Abstract:
A device for providing a kinetic decoration. There is a vessel and a base. The vessel includes a support coupled to an interior the vessel; a decoration disposed internal the vessel and over the support; a fluid disposed internal the vessel; a plurality of particles disposed in the fluid; and a first magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the underside of the support and not in substantial direct physical contact with an interior bottom of the vessel. The base is configured to support the vessel and provide motive power thereto. The base includes a motor disposed within the base; a plurality of lights disposed about a lip of the base; a control module to control electronic components of the device; and a second magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the motor and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic coupling member. An interior bottom of the vessel is concave.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to decorative devices, specifically, to globe-type decorative devices.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Decorative devices have been used for centuries to amuse, calm, delight, and otherwise benefit human-kind. Such devices are often used in connection with celebrating holidays, achievements, victories, and associations. One particularly successful type of decorative device includes snow-globe type devices that generally include a transparent globe including a fluid, a display, and particles that may be dispersible within the fluid. In many instances, the particles and/or display are configured to simulate snowfall, thus the name “snow-globe.” 
         [0005]     Attempts have been made to improve such devices. In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,820 to White et al. teaches, a fluid filled novelty amusement device with a magnetic impeller driven by an electric motor, through a magnetic couple created between a magnetic rotor and the magnetic impeller that provides forced circulating fluid flow that entrains and disperses ornamental particles throughout a transparent enclosure to provide viewing entertainment.  
         [0006]     Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,064 to Knapp et al. teaches, an active display device includes a motorized base and a transparent display. The base unit includes a magnetic drive, which communicates magnetically with a magnetically attractive rotor or agitator in the bottom of the display unit to circulate the fluid within the display unit and any particulate matter mixed therein. The purely magnetic communication between base and display eliminates all mechanical passages therebetween, thereby precluding potential leakage routes from the display component and permitting the display to be readily removed and replaced atop the base. The display may include a magnetically movable floor or other panel, if desired, with the floor panel disposed between the magnetic rotor and the display having a series of passages therethrough to permit liquid circulation, but precluding passage of particles beneath the floor to the rotor, area. The base may include numerous additional features, such as an audio system, remote actuation, lighting, etc.  
         [0007]     In many instances, such attempts fail to provide a decorative device having soundless stirring, more desirable particulate movement, integrated, enhanced and/or controlled light and sound and kinetic art. For example, particle movement may deviate from a desired speed, path, consistency, etc.. In another example, there may be a lack of appropriate lighting, especially directed to an underside of a display and or to the plurality of particles. In another example, there is no sound and/or no colored light directed into the globe.  
         [0008]     What is needed is a decorative device that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available decorative devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a decorative device.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment of the invention, there is a device for providing a kinetic decoration. The decorative device may include a vessel configured to enclose and display. The vessel may include a support coupled to an interior the vessel; a decoration disposed internal the vessel and over the support; a fluid disposed internal the vessel; a plurality of particles disposed in the fluid; and/or a first magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the underside of the support and not in substantial direct physical contact with an interior bottom of the vessel.  
         [0011]     The decorative device may include a base configured to support the vessel and provide motive power thereto. The base may include a motor disposed within the base; and/or a second magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the motor and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic coupling member when the vessel is supported by the base.  
         [0012]     Further, it may be that an interior bottom of the vessel is concave. Also, the base may further comprise a plurality of lights disposed about a lip of the base. It may be that the base and support together substantially obscure vision of the first magnetic coupling member from exterior the device. More, the plurality of lights may be optically coupled to the vessel when the vessel is supported by the base. The vessel may be separable from the base. The vessel may include a base plug that may be coupled to a substantially transparent shell. The base may include a speaker module. The base may include a control module that may be configured to control one or more electronic components of the device according to a pattern.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, there is a device for providing a kinetic decoration. The device may include a vessel that may be configured to enclose and display. The vessel may include a support coupled to an interior the vessel; a fluid disposed internal the vessel; and/or a plurality of particles disposed in the fluid. The device may include a base configured to support the vessel. The device may include a plurality of lights disposed about a lip of the base and optically coupled to the vessel.  
         [0014]     It may be that the interior bottom of the vessel is concave. It may be that the plurality of lights are colored. There may also be included first and second magnetic coupling members magnetically coupled and configured to transfer kinetic energy into the vessel, wherein the base and support together substantially obscure vision of the first magnetic coupling member from exterior the device. More, the vessel may be separable from the base. Also, the plurality of lights may be optically couple to the vessel when the vessel is supported by the base. The vessel may further comprise a base plug coupled to a substantially transparent shell. The base may further include a speaker module. The base may further include a control module that may be configured to control one or more electronic components of the device according to a pattern accessible to the control module.  
         [0015]     In still another embodiment, there may be a device for providing a kinetic decoration. The device may include a vessel configured to enclose and display. The vessel may include a support coupled to an interior the vessel; a decoration disposed internal the vessel and over the support; a fluid disposed internal the vessel; a plurality of particles disposed in the fluid; and/or a first magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the underside of the support and not in substantial direct physical contact with a concave interior bottom of the vessel. The device may include a base configured to support the vessel and provide motive power thereto. The base may include a motor disposed within the base; and/or a second magnetic coupling member rotatably attached to the motor and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic coupling member when the vessel is supported by the base. The base may further include a plurality of lights disposed about a lip of the base and optically coupled to the vessel.  
         [0016]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0017]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0018]     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a decorative device according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial cross sectional side view of a decorative device according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploratory side view of the lower portion of a decorative device according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top internal view of the lower portion of a decorative device according to one embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the lower portion of a decorative device according to one embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0026]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0027]     Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.  
         [0028]     Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.  
         [0029]     Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a decorative device  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated decorative device  10  may be a magnetically impelled decorative device. The illustrated decorative device  10  includes a lower portion  12  and a top portion  19 . The lower portion  12  includes a lip  13 . The lip  13  cradles the top portion  19  and may hide the elements (not shown) underneath a decorative member  15 .  
         [0031]     The illustrated top portion  19  includes a vessel  14  containing a fluid  11 , disposed within the top portion  19 , and a decorative element  16 . Disposed within the fluid  11  are a plurality of particles  18 . The decorative element  16  comprises the decorative member  15  supported by a decorative base  21  (see  FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated. embodiment the decorative member  15  comprises a butterfly supported by a support structure. It is envisioned that the decorative member  15  may be embodied in any form, including but not limited to sculptural works, light displays, color displays, and animated displays.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial cross sectional side view of a top portion  19  of a magnetically impelled decorative device  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The top portion  19  includes a vessel  14 , preferably of a translucent or transparent material such as glass or plastic, attached to a base plug  24  with a seal  22 . The vessel  14 , base plug  24  and seal  22  enclose a fluid  11 , a plurality of particles  18 , and a decorative element  16 .  
         [0033]     The plurality of particles  18  are disposed within the fluid  11 . The decorative element  16 , also disposed within the fluid  11 , includes a decorative member  15  supported by a decorative base  21 . A support  26  supportably couples the decorative base  21  to the base plug  24 . The decorative base  21  includes a first axle  27  rotatably attached to an underside  21   b  of the decorative base  21  and a first magnetic coupling member  28  fixedly attached to the first axle  27 . There are surfaces  29  configured to facilitate transfer of motion from the first magnetic coupling member  28  to the fluid  11 . The surfaces  29  may be fins, paddles, or some other structure configured to advantageously interact with the fluid, or merely the surface area of the first magnetic coupling member  28 . Further, where the first magnetic coupling member  28  is not affixed directly to the base plug  24 , less sound will be produced during operation outside the device  10 . The seal  22  couples the base plug  24  to the vessel  14  at a top base portion  25  of the top portion  19 .  
         [0034]     In operation, the first magnetic coupling member  28  rotates in the fluid  11  about the first axle  27 . This rotation stirs the fluid  11 , causing the plurality of particles  18  to move within the vessel  14 , in particular around the decorative element  16 . When the first magnetic coupling member  28  is not in rotation and the fluid  11  is no longer in motion, the plurality of particles  18  may collect between the decorative base  21  and the bottom concave portion of a support  26 , including under the first magnetic coupling member  28 . The legs of the support  26 , preferably comprising three or four leg structures, support the decorative base  21  at least sufficiently distant from the concave portion of the support such that the first magnetic coupling member  28  may rotate freely about the first axle  27 . Because the first axle  27  connects the first magnetic coupling member  28  to the bottom  21   b  of the decorative base  21  and not the bottom of the support  26 , the plurality of particles  18  may not significantly interfere with further rotation of neither the first magnetic coupling member  28  nor the first axle  27 . In particular, one advantage is that the plurality of particles  18  are less likely to interfere with the functioning of first axle  27 . Further, the concave configuration of the interface between the support  26  and the base plug  24  enhances particulate motion caused by motion of the first magnetic coupling member  28 . In particular, particulate motion less resembles a “tornado” and more resembles “snowfall.” 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the lower portion  12  of a magnetically impelled decorative device  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) according to one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated lower portion  12  includes a lip  13 , a well  42 , lights  44 , a second magnetic coupling device, or member  46 , a second axle  41 , and a motor  48 . The well  42  is configured to cradle the top portion  19  (See  FIG. 1 ). The lights  44  illuminate the top portion  19 . The motor  48  drives the second axle  41 , which transfers power from the motor to rotate the second magnetic coupling member  46  fixedly attached thereto.  
         [0036]     In operation, the motor  48  causes the second magnetic coupling member  46  to rotate about the second axle  41 . Magnetic fields (not shown) from the second magnetic coupling member  46  interact with magnetic fields (not shown) from the first magnetic coupling member  28  (see  FIG. 2 ) imparting energy to the first magnetic coupling member  28  and thereby causing the first magnetic coupling member  28  to rotate about the first axle  27  (see  FIG. 2 ). The outer surface area of the first magnetic coupling member  28  displaces portions of the fluid  11 , imparting kinetic energy to portions of the fluid  11 , thereby causing the plurality of particles  18  to move within the fluid  11 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top internal view of the lower portion  12  of a magnetically impelled decorative device  10  in one embodiment. The lower portion  12  includes a second battery pack  52  having batteries  54 , a first battery pack  58  having batteries (not shown), a motor  48 , a second magnetic coupling member  46 , a controller chip  57  and speakers  56 . The batteries  54  supply power to the motor  48 . The first batteries of the battery pack  58  supply power to the controller chip  57 , the speakers  56  and the lights  44  (see  FIG. 4 ). The motor  48  rotates the second magnetic coupling member  46 . The controller chip  57  may control the motor  48 , the lights  44  (see  FIG. 3 ) and/or the speakers  56 . Additionally, the controller chip  57  may serve as memory storage.  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the lower portion  12  of a magnetically impelled decorative device  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated lower portion  12  includes lights  44 , a lip  13 , a motor  48  and a second magnetic coupling member  46 . The lights  44  are configured to surround the top base portion  25  (see  FIG. 2 ) and are configured to illuminate portions of the top portion  19  (see  FIG. 1 ). Further, the lights  44  are configured to optically couple to the vessel  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) and may be of a material with substantially the same refractive index as the vessel  14  for enhanced light transfer from the lights  44  to the vessel  14 . The lip  13  and the decorative base  21  (see  FIG. 2 ) may conceal the first magnetic coupling member  28 .  
         [0039]     It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced Within their scope.  
         [0040]     For example, although the vessel is shown as a globe, other shapes are envisioned, including but not limited to cubes, octahedrons, dodecahedrons and any other three dimensional shapes including toroidal shapes and shapes having arms extending therefrom.  
         [0041]     It is also envisioned that fiber optics may be included in the device. For example, fiber optics may pipe light from the base up into the vessel which light then may be a part of the decorative element. Further, the interface between the top portion and the lower portion may include detachable joints wherein the top portion fiber optic display components may detachably attach to a light source or to a structure of fiber optic components in the lower portion, thereby powering a light display within the vessel. Further, there may be fiber optic display components creating a second decorative element on the lower portion, or merely decorating the lower portion.  
         [0042]     Additionally, although the figures illustrate the device being powered by batteries, it is envisioned that any number of means known in the art or any combination of those means, including chemical power sources, standard household electrical supplies, solar power, wind power, human power, and power diverted or drawn from attached devices, may power the device.  
         [0043]     It is also envisioned that there may be any number of particles in the device and that the particles may be active, reactive, of any size, shape, color or texture.  
         [0044]     It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. An example is that the device may be inverted wherein the top portion and the lower portion may be fixed together. Another example is that the lower portion may not be enclosed, may be clear, and/or may be only a ring around the top base portion.  
         [0045]     Additionally, while a base plug and seal are disclosed, any means to seal the fluid within the structure may be used. For example, the vessel may completely enclose all of the components of the top portion. Also, the seal is not limited to being a sealing substance but may represent a sealing interface structure between the base plug and the vessel, or it may be an interaction between the materials of the vessel and the base plug. For example, the vessel may be glass and the base plug may be rubber or plastic.  
         [0046]     It is envisioned that the decorative element or decorative member may include animated, moving, geared, free floating, tethered, hinged, or otherwise kinetic components. Further, there may be additional magnetic coupling members. Further, power may be drawn from motion of the first magnetic coupling member, or other magnetic coupling members, to activate, energize, or otherwise power other components enclosed within the vessel. This power coupling may include gears or additional magnetic coupling members that may increase spin speed, decrease spin speed or otherwise change qualities of the spinning motion of the magnetic coupling members. Additionally, components may draw power for animation or other kinetic or visual display from the flow of the fluid. For example, flags may wave in the current of the fluid.  
         [0047]     It is also envisioned that the support structure may suspend the decorative element from the top of the inside of the vessel. For example, there may be ultra-fine tethers attached at one end to various points inside the vessel and at another end to portions of the decorative element such that the decorative element is properly spaced within the vessel. This suspension may rigidly suspend the decorative element, or it may allow the decorative element certain freedoms of motion such as bouncing, swinging, swaying and/or rotating.  
         [0048]     It is also envisioned that the controller chip may be a computer or any other means of controlling the speakers and/or the lights. The controller chip may include a memory storage device such as RAM or a CD.  
         [0049]     Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including glass, resin, plastic, metal, ceramic and composite.  
         [0050]     Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, while various parts of the invention have been described in detail, it is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that each described component may be comprised of additional components that may be constructed separately. Further, separately described components may also be constructed together or as single pieces.