Patent Publication Number: US-6663461-B2

Title: Animated display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/990,235 entitled ANIMATED DISPLAY filed Nov. 21, 2001. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to motion toys, and more particularly to a uniquely configured, animated display, toy, lamp, or lantern comprising a series of rotatable cylinders and a rotatable platform which are capable of concurrent rotational movement relative to each other to provide a novel visual effect. 
     There is known in the prior art a wide range of animated seasonal toys which employ the use of motors and gear trains to accomplish various types of movements. Exemplary of such animated seasonal displays are talking Christmas trees, displays including an animated Santa Claus alone or in combination with Mrs. Claus, and Christmas trees with one or more openable and closeable doors which reveal an interior animated decorative scene when opened. Due to cost and pricing constraints, the majority of these animated seasonal toys do not include internal mechanics and drive systems which are capable of providing a highly sophisticated level of concurrent movement of various parts or components of the display in different directions and/or at different speeds. The present invention provides a uniquely configured animated display, toy, lamp, or lantern which provides these attributes via a novel mechanical construction of minimized complexity, and hence cost. Though the present invention finds specific utility in relation to a seasonal animated display, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the mechanical construction as will be described in detail below is applicable to non-seasonal animated displays as well. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an animated display comprising an outer sleeve which is rotatably connected to a support base. Concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve is an inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are each cooperatively engaged to an actuation assembly which is disposed within the interior of the animated display. The actuation assembly is operative to facilitate the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the support base, and the concurrent rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an animated display comprising an outer sleeve which is rotatably connected to a support base. Concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve is a middle sleeve, while concentrically positioned within the middle sleeve is an inner sleeve. The animated display of the second embodiment further comprises an actuation assembly which is disposed within the interior thereof and is cooperatively engaged to each the outer, middle and inner sleeves. The actuation assembly is operative to facilitate the rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the support base concurrently with the rotation of the middle and inner sleeves relative to the outer sleeve. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animated display constructed in accordance with first and second embodiments of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the inner and outer sleeves and the upper portion of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the animated display of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the middle and inner sleeves and the upper portion of the actuation assembly of the animated display of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the animated display of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 10; and 
     FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an alternative actuation assembly which may be employed in the animated display of the first embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 perspectively illustrates an animated display  10  constructed in accordance with both first and second embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the animated display  10  has a seasonal motif (i.e., a Christmas theme). However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present animated display  10  need not necessarily be constructed to have a seasonal theme, with the Christmas theme depicted in FIG. 1 being for exemplary purposes only. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the animated display  10  comprises a cylindrically configured, tubular outer sleeve  12  and a cylindrically configured, tubular inner sleeve  14 . Attached to the upper end of the outer sleeve  12  is an enlarged, annular collar  16 . The inner sleeve  14  is preferably fabricated from a translucent material, and includes decorative indicia thereon. The outer sleeve  12  is preferably fabricated from a transparent material itself having decorative indicia thereon. The collar  16  attached to the outer sleeve  12  is preferably fabricated from a translucent or opaque material, and also includes decorative indicia thereon. The inner sleeve  14  is concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve  12 . The outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  are sized relative to each other such that a narrow, annular gap of uniform width is defined between the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  when the inner sleeve  14  is advanced into the outer sleeve  12 . The outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  are further rotatable relative to each other at differing speeds in a manner which will be described in more detail below. 
     In the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the outer sleeve  12  is rotatably connected to a circularly configured support base  18 . In this regard, formed on the bottom end of the outer sleeve  12  is a continuous flange portion  20  which extends radially outward relative to the remainder of the outer sleeve  12 . The flange portion  20  is slidably receiveable into a complementary, continuous channel  22  formed in the inner surface of the annular peripheral wall of the support base  18 . The receipt of the flange portion  20  into the channel  22  facilitates the rotatable connection of the outer sleeve  12  to the support base  18 . Additionally, formed on the inner surface of the outer sleeve  12  in close proximity to the flange portion  20  is another flange portion  24  which extends radially inward relative to the remainder of the outer sleeve  12 . Formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  24  are gear teeth  26 . The use of the gear teeth  26  in relation to the rotation of the outer sleeve  12  relative to the support base  18  will be discussed in more detail below. 
     In the animated display  10  constructed in accordance with the first embodiment, the inner sleeve  14  itself defines an annular flange portion  28  which extends radially inward from the top end thereof. The inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  28  is formed to define gear teeth  30  for reasons which will be discussed in more detail below. Additionally, formed on the inner surface of the flange portion  28  are four cylindrically configured attachment bosses  32  which are equidistantly spaced at intervals of approximately ninety degrees. The use of the bosses  32  will also be discussed in more detail below. In addition to the flange portion  28 , the inner sleeve  14  includes a flange portion  34  which extends radially inward from the bottom end thereof. The inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  34  is formed to define gear teeth  36 , the use of which will also be discussed in more detail below. 
     It is contemplated that rather than comprising integral portions of the inner sleeve  14 , the flange portion  28 , bosses  32 , and gear teeth  36  may be defined by a separate, annular display platform ring which is attached to a modified inner sleeve defining an annular top rim. In this regard, the display platform ring and modified inner sleeve, when attached to each other, collectively define a component structurally analogous to the inner sleeve  14 . 
     In the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the support base  18  includes a battery compartment  38  positioned thereon and extending upwardly therefrom. Mounted to and extending upwardly from the battery compartment  38  is a lamp assembly  40 . The lamp assembly  40  is in electrical communication with the battery compartment  38  and includes a lamp fixture comprising a light bulb  42  and a reflector  44  which are mounted to a support post  46 . The lamp assembly  40  further comprises a cylindrical, tubular shroud  48  which is attached to the support post  46 . Extending axially from the top of the shroud  48  is a cylindrically configured, tubular post  50 . The shroud  48  may be fabricated from a transparent or translucent material of any desired color. 
     Mounted to one side of the battery compartment  38  is a drive motor  52 . The drive motor  52  is operatively coupled to a plurality of wheels  54  within the support base  18  via a gear train  56  including a series of mechanically coupled drive gears. It is contemplated that the animated display  10  of the first embodiment will include a total of three wheels  54 , with two wheels  54  being disposed on a common side of the battery compartment  38  and the remaining wheel  54  being disposed on the opposite side thereof such that the wheels  54  are arranged in a generally triangular configuration. The drive motor  52  is also electrically connected to the battery compartment  38 . The activation of the drive motor  52  is operative to facilitate the rotation of the wheels  54 , and hence the linear or rotational movement of the animated display  10  along a generally planar surface. The lower end of the battery compartment  38  is normally covered by a compartment door  58 . The detachment of the compartment door  58  from the support base  18  allows for the placement of batteries into the interior of the battery compartment  38 . As seen in FIG. 1, the annular peripheral wall of the support base  18  may include decorative indicia attached to the outer surface thereof. 
     In the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the outer sleeve  12  is rotatable relative to the support base  18 . The inner sleeve  14  is also rotatable relative to the support base  18  in the opposite direction of rotation as the outer sleeve  12 , and at a different rotational speed. However, as will be discussed in more detail below, the animated display  10  may be configured such that the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  are rotatable relative to the support base  18  in the same direction. The rotation of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  relative to the support base  18  and each other is facilitated by an actuation assembly  60  of the animated display  10 . 
     The actuation assembly  60  comprises an actuation motor  62  which is mounted to the support base  18  via a bracket  64 . The actuation motor  62  is mechanically coupled to a gear train  66  which is mounted to a support plate  68 . The support plate  68  is itself attached to the support base  18 . The gear train  66  includes a first gear  70  which is intermeshed with a lower drive gear  72  mounted to a drive shaft  74  rotatably connected to the support plate  68 . Also mounted to the drive shaft  74  is an upper drive gear  76 . The upper drive gear  76  is mounted to the top portion of the drive shaft  74  and is disposed in spaced relation to the lower drive gear  72  which is of a diameter exceeding that of the upper drive gear  76 . In the actuation assembly  60 , the rotation of the motor shaft  78  protruding from the actuation motor  62  facilitates the rotation of the drive shaft  74  via the gear train  66 , and hence the concurrent rotation of the lower and upper drive gears  72 ,  76 . 
     In the actuation assembly  60 , the lower drive gear  72  is intermeshed with a supplemental lower drive gear  73 . Attached to the top surface of the supplemental lower drive gear  73  is a supplemental upper drive gear  75  which is coaxially aligned with the supplemental lower drive gear  73  and is of a decreased diameter relative thereto. Due to the intermesh between the lower drive gear  72  and the supplemental lower drive gear  73 , the rotation of the drive shaft  74  and hence the lower drive gear  72  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the supplemental lower and upper drive gears  73 ,  75  in a direction opposite that of the lower and upper drive gears  72 ,  76 . 
     The actuation assembly  60  further comprises a generally cross-shaped support strut  80  which is rotatably connected to the post  50  extending from the shroud  48  of the lamp assembly  40 . The support strut  80  defines a circularly configured central hub  82  having four arms  84  extending radially therefrom at intervals of approximately ninety degrees. The central hub  82  defines a circularly configured opening  86  within the top thereof. Rotatably connected to the support strut  80  and extending axially through the opening  86  is a shaft  88 . Rigidly mounted to the top portion of the shaft  88  is a gear  90 . The bottom portion of the shaft  88  is advanced into the tubular post  50  extending from the top of the shroud  48  and rigidly affixed therein. As indicated above, the support strut  80  is rotatably connected to the shaft  88 . The gear  90  is intermeshed with three identically configured planetary gears  92  which are rotatably mounted to the central hub  82  and are spaced about the shaft  88  (and hence the gear  90 ) at intervals of approximately 120 degrees. 
     In the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the inner sleeve  14  is attached to the actuation assembly  60 , and more particularly to the support strut  80  thereof. Such attachment is facilitated by the advancement of fasteners through the bosses  32  of the inner sleeve  14  into complementary bosses  94  formed on the upper surfaces of respective ones of the arms  84  adjacent the distal ends thereof. Thus, the inner sleeve  14  rotates concurrently with the support strut  80 , i.e., the rotation of the inner sleeve  14  facilitates the simultaneous rotation of the support strut  80 . 
     Mechanically coupled to the planetary gears  92  is a plate holder  96  which defines a circularly configured central opening having gear teeth  98  formed about the peripheral inner surface thereof. The plate holder  96  is advanceable over the planetary gears  92  such that the planetary gears  92  reside within the opening of the plate holder  96  and are intermeshed to the gear teeth  98 . The plate holder  96  further defines a shaft aperture which is radially offset relative to the shaft  88  when the plate holder  96  is mechanically coupled to the planetary gears  92 . Rotatably received into the shaft aperture of the plate holder  96  is the lower portion of a plate shaft  100 . The top end of the plate shaft  100  is attached to a circularly configured display plate  102 . The display plate  102  is formed to include gear teeth  104  about the peripheral edge thereof. Additionally, disposed within the display plate  102  adjacent the peripheral edge thereof is a pair of circularly configured magnets  106  which are separated from each other by an interval of approximately 180 degrees. 
     The display plate  102  comprises the uppermost component of the actuation assembly  60 . When the inner sleeve  14  is attached to the support strut  80  in the above-described manner, the gear teeth  104  of the display plate  102  are intermeshed with the gear teeth  30  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  28  of the inner sleeve  14 . The rotation of the inner sleeve  14  facilitates the rotation of the support strut  80  and hence the planetary gears  92  and plate holder  96  relative to the stationary gear  90 . In view of the intermesh between the gear  90  and the planetary gears  92  and between the planetary gears  92  and the gear teeth  98  of the plate holder  96 , the rotation of the support strut  80  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the plate holder  96 . Due to the shaft aperture of the plate holder  96  being radially offset from the shaft  88 , the rotation of the plate holder  96  results in the concurrent rotation of the plate shaft  100  and hence the display plate  102  about the axis of the shaft  88 . Further, due to the intermesh between the gear teeth  104  of the display plate  102  and the gear teeth  30  of the inner sleeve  14 , the movement of the display plate  102  about the axis of the shaft  88  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the display plate  102  about the axis of the plate shaft  100 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2,  5  and  6 , when the outer sleeve  12  is rotatably connected to the support base  18  in the above-described manner, the supplemental upper drive gear  75  of the actuation assembly  60  is intermeshed with the gear teeth  26  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  24  of the outer sleeve  12 . The inner sleeve  14  is supported within the outer sleeve  12  by the rotatable connection of the support strut  80  to the shaft  88  in the above-described manner. When the support strut  80 , and hence the inner sleeve  14  are rotatably connected to the shaft  88  (which is rigidly affixed to the post  50 ), the upper drive gear  76  of the actuation assembly  60  is intermeshed with the gear teeth  36  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  34  of the inner sleeve  14 . As best seen in FIG. 5, due to the inner sleeve  14  being concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve  12 , the gear teeth  36  of the flange portion  34  are disposed radially inward beyond the gear teeth  26  of the flange portion  24 . 
     In operation, the activation of the actuation motor  62  facilitates the rotation of the drive shaft  74  via the gear train  66 , and hence the concurrent rotation of the lower and upper drive gears  72 ,  76 . The rotation of the lower and upper drive gears  72 ,  76  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the supplemental lower and upper drive gears  73 ,  75  in a direction opposite that of the lower and upper drive gears  72 ,  76 . As indicated above, the outer sleeve  12  (which is rotatably connected to the support base  18 ) is rotated by the intermesh of the supplemental upper drive gear  75  to the gear teeth  26 , with the inner sleeve  14  being rotated by the intermesh of the upper drive gear  76  to the gear teeth  36 . Thus, the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  are concurrently rotated in opposite directions. In addition to being rotated in opposite directions, the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  also rotate at differing speeds attributable to the differing diameters of the supplemental upper drive gear  75  and upper drive gear  76  coupled with the differing diameters of the inner peripheral edges of the flange portions  24 ,  34 . The rotation of the inner sleeve  14  and hence the support strut  80  facilitates the various rotational movements of the display plate  102  as described above. 
     It is contemplated that in the completed animated display  10  of the first embodiment, decorative indicia may be rigidly and/or movably attached to the top of the inner sleeve  14 . The movable attachment of the decorative indicia to the top of the inner sleeve  14  may be accomplished by embedding certain magnetized materials such as magnetized metal plates into the bottom sides or surfaces of the decorative indicia. Such decorative indicia may include, for example, one or more ice skating figurines which are caused to move in a particular pattern attributable to the location of the magnets  106  within the rotating display plate  102 , and the rotation of the display plate  102  about the axis of the shaft  88 . To maintain the stability of the inner sleeve  14  during the rotation thereof, an identically configured pair of guiding gears  108  (as best seen in FIG. 6) are preferably rotatably connected to the support base  18  and intermeshed with the gear teeth  36  of the flange portion  34 . 
     The animated display  10  of the first embodiment further includes control circuitry which controls and coordinates the various movements thereof. In this regard, the control circuitry is in electrical communication with the drive motor  52 , the lamp assembly  40 , the actuation motor  62 , and an optional sound/music emitting element which may be included in the animated display  10 . The control circuitry may be programmed to coordinate the movement of the animated display  10  along a planar surface, the rotation of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14 , the activation of the lamp assembly  40 , and the generation of sound/music from a sound/music producing element (if included) in any desired manner. It is contemplated that the control circuitry, which will include one or more integrated circuit chips, may be disposed in virtually any location within the interior of the animated display  10 . 
     It is further contemplated that the animated display  10  of the first embodiment may be provided with photo and/or sound sensors which are used to facilitate the activation of the control circuitry. In this regard, the operation of the animated display  10  may be commenced by motion and/or sound. Since the animated display  10  is capable of traveling along a generally planar surface, it is also contemplated that multiple photo sensors may be included in the annular peripheral wall of the support base  18 . Such sensors would also be in electrical communication with the control circuitry and used to sense, for example, an edge of a table or some other obstruction. In this regard, the sensors would be used to prevent the animated display  10  from traveling or moving off the edge of a table or running into some object positioned thereon. Still further, it is contemplated that the animated display  10  may be outfitted with an infrared transceiver which is also electrically connected to the control circuitry and used to provide interactive communication with, for example, another animated display  10  or some other interactive device. 
     In the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  are each described as having cylindrical, tubular configurations. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  may be fabricated in any combination of different shapes or forms. Since the inner sleeve  14  is rotatable within the outer sleeve  12 , the sole requirement is that there be sufficient clearance between the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  to allow for such relative rotation irrespective of the shapes thereof. Thus, by way of example, the outer sleeve  12  could have a cylindrical configuration, with the inner sleeve  14  having a square or triangular tubular configuration, so long as sufficient clearance is defined between the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  to allow for the rotation of the inner sleeve  14  within the outer sleeve  12 . It is further contemplated that the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  will be fabricated from a material such as plastic or glass which can be made transparent or translucent. Other suitable materials would be paper and fabrics or combinations of various materials. Irrespective of their shape, one or both of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  may be fabricated in a manner wherein the decorative indicia comprises three-dimensional relief created by vacuum forming or some similar process. In this regard, the decorative indicia need not necessarily be confined to two-dimensional artwork applied to a smooth, continuous surface. If such three-dimensional decorative indicia is implemented, there must be sufficient clearance between the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  to accommodate the same. 
     Though not shown, it is further contemplated that the actuation assembly  60  may alternatively be configured such that an additional gear is intermeshed between the supplemental upper drive gear  75  and the gear teeth  26  of the outer sleeve  12 , or between the upper drive gear  76  and the gear teeth  36  of the inner sleeve  14 . This additional gear could be used to facilitate the rotation of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  in the same direction rather than in the opposite directions. It is also contemplated that any one of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  may be constructed from top and bottom annular frames which include a flexible or rigid material extending therebetween. Additionally, though an exemplary embodiment of the actuation assembly  60  is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other actuation assemblies of like functionality may be included in the animated display  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, there is depicted the second embodiment of the animated display  10  of the present invention. The animated display  10  of the second embodiment is structurally similar to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment. In this regard, the animated display  10  of the second embodiment includes an outer sleeve  12   a  which is identically configured to the outer sleeve  12  of the first embodiment and is rotatably connected to a support base  18   a  of the second embodiment (which is identical to the support base  18 ) in the same manner previously described in relation to the rotatable connection of the outer sleeve  12  to the support base  18  of the first embodiment. The animated display  10  of the second embodiment also includes a middle sleeve  14   a  which is concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve  12   a  and is identically configured to the inner sleeve  14  of the animated display  10  of the first embodiment. In addition to the outer and middle sleeves  12   a ,  14   a , the animated display  10  of the second embodiment includes a cylindrically configured, tubular inner sleeve  110  which is concentrically positioned within the middle sleeve  14   a , and is sized relative to the middle sleeve  14   a  such that a narrow, annular gap of uniform width is defined therebetween. Thus, in contrast to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment which included only the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14 , the animated display  10  of the second embodiment includes the outer and inner sleeves  12   a ,  110  having the middle sleeve  14   a  positioned therebetween. In the animated display  10  of the second embodiment, the outer and middle sleeves  12   a ,  14   a  are each preferably fabricated from a transparent material and include decorative indicia thereon, with the inner sleeve  110  preferably being fabricated from a translucent material and itself including decorative indicia thereon. 
     Formed on the bottom end of the inner sleeve  110  of the second embodiment is a continuous flange portion  112  which extends radially inward relative to the remainder of the inner sleeve  110 . Formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  112  are gear teeth  113 . The gear teeth  113  are used to facilitate the rotation of the inner sleeve  110  in a manner which will be discussed in more detail below. Included within the support base  18   a  of the animated display  10  of the second embodiment is a battery compartment  38   a , drive motor  52   a , wheels  54   a , gear train  56   a  and compartment door  58   a  which are structurally and functionally identical to the battery compartment  38 , drive motor  52 , wheels  54 , gear train  56 , and compartment door  58 , respectively, of the animated display  10  of the first embodiment. Additionally, the animated display  10  of the second embodiment includes a lamp assembly  40   a  which is identical to the above-described lamp assembly  40  with the exception that the shroud  48   a  of the lamp assembly  40   a  does not include the above-described post  50  extending axially from the top thereof. 
     Also included in the animated display  10  of the second embodiment is an actuation assembly  60   a  which is substantially similar to the actuation assembly  60  of the first embodiment, and includes an actuation motor  62   a , a bracket  64   a , a gear train  66   a , a support plate  68   a , a first gear  70   a , a lower drive gear  72   a , a drive shaft  74   a , and an upper drive gear  76   a  which are identically configured to the above-described actuation motor  62 , bracket  64 , gear train  66 , support plate  68 , first gear  70 , lower drive gear  72 , drive shaft  74  and upper drive gear  76 , respectively, and are interfaced to each other in the same manner previously described in relation to the first embodiment regarding these particular components. In addition to these common components, the actuation assembly  60   a  of the second embodiment includes a supplemental lower drive gear  114  which is intermeshed with the upper drive gear  76   a  and includes a supplemental upper drive gear  116  of reduced diameter extending axially upwardly therefrom. Intermeshed to the supplemental lower drive gear  114  is a drive gear  117 . The use of the supplemental lower and upper drive gears  114 ,  116  and drive gear  117  will be discussed in more detail below. 
     The actuation assembly  60   a  of the animated display  10  of the second embodiment further includes a support strut  80   a  which is identically configured to the above-described support strut  80  and is attached to the middle sleeve  14   a  in the same manner previously described in relation to the attachment of the inner sleeve  14  to the support strut  80 . The actuation assembly  60   a  also includes a shaft  88   a , gear  90   a , planetary gears  92   a , plate holder  96   a , plate shaft  100   a , and display plate  102   a  which are identical, structurally and functionally, to the above-described shaft  88 , gear  90 , planetary gears  92 , plate holder  96 , plate shaft  100 , and display plate  102 , respectively, and are interfaced to each other and to the gear teeth  30   a  of the middle sleeve  14   a  in the same manner previously described in relation to the first embodiment. However, in the animated display  10  of the second embodiment, due to the absence of the above-described post  50  extending from the shroud  48   a , the lower portion of the shaft  88   a  is alternatively rigidly attached to a generally cross-shaped secondary support strut  118 . The secondary support strut  118  includes four arms  120  which are disposed at intervals of approximately ninety degrees and each have lengths slightly less than those of the arms  84   a  of the support strut  80   a . The rotatable connection of the shaft  88   a  to the support strut  80   a  allows for the rotation of the secondary support strut  118  relative to the support strut  80   a . As best seen in FIG. 10, the top end of the inner sleeve  110  is attached to the arms  120  of the secondary support strut  118 . Thus, in contrast to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment, the animated display  10  of the second embodiment includes the secondary support strut  118  in addition to the support strut  80   a.    
     In the animated display  10  of the second embodiment, when the outer sleeve  12   a  is rotatably connected to the support base  18   a , the drive gear  117  of the actuation assembly  60   a  is intermeshed with the gear teeth  26   a  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  24   a  of the outer sleeve  12   a . The upper drive gear  76   a  of the actuation assembly  60   a  is itself intermeshed with the gear teeth  36   a  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  34   a  of the middle sleeve  14   a . Due to the middle sleeve  14   a  being concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve  12   a , the flange portion  34   a  extends radially inward beyond the inner peripheral edge (and hence the gear teeth  26   a ) of the flange portion  24   a . The supplemental upper drive gear  116  of the actuation assembly  60   a  is itself intermeshed with the gear teeth  113  formed on the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  112  of the inner sleeve  110 . Due to the inner sleeve  110  being concentrically positioned within the middle sleeve  14   a , the flange portion  112  extends radially inward beyond the inner peripheral edge (and hence the gear teeth  36   a ) of the flange portion  34   a.    
     In operation, the activation of the actuation motor  62   a  facilitates the rotation of the drive shaft  74   a  via the gear train  66   a , and hence the concurrent rotation of the lower and upper drive gears  72   a ,  76   a  in the same direction. Due to the intermesh between the upper drive gear  76   a  and the supplemental lower drive gear  114 , the rotation of the lower and upper drive gears  72   a ,  76   a  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the supplemental lower and upper drive gears  114 ,  116  in a direction opposite that of the lower and upper drive gears  72   a ,  76   a . Similarly, the intermesh of the drive gear  117  to the supplemental lower drive gear  114  facilitates the concurrent rotation of the drive gear  117  in a direction opposite that of the supplemental lower and upper drive gears  114 ,  116 , i.e., in the same direction as that of the lower and upper drive gears  72   a ,  76   a . The outer sleeve  12   a  (which is rotatably connected to the support base  18   a ) is rotated by the intermesh of the drive gear  117  to the gear teeth  26   a , with the middle sleeve  14   a  being rotated by the intermesh of the upper drive gear  76   a  to the gear teeth  36   a  and the inner sleeve  110  being rotated by the intermesh of the supplemental upper drive gear  116  to the gear teeth  113 . It will be recognized that due to the configuration of the actuation assembly  60   a , the outer and middle sleeves  12   a ,  14   a , though being rotated in the same direction, will rotate at differing speeds attributable to the differing diameters of the drive gear  117  and upper drive gear  76   a  coupled with the differing diameters of the inner peripheral edges of the flange portions  24   a ,  34   a . The inner sleeve  110  will be rotated in a direction opposite to that of the outer and middle sleeves  12   a ,  14   a  at yet a different rotational speed attributable to the diameter of the supplemental upper drive gear  116  and the diameter of the inner peripheral edge of the flange portion  112  of the inner sleeve  110 . To maintain the stability of the middle and inner sleeves  14   a ,  110  during the rotation thereof, an identically configured pair of guiding gears  108   a  are preferably rotatably connected to the support base  18   a . Each of the guiding gears  108   a  includes a lower gear portion  122  which is intermeshed with the gear teeth  36   a  of the flange portion  34   a , and a reduced diameter upper gear portion  124  which is intermeshed with the gear teeth  113  of the flange portion  112 . The lower and upper gear portions  122 ,  124  of each of the guiding gears  108   a  are not rigidly attached to each other, but rather are rotatable independently of each other. Such independent rotation is made necessary by the differing rotational speeds of the middle and inner sleeves  14   a ,  110  upon the activation of the actuation assembly  60   a.    
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the animated display  10  of the second embodiment is also provided with the above-described control circuitry, and may be provided with the above-described photo and/or sound sensors. It is also contemplated that the various structural and functional alternatives described above in relation to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment may be incorporated into the animated display  10  of the second embodiment. For example, additional gears may be intermeshed between any one of the upper drive gear  76   a , supplemental upper drive gear  116  and drive gear  117  and the corresponding gear teeth  36   a ,  113 ,  26   a  to facilitate the rotation of the middle, inner and outer sleeves  14   a ,  110 ,  12   a  in the same or opposite directions in any combination. 
     Referring now to FIG. 12, it is contemplated that the animated display  10  of the first embodiment may be modified to include an outer sleeve  12   b  which is formed to include a flange portion  28   b  and gear teeth  30   b  analogous to the flange portion  28  and gear teeth  30  formed as part of the inner sleeve  14  in the first embodiment. Thus, in this modified version of the first embodiment, the inner sleeve  14   b  will define only an annular top rim, and will not include the above-described flange portion  28  and gear teeth  30 . In the modified version of the first embodiment, a support strut  80   b  is included which is similar to the above-described support strut  80 , and is rigidly attached to the inner sleeve  14   b . Thus, the rotation of the support strut  80   b  is facilitated by the rotation of the inner sleeve  14   b . The overall functionality of the modified version of the animated display  10  as shown in FIG. 12 is identical to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment described above in all other respects. It will be recognized that the flange portion  28   b  and gear teeth  30   b  of the outer sleeve  12   b  may be defined by a separate display platform ring attached to the top rim of the outer sleeve  12   b  as discussed above in relation to the first embodiment. 
     Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an additional potential modification to the animated display  10  of the first embodiment would be to remove the outer sleeve  12  therefrom in its entirety. In this regard, the collar  16  could be attached directly to the inner sleeve  14 . The actuation assembly  60  would also be slightly modified to eliminate those components used to facilitate the rotation of the outer sleeve  12 . In the further modified version of the animated display  10  including only the inner sleeve  14  (which could be rotatably connected to the support base  18 ), the activation of the actuation assembly  60  would facilitate the rotation of the inner sleeve  14 , and the various movements of the display plate  102  as described above. 
     Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.