Including Particles Loosely Housed For Agitation Patents (Class 359/617)
  • Patent number: 11202966
    Abstract: A sculpture device has a base, a figurine, a control element, a cover, and a device attachment clip. The control element has a magnetic mechanism for moving the figurine along an upper surface of the base in correspondence with movement of the control element along a lower surface of the base. The cover is coupled to the base and encloses a device interior of the sculpture device. The device attachment clip is coupled to the cover and has a through-hole or a sculpture lens. The device attachment clip removably attaches the sculpture device to an electronic device in a manner such that the through-hole or the sculpture lens is aligned with a camera lens of the electronic device allowing an operator to view the figurine and the device interior on a display screen of the electronic device when the camera is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Perry C. Faanes
  • Patent number: 10606088
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope has an inside scaffold that allows the kaleidoscope to be used as both a toy and packaging for merchandise. The kaleidoscope preferably has a body with a chamber at one end that includes freely movable ornaments. A cap having an eyehole is configured to matingly close the body. Inside the body, three or more reflective surfaces are positioned at an angle to each other to form a polygon. The scaffold is disposed in the body, surrounded by the reflective surfaces, and has a cross-sectional shape sized and dimensioned to prevent the scaffold from moving or rotating relative to the reflective surfaces. Preferably, the scaffold has a polygonal cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the polygon formed by the reflective surfaces. A product (e.g., a lipstick) can be stored inside the scaffold without being able to move freely inside the kaleidoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: En Ke
  • Patent number: 8584386
    Abstract: An illuminating electronic gift or souvenir device a case in the shape of a small telescope, binocular or monocular and an internal electronic circuit including a type of integrated circuit and luminescent elements such as LEDs or similar lights which cause, upon actuating a switch on the outside, multiple and diverse lighting effects that lead to a visual effect that simulates a starry sky or galaxies in motion, inspiring the imagination of the user of the device. The circuit can be programmed to present lighting effects in its interior that are static or changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jose Daniel Martin Catoira
  • Patent number: 8469526
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope has a main body, a tubular cover and an object cell. The tubular cover is rotatably connected with an end of the main body. The object cell is securely mounted in the tubular cover and has a scrap box, a background box, multiple scraps, multiple colored beads, a strip unit and a background. The scraps and the colored beads are movably mounted or disposed in the scrap box. The strip unit is mounted in the scrap box. The background is mounted in the background box. Movements of and between the moveable scraps and colored beads create color combinations and patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Tung-Kuei Chung
  • Patent number: 8303123
    Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D viewer used in conjunction with a portable computing device displaying a pair of stereoscopically complementary images. In an improved stereoscopic 3D viewer, the pair of stereoscopically complementary images enter the and right eyes of the user along substantially parallel paths, to eliminate or substantially reduce the need for the user to cross his or her eyes and to improve focus and sharpness of the images. In additional embodiments of the improved stereoscopic 3D viewer, baffles are provided to block the extraneous direct view of the pair of stereoscopically complementary images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Kory
  • Patent number: 8157380
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Patricia L. Peffer, George B. Waites
  • Patent number: 8122626
    Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 8051590
    Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 8046941
    Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Publication number: 20110228388
    Abstract: A binocular kaleidoscope for the purpose of combining the field of repeating patterns associated with kaleidoscopes with stereopsis. A mirror chamber with an object window at the distal end and viewing lenses at the proximal end is utilized, which provides stereopsis covering the entire visual field of both the source material and its reflections. Real depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing physical material such as beads or liquids contained in one or more stacked transparent compartments as the source imagery. Virtual depth is provided in an embodiment utilizing stereoscopic video as the source imagery, in which case a mirrored divider bisects the mirror chamber. The video can be either be previously produced footage or generated in real time by software which can be interactively manipulated by the user in order to change programs or such parameters as color, motion and timing. A handheld device can be used to display the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Kory
  • Patent number: 8004760
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to rear-projection image display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a projector for projecting an image and a screen configured to display the image. The screen comprises a filter layer having a light reception side and an image display side. The filter layer includes an array of trapezoidal transmissive elements and an array of trapezoidal absorption elements, where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal transmissive elements faces the light reception side of the filter layer, and where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal absorption elements faces the image display side of the filer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Liu, Prafulla Masalkar, Karlton Powell
  • Patent number: 8002413
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Patent number: 7992331
    Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 7900384
    Abstract: An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 7581835
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Brian W. Walker
  • Patent number: 7370971
    Abstract: A wall mounted kaleidoscope is suitable for mounting within an opening passing through a wall, ceiling or other building structure to provide a visually attractive kaleidoscope display to a viewer within the building interior. A kaleidoscope housing extends through the wall opening and is mountable to the wall. A kaleidoscope mirror structure is mounted within the housing and includes three generally triangular mirrors arranged in the shape of a triangulated pyramid, with its base facing the viewer. A rotatable drum associated with the mirror holds loose articles for generating a kaleidoscope display; the drum may be rotated by an electric motor or manually. The light source may consist of artificial illumination and/or a light-transmitting cover which protects the structure from the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Patricia L. Peffer, George B. Waites
  • Patent number: 7207682
    Abstract: A portable kaleidoscope device for viewing kaleidoscopic images of at least one imaging object is provided with a viewing assembly for viewing the imaging object, a fill chamber assembly, a main body connecting said viewing assembly to said fill chamber assembly, and illumination source or black light-generating illumination source disposed in the device for illuminating the imaging object with light of a selected wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Stephens
  • Patent number: 7101046
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Keiji Hattori, Taeko Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040246585
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope is disclosed, which comprises a tubular casing extending longitudinally and having an observation window or peephole on its rear end, a closed box on its front end, and a mirror system inside it, wherein the closed box has its opposite ends closed by respective light transmitting elements, and contains lots objects or chips of colored glass or like that can be moving around inside the closed box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20040114249
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal projector including a plurality of liquid crystal panels (1) for modulating a plurality of color lights respectively, a prism (2) for compositing thus modulated plural color lights to generate a color image, and an optical system for magnifying and projecting thus generated color image, wherein the liquid crystal panels (1) are directly adhered to metal hold plates (3), and the metal hold plates (3) are fixed to the prism (2) such that the emergent surfaces of the liquid crystal panels (1) face the incident surfaces of the prism (2). The liquid crystal panels (1) have glass sheets (7) having thermal conductivity fixed to the incident surfaces thereof. Radiation fins (8) are fixed to the prism (2) with the metal hold plates (3) and the glass sheets (7) having thermal conductivity brought into contact with the fins (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Shizuo Nishihara, Yosufumi Akaike, Michio Nagaya, Naoko Uno
  • Publication number: 20030076597
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope includes a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion includes a tubular body inside which a prism is arranged. The tubular body has opposite ends to which an eyepiece and a lens device are respectively attached. The movable portion includes a support rod having a first section rotatably mounted to the stationary portion and a second section to which a transparent container is rotatably attached. The container defines an interior space divided into a number of isolated compartments by partition plates fixed inside the container for receiving and containing small objects of different sizes, shapes and colors and liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Chia Hui Chang
  • Patent number: 6461216
    Abstract: A toy device (10) is provided having a housing (11) having a top viewing side (12) and a bottom side (13). The housing (11) has a cavity (15) therein having an annular array of light reflecting surfaces (16). Mounted concentrically within the annular array of light reflecting surfaces is a rotatable sphere (18) having a decorative pattern thereon. The housing cavity (15) has an opening (19) extending from the bottom side (13) sized and shaped to allow a portion of the sphere (18) to extend past the housing bottom side (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: John T. Applewhite, Steve Chininis, Jose Longoria
  • Patent number: 6332686
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope which is characterized in that it comprises a hollow box (10) having peep holes (12 and 13) in one of its side walls, polygonal hollow cylinders (31A and 31B) each of which has 1st and 2nd end surfaces, whose inner surfaces are mirror surfaces and which are so provided inside hollow box (10) that they correspond to the peep holes (12 and 13) and the 1st end surfaces face the peep holes (12 and 13) with lenses (32) therebetween respectively, object cases (33A and 33B) in which objects (350) are housed and which are provided rotatably at positions where their one side walls (333) face the 2nd end surfaces of the polygonal hollow cylinders (31A and 31B), light sources (40) which face the other side walls of the object cases and are provided on the other side wall are formed at positions corresponding to the hollow box (10), a means (35, 36) which is provided in the hollow box (10) and gives rotary motions to the object cases (33A and 33B), sound sources which are provided in the hollow box (10) an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ochi International KabuShiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuriko Yoda
  • Patent number: 6080067
    Abstract: A curved container structure has an interior curved reflective surface for reflecting varied and distorted images of objects placed therein or within the near focal range of the reflective surface. A rigid curved structure is metalized on the interior or on the exterior of a transparent structure. A reflective flexible disc has a radial slit with the two sides of the slit overlapping and held together by a temporary binder to form an adjustable cone. A protective cover over the reflective surface is transparent when used on the interior of the container. Objects on a holder are inserted into the curved structure through a main viewing opening or an opposite apex opening. A collar on the holder secures a cord for moving objects hanging therefrom. A rod within a tube may adjustably secure a cord therebetween. One or more cords, such as elasticized cords, may be stretched across or dangled into the viewing opening. A cover, with an attached cord for dangling the object, may be placed over the viewing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Herbert L. Leff
  • Patent number: 5984480
    Abstract: In a kaleidoscope having an object chamber containing a fluid and containing a number of objects, the objects are caused to move by setting in motion the fluid within the object chamber, using energy derived from a source mounted on the kaleidoscope. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid in the object chamber is set in motion by a small electrically powered pump that is powered by a battery mounted on the kaleidoscope under control of a microprocessor that relates the operation of the pump to the production of lighting effects and sound effects produced within the kaleidoscope. The apparatus results in a display of persistently moving patterns, even when the object chamber remains stationary, and requires no intervention by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Jaesent Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Y Wong
  • Patent number: 5980043
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Jaesent, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Y. Wong
  • Patent number: 5786938
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope includes a cylindrical barrel having a top open end and an opposite bottom open end and a top cover and a bottom cover, both having a circumferential wall to be force fit onto the top end and the bottom end of the barrel. The top cover has a hollow triangular frame formed on an inside surface thereof. The bottom cover has formed on an inside surface thereof a flake container in the form of a triangle inside which a plurality of colorful and reflective flakes and other small objects are received in a loose and movable manner. A transparent lid is also received within the flake container to confine the flakes inside the container. A recess is thus defined inside the flake container by the opening of the container and the transparent lid. A prism which is received within the barrel and has a first end fit into the triangular frame of the top cover and a second end fit into the recess inside the container of the bottom cover is releasably secured between the top and bottom covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Lung-Hsi Chang
  • Patent number: 5546226
    Abstract: A universally rotatable sphere used with a light projector. The sphere may be transparent, semi-transparent or translucent for passing light therethrough from a light source disposed next to the sphere. Also, the sphere may include images and patterns of different colors on the surface of the sphere or imbedded inside the sphere. The images and patterns may also be transparent, semi-transparent, translucent or opaque. The system may use the rotatable sphere by itself with the light source or in conjunction with a longitudinal conduit having at least two longitudinal reflective surfaces positioned inside the conduit forming a light path. The conduit includes an entrance end and exit end and is used for producing kaleidoscopic images from light entering the entrance end and reflecting off the reflective surfaces. The sphere is placed next to the entrance end of the longitudinal conduit to allow light from a light source to first be passed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Charles E. Herington
  • Patent number: 5469297
    Abstract: As assembled from a kit allowing repeated assembly and at least partial disassembly without damage, a kaleidoscope comprises a tubular barrel having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of elongate reflectors within the barrel, a sleeve mounted rotatably on the barrel, and a case rotatable conjointly with the sleeve. An annular spacer on the barrel and a ring on the sleeve coact to prevent the sleeve from being pulled from the distal end of the barrel. The case has a tubular wall, a transparent end facing the proximal end, and an at least partly transparent end facing oppositely. The case and the sleeve are assembled only with a frictional interfit between the tubular wall and the end portion so as to permit the case, as a unit, and the sleeve to be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventors: Dorothea Marshall, Ethan Allen
  • Patent number: 5191368
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventors: Kevin A. Kalua, Paul A. Nelson, Jr., Paul A. Nelson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5172270
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope utilizing birefringent material in the form of shaped pieces in a liquid with the pieces passing between sheets of polarizing material where the container holding the pieces and liquid is in the form of a tube or tubes, or is flat and elongated, or consists of circular plates held together by a ring, and the container can be inverted or rotated. The shaped pieces will have a higher or lower density than the liquid in which they are immersed, or may be a mixture of both densities and both rise and fall in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Adam Peiperl
  • Patent number: 5131734
    Abstract: A kaleidoscope apparatus comprising an opaque container having an objective end and a viewing end, at least two reflecting surfaces within said container, an opening at the viewing end, and an objective within said objective end, the improvement comprising:A) said objective end being closed to external light, andB) an electric light source within said container and between said viewing end and said objective, said light source disposed so as to illuminate said objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Alan Hausner
  • Patent number: 5132844
    Abstract: A novel type of liquid filled kaleidoscope with a dual housing that offers the experience of viewing first, a multiplicity of brilliant and symmetrical patterns visible through the eyehole of the kaleidoscopic instrument and second, a kinetic decoration visible from a vantage outside the kaleidoscope along its entire length. Both these effects are created by the same suspended particles flowing freely in a liquid which fills not only the object cell, but also the adjoining chamber located between the inner casing and the interior wall of the transparent main cylinder. This design also allows the viewer to systematically increase or decrease the number of particles visible in the mirrors, by raising or lowering the distal end of the kaleidoscope thus allowing particles to flow into or out of the object cell and the adjoining area. An optical illusion that there is no mirror chamber inside the kaleidoscope can also be created by the dispersion of the same particles against the backrop of a reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Evert Sharp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5117307
    Abstract: A device for using TV strobe signals to produce images and which comprises a hollow container with transparent facing sides. This device revolves around an axle through the center of the transparent facing sides. Within the device are loose objects. Holding this device before an operating TV screen and rotating it on the axle, the loose objects within the device interact with strobe signals from the TV to create images. Each time the container is spun, the loose objects, which have fallen into new positions, create new images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Harvey S. Bostock
  • Patent number: 5094525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projecting kaleidoscopic system for viewing kaleidoscopic images on a screen external of a conventional kaleidoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventors: Paul A. Nelson, Jr., Paul A. Nelson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5054865
    Abstract: A multi-ocular kaleidoscope comprised of two transparent, semi-spherical shells connected into a transparent, spherical shell for containing transparent liquid and colored bits of glass or plastic. The two semi-spherical shells have each an internally threaded circular projection on its outer wall at the center and five internally and externally threaded semi-circular projections around its edge. Seven circular projections are thus formed on the outer wall, after the two semi-spherical shells are connected into a spherical shell, respectively for mounting seven pieces of visual tubes which have each three mirrors fastened therein and connected in a triangular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Stanley Huang