Patent ID: 7806745

Claim:
An apparatus for animating an image having at least one element thereof suitable for animation, said image being imprinted or otherwise disposed on a surface that is substantially flat in profile, said apparatus comprising: at least one animation mechanism attached to said element, said animation mechanism being substantially flat in profile and including means for moving said element along a linear path, to thereby animate said image, said animation mechanism being situated in a parallel disposition immediately adjacent to the side of said substantially flat surface opposite said image so as not to significantly increase the profile of said surface; wherein said element is physically separate from said image and said flat surface, said element including a continuation of said image disposed thereon, wherein said continuation of said image includes at least two representations for providing the illusion of animation to said image when said element is moved by said animation mechanism; wherein said animation mechanism comprises a pair of solenoids attached to said element, wherein one of said pair of solenoids is disposed to move said element in one linear direction, and wherein the other of said pair of solenoids is disposed to move said element in an opposite linear direction.