Three-dimensional Movable Figure Display Device Patents (Class 40/411)
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Patent number: 6601326Abstract: A repositionable display system in the shape of a human figure that can be used to communicate information by holding signs or by making simple gestures; or it can be used to support various items such as clothing or accessories. The repositionable display is in the shape of a life-size human form comprising a head, torso, arms, and legs. A two-pin connection forms each shoulder and hip joint, thereby allowing for positioning of the arm and legs in multiple planes. A single-pin connection forms the wrist, elbow, and knee joints. Each of the pin connections are removable, thereby allowing for assembly and disassembly of the repositionable display system. A stand may be provided to maintain the repositionable display system in a substantially upright position. Cedar wood may be used to construct the repositionable display system which assists in repelling insects while emitting a pleasing aroma.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Inventors: Rebecca J. Bublitz, Annette L. Terhorst
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Publication number: 20030121190Abstract: A rotating stand having: (a) a rotatable display; (b) a vertical shaft connected to and extending from the display at a first end, and (c) a shaft assembly, mounted on the shaft, the assembly including: (i) a rotary bearing concentric with the shaft and providing support for the housing and the shaft while allowing the shaft to rotate around a vertical axis; (ii) a coupling functionally attached to the shaft, for rotating the shaft and the display; (iii) a mechanism engaging the coupling and providing rotational energy to the coupling, and (iv) a cordless power supply providing electrical power to the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2001Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Ofer Spivak
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Patent number: 6551168Abstract: A wall suspension type toy structure includes a base, a telescopic unit, a base plate, an open/close unit, a first drive unit, an upper seat, a second drive unit, and an ornament. In such a manner, the flower loop decoration may be expanded or contracted reciprocally, and the mouth of the outer shade of the head may be opened and closed continuously, thereby providing a lively amusement effect.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Inventor: Chin-Jung Hou
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Publication number: 20030061746Abstract: This invention is a moving-character sound structure, involving mainly a mechanical unit. On the surface of the mechanical unit is an animal character. The eyes and mouth of the character are movable. The eyes and mouth of the character are connected to a transmission mechanism composed of a swing rod, a spring and a motor. Inside the mechanical unit are various circuits for radio, tape recorder, vocal IC, karaoke, and a driving circuit. When the push keys on the mechanical unit are pushed to select specific sound function giving off sound, the driving motor analyzes the specific frequency and activates the motor to rotate intermittently, causing the eyes and mouth of the character to open and close intermittently.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Ching Yang Huang
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Patent number: 6533634Abstract: A figurine assembly is for providing a user with an attractive and functional device that would be used to decorate a computer monitor. The figurine assembly includes a figurine that has a torso, head, arm and leg portions. A base member is adapted for coupling to a top of the computer monitor. A spring member has a first end coupled to the base member and a second end coupled to the body portion. The spring member has a spring constant such that the figurine moves with an exaggerated motion when the movement of the computer monitor moves the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Inventor: Brenda L. Sugar
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Patent number: 6511359Abstract: A toy figurine that has a head that randomly bobbles relative to the body. The head includes a photo receiving compartment with an entry slot connecting with the photo receiving compartment. A photograph is to be inserted through the entry slot into the photo receiving compartment. A headgear is mounted on the head with the headgear covering the entry slot. The headgear is magnetically attached to the head.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Inventor: Hoe King Lui
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Publication number: 20020194758Abstract: A system for rotating an objet d'art (object), includes an outer hollow cylinder in which is rotatably disposed an inner hollow cylinder, and an elongated shaft rotatably disposed in the hollow of the inner cylinder. An electric motor is coupled by a drive belt to a pulley mounted on the inner cylinder, so when the motor is operated, the inner cylinder rotates which, in turn, causes the shaft to rotate. The object is mounted on a top end of the shaft to rotate when the shaft is rotated. Rotation of the shaft and object may be temporarily stopped, reversed or otherwise altered without stopping operation of the motor since the shaft rotates independent of the inner cylinder, while the inner cylinder continues to rotate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventor: Brian Challis
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Patent number: 6491516Abstract: A Hanukkiah (10) for carrying combustible candles (12) includes a sense circuit (16) coupled to an output circuit (18). The output circuit comprising at least one of an electronic playback device (112), an electromechanical device (52), or a light source device (46), or a combination thereof. Sense circuit (16) includes a flame-responsive circuit (16A) adapted and arranged to respond to a portion of energy emitted by a lit shamash (12A) candle of the Hanukkiah, and an RF receiver circuit (16B) adapted and arranged to respond to a portion of predetermined RF signal. A dreidel (200) is further provided comprising a rotation-sensitive RF transmitting circuit (230) for generating predetermined RF signals upon spinning of the dreidel. The flame of shamash (12A) and/or the spinning of dreidel (200) are adapted to activate output circuit (18) of Hanukkiah (10) to provide entertaining audible and/or visual output.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventors: Guy Tal, Ran Tal
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Patent number: 6464594Abstract: A child's entertainment device can include a mobile/entertainment member that has a connector structure that can engage a receiving member located on a child support device. The connector structure can be formed as a button-like protuberance that engages the receiving member, which can be formed as a U-shaped aperture. The button-like protuberance is thus lockable in the U-shaped receiving member at a predetermined position while rotatable with the respect to the receiving member. In addition, the entertainment member can be removed from the receiving member by applying a force to it and moving the button-like protuberance past a slightly narrower portion and out of the U-shaped aperture. When the entertainment member is attached to the receiving member, the mobile/entertainment member and attached soft toys can spin and entertain a child. The mobile may be attached to a child support device such as a child's cradle, bassinet, swing, bouncer, or car seat, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: John Canna, Robert Sonner
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Patent number: 6450855Abstract: An angel doll for displaying on a table or mounted on a Christmas tree in Christmas season or such occasion includes a slow transmission device inside a base. The transmission includes a main shaft that drives a palette, two rotating cylinders and two rotating rods, so the palette rotates slowly, and colorful rays can be projected from the lamp inside the base, through the two rotating cylinders, to the margins of the optical fiber wing units. The swinging movement activated by the two rotating cylinders and the two rotating rods through the connecting rods and the side shaft in linkage, causes the wing units and the arm units to swing reciprocally, creating an active and lively atmosphere to the angel doll.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Tai-Ning Tang
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Publication number: 20020100195Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventor: Shun-Hsi Hsu
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Publication number: 20020084147Abstract: A store display maximizes shelf space through use of an automated lift assembly that selectively positions product, for example milk containers, at an opening in a wall. The wall defines a customer side and a store side, and the lift assembly monitors product available through the opening and selectively raises additional product from a stacked array into position at the opening. Helical threaded members are preferably disposed on opposite sides of a pallet, or support platform, and are driven in unison in response to a signal from a sensor that product is depleted from an upper level of the stacked array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: Creative Edge Design Group, Ltd.Inventors: Daniel P. Soehnlen, Gregory M. Soehnlen
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Patent number: 6398618Abstract: A toy consists of a base, a cap and a toy model. The base has stationary wheels and a movable wheel located on the bottom section thereof. The movable wheel may be driven through a gear set by battery power for moving the base around. The cap has a hollow casing located on the top section to house a motor that is driven by a battery for rotating the cap through another gear set. The base has an arched gear rack located on the top surface. By way of an elastic element and a lever to couple with the gear sets and arched gear rack, the cap may be moved to the left and right, and rotated positively and reversely to generate a wide variety of simulative motions.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Inventor: Wen-Long Wu
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Decorative-article structure made from winding metallic wires and being rotatable under solar energy
Patent number: 6390882Abstract: A decorative-article structure made from winding metallic wires and being rotatable under solar energy, it includes a specifically designed main body formed by winding metallic wires, and includes a solar energy board and a motor at proper positions on the main body, a decorative housing covers the motor, the housing is glued with a patterned sticker formed by laser. When the solar energy board absorbs light source and supplies power for the motor, the motor will drive housing to rotate, the laser formed sticker on the top of the housing will reflect light to generate various colors, the metallic main body will generate vibrations during activating of the motor, and create the feature of extremely interesting visual sensation.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Inventor: Michael Chang -
Patent number: 6386940Abstract: A motion toy transmission mechanism includes a bottom plate, a clockwork-driven musical box fixedly mounted on the bottom plate, the clockwork-driven musical box having a clockwork shaft and a handle fixedly fastened to the clockwork shaft and spaced below the bottom plate for turning by hand to fasten up the clockwork of the musical box, a drive gear fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the musical box, a driven gear mounted on the bottom plate and meshed with the drive gear; a rotary disk supported on the bottom plate and rotated by the driven gear upon releasing of the clockwork of the musical box, the rotary disk having an internal gear meshed with the driven gear, and a pressure member mounted on the bottom plate and spaced around the musical box to guide rotary motion of the rotary disk.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Inventor: Chao Chang Chang
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Patent number: 6375536Abstract: An electric swayable toy includes a body, a shoulder swayably and pivotally on an upper portion of the body, a pair of legs swayably and pivotally mounted on a lower portion of the body, a pair of arms swayably mounted on the shoulder, a head swayably mounted on the shoulder, a pair of shoes swayably supporting the pair of legs in an inclined manner, and a base supporting and securing the pair of shoes. By such an arrangement, the body includes a main swayable mechanism mounted therein, the shoulder includes an arm swayable mechanism, the main swayable mechanism includes a motor which is rotated continuously in a signal direction and the speed of the motor is reduced by a speed reduction mechanism to actuate an eccentric wheel and a cam mechanism so that the legs, the body, and the shoulder are swayable while the arms and the head are swayable by actuation of the arm swayable mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
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Patent number: 6374522Abstract: A glass water ball structure including a base seat having a receptacle in which a fixing seat of the glass water ball is received. A lower support cone is disposed on the fixing seat of the glass water ball to abut against an adjusting bolt screwed in the base seat. An upper support cone is disposed on the dome of the glass water ball to abut against a frame body upward extending from the base seat. The entire glass water ball is pivotally disposed in the base seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Single-Tree Art Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
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Patent number: 6351905Abstract: A system for providing recognition to donors includes a plurality of tiles configured to simulate the appearance of book spines. Each of the tiles carries the name of a particular donor. Certain tiles can also include a medallion signifying special information about the donor or donation. A plurality of tiles are mounted within a frame that simulates a shelf of a bookshelf. The tiles can be formed of ceramic, and the frame of wood, with the tiles attached to the frame by way of a suitable adhesive. In one embodiment, the frame is configured to be mounted on the wall of the donee's building. In another embodiment, the frame is sized to fit snugly within the shelf of a bookshelf so that the commemorative book tiles can be integrated into the environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Indianapolis-Marion County Public LibraryInventor: Danny R. Dean
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Patent number: 6338884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Inventor: Chin-Sung Chang
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Patent number: 6227929Abstract: An amusement device used to move a supported display object through an erratic path. The amusement device includes a base element in which is disposed a rotating assembly. The rotating assembly can be battery powered, spring powered or manually powered. A support spring is used to interconnect a display object to the rotating assembly in the base element. The support spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the support spring is coupled to the rotating assembly within the base element, wherein the support spring is rotated by the rotating assembly. The remainder of the support spring extends freely from the base element. The display object is coupled to the second end of the support spring. As the display object rotates, it causes the support spring to at least partially elongate, thereby causing the display object to move erratically from point to point.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Inventors: Webb Nelson, Patrick Turner
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Patent number: 6220921Abstract: A movable frog toy includes a body, a mouth, a movable tongue, and front and rear legs. A sound generator is provided for simulating audible sounds of a real frog. A drive motor and transmission provide power and movement to the parts of the frog to simulate the realistic movements of a frog. The drive motor may be an electric motor. A plurality of gear groups coupled thereto are selectively driven to impart the realistic motion to the respective parts of the frog.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Jamina CorporationInventor: Jung-Gyu Kim
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Patent number: 6212804Abstract: A novel decorative bird sculpture has a main body portion with a neck and head extending therefrom. An upper and a lower beak portion extends from the head, the lower beak portion being pivotably connected to the head. A conduit runs from an electrically operated pump and reservoir arrangement and discharges into a proximal portion of the beak thereby causing the beak to open by downward pivoting of the lower beak portion and discharging water back into the reservoir. In another aspect of the invention the head may be pivotably mounted on the neck in such a way as to also pivot downwardly as water fills the beak.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Henri Studio, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Clay Richard
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Patent number: 6210762Abstract: An ornamental display such as an artifical christmas tree has a conical hollow body which is externally ornamented and closed by a pair of side-hinged doors. An ornamental scene is housed within the hollow body and is viewable when the doors are open. A sound and/or motion sensor is provided for automatically operating a motor for opening the doors which are spring-biassed into the closed position in which the ornamental scene is hidden from view.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Graham Pielow
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Patent number: 6185849Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Inventor: Jack Liu
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Patent number: 6163992Abstract: A motion toy includes a frame structure covered with a decorated shell and a power drive controlled to move parts of the frame structure. The frame structure has two vertical upper side boards and two vertical lower side boards hinged together, a horizontal shoulder board coupled between the vertical side boards at the top, a horizontal upper link coupled between the vertical upper side boards and the vertical lower side boards, and a horizontal bottom link coupled between the vertical lower side boards at the bottom side. This bottom link is reciprocated by the power drive. Each vertical upper side boards has a respective sector gear respectively meshed with a respective sector gear on the vertical lower side boards.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Blue Ridge Designs, Inc.Inventor: Jin-Long Chou
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Patent number: 6165569Abstract: A decoration having cooperating first and second figures so that a variety of first figures can be combined with a variety of second figures for a customized pairing. Further customizing is enabled with the use of interchangeable heads. A base for the figures and adaptable decorative columns can be added.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Inventor: Wendy Cohen
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Patent number: 6146234Abstract: An ascending/descending mechanism in which a face gear is rotated to drive two symmetrically arranged cylindrical gears, whereby two eccentric shafts fitted with the cylindrical gears are rotated in reverse directions. Two driven slide blocks are fitted with the short shafts of the eccentric shafts. The top ends of the driven slide blocks are fitted with two columns which are fitted in fitting holes of retaining blocks. When the cylindrical gears are reversely rotated, the short shafts of the eccentric shafts are slided within the slide slots of the driven slide blocks, whereby the columns are reciprocally moved up and down. Accordingly, the dolls or decorative articles at the top ends of the columns are alternately ascended or descended. The power source for driving the face gear can be a music bell or a motor, so that when the dolls or decorative articles at the top ends of the columns are alternately ascended or descended, a music or other audio/video effect is cooperatively created.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
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Patent number: 6038798Abstract: An internal rotary structure of a crystal ball seat having a base plate, a rotary disk, gears and other components; characterized in that: a circular platen is formed on the center of the upper surface of the base plate; a rotary disk is installed on the periphery of the platen of the base plate; circular teeth formed on the inner rim of the rotary disk, and a driving gear of longitudinal axis is installed below the driving gear of the music bell rolling wheel. By this structure, in a small space, the rotary disk may be used to drive the music bell.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: Jack Liu
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Patent number: 6005967Abstract: The invention relates to a picture synthesizing apparatus for cutting out the background from a picture depending on the move of the viewing point, and presents a picture synthesizing apparatus capable of synthesizing a picture by hidden surface processing, processing of reflection motion by contact, or the like, which is mutual interference of background and foreground, wherein a background picture corresponding to the viewing field is cut out by a background cut-out unit from a background picture in a wide range stored in a background picture store, the shape and position information of moving object of foreground is generated in a moving foreground object generating unit, the interference of depth information corresponding to background picture from a background depth store and foreground object information is calculated in a background and foreground synthesizing unit, and a picture is synthesized by hidden surface processing or processing of change of moving direction of foreground object by reflection,Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1996Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Matushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamichi Nakagawa, Junichi Sato, Yoshiyasu Kado
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Patent number: 5989092Abstract: The present invention is an automatically interactive toy capable of responding to natural triggering events, such as motion in the vicinity of the toy, and providing a plurality of interactive responses. Specifically, the toy configuration senses a natural triggering event with a sensor which activates the interactive response. Upon the occurrence of the natural triggering event, the triggering sensors activates an actuator containing a motor and a series of gears. The motor drives the series of gears to create a response by a transformation mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the transformation mechanism causes an object or toy configuration to transform from a closed to an open position. Thus, the toy or object may have one appearance when closed and a different appearance when opened to expose an inner chamber which may contain a secondary object or toy.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Trendmasters Inc.Inventors: Joseph McGowan, Ryan Wolfinbarger, James Russell Hornsby
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Patent number: 5983542Abstract: A decorative tree includes a trunk and a transmission structure fixedly mounted the trunk and including a pair of eyeballs, a pair of eyelids, a mouth plate and an electric motor. The transmission structure can make the decorative tree blink eyes and move mouth as desired thereby making the decorative tree look very interesting.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Inventor: Li-Ching Chen
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Patent number: 5979092Abstract: A driving seat of a crystal ball, comprising a disk shape seat, a plurality of gears, a swing block, a restoring block, a rotary disk, and other components, wherein the long hole of the extending arm of the swing block is located on the shaft of a driven gear, the driven gear is engaged with an active gear, and the gear on the lower end of a rotary disk is engaged with a small gear on the upper end of the active gear. By this structure, when the active gear is rotated, the swing block is driven to rotate to swing forward and backward, and at the same time, the rotary disk is driven to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Inventor: Jack Liu
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Patent number: 5977461Abstract: A transmission for a decorative object having a music unit and a supporting frame mounted over the music unit, a plurality of spindles mounted between the supporting frame and the music unit and a plurality of gears mounted on the spindles and engaged with one another. A top of the supporting frame has a flat side with a center spindle hole for receiving a spindle, which extends through the spindle hole and is attached to a first rotary disk. One spindle is coupled with an inner gear of a ring unit by a transmission gear, a lower part of the ring unit being connected with an upper edged of a second rotary disk. When the music unit rotates the spindles on the supporting frame, the decorative objects attached to the rotary disks move simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
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Patent number: 5921839Abstract: A simulated aircraft piloting device for use as a desk top pen holder or amusement device has a simulated aircraft mounted on a base for movement about simulated pitch, roll, and yaw axes relative to the base, and a simulated aircraft control stick on the base connected to the aircraft for moving the aircraft about its simulated pitch, roll, and yaw axes.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Inventor: Jay D. Siren
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Patent number: 5896687Abstract: A double-layered and bi-directional rotary decoration including a base seat assembly, a driving mechanism, a lower rotary mechanism and an upper rotary mechanism. When a driving motor of the driving mechanism drives a first gear to rotate, a second and a third gears are rotated in a reverse direction and a fourth gear is rotated in the same direction as the first gear so that the lower rotary mechanism disposed with first decorative articles and the upper rotary mechanism disposed with second decorative articles are rotated in reverse directions to achieve a double-layered and bi-directional live visual effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
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Patent number: 5875577Abstract: A ball ornament with a rotary structure including a rubber fitting ring, a coupling seat, a positioning seat, a revolving disk, a transparent ball shell, and a base. The fitting ring is centrally provided with a receiving hole, and the coupling seat is received in the receiving hole of the fitting ring in tight fit and is provided with positioning posts and a central stepped coupling hole for receiving a silicon packing ring. The positioning seat is located below the rubber fitting ring and insertably connected to the positioning posts of the coupling seat. It positions a motor. The revolving disk is mounted on the coupling seat and linked-up with an output shaft of the motor by a connecting sleeve. The ball shell is provided with a curved positioning flange at a bottom end for engaging the positioning flange of the fitting ring and placed on the base. It is filled with a liquid in advance. Assembly of the ball ornament is simple and quick, and rotation thereof is smooth without problem of leakage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Inventor: Chin-Shu Lu
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Patent number: 5870842Abstract: An animated figure method and apparatus including an animated figure having moveable elements and a base unit for supporting the animated figure. The apparatus of the present invention includes multiple control cables, a first end of each control cable connects to a cable driver assembly or cable driver mounted on the base unit and a second end of each control cable attaches to a corresponding animated figure moveable element or assembly. The cable drivers that are attached to the base unit drive the control cables, and propel the animated figure's moveable elements. The present invention achieves detailed control of many animated figure functions using intricate control cable branching which may require many bends in the control cable. In addition, a walk mechanism provides both horizontal and vertical movement of the animated figure's feet to achieve simulated stepping movements in a very realistic manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Ogden, Marshall M. Monroe, David F. Barnett
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Patent number: 5870844Abstract: A transmission structure for ornaments, in which the center of the base disk is mounted with a rotative ring, of which the bottom has a driving gear. The upper part of the rotative ring is connected with a round member with a ring-shaped plate; the inside of the round member has an inner gear to be engaged with a small gear of a music generator and driving unit. The outer edge surface of the base disk is furnished with at least a gear train to be engaged with the inner gear of a rotative disk, or with a transmission assembly. Different ornaments are mounted on the ring-shaped plate of round member, the upper side of the still disk, the circular surface of the rotative disk or the round shaft of the transmission assembly respectively. The aforesaid ornaments on the aforesaid parts are driven by means of the music generator and driving unit so as to rotate, to swing or to move back and forth.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
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Patent number: 5870843Abstract: An improved motion generating mechanism for use in a music box to drive decoration articles associated therewith is disclosed. A crank arm eccentrically attached to the outer side of the driving wheel associated with the playing roller of a music box is circularly moved in synchronism with the driving wheel. At each end of the crank arm is disposed an engagement protrusion respectively. A securing seat is fixed to the mounting plate of the music box and to the base plate of the outer case with a supporting base pivotally associated therewith respectively; each supporting base is provided with a swing arm having an elongated guide groove disposed thereon; in each groove is slidably located the engagement protrusion so that the supporting bases are able to be pivotally moved in synchronism with the crank arm. To each supporting base is secured a mounting pole onto which a decoration article is mounted. Each mounting pole is led through an elongated slot disposed on the top of an upper lid.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Inventors: Feng-Hsiang Hsu, Win-Hseng Laing, Ching-Fa Huang
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Patent number: 5842296Abstract: A crystal ball having 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 the center motive gear installed on the base of the driving substrate. 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Inventor: Jack Liu
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Patent number: 5819453Abstract: A collapsable display stand is disclosed which includes a vertical pole having a rotatable element. The display stand has hexagonal top and bottom openings and twelve sides to provide a spiral twist-like appearance. The display stand is formed from a foldable blank having two free ends and six integral rectangular panels separated by a set of parallel first fold lines respectively located along the sides of the rectangular panels. The rectangular panels also have a second set of fold lines located diagonally in the panels and parallel to each other to define two triangular panel segments in each of the rectangular panels. The rectangular panels also have a central opening formed along their associated diagonal fold lines.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Mars, IncorporatedInventors: Lance H. Eichert, Joseph P. Zucconi
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Patent number: 5802751Abstract: A decorative aircraft has a rotatable propeller, a movable rudder, and a decorative pilot figure that also moves. The rotatable propeller is attached to a first output shaft of a motor positioned in the leading end of the fuselage of the aircraft. The motor is connected to a string of Christmas tree lights so that it is activated when the lights are turned on. A second output shaft is disposed normal to the first output shaft and oscillates an elongate control rod that extends from the motor to a rudder at the trailing end of the fuselage, and the decorative pilot figure is attached to the control rod. Motor operation causes the elongate control rod to oscillate, and the oscillation causes periodic movement of the rudder and the decorative pilot figure.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Inventor: Vernon V. Schwieterman
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Patent number: 5797785Abstract: A decorative mobile comprising a central housing having a musical drive unit disposed therein. Integrally connected to and extending outwardly from the housing in intervals of approximately 120 degrees are three arcuately contoured elongate arms. Two of the arms are of a first substantially equal length, with the remaining arm being of a second length which is less than the first length.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Infantino, A Dorel CompanyInventor: Michael Silberstein
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Patent number: 5775014Abstract: A crystal water globe comprising a housing assembly having a lower housing and a transmission having a motor-driven shaft extending through the lower housing. Movable decorations or figures of the crystal water globe and a motor are disposed at opposite sides of the lower housing. Plugs sealingly connected to the lower housing and heavy oil contained between the plugs and the lower housing are utilized to seal the interface between the motor-driven shaft and the plugs.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Inventor: Chung-kuei Lin
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Patent number: 5732493Abstract: A dual pendulum display apparatus comprising a housing, a motor which is fixed to the housing and which has an output shaft, an output gear which is driven by the output shaft, which is mounted on the housing for rotation relative thereto about an output gear axis, and which has thereon a projection spaced from the output gear axis, a pivot arm mounted on the housing for pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot arm axis spaced from the output gear axis, the pivot arm having therein a longitudinal slot receiving the projection for reciprocal sliding movement of the projection in the slot, such that rotation of the output gear and movement of the projection in the slot causes pendulum type motion of the pivot arm, the pivot arm having opposite first and second ends spaced from the pivot arm axis, first advertising material mounted on the first end of the pivotal arm, and second advertising material mounted on the second end of the pivot arm, such that the first advertising material and the second advertiType: GrantFiled: September 14, 1995Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Hankscraft Motors, Inc.Inventors: Eugene R. Luedtke, Gregory J. Adelman, Duane C. Gerke, David L. Vergara, Donald R. Fish, Steven J. Ellingson, Joseph W. Fish, Yi Yale Zhang
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Patent number: 5715620Abstract: A mechanical animated display assembly is attached to an automobile wiper arm assembly. The display assembly includes a displayed article and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a clamp mechanism to be attached to the automobile wiper arm assembly. An article holder mechanism is integral with the mounting bracket for carrying the displayed article. A retainer retains the displayed article on the mounting bracket whereby the display assembly, in combination with oscillation of automobile wiper arm, effectuates an animated visual effect of the article being carried by and manipulated by a human arm in a waving motion.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventor: Daniel C. Walker
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Patent number: 5682692Abstract: A miniature animated display that operates by driving a steel bar with a motor. The steel bar causes the animation motion by means of the swing base and the U-shaped pedestal installed on the hinged assembled end formed by the two ends of the elastic steel bar. The orientation of the U-shaped pedestal is adjusted according to the position of the inner surface of the sliding path so that the circular magnet thereon is affixed on the inner surface of the sliding path.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Inventor: Ming Yu Huang
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Patent number: 5675921Abstract: A transmission structure is set forth for a crystal-like ball, which comprises a glass ball and a rubber seal; the center of the rubber seal has a tube-shaped round hole for receiving a shaft of a rotary structure; the shaft extends from the inside of the glass ball to the outer end of the rubber seal, and connects with a universal joint; the shaft is to be driven in rotation with a transmission structure so as to actuate an ornament in the glass ball to rotate. The outer edge of the open end of the glass ball is connected with the upper edge of a hollow and round ornament; the bottom edge of the hollow and round ornament is glued onto an outer top surface of a base disc on a base. The hollow and round ornament is a transparent member, through which a rotary ornament therein can been seen. The bottom edge of the rotary ornament is glued onto the ring surface of the turntable on the base; the turntable is mounted on a projected ring of the base disc.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Inventor: Hsi-Chun Lin
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Patent number: 5664351Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an animated display with an ornamental object that incorporates a unique combination of motions and appearances which can be controlled and choreographed with the use of a computer or other control devices. One specific embodiment is a tree-like sculpture which can be instructed to move and dance along with selected music for purposes of entertainment. The apparatus is capable of making many different motions including linear movement, spinning, swaying, bobbing, expanding, and tumbling.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Jack M. Jonas
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Patent number: 5640791Abstract: An improved musical ornamental carousel formed by assembly of various structural parts is disclosed and includes on the bottom thereof a base provided with a battery compartment, a hollow support post vertically located in the center of the base, a revolving disc rotatably supported on the upper part of the support post, a fixing disc located at the top of the hollow support post and spaced above the revolving disc.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: Yi-Liang Fong