US4591955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminating device producing a ripple effect
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-08-24
•
Granted: 1986-05-27
•
Expires: 2004-08-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an illuminating device that will create a continuously moving ripple effect on the area illuminated. The device comprises a patterned endless belt transported on a pair of driven rollers. One side of the belt is illuminated preferably by a point light source. As the belt is driven, the patterns on the two sides pass each other in opposite directions. This creates a rippled light effect. The device is particularly well adapted for use with an aquarium to simulate underwater, the effect caused by ambient light shining through surface ripple and waves upon the bottom of a body of water.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam G. Kallay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:57
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S10/00; F21V; F21V14/00; F21V14/006; F21W; F21W2121/00; F21W2121/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An illuminating device which comprises: a. an endless belt-type pattern means, said means having a background portion of relatively lower light transmissivity with the remaining area of the pattern means being comprised of a multiplicity of geometric design areas of relatively higher light transmissivity; b. drive means for the pattern means, said drive means comprising roller-type supporting means arranged to hold the pattern means in the form of a continuously moveable loop having generally parallel first and second face areas and further comprising motor means to drive the roller-type supporting means; and c. a light source adjacent to the first face area of the pattern means whereby, when the pattern means is moved by the drive means, the geometric design areas on the first and second face areas will move past each other in opposite directions and the light shining firstly through the moving geometric design areas of the first face area, and thence through the moving geometric design areas of the second face area, will project a continuously moving ripple effect pattern upon an illuminated zone, said illuminated zone being located beyond said second face area of said pattern means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An illuminating device which comprises: a. an endless belt-type pattern means, said means having a background portion of relatively lower light transmissivity with the remaining area of the pattern means being comprised of a multiplicity of geometric design areas of relatively higher light transmissivity; b. drive means for the pattern means, said drive means comprising roller-type supporting means arranged to hold the pattern means in the form of a continuously moveable loop having generally parallel first and second face areas and further comprising motor means to drive the roller-type supporting means; and c. a light source adjacent to the first face area of the pattern means whereby, when the pattern means is moved by the drive means, the geometric design areas on the first and second face areas will move past each other in opposite directions and the light shining firstly through the moving geometric design areas of the first face area, and thence through the moving geometric design areas of the second face area, will project a continuously moving ripple effect pattern upon an illuminated zone, said illuminated zone being located beyond said second face area of said pattern means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the background portion of the pattern means is a essentially opaque.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the background portion of the pattern means is a colored transparent or translucent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the geometric design areas are randomly placed on the pattern means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the geometric design areas are placed in generally parallel rows on the pattern means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The illuminating device of claim 4 in which the geometric design areas are essentially crescentic in form, said crescents being generally arranged with their points on a line transverse to the direction of movement of the pattern means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The illuminating device of claim 5 in which the geometric design areas are essentially crescentic in form, said crescents being generally arranged with their points on a line transverse to the direction of movement of the pattern means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the light source is essentially a point source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminating device of claim 1 wherein the device is contained within a water resistant enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The illuminating device of claim 9 further in combination with an aquarium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
An illuminating device for an aquarium which comprises: a. light transmissive pattern means, said means having generally parallel first and second face areas adapted to move past each other in opposite directions and having background portions of relatively lower light transmissivity with the remaining area of the pattern means being comprised of a multiplicity of geometric design areas of relatively higher light transmissivity; b. drive means for the pattern means, to cause said generally parallel first and second face areas to move past each other in opposite directions; and c. a light source above the first face area of the pattern means whereby, when the pattern means is moved by the drive means, the geometric design areas on the first and second face area, will project a continuously moving ripple effect pattern upon an illuminated zone, said illuminated zone being located below said second face area of said pattern means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
An illuminating device for an aquarium which comprises: a. light transmissive pattern means, said means having generally parallel first and second face areas adapted to move past each other in opposite directions and having background portions of relatively lower light transmissivity with the remaining area of the pattern means being comprised of a multiplicity of geometric design areas of relatively higher light transmissivity; b. drive means for the pattern means, to cause said generally parallel first and second face areas to move past each other in opposite directions; and c. a light source above the first face area of the pattern means whereby, when the pattern means is moved by the drive means, the geometric design areas on the first and second face area, will project a continuously moving ripple effect pattern upon an illuminated zone, said illuminated zone being located below said second face area of said pattern means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1777944A
Cited
US1835311A
Cited
US3156417A
Cited
US3538323A
Cited
US4081666A
Cited
US4167074A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |