U.S. patent number 3,675,241 [Application Number 05/085,124] was granted by the patent office on 1972-07-04 for crystal ball display system having touch controlled lights.
Invention is credited to David Glaser.
United States Patent |
3,675,241 |
Glaser |
July 4, 1972 |
CRYSTAL BALL DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING TOUCH CONTROLLED LIGHTS
Abstract
The display system includes a crystal ball having an operating
circuit coupled thereto which includes electrode means in operative
relation with the crystal ball and adapted to be energized by
proximity or contact with the hands of an operator, whereby the
associated circuit is energized and provides a desired response
including, as an example, sequencing of lights. The circuit
includes an amplifier operated by the electrode means connected (1)
to means for energizing the lights and (2) to a multivibrator and
flip-flop for sequencing the lights. The circuit includes a
capacitor for storing charge and holding on one light after the
operator removes his hands from the apparatus.
Inventors: |
Glaser; David (Bound Brook,
NJ) |
Family
ID: |
22189620 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/085,124 |
Filed: |
October 29, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/815.4;
273/161; 340/331; 340/686.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B
7/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09B
7/00 (20060101); G09B 7/06 (20060101); G08b
005/36 (); G08b 005/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/280,330,331,366 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pitts; Harold I.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A crystal ball
a pair of contact chains disposed beneath said crystal ball and
adapted to be contacted by the hands of the user to short said
chains together,
a series of electrically operated lights,
first transistor means coupled to said chains and adapted to be
turned on when said chains are shorted together,
second transistor means coupled to said first transistor means and
adapted to be turned on thereby to energize said series of
lights,
a multivibrator also coupled to said first transistor means and
adapted to be turned on thereby,
a flip-flop coupled between said multivibrator and said series of
lights and adapted to turn each light on in turn and in series,
and
capacitor means in said circuit which is charged when said first
transistor means turns on, said capacitor holding on one light for
a period of time when said first power means is turned off, said
one light then remaining visible through said crystal ball.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the invention can be used as a novelty device for
adults or as a toy for children, and it can be used in the nature
of a question and answer apparatus or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention;
and
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a circuit which can be used
in practicing the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Apparatus 10 embodying the invention includes a crystal ball 20
seated on a support 30 which carries the electronic circuit portion
40 of the invention. The support 30 is preferably covered with a
decorative cloth 50 or the like which conceals the operating
circuit from view and at least two decorative conductive strips or
chains 60 and 62.
The circuit of the invention 40, referring to FIG. 2, includes a
pair of spaced-apart electrical contact terminals 70 and 80, one of
which is secured to metal chain 60 or a group of such chains, and
the other of which is secured to metal chain or chains 62. One
terminal 80 is connected to a positive power source, and the other
is connected to the base of a transistor 90 which is connected in
series with transistor 100, as shown, to form a power amplifier. A
capacitor 110 is connected between the collector of transistor 100
and the base of transistor 90.
The output of transistor 100 is also connected to a multivibrator
105 made up of two transistors 110 and 120 connected as shown. The
output of the multivibrator is coupled by lead 130 to the input of
a dual flip-flop.
The output of the second transistor 100 of the first power
amplifier is also connected to a second power amplifier including
third and fourth series-connected transistors 150 and 160,
respectively, the output of the second of which is connected to a
plurality of transistors 170, 180, 190 including lamps 200, 210,
220 in their output circuits and having their inputs coupled to the
outputs of the flip-flop 140. The output of transistor 160 is also
connected through a capacitor 230 to the input of transistor
150.
In operation of the invention, an operator peers into the crystal
ball and simultaneously touches the chains 60 and 62. This turns on
the transistors 90 and 100 which then turn on the multivibrator
105.
At the same time, the output of transistor 100 turns on transistors
150 and 160, and this operation energizes the lights 200, 210, 220
and the flip-flop 140. The multivibrator 105 delivers pulses to the
flip-flop 140, and this causes the series of lights 200, 210, 220,
which may be of different colors, to operate successively in
flashing mode. When the operator's hands are removed, the capacitor
230 holds the circuit on for a time and keeps the lights flashing.
When transistors 90 and 100 turn off, the multivibrator 105 is
disabled and the flip-flop 140 is disabled. The delay in turn-off
of transistors 150 and 160 caused by capacitor 230 then keeps one
or two lamps on steadily.
Thus, the sequence comprises, first seeing a series of flashing
colored lights and then a steady light of a particular color.
The lights are suitable positioned in the support 30 so that their
light diffuses through ball 20 to the operator.
* * * * *