US4173038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Changing image light device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-08-30
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Granted: 1979-10-30
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Expires: 1997-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A light device for projecting a variety of different images in various changing colors onto a translucent surface to provide the visual portion of audio visual entertainment. The primary embodiment has a box-like container with one or more sides of translucent mterial. An openable top cover permits ready access to the interior of the device which has mounted therein a support stand provided with a plurality of different color flashing lights. Mounted at the top of the support stand is an electric motor of very slow revolutions per minute, and mounted on the output shaft of said motor is a turntable-like disk member. Specially configured pyramidal programs are provided for interchangeable mounting on said disk member. The individual programs may be preformed in flat configuration with interlocking edge portions to enable assembly thereof. Appropriate letters and/or symbols are cut out of the flat program sheet prior to assembly thereof, for representing the desired visual experience by a user of the device. Each program includes a series of cutouts which may define a trip or series of visual experiences. Several embodiments of the device substitute an opaque globe structure for the box-like container, and are designed to be mounted on either a base member, or suspended from overhead structure by a support member.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey N. Kiefer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:31
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V1/00; F21V1/10; F21S; F21S10/00; F21S10/02; F21S10/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806; Y10S362/811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A light device comprising first means for producing a virtual kaleidoscope of images in various changing colors, and changeable program means associated with the first means for changing the type of images produced by the device, wherein the changeable program means includes an easily changeable program member of truncated pyramid shape of relatively lightweight material and having various symbols and letters removed therefrom to provide paths for light to pass therethrough and a program member of truncated pyramid shape formed from a flat die-cut piece of posterboard, the die-cuts provided to form the desired shape as well as folding edges thereof, and interlocking means folded therewith in order to maintain said program member in erected form once folded thereinto, said first means including a support structure having a plurality of colored lights thereon, flashing means associated therewith for causing said lights to alternately flash on and off, an electric motor mounted at one end of the support, said electric motor having an output means rotating at a slow rate, and turntable means connected to said output means for drivingly connecting the slowly rotating output means to said program means at the narrow portion of said pyramid shaped program member so as to permit quick and easy change thereof in order to vary the type of images presented for viewing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A light device comprising first means for producing a virtual kaleidoscope of images in various changing colors, and changeable program means associated with the first means for changing the type of images produced by the device, wherein the changeable program means includes an easily changeable program member of truncated pyramid shape of relatively lightweight material and having various symbols and letters removed therefrom to provide paths for light to pass therethrough and a program member of truncated pyramid shape formed from a flat die-cut piece of posterboard, the die-cuts provided to form the desired shape as well as folding edges thereof, and interlocking means folded therewith in order to maintain said program member in erected form once folded thereinto, said first means including a support structure having a plurality of colored lights thereon, flashing means associated therewith for causing said lights to alternately flash on and off, an electric motor mounted at one end of the support, said electric motor having an output means rotating at a slow rate, and turntable means connected to said output means for drivingly connecting the slowly rotating output means to said program means at the narrow portion of said pyramid shaped program member so as to permit quick and easy change thereof in order to vary the type of images presented for viewing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, together with a box-like container having a bottom, four walls, at least one translucent panel forming at least one of said walls, and an openable lid to permit easy access to the interior of the container for the purpose of easy change of the program member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, together with a base for holding the support structure in a vertical position thereon, a translucent globe removably mounted to said base, and means for quickly attaching and detaching said translucent globe from said base for the purpose of permitting change of the program member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, together with a support structure for attachment to an overhead ceiling light fixture, a translucent globe removably attached to the overhead support structure, and means mounting the globe to the overhead support means for permitting quick and easy removal of the globe in order to change the program member of the device and yet assuring positive securing of the globe to the overhead support structure, and means for positively securing the program member to the associated drive structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored lights comprise at least three light sockets with bulbs mounted therein mounted vertically, and at least two of said vertical sets mounted on said support at different positions thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein a total of four vertical sets of lights are mounted on the support structure and spaced equally therearound, and the means for flashing said lights alternately on and off consists of self-contained flashers in the light bulbs themselves.
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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) | 1982-10-29 | 1983-04-30 | 1983-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-29 | 1987-04-30 | 1987-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-29 | 1991-04-30 | 1991-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |