Sound and visual display apparatus

An apparatus for producing a sound and visual display has a generally upstanding tubular body having a circumferential wall defining a centrally located vertically extending longitudinal axis. A reservoir is formed in the lower part of the generally cylindrical tubular body with a plurality of bead-like objects normally stored in the reservoir. An auger is used to transport the bead-like objects from the reservoir to an upper portion of the generally cylindrical tubular body. The body also includes a plurality of generally horizontally extending spokes supported on the circumferential wall and extending inwardly at vertical intervals with respect to the vertically extending longitudinal axis. A plate forms the bottom of the upper portion of the body and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the vertically extending longitudinal axis and includes at least one releasable door therein. A timer controls the opening of the releasable door at predetermined intervals based upon the sufficient accumulation of bead-like objects in the upper portion allowing the beads to fall through the plurality of spokes. Lights are provided to light the display and the bead-like objects as they fall downwardly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a sound and visual 
display. More paticularly it relates to an apparatus in which bead-like 
objects fall, at intervals, through a tube having spokes extending into 
the interior thereof which spokes produce a wavelike sound when impacted 
by the beads falling downwardly through the tube. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Throughout history there have been many novelty devices which stimulate 
interest and entertainment by the unique production of sound and movement. 
In Africa a device which utilizes pebbles and sticks was used to produce 
musical sounds by dropping the pebbles through a container having the 
sticks running generally horizontally therethrough. People have also used 
wind chimes to produce both visual and sound effects which chimes are 
still utilized today. After the invention of electricity, devices 
producing visual and sound entertainment became more common with the use 
of products such as liquid timers and lava lamps. These devices produce 
visual displays and other devices use recordings of natural such as rain 
waves and storms for sound entertainment. 
While devices have been marketed which produce natural sounds and wave-like 
light displays, the present invention is an apparatus which results in the 
production of unusual light movement and color production while at the 
same time producing sounds like waves lapping the seashore. Also, like the 
surf at night with its phosphorous and green reflections, the present 
invention displays a shower of green sparks when operated in the dark. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a sound and light display 
apparatus which simulates the movement and sound of waves. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a compact, 
electrically lit and powered, acrylic plastic apparatus in which objects 
are conveyed from the bottom thereof to the top thereof and allowed to 
fall across spokes extending into the interior thereof, thus producing a 
pleasing sound. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a light and sound 
display apparatus which is simple in design, pleasing in appearance, 
simple to operate, and capable of producing an entertaining sound and 
light display. 
Accordingly, these and other objects are achieved by an apparatus for 
producing a sound and visual display composed of a generally cylindrical 
tubular body having a circumferential wall of predetermined thickness 
defining a centrally located vertically extending longitudinal axis. The 
tubular body includes a spiral auger rotatable about the vertically 
extending longitudinal axis for transporting a multiplicity of bead-like 
objects from a reservoir in the lower portion of the generally cylindrical 
tubular body to an upper portion thereof. The multiplicity of bead-like 
objects are stored in the reservoir after falling through the apparatus 
and then are lifted by the auger to the upper portion. The generally 
cylindrical tubular body includes a plurality of generally horizontally 
inwardly extending spokes fixed on the circumferential wall at vertical 
intervals with respect to the vertically extending longitudinal axis. Each 
spoke is attached at its first end to the wall and extends inwardly of the 
cylinder a distance less than the radius of the cylinder with its second 
end normally unsupported. Thus as the bead-like objects fall through the 
generally cylindrical tubular body they strike the inwardly extending 
spokes thereby producing a pleasing sound. 
Preferably, a plate forms a bottom of the upper portion of the generally 
cylindrical tubular body and extends in a direction perpendicular to the 
vertically extending longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the plate has at 
least one releasable door therein, the release of which door may be 
controlled by a timer which, based on the number of revolutions of the 
spiral auger, opens the door after a predetermined number of bead-like 
objects have been conveyed from the reservoir to the upper portion. Thus, 
a wave-like production of sound occurs at regular intervals each time the 
door opens and the bead-like objects strike the spokes as they fall into 
the reservoir. In order to produce a variety of sounds, the beads are made 
of different materials such as acrylic, steel, glass and/or any other 
suitable material. 
In order to facilitate the movement of the bead-like objects from the 
reservoir to the upper portion, a small diameter interior tube may be 
placed around the auger so that the beads are prevented from moving 
radially outwardly thereof as they move upwardly in the cylinder. It is 
contemplated that the auger would be rotated by a small electric motor 
mounted in the upper portion of the apparatus. 
The apparatus preferably contains at least two lights designed to shine 
through the wall of the generally cylindrical tubular body which is 
usually made of acrylic plastic. Normally the spokes are also acrylic 
plastic and are attached to the wall of the hollow cylindrical body by 
drilling holes therethrough and placing the ends of the spokes in the 
holes. When properly lit the light permeates through the tube lighting 
each individual hole which is cut in the wall and therefore each acrylic 
spoke. These holes may be filled with spokes of different diameters and 
colors and can be arranged in a predetermined pattern. Thus a pattern will 
light up within the interior of the device by a process similar in concept 
to a childen's toy sold under the trademark LITE-BRITE. 
In addition, a light may be placed in the center of the device to make the 
interior more visible, especially at night, and to light the bead-like 
objects as they fall through the device. It is contemplated that this 
light will charge a portion of the beads which will contain a "glow in the 
dark" material. Thus, when the apparatus is placed in a dark room and 
allowed to operate phosphorescent bead-like objects will appear as a 
brilliant shower of sparks. 
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection 
with the accompanying drawing, which discloses one embodiment of the 
invention. It is to be understood that the drawing is to be used for the 
purposes of illustration only, and not as a definition of the limits of 
the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a sound and light display apparatus 
generally denoted as 10. Apparatus 10 has a tubular body in the form of a 
generally cylindrical tubular body 12 forming the outer perimeter thereof. 
Tubular body 12 is closed at its upper end by top cap 14 and at its lower 
end by bottom cap 16. A vertically extending longitudinal axis 18 extends 
vertically through the center of apparatus 10 and forms the axis of 
rotation of an auger 20. Auger 20 extends from a reservoir 22 formed in 
the area of bottom cap 16 to an upper portion 23 of tubular body 12 in the 
area of top cap 14. Reservoir 22 holds a plurality of bead-like objects 24 
which are 1 sized to match the pitch or spacings 26 of auger 20. 
Tubular body 12 is composed of a circumferential wall 30 having a plurality 
of inwardly extending spokes 32 fixed thereto. It is anticipated that each 
of spokes 32 would be inserted into a hole 34 of appropriate size formed 
in wall 30 of tubular body 12. Spokes 32 may be of varying diameters and 
thus holes 34 would correspond to the diameters of spokes 32 to be 
inserted therein. In order to produce a more pleasing sound, spokes 32 are 
not supported at their inner ends 36 so they may vibrate when struck by 
bead-like objects 24 during operation as will be described below. 
The purpose of auger 20 is to transport bead-like objects 24 from reservoir 
22 to upper portion 23 of light and sound display apparatus 10. In order 
to prevent bead-like objects 24 from moving in the radial direction out of 
engagement with auger 20, a tubular member 38 surrounds auger 20 in close 
proximity therewith. Because the inner diameter of tubular member 38 is 
only slightly greater than the outer diameter of auger 20, it prevents 
bead-like objects 24 from disengaging from auger 20 and prematurely 
falling through tubular body 12. 
An upper plate 40, forming the base of upper portion 23 extends across 
tubular body 12 in a direction generally perpendicular to longitudinal 
axis 18. Plate 40 supports the upper end of both auger 20 and tubular 
member 38. Likewise a perforated plate 42 extends across the top of 
reservoir 22 and supports the lower end of tubular member 38. Plate 42 has 
perforations sized to allow bead-like objects 24 to fall therethrough into 
reservoir 22. The lower end of auger 20 is supported in a receptacle 43 
located in reservoir 22. 
Mounted to top cap 14 are at least two lights 44 and 46 and motor 48. In 
addition, a light 50 may be mounted on motor 48 and located in close 
proximity to axis 18 whereas lights 44 and 46 are adjacent the periphery 
of top cap 14 and circumferential wall 30 of tubular body 12. A switch 52 
is provided to connect apparatus 10 with a power source to power lights 
44, 46 and 50 and motor 48. Motor 48 is coupled to the upper end of auger 
20 and causes the rotation thereof which moves bead-like objects 24 from 
reservoir 22 to upper portion 23. 
Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown upper plate 40 which includes a pair of 
releasable doors 54 and 56. Doors 54, 56 are hinged at the inner side 
thereof to a support 58 which forms the center of plate 40 via hinges 59. 
Support 58 supports the upper end of tubular member 38 and is fixedly 
attached to circumferential wall 30. Doors 54 and 56 are selectively 
releasable upon the accumulation of a predetermined number of bead-like 
objects 24 in upper portion 23 and, upon release, allow these objects to 
fall through the cylindrical tubular body 12 contacting spokes 32 as they 
fall. 
Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown perforated plate 42 with perforations 62 
which plate 42 is fixed to circumferential wall 30 and provides the 
support of the lower end of tubular member 38. Referring to FIG. 4 there 
is shown a control circuit for the apparatus 10 in which a timer 64 is 
utilized to control solenoids 60 which control the release of doors 54 and 
56. When switch 52 is closed the lights 44, 46 and 50 are turned on and 
timer 64 starts simultaneously with motor 48. Knowing the speed of 
rotation of motor 48 and thus auger 20 the number of bead-like objects 24 
moving from reservoir 22 to upper portion 23 can be determined, and, after 
a predetermined time timer 64 causes the release of doors 54 and 56 
allowing the bead-like objects to fall through the apparatus to produce a 
sound and light display. 
While timer 64 and solenoids 60 are shown it is also possible to control 
the release of bead-like objects 24 by solely a spring 70 placed under 
each door 54, 56. Spring 70 may also be in the form of a hinge spring 
which is coiled around hinges 59. Upon a sufficient load (accumulation of 
bead-like objects) doors 54, 56 spring open and allow the bead-like 
objects to fall. The release of bead-like objects 24 may be controlled by 
the deenergization of solenoid 60 at predetermined intervals. After the 
bead-like objects drop springs 70 return doors 54, 56 to the closed 
position where they are held closed by energized solenoid 60 until again 
de-energized by timer 64. In addition, spring 70 can be designed to open 
automatically under the weight of a sufficient number of bead-like objects 
24. 
This sound and light display occurs because bead-like objects 24 are made 
of, e.g., acrylic, steel and/or glass and, upon hitting spokes 32 cause a 
distinctive sound to be produced. Spokes 32 may be of varying diameters 
and preferably are made of acrylic plastic rods of varying colors. Upon 
the release of doors 54 and 56, bead-like objects 24 not only fall through 
the interior of tubular body 12, but lights 44, 46 and 50 shine 
therethrough to give the falling objects a pleasing visual appearance. 
Preferably, the cylindrical tubular body 12 is made of acrylic plastic, as 
are spokes 32. Thus even if doors 54 and 56 are opaque and are closed, 
lights 44, 46 produce a light effect in wall 30 which effect is carried 
toward the interior of the apparatus 10 by the plurality of spokes 32 in a 
manner similar to the well known childrens toy sold under the trademark 
LITE-BRITE. 
After bead-like objects 24 have fallen through apparatus 10, spring member 
70 closes doors 54 and 56, thereby allowing the cycle to restart with 
auger 20 transporting bead-like objects vertically upwardly through 
tubular member 38 into upper portion 23 of apparatus 10. Again, after a 
predetermined time or after a predetermined accumulation of bead-like 
objects 24 occurs, doors 54 and 56 again open allowing for another 
"wave-like" sound and light display to occur. It is contemplated that the 
cycle time would be approximately every 2 to 3 minutes. 
While tubular body 12 is preferably cylindrical, any multi-sided hollow 
body shape may be used. In addition, instead of plastic, tubular body 12 
may be made of any transparent material such as glass. Bead-like objects 
24 may be made of a light absorbing or phosphorescent material so to "glow 
in the dark". 
While several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated 
and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be 
made thereunto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention.