Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Display device with free article movement – Snowfall simulator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-07-24
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Display device with free article movement
Snowfall simulator
C040S409000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a display device and, in particular, to a display device providing movement of a plurality of elements within a fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional display devices commonly include a glass ball which is filled with fluid and attached to a base. A figure or sculpture is often located within the glass ball and small pellets or flakes are provided within the fluid. The glass ball is shaken to disperse the pellets throughout the fluid and the pellets then gradually descend through the fluid to the bottom of the glass ball, giving the appearance of falling snow. This known device has the obvious disadvantage that someone must shake it each time the appearance of falling snow is desired. Additionally, because all the pellets fall to the bottom of the device in a very short time period, the device must be repeatedly shaken—which is awkward, time-consuming and it can be a difficult task if the device is large or bulky. Additionally, if the person shaking the device does not cause the pellets to be unevenly distributed within the fluid, this creates a very artificial appearance because most of the pellets fall in the same area.
Other known snowfall display devices include internal impellers or pumps which cause the pellets or flakes to move within the fluid. These devices typically have an impeller located near the bottom of a glass container filled with fluid, and the impeller thrusts some of the fluid and particles upward while simultaneously drawing other fluid and particles downward. This creates a very artificial appearance because snowflakes do not move upward or in a circular manner during natural snowfall.
Another known snowfall display device includes a fluid filled tank with a small intake hole located near the bottom of the tank. Fluid and pellets are drawn into the intake hole by a pumping system, and the fluid and pellets are then pumped through a conduit to the top of the tank. Disadvantageously, because the fluid flow lines all terminate at the intake hole in the bottom of the tank, all the fluid and pellets flow towards this common point thus creating a very artificial appearance since all the snowflakes move towards one location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a display device that is easy to use and provides movement of a plurality of elements within a fluid in a continuous, natural manner.
One aspect of the present invention is a display device which produces natural movement of a plurality of elements within a fluid. The device is arranged to provide for the even distribution of the elements within the fluid and one where the elements can move upwardly or downwardly according to the desired result. For example, the elements may move downwardly to simulate snowfall, or the elements may move upwardly to simulate rising bubbles. Advantageously the display device provides a natural, realistic movement of the elements within the fluid, while hiding the mechanism used to recirculate the elements.
Another aspect of the present invention is a display device which includes a chassis with a front side, a rear side and an opening, and a drive system connected to the chassis. A container with a generally circular outer surface and an interior space filled with fluid is positioned proximate the opening in the chassis. The drive system is used to rotate the container and this causes elements within the fluid to move from one portion of the container to another portion of the container.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a display device that provides simulated snowfall within a container filled with fluid. A plurality of elements which simulate snowflakes are disposed in the fluid and the device is arranged so that the snowflakes move naturally downwardly under the force of gravity from the top portion of the container towards the bottom portion of the container. Advantageously, the display device moves the snowflakes from the bottom portion of the container to the top portion of the container along the periphery of the container to minimize any disruption of the natural looking snowfall.
Yet another aspect of the invention is a display device with a chassis, drive system and a container having one or more vanes connected proximate a peripheral edge of the container. The vanes are used to move the elements from the top portion to the bottom portion of the container, or vice versa, depending upon the desired use of the display device. The display device preferably includes a decorative covering which hides at least a portion of the chassis and/or the mechanism used to circulate the elements in the fluid and the display device preferably includes a background scene positioned behind the container so that it can be viewed through the container.
Still another aspect of the present invention is a display device which includes a container filled with fluid. The fluid contains a plurality of elements and the device includes a means for circulating the elements in the fluid.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
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Davis Cassandra H.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear
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