Display apparatus that forms an optical illusion

• US 5,787,618 A
• Filed: 05/01/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Randy J. Mullis
• Original Assignee: Randy J. Mullis
• Inventors: Mullis, Randy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Brian K.
• Application Number:
  US08/641,348
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 40/219, 40/427, 40/546, 40/714, 40/900, 40/581, 472/58, 472/63
• US Class Current: 40/219
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/12 using special optical effects

Abstract

A display device having an interior area in which multiple images are displayed. The images arise from reflections of one or more externally or internally illuminated patterns located within the apparatus. The device creates an optical illusion whereby multiple images appear to extend a rearward distance that is greater than the thickness of the apparatus. When multiple patterns are employed, the patterns may be spaced from each other and are combined to form the desired image. The apparatus may include one or more spotlights that function to highlight predetermined area(s) within the device. The apparatus may alternatively or in combination employ an isolated light source that illuminates the interior of a light transmitting object located between the reflective surfaces to thereby cause the object and especially the object'"'"'s side edges to glow with light. In addition, recessed lighting fixtures may be employed to illuminate the interior area of the device in a manner whereby the lighting fixtures are not readily viewable from a location exterior to the device.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a reflective/transparent member forming a face of said housing, wherein said member appears transparent from a point exterior to the housing and is at least partially reflective to light coming from within said housing;

a reflective member located within the housing and that functions to reflect light;

a first interior area located within said housing and between said reflective/transparent member and said reflective member;

a light source located in a second interior area within said housing; and

a shaped member located at least partially in said first interior area, wherein said shaped member has a portion that is illuminated by said light source and wherein said shaped member provides the sole means for transmission of light from the light source to the first interior area whereby light from said light source can travel within said shaped member and cause at least a portion of said shaped member located within the first interior area to glow with light and wherein a plurality of images of at least a portion of said shaped member will be created within the first interior area of said housing as light issuing from said shaped member is reflected back and fourth between said reflective/transparent member and said reflective member.

2. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein a separator member separates the first interior area of the housing from the second interior area of the housing, and wherein the separator member includes an aperture into which a portion of said shaped member is received and is thereby exposed to light from said light source.

3. The display apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a fastening means proximate said aperture that functions to secure the shaped member to the housing.

4. The display apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fastening means is a releasable fastening means whereby a user can remove the shaped member from said aperture and substitute another shaped member in its place.

5. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a fluorescent bulb electrically connected to a source of electricity.

6. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaped member is made of a translucent material.

7. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaped member is made of a transparent material.

8. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the shaped member is exposed to light from said light source, first and second portions of said shaped member will emit light into said first interior area of said housing at different intensities, and wherein both of said portions can be viewed from a point exterior to the housing via the reflective/transparent member.

9. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein a reflector at least partially surrounds the light source.

10. The display apparatus of claim 1 further comprising color changing means that changes the color of light that impinges on the shaped member from the light source.

11. The display apparatus of claim 10 wherein the color changing means comprises a colored, substantially transparent member that can be interposed between the light source and the shaped member.

12. The display apparatus of claim 11 wherein the housing includes an opening through which the colored, substantially transparent member can be inserted and thereby positioned between the light source and the shaped member.

13. The display apparatus of claim 11 wherein a plurality of colored, substantially transparent members are located on a common wheel-shaped member and wherein a motor means is secured to said housing and functions to rotate the wheel-shaped member.

14. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaped member is made of a plastic material.

15. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first pattern means is located on a first surface of the shaped member.

16. The display apparatus of claim 15 wherein a second pattern means is located on a second surface of the shaped member.

17. A display apparatus comprising:

a hollow housing;

a reflective/transparent member secured to said housing and forming a face of said housing, wherein said member appears substantially transparent from a point exterior to the housing and is at least partially reflective to light coming from within said housing that is directed at a rear surface of said member;

a reflective member located within said housing;

an interior area located between said reflective/transparent member and said reflective member, and wherein light within said interior area can be reflected back and forth between said reflective/transparent member and said reflective member;

a shaped member made of a material that is capable of transmitting light, wherein a first portion of said shaped member has side edges and is located in said interior area between said reflective/transparent member and said reflective member, and wherein the side edges of the first portion of said member are discernible from a point exterior to the housing via the reflective/transparent member;

a light source within said housing in a location substantially isolated from said interior area; and

wherein a portion of the shaped member is located so that it can be exposed to light from said light source whereby said light will travel within the shaped member and thereby cause the side edges of the member to glow with light as light exits from said member, and wherein light from said light source can only travel to said interior area by first traveling through the shaped member.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising color changing means that functions to change the color of the light that impinges on the shaped member from the light source.