Illuminated display apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing moving light patterns comprising a rotatable member mounted for rotation around a predetermined axis, said member comprising a vessel of light transmitting material which rotates with said member and which contains a plurality of separate, superimposed light transmitting objects of at least semi-transparent material mounted with their surfaces oriented irregularly to provide a multiplicity of irregularly oriented light transmitting surface portions which are asymmetrically disposed with respect to said axis and are spaced therefrom, said surface portions being formed by said light transmitting material and being at least semi-transparent and said objects having therein light transmitting paths extending from interiorly of a plurality of first ones of said surface portions at one side of said vessel to interiorly of a plurality of second ones of said surface portions at another side of said vessel, at least a portion of said paths being formed by said material, thereby to permit light to enter said objects at said first ones of said surface portions, travel through said material and exit from said second ones of said surface portions, a light source for directing light on and through said member, a color wheel mounted for rotation intermediate said source and said member, said wheel having a plurality of differently colored, light transmitting segments disposed around the axis of rotation of said wheel and means for rotating said member and said wheel.