Abstract: The present invention is an air circulating fan which creates optical displays. The fan comprises a housing in a generally circular configuration with a central axis. Also provided is a propeller formed of a plurality of blades mounted for rotational movement within the housing about an axis of rotation coincident with the central axis of the housing, the blades have exposed surfaces with fluorescent paint thereon. A light source is located within the housing in operative proximity to the blades disseminating light from the blades. Further included is a drive mechanism to rotate the blades and a power source to illuminate the light source.

Abstract: An ornamental display globe includes a transparent hollow sphere filled with a transparent liquid and a figurine disposed inside the sphere. The figurine is maintained in a preferred orientation in the transparent liquid when the transparent hollow sphere is subjected to movement.

Abstract: A vase or similar container which includes a display support is formed by a tubular member having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a base support included in the closed lower end and an upper support disposed within the upper region of the tubular member. A vertically disposed elongated support rod is supported in the lower end of the tubular member and extends upwardly through the upper mounting aperture to support an electric motor for driving an active display.

Abstract: An improved solenoid and reset pin for a modular display apparatus for displaying indicia at a front thereof having a frame for rotationally mounting a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes first and second display faces joined along respective adjacent edges. A triggering mechanism has a plurality of solenoids adapted for selective actuation to rotate selected ones of the pixels for changing the pattern of the desired display indicia and a plurality reset pins to return the pixels to an original position. The reset pins and the plungers for the solenoids include a spring and a rod extending axially outward from said spring to provide radial flexibility.

Abstract: A display device consisting of a plurality of rotating segments each carrying elements of a message or sign, each rotating relative to each other, the center of rotation of each being concentric to each other. These segments are driven by a series of planetary gear systems or their equivalent, arranged in layers, each driving the next. To these segments may be attached a plurality of auxiliary devices, all driven by the same mechanism, which can enhance the attraction of the device, carry elements of the message, etc. Each segment or auxiliary device can be of a variety of shapes, colors, graphics, etc. Segments can be nested or overlapping, totally or in combination in any relation to each other. Message can be continuously or intermittently scrambled and unscrambled.

Abstract: A novelty amusement eating receptacle for supporting, rotating and sculpting a portion of ice cream or similarly malleable food while it is being consumed comprising: a hand-held housing, a cup rotatably supported by the hand-held housing and adapted to receive and contain a portion of ice cream or food product of similar consistency, and a drive mechanism in the hand-held housing for imparting rotation upon the cup and rotationally feeding its contents against a person's outstretched tongue.

Abstract: A swing mechanism for wave-producing ornament. The ornament includes a base and a liquid container and the swing mechanism is mounted inside the base with a top container holder projecting from the base to fixedly connect the liquid container thereto. The swing mechanism includes a round disc which is rotated by a motor in the base of the ornament, a connecting rod pivotally connected to the round disc near an outer periphery thereof, and a sleeve defining a downward open cylindrical inner space with a narrowed lower end for an upper half part of the connecting rod to extend into. The upper half part of the connecting rod are two upward extended arms which slide up and down in the cylindrical inner space like a piston. When the round disc is rotated, the connecting rod moves in circumferential movement, bringing the sleeve and accordingly the liquid container fixedly connected to a top of the sleeve to swing relative to the base of the ornament.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illusion device for amusement and entertainment purposes. The invention is more specifically suited to an illusion device which seems to the observer to produce a shimmering bubble floating in free space with no visible means of support or motivation. The invention includes novel sculptural cage design of commercially available silver diffraction grating MYLAR and a novel arrangement for electrically rotating it within a sealed transparent case for the purpose of creating the illusion of a floating transparent bubble which changes in shape and scintillates with color.

Abstract: A decorative illuminating mobile apparatus includes a support member that has an engaging surface that fits a generally flat adjacent anchoring surface such as a ceiling, floor, wall or the like. A first swivel member extends away from the support member. A plurality of separately rotatable appendages are connection sequentially together by a series of addition swivel members that space each appendage a part from another adjacent appendage and away from the support member engaging surface. This arrangement stacks the rotatable appendages vertically so there is a highest appendage and a lowest appendage with a plurality of appendages therebetween for example. At least some of the appendages include a light source that is powered by electricity. An electrical supply is provided for illuminating each light source, the electrical supply including rotational light electrical supply connection at the swivels.

Abstract: A toy assembly is provided with manual and electrical operation units which can be selectively actuated to rotate a shaft, which has a helical advancing path, in one direction in an ascending chamber. Toy elements are moved upward in the ascending chamber and descend by gravity along a descending path provided in a descending chamber. The manual operation unit incorporates a first clutch mechanism for disconnecting the manual operation unit from the rotary shaft so as to prevent the rotary shaft to turn in another direction that can move the toy elements downward. A second clutch mechanism is provided to disconnect the rotary shaft from the electrical operation unit when the rotary shaft is driven via the manual operation unit.

Abstract: A wave-producing decoration including an elongated liquid container which has an outwardly and downwardly projecting bubble collector integrally formed at a bottom center. The bubble collector communicates with the liquid container and collects any possible bubbles in the container. In addition, the bubble collector has a shape suitable for engaging a seat member partially exposed from a support member of the decoration, such that the liquid container may laterally sway with the pivoting seat member, causing liquid in the container to flow in waves.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a driving structure of the external rotary disk of the crystal ball the inner rim the external rotary disk of which is provided with two set of gears which is engaged with the external rotary disk. The diameters of center gear for each set of the gears are different with each other, wherein the center gears are formed an unidirectional device with the axle of the spring. Therefore, the external rotary disk is driven by the dynamic force of the spring of the music box through one of the gears sets, on the contrary, the external rotary disk can be rotated with a preset direction, thus the other gear set will be driven to rapidly tightly wind the spring of the music box.

Abstract: A mobile advertising device having a rotating display unit suspended from a cord that is preferably supported from a wand attached to a shelf unit in a store. The display unit has a battery powered motor that rotates a drum having a surface on which graphics are displayed and the display unit may include lights to attract the attention of customers.

Abstract: A water ball structure includes a base defining a cylindrical housing to received therein a music box type driving device and support thereon a water ball. The driving device is fixed on a disk which is received within a bottom opening of the housing and snap-held by resilient paws formed on the housing. A circumferential wall is provided to fix to and concentrically surround the housing. A rotation ring is supported on the circumferential wall by a ball bearing arranged on the top of the wall so as to allow the rotation ring to be rotatable relative to the housing in a concentric manner by being driven by the driving device through a gear train coupling therebetween. A toothed ring is fit over the housing and snap-held by paws provided on the housing.

Abstract: An undulating display includes a rigid track, a pair of linking members secured to the track, a first pivot member having first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, and a second pivot member pivotally supported on the second pivot axis of the first pivot member. The pair of linking members is secured to the second pivot member. The display also includes an drive mechanism for pivoting simultaneously the second pivot member about the second pivot axis and the first pivot member about the first pivot axis thereby to produce undulating motion of the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of a visual sense effect comprises a first object A having a plurality of windows disposed around an axis of rotation C and a second object B so disposed as to show part thereof through the windows W of the first object A, with the first object A and the second object B adapted to be rotated relative to each other round the axis of rotation C. By virtue of the visual sense effect in vision, this apparatus allows an object of a polygonal shape to be perceived as though the object were repeating enlargement, contraction, deformation, and eccentric movement.

Abstract: A device for rotating a finial attached to a table lamp is provided with an adaptor for providing household current directly from the lamp at a reduced voltage to the drive motor of the device. Preferably, the device includes a battery pack so that a drive shaft of the device which is connectable to a finial can be rotated by either battery power or through a transformer.

Abstract: A transmission assembly used to connect with a rotatable ornament or a toy to provide bilateral rotations for achieving their cosmetic effect comprises a casing enclosing a set of three pinions which are driven by a battery-operated electrical circuit therein. An elastic rectangular bar used to restrict the rotary extent of a first pinion will elastically obstruct the rotary movement of the pinion in order to provide continuous bilateral rotation and each turn of the bilateral rotation will exceed 360.degree. without making any noise. The noses of the spindles of the pinions are formed as tapering sockets or as tapering pointed plugs to enhance the intensity of the assembly. Most of the components in this assembly are made integrally of plastic material so as to reduce the time and cost to manufacture.

Abstract: A variable-display device comprises an outer hollow cylinder made of a transparent material, an inner hollow cylinder disposed inside and substantially coaxially with the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder having a passage formed therein in a direction substantially parallel to the axis thereof and communicating to outside from the inside of the inner cylinder, an opaque sheet-like member made of a soft material, disposed as curled and having one end thereof located inside the inner cylinder and the other end located outside the passage formed in the inner cylinder, and an operating member fixed to the sheet-like member and disposed rotatably in relation to the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder carries a first display such as a picture, characters, figure or other pattern, and the inner cylinder carries a second display different from the first one.

Abstract: This construction is one type of water filled crystal ball with driven steel balls. The main parts include, a water filled crystal ball and fixed base. On the top periphery of this round fixed base is placed a continuous track. This track is filled with steel balls. On the bottom face of the above mentioned fixed base is a rotatable flexible base which is driven by a music box spindle located in the fixed flexible base. The rotation of this base, causes the rotation and thus movement of the above mentioned steel balls which circulate within the track. Decorative objects then move within the space above the fixed base.

Abstract: A novelty illusion device producing an illusion of a shimmering floating bubble having a transparent case, an illusion object disposed within the case, an electric motor for producing rotational force, a power circuit and power source for driving the motor, and a drive shaft for transferring rotational force from the motor to the illusion object. The drive shaft is rendered virtually invisible to an observer when the drive shaft is rotating by concealing the shaft within a groove formed in the casing. The illusion object is made of a plurality of mylar strips joined at both ends to form a cage structure. Additional circuits are included to vary the movement of the illusion periodically and in response to detected sounds.

Abstract: The device according to the present invention allows the timed lighting in following phases of the structure and of the signals provided on two kinds of emergency triangles, a first one (2) provided on the vehicle, and a second one (3) that may be seen at distance, when the vehicle is forced to stop due to a damage.

Abstract: A water filled crystal ball with undulating pivot arms is disclosed. The important parts comprise a central rotating shaft, a bushing, undulating pivot arms, and a rotating disk. It is the rotating motion of the central rotating shaft that is the driving force. It is the outer bushing which is the levering force that causes an up and down undulation of the pivot arms inside the glass sphere of the crystal ball. Decorative objects above the fixed disk are moved by a track which is fixed to the top of a rotating disk and move in a level radial back and forth fashion. This produces a scene in which there are multiple directions of motion of decorative objects within a glass sphere.

Abstract: A decorative kinetic device which includes a transparent hollow dome containing a fluid and a plurality of small particles. The dome is open on its bottom and is mounted on a base having a pumping chamber formed therein. The top of the pumping chamber, which serves as the bottom of the dome, includes an intake hole and an outlet hole to provide flow paths between the dome and the pumping chamber. A pump impeller is positioned within the pumping chamber to circulate the fluid and the particles, the impeller being rotated by a motor positioned in the base below the pumping chamber. An extension member is attached to and extends vertically upward from the pump impeller into the dome and is adapted to receive a decorative object. A transport tube having an intake port and an outlet port is positioned in the dome such that the intake port is connected to the outlet hole of the pumping chamber and the outlet port of the transporting tube is positioned near the top of the dome.

Abstract: A beverage advertising display is provided with a motorized simulation of a liquid pouring out of an aluminum beverage can and provided with a battery compartment for easy access and replacement of batteries. The liquid pouring simulation is achieved by rotating a tapered ribbon affixed by a disc to a rotatable shaft on a motor. The disc is concentrically affixed to a circular surface area at the top end of the ribbon. The battery compartment holds a pair of batteries inside a pair of cavities in the bottom section of the beverage container. A double-ended spring clip rotatably mounted between the cavities holds the batteries therein, provides electrical contact between the batteries to power the motor, and provides easy access to replace the batteries.

Abstract: A display unit simulating a flying object and having an electric motor mounted on a support structure, a rotatably driven member drivingly engaged on the driven shaft of the motor, the driven member has a hole located adjacent its periphery, a thin, tempered wire of a small diameter is attached at one end to the driven member and the flying object is attached to the other end of the wire. One end of the wire is formed as a crank portion which is inserted loosely in the hole in the member whereby when the driven member is rotated, the wire is not bodily rotated around the member but is more slowly swung around, and the object assumes a flying fluttering motion due to the vibrations through the wire from the motor. The object is drivingly rotated in a swinging and erratic motion around the unit but at much slower rate of rotation than the motor shaft and member.

Abstract: A decorative hanging device is provided and consists of a plurality of suspension members secured to and projecting from the top portion of a basket frame structure so as to be hung from a ceiling or the like. A plurality of silk flowers are arranged about a macrame fabric structure which covers the basket frame structure. Decor paint is applied to the macrame fabric structure so as to make an aesthetically pleasing structure.

Abstract: Scenery subassemblies are rotated around arises of a polyhedron. As the subassemblies are rotated, the scenery above, beneath, and all around an observation point changes. The polyhedron an be an octahedron, cube, or tetrahedron.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed which comprisees a plurality of positive lenses disposed in a concavely curved lens array as seen by an observer and a plurality of substantially concavely curved pictures respectively associated with the lenses. Each of the pictures is disposed behind the respective lens and is located substantially at or within the focal length of the respective lens. The pictures each comprise a plurality of picture elements such that, when the lens array is viewed from different angles by an observer, the observer is able to perceive a composite image formed from magnified images of the picture elements of different ones of the pictures.

Abstract: A novelty display device which simulates a snow fall. The device includes a base having a transparent container positioned on its top which forms a substantially closed chamber. An electric motor is contained within the base and rotatably drives a fan blade contained within and adjacent bottom of the chamber. Lightweight particulate matter is disposed within the interior of the chamber so that, upon actuation of the fan blade, the fan blade inducts the particulate matter from the bottom of the chamber and circulates the particulate matter throughout the chamber thereby simulating a snowfall.

Abstract: A body portion of non-luminous material has an enlarged surface area on which design elements are applied of luminous material. The design elements are shaped to depict celestial bodies and the arrangement is such that when these design portions are charged by light, they will glow in the dark so that in an overhead position a nocturnal celestial appearance is provided. The body portion can consist of a double layer of material and the design elements confined between the two layers. A support for the body portion may include an electric motor for rotating the body portion to simulate rotation of the earth.

Abstract: Biological material, such as a natural plant, is displayed within a transparent casing containing a preserving liquid which may consist at least partially of isopropyl alcohol. The material is attached either to a float or to a swivel anchor or to both so that, regardless of its weight, it is controllably suspended submerged in the liquid. The material is connected to the float or anchor, preferably by plastic threads substantially invisible in the liquid. The liquid in the casing is caused to move so that the biological material will rotate and afford a noticeable and aesthetic display. Music in conjunction with the rotation of the biological material may also be provided, as well as a light source for illuminating the display.

Abstract: A dynamic display comprising a multiplicity of presentation units such as solid blocks (as shown), containers, stands or shelves arranged for rotation as at least two groups about respective parallel axes. At least one of the groups being contra rotatable with respect to the or at least one of the adjacent groups, and each of the presentation units being shaped and located to avoid interference with any of the other presentation units, with the groups being arranged in a straight line (as shown), cyclically or in a pattern, even though the paths of movement of the presentation units of adjacent ones of the groups overlap, when viewed in a direction parallel to said axes.

Abstract: A mechanical device includes a block of material having a hollow tunnel formed therein. An elongated rotary shaft is floatingly mounted in the tunnel, generally parallel to but off-set from the longitudinal center thereof. A number of holes are diametrically formed through and more or less evenly distributed along the length of the shaft, perpendicular to the axis thereof. Each hole is angularly offset from the other holes, by a predetermined angular distance. A sliding shaft, which slides freely through each of these diametrical holes, has a wheel on each of its opposite ends. The contour of the tunnel wall is unique and is defined by the paths followed by the wheels on the ends of the sliding shafts, as the shaft rotates and as the sliding shafts slide freely through the holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating and displaying moving pictures in which a combination of a number of locally displaceable picture elements have positions that are variable and/or selectable by a number of adjustable outer or final control elements. At least part of individual final control elements have associated with them an inner control element. The position of the final control elements is variable in response to the action of the control elements, and these inner control elements are arranged on a movable inner control element carrier. The control elements constitute mechanical information storages in which the information has a total of at least two mechanical states and can be transmitted by mechanical contact to the associated final control elements, and hence to the picture elements. The information of the inner control elements is made variable by moving the control element carrier.

Abstract: Audio-visual display device is enclosed terrarium containing living plants of normal size. One or more models on small scale of living creatures are located in the terrarium and are powered to move. The small-scale models of the creatures have the effect of making the plants look larger. A pump to produce simulated rain or a music device to produce music are optional additions to enhance the effect.

Abstract: A device for producing multidirectional visual displays in which a refracting member having a plurality of elongated lens elements and a design member generally parallel thereto are rotated with respect to each other to provide multidirectional visual displays. The refracting member may be flat or arcuate to form spheres or cylinders so long as the design member is complementary in shape. Rotation is generally provided to the design member.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated rollers are arranged on a surface in a substantially closed polygonal configuration. The rollers are interconnected so as to be simultaneously driven by a single motor coupled to one of the rollers. A plurality of resilient members randomly project from the surface of the rollers and are adapted to contact a plurality of different size spheres located within the perimeter of the polygon. Contact between the projections and the spheres when the cylinders are rotated provide impetus to the spheres to cause them to move across the surface in a random fashion. Collisions between the various spheres further randomizes their motion.