US3744166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decorative display device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-27
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A display device is arranged for the continuous passage of slowfalling droplets of viscous liquid alternating with bubbles of air, down a plurality of transparent tubes from an upper reservoir to a lower reservoir. A pump is arranged to continuously pump liquid from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir and an overflow conduit from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir is arranged to maintain a constant level of liquid in the upper reservoir. The transparent tubes have their upper ends in sealed engagement with the upper reservoir and their upper end openings immersed in the liquid. A shorter intermediate tube with a plurality of apertures therethrough is loosely contained in the upper end of each transparent tube and immersed in the liquid and a third tube apertured at its lower end is loosely contained in each intermediate tube, the upper end of each third tube being exposed to atmosphere above the level of the fluid. Fluid flows slowly down between the tubes and entraps bubbles of air drawn down the smaller third tube between droplets of fluid. Colored lights may be directed on the transparent tubes which may be of a variety of colors.
Inventors
- 👤 R Rielle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:24
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A decorative display device comprising a lower reservoir and an upper reservoir, a plurality of elongated support means extending from the lower to the upper reservoir, a continuously operating pump supplying liquid from the lower to the upper reservoir, an overflow opening in the upper reservoir regulating the level of liquid in the upper reservoir and adapted to discharge into the lower reservoir, a plurality of transparent tubes having their upper ends in sealed engagement with the upper reservoir and their upper end openings below the liquid level of the upper reservoir and their lower end openings discharging into the lower reservoir, a shorter inner tube secured within the upper end of each transparent tube and having a constricted inside diameter, the open end of each inner tube projecting above the liquid level of the upper reservoir, the lower end of each inner tube having an air discharge opening narrowly spaced from its end and having a pendant droplet collecting portion below the discharge opening, the space between the outer wall of each inner tube and the inner wall of its associated transparent tube being constricted, whereby, in each transparent tube, liquid from the upper reservoir flows slowly down The constructed space between the tube walls to the droplet collecting portion, collects into a droplet and falls, drawing air into the transparent tube until another droplet collects and falls, thereby forming a continuously falling alternate series of droplets and air bubbles slowly descending in each transparent tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A decorative display device comprising a lower reservoir and an upper reservoir, a plurality of elongated support means extending from the lower to the upper reservoir, a continuously operating pump supplying liquid from the lower to the upper reservoir, an overflow opening in the upper reservoir regulating the level of liquid in the upper reservoir and adapted to discharge into the lower reservoir, a plurality of transparent tubes having their upper ends in sealed engagement with the upper reservoir and their upper end openings below the liquid level of the upper reservoir and their lower end openings discharging into the lower reservoir, a shorter inner tube secured within the upper end of each transparent tube and having a constricted inside diameter, the open end of each inner tube projecting above the liquid level of the upper reservoir, the lower end of each inner tube having an air discharge opening narrowly spaced from its end and having a pendant droplet collecting portion below the discharge opening, the space between the outer wall of each inner tube and the inner wall of its associated transparent tube being constricted, whereby, in each transparent tube, liquid from the upper reservoir flows slowly down The constructed space between the tube walls to the droplet collecting portion, collects into a droplet and falls, drawing air into the transparent tube until another droplet collects and falls, thereby forming a continuously falling alternate series of droplets and air bubbles slowly descending in each transparent tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
A decorative display device comprising a lower liquid reservoir and an upper reservoir, a plurality of support tubes extending from the lower to the upper reservoir, a continuously operating pump supplying liquid from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir through one of the support tubes, another support tube having its upper end forming an overflow opening fixing the liquid level in the upper reservoir and discharging into the lower reservoir, a plurality of transparent tubes having their upper ends in sealed engagement with the upper reservoir and their upper end openings below the liquid level therein and their lower end openings discharging into the lower reservoir, a shorter intermediate tube slideably contained and secured in the upper end of each transparent tube, another shorter inner tube slideably contained and secured in each intermediate tube and having a constricted inside diameter, the upper end of each inner tube projecting above the upper reservoir liquid level, the lower end of each inner tube having an air discharge opening narrowly spaced from its end and having a pendant droplet collecting portion below the discharge opening, whereby, in each transparent tube, liquid from the upper reservoir flows slowly down the spaces contiguous to the inside and outside wall surfaces of the intermediate tube to the droplet collecting portion, collects into a droplet and falls, drawing air into the transparent tube until another droplet collects and falls, thereby forming a continuously falling alternating series of droplets and air bubbles slowly descending in each transparent tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
A decorative display device comprising a lower liquid reservoir and an upper reservoir, a plurality of support tubes extending from the lower to the upper reservoir, a continuously operating pump supplying liquid from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir through one of the support tubes, another support tube having its upper end forming an overflow opening fixing the liquid level in the upper reservoir and discharging into the lower reservoir, a plurality of transparent tubes having their upper ends in sealed engagement with the upper reservoir and their upper end openings below the liquid level therein and their lower end openings discharging into the lower reservoir, a shorter intermediate tube slideably contained and secured in the upper end of each transparent tube, another shorter inner tube slideably contained and secured in each intermediate tube and having a constricted inside diameter, the upper end of each inner tube projecting above the upper reservoir liquid level, the lower end of each inner tube having an air discharge opening narrowly spaced from its end and having a pendant droplet collecting portion below the discharge opening, whereby, in each transparent tube, liquid from the upper reservoir flows slowly down the spaces contiguous to the inside and outside wall surfaces of the intermediate tube to the droplet collecting portion, collects into a droplet and falls, drawing air into the transparent tube until another droplet collects and falls, thereby forming a continuously falling alternating series of droplets and air bubbles slowly descending in each transparent tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The decorative display device defined in claim 2 wherein each intermediate tube has a plurality of holes therethrough for providing a free flow of liquid between the spaces contiguous to the intermediate tube wall surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |