Solar phosphene generator

• US 5,382,204 A
• Filed: 01/25/1993
• Issued: 01/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glenn K. Green
• Original Assignee: Glenn K. Green
• Inventors: Green, Glenn K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NASSER, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US08/008,626
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 136/257, 136/291, 136/293, 446/175, 446/202-209, 446/244, 128/745, 607/88-91, 607/95, 600/27
• US Class Current: 607/95
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A phosphene generating toy can be operated either by the user'"'"'s blowing in a tube or a solar powered motor. In either case a spinning shade oscillates sunlight on the closed eyelids of the user, thereby generating phosphenes. A mini-flute also produces sounds. Safety features to preclude accidental gazing directly into the sun with open eyes include child proof shutters and a spring loaded shutter.

Claims

1. In a phosphene generating toy comprising a case having eye holes, a spinning shade on said case creating alternating light and dark pulses on closed eyelids through the eye holes, and means for rotating the spinning shade, the improvement comprising:

said means for rotating the spinning shade further comprising a solar powered motor having a solar panel; and

a spring loaded shutter means mounted over said eye holes, functioning to block the eye holes.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating the spinning shade further comprises a turbine blade on said spinning shade, and a blow tube means for propelling said spinning shade.

3. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the speed of the solar powered motor.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said means for varying the speed of the solar powered motor further comprises a variable shade over the solar panel.

5. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said means for varying the speed of the solar powered motor further comprises a rheostat.

6. The improvement of claim 1 further comprising child proof snap on opaque safety shutters covering the eye holes.

7. The phosphene generating toy of claim 1 wherein the spring loaded shutter means further comprises a user activated lever functioning to move the shutter to an open position.

8. The toy of claim 1 further comprising a UV and/or colored filter removable affixed to said eye holes.

9. A phosphene generating toy comprising:

a case having eye holes;

a spinning turbine shade in said case creating alternating light and dark pulses on closed eyelids through said eye holes;

a user activated blow tube means functioning to propel said spinning turbine shade;

said user activated blow tube means further comprising noise holes;

said eye holes further comprising child proof shutters connected thereto;

a spring loaded safety shutter means functioning to block said eye holes;

a variable speed electronic motor having a solar panel power means for powering said motor; and

said variable speed electric motor further comprising a means connected to said spinning turbine shade functioning to spin said turbine shade.

10. A phosphene generating toy comprising:

a case having eye holes;

a spinning shade on said case functioning to create alternating light and dark pulses on closed eyelids through said eye holes;

said spinning shade further comprising a solar powered motor means having a solar panel, functioning to spin said spinning shade; and

a safety closure means mounted over said eye holes, functioning to block the eye holes.

11. The toy of claim 10 wherein said safety closure means further comprises a child proof snap-on shutter having a child proof lip removably engaged on said case.

12. The toy of claim 10 further comprising a UV and/or colored filter having means for removable engagement with said case.