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US 5,491,916 AGranted
Animated display
AssigneeThomas A. Schutz Co., Inc.
InventorsKevin A. Ingram, Marvin L. Adenau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An animated display having a case defining a display chamber with a top and bottom. An object is provided within the display chamber so as to be visible from externally of the case. Structure is provided for continuously circulating a plurality of discrete particles through the display chamber in a pattern that extends through in excess of 180.degree. around a vertical axis extending through the object.
Claims28
An animated display comprising:
- a case having a surface bounding at least a part of a display chamber,
- said case having a top and bottom;
- an object within the display chamber that is visible from externally of the case;
- a plurality of discrete particles;
- and
- means for continuously circulating the discrete particles through the display chamber in a pattern that extends through in excess of 180.degree. around a vertical axis extending through the object,
- wherein the means for continuously circulating the discrete particles includes a first wall within the display chamber and extending substantially continuously around a vertically extending axis,
- said first wall having a first surface bounding a subchamber and a second, oppositely facing surface,
- said means for continuously circulating the discrete particles comprising means for continuously circulating the discrete particles in a continuous path vertically in one direction through the subchamber guidingly against the first surface of the first wall and thereafter vertically in a direction opposite to the one direction in the display chamber guidingly in a space between the case surface and the second surface on the first wall,
- said means for continuously circulating the discrete particles comprising means for propelling the discrete particles in a downward direction through a portion of the continuous path with a force in addition to gravitational forces acting on the discrete particles.
7 more elements
An animated display comprising:
- a case defining a display chamber with a top and bottom;
- an object within the display chamber that is visible from externally of the case;
- a plurality of discrete particles;
- and
- means for continuously circulating the discrete particles through the display chamber in a pattern that extends through in excess of 180.degree. around a vertical axis extending through the object,
- wherein the case has a viewing wall with a cylindrical inside surface having a vertical center axis, the means for continuously circulating the discrete particle comprises means for circulating the discrete particles in a curved path and there are means on the case for interrupting movement of the discrete particles in the curved path to cause turbulent movement of the discrete particles,
- wherein the means for interrupting movement of the discrete particles comprise at least one vertically extending vane.
4 more elements
An animated display comprising:
- a case defining a display chamber with a top and bottom;
- an object within the display chamber that is visible from externally of the case,
- there being a viewing wall on the case having a surface bounding the display chamber;
- a plurality of discrete particles;
- and
- means for continuously circulating the discrete particles in a continuous path through the display chamber,
- said means for continuously circulating the discrete particles includes a first wall within the display chamber and extending around a vertically extending axis so as to bound a subchamber,
- said first wall having a top and bottom,
- said means for continuously circulating the discrete particles comprising means for continuously circulating the discrete particles in an endless path vertically in one direction through the subchamber, around one of the top and bottom of the first wall, vertically in a direction opposite to the one direction, around the other of the top and bottom of the first wall and back into the subchamber for recirculating, while at the same time moving the discrete particles in a direction around the vertically extending axis as they move in the endless path.
6 more elements
An animated display comprising:
- a case defining a display chamber with a top and bottom;
- an object within the display chamber that is visible from externally of the case,
- there being a viewing wall on the case having a surface bounding the display chamber;
- a plurality of discrete particles;
- and
- means for continuously circulating the discrete particles through the display chamber in a pattern such that the discrete particles are propelled against the viewing wall surface at a first height, redirected upwardly by the viewing wall surface and directed downwardly to be recirculated,
- wherein the viewing wall has a vertical center axis, the means for continuously circulating the discrete particles comprises means for circulating the discrete particles in a curved path and there are means on the case for interrupting movement of the discrete particles in the curved path to cause turbulent movement of the discrete particle,
- further wherein the means for interrupting movement of the discrete particles comprises at least one vertically extending vane.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.