Abstract:
A motorized display using piezoelectricity to impart motion to a jewelry item or other items is disclosed. A quartz movement, otherwise used for rotating hands of a clock, is preferably used to rotate the display. In a preferred embodiment, a housing which has a drive aperture encloses the piezoelectric motor and a battery. A drive shaft, which rotates when the motor is powered, passes through the drive aperture of the housing. A holder for removably but securely holding a jewelry item or other items is positioned on the end of the drive shaft exterior to the housing and may be removable from the drive shaft. The holder may be a ring holder, a watch holder, a broach holder, etc., or may even be an entire jewelry box. The rotation of the drive shaft may be either stepped or continuous and a kit may be provided to the user which includes both types of motors. In one embodiment of the device, the housing may include a light port optically aligned with a photosensitive switch disposed in the housing and operably connected to the piezoelectric motor to permit operation of the motor in response to an ambient light. In another embodiment, the housing may be provided with a cover operably connected to a switch which turns the power off when the cover is closed and turns the power on when the cover is open. In yet another embodiment, the motor may be positioned below a flexible bag filled with fluid. Disturbance arms attached to the drive shaft of the motor create waves or ripples in the fluid and cause a jewelry item placed on top of the bag to move.

Description:
This application claim benefit to Provisional application Ser. No. 60/014,163, filed Mar. 27, 1996. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a motorized jewelry display for rings, broaches, pendants, watches, bracelets, earrings, or any jewelry item or other item that would benefit from movement, and more particularly relates to a display using piezoelectricity supplied by a quartz motor powered by a small battery to rotate a drive shaft which supports an item holder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In jewelry stores or counters, jewelry is commonly displayed in the storefront windows or under glass for customer viewing to determine if they would like to take a closer look at a certain piece. The store owner benefits from having the jewelry displayed in an attractive fashion to catch the eyes of potential customers, as well as enhance the beauty of the products. Jewelry, therefore, such as rings, broaches, pendants, watches, bracelets, earrings, and the like are typically displayed on velvet or satin covered stands. The velvet, satin, or other material chosen to surround the products are typically rich in color, such as red or royal blue. The store owner may resort to mirrors positioned below or about the jewelry in an attempt to further enhance the beauty of glimmering jewelry and attract potential customers. 
     In the past, objects which rotate on a stand have been devised for various reasons. U.S. Pat. No. 1,945,072 to Quigley discloses a display apparatus for displaying and rotating packaged goods which are exteriorly decorated with advertising. The apparatus requires an electrical outlet for operation, a set of mirrors, and a flashlight apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,850 to Albanese discloses a solar-powered display device for displaying a multi-faceted crystal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,810 to Liou discloses an electronic flower set with intermittent movement. The apparatus must be turned on and off and movement of the flower requires the receipt of a sound signal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,364 to Sengstaken discloses a miniature airplane and curved banner for spinning about the top of a housing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,808 to Liebman et al discloses a sign turner with a low power consumption controller. The devices disclosed in these patents are either too large, complex, costly, and/or unattractive for use as a jewelry display. Furthermore, none of the disclosed devices take advantage of piezoelectric motors which eliminates many of the undesirable qualities of the prior art displays. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved jewelry display which can better capture the attention of potential customers. There is further a need for a rotating display capable of displaying jewelry. There is further a need for a rotating jewelry display which can be manufactured and utilized at a low cost in order to employ a multiplicity of such displays in a jewelry case or window. There is further a need for a rotating display which is small enough to be adapted for use in a jewelry case or window. There is further a need for a rotating display which takes advantage of piezoelectricity and which can be aesthetically pleasing in a jewelry case or window (solar cell panels are not aesthetically pleasing enough for the desired uses). There is further a need for a rotating jewelry display which can accommodate various jewelry items. There is further a need for a rotating display which can rotate removable jewelry or other items which has a holder that does not leave residue on the items. There is further a need or a rotating jewelry display which can move a drive shaft in a stepped rotation for displaying rings or in a continuous sweeping rotation for displaying other items of jewelry. There is further a need for a rotating display which can rotate a variety of merchandise items economically and efficiently. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to improve the quality and attractiveness of jewelry display cases and store windows by imparting motion to pieces of jewelry. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating display capable of supporting jewelry items at a low cost to the store owner and in a size and shape which does not detract from the jewelry and which does not take anymore room within existing jewelry cases and store windows than do present displays. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating jewelry display motorized by piezoelectricity. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating display which has a holder which can removably, securely, and cleanly hold an item and which does not scratch, leave residue on, or otherwise harm the item being displayed. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating display which may incorporate a photosensitive switch for permitting operation of the rotating display in response to an ambient light. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating jewelry display capable of being passed on to the customer with a cover capable of opening and closing. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a rotating jewelry display capable of supporting various pieces of jewelry and capable of rotating in a stepped fashion or a continuous sweeping fashion dependent on the piece of jewelry being displayed. It is further an object of this invention to indicate to the user which method of rotation the display will move. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide a piezoelectric rotating display for displaying other items of merchandise. 
     It is further an object of this invention, in another embodiment, to impart motion to a piece of jewelry by placing a motor underneath a bag of fluid upon which a piece of jewelry will sit. 
     The foregoing objectives of the present invention are accomplished by a motorized jewelry display used for displaying rings, broaches, pendants, watches, bracelets, earrings or any jewelry item or other item that would benefit from movement in trade. Piezoelectricity is preferably used to create the movement. When certain crystals, such as quartz, are compressed in certain directions, an electric polarization (and a corresponding voltage called piezoelectricity) is induced due to the displacement of charged atoms along the same axis. The piezoelectric effect is used in many applications around the world such as the quartz oscillator for timepieces. In a quartz oscillator, the extremely regular mechanical vibrations of a quartz crystal control corresponding electrical oscillations in a coupled electronic circuit, in a way analogous to the regulation of a mechanical clock by the oscillation of its pendulum. 
     The main benefit of piezoelectricity is the very low power requirement needed to create movement. Small batteries such as one “AA” battery can power a movement 24 hours a day for over a year. In one embodiment, the design may incorporate a photocell to detect light which allows the movement to shut-off if no light is detected in the environment. For example, if the motorized jewelry display was in a place of business where the hours of operation were 12 hours a day (lights in the room turned on) and 12 hours a day closed (lights in the room turned off) then the life of the battery could effectively double. 
     Another benefit of using piezoelectricity is low cost. Using inexpensive quartz movements allows the cost structure of the motorized jewelry displays to be very competitive against other displays that use movement. The main demand of using quartz as the material to create piezoelectricity is keeping time accurately and inexpensively because quartz has a property of generating extremely regular mechanical vibrations. This demand has allowed the cost structure of quartz movements to drop. Motorized jewelry displays may not always require the accuracy of movement that timepieces require but the present invention may effectively and economically use quartz movements because of the low cost structure. It is possible to substitute quartz for another crystal or ceramic material once the market for motorized jewelry displays becomes big enough. In addition to the low cost structure, the accuracy of movement created by the quartz oscillators may be taken advantage of in motorized jewelry displays by synchronizing displays which are placed in the same vicinity as one another for creating a dramatic effect. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the display starts with a quartz movement that requires a battery such as a “AA” size. If the display is intended to rotate heavier items, a larger quartz motor powered by, for example, a “C” size battery may be required. The quartz movement may then be covered with an aesthetically pleasing cover. The covers used may be made from the top of existing jewelry boxes. A hole is provided through the center of the cover to allow the drive shaft to protrude through the top. A washer and nut may then be screwed on the drive shaft to secure the movement to the cover. Alternatively, the cover may be made by injection molded plastic. The molded covers can be provided with tabs which snap onto indents provided in existing clock quartz motors, which reduces labor costs. 
     A small hole may also be provided on the side of the cover to allow the mounting of a photocell. The photocell may be attached to a 3 piece sandwich shaped like a penny. The outer 2 pieces are conductive with the center piece being non conductive. This “penny” is placed between one end of the battery terminal and one end of the battery. As light is detected the display turns. If the user needs to stop movement, he or she may simply pick up the display, covering the photocell with a finger, and the display stops. In addition, and advantageously, when the lights go out in the room, such as at closing, the display stops. Alternatively, a cover may be attached to the display such that a portion of the cover covers the photocell when the cover is in a closed position. 
     This invention allows for different display attachments to be used on the main base of the display. For example a ring holder can be attached by placing the ring holder down on the drive shaft with a person&#39;s hand using slight downward pressure. A ring is then placed in the ring holder. The ring holder itself may be fabricated from low density polyurethane or from aluminum with a cloth covering, then attaching a small snap cap to the base of the ring holder. Part of the ring holder may be exposed for explanation purposes as may be the nut and washer securing the cover. If the user would like to use a different display attachment for the base, he or she may simply pull the ring holder off with slight upward pressure by hand. Then the user can, for example, snap on a broach display attachment. A broach attachment may also be made from aluminum with cloth attached. If a larger ring is needed for display then a larger ring holder can be snapped on. Alternatively, a specific holder may be permanently attached to the base or a specially designed holder, such as a ring holder, can be made to accommodate all sizes of the jewelry item, such a holder which fits all sizes of rings. Holders to hold earrings, figurines, pens, and watches, as well as other holders, also form part of this invention. The holders used are adapted to securely, cleanly, and removably hold an item without damaging or leaving residue on the item. The holders may be attached to the drive shaft in a number of other ways, such as by screw threads, gravity, snap-fit, or friction fit connections. 
     Different types of movement may be imparted to different types of jewelry, as is deemed appropriate. For example, a continuous quartz movement is ideally used for broaches and pendants because of the elegant appeal that it displays in its sweeping movement while smaller more angular jewelry pieces benefit from stepper movements (in which each step is typically a second) because light reflection is maximized given the smaller radius of the piece. In a preferred embodiment, the color of the housing of the display indicates to the store owner or user the type of movement that will be imparted to the jewelry. The continuous and stepper movements may be interchangeable to the bases just as the display attachments are to the base. This design allows many variations to the way a piece of jewelry or other item can be displayed. 
     In an alternate embodiment, a complete jewelry box with a quartz movement may be placed right below the box with a hole drilled in the middle for the drive shaft. The box may employ non-stop movement until the battery is removed. If a photocell is employed, the motor stops when the box is closed and when the box is opened the photocell detects light and the display turns. 
     Alternatively, a lever which connects the battery to the battery terminal when the box is opened, but disconnects when the box is closed, may be used. 
     In another alternate embodiment, a quartz movement is placed underneath a small bag of fluid upon which a jewelry item rests. The quartz movement imparts vibrations to the bag which in turn moves the jewelry item in a wavelike fashion. The fluid bag may be held within a box-like housing and a strap or other holder may be used to retain the jewelry item on the bag. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of an assembled rotating display device in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the rotating display device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a side view of the rotating display device of FIG. 1 used with a cover. 
     FIG. 4 shows a side view of a rotating display device in another embodiment of the invention having a light sensitive switch. 
     FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the rotating display device of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the photocell used in the rotating display device of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7A shows a side view of the rotating display device of FIG. 4 used with a cover and 
     FIG. 7B shows a side view of the rotating display device of FIG. 7A with the cover closed. 
     FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a rotating display in another embodiment of the invention using an entire jewelry box as a holder. 
     FIG. 9A shows a a front plan view of the ring holder for the rotating display device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9B shows a side plan view of the ring holder of FIG. 9A; 
     FIG. 9C shows a front plan view of an alternate embodiment of a ring holder for rotating display device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9D shows a side plan view of the ring holder of FIG. 9C; 
     FIG. 9E shows a side plan view of a merchandise item holder for the rotating display device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9F shows a top plan view of the merchandise item holder of FIG. 9E; 
     FIG. 9G shows a side plan view of a bendable holder for the rotating display device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9H shows a front plan view of a pendulum type holder for the rotating display device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9I shows a side plan view of a watch holder for the rotatable display device of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9J shows a front plan view of the wacth holder of FIG. 9I; 
     FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of a moving display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of the moving display device of FIG.  10  and holding a ring. 
     FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of the moving display device of FIG. 10 holding a ring. 
     FIG. 13 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of a housing for the rotating display device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotating display device  10  comprises a housing  12  which surrounds a piezoelectric motor  14 . The housing  12  may be made from the top of existing jewelry boxes and is preferably aesthetically pleasing in color and texture. The housing  12  is preferably solid and opaque, with substantially the entire covering made from a single material, so as not to detract from the beauty of the item being displayed. A hole  20  is drilled, punched, or molded in a central area of the top surface of the housing  12 . A drive train  16  extends from the piezoelectric motor  14  and rotates when the motor  14  is powered by a battery  18 . The housing  12  may snap onto or be glued to the motor  14  or a bottom cover (not shown) may be used to retain the motor  14  within the housing  12 . Alternatively, a washer and nut may be placed over the drive train  16  to secure the housing  12  to the motor  14 . 
     When assembled, as shown in FIG. 1, the drive train  16  passes through the hole  20  of the housing  12  so as to be disposed exteriorly of the housing  12 . A holder  22  is securely attached, preferably removably, to the drive train  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the drive train  16  is hollow and dimensioned to accept a stem  24  of the holder  22 . The connection is preferably secure, and made so by either a friction fit, snap fit, screw threads, or other similar removable securement means. The hollow recess in the drive train  16  may be one originally intended for mating with the stems of hands of a clock. In another embodiment, the stem  24  of the holder  22  may be hollow so as to wrap around the drive train  16  of the motor  14 . 
     The holder  22  is adapted to securely, cleanly, and preferably removably, hold a jewelry item, such as ring  11 . Various holders could be provided, as will be discussed, so that various items of jewelry, or other items of merchandise, can be held to the display device  10 . 
     The piezoelectric motor  14  is preferably a crystal quartz oscillator designed for standard wall clocks, and may be a 32.768 kHz crystal quartz oscillator available from Seiko Corporation. The driving system is preferably self-start, that is, it begins and continues operation whenever a battery is inserted. The battery used in conjunction with such a motor is a AA size and has a life of approximately one year under non-stop use. The accuracy of these motors allows for synchronization of multiple displays. Of course, if heavier items are being displayed, a larger motor may be necessary. Larger crystal quartz oscillators are available which are otherwise used for rotating larger sized clock hands. 
     The display device  10  may be used with a motor  14  having a driving system with a step motor drive or a continuous motor drive. A motor with a step motor drive is ideal for use with the display device  10  when a jewelry item such as a ring  11  is displayed. The stepped movement allows light to reflect in short time periods off the facets of the stone of the ring. A motor with a continuous motor drive is ideal for use with the display device  10  when a jewelry item such as a broach is displayed due to the elegance of the continuous sweeping movement. Of course, either movement could be used for any jewelry item and may be selected by the taste of the retailer or consumer. In one embodiment, a housing  12  used with a motor  14  having a continuous motor drive may be in one color and a housing  12  used with a motor  14  having a step motor drive may be in another color, to assist a retailer in determining which type of display device to use. Also, the motors  14  may be interchangeable with the housings  12  for flexibility in use. A kit may be provided to a retailer having housings of different colors, motors with different drive systems, and holders for holding various jewelry or other items to assist the retailer in setting up a display using rotating display devices. 
     The display device  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is designed for use in a retail store environment, however, it may also be purchased by a customer. Turning to FIG. 3, a pivotally attached cover  26  may be attached by a hinge  28  to the housing  12  of the display device  10 . The cover  26  may have a rounded top  30  in order to allow the cover  26  to pivot down and over the ring  11 . This embodiment is ideal for the end user who purchases the jewelry item as a gift. When the receiver of the gift opens the cover  26 , the jewelry item  11  is rotating above and relative to the housing  12 . Thus, the receiver is not only surprised by the gift, but is also impressed by the beauty of its presentation. 
     The display device  10  of FIGS. 1-3 will rotate a jewelry item in a non-stop fashion so long as the battery  18  is in place in the motor  14 . Although a separate on-off switch could be used, the device is designed to be as convenient and maintenance free as possible so that a retailer using several of the display devices in a store window or jewelry display case does not have to turn all of the devices off at the end of the day and on again at the beginning of the day. Using an on-off switch could double the lifespan of the battery, but most retailers would probably prefer not to deal with the hassle of turning the devices on and off every day. Nonetheless, a moveable switch  27  may be employed, as shown in FIG. 3, which electrically connects one end of the battery  18  to a battery terminal in an “up” position when the cover  26  is in an open position and which electrically disconnects one end of the battery  18  to the battery terminal in a “down” position when the cover  26  is in a closed position and pressing down on the moveable switch  27 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4-7, a light sensitive switch in combination with the rotating display device is shown in which the drive train  16 , and thus the holder  22  and the jewelry item  11 , only rotate in the presence of light. If a retail store is closed with lights off  12  hours a day, then the battery life of the battery  18  in the motor  14  would double, as from one year to two years. Although the lifespan of the battery is expanded, the cost of including a light sensitive switch is almost the same as the cost of a battery. Thus, this embodiment is designed for the retailer who intends to use a large quantity of display devices over a long period of time, which would justify the initial increased cost. Another situation which may advantageously employ the light sensitive switch is when the display device is used in a store which has night security with motion detectors which might set off an alarm in response to the movement of a turning display. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a light port  32  is molded, drilled into or punched out of the housing  12 . Visible through the light port  32  is a photocell  34 . The size of the light port  32  and the photocell  34  is small enough so as not to detract from the beauty of the display, and may be placed on the side of the housing as shown. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the photocell  34  may be connected via conductive wires  36  to a penny-shaped sandwich  38  comprising two outer conductive layers  40  and an inner non-conductive layer  42 . The sandwich  38  is placed between one end of a battery terminal  44  and one end  46  of the battery  18 . When light is detected by photocell  34 , current may pass from the battery  18  through a conductive layer  40 , a conductive wire  36 , photocell  34 , a second conductive wire  36 , a second conductive layer  40 , and battery terminal  44  to power the motor  14 . When no light is detected by photocell  34 , current cannot pass through photocell  34 . Because current is also not carried by non-conductive layer  42 , there are no available paths for current to flow between one end  46  of battery  18  and battery terminal  44 . Thus, when no light is detected by photocell  34 , the motor  14  does not rotate the drive train  16  and thus the display  10  is stopped. Thus, if a customer or retailer wishes to examine a jewelry or other item  11  while it is stationary, he or she need only block the light port  32  with a finger while holding the display  10 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a rotating display device having a photocell  34  may be used in combination with a pivoting cover  50  attached to housing  12  by hinge  28 . Again, the covered version of the display is ideal for the end user wishing to present the item  11  as a gift. Of course, other uses are fully within the scope of this invention. The cover  50  is different from the cover  26  shown in FIG. 3 in that the cover  50  is provided with a protruding nub  52  which overlaps a portion of the housing  12  enough to hide the light port  32 . Thus, when the cover  50  is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 7B, the light port  32  is hidden and the photocell  34  is blocked from receiving light so that the item  11  is not rotating inside the closed box. When a user opens the cover  50  to the open position shown in FIG. 7A, the light port  32  is again exposed to light so that the display can again rotate an item  11  above the drive shaft  16 . Although nub  52  is shown for covering the light port  32 , any other covering attached to the cover  50  which hides the light port  32  when the cover  50  is in a closed position and reveals the light port  32  when the cover  50  is in an open position may be used. 
     Turning now to FIGS.  8  and  9 A- 9 J, a variety of holders may be utilized with the rotating display device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, an entire jewelry box  54  could be used as a holder. The jewelry box  54  is preferably adapted to hold a plurality of jewelry items such as rings, pins, and broaches, and may include ring slots  56  and containers  58 . The jewelry box  54  may be rotated about a central point of the box  54  to display a variety of jewelry items at the same time. A drive train  16  attached to a motor  14  rotates when the motor  14  is powered by a battery  18  (not shown). The motor  14  used for rotating the jewelry box is preferably somewhat larger than the motor used for rotating single items of jewelry or other merchandise, but it is still preferably a quartz movement such as that used for rotating large hands of a clock. The motor  14  is covered by a housing  60  which is preferably wide enough to provide a steady base for the jewelry box  54  to rotate above without tipping over. The housing  60  is provided with a hole  62  for the drive train  16  to pass. The drive train  16  is then preferably fitted into a correspondingly shaped recess  64 . The drive train  16  and recess  64  are provided with a friction fit such that rotation of the drive train  16  causes a corresponding rotation of the jewelry box  54 . The jewelry box  54  may be provided with a cover  66 , and, if desired, could be fitted with a photocell as previously described which is hidden when the cover  66  is closed. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B show a ring holder  68  having two sturdy leaves  70  and  72  spaced a small distance apart and connected at a bottom section by a connector  74 . The leaves  70  and  72  may be made from molded low density polyurethane or from another sturdy, flexible, and somewhat resilient material such as aluminum covered with an attractive cloth. The connector  74  also connects the ring holder  68  to a stem  24  which is used to connect the holder  68  to the drive train  16 . For exemplary purposes only, the stem  24  may be provided with a circumferential protrusion  76  used to retain the stem  24  within the drive train  16 . The drive train  16  may be provided with a corresponding circumferential groove (not shown) for retaining the stem  24 . Although the leaves  70  and  72  could have flat inner faces, they are preferably each provided with grooves  71  and  73  as shown in phantom in FIG.  9 A and shown in cross-section in FIG.  9 B. In use, a ring with a small band width may be inserted between the leaves  70  and  72  and pushed towards the connector  74  until it “snaps” between the grooves  73  and is retained therein by friction. A ring with a larger band width may be inserted between the leaves  70  and  72  and pushed towards the connector  74  until it “snaps” between the grooves  71  and is retained therein by friction. 
     FIGS. 9C and 9D show a ring holder  78  having two sturdy leaves  80  and  82  which are biased towards each other. A top section  84  of leaf  80  and a top section  86  of leaf  82  may be bent towards the opposing leaf to retain a ring between the leaves. The ring holder  78  is thus designed to hold rings having a very larger bandwidth, such as some men&#39;s rings and school class rings. The leaves  80  and  82  are connected at a bottom section by connector  74  which connects the ring holder  78  to a stem  24 . By example only, the stem  24  may be provided with threads  88  (female or male) which engage with threads (not shown) inside the drive train  16 . In use, a ring may be inserted between the leaves  80  and  82  and retained therein by friction and by the bent top sections  84  and  86 . 
     FIGS. 9E and 9F show a merchandise item holder  90  having a plate  92 . Although the plate  92  is shown as round, other shapes such as oval, square, triangular, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes could be used. Also, although the plate  92  is shown as flat, the plate  92  could also be provided with a multi-level surface. The plate  92  is connected by a connector  74  to a stem  24  which connects the holder  90  to a drive train  16 . By example only, the stem  24  may be provided with a recess  94  which is adapted to surround the exterior of the drive train  16 . The stem  24  may thus be retained on the drive train  16  by gravity, although the recess  94  and the exterior of the drive train  16  could be provided with corresponding grooves and protrusions or male and female threads to provide a more secure fit. The holder  90  is adapted to hold the irregularly shaped item  96  upon its plate  92 . The item  96  could be a figurine as shown, or could be a jewelry item, miniature clock, computer chip, or any other item wishing to be displayed. 
     FIG. 9G shows a holder  98  comprising a bendable wire  100  twisted at a bottom section about connector  74  which connects the wire  100  to a stem  24 . A top section of bendable wire  100  may be bent about an object to be displayed such as a pen. Depending on the thickness of the wire, the holder  98  is adapted to hold irregular shaped items within a certain weight class. The holder  98  may be used when it is desired to make an object appear as if it were floating in the air. By example only, the stem  24  is shown as a peg which may be inserted within a recess of the drive train  16  and retained therein by friction and/or gravity. 
     FIG. 9H shows a pendulum type holder  102  comprising a center bar  104  having a hook  106 . Seated within the hook  106  is a cross bar  108  which is provided with a hook  110  on each end. With the cross bar  108  balancing on the hook  106 , two equally weighted items  112  may be hung on either end of the cross bar  108 . The hooks  110  prevent the items  112  from sliding off the holder  102 . The center bar  104  may be attached by a connector  74  to a stem  24  for connecting to a drive train  16 . The holder  102  is adapted for holding hook-type earrings, fishing lures, etc. 
     FIG. 9I shows a watch holder  112  having a watch holding “loop”  114  which may be attached to a connector  74  for connecting to a stem  24  for connecting to a drive train  16 . The connector  74  as shown in FIG. 9J may be C-shaped to enable a watch to be wrapped around the loop  114 . 
     Thus, as is seen from FIGS. 8-9J, a variety of holders may be employed with the piezoelectric rotating display device of the present invention. Although specific examples of holders have been shown, other types of holders may be used, so long as a stem  24  is provided which can connect the holder to the drive train  16 . Also, although a variety of stems  24  have been shown, typical crystal quartz movements provide a snap-fit connection between the movement and its clock hands, therefore, the preferred stem  24  is designed to accommodate the snap-fit connection with a quartz movement designed for clocks. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of a moving display device is shown. The moving display device  116  comprises a motor  14  as previously described and comprises a housing  118 . The holder for holding the item to be displayed, however, is not attached to a stem  24  for rotation as in the previous embodiments. In this embodiment, a fluid bag  128  rests upon the motor  14 . The fluid bag  128  may be covered by an aesthetically pleasing cover  120  upon which an item to be displayed (e.g., necklace  122  or ring  124 ) rests. Arms or other disturbance device  129  may be attached to the drive shaft  16 . The arms  129  may be the hands of a clock that are designed for attachment to the quartz movement. As the drive shaft  16  rotates, the arms  129  slide across the bottom of the fluid bag  128  disrupting the fluid contained therein. A “wave” or ripple is created in the bag  128  and an item sitting atop the bag  128  is thus moved as well. The fluid contained within the bag  128  could be water for creating very noticeable movement, gel for creating subtle movement, or other fluid. Water is presently the preferred fluid because it gets significant movement and is the most inexpensive choice. A cover  126  could be attached to the housing  118  if desired, such as for use by an end user. Although movement of the fluid bag  128  should be gentle enough so as not to shake an item off of its surface, a retaining strap  130 , as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, may be used to retain the item to be displayed in a central area of the display device  116 . The retaining strap  130  may be a hook and loop type retaining means with hooks and loops on the strap  130  and a connecting strip  132 , respectively. 
     Turning now to FIG. 13, an alternate embodiment of a housing to be used in a rotating display device is shown. The housing  150  is preferably a one-piece plastic molded housing which covers the motor  14 , shown in phantom. The housing  150  is preferably provided with two tabs  152  on an inner surface of the housing  150 . The housing  150  is further preferably provided with a funnel-shaped extension  156  with a substantially circular opening  158  serving as the drive aperture. Of course, alternate shapes of the housing  150  may be molded as desired. In assembly, the housing  150  is placed over a motor  14  such that drive train  16  is introduced through opening  158 . As the housing  150  is placed further over the motor  14 , tabs  152  engage with indents  154  which are provided on existing quartz motors for clocks. Thus, the housing  150  is provided with a snap-fit connection with the motor  14 . This embodiment allows for different colors to be used at no additional cost thus allowing for customized housings. Different textures, shapes, and tactile alphanumeric or pictorial symbols may also be included in the mold to further customize the housings. The labor cost is also low because as the mold comes off the press, a worker merely has to snap the motor into the mold and the display is ready to receive its chosen holder. 
     The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded in all respects as merely illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirits thereof. For example, the rotating display device could be used to display baseball cards, small advertising signs, photographs, holographic pictures, silverware, rare coins, shells, toys, computer chips, uncut stones, ball point pens, golf balls, fishing lures, etc. with holders designed to securely, and preferably removably, hold the item to the device for rotation. Such displays could be used in specialty shops, trade shows, museums, department stores, supermarkets, and even the home. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the following appended claims.