Patents by Inventor Ted S. Shapiro

Ted S. Shapiro has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5795630
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illusion device for amusement and entertainment purposes. The invention is more specifically suited to an illusion device which seems to the observer to produce a shimmering bubble floating in free space with no visible means of support or motivation. The invention includes novel sculptural cage design of commercially available silver diffraction grating MYLAR and a novel arrangement for electrically rotating it within a sealed transparent case for the purpose of creating the illusion of a floating transparent bubble which changes in shape and scintillates with color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Ted S. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5547718
    Abstract: A novelty illusion device producing an illusion of a shimmering floating bubble having a transparent case, an illusion object disposed within the case, an electric motor for producing rotational force, a power circuit and power source for driving the motor, and a drive shaft for transferring rotational force from the motor to the illusion object. The drive shaft is rendered virtually invisible to an observer when the drive shaft is rotating by concealing the shaft within a groove formed in the casing. The illusion object is made of a plurality of mylar strips joined at both ends to form a cage structure. Additional circuits are included to vary the movement of the illusion periodically and in response to detected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Ted S. Shapiro