U.S. patent number 3,749,903 [Application Number 05/249,566] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-31 for psychedelic reflection device.
Invention is credited to Paul Belokin, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,749,903 |
Belokin, Jr. |
July 31, 1973 |
PSYCHEDELIC REFLECTION DEVICE
Abstract
The disclosure describes a reflecting device wherein a
multi-colored diaphragm or disc is positioned in relation to a
transparent hemispherical dome so as to transmit light from either
an internal or external source against the inside surface of the
dome to form a peripheral reflected pattern which is visible
primarily in the areas or plane between the diaphragm and the apex
of the dome as a psychesthetic colored light pattern and unusual
illumination effect. The disc and dome are rotated in relation to
one another or both may rotate in relation to the light source.
Inventors: |
Belokin, Jr.; Paul (Berwyn,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
22944048 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/249,566 |
Filed: |
May 2, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/431; 40/564;
40/581; 40/571; 362/811 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S
4/10 (20160101); G09F 19/12 (20130101); G09F
13/00 (20130101); Y10S 362/811 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
13/00 (20060101); G09F 19/12 (20060101); A47g
033/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/10.1,1R,49,10.6,78R
;40/13R,13N,132E |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moses; Richard L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A psychedelic lighting device comprising:
a hemispherical dome of transparent material;
a diametric planar member attached across the base of said
hemispherical dome;
said diametric member including areas of variable light
transmission characteristics;
a source of light axially spaced from said diametric member;
means to rotate said diametric member in relation to said source of
light an axially mounted motor drive affixed to said diametric
member on a side opposite said dome whereby the light from said
light source is reflected from the inside of said hemispherical
dome transversely therethrough to create a reflected image within
said dome.
2. A psychedelic lighting device in accordance with claim 1 in
which:
said dome includes a radially extending flange having perforated
tabs thereabout; an opaque shield is provided circumferentially
about said light source;
said opaque shield includes corresponding slots for each of said
tabs, along an edge thereof;
each of said slots having a depending tongue therein; and
said opaque shield is attached in depending relationship from said
flange by the interengagement of said tabs within said slots with
said tongues locking within the perforations thereof.
3. A psychedelic lighting device in accordance with claim 2 in
which:
said radially extending flange is defined at its peripheral edge by
a series of intersecting curves of larger radius than said
dome;
said opaque shield comprises a series of flexible panels having a
pair of said slots at the upper peripheral edge whereby each panel
is formed around and against said larger radius curved edges;
and
oppositely facing slotted tabs are provided on the side edges of
said panels;
said tabs being uniformly spaced along said edges in opposing
positions with their respective slots interengageable one to the
other to lock said panels edge to edge.
4. A psychedelic lighting device in accordance with claim 1 in
which:
said hemispherical dome is provided with an annular internal groove
around the peripheral bottom edge thereof; and
said diametric member comprises a disc adapted to snap fit at its
circumferential edge into said groove.
5. A psychedelic lighting device comprising:
a hemispherical dome of transparent material;
a diametric planar member across the base of said hemispherical
dome;
means to rotate said disc and dome in relation to one another on
their common axis;
said diametric planar member having a top surface facing the inside
of said hemispherical dome exhibiting areas of variable color
whereby light emanating therefrom is reflected from the inside of
said hemispherical dome to form an image visible outside of and
from the opposite side of said hemispherical dome, said image being
of greatest brilliance and size at an angle of view below the
planar surface of said planar member.
6. A psychedelic lighting device in accordance with claim 5 in
which:
said diametric planar member includes a variegated pattern of light
reflecting surfaces; and
a source of polychromatic light is provided external of said dome
against said light reflecting surfaces.
7. A psychedelic lighting device in accordance with claim 5
wherein:
said hemispherical dome includes a central top opening;
said diametric planar member is provided with a central
opening;
a battery powered motor is affixed to the under side of said
diametric planar member with the drive shaft thereof extending
through said central opening; and
an elongated support means is provided with one end engaging said
drive shaft and the other end extending through the central top
opening of said dome for suspension of said device from a fixed
object for rotation about said drive shaft.
8. A psychedelic device in accordance with claim 5 in which:
said hemispherical dome includes a central top opening;
a supporting stand is provided below and central of said diametric
planar member;
a drive motor is provided at the upper end of said support stand
with an upstanding drive shaft;
said diametric planar member is attached to said drive shaft
whereby said dome and planar member are rotatable in unison.
9. A psychedelic device in accordance with claim 8 in which:
said diametric planar member includes transparent portions having
light transmitting properties of variegated color; and
a light source is provided below said planar member.
10. A psychedelic device in accordance with claim 8 in which:
said supporting stand comprises an upright tubular member;
said drive motor includes an elongated U-shaped frame member;
and
said frame member extends within said tubular support in
compression fit relationship.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices for the production of unusual and psychedelic lighting
effects for amusement or advertising effects are well known.
Rotating, transparent multi-colored discs placed before a lamp are
used to light show-rooms, door fronts and Christmas trees. Ever
changing patterns of light are reflected from various shapes of
moving water streams for purposes of beautification and public
amusement when combined with music. Such lighting effects generally
employ the direct transmission of various colored light to the eye
of the viewer or passage of reflected light through a translucent
member whereby the image bears a direct relation to the
multi-colored light produced by the reflecting surface, i.e., it is
a real image. The instant invention is directed to the provision of
a simple, inexpensive, attention-getting device which produces an
image bearing no relation to the transmitting source, the design of
which depends upon the angle of view and the same image is not seen
by two different viewers at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a psychesthetic device adapted to produce
slowly moving variously-colored light patterns that seemingly hang
in space as an imaginary image within a reflecting transparent dome
receiving light, reflected or transmitted, from a disc placed
diametrically at the base of the dome. In one embodiment, both the
dome and disc are slowly rotated in relation to an internal light
source. In another embodiment the disc is rotated in relation to
the dome with either an internal or external light source. The
visual effect produced is a varigated bloblike image appearing to
be at time within the dome and at times somewhere in space beyond
the dome.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The several embodiments of this invention are shown in the drawings
wherein like reference numbers are used to designate the like parts
throughout the several views and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a isometric view of one form of the device in the form of
a decorative lamp or a stand;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of one form of colored disc used in the
several embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of another form of colored disc used in the
several embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of the adjacent edges of two
decorative panels with interlocking tabs used in the assmebly;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view of the edges shown in FIG. 6
in the locked position;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the interlocking tab junctures of a
decorative panel and the base of the reflecting dome;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary isometric view of the motor drive and light
source mounting;
FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a modified form of the device;
FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken along the line 11--11 of FIG.
10;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the
device;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of the
device; and
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the surface of one form of
reflecting disc having a random-placed square multi-colored
fluorescent checkboard configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings the psychedelic device 10 is shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in the form of a lamp to include the round base
support member 12 from which extends the tubular upright elongated
support 14, which in accordance with FIG. 3 terminates with the end
16 providing the tubular opening 17 adapted to receive in press-fit
relationship the U-shaped bracket 18, the base cross member 20 of
which is transverse within the opening 17. The base 12 and the tube
14 are formed of any suitable material such as pressed cardboard,
or fibre board or aluminum and can be fabricated from sheet metal
or stainless steel.
The U-shaped bracket 18 forms a support for light bulbs 22, the
base 24 of which are suitably attached in safe insulated
relationship as by the spot welded brackets 25 shown in FIG. 9. The
U-shaped bracket 18 is preferably fabricated from metal strip
material to facilitate the insertion of the bottom diametrically
into the opening 17.
At the top of the bracket 18 the ends are bent outwardly to form
the opposite facing tabs 26. The drive motor 28 has corresponding
tabs 30 extending from its housing which rest upon the tabs 26 and
are affixed thereto by suitable bolts or screws 32. The drive shaft
34 of the motor 28 extends in a vertical position with a suitable
spacing collor 36 there-on against which the lower washer 38 rests,
supporting thereabove the colored disc 40. The shaft 34 is threaded
to receive the wing nut 42 and the threaded portion of the shaft
extends through a suitable bore hole (94 in FIG. 4) in the center
of the colored disc 40, and through the top washer 44. Tightening
of the wing nut 42 holds the disc between the washers for rotation
with the shaft.
The disc 40 (FIG. 4) is circular and includes several
circumferentially spaced air vent passages 46 around and spaced
from the center bore to provide ventilation. The electrical wires
and cord for connecting the bulbs and motor to a source of 110V AC
current have been omitted, for simplicity. The disc 40 serves as a
rotating hub and supports the hemispherical plastic dome 50 thereon
by means of the interengagements of the circumferential offset or
groove 52 in the lower periphery of the dome 50 in a snap-fit
relationship with outer rounded edge 54 of the disc. The dome 50 is
a single piece of molded plastic of substantially hemispherical
shape so that the disc 40 lies in a diametric plane therethrough. A
vent hole 55 is provided in the top center of the dome 50. An
integral lobed flange 56 extends outwardly from the base portion of
the dome 50 and as shown in FIG. 3, this flange has three narrow
curved sections 58 and the three wider points 60 thereabout. The
narrow sections 58 have the single tabs 62 (FIG. 8) extending
radially therefrom and each pointed portion 60 has the pair of
circumferentially spaced tabs 64. Each of the tabs 62 and 64 has a
bore hole 66 for a purpose to be described.
The curve defined between each wide portion 60 and the next
adjacent wide portion of the flange 56 provides a backing against
which the planar trim panels 68 are attached by means of the slots
70 (FIG. 8), there being three such slots in each panel, near the
top edge, to engage over one of the pairs of tabs 64 at the edges
of the panel and the single tab 62 central of the panel. Each of
these slots has a depending tongue 72 which, being flexible, snaps
into the holes 66 as the parts engage. Three panels 68 are fastened
to the flange 56 in this manner to form a lamp shade configuration.
The side edges 74 of the panels 68 taper inwardly from the top
straight edge 76, which extends above the flange 56 a desired
amount, to the bottom edge 78 bearing any desired trim or scallop
configuration. Thus, the three panels 68 form a complete side
enclosure depending from the support flange 56 and are slightly
curved to conform with the lobed shape of this flange.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opposing edges 74 of the
panels have the tabs 80 and 82 with the former having the downward
opening slot 84 and the latter with the upward opening slot 86. The
tabs are intermediate the edges 76 and 78, are semi-circular in
shape, and the slots extend about half way therein from opposite
directions. In order that the panels 68 can be fabricated
identically where three panels are used, each panel will have a
downwardly open slot 84 and tab 80 on one edge and an upwardly open
slot 86 and tab 82 on the opposite edge. In this manner, the edges
of the panels are brought together so that the tabs interengage as
illustrated in FIG. 7, with the slot of one tab into the slot of
the other. This forms a joint like FIG. 7 at all six contiguous
edges of the panels and rigidifies the structure.
The panels 68 are readily assembled in this manner and can be hung
from the tabs 62 either before or after their tabs 80 and 82 are
interlocked. The resulting perpendicular tabs protrude outwardly
from these junctures so that the trim pieces of plastic or ribbon
90 can be hung thereover by the interengagement of the circular
hole 92 at the upper end in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The holes
92 can be smaller than the effective diameter of the protruding
pairs of tabs 80 and 82 so that the ribbons are stretched slightly
to pass into a support relationship.
The disc 40 can be fabricated of any transparent material, or
combination of opaque or translucent plastic material to form any
desired color pattern against which the light from the bulbs 22 is
directed. FIG. 4 illustrates one form of disc 42 having the central
opening 94 to receive the shaft 34, with six vent holes 46 being
cut around and spaced from the periphery of the central opening.
The shaded areas 96 represent opaque or black portions while the
stripes 98 and 100 represent transparent colored portions for the
purpose of light transmission. The stripes 98 and 100 can be all
the same color or any desired pattern of different colors employed
as there are stripes. In this embodiment the stripes 98 and 100 are
not quite symmetrically arranged though each extends in a chordal
relationship across the disc 42. Six stripes 98 and 100 are shown
intersecting each other across the disc 42 in a somewhat random
pattern so that no one opaque area 96 is exactly the same shape as
another. A truly symmetrical arrangement can also be used.
FIG. 5 illustrates another form of plastic disc 40' having a
pattern therein comprising the opaque areas or plain background and
various abstract designs of various transparent colors indicated at
102, 104 and 106 intersected by the clear transparent irregular
radial lines or ribbons 108, some of which pass through the colored
areas and others of which are wholly with the opaque sections. The
ribbons of clear plastic may or may not originate at the vent holes
and may or may not extend to the edge 54. The border lines 109
defining the colored areas can be sharp or gradually blend from
opaque into the colored areas. Various combinations of colors can
be used for the areas 102, 104 and 106 and obviously a number of
abstract shapes and different sizes of colored areas can be
used.
The operation of the device of this invention is as follows. With
electrical power supplied to the bulbs 22 and motor 28 the disc 40
is rotated carrying with it the dome 50 and the side panels 68. The
speed of rotation is about 10 to 30 rpm using a synchronous
constant speed motor. Light from the bulbs 22 passes through the
transparent colored or clear portions of the disc 40 and impinges
upon the inner surface 110 (see FIG. 3) of the dome. The incident
rays from the light sources are indicated by the shorter broken
line arrows 112 and a refracted ray of lesser intensity is shown at
arrow 114. A large portion of the light is in the form of the
reflected rays indicated by the broken line arrows 116. The
reflected rays from one side of the dome pass across to the other
side and although a portion thereof becomes the second internal
reflected rays indicated by the arrow 118, a larger portion becomes
the refracted rays indicated by the continuing arrows 120 to the
outside of the dome.
In a sense that portion of the inside surface 110 of the dome 50
against which the incident colored light rays 112 are impinging is
a concave mirror, the aperture being cut in half by the disc 40.
The axis of this mirror is the radial distance from the center axis
34 to the surface 110 and the real image of light coming from an
object located on the one side of the center would be inverted and
larger than the object when it is further from the mirror and
smaller when nearer the mirror. However, when an object is between
a concave mirror and its principal focus (normally a point between
the center of curvature and the mirror surface) the image is
vertical, erect and always larger than the object. This means that
the mirror effect of the curved dome surface produces a number of
vertical images within the dome interior which appear to the
observer only in a plane that includes the light indicated by the
arrows 120. The size and intensity of the image is reduced with the
eye at a level of the disc 40 or when the eye level is above the
top arrow 120 illustrated in FIG. 3, as an approximation. The
configuration of this image is totally unlike the normal appearance
of the disc or the appearance through the top vent hole 55. The
rays 120 are converging and their focal point or circumferential
area of greatest intensity to the viewer is a number of inches
outside of the edge 76 and as much as 1 to 2 inches below the level
of the disc 40.
This unusual effect allows that small portion of the inside of the
dome 50 just above the disc 40 to be used for other indicia as
indicated in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein the
modified dome 50' has the circular opaque card 130 bearing the
advertising indicia 132. As shown in FIG. 11, the dome 50' does not
have the bottom flange 56 but includes the circular groove or
embossment 52 which snap-fits over the outwardly directed flange
134 of the modified base trim member 136 made of molded plastic to
form a unified structure. This trim member includes the flat
portions 137 for advertising indicia around the skirt. In this
embodiment the disc 40 has the various images illustrated in FIGS.
4 and 5 applied to the upper surface by means of "DAY-GLO" paint
and dependence is had on external or room illumination for the
psychedelic effect. The tube 14 (shown without a base support)
houses the battery case 138 for DC batteries to operate the drive
motor 140 that rotates the entire assembly about the support 14.
The circular card 130 merely rests upon the disc 40 and rotates
therewith. The circular card 130 can be formed of clear plastic
with the indicia 132 formed of translucent material.
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment and modification of that shown in
FIG. 11 wherein the motor drive shaft 34' is provided with a hool
end to engage the hook 142 of the elongated wire 144 also having
the hook 146 at the top end for suspension from a ceiling or other
structure. The disc 40 incorporates a Day-Glo image on the top
surface and has its center opening around the shaft 34' and rests
or is adhered to a suitable pad 148 also encompassing the shaft and
held by the casing of the DC motor 140. Batteries for the motor are
contained in the case 138 as before described. The bottom of the
modified trim base 136 is provided with an opening 150 so that it
can be used with or without the upright tubular support 14.
Still another embodiment is shown in FIG. 13 combining both
internal light through the bulbs 22 and the motor drive 28
operating on AC current but employing the modified trim base 136 of
FIGS. 11 and 12. In this embodiment the entire unit rotates on the
upright support 14.
The dome 50 can be fabricated from any suitable transparent
material such as glass (preferably tempered), plastic such as
acrylics, methyl methylmethacrylate, methylmethacrylate-styrene
copolymers, methylmethacrylate-alpha methyl-styrene copolymer,
alkyl resins, chlorinated polyethers, certain expoxy resins,
fluoroplastics, phenoxy compounds, polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl
polymers and vinyl copolymers. Since one skilled in the art of
plastic selection and fabrication will know the various types and
compositions of plastics to use for the purpose of forming a rigid
transparent dome for purposes of this invention and also how to
form the dome itself no further explanation is necessary. The
remaining parts such as the side panels 68, the ribbons 90 and the
lower trim member 136 can be formed of any moldable plastic
material or pressed paper and the like and preferably has low light
transmision properties or is opaque. Preferably the dome 50 is
formed of a plastic having the ability to transmit about 90 percent
or more of light directed perpendicular to its surface. The
reflecting and/or refraction properties of the various transparent
plastics will vary depending on their type and composition. The
surface 110 need not be a perfect hemisphere and some distortion of
the colored image will result from imperfections in the plastic
surface and differences in the thickness of the curved wall.
The particular disc 40 shown in FIG. 4 and used in the embodiment
of FIGS. 1 and 3 with a combination of red, blue and green, or
yellow stripes presents an image for the viewer which is like an
ever-changing rainbow the bands of which appear to form as a
gradually extending curve of one color at one side, grow to a full
circle and then gradually diminish on the other side. The size and
area of the image varies with the distance between the viewer and
the dome and also varies with the angle of view. The largest image
in area is seen at a viewing angle which is about in line with the
plane of the disc 40 or slightly below this plane. In a darkened
room other light effects become apparent and the image seen is
intensified.
The image formed by the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 where
light from an external source is used and the image is formed by
reflectance from an object surface on the disc 40' for example
painted with fluorescent paint such as the product known as
"Day-Glo" paint becomes most apparent in a semi-darkened room with
the light source above the dome and preferably on a side opposite
that of the viewer. Direct sunlight or sunlight through translucent
glass or plastic as a sky light is particularly effective in
forming a visible colorful and ever-changing image. Where an
internal light source is used there are some viewing angles wherein
a bright spot representing the image of the light source is seen
which adds to the illusionary effect. The image at any one time is
as different as there are viewing points around the dome and no two
viewers will see the same image at one time.
The embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 can also be used with
internal light sources and other modifications can be made to
change the size, trim, advertising, supports and related structures
without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus the hook
144 can be long or short or made adjustable. The size of the air
vents 55 and 150 can be altered or these vents can be eliminated,
although some ventilation is preferable for the motors and light
bulbs in order to lengthen their usefulness.
One form of disc 40 shown in FIG. 14 that presents an unusual image
is an irregular checkerboard pattern formed of squares painted with
fluorescent paint.
As each square other than those that are opaque, forms an image of
color, it moves in an arc across the surface 110 and becomes
distorted into a curved-edge panel. An irregular pattern of clear,
blue and red squares has been used for this purpose to form a
moving variegated rainbow. An occasional yellow square adds to the
illusion and beauty of the image. The height of the stand 14 is
such that the dome 50 is about at eye level for the average person.
Likewise the embodiment of FIG. 12 is suspended so that the disc 40
is at or above normal eye level.
In this embodiment the squares 154 can be transparent or colored
while the squares can be opaque, the squares 156, 158 and 160 are
patterned to illustrate possible arrangements of different colors
of fluorescent paint or the equivalent.
From this description, it is apparent that the psychedelic device
of this invention comprises the hemispherical dome of transparent
material with a diametric planar member across the base of the dome
which has areas emitting various colored light patterns that are
reflected from the inside of the dome and transmitted to a zone of
view that surrounds the dome and which can extend from
circumferential locations somewhat below the plane of the diametric
member to circumferential locations above the plane thereof. The
dome can be of any desired size and depend upon its own source of
light or embient lighting conditions.
It is also apparent that the circumferential offset or internal
groove 52 on the dome 50 can engage upon the outwardly flared
flange 134 only and the diametric member 40, see FIG. 11, can be
unattached and circumferentially spaced from the groove 52 with the
bottom opening 150 providing support for the dome and trim member
136 by any suitable means. Thus, vent holes can be provided in the
sides near the base of the trim member and smaller bottom hole
provided to sit peripherally upon a supporting flange upon the
tubular stand 14. In this latter embodiment the drive motor can be
omitted and the diametric disc provided with vaned openings and be
centrally balancd on a pointed spindle above the light source so as
to be rotated slowly by the current of heated air from the light
source. Thus, the dome can be stationary and the diametric disc
rotated in relation thereto. No two viewers see the same image or
image changes unless of course their points of view are in the same
plane relative to the diametric member and the same radial distance
from the axis of rotation in which event a similar image may be
seen sequentially by different viewers of the device. For all
viewers the images seen have a phantom and mysterious effect not
unlike a crystal ball and exclusive of any other reflections
created elsewhere in the environment of the viewers.
* * * * *