Patent US4240218A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4240218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio-visual display device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-02-02
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Audio-visual display device is enclosed terrarium containing living plants of normal size. One or more models on small scale of living creatures are located in the terrarium and are powered to move. The small-scale models of the creatures have the effect of making the plants look larger. A pump to produce simulated rain or a music device to produce music are optional additions to enhance the effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Garvin S. Kotzin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:55
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J17/00; G; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An audio-visual display device comprising: a housing for the containment of soil and for the containment of living, natural sized plants, said housing substantially enclosing a space in which the soil and plants are located, said housing having at least one transparent area for the entry of light into the enclosed space to aid in maintaining the living plants and for inspection of the enclosed space; a motor; capstan in said enclosed space and driven by said motor, said capstan being an upright, open-top tube; a model mounted in said capstan, said model being mounted on the wire which extends into said open top capstan tube so that said model is removably supported in said capstan tube, said model being a reduced-scale model of a natural creature, said model being positioned among the plants in said enclosed space for moving in said enclosed space to provide animation so that motion of said model of a natural creature in said space among the plants growing therein provides the illusion of a larger space and larger plants; and a music-producing instrument driven by said motor so that, when said capstan is moving, music is produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An audio-visual display device comprising: a housing for the containment of soil and for the containment of living, natural sized plants, said housing substantially enclosing a space in which the soil and plants are located, said housing having at least one transparent area for the entry of light into the enclosed space to aid in maintaining the living plants and for inspection of the enclosed space; a motor; capstan in said enclosed space and driven by said motor, said capstan being an upright, open-top tube; a model mounted in said capstan, said model being mounted on the wire which extends into said open top capstan tube so that said model is removably supported in said capstan tube, said model being a reduced-scale model of a natural creature, said model being positioned among the plants in said enclosed space for moving in said enclosed space to provide animation so that motion of said model of a natural creature in said space among the plants growing therein provides the illusion of a larger space and larger plants; and a music-producing instrument driven by said motor so that, when said capstan is moving, music is produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 1 wherein said reduced scale model of a natural creature is a model of a bird.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 2 wherein there are two reduced-scale model birds mounted in said capstan for movement with said capstan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 1 wherein said means for producing music has music selection means therein so that a musical tune appropriate to the particular model mounted on said capstan can be selected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 4 further including a water pump driven by said motor and a water reservoir connected to said pump to supply water to said pump, said pump having a spray nozzle positioned in said enclosed space so that, when said motor is running, simulated rain is delivered in said enclosed space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 1 further including a water pump driven by said motor and a water reservoir connected to said pump to supply water to said pump, said pump having a spray nozzle positioned in said enclosed space so that, when said motor is running, simulated rain is delivered in said enclosed space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
An audio-visual display device comprising: housing walls defining a substantially enclosed space for the containment of soil and living plants therein, at least one of said walls of said housing being transparent to permit light to reach the growing plants and permit inspection of the enclosed space; a capstan extending into said enclosed space and rotatably mounted with respect to said housing, said capstan being an open-top tube, a motor connected to said capstan for moving said capstan, a musical device connected to said motor for making music when said motor runs; and a reduced scale model of a natural creature mounted on a wire extending into said capstan tube so that said model is removably positioned in said enclosed space so that said model creature moves when said motor is running and provides the illusion of a larger space and larger plants therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
An audio-visual display device comprising: housing walls defining a substantially enclosed space for the containment of soil and living plants therein, at least one of said walls of said housing being transparent to permit light to reach the growing plants and permit inspection of the enclosed space; a capstan extending into said enclosed space and rotatably mounted with respect to said housing, said capstan being an open-top tube, a motor connected to said capstan for moving said capstan, a musical device connected to said motor for making music when said motor runs; and a reduced scale model of a natural creature mounted on a wire extending into said capstan tube so that said model is removably positioned in said enclosed space so that said model creature moves when said motor is running and provides the illusion of a larger space and larger plants therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 7 wherein said model of a creature comprises two bird models.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 7 wherein said musical device has selection means for selecting the music being played.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The audio-visual display device of claim 9 wherein a pump is connected to said motor and a reservoir is connected to said pump to supply water to said pump and a nozzle is positioned in said enclosed space and is connected to said pump so that, when said motor is running, water is delivered to said nozzle to simulate rain in said enclosed space.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |