Abstract:
An illuminated-display unit useable to provide artwork with rotating, glowing effects is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base, a plate, and a dome. The base has a top surface with a central receptacle and an annular channel, a control panel, and light sources housed therein. The plate is disposed within the receptacle and the dome is disposed on the base to engage the annular channel and thereby accept the plate within its interior. Ink drawings or artwork are drawn on surfaces of the plate and the dome. The light sources are illuminated to provide internally reflected light within the plate and base. The ink on the plate and base refracts the internally reflected light and/or chemically or physically reacts thereto to provide a glowing effect. The dome and/or the plate are rotatable manually or mechanically to provide an animated effect to the illuminated display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/226,926 filed Jul. 20, 2009 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many drawing display units are known in the art, such as, for example, chalkboards, dry erase boards, or simply a frame or an easel on which to place a work piece. Generally, such units are designed to display drawings and artwork under daylight or well lit conditions. The units may also utilize various light sources in order to adequately illuminate a drawing or artistic composition for viewing by observers. The lighting illuminates the entire work, including any drawings and a substrate on which the drawings are created. These devices do not take advantage of clear drawing substrates or unique illumination characteristics available therein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the invention include an illuminated-display unit having a base, a clear plate, and a clear dome. A user draws one or more drawings, images, or other figures on surfaces of the plate and the dome. The plate is then received by a top surface of the base via a receptacle thereon. The dome is placed on the base and receives the plate within an interior void of the dome. A user activates one or more light sources housed within the base in order to illuminate the drawings placed on surfaces of the plate and the dome. When viewed under low ambient light conditions, the drawings on the plate and the dome are illuminated by the light sources in the base and provide a pleasing and exciting glowing effect to the drawings. Additionally, the dome may be rotated about the base in order to provide an animated view of the drawings on the dome with respect to the plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting components of an illuminated-display unit in an unassembled condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the illuminated-display unit of  FIG. 1  in an assembled condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting the illuminated-display unit of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with a dome detached from a base in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a base of an illuminated-display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4B  is a side elevational view depicting an illuminated-display unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an illuminated-display unit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of an illuminated-display unit configured to resemble a spaceship in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6B  is a side elevational view of the illuminated-display unit of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps or components or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps as explicitly described. 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to an illuminated-display unit and methods for illuminating a drawing. In an embodiment, an illuminated-display unit is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base including a top surface that includes a receptacle and an annular channel. The base also includes light sources disposed within the base. The illuminated-display unit also includes a plate configured to be at least partially disposed within the receptacle. The plate has a generally planar shape and includes surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept an ink thereon. A dome is also disposed atop the top surface of the base and engages the annular channel. The dome has a hollow domed structure configured to accept the plate therein and has surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept the ink thereon. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, a method for illuminating a drawing is described. An illuminated-display unit is provided that includes a base with a top surface having a receptacle and an annular channel and light sources disposed within the base. The illuminated-display unit also includes a plate configured to be at least partially disposed within the receptacle, has a generally planar shape, and includes surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept an ink thereon. The illuminated-display unit also includes a dome that is disposable atop the top surface of the base and engages the annular channel. The dome has a hollow domed structure configured to accept the plate therein and has surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept the ink thereon. The ink is applied to surfaces of the plate and dome. The plate is inserted into the receptacle of the top surface of the base. The dome is disposed over the plate and engages the annular channel. The light sources in the base are illuminated. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, an illuminated-display unit is described. The illuminated-display unit includes a base including a top surface having a receptacle and an annular channel, a control panel on an exterior surface having components for controlling light sources housed within the base. A plate that is disposed within the receptacle, has a generally planar shape and comprises a material with surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept an ink thereon is also included. Additionally, the illuminated-display unit includes a dome rotatably disposed atop the top surface of the base and engages the annular channel. The dome has a hollow domed structure configured to accept the plate therein and comprises a material with surface properties suitable to at least temporarily accept the ink thereon. The ink is disposed on a surface of the plate and/or dome. The light sources illuminate the ink on the one plate and dome. And the dome is manually or mechanically rotated atop the base. 
         [0017]    With reference now to the figures, and in particular  FIGS. 1-3 , an illuminated-display unit  100  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Illuminated-display unit  100  (hereinafter “unit  100 ”) includes a base  102 , a plate  104 , and a dome  106 . The base  102  is a generally cylindrically shaped unit having any desired height and a diameter generally larger than the diameter of the dome  106 . The base  102  includes a platform  108  on a top surface having a receptacle  110  formed therein and forming an annular channel  112  between an outer perimeter of the platform and an inner perimeter of the base  102 . 
         [0018]    Ridges  114  are included on each side of the receptacle  110  in order to form the sides of the receptacle  110  and/or to reinforce the receptacle  110 . The receptacle  110  is of sufficient dimensions to accept a bottom edge  116  of the plate  104  and to retain the plate  104  in a generally vertical orientation perpendicular to the platform  108 . One or more light sources are housed within the base  102  and are exposed along a bottom surface of the receptacle  110  in order to illuminate the plate  104  as described below. The light sources are composed of any light source available in the art include, for example, and not limitation, incandescent lights, light emitting diodes, fluorescent lights, and the like. 
         [0019]    The annular channel  112  formed about the platform  108  is of sufficient dimensions to accept a bottom edge  118  of the dome  106 , a sufficient distance to hinder lateral movement of the dome  106  with respect to the base  102 . One or more lights are housed in the base  102  and are exposed along a bottom surface of the channel  112  such that when illuminated, the lights transmit light into the bottom edge  118  of the dome  106 . The channel  112  may also include one or more roller bearings, ball bearings, or other bearing or reduced-friction surfaces to allow the bottom edge  118  of the dome  106  to slide within channel  112  to produce rotational movement of the dome  106 . In an embodiment, the channel  112  includes a means for mechanically rotating the dome  106  with respect to the base  102 , such as for example a motor coupled to one or more drive wheels, gears, cogs exposed within the channel  112  and contacting the dome  106  when placed on the base  102 . In an embodiment, the light source(s) are housed within the base  102  and optical wave guides, fiber optics, or the like are employed to direct light from the light source to the channel  112  for transmission into the dome  106  or into the receptacle  110  for transmission into the plate  104 . 
         [0020]    The base  102  also includes, on an exterior surface, a control panel  120  that protrudes a distance from the exterior surface of the base  102 . The control panel includes one or more buttons  122  and switches  124  for controlling one or more of lighting of the plate  104  and dome  106  and motion of the dome  106 . The buttons  122  and the switch  124  include any buttons or switches known in the art including momentary buttons and toggle switches, among others, which are suitable for use in activating and deactivating lights or motors housed within the base  102 . The control panel  120  also includes a front panel  123  on which a label  125  is placed. 
         [0021]    The base further includes, equally spaced at three locations around the circumference of the exterior surface of the base, recesses  126  and scallops  128 . The recesses  126  extend in a lateral direction perpendicular to the height of the base  102 . The recesses  126  are each configured to removably accept a marker  130 . As such, a marker  130  is inserted into a recess  126  for storage while not in use. 
         [0022]    The markers  130  comprise a dry-erase marker having ink characteristics and drawing characteristics suitable for use with the plate  104  and the dome  106 . The markers  130  include an ink of a predetermined composition that does not mar or stain the plate  104  or the dome  106  after prolonged exposure or repetitive use of the markers on the plate  104  and the dome  106 . Further, the markers  130  utilize an ink composition that is easily erasable from the plate  104  and the dome  106  such that drawings may be placed on the plate  104  and the dome  106  and easily erased or removed therefrom. The markers  130  are described herein as dry-erase markers so as not to distract from the explanation of embodiments of the invention, however, this is not intended to limit embodiments of the invention to use of dry-erase markers. Any compatible marking device is useable and is contemplated in embodiments of the invention. 
         [0023]    The scallops  128  are located beneath the recesses  126  around the circumference of the base  102 . The scallops  128  provide an easily graspable portion of the base  102  to allow a user to grip and lift the base  102  from a surface. 
         [0024]    The plate  104  comprises a flat section of material having sufficient dimensions to be received by receptacle  110  of the base  102  and to fit within the interior of the dome  106 . The plate  104  thus has a straight bottom edge  116  and a curved upper edge  136  that mimics the interior shape of the dome  106 . In an embodiment, the curved upper edge  136  is parabolic in shape. The plate surface  132  is a broad, flat surface upon which a user uses the markers  130  to draw one or more images, pictures, or other drawings thereon (hereinafter “drawings”). In an embodiment, the plate has any desired form or shape. The plate  104  has two opposite sides, each of which comprises a flat plate surface  132  upon which a user may draw. 
         [0025]    The dome  106  is a hollow parabolic dome having a circumference at the bottom edge  118  sufficient to be received by the channel  112  of the base  102 . Alternatively, the dome  106  may have any dome shape, such as for example and not limitation, elliptical, saucer, spherical, or any other dome shape suitable for use in embodiments of the invention. The interior of the dome  106  is of sufficient size and dimension to accept the plate  104  therein. The dome  106  further includes a knob  138  located at an apex or at the top of the dome  106  on an exterior surface. The knob  138  is of any configuration suitable for use in allowing a user to grasp the knob to lift and/or rotate the dome  106  on the base  102 . The dome  106  also includes an outer surface  140  on which a user places one or more drawings. The dome  106  and the plate  104  are comprised of a polycarbonate clear plastic, but may be comprised of any clear material such as, for example and not limitation, acrylics, glass, or any other suitable material. In an embodiment, the dome  106  is tinted or has one or more translucent or opaque sections. 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the operation of the unit  100  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, a user draws one or more drawings on the plate surface  132  of the plate  104  using the markers  130 . The user also draws one or more drawings on the outer surface  140  of the dome  106 . The bottom edge  116  of the plate  104  is inserted into the receptacle  110  of the base  102 . The receptacle  110  accepts the bottom edge  116  of the plate  104  a sufficient distance to support the plate  104  in a generally vertical orientation. The dome  106  is placed over the plate  104  and accepts the plate  104  within the interior of the dome  106 , as depicted best in  FIG. 2 . Also as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the markers  130  are coupled to the base  102  via the recesses  126  in order to store the markers  130  until later use. 
         [0027]    A user activates one or more light sources housed within the base and exposed along a bottom surface of the channel  112  and the receptacle  110  using the buttons  122  and the switch  124 . The location of the one or more lights is generally indicated in  FIG. 1  at locations  142 . The location of the lights with respect to the bottom edges  116  and  118  of the plate  104  and the dome  106  respectively allows the light to be transmitted into the plate  104  and the dome  106 . The light is directed within the materials of the plate  104  and the dome  106  via internal reflection of the light by the material. In an embodiment, the plate  104  and the dome  106  provide total internal reflection of the light. As such, the plate  104  and the dome  106  are not substantially illuminated by the light and remain substantially dark or transparent. Further, where a user has provided drawings  134  and  144  on the surfaces  132  and  140  of the plate  104  or the dome  106  respectively the ink on the surfaces  132  and  140  is illuminated by refracting at least a portion of the light passing through the plate  104  and the dome  106  out of the plate  104  or dome  106  and provides a glowing effect. As such, when viewed in low ambient light conditions as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the drawings appear to glow in the dark. 
         [0028]    The light sources included within the base  102  provide light within a predetermined spectrum or range of wavelengths that is suitable to illuminate the ink of the markers  130 . Such wavelengths may be in the blue region of the visible light spectrum or any other visible or non-visible spectrums of light. As such, the lights may illuminate the ink of the markers  130  by reflection of all or a portion of the light from the ink on the plate  104  or dome  106 , or the light may cause, produce, or catalyze a physical or chemical reaction in the ink which releases energy in the form of light. The light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs), halogen lights, incandescent lights, black lights, or any other light technology. Further, the light sources may be of a single color such as blue, or may be multicolored, among various other configurations. 
         [0029]    Lighting of the dome  106  and the plate  104  may take on many different configurations, including constant on or off of the light sources for both the plate  104  and the dome  106 , intermittent lighting of the plate  104  and/or the dome  106 , flashing of the lighting of the plate  104  and/or the dome  106 , or strobing of the light sources. Additionally, light sources contained beneath the channel  112  may be sequenced in a marquee fashion such that one or more light sources are illuminated at a time and de-illuminated to create the effect of lights moving through the channel  112  about the circumference of the base  102 . 
         [0030]    As such, by providing drawings in a sufficient configuration about the dome  106 , a perception of animation of the figures drawn thereon is provided. The buttons  122  and the switch  124  also control rotation of the dome  106  about the base  102 . The buttons  122  and the switch  124  may activate one or more drive means within the base  102  that cause the dome  106  to rotate about a central axis on top of the base  102  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Alternatively, the dome  106  may be rotated manually via the knob  138  at the apex of the dome  106 . In another embodiment, the plate  104  is also provided with rotational motion either manually or mechanically to provide an additional source of animated viewing. 
         [0031]    With reference now to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  5 , an illuminated-display unit  200  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The illuminated-display unit  200  is similar to and operates in a similar fashion as the unit  100 . Illuminated-display unit  200  includes a base  202  having a somewhat different configuration than base  102  of the unit  100 . The base  202  of the illuminated-display unit  200  includes a control panel  204  having buttons  206  and a switch  208 . The control panel  204  also includes a front panel  210  upon which a label is applied. The control panel  204  is configured differently from that of the control panel  120  of the unit  100  in order to provide a modified appearance to the base  202 . 
         [0032]    The base  202  also includes recesses  212  and scallops  214  as described above with respect to the unit  100 . Additionally, illuminated-display unit  200  includes a plate  216  and a dome  218 , also as described previously. Each of the components  202 - 216  of the unit  200  operate as described above with respect to the unit  100 . 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIGS. 6A  and B, an illuminated-display unit  300  is described in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Illuminated-display unit  300  includes a base  302 , a plate  304 , and a dome  306 . The base  302  is configured to resemble a rocket ship or a spaceship and has a control panel  308 , buttons  310 , a switch  312 , and a front panel  314 . The base  302  also includes handles  316  configured to resemble fins or wings on a rocket ship or a spaceship. The handles  316  also include on an upper surface a plurality of recesses  318  extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the height of the base  302  and configured to removably couple to one or more markers (not shown) and to retain them while not in use. Each of the components  308 - 318  of the base  302  function and operate similarly to those described for illuminated-display units  100  and  200 . 
         [0034]    The base  302  also includes along an upper surface  320  a thumb ring  322 . The thumb ring  322  forms at least a portion of a channel (not shown) such as channel  112  of the unit  100  for receiving a bottom edge (not shown) of the dome  306 . As such, the thumb ring  322  removably couples to the dome  306  when the dome  306  is placed atop the base  302 . The thumb ring  322  is rotatably coupled to the base  302 . Thus, a user rotates the thumb ring  322  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about base  302  in order to rotate the dome  306  in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion about the base  302 . 
         [0035]    The plate  304  is similar in configuration to that described with respect to plate  104  of the unit  100 . The dome  306  is also similarly configured to the dome  106  of the unit  100 , except that no knob is present on the dome  306 . 
         [0036]    In operation, the illuminated-display unit operates similarly to that of the unit  100 , including the operation of buttons  310  and the switch  312 . Illumination of the plate  304  and the dome  306  also occur similarly, and rotational movement of the dome  306  may be provided by mechanical means included in the base  302  or by manual means by manipulating the thumb ring  322 . 
         [0037]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading the disclosure. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the invention. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations and are contemplated.