US3694645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Kinetic display
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-05
•
Granted: 1972-09-26
•
Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated display includes a housing with a front wall through which light can pass. The housing behind the wall is divided into a number of compartments. A wheel having an array of light sources thereon is rotatable in the housing on an axis generally perpendicular to the wall and when it is rotated, different light sources are continually brought opposite various compartments in the housing so that constantly changing light patterns are projected onto the housing front wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm H Brantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:30
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F11/00; G09F11/23; G09F13/00; G09F19/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806; Y10S362/811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An illuminated display comprising A. a stationary housing having a front wall through which light can pass, B. an array of dividing walls 1. extending out from the housing front wall an appreciable distance, and 2. dividing the housing interior into a number of odd-shaped, relatively deep compartments, C. a wheel rotatable in the housing about an axis generally perpendicular to the housing front wall, D. an array of light sources distributed on the wheel, said light sources comprising 1. a multiplicity of dividing walls, a. extending toward the dividing walls in the housing, and b. forming an array of odd-shaped compartments on the wheel, 2. lamps located in the wheel compartments, and 3. means for energizing the lamps, and E. means for rotating the wheel so that different light sources are continually brought opposite various compartments in the housing so that constantly changing light patterns and shadows caused by the varying angles between the compartment walls and the light sources are visible on the front wall of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An illuminated display comprising A. a stationary housing having a front wall through which light can pass, B. an array of dividing walls 1. extending out from the housing front wall an appreciable distance, and 2. dividing the housing interior into a number of odd-shaped, relatively deep compartments, C. a wheel rotatable in the housing about an axis generally perpendicular to the housing front wall, D. an array of light sources distributed on the wheel, said light sources comprising 1. a multiplicity of dividing walls, a. extending toward the dividing walls in the housing, and b. forming an array of odd-shaped compartments on the wheel, 2. lamps located in the wheel compartments, and 3. means for energizing the lamps, and E. means for rotating the wheel so that different light sources are continually brought opposite various compartments in the housing so that constantly changing light patterns and shadows caused by the varying angles between the compartment walls and the light sources are visible on the front wall of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
dividing the housing interior into a number of odd-shaped, relatively deep compartments, C. a wheel rotatable in the housing about an axis generally perpendicular to the housing front wall, D. an array of light sources distributed on the wheel, said light sources comprising
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
dividing the housing interior into a number of odd-shaped, relatively deep compartments, C. a wheel rotatable in the housing about an axis generally perpendicular to the housing front wall, D. an array of light sources distributed on the wheel, said light sources comprising
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
7 words
lamps located in the wheel compartments, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
7 words
lamps located in the wheel compartments, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated display defined in claim 1 wherein the housing front wall is a translucent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illuminated display defined in claim 1 wherein the light sources on the wheel are in a variety of colors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
means for energizing the lamps, and E. means for rotating the wheel so that different light sources are continually brought opposite various compartments in the housing so that constantly changing light patterns and shadows caused by the varying angles between the compartment walls and the light sources are visible on the front wall of the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
means for energizing the lamps, and E. means for rotating the wheel so that different light sources are continually brought opposite various compartments in the housing so that constantly changing light patterns and shadows caused by the varying angles between the compartment walls and the light sources are visible on the front wall of the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The illuminated display defined in claim 1 and further including means for causing the lamps to blink on and off so that different portions of the design visible on the housing front wall blink of and off correspondingly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The illuminated display defined in claim 1 wherein the wheel is recessed into the dividers in the housing so that when the wheel rotates, the display visible on the front wall of the housing is characterized by A. a circular area in the middle having constantly changing patterns, and B. a peripheral area whose color pattern is substantially static.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated display as defined in claim 5 wherein the lamps have a variety of colors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illuminated display as defined in claim 5 wherein the wheel has a wall around part or all of its periphery which extends toward the housing front waLl.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |