Magical image cups and containers with 3D displays

• US 7,900,384 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Schnuckle, Gary W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Islam; Syed A
• Application Number:
  US12/114,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20090272015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 403/24, 403/26, 404/06, 403/06, 403/10, 220/703, 220/506, 446/74, 446/71, 446/219, 428/34.1, 428/13, 359/617, 359/616
• US Class Current: 40/324
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/08 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/37 with decorative elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/40 giving the observer of a single two-dimensional [2D] image a perception of depth
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.

Claims

1. An optical illusion device, comprising:

a body with a tubular sidewall extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end; and

a base assembly provided at the second end, wherein the base assembly comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall together defining an inner chamber;

a visual display assembly comprising a mirror element with a convex reflective surface and a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface, wherein the mirror element is positioned within the inner chamber; and

a framing element proximate to the top wall of the base assembly, the framing element comprising a set of background image elements positioned to face the reflective surface,

wherein the framing element further comprises a viewing window through which a line of sight is provided from the opening at the first end to the primary image element and the adjacent reflective surface and a framing surface with foreground images facing the opening at the first end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body and base assembly are configured as a container for receiving and containing a liquid in an inner chamber defined within the tubular sidewall and the top surface of the base assembly.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mrror element is rigidly mounted within the inner chamber.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a resilient member attached to and extending from the bottom wall of the base assembly and the mirror element is mounted to the resilient member, whereby the mirror element moves within the inner chamber.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a substantially rigid mounting member extending from the bottom wall of the base assembly toward the top wall and wherein the mirror element is pivotably mounted to the rigid mounting member.

6. An optical illusion device, comprising:

a body with a tubular sidewall extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end; and

a base assembly provided at the second end, wherein the base assembly comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall together defining an inner chamber;

a visual display assembly comprising a mirror element with a convex reflective surface and a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface, wherein the mirror element is positioned within the inner chamber, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a resilient member attached to and extending from the bottom wall of the base assembly and the mirror element is mounted to the resilient member, whereby the mirror element moves within the inner chamber with the resilient member; and

a framing element proximate to the top wall of the base assembly, the framing element comprising a set of background image elements positioned to face the reflective surface,

wherein the framing element further comprises a viewing window through which a line of sight is provided from the opening at the first end to the primary image element and the adjacent reflective surface and a framing surface with foreground images facing the opening at the first end.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the body and base assembly are configured as a container for receiving and containing a liquid in an inner chamber defined within the tubular sidewall and the top surface of the base assembly.

8. An optical illusion device, comprising:

a body with a tubular sidewall extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end; and

a base assembly provided at the second end, wherein the base assembly comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall together defining an inner chamber;

a visual display assembly comprising a mirror element with a convex reflective surface and a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface, wherein the mirror element is positioned within the inner chamber; and

a framing element proximate to the top wall of the base assembly, the framing element comprising a set of background image elements positioned to face the reflective surface,

wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a substantially rigid mounting member extending from the bottom wall of the base assembly toward the top wall and wherein the mirror element is pivotably mounted to the rigid mounting member and

wherein the framing element further comprises a viewing window through which a line of sight is provided from the opening at the first end to the primary image element and the adjacent reflective surface and a framing surface with foreground images facing the opening at the first end.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the body and base assembly are configured as a container for receiving and containing a liquid in an inner chamber defined within the tubular sidewall and top surface of the base assembly.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a counterweight positioned on the mirror element near a periphery of the mirror element.

11. An optical illusion device, comprising:

a body with a tubular sidewall extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end; and

a base assembly provided at the second end, wherein the base assembly comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall together defining an inner chamber;

a visual display assembly comprising a mirror element with a convex reflective surface and a primary image element proximate to the reflective surface, wherein the mirror element is positioned within the inner chamber; and

a framing element proximate to the top wall of the base assembly, the framing element comprising a set of background image elements positioned to face the reflective surface,

wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a substantially rigid mounting member extending from the bottom wall of the base assembly toward the top wall and wherein the mirror element is pivotably mounted to the rigid mounting member and

wherein the visual display assembly further comprises a counterweight positioned on the mirror element near a periphery of the mirror element.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the body and base assembly are configured as a container for receiving and containing a liquid in an inner chamber defined within the tubular sidewall and top surface of the base assembly.