Patent US3580126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3580126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light display instrument
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-10-29
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of light which is controllable like a musical instrument. The device includes an elastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which is spaced from a high intensity light source. A collimating and focusing lens is interposed between the reflective surface and the light source so that light beams emanating from said light source and reflected from said reflective surface are focused st a point within an aperture defined in the cabinet of the device. A dynamic image display may be produced by applying localized pressures to the reflective surface thereby distorting the reflected pattern. These localized forces may be applied by sound waves, manual pressure and the like. Further interesting effects are obtainable by varying the optical characteristics of the light beams as they pass through the focal point as by the use of light filters or masks.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Forkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:20
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J17/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S353/00; Y10S353/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface; a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface; a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source and said light source and said reflective surface are mounted within a cabinet having sidewalls and opposing top and bottom walls and including means located at the focal region of said Fresnel lens for defining an aperture through which said light passes and means at said aperture for verifying the properties of said reflected light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means adjacent said Fresnel lens for maintaining an image carrying transparency in the path of reflected light so that said image is projected to said remote location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the reflected light properties comprise patterned masks for controlling the configuration of light passing through said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is associated with the head of a percussion instrument for movement therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface comprises synthetic, elastically stretchable material having a reflective coating on at least a portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic material is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a fan means for cooling said light source, said fan means being interposed between said light source and said reflective surface so that said fan means periodically interferes with the light passing from said light source to said reflective surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surface for defining an opening through which said light passes; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflective light passes through a focal point.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surface for defining an opening through which said light passes; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflective light passes through a focal point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved reflective surface for focusing said reflected light comprises an oblate hemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point; and means for directing the reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point; and means for directing the reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said chamber includes means for providing communication with a musical instrument for varying the configuration of said surface in accordance with the pressure generated by said musical instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second light source disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of filters, one of said filters being interposed between each of said light sources and said reflective surface and said filters having different optical characteristics so that the light beams reflected from said reflective surface are of two different optical characteristics and when viewed through appropriate filtering members provide a three-dimensional image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of substantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each other and extending longitudinally intermediate said light source and said reflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a Kaleidoscope light display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective surface comprises a high strength polyester film having a reflective substance coated on one surface thereof, said film being stretched over a frame member so as to be resiliently movable when a pressure is applied to said film; said apparatus further including a flat reflective mirror for directing the light rays passing through said Fresnel lens to an aperture defined in said apparatus at the focal point of said light rays; and said apparatus further including means for directing the light rays passing through said aperture onto a remote member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface communicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a closed chamber so that the sound waves from said speaker cause distortions of said reflective surface and produce variations in the light image reflected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displays which comprise: a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supporting material having a reflective surface physically connected to said supporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunction with a force applied to said reflective member from an external source, said reflective member deforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; a reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing display on a remotely located surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
158 words
Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displays which comprise: a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supporting material having a reflective surface physically connected to said supporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunction with a force applied to said reflective member from an external source, said reflective member deforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; a reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing display on a remotely located surface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; means defining an opening; a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being stretched over said opening defining means so as to be stretchable by application of localized pressure; a reflective surface intermediate sAid resilient reflective surface and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflective surface and said remote location; and an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; means defining an opening; a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being stretched over said opening defining means so as to be stretchable by application of localized pressure; a reflective surface intermediate sAid resilient reflective surface and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflective surface and said remote location; and an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at said opening for varying the properties of said reflected light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |