Display Device With Free Article Movement Patents (Class 40/409)
  • Patent number: 6880273
    Abstract: A water plug for an ornamental water ball to prevent from leak upon the water being frozen into ice; the water ball has a neck part mounted with a water plug; the water plug includes a flat plate and a buffer cylinder; the buffer cylinder has a round cylinder extended down from the center of the flat plate; the inside of the round cylinder is furnished with a semi-spherical membrane extended upwards; the water filled in the glass balls subject to being frozen into ice in winter; in that case, the ice therein would distend to need more space, and then the buffer space furnished in the buffer cylinder will meet the requirement so as to prevent the water ball from having water leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Lo
  • Patent number: 6848206
    Abstract: There is provided an ornament having liquid therein. The liquid in the device is effectively insulated from the electronic and mechanical structures, and the outside air can not enter into the liquid to cause the liquid to deteriorate or become cloudy, and the liquid in the container can not penetrate into the electronic and mechanical structures in the base to result in electrical and mechanical failures. Furthermore, the provision of the buffer members ensures that no crack will occur in the joint between the enclosure and the base body in cold or hot environment. The enclosure may be optionally transparent or opaque and thus the light source for decoration purposes may be provided in the liquid or in the base as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jianliang Zhao
  • Patent number: 6836986
    Abstract: In an apparatus for displaying a flying object, an air flow is created in a duct by a group of blowers. A holding line is attached to a lightweight flying object, and movement of the lightweight flying object is restricted by the holding line. By making the lightweight flying object fly in the air flow, the lightweight flying object is able to fly even in a small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ootsuta, Toshio Ito, Takeshi Ono
  • Patent number: 6814646
    Abstract: A floating toy is provided which can achieve varied and entertaining movements by means of a simple composition. The floating toy comprises: a liquid container section (11, 12) containing liquid therein; a figure (2) of lower specific gravity than the liquid, accommodated inside the liquid container section; magnetic bodies (31, 32) accommodated movably inside the liquid container section; line members (41, 42) extended between the figure and the magnetic bodies; and electromagnetic mechanisms (51, 52) that act on the magnetic bodies. The magnetic bodies and the figure are caused to move against the buoyancy force of the figure, by passing current through the electromagnetic mechanisms, and are caused to return to their original positions by the buoyancy force of the figure, by releasing the passage of current through the electromagnetic mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Sega Toys, Ltd., Ing 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Atobe, Tomohiko Onishi, Mie Ueda, Shigeru Kanauchi
  • Patent number: 6802142
    Abstract: A display device which provides an entertaining and relaxing visual display while showing the formation of a stretched and moved sheet of a viscoelastic solution. A viscoelastic solution is contained in the bottom chamber of a container and a drawing element is slowly moved into and out of the viscoelastic solution. The drawing element is held above the surface of the viscoelastic solution and a portion of viscoelastic solution which has been drawn up with a drawing element falls slowly off of the drawing element to provide an entertaining and interesting display. Preferably, the drawing element has a horizontal bar which is slowly rotated into and out of the viscoelastic solution providing an ever-changing display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: John Pastorello
  • Publication number: 20040118024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative water ball, which includes a base being provided with a lighting source inside. A sealing cover is placed in the base to connect with bottom end of a transparent ball. Water can be fulfilled in the ball. A lot of lighting fibers are jointed at middle portion of the sealing cover and outer end of each lighting fiber is extended randomly in the transparent ball to emit the light from each outer terminal that obtains a special lighting effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Ho Lei
  • Publication number: 20040093776
    Abstract: An ornamental motion display toy is constructed to include a base, a holder supported on the base to hold a driven member and a display item on the driven member, a transparent container sealed to the holder to hold a liquid, a pressure regulator adapted to control the inside pressure of the container, and a driving mechanism located on the base and adapted to move the driven member and the display item in the liquid inside the transparent container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Yung ching Laun
  • Patent number: 6735892
    Abstract: An ornament with a snowing-scape device including a rotary wheel loaded with water and snow-like flakes. The rotary wheel is mounted in the inner surface of a ring-shaped frame. An outer edge of the rotary wheel is furnished with a gear disc to engage with a transmission assembly so as to drive the rotary wheel to turn the snow-like flakes loaded in the rotary wheel are pushed with the fin plates to a high point, and then the snow-like flakes will fall down slowly to form into a snowing scape to be seen through a transparent window of the ornament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Seagull Decor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lillian Chen
  • Patent number: 6715224
    Abstract: A displaying ornament with rotatable color disc includes a base and a color disc circumferentially rotatably mounted on the base. The color disc includes a plurality of parallelly arranged clear thin plates to provide a closed narrow space between any two adjacent thin plates. Each of the narrow spaces has a differently colored liquid and a small amount of air contained therein, and has a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced air-collecting units formed along an outer peripheral area thereof to catch air bubbles moving upward in the narrow spaces. When the color disc is rotated, air bubbles caught in the air-collecting units are moved from an upper position to a lower position in the color disc and automatically released from the air-collecting units to float and overlap each other in the narrow spaces to show non-uniform shapes, continuously creating dynamic and colorful views in the displaying ornament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Ming-Kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 6697051
    Abstract: An electronic device. A decorative sealed vessel is coupled to the electronic device. The decorative sealed vessel has at least one liquid and a decorative and magnetic structure. The electronic device has a power connection interface used to connect with a computing device for receiving electrical power from the computing device. The electronic device further includes a magnetic generating device for generating a varying magnetic field. The magnetic generating device is positioned around the decorative sealed vessel, so that the varying magnetic field can make the decorative and magnetic structure move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Vincent K. Lee
  • Patent number: 6681508
    Abstract: A device for creating a visual display including a base, a container supported by the base and holding light transmitting liquids, and a light source disposed in the base, a pump mounted to the base and in fluid communication with the container; at least two immiscible liquids disposed in the container, the liquids having different densities; and a control circuit coupled to the pump to provide signals that cause the pump to inject a first one of the at least two immiscible liquids into a second one of the at least two liquids to produce a visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Darian Unger, Adrian Gomez, David Tang, Stacy Bergman, David Iannetta, Lee Knight, Aaron Bilstrom, Renee A. Monteiro
  • Patent number: 6675513
    Abstract: The present invention includes the basic components of traditional liquid ornament, which means an ornamental is in the “water ball”. However, the ornamental in the present invention can achieve the effect of three-dimensional movement. The present invention uses at least one string to connect the ornamental object with two passive magnetic objects (e.g. magnet, iron), so that the ornamental will move accordingly when two passive magnetic objects move. Furthermore, the relative position of two passive magnetic objects is also variable so that the ornamental can achieve the effect of three-dimensional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ho-Hsin Liao
  • Publication number: 20030217491
    Abstract: A transparent article includes a sealed tubular member constructed of a transparent material and having first and second closed ends. The tubular member is substantially filled with a liquid. A plurality of decorative structures, such as plastic fish, are submersed in the liquid, each decorative structure having a predetermined density so as to be loosely suspended at a generally predetermined vertical position within the liquid according to a density of the liquid itself. The transparent article may be used as a bed rail component, mounted to a wheeled base and used as an IV stand, or as a vertical support of a crutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Tamara J. Cappello
  • Patent number: 6651364
    Abstract: A display globe assembly includes a transparent dome defining a cavity in which a scene is disposed and a base supporting the transparent dome. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the cavity of the dome and is rotated by a driving mechanism. An arm is attached to and projects generally radially from a distal end of the shaft within the cavity and engages an ornament disposed on exterior surface of the dome to move it thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mr. Christmas Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Hermanson, Meng-Suen Huang
  • Patent number: 6647650
    Abstract: Promotional apparatus are provided that are configured to demonstrate to patients and others how one or more pharmaceutical products work within the human body (or within other living beings). The promotional apparatus includes a base and a display panel that is movably secured to the base for rotational movement about an axis between a substantially vertical display position and a substantially vertical non-display position. The display panel includes first and second sealed chambers in adjacent relationship. Each chamber includes a respective transparent front wall and a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall. The first sealed chamber is substantially filled with a first translucent fluid and the second sealed chamber is substantially filled with a second translucent fluid. A first set of objects is disposed within the first sealed chamber and are configured to ascend through the translucent fluid (i.e., each object is buoyant) when the display panel is rotated to a display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Adstracts, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda S. Jones, Jason S. Holland
  • Patent number: 6645580
    Abstract: A soft-shelled ornament includes a transparent soft shell being clamped along an annular flange between a hold-down ring and a seat. The hold-down ring and the seat are tightly sealed into an integral unit by way of supersonic welding along two heat-sealing lines correspondingly provided at their contact surfaces. The hold-down ring and the seat are also provided at the contact surfaces radially inside said heat-sealing lines with two corresponding annular recesses for tightly receiving a leak-proof rubber ring therebetween. A flexible rubber plate is connected to the seat to bear against and close an inner end of a fluid inlet provided on the seat, so that a fluid is allowed to flow into but not out of the soft shell via the fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Jui-An Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030140533
    Abstract: A rubber plug for a water ball to prevent from having bubbles, which comprises a plurality of glue plates for gluing an ornament, and then is assembled together with a glass ball in water; the rubber plug has a buffer membrane under the glue plates, and extending downwards; the buffer membrane can provide a buffer space to prevent the water ball from having bubbles upon the water in the water ball being frozen in winter to cause a distension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Seagull Decor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Liang
  • Patent number: 6568108
    Abstract: A liquid decoration container comprises an exhibition part, and a fitting part. The exhibition part is formed by way of blowing a hollow blank to constitute a hollow casing with a desirable shape and the hollow casing extends downward a cylindrical casing with an outer thread section. The fitting part is a base with an upper opening corresponding to the cylindrical casing and the upper opening provides an inner thread section. A ring plate is arranged to extend inward from an inner wall under the upper opening in the fitting part. The liquid is filled in the exhibition part and a doll is selectively fixed to or arranged on the ring plate. The cylindrical casing can engage with the upper opening by way of the outer thread section fastening to the inner thread section and a tight sealing can be performed as soon as a lower rim of the cylindrical casing touches the ring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Yung Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 6564484
    Abstract: A swimming element enjoying system capable of applying an external stimulus to a swimming element moved at a predetermined rhythm, to thereby permit the swimming element to carry out different motion, to thereby provide an observer with a fresh surprise, so that the observer may be soothed or healed. A swimming element made in imitation of an aquatic life and a drive unit for driving the swimming element each are provided with a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet of the drive unit is rotated, to thereby permit an attracting/repulsing action to be carried out between the permanent magnets, leading to random vertical motion of said swimming element. Motion of the swimming element is randomly varied when a sensor detects an external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Takara Co., Ltd, Yukasha Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ikenaga, Noriyuki Inomata
  • Patent number: 6564483
    Abstract: A water ball decoration includes a plug, which has an annular outer wall fitted into a lower end neck-shaped opening of a water-containing ball-shaped part, and an annular inner wall within the outer wall; a bottom is connected to the lower end of the inner wall to define a containing room. The annular inner wall is provided with corrugated surfaces on both the inner and the outer sides which will reduce the effect of the pressure of the inside of the ball part on the outer wall of the plug provided for tight connection with the opening. A hollow cone-shaped part is fitted into the containing room with an upper wider portion thereof being connected to the upper end of the inner wall; a space is provided between the narrower end opening and the bottom of the plug; thus air bubbles can be confined in a space between the outer side of the cone-shaped part and the inner side of the inner wall by means of turning the ball decoration upside down slowly and moving same back to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Shun-Hsi Hsu
  • Patent number: 6508022
    Abstract: A liquid-filled ornament includes a body having a transparent casing having an opening and filled with liquid, a display object in the liquid, and a sealing wall extending across and sealing the opening. The ornament includes a driving mechanism having rotatable magnets and located on an outer side of the sealing wall, and a driven mechanism having rotatable magnets and located on an inner side of the sealing wall and immersed in the liquid. The magnets of the driven mechanism are rotated by the magnets of the driving mechanism through magnetic interaction. The driven mechanism includes a first stationary disc on which the display object is mounted and a second disc supported on the first disc and rotated by the magnetic interaction. A ball bearing is disposed between the two discs. The second disc includes paddles that stir bits of a solid material, resembling snow, dispersing the bits throughout the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kiu Hung International Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jing Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 6502337
    Abstract: A decorative display apparatus which gives unique aesthetic feelings and strong impressions to people. A pair of opposed members are disposed in a spaced and parallel relationship and at least one of the opposed members is transparent or translucent. A surrounding structure for forming an inside space between the pair of opposed members is provided with an air inlet. A plurality of balloons are placed in the inside space. Also provided are an air supply device to generate an air stream in the inside space, and at least one air outlet adjacent the air inlet and/or in a portion of at least one of the opposed members except a peripheral portion thereof. A circling air stream is generated in the inside space, whereby the plurality of balloons are brought into circling movement, which can be observed from outside the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Oriental Sangyo, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ochi
  • Publication number: 20020189142
    Abstract: A display globe assembly includes a transparent dome defining a cavity in which a scene is disposed and a base supporting the transparent dome. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the cavity of the dome and is rotated by a driving mechanism. An arm is attached to and projects generally radially from a distal end of the shaft within the cavity and engages an ornament disposed on exterior surface of the dome to move it thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Terry Hermanson, Meng-Suen Huang
  • Publication number: 20020174578
    Abstract: A themed, decorative display is provided which includes a base; a transparent, liquid-filled container mounted on the base, a diorama mounted including fixed elements designed to convey a predetermined theme are provided inside the liquid-filled container, a plurality of movable elements inside the liquid-filled container shaped consistent with the theme for dispersing in the liquid for falling slowly through the liquid in response to the pull of gravity, and an electronic means preferably mounted in the base for automatically producing sounds consistent with said theme when a triggering event occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Elizabeth Gail Ross
  • Publication number: 20020174577
    Abstract: A device for creating a visual display including a base, a container supported by the base and holding light transmitting liquids, and a light source disposed in the base, a pump mounted to the base and in fluid communication with the container; at least two immiscible liquids disposed in the container, the liquids having different densities; and a control circuit coupled to the pump to provide signals that cause the pump to inject a first one of the at least two immiscible liquids into a second one of the at least two liquids to produce a visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Darian Unger, Adrian Gomez, David Tang, Stacy Bergman, David Iannetta, Lee Knight, Aaron Bilstrom, Renee A. Monteiro
  • Publication number: 20020170214
    Abstract: A liquid decoration container comprises an exhibition part, and a fitting part. The exhibition part is formed by way of blowing a hollow blank to constitute a hollow casing with a desirable shape and the hollow casing extends downward a cylindrical casing with an outer thread section. The fitting part is a base with an upper opening corresponding to the cylindrical casing and the upper opening provides an inner thread section. A ring plate is arranged to extend inward from an inner wall under the upper opening in the fitting part. The liquid is filled in the exhibition part and a doll is selectively fixed to or arranged on the ring plate. The cylindrical casing can engage with the upper opening by way of the outer thread section fastening to the inner thread section and a tight sealing can be performed as soon as a lower rim of the cylindrical casing touches the ring plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Yung Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 6477799
    Abstract: A self-orienting logo assembly so that the logo is always in a horizontal orientation. In the preferred embodiments the logo is located on a disk. The disk is weighted or otherwise designed to have its weight distributed nonuniformly. The disk is located inside a housing. The housing is attached to the computer or other equipment bearing the logo. When the housing is located in a vertical plane the disk rotates to allow the logo to remain horizontal. The disk can be rotationally mounted to the housing or can be suspended in liquid. In an alternate embodiment the disk can have a magnet incorporated so that when the disk is in a horizontal orientation it can act as a compass. In another embodiment a portion of the disk is removed and the housing contains an additional logo or wording. The rotation of the disk can then cover or expose the additional logo or wording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Carol Erickson, Kenneth Jansen, David R. Wooten, Guy McSwain, Michael F. Angelo, Keith Lutsch
  • Publication number: 20020116847
    Abstract: A colorful pyramidal waterglobe has a base. A transparent pyramidal body filled with water is mounted on the top of the base, inside of which an air pump, a projection lamp and two concentrically revolving rounding boards are contained. Air is sprayed out from an air spray nozzle that passes through top of the base. A conical air bubble duct is fitted to the top of the base and inside the transparent pyramidal body, and several side holes are disposed on the bottom portion of the conical air bubble duct. Accordingly, small air bubbles gather and combine into bigger bubbles as they rise up along the conical air bubble duct to generate a better visual effect. The windows on four sides of the base also glare and amplify the panel drawings on the revolving rounding boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Jen-Yen Yen
  • Patent number: 6438878
    Abstract: A novelty item comprising a first reservoir, a second reservoir, and a member for engaging the first and second reservoirs to define a display chamber. At least one of the first and second reservoirs includes a fluid therein and at least a portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs is substantially transparent or translucent. The display chamber is capable of retaining an object therein for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Neil Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Fine, Cliff Lam
  • Publication number: 20020100195
    Abstract: A water globe arrangement includes a fluid pump immersed in a fluid within the fluid-containing glass dome, the fluid pump drawing fluid in through a fluid inlet and expelling the fluid through a fluid outlet, thereby circulating the fluid and creating a visual movement effect within the glass dome. In one aspect of the invention, a glass dome is filled with water and contains a number of small free particles having a specific gravity greater than that of the water. Upon activation of the fluid pump, a continuous flow of circulating fluid keeps the free particles in constant motion within the glass dome. In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid pump forces fluid within the glass dome along an elongated passageway coupled to the pump fluid outlet for directing the flow of fluid to a location remote from the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Shun-Hsi Hsu
  • Publication number: 20020095838
    Abstract: A table top novelty display item consist of a liquid filled chamber having a transparent curved front wall 10 and a transparent rear wall 11. An electro-luminescent display panel 15 is driven by an electrical circuit 16 to produce a varying visual effect. The item includes a music chip 18 and a loudspeaker 19.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Golden Peak Plastic Works Limited
    Inventor: Shing-Wah Yu
  • Patent number: 6415535
    Abstract: A fluid filled novelty amusement device with a magnetic impeller 9 driven by an electric motor 16, through a magnetic couple created between a magnetic rotor 15 and the magnetic impeller 9, that provides forced circulating fluid 3 flow that entrains and disperses ornamental particles 2 throughout a transparent enclosure 1 to provide viewing entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: Michael L. White, Patricia E. White
  • Patent number: 6409569
    Abstract: A combination including a container having a back plate and a transparent receptacle secured to the back plate, and one or more liquid dissolvable capsules containing compressed, resiliently expandable toy figurines confined in a chamber between the receptacle and the back plate is disclosed. One or more openings are formed in the back plate which communicate with the chamber between the receptacle and back plate so that warm water can flow into the chamber to dissolve the capsules to release the toy figurines upon immersion of the container in a warm liquid such as a child's bath water, the container thus preventing young children from handling the capsules directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen D. Boone
  • Publication number: 20020069565
    Abstract: Fluid decoration including a soft transparent or semitransparent envelope body and a seat body. At least two kinds of fluids with different specific weights and colors are filled in the envelope body. An inlaid member is placed in a bottom end of the envelope body. The bottom end is then sealed. The inlaid member has an upward extending patterned article. An ejecting device is disposed in the patterned article. The ejecting device is composed of a tube body and a driving unit connected with the tube body. A top end of the tube body is formed with an ejecting opening. The periphery of the tube body near the bottom thereof is formed with through holes. When the driving unit is powered on, the heavier fluid is pumped through the through hole into the tube body and forcedly pushed upward. The heavier fluid is then upward ejected from the ejecting opening of the ejecting device. Thereafter, the heavier fluid gradually splashes down onto the bottom of the envelope body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Chu-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: 6393744
    Abstract: A rotating turbulent display device is disclosed as comprising a transparent display cell having an outer surface and an inner chamber which may be filled with various substances and structures including liquid, granular particles or a rigid member adapted to displace the substances within the inner chamber of the display cell. The device is mounted within a base unit having a complementary aperture for receiving the outer surface of the display and a motor therein which operates to rotate the display cell at a predetermined rotational speed and direction to simulate the passage of time thereby creating a visible flow pattern within the inner chamber of the display cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Robert D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6382808
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a floating member, and a fan device for generating an air stream to float and to support and to rotate the floating member. An air guiding device is disposed below the floating member and includes a number of helical flaps for forming a number of helical air passages between the flaps and for generating a helical air stream to support and float the floating member with the air stream. A net is secured to the bottom of the housing and has a number of openings for air circulation purposes. A light may light the patterns on the floating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Superstar Lighting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6380926
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a decorative computer pointer device for use in association with a computer. The computer pointer device includes a sealed decorative vessel containing a first liquid, a second liquid and at least one structure, wherein the structure is insoluble in both the first and the second liquids and floats on the first liquid. The first and the second liquids are advantageously immiscible. The first and the second liquids advantageously have densities such that the first liquid is beneath the second liquid, the first liquid, or the second liquid, or both of the first and the second liquids, are optionally colored or colorless. The structure suspended in the sealed vessel is advantageously weighted so it can maintain its upright configuration irrelevant to the position of the sealed vessel, and capable of remaining in suspension when the computer pointer device is in motion. The structure can also optionally be affixed in the decorative sealed vessel so as to remain substantially stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Allure Home Creation Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Ho
  • Patent number: 6346026
    Abstract: An ornamental display toy includes a hollow base, a transparent spherical shell supported on the base, the shell having a bottom opening sealed with a rubber gasket, a liquid filled in the shell before sealing of the rubber gasket, a transparent case interference-fit into a hole on the rubber gasket and suspended in the liquid in the shell, a clock holder inserted into the transparent case from the bottom side and secured thereto by a hook joint, an ornament covered on the transparent base leaving the clock of the clock holder visible from the outside of the ornamental display toy, a stepped socket mounted in the hollow base, a bushing covered with a bottom cover and detachably fastened to the inside of the stepped socket, and a musical box mounted on the bottom cover inside the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Corrina Chen
  • Patent number: 6338884
    Abstract: An enhanced structure of an animated ornament composed of a globular shell, a hollow ball, a piece of non-magnetic, high-density material (such as copper, tin, plastic etc.), an inner magnet and an outer magnet. The hollow ball, having decorative figures, is smaller than the globular shell and is included in the globular shell. The space in between the globular shell and the hollow ball is filled up with liquid so that the hollow ball floats in the liquid and, when being shaken, turns around in all directions. Inside the lower part of the hollow ball attached a piece of non-magnetic, high-density material, such as plastic, copper and tin, and an inner magnet is fixed on the top of the non-magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Chang
  • Patent number: 6332282
    Abstract: A lamp showing movable floating ornaments is provided. The lamp mainly includes a lighting means for emitting light, and a closed clear container for containing and showing liquid and floating ornaments therein. A liquid-guiding means and a propeller are provided in a lower part of the container, and a driving means is provided below the container for turning the propeller. When the propeller is driven to turn, liquid flowing into the lower part of the container via the liquid-guiding means is continuously forced back into an upper part of the container via the liquid-guiding means at increased speed, so that the floating ornaments in the liquid in the container are brought to move around and create dynamic scenes in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 6308443
    Abstract: A replaceable and easily assembled water-ball decoration, of which the base part of the major ornamental part is furnished with at least a through cylindrical hole for receiving a water-ball ornament; the neck part of the glass ball is covered with the fastening base; the lower ring surface of the cylindrical hole in the base part of the major ornamental part is mounted with a fastening disk; by means of a screw, the water-ball ornament is fastened in the base part of the major ornamental part; the water-ball ornament can easily be assembled and replaced with a different ornament on the major ornamental part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6309084
    Abstract: A lamp has a transparent glass container in which a clear liquid having a plurality of colored lustrous foil fragments floating in the liquid is contained, and a frosted shade covering the glass container with a clearance left between them. Light projected by the lamp on the floating lustrous foil fragments is refracted onto the frosted shade to show dynamically changeful luster and shadow on the frosted shade, creating novel and unique decorative effect. The glass container and the frosted shade may be of any shape and may have different wall thickness at different locations to enhance the decorative effect of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 6305108
    Abstract: A structural improvement of a water ball, which comprises mainly a glass ball of a water ball, and the top center of the glass ball has a candle stand for receiving a short candle; the candle stand is made of a material same as that of the glass ball; after a candle is mounted in the candle stand and lit up, the flame thereof and the water ball will provide a decorative atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6282820
    Abstract: A fluid filled novelty amusement device with a magnetic impeller 9 driven by an electric motor 16, through a magnetic couple created between a magnetic rotor 15 and the magnetic impeller 9, that provides forced circulating fluid 3 flow that entrains and disperses ornamental particles 2 throughout a transparent enclosure 1 to provide viewing entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Michael L. White, Patricia E. White
  • Patent number: 6269566
    Abstract: Glass water ball with light emitting device includes a base seat, a spherical casing, a decoration and a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a cap member, a fixing unit and a light emitting circuit system. The light of the light emitting element can pass through the cap member to diverge outward gently. The light also can be downward projected to the decoration and then pass through the water liquid and the spherical casing. Finally, the light is reflected and gently diverged in every direction. Therefore, even at night or in a dark place, the glass water ball can achieve an excellent visual beautiful effect. In addition, an illumination adjusting element is disposed for adjusting the illumination. Therefore, glass water ball can provide different illumination and serve as a night lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Single-Tree Art Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 6271814
    Abstract: A dual message advertising display system having a variable electronic display and a fixed printed display formed on a shared display screen. The display screen includes fixed information printed thereon, such as an advertisement, logo, or other message. The display screen further includes a plurality of apertures formed there through to provide visual access to an electronic display positioned behind the display screen. The apertures are formed a predetermined spacing apart from each other so that the fixed information printed on the display screen remains easily perceivable and non-distorted to an onlooker. The predetermined spacing of the apertures is also selected to cause the message appearing on the electronic display to obscure the fixed printed information on the display by causing the onlooker to focus upon the electronic display message when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Andy K. F. Kaoh
  • Patent number: 6263600
    Abstract: A device for moving elements in a fluid medium is disclosed. The device comprises a container filled with fluid and elements such as a plurality of small pellets which are dispersed in the fluid. The container is rotatably mounted within a chassis and a drive unit is used to rotate the container. One or more vanes are attached to an inner surface of the container to transport the elements within the containers. For example, if the elements simulate snowflakes which descend through the fluid towards the bottom portion of the container, the vanes trap or catch the snowflakes near the bottom of the container and move the snowflakes towards the top of the container. This creates a continuous, natural simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Carl Ten Brink
  • Patent number: 6205689
    Abstract: A device for producing a simulated snowfall is disclosed. The device comprises a display tank filled with water and a plurality of small pellets. A pump positioned on the upper side of the display tank creates water currents which flow around the perimeter of the display tank. The water is propelled out of the pump into an outflow tube extending down a first side of the display tank to a receiving trough positioned along the bottom side of the display tank. The pellets descend through the water to the receiving trough and are then carried horizontally across the receiving trough by a water current to a deflector plate which diverts the pellets and water current in an upward direction along the second side of the display tank. As the pellets reach the upper side of the display tank, they spread out uniformly and gradually descend through the water, creating a simulated snowfall with a natural appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Carl Evan TenBrink
  • Patent number: 6185849
    Abstract: A crystal ball has 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 a center motive gear installed on the base of the driving base. 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: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Liu
  • Patent number: 6167647
    Abstract: A double-directional rotary water ball structure in which a music bell is disposed in a base seat of the water ball and a transmission shaft extends from the music bell for outputting rotational power. A driving gear is fitted with the transmission shaft for transmitting the power respectively to a central driven gear and an inner gear disposed on inner circumference of a rotary tray. Accordingly, the rotary tray and a transmission claw connected to the driven gear are respectively driven to rotate in reverse directions, whereby the internal view of the water ball and the external view disposed on the rotary tray are rotated in reverse directions so as to create a double-directional rotation visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang