MXPA06000006A - Wall mounted kaleidoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall mounted kaleidoscope is suitable for mounting within an opening passing through a wall, ceiling or other building structure to provide a visually attractive kaleidoscope display to a viewer within the building interior. A kaleidoscope housing extends through the wall opening and is mountable to the wall. A kaleidoscope mirror structure is mounted within the housing and includes three generally triangular mirrors arranged in the shape of a triangulated pyramid, with its base facing the viewer. A rotatable drum associated with the mirror holds loose articles for generating a kaleidoscope display;the drum may be rotated by an electric motor or manually. The light source may consist of artificial illumination and/or a light-transmitting cover which protects the structure from the elements.

Description

KALEIDOSCOPE MOUNTED ON THE WALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a kaleidoscope device for mounting inside a wall or a door, to provide a decorative display inside a structure such as a house or a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Kaleidoscopes are well known for providing an interesting visual display by providing multiple movable reflections of objects. The principle of a kaleidoscope depends on a structure of V-shaped mirrors, with the interior surfaces that are mirrors, a collector drum to retain the display elements such as colored glass pieces and a peephole or portal to see the unfolding. The rotation of the drum or kaleidoscope as a whole causes the displacement of the movable elements within the drum, resulting in infinitely variable and visually interesting exhibits. The kaleidoscope can be illuminated, for example as described in US Pat. No. 6,644,819 issued to Nelson, which describes a tubular, triangular structure having three panels with internal mirrors, with a light source to illuminate the interior of the structure tubular. The rotation of the kaleidoscope can also be motorized, for example as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,184,249 issued to Dickman. It is also known to provide a kaleidoscope that projects the image of the kaleidoscope, for example on a wall or a screen. An example of this type is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,077,706 issued to Yaeger. The visual, interesting effects provided by a kaleidoscope can provide a decorative and visually interesting feature in a structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a kaleidoscope for permanent mounting within the wall of a building, residence or other similar structure, to provide an illuminated, visually interesting kaleidoscope display that is visible inside the structure . The device is intended to be mounted within an opening within the wall, although it will be noted that the device can be mounted within other structural components, including ceilings, ceilings, doors, and so on. The term "wall" is referred to herein (including in the claims) to any suitable component of the building. Directional references in this document, such as "above" and "below", are for convenience of description, since the device can be clearly oriented in any direction. For convenience, the device is described in this document in orientation when mounted within a vertical wall. In one aspect, the invention comprises a tubular kaleidoscope housing, which is suitable for mounting within a wall structure or the like and which extends completely through the wall from the interior to the exterior of the wall. Optionally, the exposed, outer end of the structure is protected with a clear or translucent cover to seal the structure against the elements. A kaleidoscope mirror structure is mounted within the housing. Optionally, a light source is provided, to provide sufficient illumination for a clear display of the kaleidoscope. Alternatively, the system may depend on natural lighting from the outside of the structure. It will be emphasized that although the present system is for use on an exterior wall of a building, such that the exterior portion of the housing is exposed to the exterior side for natural lighting, the system can be easily installed within an inner wall in such a way that both respective ends of the housing are inside the building. In any case, the term "exterior" refers to the first side of the housing normally intended to face the exterior of the building and which does not receive an exhibition of the kaleidoscope and "interior" refers to the end of the structure from which one can see the kaleidoscope display. The inside face of the kaleidoscope housing is optionally protected by a clear plate and the outer part is protected by an airtight cover, transmitting light, which preferably rises like a dome to receive a projecting structure of mirrors. The mirror system of the kaleidoscope preferably comprises three mirrors arranged in the shape of a truncated, triangular pyramid having an open base and an apex and oriented on a horizontal axis such that the side forming the base of the pyramid is a vertical plane (when mounted within a vertical wall), with the apex facing the exterior of the building and the open base facing the interior of the building to provide an approach to the display of the kaleidoscope. Loose articles such as pieces of glass are placed inside a rotatable collector drum, which is mounted to the mirror system of the kaleidoscope at the apex end. The rotation of the drum causes the movement of the articles within the collector drum, thereby providing a display of the infinitely displaceable kaleidoscope that is visible to an observer inside the building. The rotation is optional and the device may comprise a non-rotatable drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the kaleidoscope mounted within of a wall; Figure 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention: Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the device mounted on a wall, from the inside; and Figure 4 is a view opposite to Figure 3, from the outside. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description, similar reference numbers have been given similar features in the drawings. One embodiment of a kaleidoscope device according to the invention is schematically shown in Figure 1 with the reference numeral 10. This embodiment includes an outer crimp 1 extending through a wall "W", an outer dome 2, an electric motor 3 for actuating the collecting drum 4, a collecting cap 5, three mirrors 6 which are held in position by the mirror clamps 7, a sight glass 8 to make possible the visibility of the collector drum 4 and an internal setting 9 which It extends through the wall "W". The structure of the mirror 6 is configured as a truncated pyramid of 4 sides, with the base being parallel to the plane of the wall "W". The base is open, but optionally covered by a transparent window 8, described later. The tapered shape of the mirror structure allows for a relatively broad and shallow structure such that the base is relatively large to provide a large focusing area, but the overall depth is relatively shallow to minimize wall profusion "W " An interior crimping 9 is attached to the interior surface of the wall "W" which retains the sight glass 8, the three mirrors 6 and the three mirror clamps 7 in place forming a seal against the interior crimping 9. The collector drum 4 and the collector cap 5 retaining the display elements (not shown) are mounted to the mirror clamps 7 and extend between the collector drum and the peephole 8. The collector drum 4 contains a plurality of display elements (not shown) that they form visually attractive images and designs, for example, as in a kaleidoscope. The display elements may include specular, curved microgranules or forms of predetermined configurations, made of, for example, glass, plastic or thin sheet of colored metal. The rotating means rotates the structure of the drum 4. While this preferably comprises an electric motor, small 3, any means of rotation driven by a motor or manually operable, suitable is within the scope of the invention. The motor 3 rotates a wheel rotating the collecting drum through a drive system (not shown) such as a gear system, a belt and pulley system or another type of drive system known to those of ordinary experience in the countryside. Depending on the configuration of the display elements within the collector drum 4, as the collector drum 4 rotates the display elements may change position and may form any of a plurality of designs or images. An observer (not shown) can see the collector drum 4 and the display elements therein through the peephole 8. Natural or artificial light passes through the collector drum 4 in order to illuminate the display elements to see through the peephole 8. Natural light (ie sunlight or moonlight); not shown) and / or artificial, exterior light (not shown) may pass through the outer dome 2 and through the collecting drum 4. However, these lights may not be available or may be insufficient to illuminate the display elements in the collection drum 4 for the satisfaction of the observer. Therefore, an artificial light (not shown) adjacent to the collecting drum 4 can be provided. The artificial light (not shown) can be switched by the observer by means of a manual or graduation switch (not shown) and / or can be switched on. Be photosensitive The internal crimp 9 extends between the inner wall "W" and the peephole 8 and is attached to the mirror clamps 7 which retain the three mirrors 6 in their suspended position inside the wall. The three mirrors 6 are displayed along the length of the tube created by the inner crimping 9 and the outer crimping 1 in an equilateral triangle configuration known to those of ordinary experience in the field of kaleidoscopes. The outer dome 2 and the outer dome 1 of the apparatus 10 will be attached to the outer wall providing a seal to keep out the dust, garbage, insects, and so on. The outer dome 2 and the outer dome 1 can be removed for maintenance if desired. The apparatus 10 can be installed in an exterior wall of any type of structure, including, without limitation, homes, offices, churches, retail stores, premises for special events and facilities for conferences / assemblies. The apparatus 10 can also be provided on an interior wall in conjunction with artificial light. A method for construction and use of the device is practiced by providing and assembling a window as described above, peeking through the window and driving the motor 3 to rotate the collector drum 4 to create images and designs desirable for observation. A device and a kaleidoscope method have been described above. Various details of the invention can be changed without departing from its scope. In addition, the above description of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation - the invention is defined by the claims. In this way, it is apparent that a WALL-MOUNTED KALEIDOSCOPE has been provided according to the invention that fully satisfies the objectives, purposes and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Therefore, it is proposed to include all these alternatives, modifications and variations within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A kaleidoscope structure for mounting within an aperture in a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, comprising a tubular housing for mounting within the aperture, a mirror structure of the kaleidoscope mounted within the housing having a first end facing the outer surface of the wall and a second end facing the inner surface of the wall; a drum associated with the mirror structure for containing one or more articles to generate a kaleidoscope decorative effect, the drum having a first and a second light transmitting surface facing the outer and inner surfaces respectively, the structure of mirror comprising a three-sided truncated pyramid having an open bottom that faces the interior, the drum adjacent to the apex side of the pyramid structure.
2. 2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mirror structure is a drum inside the housing and further comprises rotation means for rotating the drum.
3. 3. A structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotation means comprises an electric motor.
4. 4. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer side of the housing is protected by a light transmitting cover that is sealed to prevent entry of exterior elements into the interior of the housing.
5. 5. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the open base of the mirror structure of the pyramid is protected by a clear panel for observation. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing comprises an internal coupling set and an outer coupling set, for mounting to the inner surface and the outer surface of the wall respectively, the crimps comprising flanges that they extend inward, which are found to contain the housing. 7. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an illuminator to provide artificial illumination to the kaleidoscope.