Window-like display with snow effect

An amusement device for simulating the appearance of snow including a window-like structure having a space between 2 front panes and a rear pane, where at least one of the panes is a transparent pane, and the panes are mounted in a frame support. There is a recycling system for circulating artificial snow, which falls down, from the top of the window-like structure and collecting at the bottom. The recycling system includes a trough with a rotating vane that opens and closes the open top of the trough, where one end of the trough is cyclically closed by and end cap on the rotating vane. The rotating vane is rotated by an electric motor. Another electric motor operates continuously rotating fan that blows the artificial snow from the trough through a conduit to the top of the window-like structure where it collects on a tray which is tripped to release the artificial snow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a window-like display with a snow effect, and in particular a window-like snow display with a recycling system to provide the illusion of continuous snow fall.

Conventional window-like displays most often use a pair of spaced panes sealed on theft ends so the space between the panes can be filled with a fluid, such as water, Particles contained in the fluid float downward like a snowfall, and are recycled to the top of the display to give the effect of continuous snowfall. Some displays use a shaking system to recycle the particles, while others use a pumping system to create a recycling, and still others use air to force bubbles, particles and fluid to recycle.

Still another window-like display with simulated snowfall uses an air pump for recycling imitation snow from the bottom of the display to the top. The display has a front pane and a spaced back panel. There is a receptacle at the bottom of the display, which has an opening into the space between the front pane and the back panel. The receptacle is connected to an air blower that has a conduit to a funnel near the top of the display. The funnel is shaped to direct the circulating imitation snow into the top of the space between the front pane and the back panel. One problem with this type of display is there is no way to interrupt the airflow, therefore, the circulating imitation snow is forced downward instead of floating downward as with nature's snowfall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display that simulates snowfall, where a fan circulates the imitation snow and the flow is interrupted in three distinct ways so that the appearance of the falling snow is both heavy and light. The invention has one or more front panes, which are transparent, and a spaced rear pane that may be opaque or transparent. The front of the display looks like a window; in fact, the display is either hung on a wall to further the illusion of a window and snow falling or, hung in a window. The snow falls between the front pane or panes and the rear pane. When the snow reaches the bottom of the display, it fills a trough having a half round cross-section. A rotating vane of a size large enough to rotate within the trough and come close to the inside surface of the trough without actually touching it. The end of the vane in the trough has a shut-off cap, which can rotate into the trough to close one end. A circulating fan at the same end of the trough circulates snow in the trough through a conduit to the area at the top of the display. The circulating fan is constantly operating, therefore, to interrupt air circulation through the trough and allow snow to collect on the vane; the air shut off rotates into the front of the fin.

In the daytime, this very light realistic looking window hangs in your window. It is 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide and only 3 inches thick. There are 2 plexi glass windowpanes on the front and one large one on the back. At the flick of a switch we get the illusion of snow falling between the windowpanes. Because the artificial window is right up against your window, we see right through it into your yard where it appears to be snowing. Regardless of where you live, whether it's Christmas day or a hot day in June, you can have a snowy winter day or evening.

The same window for evening and night use has the back piece of plexi glass taken off and replaced with a translucent or black backdrop. It also comes with curtains and an attachable windowsill. It will hang on your wall perhaps in the place of a painting. It looks like a real window but when turned on gives the illusion of a cold snowy evening. To make the window seem even more realistic, you might want to make your own curtains for the window matching the others in your living room or room of your choice. Next to the Christmas free, the artificial snow window is the ultimate Christmas decoration.

The process by which the artificial snow recycles works as follows: At the bottom of the window between the two plexiglass panes is a trough or half cylinder. At one end of the trough there is an attached fan. At the other end there is attached tubing going up the left side of the window to the top. The trough has a lid or vane, which extends the entire length of the trough. When the artificial snow is poured into a hatch at the top left corner of the window, most of it will fall to the bottom and land on the trough lid. The trough lid is driven by a motor, which is on a timer. The motor will turn the trough lid or vane one complete revolution every 4 seconds. This allows the artificial snow to fall through into the trough. The fan at one end of the trough blows air through the trough constantly. This constant air force carries the artificial snow up the tubing to the top where it dispenses then recycles. As the trough or vane lid is turning to allow more snow to enter the trough, an air block fin also is moving from being on top of the trough to inside the trough where it blocks the air flow so that no artificial snow can blow upward and out of the trough. When the trough lid turns back to close off the trough, the air block fin is now back on top of the trough, which will allow the air flow to continue to blow through the trough and carry the artificial snow up the tubing to be dispensed. About one third of the artificial snow that dispenses from the tubing will land on the three-quarter inch storage vane which extends between two side guide walls. These guide walls confine the snow area bounded by the front and rear panes and the side walls. The storage vane lies about six inches below where the artificial snow dispenses. This artificial snow accumulates on the vane for brief seconds when the trough lid or vane (below) has the air block fin in a position (on top) where the air can blow through the trough and carry the artificial snow to the top. At that moment the cylinder vane revolves and raises to its highest point during which time, the storage release bar trips the storage tray to release the artificial snow. After it empties, the vane automatically falls back to the load position

Just above the halfway point and built into the Styrofoam wall is the storm fan. Not only will the fan give the effect of a snowstorm, but also it will assist in directing the artificial snow downward into the trough to be recycled.

In nature, precipitation never falls in a uniform pattern. The artificial snow window produces the same natural effect for the following reasons:1. The blow down fan (or storm fan) blows the artificial snow around.2. The trough lid revolves every four seconds each time shutting off the snow supply for brief seconds.3. The storage tray releases artificial snow each time the trough lid revolves. Hence, the effect is quite realistic.

It is the object of this invention to provide a window like display with an air and imitation snow circulation system providing a viewer with the feeling of snowfall at any time of day or night or any season.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings,FIGS. 1 to 10, there is shown inFIG. 1a display10mounted on a window “W” by suction cups12. The display10is transparent to show the outside with the effect of snowfall.

A second embodiment is shown isFIG. 2where a display20is shown hanging on a wall by conventional brackets, not shown. Display20is designed to look like a window but hangs on the wall and has an opaque background and the appearance of snow falling.

The system, which stimulates snowfall, works with either the embodiment ofFIG. 1or the embodiment ofFIG. 2. InFIG. 3a cut-away view shows a circulating system22for taking collected snow at the bottom of the display22(using the display ofFIG. 2to represent both embodiments). The display has a frame24and front transparent panes25(FIG. 8a), and a rear panel27(FIG. 8a) which is either transparent or opaque. Frame24supports the front panes and the rear panel providing a display space29between the side walls31, the front panes25and the rear panel27, through which the snow falls. The circulation system22ofFIG. 3includes a trough26, which is open on both ends. One end28is connected to a conduit30, which extends vertically inside frame24and has a nozzle32at its upper end. A portion of the snow collects at the top of the display in an upper space34with an open bottom. The upper space34has a vane38, which opens at timed intervals to dump snow into the space between the front panes25and the panel27.

FIG. 4shows trough26with a half round shape. The trough26has open ends40and42with support bars44and46. End40connects to the conduit30. A vane48has a rotating rod50, best shown inFIG. 6, which rotates in support bars44and46. An electric motor52rotates vane48so that it sweeps inside the trough26without contacting it. A second electric motor54, represented by a fan blade, is mounted near the other end42of the trough to force air through the trough26and conduit30. In order to collect larger quantities of snow for circulation, a shut off cap56is internally formed on vane48. The shut off cap56rotates as part of vane48, and passes through the trough26shutting off airflow.

While the vane48is cycling through its different positions, the snow flows through the display and through the trough26. InFIG. 9asnow collects on the vane48while snow is blown through the trough26and through the conduit30and about one third of it collects on the upper vane38. InFIG. 9b, snow collected on the vane48is dumped into the right side of trough48, while air continues to blow snow through the left side of the tough26, conduit30and through upper space34.FIG. 9cshows the vane48horizontal to collect snow while the snow flows through the trough26and the conduit30and the fall is completely stopped. Snow that has collected on the vane48is dumped into the trough26where it is blown through conduit30.

As the vane48rotates, the accumulated snow on it dumps when the cylinder vane turns to its highest point, which corresponds toFIG. 9dwhen the van48is vertical and the shut off cap56is to the left.

The lower end of rod58has an arcuate shaped follower64which rides on the vane edge66so that each time the vane48is in the position ofFIG. 9d, the vane38is opened. When the vane48is in the position ofFIG. 9b, the vane38is not opened, since as shown inFIG. 8bthere is a cutout notch68to prevent the follower64from contacting vane48.

FIGS. 7 and 10show vane48having a rectangular shape with a rotating rod70affixed to the rectangular surface72, extending down the center of the vane and protruding beyond each end, The rotating rod70rides in apertures, not shown, in supporting bars44and46. Shut off cap56is integrally formed with vane48by bending one end of the vane at a right angle to rectangular surface70, as shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 6shows the electrical system for operating the snow flow through the display20. Trough26and vane48are shown with a pulley system74for rotating vane48. There is a drive pulley76turned by electric motor52and a driven pulley78mounted on rotating rod70. A pulley belt80connects the pulleys together so that pulley76turns pulley78. The size relationship between the pulleys and the R.P.M. of the electric motor52is such that the vane makes one revolution every four seconds. Electric motor52is wired into electrical box82, which plugs into a wall outlet, not shown. Electric motor54with its fan continuously operates as explained. There is also a third electric motor86, which is wired along with electric motor54to electrical box82. Electric motor86has a fan for creating a swirling effect on the snow as it flows downward through the display20.

In operation, the display20is hung on a wall to simulate a window. The electrical unit is plugged into a wall outlet, turning on the circulating system. Snow is dispensed from the top left corner of conduit onto storage vane. The snow that falls past the storage vane (as it is only ¾ inch wide) is directed downward via fan motor84giving it a realistic appearance. When the snow reaches the bottom of the display20, it either collects on the vane48or falls into trough26. Snow which collects on the vane48is dumped into the trough26as the vane rotates into the trough. The electric motor54is connected to a fan, which blows snow from the trough through a conduit30back to space34. The shut off cap56on vane48rotates into trough26shutting off airflow while snow collects on the vane. When the vane48dumps the snow, shut off cap56opens the trough26to permit snow flow. At the same time the edge66of the vane48contacts the rod which trips open vane38. The vane38repeats its cycle every four seconds, creating the appearance of snow.

While only some embodiments of the invention have been explained, other embodiments may be realized. For example, gears or a direct drive could replace the pulleys and pulley belt. Other mean could replace the vane operating rod without departing from the invention. For a complete understanding of the invention one should look to the drawings, description and claims.