Light Pattern Projecting Device

The present invention relates generally to light pattern projecting devices, and more particularly to such devices capable of projecting two different designs or pattern while superimposing same.

Toys for projecting two superimposed designs have typically included a light source, an opaque member having a light transmitting portion through which light from the source is transmitted, a member having a light transmitting pattern which is arranged in a direction other than the direction in which the transparent portion is positioned, a mirror for reflecting the pattern and a focusing mechanism between the mirror and the member having the pattern, such that light reflected from the light transmitting portion and the pattern reflected from the mirror are projected on the same plane. In such an arrangement, a lens and a lens moving mechanism are necessary for focusing and a mirror is necessary to superimpose the designs. The result is complicated and costly in construction. Still further, since the background is usually somewhat fuzzy, the desired relative animation effect is quite short.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a toy light projecting mechanism for producing realistic animation effects with a construction that is simple and inexpensive.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention for projecting two designs while superimposing same, there are employed a first design displaying body within a cylinder and being rotatable about an axis, a mechanism for rotating the first design displaying body, a second design displaying body located either outside or inside of the first design displaying body, and a source of light inside the first design displaying body for illuminating same and the second design displaying body from the inside for projecting superimposed designs. There is also provided a dome-like milk white screen on which the design of at least the first displaying body is projected. Since the first and second design displaying bodies are close to each other, the designs are projected by resolution of the same degree.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the light projecting toy of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the projecting toy with the front cover thereof removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the projecting toy with an upper portion there removed;

FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of the projecting toy with a portion thereof removed;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the projecting toy;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are elevational views of the dial and its operating mechanism;

FIGS. 7a-7f are diagrams illustrating the switching mechanism of the projecting toy;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the switching and lighting mechanisms of the projecting toy; and

FIGS. 9a and 9b are views depicting the designs associated with the projecting toy.

The light projecting toy of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1. The body 2 of the projecting toy 1 is provided with a dial 2a. A window 3 is provided at the top of the body 2 while a screen 4 is illuminated from the inside by a light source or bulb 9, as seen in FIG. 4. Transparent films 30 and 34, depicted in FIG. 4, are positioned inside of the window 3. By rotating the dial 2a, a predetermined amount and then releasing same it is possible to project the superimposed designs of the transparent films 30 and 41 onto the ceiling or walls of a room while the design of transparent film 30 is projected on the screen 4.

As seen in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, the dial 2a is coupled to the input shaft 5a (FIG. 5) of a music box unit 5 through clutch pieces 10a, 10b, the rotating body 11 and the rod 12. Movement of the dial 2a causes a windup spring (not shown) disposed in the music box unit 5 to be wound. The windup spring serves as a power source for the music box and as a driving source for the transparent, rotating cylinder 6 referred to hereinafter.

As seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b the clutch pieces 10a and 10b abut each other because of the action of the compression spring 10c. The two clutch pieces 10a and 10b thereby form a one-way clutch for transmitting power to the music box unit 5.

As seen in FIG. 5, a gear 13 is disposed on the rear surface of the rotating body 11 and engages the gear 14. The shaft 15 is also provided with a gear 16 which engages a gear 17 disposed on the transparent, rotating cylinder 6. The wind-up spring located in the music box unit 5 and the gears 13, 14, 16 and 17 operate as a rotating, driving mechanism for the transparent cylinder 6. A Geneva stop-lever 20 is provided on the surface of the rotating body and engages the Geneva gear 21. When the body 11 rotates one revolution, the Geneva gear 21 rotates one tooth. A cam 22, as seen in FIG. 7a, having a portion of its circular circumference cut by a straight line is provided on the rear surface of the Geneva gear 21. The cam 22 operates to turn on and off a leaf switch SW causing the bulb 9 (FIG. 8) to flicker. From FIGS. 7b-7f it will be apparent that the leaf switch SW is turned on at the arc portion of the cam 22 and turned off at the chord portion of the cam 22 (shown in dotted lines).

In FIGS. 2 and 5 the reference numeral 23 designates the frame of a music box unit, while the reference numeral 24 designates the frame of the Geneva gear assembly.

As seen in FIG. 5, the transparent film 30 is positioned within the rotating cylinder 6 in crumpled fashion. The transparent film 30 constitutes a first rotational displaying body and, as seen in FIG. 9a is provided with designs of a locomotive, smoke, the sun, the moon, and an airplane.

A cylindrical receiving part 31, as seen in FIG. 5, fits within one end of the transparent rotating body 6 which rotatably supports the bearing parts 31 on the main body 2.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the light source receiving part 32 is outside of the cylinder receiving part 31. A bulb frame 33 consisting of upper and lower parts is attached to the light source receiving part 32. The bulb 9 is positioned within the cover 34 which is attached to the leading end of the bulb frame 33. Contact wires 35a and 35b for supplying electricity to the bulb 9 are appropriately arranged within the frame 33. Folded portions of the contact wires 35a and 35b are positioned within the slits 36a and 36b (FIG. 5) of the contact parts 36 and engage the contact plates 37a and 37b arranged therebelow. In this connection, it is noted that the reference numeral 38, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, designates contact plate receiving parts for supporting the contact plates 37a and 37b.

An arch-like transparent plate 40 is disposed on the window 3 of the main body 2. The transparent film 41 is positioned inside the plate 40. As can be seen in FIG. 9b,the transparent film 41 is provided with designs of waves, a bird and an airplane. The wave design 41a is positioned such that the transparent film 41 is superimposed on a smoke design on the transparent film 30. Accordingly, when the transparent cylinder 6 rotates, the wave design 41a and the smoke design are superimposed forming a moire. In addition, the wave design 41a and the stars of the transparent film 30 are superimposed producing the twinkling of stars. The tong piece-like design 41b is located on the transparent film 41 at a position where it is superimposed with the moon design of the transparent film 30. The tong piece-like design 41b is thus superimposed on the moon design such that as the transparent rotating cylinder rotates it appears that the moon is waning and waxing. Still further, the bird design 41c and the airplane design 41d are superimposed to the moving design of the transparent film 30 such that when the cylinder 6 rotates the bird appears to be flying.

As seen in FIG. 5, a circular opening 42 is provided in the front portion of the main body and a dome-like screen 4 is fitted within the opening 42. The dome-like screen 4 is milk white in color. The design which is projected onto the screen can thereby easily be seen.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a battery box 50 is incorporated into the rear portion of the main body 2 and includes a lid 51 which forms a portion of the back plate of the main body 2.

Operation of the light projecting toy of the present invention will now be described.

First, the dial 2 is rotated clockwise. The spring located in the music box unit 5 is wound through two of the clutch pieces 10a and 10b, the rotating body 11 and the square rod 12. When the dial 2a is released the wind up spring is thereby released. The music box begins to play and the body 11 rotates, the power thereof being transmitted to the gear 17 through the gears 13, 14 and 16, thus rotating the transparent cylinder 6. When the cylinder 6 rotates, the transparent film 30 located therein also rotates. This rotation continues until the Geneva stop lever 20 expands outside of the Geneva gear 21 abutting the side surface of the teeth 21a, as seen in FIG. 7b.

The rotation of the dial 2a causes the body 11 to rotate along with the Geneva gear 21 and cam 22 such that the contacts of the leaf switch SW engage each other lighting the bulb 9. The bulb 9 continues to illuminate until the leaf switch SW is turned off. When the transparent film 30 is rotating and the bulb 9 is illuminated, the superimposed designs on the transparent films 30 and 41 are projected onto the ceiling or walls while the design of the transparent film 30 is projected onto the screen 4.

Since the transparent films 30 and 41 are close to each other their designs are projected by the resolution of the same degree. Since the transparent film 30 is moved, relative animation is realized. The moire can be made to appear by the transparent films 30 and 41. Because of the milk white screen 4, the design projected thereon can easily be seen.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described it will be apparent that the scope of invention is not limited to this embodiment and that various modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. By way of exemplification only, the designs may be displayed directly on the transparent rotating cylinder 6 and the transparent plate 40 rather than on the film 30 and film 41. Moreover, although the transparent film 41 is disclosed as being outside of the transparent film 30 it may be on the inside thereof. Still further, although it is disclosed that the transparent film 30 is formed as a cylinder and the transparent film 41 is formed as an arch, both may be formed as cylinders.