Abstract:
A sound actuated display device incorporating a vibratory-rotary motion converter to convert vibrations resulting from sounds and music to rotary motion. The rotary motion causes display elements to move and pulse in a manner synchronized to the rhythms of the sounds and music. The result is an aesthetically interesting display of motion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
   The present invention does not involve any form of federally sponsored research or development. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to display devices, generally, and more specifically to display devices incorporating vibratory-rotary motion converters. These devices are known in the art, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,304 to Durley. 
   The display device disclosed in the Durley patent comprises a vibratory-rotary motion converter responsive to electrical signals received from an external sound source electrically connected to the device. The Durley device, however, has limitations inherent to its design and the now obsolete technology available at the time of its invention. The vibratory motion in the Durley device, for example, is not capable of being triggered by ambient sounds. Rather, electrical output from an external sound source must be attached to the device, or a sound source must be included within the device, to actuate the motion converter. Additionally, black light must be used to illuminate the display, thus making the device less attractive in relatively bright conditions. Finally, the rotary motion aspect of the Durley device is less than optimal in some applications, most especially when increasing the scale to make a larger version of the device, and when the device is used as a ceiling-mounted fixture. Since the time of Durley&#39;s patent, microprocessors have become readily available, and various improvements in both mechanical and electrical engineering have provided the means to improve upon the performance of the device as well as decrease the manufacturing cost. 
   Other display devices, such as the “Dancing Toy” variety exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,726 to Cohen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,560 to Wetherell et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,903,424 and 5,090,936 to Satoh et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,249 to Sakurai, are known in the art to be able to respond to ambient noise, including music. None of these devices, however, incorporate a vibratory-rotary motion converter. While some of these devices comprise amplifier circuits, the amplifier circuits are not well-suited to driving a vibratory-rotary motion converter. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique and interesting display device that incorporates a vibratory-rotary motion converter capable of converting vibrations resulting from sounds and music into rotary motion. The resultant rotary motion causes flexibly mounted display elements to move and pulse rhythmically to the sound and music. 
   Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will present themselves in the following detailed description and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a lateral view of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a lateral view of a hub and examples of display devices. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the base assembly and dome. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the base. 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a hub assembly exemplifying the Light Emitting Diode circuit comprising two glides and a conductive hub. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a cross-section of a hub assembly exemplifying a Light Emitting Diode circuit comprising two glides and a conductive hub. 
       FIG. 7  is an angled view of a brake. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a brake. 
       FIG. 9  is a lateral view of a brake. 
       FIG. 10  is a lateral view of a portion of the dome, showing a hub assembly and vibratory member secured by a vibratory member securing means. 
       FIG. 11  is a lateral section view showing the assembly within the base by cross-section, including a schematic representation of the circuit board, voice coil, and power supply for the Light Emitting Diode circuit. 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the vibratory member and surrounding structures. 
       FIG. 13  is a detail showing the power supply connection to the Light Emitting Diode circuit. 
       FIG. 14  is a lateral section view showing a detail of the relationship between the vibratory member and structures within the base. 
       FIG. 15  is a top view further detailing the relationship between the vibratory member and structures within the base. 
       FIG. 16  is an example of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 17  is an example of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 18  is an example of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a view of a hub assembly exemplifying the Light Emitting Diode circuit comprising three glides and a conductive bridge. 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of a cross-section of a hub assembly exemplifying a Light Emitting Diode circuit comprising three glides and a conductive bridge. 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of a cross-section of a hub assembly exemplifying a Light Emitting Diode circuit comprising three glides and a conductive bridge. 
       FIG. 21A  is a schematic representation of the electrical circuit comprising a single amplifier circuit. 
       FIG. 22  is a schematic representation of the electrical circuit comprising a plurality of amplifier circuits connected in series. 
       FIG. 23  is a circuit diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit. 
       FIG. 24  is a circuit diagram showing an alternative embodiment of the electrical circuit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   This invention is directed to a sound actuated display device incorporating vibratory-rotary motion converter  10 . The display device comprises a base  20 , a housing  12 , a vibratory member  30 , at least one hub assembly  40 , a plurality of stems  52 , a plurality of display elements  50 , a means to support the vibratory member  32 , an electrical circuit for converting sound into vibratory motion and providing a means to illuminate the plurality of display elements  50 , shock absorption means  78 , a screw  73 , and a means to dampen vibration  75 . 
   The base  20  has a bottom  24 , side wall  22 , and a top. The housing  12  has an inside and an outside, and the housing  12  can be removably connected to the base  20 . The housing  12  can be constructed of a material adapted to allow structures within the housing to be viewed from outside the housing  12 . 
   The vibratory member  30  has a first end  33  and a second end  34 . The first end  33  of the vibratory member  30  is located within and extends through the inside of the housing  12 . The second end  34  of the vibratory member  30  is located within the base  20 . 
   A means to immobilize  14  the vibratory member  30  during transport can be provided. The means to immobilize  14  has a head  15  and a shank portion  16 . The shank portion  16  has an aperture adapted to fit the first end  33  of the vibratory member  30 . The housing  12  can have a hole adapted to receive the shank portion  16  of the means to immobilize  14 . The hole is positioned such that when the shank portion  16  of the means to immobilize  14  extends through the hole the aperture in the shank portion  16  is positioned to receive the first end  33  of the vibratory member  30 . The hole should be small enough to restrict the head  15  of the means to immobilize  14  from passing through it. 
   The hub assembly comprises a hub  40 , a brake  42 , and a ring  46 . The hub  40  has a central aperture, the aperture being adapted to receive the vibratory member  30 . The hub  40  is rotationally attached to the vibratory member  30  such that the vibratory member passes through the central aperture and the hub  40  rests upon the brake  42 . In a preferred embodiment, the hub  40  is generally dome-shaped and is attached to the brake. The hub can be constructed of polymeric material, such as plastic and metallic material. Other materials could be used. 
   The brake  42  has a central aperture  44  adapted to receive the vibratory member  30 . The brake  42  is rotationally attached to the vibratory member  30  such that the vibratory member passes through the central aperture  44 . The brake  42  has at least one flexible arm  43  that rests upon the ring  46 . In a preferred embodiment, the brake is attached to the hub. The brake can be constructed of flexible material such as sheet metal and polymeric materials. 
   The ring  46  has a central aperture adapted to receive the vibratory member  30 . The ring  46  is tightly fitted around the vibratory member  30  such that the vibratory member passes through the central aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the ring should be made of hard material such as hard plastic, metal and other suitable material. The ring  46  supports the brake  42 . In use, vibrations caused by a voice coil assembly  80  are transferred to the vibratory member  30 . As the vibratory member vibrates the vibratory motion is transferred to the hub assembly. This causes the flexible arm  43  to flex as it rests upon the ring. As the arm  43  straightens from the flexion, the resultant force against the ring causes the brake  42  to rotate around the vibratory member  30 . The hub  40  resting upon or attached to the brake  42  likewise rotates, and the vibratory motion is thereby converted to rotary motion. 
   Each of the plurality of stems  52  is fixedly attached to and radiating out from the hub  40 . Each of the plurality of display elements  50  is fixedly attached to a corresponding stem from the plurality of stems  52  such that each stem is attached to at least one display element from the plurality of display elements  50  and each of the plurality of display elements is attached to a stem. 
   The display elements  50  can be constructed of lightweight material, for example polymeric and any other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, the material can be ultraviolet responsive plastics with high phosphor content. The display elements can be of different and varying shapes, sizes, and colors, generally designed for aesthetic value, for example spherical and other geometric shapes, and astronomical, astrological, animal, plant, sports equipment, and any other aesthetically pleasing shape. In a preferred embodiment, however, the display elements should be disposed such that their weight is approximately balanced relative to the vibratory member. The possibilities are virtually limitless. In the accompanying drawings, the display elements are shown as spherical shapes by way of example. 
   The electrical circuit for converting sound into vibratory motion and providing a means to illuminate the plurality of display elements  50  is attached to the inside of the base  20 . The electrical circuit comprises:
         a) means for receiving electric power and supplying the electrical power to the circuit  70 ,   b) means for receiving electrical impulses resulting from a conversion of audio signal input into electrical impulses  72 ,   c) at least one amplifier circuit for amplifying the electrical impulses  85 , the amplifier circuit electrically connected to the means for receiving electrical impulses, the amplifier circuit electrically connected to the means for receiving electric power and supplying the electric power to the circuit,   d) a voice coil assembly  80  for converting the amplified electrical impulses to vibratory motion, the voice coil assembly electrically connected to the amplifier circuit,   e) means to illuminate the plurality of display elements  90 , the means to illuminate being electrically connected to and powered by the electrical power supplied by the means for supplying electrical power  70 .       

   The voice coil assembly  80  has a top plate  81 , a bottom plate  82 , a magnet  83  between and attached to the top plate and the bottom plate, a voice coil form  84 , conductive wire  86  coiled around the voice coil form, a spider  87 , and a pole  88 . Alternatively, the pole can be attached directly to the bottom plate or top plate to form one unitary structure rather than separate bottom plate and pole. 
   The magnet  83  has a central aperture. The conductive wire  86  is coiled around the voice coil form  84  such that the coil is located within the central aperture of the magnet  83  and surrounds the pole  88 . The pole has a central aperture adapted to receive the vibratory member  30 . 
   The amplifier circuit  85  can be constructed so as to amplify noise from the circuit itself in order to increase the sensitivity of the circuit to electrical impulses resulting from a conversion of audio signal input into electrical impulses, thus increasing intensity of the vibrations created by the voice coil. FIG.  23  and  FIG. 24  detail this construction. Multiple amplifier circuits, for example  85 ,  85 ′, and  85 ″, can be connected in series to further amplify signals received from the means for receiving electrical impulses  72  resulting from a conversion of audio signal input into electrical impulses. A microphone can be provided to convert audio signals into electrical impulses and send the electrical impulses resulting from the conversion to the means for receiving electrical impulses  72  resulting from a conversion of audio signal input into electrical impulses. 
   A means to attenuate electrical impulses  97  received by the means to receive electrical impulses  72  can be provided. The means to attenuate  97  can be provided with the capability to operate the means  97  remotely from and locally to the device. Remote operation can be achieved using radio frequency, infrared, laser, and hard-wired remote devices. These devices are generally known in the art. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the means to illuminate  90  the display devices can comprise a black light. The black light can be located within the base  20  such that it casts its light toward the display elements  50 . Other light sources are anticipated, such as incandescent and other types of light sources. 
   The means to support  32  the vibratory member  30  has a central aperture. The vibratory member passes through and snuggly fits into the central aperture of the means to support  32  the vibratory member  30  such that the vibratory member is fixedly attached to the means to support the vibratory member. The second end  34  of the vibratory member  30  is located on the opposite side of the means to support  32  the vibratory member from the first end  33  of the vibratory member, and is located within the central aperture of the magnet  83  as well as the central aperture of the pole  88 . The means to support  32  the vibratory member  30  is fixedly attached to and positioned atop the voice coil form  84 . 
   The shock absorption means  78  is located beneath the voice coil assembly  80  and above the bottom  24  of the base  20 , such that the voice coil assembly  80  rests upon the shock absorption means  78 , the shock absorption means resting upon the base  20 . The screw  73  has a head  74  and a shank portion  76 . The shank portion  76  has a flat end. The screw  73  passes through the base  20  such that the head  74  of the screw is located outside the bottom  24  of the base  20  and the shank portion  76  is secured to the pole  88  of the voice coil assembly  80  such that the flat end of the shank  76  portion stops beneath the second end  34  of the vibratory member  30 . The flat end of the shank portion  76  limits the movement of the vibratory member  30 . The means to dampen vibration  75  has a central aperture. The shank portion  76  of the screw  73  passes through the central aperture of the means to dampen vibration  75 . The means to dampen vibration is positioned between the head  74  of the screw and the bottom  24  of the base  20 , and reduces dissipation of vibratory motion to the base  20 . 
   The means to illuminate the display elements  50  can also be located within the each of the plurality of display elements. Light Emitting Diodes  95  or other small light sources can be used. 
   In this case, the vibratory member  30  can have an inner conductive core  100  of positive polarity, an insulating shield  105  surrounding the inner conductive core  100 , and an outer conductive sheath  110  of negative polarity. The outer conductive sheath  110  and the insulating sheath  105  each have at least one gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core  100 . The inner conductive core and the outer conductive sheath are electrically connected to means to provide electric current  138  to the vibratory member  30 . The means to provide electric current is electrically connected to the means to the means for receiving electric power  70 . 
   The hub assembly can further comprise a glide assembly. Individual glides of the glide assembly can be constructed of conductive material such as metal and conductive polymers. The glide assembly comprises a first glide  117  of negative polarity, a second glide  118  of negative polarity, a third glide of positive polarity  119 , a conductive bridge  120  connecting the first glide  117  and the second glide  118 , a means to receive a first conductive member  55  electrically connected to the first glide  117  and the second glide  118 , and a means to receive a second conductive member  58  electrically connected to the third glide  119 . 
   The first glide  117  and the second glide  118  are positioned such that the first glide  117  is electrically and rotationally attached to the outer conductive sheath  110  below the gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core  100  and the second glide  118  is electrically and rotationally attached to the outer conductive sheath  110  above the gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core  100 . The third glide  119  is electrically and rotationally attached to the inner conductive core  100  via the gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core, and the third glide is electrically insulated from the first and second glides. As the hub  40  rotates around the vibratory member  30  the first and second glides make electrical contact to the outer conductive sheath  110  while the third glide make electrical contact with the inner conductive core  100 . 
   Alternatively, a first glide  56  of negative polarity and a second glide  57  of positive polarity can be used. The first glide  56  is rotationally and electrically connected to the outer conductive sheath  110 . The second glide  57  is rotationally and electrically connected to the inner conductive core  100  via the gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core  100 . In this case, the hub  40  can be constructed using conductive material, and the first glide  56  is electrically connected to the conductive hub  40 . The second glide is electrically insulated from the first glide. In this way, the gap  115  to expose the inner conductive core  100  can be bridged without the use of another glide of negative polarity as well as without a conductive bridge. 
   A means to receive a first conductive member  55  is electrically connected to the first glide  56 . A means to receive a second conductive member  58  is electrically connected to the second glide  57 . 
   Each of the plurality of stems  52  has a first conductive member  130  of negative polarity and a second conductive member  132  of positive polarity. Each of the plurality of stems  52  are fixedly attached to and radiating out from the hub  40  such that the first conductive member  130  is electrically connected to a means to receive  55  the first conductive member  130  and the second conductive member  132  is electrically connected to a means to receive  58  a second conductive member  132 . 
   Each of the plurality of display elements  50  has a light emitting diode  95  electrically connected to the first conductive member  130  and the second conductive member  132  of a corresponding stem. 
   The electrical circuit can be constructed to be capable of providing a means to provide electrical current to the vibratory member  30 . The electrical circuit can comprise:
         a) means for receiving electric power and supplying the electrical power to the circuit  70 ,   b) means for receiving electrical impulses resulting from a conversion of audio signal input into electrical impulses  72 ,   c) at least one amplifier circuit for amplifying the electrical impulses  85 . The amplifier circuit electrically is connected to the means for receiving electrical impulses  72  and electrically connected to the means for receiving electric power and supplying the electric power to the circuit  70 .   d) a voice coil assembly  80  for converting the amplified electrical impulses to vibratory motion. The voice coil assembly electrically connected to the amplifier circuit  85 .   e) means for providing electrical current to the vibratory member  138 .       

   The means for providing electrical current  138  to the vibratory member  30  is electrically connected to the means for supplying electrical power  70 . The means for providing electrical current  138  to the vibratory member  30  is electrically connected to the vibratory member such that current with a positive polarity is conducted to the inner conductive core  100 . Current with a negative polarity is conducted to the outer conductive sheath  110 . 
   The device  10  as described herein can be adapted to hang upside down from the description as presented. In that case, the base  20  could attach to a ceiling. The device would still be constructed as fully described herein, but the base  20  can be adapted to hang from rather than sit upon a surface.