Abstract:
Apparatus for aligning a plurality of partial images from time to time to form a composite image, including a motor having two or more concentric rotating output shafts rotating at different speeds. Each of the partial images is supported by one of the shafts. As a function of the relative rates of rotation of the shafts, all of the partial images become aligned from time to time to form the composite image.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to rotating images and, more particularly, to form from time to time a composite image from two or more partial images. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    Sports fans are often avid collectors of sports memorabilia in the form of posters, pins, decals, hats, etc. depicting a sports team logo. Very often an image cherished by a sports fan is that of a player, a team or even a park setting wherein the pertinent game is played. Similarly, corporations advertise their goods or services through a medium of a logo. In the field of entertainment, images of cartoon characters, actors, actresses, musicians, bands, etc. are depicted on posters or the like and cherished. In the field of politics, images of candidates or aspiring politicians are depicted on posters, cards, and other surfaces to promote a candidate or a particular political party. A list of images cherished or lauded by segments of the population is endless as it includes all aspects of human interests. 
         [0005]    One of the difficulties or drawbacks of presently available images is that they are static. That is, except for rare occasions, these images are immobile and do nothing to draw attention to them other than the subject matter depicted. After a period of viewing, these images generally become boring. This is true even for avid collectors of images and persons who view these images for inspiration or adoration. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to two partial images, when aligned with one another, form a composite image. The subject matter of such composite image may be a depiction of any subject. Each partial image is attached to one of a plurality of concentric shafts. A motive means, such as an electric motor, rotates each shaft at a different speed. As a result, one of the partial images will become aligned with the other partial image at each rotation in excess of 360° and depict the composite image. For greater complexity, three or more partial images may be mounted on concentric shafts wherein each shaft rotates at a different speed. As a function of the respective rates of rotation, these three or more partial images will become aligned from time to time to display a composite image. 
         [0007]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide mobile partial images rotating about a common axis to display a composite image from time to time. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a first rotating partial image and a second rotating partial image rotating about a common axis to display a composite image from time to time. 
         [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a first rotating partial image and a second rotating partial image to form a composite image as a function of the respective rates of rotation of the first and second partial images. 
         [0010]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide motive means for rotating first and second partial images at different rotation rates to form and reform a composite image. 
         [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an amusing display of partial images rotating about a common axis that form a composite image from time to time. 
         [0012]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for a pair of discs rotating about a common axis with each disc displaying a partial image to form a composite image from time to time. 
         [0013]    A still further another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device for repetitively aligning a partial image with a fixed partial image to display a composite image. 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a composite image that is formed by two or more partial images; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first partial image of the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second partial image of the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates superimposition of the partial images illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  when not aligned with one another; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a three-quarter view of two partial images on respective discs supported by concentric shafts rotating at different rates of rotation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of two partial images mounted upon two motor driven concentric shafts; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a mounting containing two or more displays, each formed by rotating partial images; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a representative football player depicted as a composite image formed by two or more partial images; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates three partial images mounted on respective discs supported by respective concentric shafts rotating at different rates, of rotation; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the three discs supporting the three partial images depicted in  FIG. 9  and mounted upon three concentric shafts rotating at different rates of rotation; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates the composite image formed periodically by the three partial images shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12, 13 and 14  illustrate the three partial images shown in  FIG. 9  periodically forming the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a composite image  10  of a golfer on a desert golf course mounted on two superimposed discs collectively identified by numeral  12 . The composite image is formed by a first partial image  14  having a star shaped outline  16 . A second partial image  18  extends about outline  16  to the perimeter of disc  12 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a disc  20  supporting first partial image  14  located inwardly of perimeter  22  of disc  20 . The area lateral of the first partial image to the perimeter of the disc is transparent. As illustrated, the first partial image depicts a part of the golfer and a part of the background.  FIG. 3  illustrates the second partial image mounted on disc  24 . It depicts a part of the golfer and a part of the background. As shown, the partial image extends to perimeter  26 . The area inwardly of the second partial image is transparent. 
         [0029]    Discs  20  and  24  are of transparent material, such as clear plastic, glass, etc. in the areas not containing the first or the second partial images, as set forth above. Arrow  30  at perimeter  22  extends between radial lines  32  and  34  depicted at the perimeter of disc  20  and represents a relative rate of rotation. Similarly, arrow  36  at perimeter  26  of disc  24  extends between radial lines  38 ,  39  to depict a relative rate of rotation compared to arrow  30 . By comparing the length of arrows  30  and  36 , it is evident that disc  20  rotates at a lesser rate of rotation than the rate of rotation of disc  24 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts discs  20  and  24  mounted on a common axis of rotation. First partial image  14  and second partial image  18  are not aligned with one another to depict the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Variations of such superimposed partial images in non-alignment with one another will be present until such time as the first and second partial images come into registration to form the composite image shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, until registration occurs, the partial images will be a hodgepodge. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a box, container, support or the like ( 40 ), for mounting motive means, such as an electric motor  42 . The motor provides two concentric rotating shafts  44 ,  46  that rotate at different rates of rotation. As also shown in  FIG. 6 , shaft  44  may includes a roundel  45  to aid in supporting disc  24 . The disc includes a central aperture  48  for penetrable engagement by and attachment to shaft  44 . A mastic or adhesive of some type may be used to rigidly support disc  24  upon roundel  45  to ensure rotation of disc  24  commensurate with that of shaft  44 . A rotating shaft  50 , concentric with shaft  44 , includes a roundel  52 . Disc  20  includes an aperture  54  for penetrable engagement with shaft  50 . A mastic or adhesive of some type may be used to secure disc  20  to roundel  52  to ensure rotation of the disc commensurate with the supporting shaft. 
         [0032]    As pointed out above by the relative length of arrows  30  and  36 , disc  20  rotates at a lesser rate of rotation than disc  24 . However, at some point these discs will become aligned or superimposed whereby the first and second partial images form the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In particular, from time to time the partial image on rotating disc  24  will become aligned with the partial image depicted on rotating disc  20  and the composite image is momentarily created. It is to be understood that the relative rates of rotation of the discs may be at any speed. 
         [0033]    In the alternative, shaft  44  could be fixed, or non-rotating to support disc  24  in a static non-rotating configuration. Upon rotation of shaft  50 , the partial image on disc  20  would become aligned with disc  24  to display the composite image. This configuration could be quite interesting to watch the composite image being formed and unformed. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a display case  60  containing two or more composite image generating devices  62  and  64  of the type discussed above and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . The images depicted therein would normally be different and may be of sports memorabilia, cartoon characters, etc. The location of such display case may be at a place of business, such as a bar, a man cave, a gaming room in a residence, etc. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates a composite image of two or more partial images mounted on two or more discs and depicts a running football player carrying a ball. The depiction may include the name of a football team, and other writings that may be of interest to a sports fan. The writings may be all on one disc or partially on each disc. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is illustrated a more complex composite image generating device  68  including a container  70  supporting three discs  72 ,  74  and  76 , each disc depicting a partial image of the composite image. Motive means, such as an electric motor  78 , is secured to container  70  and provides three concentric shafts, each of which rotates at a different rate of rotation. Disc  72  is mounted on shaft  80  which may include a roundel  86  to provide additional support for the disc. Disc  74  is mounted on shaft  82  which may include a roundel  88 . Disc  76  is mounted on shaft  84  which may include a roundel  90 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown the composite image  100 . It is formed of three separate partial images. First partial image  102  is shown in  FIG. 12  and it is essentially mounted on and extends adjacent the perimeter of supporting disc  76 . Disc  76  is of transparent plastic or other material and the central portion depicted as a square  104  is transparent. Disc  74  shown in  FIG. 13  includes a generally square second partial image  106  mounted thereon and having a transparent central star shaped portion  108 . Space  110  between second image  106  and the perimeter of disc  74  is transparent. Disc  72  shown in  FIG. 14  has mounted thereon a third partial image  112  in the form of a star shape centered in the disc. Space  114  between the third partial image and the perimeter  116  of disc  72  is transparent. 
         [0038]    Each of discs  72 ,  74  and  76  rotates in response to the rate of rotation of respective shafts  80 ,  82  and  84  extending from container  70  in response to operation of electric motor  78 . The rate of rotation of each of these shafts is different. From time to time, the partial images on discs  72 ,  74  and  76  become aligned to provide the composite image illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0039]    While the term disc has been employed to describe the base for each of the partial images, it is to be understood that other shapes for supporting the partial images could be employed. Thus, the term disc should be interpreted to include squares, triangles, etc.