Did You Know...
...that the first rickshaw was invented in 1869 by an American Baptist minister, the Rev. E. Jonathan Scobie, to transport his invalid wife around the streets of Yokohama?
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8021238 | Mirror image display method The mirror image display method is used to suspend the main subject of a decorative or presentation display in mid air. This is accomplished by affixing the flat side of a symmetrically divided main subject flush onto a true first-surface mirror, which makes up one ... | 09/20/2011 |
| 7762896 | Method and apparatus for producing optical illusions A method and apparatus for use in connection with a theatrical stage presentation for rendering an actor or object located on the stage visible or invisible at will. The apparatus used to create the illusion includes a strategically located, selectively transparent ... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7236301 | Polarized light valve A projection system for making an object appear and disappear to an observer on cue. The system remotely activates a reflective axis and a transmissive axis within a polarized window for making an object on cue appear and disappear. In one aspect, this system contai... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7033821 | Device for monitoring cell motility in real-time The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement. The devices include a support; a first layer configured to... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7029152 | Vehicular lighting arrangement with infinity effect A vehicular lighting housing utilizes a combination of a two-way mirror, a strip of LEDs, a one-way mirror spaced from the two-way mirror, and a cover glass such that when the LEDs are illuminated, light reflects back and forth between the two-way mirror and the one... | 04/18/2006 |
| 6945872 | Apparatus for generating an optical illusion An apparatus for generating an optical illusion comprising at least one mirror, and placed in front of the mirror a figure that is visible directly as well as via the mirror, the at least one mirror being rotatable about an axis of the apparatus, and while in use, t... | 09/20/2005 |
| 6929552 | Quick exchange infinity mirror display apparatus and method An infinity mirror display apparatus, and method of manufacture, which allows private and commercial users to rapidly trade out favored display objects to create different infinity display effects for continued viewer interest and enjoyment. The apparatus comprises ... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6857963 | Conjuring tool for performing card trick In order to provide a conjuring tool which is simple in construction and operation, there is provided a conjuring tool for performing a card trick wherein a recessed accommodating portion 32 for accommodating therein a note or card that is inserted thereinto ... | 02/22/2005 |
| 6834968 | Teleprompter with directional screen A teleprompter configured to project an image to a viewer at a viewer location comprises a single-beam teleprompter projector, configured to project an image to a focal plane, and a directional screen, disposed at the focal plane. The directional screen is configure... | 12/28/2004 |
| 6709339 | Quick exchange infinity mirror display apparatus and method An infinity mirror display apparatus, and a method for its manufacture, which allows a user to rapidly change out or add to a selection of objects used with mirrors able to cause an infinity mirror effect. The device comprises a housing having a stationary base memb... | 03/23/2004 |
| 6705740 | Tracking mirror An apparatus that appears to actively track the position of a viewer by producing a red circle about the viewer's image, seen in a security mirror. The red circle appears to translate and rotate to track the viewer's position. Rotational tracking operates independen... | 03/16/2004 |
| 6623366 | Magic trick with vanishing effect A magic trick in which one of two perpendicularly extending subjects vanishes behind a lenticular screen while the other subject remains visible and extends over aligned locations formerly occupied by portions of the one subject. The screen has parallel l... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6578299 | Ice fishing hole simulator system An ice fishing hole simulator system for visually simulating an ice fishing experience based about an ice fishing hole. The ice fishing hole simulator system includes a housing having an upper opening, an upper mirror positioned about the upper opening, a... | 06/17/2003 |
| 6336725 | Torus image-producing kaleidoscope A kaleidoscopic torus image is produced in the interior of a reflector assembly which is generally wedge shaped and which includes three reflective surfaces. An object cell, in the form of a right circular cylinder, is positional partially within the inte... | 01/08/2002 |
| 6139160 | Structure for generating a virtual polyhedral space A structure capable of generating a virtual polyhedral space includes a plurality of walls, each having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a reflective surface. The walls are disposed adjacent one another, with the first side edge of each wall adj... | 10/31/2000 |
| 6135601 | Architectural structure for generating a virtual polyhedral space An architectural structure capable of generating a virtual polyhedral space includes a plurality of walls, each having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a reflective surface. The walls are disposed adjacent one another, with the first side edge o... | 10/24/2000 |
| 6080067 | Reflective curved container for viewing objects A curved container structure has an interior curved reflective surface for reflecting varied and distorted images of objects placed therein or within the near focal range of the reflective surface. A rigid curved structure is metalized on the interior or ... | 06/27/2000 |
| 5951405 | System and method for the realization of scenographic and decorative effects by means of luminous projection of waves of liquid The present invention concerns an opto-mechanical system and method for obtaining scenographic and decorative effects on surfaces suitable as screens. The system includes a container of liquid, such as water and a movable planar element placed inside said... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5951143 | Infinity-projecting light assembly An infinity-projecting light assembly (10) that is housed in an enclosure (12) that encloses a multiplicity of lamps (70) and passive components (74). Within the enclosure (12) is located a convex mirror that is attached to the enclosure's rear panel (34)... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5871404 | Optical blob In an illusion apparatus for self viewing, a specific element (usually a dark region) of a display is positioned on or about the line connecting the viewer and the center of curvature of a partially reflective partially transparent, convex mirror. The spe... | 02/16/1999 |
| 5855520 | Optical entertainment system An entertainment system includes a viewing chamber of sufficient size to accommodate a relatively large number of viewers, and a large kaleidoscope having a viewing end opening to the chamber. The kaleidoscope is sufficiently large to enable everyone in t... | 01/05/1999 |
| 5835292 | Slimming mirror A mirror apparatus includes a flexible mirror mounted in a frame and a shuttle assembly shiftable along a generally upright axis having a cam element for selectively engaging a cam follower coupled with the rear face of the mirror in order to flex the mir... | 11/10/1998 |
| 5799939 | Anamorphoses for games, education and promotions A device for decoding distorted images from a sheet which includes a reflecting geometric figure to be placed on the sheet and can include portions of the decoded image being permanently applied to the reflecting surface for combination with decoded disto... | 09/01/1998 |
| 5787618 | Display apparatus that forms an optical illusion A display device having an interior area in which multiple images are displayed. The images arise from reflections of one or more externally or internally illuminated patterns located within the apparatus. The device creates an optical illusion whereby mu... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5788579 | Illusion mirror light display An illusion mirror light display has a frame with a view opening, a front partially reflective mirror, a second fully reflective mirror, a middle frame member located between the front and second mirrors, one or more light sources installed on the periphe... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5782698 | Optical illusion device This optical illusion device is of the type which has a sculpted or relief image-forming surface resembling in shape a negative of the object whose image is to appear when the image-forming surface is viewed. The device is improved to yield a more attract... | 07/21/1998 |
| 5558583 | Coin transfer apparatus for jugglery use The base member is provided with a coin slot and opening. Plate members to close and open the coin slot and opening are disposed movably in relation to the base member. The plate members are so supported by support members as to be movable between closed ... | 09/24/1996 |
| 5549515 | Coin-magic device A coin-magic device has a stand on top of which a first coin receiving surface is formed. The device further comprises a tray that is used as placed on the first coin receiving surface to hide the coin. The tray has also a coin receiving surface that is r... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5497274 | Viewing assembly for producing an optically corrected reflected image The present invention is a viewing assembly that can selectively create optical compound corrections in the images reflected from the viewing assembly. The viewing assembly includes a reflective surface coupled to a supporting body in such a manner that t... | 03/05/1996 |
| 5392161 | Illusion assembly creating a see through effect An illusion assembly for retaining at least a portion of an item and creating the illusion that the retained portion of the item disappeared. The illusion assembly includes a container having a front transparent area and a rear transparent area. The conta... | 02/21/1995 |
| 5348220 | Savings box A savings box housing comprises a front panel with a transparent window and an opaque rear panel and light-opaque side panels extending from the front to the rear panels. The front and rear panels are disposed symmetrically with respect to a partition loc... | 09/20/1994 |
| 5346433 | Mirror illusion By a new configuration which more efficiently controls illumination, it is possible to make a mirror dissolve illusion which uses less power than those previously known in the art. A reflector and lamp assembly is provided in front of a partially reflecti... | 09/13/1994 |
| 5293706 | Multiple-image display device A folded card-like promotional display device includes first and second panels pivotally movable between a first, closed condition of the device and a second, relatively open condition, and a third panel located between and depending from one of the first... | 03/15/1994 |
| 5282765 | Savings box The present invention aims at providing a savings box enjoyable to see. A partition is provided in the internal space of a box body to divide the internal space thereof into two spaces. There is formed in the partition a cut to provide a communication bet... | 02/01/1994 |
| 5247724 | Amusement device An anamorphic amusement device particularly suited for use by children while traveling, and who have access to a cup-retaining device normally used to prevent engaged cups containing a liquid from spillage due to upset. The device includes a cup of genera... | 09/28/1993 |
| 5224901 | Apparatus and method for displaying an anamorphic illusion An apparatus and method for displaying an anamorphic illusion utilizes two flat disks, each having different unrecognizable images on their top surfaces. A reflecting surface is positioned perpendicular to the disks. A viewer is able to see a recognizable... | 07/06/1993 |
| 5139455 | Visual toy having a reflective surface for exhibiting a variable coloration in response to orientation of the toy A visual toy having a concave reflective surface affixed to a transparent cover to enclose a volume. A color imparting member is movably disposed within the enclosed volume. The concave reflective surface and color imparting member are configured so that ... | 08/18/1992 |
| 5080940 | Latent image projecting mirror surface body Provided is a magic mirror device comprising a substrate having a front surface which is mirror-finished while having slight recesses and a rear surface having no protrusion on which nicked marks are formed in stead of protrusions, wherein the thickness o... | 01/14/1992 |
| 4971312 | Illusion apparatus An illusion apparatus comprises a semi-transparent convex, spherical mirror which makes the image of a primary object, ordinarily a human viewer, appear to interact with a display means such as a television set or a picture or a diorama. The semi-transpar... | 11/20/1990 |
| 4960274 | Maze type device with optical component A maze in a housing having a reflector which reflects light waves through ninety degrees to render the illusion of a ball element floating in opposition to gravity. The maze may be in a module enabling an array of maze modules to be used in conjunction wi... | 10/02/1990 |
