Abstract:
A kaleidoscope includes a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion includes a tubular body inside which a prism is arranged. The tubular body has opposite ends to which an eyepiece and a lens device are respectively attached. The movable portion includes a support rod having a first section rotatably mounted to the stationary portion and a second section to which a transparent container is rotatably attached. The container defines an interior space divided into a number of isolated compartments by partition plates fixed inside the container for receiving and containing small objects of different sizes, shapes and colors and liquids. The support rod is arranged to position the container, at least partly, in front of the lens device and allowing the container to rotate whereby compartments of the container can selectively and sequentially pass in front of the lens device, which directs image of the objects inside the compartments into the prism for forming versatile patterns

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a kaleidoscope, and in particular to a kaleidoscope comprising a number of different sets of colorful particles or flakes to enhance versatility of patterns of the kaleidoscope.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0004]    Kaleidoscopes have long been a popular toy for children and even adults. The conventional kaleidoscope comprises an elongate tubular body inside which a prism consisting of three mirrors is fixed. Colorful particles and flakes are loosely filled in the prism whereby by shaking the kaleidoscope, the flakes and particles change their positions inside the kaleidoscope and a variety of different colorful patterns can be formed by means of reflection of the images of the particles and flakes inside the kaleidoscope.  
           [0005]    The conventional kaleidoscope suffer a disadvantage in that the particles and flakes, once put into the kaleidoscope, cannot be changed easily. This limits the versatility of the kaleidoscope.  
           [0006]    It is thus desirable to provide an improved kaleidoscope structure for overcoming the above-mentioned problems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a kaleidoscope, which comprises a number of different sets of colorful pattern generating particles/flakes.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a kaleidoscope wherein the different sets of colorful pattern generating particles/flakes can be readily switched with one another for enhancing the versatility of the pattern displayed.  
           [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a kaleidoscope comprising a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion comprising sets of different colorful pattern generating particles/flakes which can be switched with each other with the movable portion moving with respect to the stationary portion.  
           [0010]    To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kaleidoscope comprising a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion comprises a tubular body inside which a prism is arranged. The tubular body has opposite ends to which an eyepiece and a lens device are respectively attached. The movable portion includes a support rod having a first section rotatably mounted to the stationary portion and a second section to which a transparent container is rotatably attached. The container defines an interior space divided into a number of isolated compartments by partition plates fixed inside the container for receiving and containing small objects of different sizes, shapes and colors and liquids. The support rod is arranged to position the container, at least partly, in front of the lens device and allowing the container to rotate whereby compartments of the container can selectively and sequentially pass in front of the lens device, which directs image of the objects inside the compartments into the prism for forming versatile patterns. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the kaleidoscope of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the kaleidoscope of FIG. 1, a portion of the kaleidoscope being broken to show inside details;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a different way of use of the kaleidoscope of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the kaleidoscope being broken to show inside details; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a kaleidoscope constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, generally designated with reference numeral  100 , comprises a stationary portion (or sub-assembly) and a movable portion (or sub-assembly) movably attached to the stationary portion. The stationary portion comprises an elongate tubular body  10  within which a prism  11  is fixed. The tubular body  10  has opposite ends to which a cap  12  and a lens device  13  are attached respectively. The cap  12  defines a central bore  12 , serving as an observing window or an eyepiece. The lens device  13  comprises optical element(s), preferably encased in a housing, for directing images of the kaleidoscope  100  into the prism  11  within the tubular body  10 . A tubular retainer  131  is formed on an outside surface of the lens device  13 .  
         [0021]    The movable portion of the kaleidoscope  100  comprises a support rod  20  having first and second sections  21 ,  22  each having external threading  211 ,  221  formed thereon. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second sections  21 ,  22  are arranged so as to form an included angle therebetween which is 90 degrees in this case whereby the first and second sections  21 ,  22  of the support rod  20  are substantially perpendicular to each other and thus form an L-shape. It is, however, understood that the included angle between the first and second sections  21 ,  22  can be other than 90 degrees. The tubular retainer  131  has an inside diameter sufficient to allow for extension of either first or second section  21 ,  22  therethrough. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the first section  21  of the support rod  20  is received in the tubular retainer  131  with the second section  22  transverse extending across the lens device  13 . Two nuts  212  threadingly engage the threading  211  of the first section  21  of the support rod  20  on opposite sides of the tubular retainer  131  so as to fix the support rod  20  in the tubular retainer  131  against axial movement of the first section  21  of the support rod  20 . However, rotation of the support rod  20  with respect to the tubular retainer  131  is still allowed.  
         [0022]    A container  30  made of a transparent or light-transmitting material comprises a casing  31  having an opening (not labeled) closed by a cover  32  whereby an interior space is defined in the container  30 . A central hub  311  defining a bore (not labeled) is formed in the casing  31  and extending between the cover  32  and a bottom (not labeled) of the casing  31 . In the embodiment illustrated, the casing of the container  30  is a cylindrical body having a closed bottom and an opposite open end closed by the cover  32 . The central hub  311  extends from the bottom toward the cover  32 . The cover  32  defines a through hole  321  in alignment with the bore of the central hub  311  for the extension of the second section  22  of the support rod  20  therethrough whereby the container  30  is rotatable about the second section  22 . A number of paired slits  312 ,  313  are formed in both the hub  311  and a side wall (not labeled) of the casing  31  for receiving edges of partition plates  314  thereby fixing the partition plates  314  inside the container  30 . The partition plates  314  divide the interior space of the container  30  into a number of isolated chambers  315  for accommodating particles  33  and flakes  34  of different sizes, shapes and colors and/or liquids  35  of different colors. The particles  33  and flakes  34  and even the liquids  35  can be of different colors. The size of the chambers  315  can also be arbitrarily selected as desired.  
         [0023]    The first section  21  of the support rod  20  is received in the tubular retainer  131  so as to allow the second section  22  to extend in a direction substantially transverse the lens  131 . Two nuts  40 ,  50  threadingly engage the threading  221  of the second section  22  of the support rod  20  on opposite sides of the container  30  for selectively positioning the container  30  with respect to the lens device  13 .  
         [0024]    Also referring to FIG. 3, which shows one way of operating the kaleidoscope  100 , a user (not shown) may use one hand holding the tubular body  10  and another hand rotating the container  30  as indicated by arrow of FIG. 3 to move the compartments  315  sequentially across the lens  13  whereby the user can observe the versatile and colorful changes made in the prism  11  through the observing window  121 . The rotation of the container  30  can be done either clockwise or counterclockwise. Further, the lens device  13  can be mounted to the end of the tubular  10  so as to be rotatable about an axis of the tubular body  10 . This allows more versatile combination and change of the colorful patterns displayed in the prism  11 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 shows another way of operating the kaleidoscope  100  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The container  30  is fit over the first section  21  of the support rod  20  and located between the lens  13  and the second section  22  with the cover  32  (or alternatively, the bottom of the casing  31  opposite to the cover  32 ) facing the lens device  13 . By rotating the container  30  about the first section  21  (as indicated by the arrow of FIG. 4), the compartments  315  of the container  30  are sequentially moved across the lens device  13 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the kaleidoscope  100  in accordance with the present invention. In the second embodiment, the second section  22  of the support rod  20  is not threaded. In stead, a slit  222  is defined in a remote end of the second section  22 , preferably cutting through the remote end of the second section  22  in a diametrical direction, dividing the remote end of the second section  22  into two opposing portions that are deformable toward each other for reducing overall cross-sectional size thereof. A ring-like expanded portion  223  is formed on and around the remote end of the second section  22  whereby by deforming the two portions of the remote end of the second section  22 , the expanded portion  223  is allowed to pass through the bore of the central hub  311  of the container  30  for attaching the container  30  to the second section  22  of the support rod  20 .  
         [0027]    It is obvious to those having ordinary skills to form more slits in the remote end of the second section  22  of the support rod  20  to provide capability of reduction of overall cross-sectional area.  
         [0028]    The remaining parts of the kaleidoscope  100  of the second embodiment are identical to their counterpart of the first embodiment except the number of the compartments  315  which is simply a choice of design. Thus no further description is needed herein.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the kaleidoscope  100  in accordance with the present invention. The first and second sections  21 ′,  22 ′ of the support rod  20 ′ are axially aligned with each other whereby the support rod  20 ′ is simply a straight member, rather than L-shaped. One of the sections  21 ′,  22 ′ of the support rod  20 ′ is externally threaded while the other is not. In the embodiment illustrated, the second section  22 ′ of the support rod  20 ′ is externally threaded, as indicated by reference numeral  221 ′. The second section  22 ′ of the support rod  20 ′ is received in the tubular retainer  131  and kept in position by two nuts  222 ′ engaging the threading  221 ′ on opposite sides of the tubular retainer  131 . The remote end of the first section  21 ′ of the support rod  20 ′ is formed with a slit  211 ′ allowing opposing portions of the remote end to be deformable with respect to each other. Apparent enough, there can be more than one such slit  211 ′. A ring-like expanded portion  212 ′ is formed on and around the remote end of the first section  21 ′ which is allowed to pass the bore of the central hub  311  by deforming the remote end of the first section  21 ′ for attaching the container  30  to the support rod  20 ′. The cover  32  of the container  30  is now facing the lens device  13  and the change of the colorful flakes or particles can be clearly shown in the prism  11  of the tube  10 .  
         [0030]    Besides the above described modifications, the remaining parts of the kaleidoscope  100  of the third embodiment are identical to their counterpart of the first embodiment except the container  30  of the third embodiment being octagonal, rather than cylindrical. Such a change is simply a choice of design. Thus no further description is needed herein.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the kaleidoscope in accordance with the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a remote end of the second section  22  of the support rod  20  is formed with an inner-threaded hole  224  for threading engagement with a bolt  23 . The bolt  23  has an expanded portion for retaining the container  30  on the second section  22  of the support rod  20 . Further, a movable tab  231  is attached to the bolt  23  which can be selectively moved to abut against the container  30  and thus more securely retain the container  30 .  
         [0032]    Besides the above described modifications, the remaining parts of the kaleidoscope  100  of the fourth embodiment are identical to their counterpart of the first embodiment and thus no further description is needed herein.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the kaleidoscope in accordance with the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the support rod  20  is comprised of separate first and second sections  21 A,  22 . The second section  22  has a remote end in which a slit  222  is defined, preferably cutting through the remote end of the second section  22  in a diametrical direction, dividing the remote end of the second section  22  into two opposing portions that are deformable toward each other for reducing overall cross-sectional size thereof. A ring-like expanded portion  223  is formed on and around the remote end of the second section  22  whereby by deforming the two portions of the remote end of the second section  22 , the expanded portion  223  is allowed to pass through the bore of the central hub  311  of the container  30  for attaching the container  30  to the second section  22  of the support rod  20 . The second section  22  has an opposite end forming a tubular portion defining a polygonal bore  20 A. The first section  21 A has a first end  211 B having a polygonal cross section for being fit into a tubular retainer  131  that is formed on an outside surface of the lens device  13  and defining a bore  131 A complementary in shape to the first end  211 B of the first section  21 A for tightly receiving the first end  211 B of the first section  21 A therein and thus attaching the support rod  20  to the tubular body  10 . The first section  21 A has an opposite second end  211 A having a cross section complementary to the bore  20 A of the second section  22  for being received in the bore  20 A. A threaded extension  211 C of the second end  211 A of the first section  21 A extends beyond the tubular portion of the second section  22  and engageable by a nut  21 B for securing the second section  22  to the first section  21 A.  
         [0034]    Besides the above described modifications, the remaining parts of the kaleidoscope  100  of the fifth embodiment are identical to their counterpart of the first embodiment and thus no further description is needed herein.  
         [0035]    As briefly mentioned above and apparent to those having ordinary skills, the shape of the container  30  is in general subject to no constrain. For example, the container  30  can be cylindrical (FIGS. 1, 2,  4  and  5 ) or having a hexagonal or octagonal cross section (FIG. 6). The compartments  315  inside the container  30  can be sized arbitrarily to provide versatility. Further, the container  30  and the support rod  20  ( 20 ′) can be rotated or moved in a number of combination of ways to further enhance the versatility of the kaleidoscope of the present invention.  
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.