Abstract:
A solar snow globe utilizing a pair of magnets to drive an impeller within the enclosed area of the snow globe. Particularly, a controller intermittently operates a motor when an ambient light detector senses darkness (e.g., at night), thereby creating a unique visual effect of a snowstorm blowing circumferentially within the enclosed area of the globe.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Chinese patent application serial No. 201521136348.X, filed Dec. 31, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to display devices, more particularly to snow globes, and still more particularly to solar snow globes that create a unique visual effect. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Snow globes have been around for many years. The standard snow globe typically includes a three dimensional scene (e.g., skyline or figure) within an enclosed transparent globe or enclosure that is filled with particles suspended in a liquid. While at rest, the particles fall to the bottom of the enclosure. Picking up the snow globe and shaking it causes the particles to be spread out in the liquid within the enclosure. When placed back down on the surface, the snow globe gives the impression of falling snow as the particles fall back down to the bottom. While these globes provide a visual effect, such an effect is only temporary and only replicates snow falling downward. Recently, it has been known to include a continuous rotating member within the globe to create a visual effect of an object spinning inside. 
         [0004]    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
         [0005]    The present invention comprises a display device that utilizes a computerized control of a motor to create the effect of particles (e.g., simulated snow) traveling substantially circumferentially around the enclosed area of the device to create a circular snowing effect. In one embodiment, the display device is a solar snow globe that includes a transparent globe that rests in a base that is positionable above ground through the use of a stake. The globe may include a neck extending downward for facilitating placement and engagement with the base and for providing an opening for placement or location of a plug or seal that retains a liquid therein. A plurality of particles are immersed in the liquid to create a visual effect when agitated by an impeller located within the enclosed area of the globe. 
         [0006]    An impeller is connected to a first magnet that is positioned to move relative to a corresponding second magnet on the other side of the plug or seal. A controller intermittently activates a motor to rotate the second magnet, which in turn rotates the first magnet and impeller. The solar snow globe may include an ambient light detector that permits the solar receiver to charge the battery during the daytime and activate the motor and a light when the ambient light detector detects a certain level of darkness (e.g., at night). Once activated, the intermittent operation of the motor creates a unique visual effect of particles (or snow) traveling in a substantially circumferential direction around the globe. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solar display device that is economical and easy to manufacture and use. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a solar display device that creates a unique visual effect. 
         [0009]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the solar display device of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the solar display device of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the base and globe of the solar display device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the impeller of the solar display device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the power supply of the solar display device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the controller of the solar display device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the application is limited only to the appended claims. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1 through 3  show one embodiment of the solar display device  10  of the present invention. The display device includes a shell or globe  20  secured within a base  60  that is connected to a stake  54  to allow the globe  20  to be positioned a distance above ground. 
         [0018]    The globe  20  includes a spherical housing  22  having a neck  24  extending downwardly from the bottom of the globe  20 . While the globe may be made of a transparent rubber material to allow particles to be seen therein and to protect the globe from breaking, it is appreciated that other transparent or translucent materials (to the extent that they permit the visual effects within the globe to be seen) may be used including, but not limited to glass, plastics and other polymer materials. 
         [0019]    The spherical housing  22  defines an enclosed area  26  for retaining a plurality of particles  30  immersed within a liquid  28 . The particles  30  are preferably small in size and may be a variety of shapes includes rectangular. In order to reflect light exposed to their surface during use, the particles may be made of a reflective material. Once the spherical housing  22  is filled with the liquid  28  and particles  30 , the impeller  32  is also placed within the enclosed area  26 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the impeller  32  may consist of a housing  34  that includes an area  36  for receiving or otherwise enveloping a magnet  38  therein. The housing  34  is preferably made from a material that will withstand being submerged in the liquid  38  and which has a lower coefficient of friction to facilitate the rotation of the impeller  32  against the surface of the seal or plug  40 . The top  42  of the housing  34  includes a plurality of vanes  44  or members extending upwardly to agitate the liquid  28  and particles  30  when in use. While a variety of number of vanes  44  may be used, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  shows three vanes  44  equally spaced apart from one another on the top  42  of the impeller housing  34 . 
         [0021]    The spherical housing  22  is then sealed with a closure member to prevent the liquid  28  from escaping from therein during use. It is appreciated that the closure member may be a selectively removable member such as, but not limited to, a rubber plug or stopper or a permanent member if it is not desired to access the contents of the globe  20 . The embodiment shown in the drawings illustrates a permanent closure member in the form of a rubber wall or plug that is transparent to permit light to pass therethrough. 
         [0022]    The bottom of the neck  24  may include a pair of flanges  48  extending outwardly therefrom. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the flanges  48  have threaded openings  50  extending therethrough for receiving screws or other threaded fasteners  52  that extend through corresponding holes  68  within the base  60 . It is appreciated that the flanges may also be part of an annular ring or other member that is affixed to the bottom of the neck. It is also appreciated that the neck may include external threads for mating with corresponding internal threads on the interior of the base 
         [0023]    The base  60  for the globe  20  includes an inner cavity  62  that is sized to receive the neck  24  of the globe  20 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the base  60  may be cylindrical in shape. A rib  64  on the bottom  66  of the upper portion  70  of the base  60  may be utilized as a stop for the bottom of the neck  24  to provide an annular contact and to protect the internal components located in the base  60 . A pair of holes  68  may extend therethrough and be positioned to align with the holes  50  in flanges  48  to permit fasteners  52  to be inserted to connect the base  60  to the globe  20 . A lower portion  71  of the base  60  may be utilized to house the motor  113 . Rotor  72  extends through the middle of the motor  113  and includes an end member  73  that defines a pocket  74  for receiving a magnet  76 . The end member may be made out of a variety of materials including, but not limited to rubber. Controller  115  may be positioned within the base  60  (e.g., attached to motor  113  as shown in the figures) and be operational connected to the battery  94  (e.g., through screws or fasteners  95 ), the light  112  and the motor  113  through wires or other known means. The controller  115  includes a light module comprising microcontroller  106 , transistor  111  and LED  112  that activates the light and a motor module comprising microconroller  106 , transistor  111  and motor  113  that intermittently activates the motor  113  when the ambient light detector detects a certain level of darkness. While the base is shown as a two-tiered cylindrical unit, it is appreciated that the base may be of a variety of shapes and sizes and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the stake may consist of a number of sections  54 ,  55  that matingly connect to one another and to the base  60  to position the globe  20  a particular distance above the ground. It is appreciated that the stake may be made out of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals such as steel, plastics or rubber. The end of the stake  55  may include a spike or tapered end  56  to facilitate insertion of the stake  55  into the ground. 
         [0025]    A connector  80  may be utilized to attach multiple sections of the stake  54 ,  55  together, as well as to connect the solar receiver  82  to the stake  54 . One embodiment of a connector  80  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  having a tubular frame  84  that is sized for receiving ends of respective stake members  54 ,  55  therein. A base  86  extends outwardly from about the tubular frame  84  and includes a pair of spaced-apart cylindrical hinge members  88  for rotatably receiving the housing  90  for the solar receiver  82 . In particular, the housing  90  for the photovoltaic cell or solar receiver  92  may include a tubular connecting member  92  on its end that fits within the pair of hinge members such that a cylindrical member  95  may extend therethrough to permit the photovoltaic cell housing  90  to be selectively rotated for storage or to facilitate reception of light rays to generate power. While a solar snow globe being positioned on a stake is shown and disclosed, it is appreciated that other solar display devices may be used with or without a stake and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    The solar receiver  82  is positioned on the top of the housing  90  for receiving light during the day, which can then be converted into energy to charge a rechargeable battery (not shown) to provide power to the light and motor  113  during use. An ambient light detector may be used to allow the battery to charge during the day and provide illumination and the visual effects when it detects a certain level of darkness (e.g., at night). A diode within the solar controller  103  may be used to prevent the battery from dispersing power to the light and/or motor  113  while the solar receiver  82  is still receiving adequate light. 
         [0027]    The tubular frame  84  may include an opening to permit wires  98  to extend from the housing  90  into the stake members  54 ,  55  to operatively connect to the motor  113  and light  112  to selectively provide power thereto. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a power supply  100 , suitable for use in conjunction with the present solar display device, is shown as comprising solar panel terminals  101 ,  102  and solar power controller  103 . Solar panel terminals  101 ,  102  are coupled to the outputs of a suitable photovoltaic cell or solar receiver  92 . When power is received at terminals  101 ,  102 , solar power controller  103  causes a battery, forming a part of the solar power controller, to be charged. Solar power controller  103  further includes an ambient light detector, which uses the power received at terminals  101  and  102  as an indicator as to whether the solar panel is presently in daylight or darkness conditions. When darkness is detected and the battery of solar power controller  103  is sufficiently charged, solar power controller  103  causes a predetermined direct current voltage, such as 2.8 volts, to be continuously output at Vcc terminal  104 , relative to ground reference terminal Gnd  105 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a controller  115  suitable for controlling the present solar display device  10  is shown as comprising microcontroller  106 , oscillator  107 , LED control output signal  108 , motor control output signal  109 , LED control transistor  110 , motor control transistor  111 , Light Emitting Diode (LED)  112 , and direct current (DC) motor  113 . Microcontroller  106  may comprise, for example, a general purpose, 8-bit, one-time programmable, RISC-type microcontroller designed for multiple I/O product applications, such as, for example, the HT58R05 microcontroller manufactured by Holtek Semiconductor, Inc. of Hsinchu, Taiwan. As shown in  FIG. 6 , two dedicated pins of microcontroller  106  are coupled to the Vcc  104  and Gnd  105  terminals output from power supply  100  in order to power the microcontroller. Crystal oscillator  107 , in conjunction with two load capacitors, is coupled to two dedicated input pins of microcontroller  106  in order to provide a desired timebase for the microcontroller, such as, for example, a 4 Mhz instruction clock cycle operation. 
         [0030]    The prestored programming within microcontroller  106  causes the microcontroller, when powered, to periodically switch motor  113  on and off to, in turn, cause the impeller  32  and its associated magnet  38  to periodically switch between rotating and idle modes of operation. In particular, a digital signal output by pin  109  of microcontroller  106  switches the base of transistor  111  on and off. This, in turn, causes current to periodically flow, and cease from flowing, through motor  113 . In one embodiment of the invention, motor  113  is repeatedly switched on for fifteen seconds followed by fifteen seconds of unpowered, idle operation via by switching pin  109  on and off in such fashion. For certain types of motors, a pulse width modulated voltage, rather than a constantly on voltage, may be necessary or desirable whenever the motor is to be operated. In such circumstances, microcontroller  106  causes pin  109  to cycle in pulse width modulated fashion. 
         [0031]    The operation of LED  112  is likewise under the control of microcontroller  106  and its associated, prestored programming. By controlling the digital signal output by pin  108  of the microcontroller, microcontroller  106  switches the base of transistor  110  to, in turn, control the flow of current through LED  112 , in order to switch LED  112  on and off under programmed control. In one embodiment of the invention, LED  112  is illuminated continuously, whenever power is available to microcontroller  106  (i.e., whenever the present apparatus is in darkness and the battery is sufficiently charged). In another embodiment of the invention, LED  112  is switched on and off contemporaneously with the on/off operation of motor  113 . 
         [0032]    In operation, solar receiver  82  receives light from the sun during the day and converts the light to energy that is stored in a battery. When the ambient light detector detects a certain darkness level, the diode allows power to be supplied to the controller for activating the light  112  to illuminate the snow globe and the motor  113  to rotate the rotor  72 . Rotation of the first magnet  76  on the end  73  of the rotor  72  causes the second magnet  38  within the housing  34  of the impeller  32 , and thus the impeller  32  itself, to rotate. Rotation of the impeller  32  agitates the liquid  28  therein and causes the particles  30  to move therein. In particular, when activated, the impeller  32  moves the liquid  28  in such a way to generally move the particles  30  upward and rotationally within the globe  20 . After a short period of time (e.g., 15 seconds), the controller  115  cuts off power to the motor  113 , which stops rotation of the impeller  32 . Cessation of the rotation of the motor  113  causes the particles  30  to slow down and move substantially circumferentially within the globe  20  to create a circular snow effect. After a short period of time (e.g., 15 seconds), the controller  115  reactivates the motor  113 , which causes the particles  20  to again be urged upwardly and rotationally within the globe  20 . The cycle continues to repeat while the power is permitted to flow to the controller  115  (e.g., at night or when the ambient light detector detects a certain level of darkness). 
         [0033]    It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.