US3632108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illusory apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-03
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-02-03
Abstract
Abstract The device or apparatus of the invention is one for use in a magical display which in a preferred form of the invention provides for undetectable concealment of an object or person. The apparatus comprises angularly positioned mirrors for concealing a space, the mirrors being associated with a spherical surface so arranged that the image reflected in the mirrors gives the appearance of a complete circular surface thereby creating the illusion of a vacant space behind the mirrors. The effect is enhanced by a symmetrical arrangement of sections of small spheres or balls including two ball sections having flat surfaces placed against the mirrors, and two other ball sections positioned to make it appear that four similar ball sections are symmetrically positioned relative to the spherical surface in space including that concealed behind the mirrors.
Inventors
- 👤 James Mark Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:57
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Illusory apparatus comprising an upwardly facing concave curved surface having a continuous top edge; a substantially sector shaped platform having its curved edge joineD to a portion of the top edge of said curved surface, the other edges of said platform spaced from and overlying a portion of said curved surface; mirrors upstandingly mounted on said curved portion, the top portions of said mirrors supporting the other edges of said platform, said mirrors, platform and curved portion forming a concealment space; and means positioned on said curved surface exteriorly of said concealment space and symmetrically positioned relative to said mirrors to create the illusion when viewed together with the reflected curved surface that the concealed space below said platform is not present and that only the platform overlies said curved portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Illusory apparatus comprising an upwardly facing concave curved surface having a continuous top edge; a substantially sector shaped platform having its curved edge joineD to a portion of the top edge of said curved surface, the other edges of said platform spaced from and overlying a portion of said curved surface; mirrors upstandingly mounted on said curved portion, the top portions of said mirrors supporting the other edges of said platform, said mirrors, platform and curved portion forming a concealment space; and means positioned on said curved surface exteriorly of said concealment space and symmetrically positioned relative to said mirrors to create the illusion when viewed together with the reflected curved surface that the concealed space below said platform is not present and that only the platform overlies said curved portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the said curved surface comprises a portion of a sphere, said mirrors being positioned so that the reflection therein is an image giving the appearance of a continuation of said portion of the sphere with the space behind the mirrors concealed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the said mirrors are positioned at an angle to each other and radially with respect to the said portion of the sphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 including means for supporting the said portion of a sphere in a position so that the interior surface of it can be viewed, and means providing for access to the said concealment space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said symmetrically positioned means comprises at least one object having a flat surface placed against the mirror so that the object and its mirror image appears to be a single object having a part extending into the mirror surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said symmetrically positioned means comprises at least two of said objects placed against said mirrors and at least two other objects having a shape corresponding to the shape of the one of the first objects and its image in a mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said object is a section of a sphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 wherein all of said objects are sections of spheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said curved surface comprises a section of a sphere said mirrors being positioned so that the reflection therein is an image giving the appearance of a continuation of said portion of the sphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US872305A
Cited
GB191313705A
Cited
GB191409588A
Cited
US2155767A
Cited
GB443668A
Cited
US2607142A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |