Abstract: Flameless candles are described that improve the mounts used to support the flame sheet. The improved mounts can include a support base or a hook for movably supporting a flame sheet. The enhanced mounts improve the manufacturing of the assembly of the flameless candle and also enable the flame element to have a more natural flame-like flicker of light.

Abstract: A reflective bird deterrent, having a base, a center post attached to and extending up from the base, and first and second spinner assemblies having a plurality of fins rotatably attached to the center post. The plurality of fins on the first spinner are angled such that they spin in the opposite direction of the plurality of fins on the second spinner, and the plurality of fins on the first spinner and the plurality of fins on the second spinner are reflective.

Abstract: A sign system snaps for displaying informational or warning information to passing motorists or pedestrians is designed to be snapped on and interferingly engaged with the top end of a traffic marker or cone.

Abstract: A rotor (10) for power driving includes a hub (12), a plurality of fixed jibs (14), and a plurality of vanes (16). The hub (12) is adapted to be coupled with a mechanical shaft (24) which is driven by winds, water flows or tides as driving sources. The fixed jibs (14) are arranged around the hub (12) circumferentially and spaced from one another. Each fixed jib (14) extends in a radial direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft (24). Each vane (16) is elastically fixed at one of the fixed jibs (14) such that the vanes (16) on which external forces act are elastically movable relative to the fixed jibs (14) and rebound after removal of the external forces.

Abstract: A portable signaling device and method of use in which an elongated reflected strip with a broad and flat profile is held taut in air so that the elongated reflective strip freely twists and rotates along a line formed between a first and a second attachment point of the composite strip when a breeze contacts the broad and flat profile to create a visual signaling display as a result of twisting and rotation of the elongated reflective strip in which the elongated reflected strip is twisted at least once through one hundred and eighty degrees so that a first planar surface and a second planar surface of the elongate reflected strip are visible from a single vantage point.

Abstract: A sign post and sign system comprising a base may be connected to a vertical post. A four-way connector may attach horizontal stems to the vertical post. Rotatable or non-rotatable fasteners may be positioned on the upper or lower side of the horizontal stems. Rotatable fasteners may be connected to the horizontal stems to support rotation of a connected sign in an axis parallel to the horizontal stems. A one piece or two-piece cap design may be connected to the four-way connector. Lights, wiring, batteries, and/or a solar panel may be integrated into the sign system. A sign may be attached between the vertical post and the horizontal post to support rotation of the connected sign in an axis parallel to the vertical post. Rotatable fasteners may be connected to the horizontal stems to support rotation of a connected sign in an axis parallel to the horizontal stems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor which uses a hydrostatic force to generate a torque which repeats cyclically owing to a displacement of the center of gravity of a cyclic unit. Float bodies (116) are subjected to a buoyant force in a fluid (134), which buoyant force causes an upward movement (146) of the float bodies and drives these into an upper position. The upward movement drives a drive element. The upward movement furthermore causes air to be forced from upper segments (102a, 102d) of a deformable element (100) into lower segments (102b, 102c), and as a result the center of gravity of the cyclic units which comprise the float bodies (116) and the deformable element (100) is raised above an axis of rotation (106). When the float bodies (116) have passed into the upper position thereof, said elevated center of gravity position permits a rotation of the cyclic units into the initial position thereof.

Abstract: A vessel mounted multi-directional signal assembly includes a multi-directional signal display assembly comprising a plurality of signal display panels. Each of the plurality of signal display panels comprising at least one display surface, and a plurality of signal indicia are affixed onto different ones of each of the plurality of display surfaces. A signal support assembly is provided such that the multi-directional signal display assembly is disposable into a deployed orientation about the signal support member. A vessel mount assembly is operatively interconnected to the signal support assembly and comprises a mount member to facilitate deployment of the multi-directional signal display assembly on the vessel.

Abstract: Rotatable bird deterrent devices are provided. Contemplated devices comprise at least one rotatable arm having a sail. In some embodiments, the sail has a length that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the arm. At least one stop can be provided, for example, via an end-piece, and the stop can act to block rotation of the sail.

Abstract: A diverter for diverting birds away from overhead lines includes a plastic plate substrate having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is narrower than the lower portion such that a center of gravity is lower. The substrate includes a central portion and triangular-shaped left and right edge portions. The triangular portions are narrow to wide from top to bottom. The central portion includes an opening at an upper portion thereof for attachment to a ring. The central portion includes front and rear flat surfaces each having an upper area and a lower area. One of the front flat surface upper and lower areas includes a first fluorescent retroreflective sheet. One of the rear flat surface upper and lower areas includes a second fluorescent retroreflective sheet. The first and second fluorescent retroreflective sheets having respective contrasting colors.

Abstract: A rotating adapter attaches a secondary sign to a primary sign. A first insert component includes an extended tine and a second insert component also has an extended tine. The second insert component may also include a shaft sleeve. A connection shaft is coupled to the first insert component, and is configured to insert within the shaft sleeve of the second insert component and defines an axis about which the second insert component may rotate. The extended tines of the first insert component fixedly couple with the primary sign and the extended tines of the second insert component fixedly couple with the secondary sign.

Abstract: A functional rotor, desirably but not necessarily a Savonius, helical, or other vertical axis wind turbine rotor, has other functions in addition to driving a useful driven mechanism (such as an electricity or hydrogen generator, pump, etc.). The rotor has exterior rotating surface areas and at least one of design, aesthetic, holographic, reflective, and informational elements on those areas that create the illusion of movement distinct from the rotation of the rotor itself. The elements may be substantially vertical holographic material or reflective material stripes alternating with non-holographic or non-reflective stripes, or at least one of design and aesthetic elements disposed to create a spiral movement illusion. The elements may be selected and positioned so that a message or design is completed in the viewer's eye only upon rotation of the surface areas. The rotor may simulate a praxinoscope, phenakistascope, or zoetrope.

Abstract: A swivelable support assembly for angularly adjustably supporting a sign from an overhead support rail. The support assembly comprises an elongated upper wing attachable to the overhead rail. An elongated lower wing is swivelably attached to the upper wing, the sign being secured to the lower wing. The lower wing has a housing with an alignment port therein for facilitating entry of a lift pole therein.

Abstract: An animal decoy is provided that is easy to assemble for field use and easy to transport. The animal decoy has three panels assembled to one another to extend outward at approximately equal angles from a central point. Each panel has a cutout in the body area in which a flexible link suspends a tail to be freely moved by a breeze. The panels are assembled by resilient straps to be folded for transport and storage and quickly unfolded for field use. A realistic decoy of the rear of an animal is seen when viewed from any angle, with a tail that moves in natural fashion.

Abstract: A self-returning horizontal sign system mounts to an associated structure. The system sign includes an upper rail having front and rear, parallel, spaced apart tracks and a lower rail having front and rear, parallel, spaced apart tracks. A pair of panels extend between and span the upper and lower rails. Each panel has a carrier assembly mounted to an upper region thereof for cooperation with a respective front or rear track of the upper rail. The carrier assemblies have at least two rollers that are carried in the upper rail. The panels each move between an open position and a closed position. A closure formed as a pull box is associated each panel and includes a spool having a cable wrapped around it. The spool is rotatable to retract and extract the cable from about the spool. The closure includes a tension bias element operably connected to the spool to bias the spool to retract the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus conjoinable to a vehicle antenna includes an anchor section formed from STYROFOAM (polystyrene) and provided with a vertically registered sleeve extending along a longitudinal axis. The sleeve extends upwardly from a bottom surface of the anchor and terminates subjacent to a top surface thereof. Coextensively shaped wing sections are conjoinable with the anchor section and equidistantly spaced about an outer surface thereof. A mechanism is included for positioning the apparatus about the vehicle antenna and allows for free rotation thereof in the wind. The apparatus positioning mechanism is disposed within the anchor section and is sized and shaped so that the anchor section can be maintained at a stable position during operating conditions. The apparatus positioning mechanism is formed from non-corrosive material.

Abstract: A kaleidoscopic wind machine for visual entertainment and other uses. The framework of the wind machine includes a vertical mast and a horizontal axle that can swivel about the mast. One or more wheel structures are rotatably attached to the horizontal axle. Each wheel structure includes a rim, a hub, and a plurality of stays extending between and attached to the rim and hub. A plurality of jib sails are attached to each wheel framework in a manner adapted to cause the wheel to rotate about the axle when the wind blows against the sails. A positioning vane is rotatably attached to the downwind end of the axle and is adapted to point the upwind end of the axle into the wind when the wind blows.

Abstract: A traffic sign includes an elongated pole having a top end and a bottom end. The pole is substantially hollow and the top end is open. A panel has a first side, a second side and a peripheral edge. The first side has a first indicia positioned thereon and the second side has a second indicia positioned thereon. A spindle is rotatably mounted in the pole and extends outwardly from the top end of the pole. The spindle is attached to the peripheral edge such that the peripheral edge is positioned generally adjacent to is top end of is pole. A biasing member is positioned in the pole and is mechanically coupled to the spindle for biasing rotation of the spindle in a first direction. A locking assembly selectively locks the panel in and releases the panel from a stationary position. The panel rotates when the locking assembly is released from the stationary position.

Abstract: A novelty comprising a fan member defining an enclosure and having at least one support to the rotably mount a fan which is of lightweight construction and which rotatively moves to fluid impingement thereon such as from air and wherein the fan member is of see through material so that the fan is visible to an observer.

Abstract: A novelty device for mounting on an elongated support member such as a vehicle antenna which comprises a shaft having a hollow portion at a first end to receive the support member, the inner diameter of the hollow portion of said shaft being greater than the greater diameter of the top portion of the support member and smaller than the diameter of the top end of the support member, said shaft having two or more resilient members disposed at a second end thereof. The novelty device includes one or more display members having indicia or an image disposed thereon, which are received with the two or more resilient members and projecting therefrom. The novelty device further includes a bearing insert, which is received with the hollow portion of the shaft, and has a longitudinal channel defined therein for receiving a portion of the elongated support member. The novelty further includes a cap adapted for pressing onto the second end of the shaft to detachably secure the display members to the shaft.

Abstract: The current invention is a wind driven spinning display sign. It has a shape that causes it to spin in wind coming from any direction. This unique shape also allows it to display text and images clearly in 360 degrees of direction while spinning. The device can be a decorative device for automobile antennas, to display colors, personalized messages, images, or advertisements.

Abstract: A decorative wind driven sculpture includes an elongate support member that is mounted to and extends upwardly from the ground. An exterior frame is mounted proximate an upper end of the support and is rotatable about a first axis that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the support member. An interior decorative component is mounted within the frame in a rotatable relative to each the frame and the support member about a second axis that is generally aligned with the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the support member. The exterior frame and the interior decorative component are independently rotated by movement of air about the first and second axes respectively.

Abstract: An array of disks facing a viewing direction is composed of disks rotatable about an axis approximately perpendicular to the viewing direction between alternating orientations where light and dark surfaces are respectively displayed in the viewing direction. There is provided a row of LEDs located forwardly of the array and out of the normal viewing path located to illuminate the disks of said array. Masking means prevents direct illumination from said LED's being visible in the viewing direction. In a further variant the disks' light surfaces contain a fluorescent component and the LEDs are selected to provide radiation including UV spectra.

Abstract: A display structure or a unique book including a plurality of laterally extending page supports each adapted to carry at least a pair of pages in a side-by-side relationship. Each page support has a pair of spaced support pallets and at least one pallet support leg extending between and connected to the spaced support pallets. A rotatably supporting structure is provided for each of the page supports so that when one of the support pallets is rotated, the other of the pair is rotated in tandem therewith. The pallet support legs are coupled to the rotatably supporting structure so that each of the support pallets extend radially outwardly from the rotatably supporting structure.

Abstract: A wind driven sign or advertising display comprising a plurality of generally flat panels each having an inner side edge that is received within a radial recess in a central support member. Each panel is composed of a corrugated plastic material including a pair of outer faces and a plurality of parallel ribs that connect the faces together. Graphics can be applied to one or more of the faces of the panels. The central support member is mounted for rotation with respect to a fixed outer object, so that the sign can be rotated about the mounting by the wind or air currents.

Abstract: A flag/banner display system comprising a generally horizontal, cantilever mounting of a first base strut from which is mounted a pivotal strut array adapted for supporting a flag/banner therefrom. The pivotal strut array is formed in angulated fashion that pivotally moves about the end of the cantilevered base strut to thereby permit economical and aesthetically pleasing flag/banner/signage mountings capable of moving in response to wind loading and facilitating the use of interchangeable flag/banners thereon.

Abstract: A road sign includes: a rotor disk rotatably mounted on a frame having a retroreflective sheet formed on a first surface of the rotor disk capable of reflecting any incident light projecting onto the retroreflective sheet for forming a bright surface of said disk, and a light-absorptive surface formed on a second surface of the rotor disk opposite to the first surface capable of absorbing incoming lights projecting onto the light-absorptive surface for forming a dark surface of the disk, whereby upon a blowing of wind on the rotor disk, the disk will be rotated to subsequently orient the first bright surface frontwardly and then orient the second dark surface frontwardly, thereby causing a flashing operation for serving as an effective road sign.

Abstract: A sailflag, consisting of a light weight frame and a light weight material mounted on it, is interposed between two swivels by means of cable units which run from both sides of the framework of the sailflag to the two swivels. The sailflag is caused to move in the wind around an axis which extends between the two swivels. The points of attachment for the swivels are located on a plane or on a pole.

Abstract: A sign carrying device. A cylindrical base section vertically mounted in a footing has an upper cylindrical section extending upwardly therefrom. A first collar extends radially outwardly between the sections for rotatably receiving a sign carrying support structure. The support structure is formed from two (2) frame members connected together by horizontal supports, one of which is connected to a second collar which is rotatably received on the first collar by providing bearings therebetween. A pulley rotatably mounted in the upper cylindrical section and dual pulleys mounted on a brace extending from the upper cylindrical section have a cable threaded over and therethrough respectively. One end of the cable is rigidly attached to the sign carrying support structure and the other end is attached to a counterweight suspended inside the axially-aligned bores of the cylindrical base section and the upper cylindrical section.

Abstract: A sign carrying device having a rotatable super-structure with panels pivotally mounted therein and which pivot in response to wind pressure applied on their surfaces. A footing has a base section mounted therein which rotatably receives an upper section with the superstructure mounted thereon. Shear pins placed between the upper and base sections prevent rotation of the upper section until a predetermined rotational torque is placed thereon. The superstructure mounted on the upper section has a plurality of panels pivotally mounted thereon with spring hinges which allow deflection of the panels in response to wind pressure on the panel surfaces to allow the wind to pass through the superstructure and reduce the risk of damage to the device. The spring hinges cause the panels to return to their normally closed position when there is little or no wind.

Abstract: A rotatable reflector for bicycles has a timer which intermittently completely halts rotation of the reflector in sequential positions in response to rotation of the reflector but independently of angular movement of a bicycle wheel. The reflector displays a changing colored reflective surface above a stationary housing of a contrasting color. The timer is liquid actuated and can be accurately calibrated by varying the viscosity of the liquid in the timer. Timed display of contrasting colored portions of the reflector attracts the attention of passing motorists by displaying a signal which appears to blink and change colors. The period during which each contrasting color is displayed is constant regardless of the velocity of the bicycle or relative wind velocity.

Abstract: A display stand comprising a generally rectangular frame with an array of individually manually rotatable vertical or horizontal shafts extending between two opposed frame sides. A number of aligned holders for printed sheets mounted on each shaft. The spacing of the shafts being such that they can be rotated without the holders of adjacent shafts coming into contact and without the holders on the end shafts in the array coming into contact with the other sides of the frame. Catch means is provided to position the shafts in anyone of a number of predetermined rotational positions.

Abstract: A Bird Scare comprised of a sheet of aluminium supported by a swivel and having both a twist and turned edges to enable sensitive response to effect rotation in very light rising air as well as rotation on gentle conventional wind and high wind conditions. The sheet material includes domes impressed throughout the material to increase reflective dissipation effect.

Abstract: A convenient and versatile realtor sign system is separable into components which are easily carried in an automobile trunk or back seat compartment. The sign is easily set up at a property site with a desired number of stacked auxiliary sign sections containing various indicia. A convenient low effort driving tool for the ground penetrating main standard of the sign is included. The main sign panel is attachable to the realtor's automobile door through the same apertures which connect the main sign panel to the separable ground-mounted support structure.

Abstract: A rotatable sign adapted to be driven by air currents to provide successively changing indicia to a viewer is disclosed. Indicia formed of light-reflective material and mounted on a dark background is located at different levels on at least two of three side panels of the sign to provide the illusion of a vertically moving sign. The rotatable portion of the sign can be inverted to reverse the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An effective but inexpensive device for scaring pests, such as birds, from an area to be protected is formed from an elongated, vertically extending post; a resilient wire mounted on, and extending from, the upper end of the post; and a pair of large, thin, light weight, highly light reflective discs rotatably suspended from the remote end of the wire in cantilever fashion and responsive to wind forces on the discs in order to provide a random, distracting motion as well as to cast darting light reflections in a random, erratic manner on the area surrounding the post.