US4832453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination decorative light image source and calendrical device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-12-17
•
Granted: 1989-05-23
•
Expires: 2006-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device comprising a substantially planar platform, a light-reflective material affixed to the top surface of the platform, and a second material positioned above the light-reflective material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light. The second material can comprise a flexible film arranged in a plurality of at least partially spaced-apart planes or a rigid, transparent material which is bent and is colored or has a dielectric coating. A transparent cover can be affixed to the platform for enclosing the top surface of the platform, the light-reflective material, and the flexible film and a base can be attached to the bottom surface of the support surface for rotating the support surface in a plurality of planes. In another embodiment, the combination decorative light image source and calendrical device comprises a first rigid material for reflecting light, and a second rigid material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light. The first and second rigid materials are attached to a support surface by mounting members which include angling and rotating mechanisms for changing the positions of the materials. If the support surface is a platform, a base can be attached to the bottom surface of the platform for rotating the support surface in a plurality of planes.
Inventors
- 👤 Janet Saad-Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B49/00; G04B49/02; G04B19/00; F; F21; F21W; F21W2121/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806; Y10S362/811; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; flexible film means positioned above said top surface of said platform for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light said flexible film means being bent into a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces, whereby parallel rays of light passing through or reflected by said shallow curved surfaces will remain nearly parallel; and transparent cover means affixed to said platform for enclosing said top surface of said platform and said flexible film means; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected decorative light image is formed in the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said flexible film means, the decorative light image travelling across the surface and changing in appearance as the image position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; flexible film means positioned above said top surface of said platform for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light said flexible film means being bent into a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces, whereby parallel rays of light passing through or reflected by said shallow curved surfaces will remain nearly parallel; and transparent cover means affixed to said platform for enclosing said top surface of said platform and said flexible film means; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected decorative light image is formed in the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said flexible film means, the decorative light image travelling across the surface and changing in appearance as the image position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, further comprising a light-reflective material positioned on said top surface of said platform under, said flexible film means, the decorative light image further being formed by the reflection of the sunlight by said light-reflective material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 2, wherein said light-reflective material is a plastic treated to reflect light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 3, wherein said light-reflective material is a material selected from the group consisting of polyimide film, lacquered polyvinyl chloride, and metalized polyester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 2, wherein said light-reflective material is formed with a planar surface bent to also focus light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 2, wherein said light-reflective material is a metal having a shiny surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 6, wherein said metal is a material selected from the group consisting of steel, bronze, brass, aluminum, copper, tin, silver, silver plate, gold, and gold plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 2, further comprising a light-reflective and transmissive material at least a portion of which is positioned between said light-reflective material and said flexible film means, the decorative light image further being formed by the reflection and transmission of the sunlight by said light-reflective and transmissive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 8, wherein said light-reflective and transmissive material is a plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 9, wherein said light-reflective and transmissive material is a polyimide film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 8, wherein said light-reflective and transmissive material is formed with a planar surface bent to also focus light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein said flexible film means also causes light interference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein said flexible film means is a plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, said flexible film means comprising a plurality of microlayers of at least two different polymers having different indices of refraction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein said flexible film means is folded into at least two at least partially spaced-apart layers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, further comprising base means attached to said bottom surface of said platform for rotating said platform in at least one plane, whereby the position of the decorative light image on the surface can be adjusted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 16, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 16, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 16, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform and around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 16, said base means comprising a tripod head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein said cover means is formed of thermoformed acrylic plastic sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of said cover means has an anti-reflective coating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 22, wherein said anti-reflective coating comprises a multi-layer broad band low-reflection coating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 1, wherein said flexible film means is folded into at least two layers which are at least partially spaced apart.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
136 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a first rigid material for reflecting light; first mounting means for mounting said first material to a support surface; a second rigid material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light; and second mounting means for mounting said second material to a support surface, spaced apart from and over said first material; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a decorative light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection of the sunlight by said first rigid material and the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said second rigid material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
136 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a first rigid material for reflecting light; first mounting means for mounting said first material to a support surface; a second rigid material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light; and second mounting means for mounting said second material to a support surface, spaced apart from and over said first material; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a decorative light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection of the sunlight by said first rigid material and the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said second rigid material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 25, wherein said first material is a metal having a shiny surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 26, wherein said metal is a material selected from the group consisting of steel, bronze, brass, aluminum, copper, tin, silver, silver plate, gold, and gold plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 25, wherein said first material is formed with a planar surface bent to also focus light.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 27, said base means including means for rotating said platform around a line perpendicular to the plane of said platform and around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 28, said base means comprising a tripod head.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 25, wherein said second material is a material selected from the group consisting of dielectrically-coated glass, stained glass, architectural glass, pressed glass, blown glass, sagged glass, etched glass, cut glass, molded glass, thermoformed plastic, plastic sheet, colored plastic, etched plastic, pressed plastic, and dielectrically-coated plastic.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 25, wherein said second material is a polished stone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 25, wherein said first mounting means comprises angling means for rotating said first material in a plurality of planes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 33, further comprising a means for adjusting the height of said mounting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 33, further comprising means having a longitudinal axis for rotating said angling means about said longitudinal axis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 24, further comprising a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, said first mounting means being attached to said top surface of said platform.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 36, further comprising base means attached to said bottom surface of said platform for rotating said platform in at least one plane.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 36, said base means including means for rotating said platform around a line perpendicular to the plane of said platform.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 36, said base means including means for rotating said platform around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
133 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near a surface, comprising: a first rigid material for reflecting light; first attaching means for attaching said first material to a support surface; a second rigid material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light; and second attaching means for attaching said second material to the support surface, spaced apart from and over said first material; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a decorative light image is formed on the surface by the reflection of the sunlight by said first rigid material and the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said second rigid material, the decorative light image travelling across the surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
133 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near a surface, comprising: a first rigid material for reflecting light; first attaching means for attaching said first material to a support surface; a second rigid material for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light; and second attaching means for attaching said second material to the support surface, spaced apart from and over said first material; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a decorative light image is formed on the surface by the reflection of the sunlight by said first rigid material and the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said second rigid material, the decorative light image travelling across the surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
153 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; a rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material attached to said top surface of said platform and having top and bottom surfaces formed in a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces; and a light-reflective material at least a portion of which is positioned beneath said light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material; whereby, when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said rigid, light-refractive, transmissive, and refractive material and the reflection of the sunlight by said light-reflective material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
153 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; a rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material attached to said top surface of said platform and having top and bottom surfaces formed in a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces; and a light-reflective material at least a portion of which is positioned beneath said light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material; whereby, when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said rigid, light-refractive, transmissive, and refractive material and the reflection of the sunlight by said light-reflective material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, wherein said light-reflective material is a plastic treated to reflect light.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 42, wherein said light-reflective material is a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide film, lacquered polyvinyl chloride, and metalized polyester.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, wherein said light-reflective material is formed with a planar surface bent to also focus light.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, wherein said light-reflective material is a metal having a shiny surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 45, wherein said metal is a material selected from the group consisting of steel, bronze, brass, aluminum, copper, tin, silver, silver plate, gold, and gold plate.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, wherein said rigid, light reflective, transmissive, and refractive material is a material selected form the group consisting of plastic and glass.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 47, wherein said plastic or glass is coated with a dielectric coating having an uneven thickness.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, said rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material comprising stained glass.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 41, further comprising base means attached to said bottom surface of said platform for rotating said platform in at least one plane, whereby the position of the decorative light image on the surface can be adjusted.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 50, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 49, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decrative light image source and calendrical device of claim 49, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform and around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 49, said base means comprising a tripod head.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
173 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; flexible film means positioned above said top surface of said platform for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light, said flexible film means being bent into a plurality of irregular, alternating curved and substantially planar sections, adjacent planar sections being at angles to each other, the size of said planar sections being sufficiently large and the angles between adjacent planar sections being sufficiently small, whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected decorative light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said flexible film means, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time; and transparent cover means affixed to said platform for enclosing said top surface of said platform and said flexible film means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
173 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; flexible film means positioned above said top surface of said platform for reflecting, transmitting, and refracting light, said flexible film means being bent into a plurality of irregular, alternating curved and substantially planar sections, adjacent planar sections being at angles to each other, the size of said planar sections being sufficiently large and the angles between adjacent planar sections being sufficiently small, whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected decorative light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said flexible film means, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time; and transparent cover means affixed to said platform for enclosing said top surface of said platform and said flexible film means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
125 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a rigid, light-refractive, transmissive, and refractive material attached to said top surface of said platform and having top and bottom surfaces formed in a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
125 words
A combination decorative light image source and calendrical device for use near an image surface, comprising: a substantially planar platform having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a rigid, light-refractive, transmissive, and refractive material attached to said top surface of said platform and having top and bottom surfaces formed in a plurality of irregular, very shallow, continuously curved surfaces; whereby when said device is placed in direct sunlight, a focused and reflected light image is formed on the image surface by the reflection, transmission, and refraction of the sunlight by said rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material, the decorative light image travelling across the image surface and changing in appearance as the position of the sun changes, thereby indicating the passage of time.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 56, wherein said rigid, light reflective, transmissive, and refractive material is a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and glass.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 57, wherein said plastic or glass is coated with a dielectric coating having an uneven thickness.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 56, said rigid, light-reflective, transmissive, and refractive material comprising stained glass.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 56, further comprising base means attached to said bottom surface of said platform for rotating said platform in at least one plane, whereby the position of the decorative light image on the surface can be adjusted.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of clamm 60, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of clamm 60, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 60, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 60, said base means allowing rotation of said platform around a line perpendicular to and passing through the plane of said platform and around a line parallel to a line in the plane of said platform.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination decorative light image source and calendrical device of claim 60, said base mean comprising a tripod head.
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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) | 1992-05-22 | 1992-11-21 | 1993-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-22 | 1996-11-21 | 1997-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-22 | 2000-11-21 | 2001-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |