Abstract: A dioramic apparatus includes a vessel having an inferior portion and a superior portion. The vessel includes a shell and defines an interior space. The interior space is partially filled by a liquid medium. At least one dioramic scene is disposed in the interior space. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The reservoir includes a flow plate defining at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid output port. The at least one liquid intake is configured and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the liquid medium from the interior space when the dioramic apparatus is at least partially inverted. The at least one liquid output port is configured and arranged to output at least a portion of the liquid medium from the reservoir when the vessel is placed in an upright position.

Abstract: A light modulator includes a light guide to guide light, a diffraction grating at a surface of the light guide, and a fluid having a refractive index substantially matched to a refractive index of the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is to couple out a portion of guided light from the light guide using diffractive coupling. The index-matched fluid is to be selectively moved both into contact with the diffractive grating to defeat the diffractive coupling and out of contact with the diffraction grating to facilitate the diffractive coupling to modulate the coupled out guided light.

Abstract: A dioramic apparatus includes a vessel having an inferior portion and a superior portion. The vessel includes a shell and defines an interior space. The interior space is partially filled by a liquid medium. At least one dioramic scene is disposed in the interior space. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The reservoir includes a flow plate defining at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid output port. The at least one liquid intake is configured and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the liquid medium from the interior space when the dioramic apparatus is at least partially inverted. The at least one liquid output port is configured and arranged to output at least a portion of the liquid medium from the reservoir when the vessel is placed in an upright position.

Abstract: A dioramic apparatus includes a vessel having an inferior portion and a superior portion. The vessel includes a shell and defines an interior space. The interior space is partially filled by a liquid medium. At least one dioramic scene is disposed in the interior space. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the interior space. The reservoir includes a flow plate defining at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid output port. The at least one liquid intake is configured and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the liquid medium from the interior space when the dioramic apparatus is at least partially inverted. The at least one liquid output port is configured and arranged to output at least a portion of the liquid medium from the reservoir when the vessel is placed in an upright position.

Abstract: The invention described herein represents a significant improvement in the displaying of sports team logo or other meaningful indicia. A means for removably affixing indicia to a passenger vehicle is provided. Also removably affixed to the passenger vehicle is a wind powered generator in electrical communication with a plurality of LEDs. As the passenger vehicle moves, wind is captured to turn the generator to power the LEDs which illuminates the indicia. Thus the sports team logo or other indicia is observable at night without the need to run electrical wires or replace batteries.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an inflatable display that has a plurality of inflation modules. The modules are inflated by a fan element. More specifically, a first inflation module is formed from a permeable material and configured to represent a predetermined shape or design when inflated, such as a snowman, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Uncle Sam or another seasonal or holiday character. The first inflation module is surrounded by a non-permeable material creating an enclosure around the first inflation module and forming a second inflation module. The first inflation module is formed with at least one exhaust port in its base, which has two purposes. First, the exhaust port acts to inflate the second inflation module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind operated device in the shape of a fish or the like. The device comprises at least two generally planar or segmented constructions of a lightweight material, each of the segments being flexibly connected to the other and a support rod connected to one of the segments by means of a bearing for supporting of the said device. When the device is subjected to an air-stream the segments move in a generally sinuous pattern in imitation of motion of a fish or the like while at the same time indicating wind direction.

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.

Abstract: A fan advertising device has a portable barrel with a fan, a pivotable or tiltable stand and a modified exterior fan housing. Metal fittings on the inside of the barrel, near the output end of the fan, allow for connection of metal inserts for accessories. The sock is held in place by a shock cord that fits into a groove on the exterior of the fan housing near the output end. A circular opening is located below the groove but above the fan to allow various objects, such as ping pong balls, to be placed into the airstream inside the sock. Those objects act as noise makers, attracting attention to and adding to the visual effectiveness of the sock. A light may be attached to the grate on the inside of the fan allowing for illumination of the entire sock. Illuminating the sock is useful for increasing visibility during darker hours.

Abstract: A wind responsive sign or placard for displaying advertising or other visual indicia includes a rotatable member that is attached to a stationary mounting member by a rod extending between the two members. Both the rotatable or spinning member and the stationary mounting member are formed of fluted or corrugated panels, and the axle rod extends into aligned flutes or channels in the two principal components. These panels are fabricated from extruded plastic panels of the type suitable for exterior use. The panel forming the mounting member is folded to form a three dimensional structure that is more rigid than the flat rotatable panel. The sign formed in this manner is relatively light in weight and can be assembled on site and can be mounted to a pole or post in an elevated position.

Abstract: A wind-actuated warning device which mounts onto a vehicle to provide an alert or warning to the operator of a vehicular condition which requires the operator to exert special attention and appropriately respond to the condition. Examples of such conditions include a high profile condition, a roof top carrier or a reminder to deploy landing gear on an aircraft. The warning device has a base member with coupling for mounting the base member onto the vehicle. The warning device further has a cover member pivotally mounted to the base member. The cover member has a frontal and a rearward surface with a warning or other indicator associated with the rearward surface of the cover. The cover is biased against the base, which is overcome by wind loading to pivotally collapse the cover onto the base and provide a substantially flat elevational profile of the warning device on the vehicle.

Abstract: A wind force-operated cycling ornament, comprising a body shaped like a cyclist and mounted on a base, which can be mounted on a flat surface by screws or a double-sided adhesive tape, two wheels mounted on said body at two opposite sides and connected by a wheel axle, a fan mounted on said body and forced by the power of wind to rotate said wheels through a transmission gear set, and a pair of driven plates and a pair of driving plates movably mounted between a pair of pegs on said body and two contact points on said wheel, and wherein said driven plates are respectively shaped like the upper part of the leg, and said driving plates are respectively shaped like the lower part of the leg; rotating said fan causes said driven and driving plates to alternatively rotate back and forth.

Abstract: A decorative display panel is formed by spaced transparent panes defining a space containing preferably water. A porous tube at the bottom of the space is supplied preferably with air under pressure to generate a curtain of bubbles moving upward in the water. The assembly is illuminated by edge lighting. The unit can be either free-standing, or incorporated in a partition system.

Abstract: This invention is a wind driven sign preferably in the form of a human character wherein the arms of the sign will move when the wind is blowing to attract attention to the business establishment or other location adjacent said sign. This is accomplished through a single blade thus the movement of the appendages of the sign are not propeller movement but an arm-like movement thereby adding even more to the fascination and effect of the same.

Abstract: An animated toy for use in conjunction with a vehicle comprising a body member having a pictorial representation of the upper body of a runner thereon, a leg member including plural leg portions resistant to air passing thereby pivotally mounted on the base member adjacent the pictorial representation of the upper body portion of the runner for providing the illusion of the runner running on rotation of the leg member due to air passing the leg member and means for mounting the animated toy on the vehicle on closing of the vehicle window on a support member for the toy.

Abstract: An article of advertisement includes a transparent container, and a plate-like member located in the container and carrying an image of eyes. When the article is mounted on a movable object such as a vehicle, the plate-like member displaces relative to the container since one of the transverse dimensions of the plate-like member is smaller than a respective one of the dimensions of the inner chamber of the container. This provides for impression of moving eyes. The inner chamber of the container may be filled by a transparent liquid so that the plate-like member floats in the inner chamber. Thereby, friction between the walls of the container and the member is eliminated, and the eyes in the liquid have a greater impression of movability and sparkling.