an abutment surface of a similar radius of curvature formed within a body member of the mobile, with the shaft loosely received by the mobile, so that the mobile will rotate at a slower speed than the shaft. The base is screw-threaded onto the top of a cylindrical projection from a lamp harp, and a solar cell which powers the d.c. motor is also mounted to the lamp so that it receives light from the lamp light bulb. A pair of planar portions, one received by the lamp socket and the other mounting the solar cell, and interconnected by a hinge, may be utilized to properly position the cell to receive light from the lamp.

Abstract: A day-night picture achieves a realistic reproduction of the twinkling of distant city lights or the like, by backlighting small apertures in the picture with a fine, randomly moving reflection pattern obtained by suspending pieces of crumpled reflective foil from fine threads behind the picture above a light source whose heat creates convection currents which slowly move the foil pieces in a random manner.

Abstract: A device for keeping a golf score comprises two flat panels fastened to provide a space in between. The first face is equipped with nine horizontal slots, numbered 1 to 9 and the second face an equal number of slots numbered 10 to 18 representing the holes on a golf course. Indicating runners or slides operate in these slots which are equipped with stops providing spaces and numbers from 0 to 10 for each slot representing the number of strokes per hole. Indicating slots are of novel construction so as to be easily moveable and yet may be readily arrested and held in place opposite the number corresponding to the strokes taken by the player. Numbered wheels are provided for totalizing the score as the game progresses.

Abstract: A multi-colored illuminated display device whereby colors are constantly changing due to small variations of temperature in the air moving about a contoured sheet of encapsulated cholesteric phase liquid crystal-coated polymeric film situated in a clear, colorless chimney. The rear interior surface of the chimney is coated to prevent the transmission of light therethrough, thus enhancing the reflected colors on the viewing faces. A source of heat and light such as a light bulb is used at the base. The heat rises by convection assisted by louvres or a small low speed fan may be installed. Many colorful designs may be achieved by varying the shape of the liquid crystal sheel and the range of heat temperatures used.