Music – Instruments – Automatic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-12-11
Hsieh, Shih-Yung (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Automatic
C084S095200, C084S094100, C084S094200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329580
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for displaying ornamental objects and, more particularly, to decorative devices for displaying objects arranged into a plurality of scenes, some of which may be immersed in liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Decorative devices for displaying scenes such as contemplated by the present invention, some of which may be immersed in fluid, are well known and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,931 (Fleemin), U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,218 (Liu), U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,636 (Hou), U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,796 (Gephart, Jr.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,535 (Hou), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The Hou patents disclose a display device having decorative objects that are immersed in a liquid-filled housing that is rotatably mounted on a base and driven by a wind-up music box mechanism. The decorative display device of the Hou patents, while serving its intended purpose, is limited to a single scene. The present invention describes improvements to such a device so that a more noticeable and pleasing display may be made available to enhance the excitement of the aesthetic interest conjured up by such decorative display devices.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide decorative display devices having revolving scenes to enhance their aesthetic effect.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide decorative display devices having scenes that are comprised of figurines that are merged together in such a manner so as to enhance the aesthetic effect of the scene.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide decorative display devices having first and second revolving scenes located in a tier arrangement so that both scenes are captured in the field-of-view of an individual so as to enhance both their noticeability and aesthetic effect.
Further still, it is an object of the present invention to provide decorative display devices having counter-revolving scenes so as to further enhance their noticeability.
Yet further, it is another object of the present invention to provide for revolving scenes having complementary and/or contrasting backgrounds so as to not only further enhance their noticeability but to also increase their aesthetic effect.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide for decorative display devices that are portable and capable of being carried or moved about and operated without the need of an external power source, such as household power.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide decorative display devices having scenes that are revolved in apparent synchronization with a tune or melody that complements the aesthetic effect being depicted by the revolving scenes.
Further objects and features of the present invention will become evident hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a decorative display device. The decorative display device comprises a first scene having a first base and at least one figurine contained within a transparent enclosure. The device further includes a second scene having a second base and at least one figurine. The second scene is preferably located below the first scene. The device includes a display base having an upper portion and a lower portion upon which the first and second scenes are positioned respectively at a predetermined vertical spacing. The device further includes drive means for producing rotational motion and coupling means for coupling at least one of the first base and the second base to the drive means. The drive means causes at least one of the first scene and the second scene to revolve around an axis. The transparent enclosure of the decorative display device is sealed and further contains a transparent liquid having particles immersed therein. The drive means of the decorative display device preferably includes music producing means for producing music simultaneously with producing the rotational motion.
The display base of the decorative display device includes an outer periphery. According to an embodiment of the present invention of the display device, the second scene is located below the first scene within the outer periphery of the display base. In this arrangement, the coupling means may cause the second scene to revolve around the axis. Alternatively, the coupling means may cause the first scene to revolve around the axis. Additionally, the coupling means may cause both the second scene and the first scene to revolve around the axis. The first scene may revolve around the axis in a first direction and the second scene may revolve around the axis in a second direction.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the second scene may be located below the first scene, such that the second scene extends outside the outer periphery of the display base. In this arrangement, the coupling means may cause the second scene to revolve around the axis. Alternatively, the coupling means may cause the first scene to revolve around the axis. Additionally, the coupling means may cause both the second scene and the first scene to revolve around the axis. The first scene may revolve around the axis in a first direction and the second scene may revolve around the axis in a second direction.
The decorative display device has various embodiments that cause the scenes to revolve simultaneously, at different speeds (but in the same direction), in opposite directions, or in opposite directions at different speeds.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only. The description is not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and which constitute a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 24965 (1895-12-01), Ehrlich
patent: D. 286796 (1986-11-01), Simmons
patent: 1348386 (1920-08-01), Wronowski
patent: 3349661 (1967-10-01), Searle
patent: 3594934 (1971-07-01), Burnbaum
patent: 4196899 (1980-04-01), Patterson
patent: 4203241 (1980-05-01), Wallace
patent: 4344243 (1982-08-01), Reszka
patent: 4458573 (1984-07-01), Isaka
patent: 4490931 (1985-01-01), Fleemin
patent: 4521982 (1985-06-01), Altuchow
patent: 4573939 (1986-03-01), Hoshino
patent: 4618330 (1986-10-01), Abe
patent: 4641445 (1987-02-01), Rossi
patent: 4771902 (1988-09-01), Teng
patent: 4817311 (1989-04-01), Ong S. T.
patent: 4852283 (1989-08-01), Teng
patent: 4858079 (1989-08-01), Ohashi
patent: 4961276 (1990-10-01), Lin
patent: 4983890 (1991-01-01), Satoh et al.
patent: 5070633 (1991-12-01), Liu
patent: 5088218 (1992-02-01), Liu
patent: 5090144 (1992-02-01), Teng
patent: 5110636 (1992-05-01), Hou
patent: 5131795 (1992-07-01), Liu
patent: 5134795 (1992-08-01), Wang
patent: 5179796 (1993-01-01), Gephart, Jr.
patent: 5189821 (1993-03-01), Lee
patent: 5221225 (1993-06-01), Newbolt et al.
patent: 5226845 (1993-07-01), Wu
patent: 5286535 (1994-02-01), Hou
patent: 5313727 (1994-05-01), Murray, Jr.
patent: 5338583 (1994-08-01), Hou
patent: 5396723 (1995-03-01), Liu
patent: 5416995 (1995-05-01), Teng
patent: 5442869 (1995-08-01), McDarren et al.
patent: 5456031 (1995-10-01), Hou
patent: 5458012 (1995-10-01), Liu
patent: 5483763 (1996-01-01), Liu
patent: 5491916 (1996-02-01), Ingram et al.
patent: 5502908 (1996-04-01), Powell et al.
patent: 5532422 (1996-07-01), Chang
patent: 5548912 (1996-08-01), Liu
patent: 5555656 (1996-09-01), Liu
patent: 5609341 (1997-03-01), Chuang
patent: 5620353 (1997-04-01), Lai
patent: 5655321 (1997-08-01), Chang
patent: 5675921 (1997-10-01), Lin
patent: 562834 (1958-05-01), None
patent: 604908 (1960-05-01), None
The San Francisco Music Box Company Catalog Nov. 2, 1991 pp. 32 and 34.
Collector' Information Bureau's Collectibles Market Guide & Price Index 1994 p. 16.
Hsieh Shih-yung
Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP
Mercuries Asia Ltd.
LandOfFree
Two-tiered music box with revolving figurines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Two-tiered music box with revolving figurines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Two-tiered music box with revolving figurines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2562557