US2447623A - Kaleidoscope - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 24, 1948. R. E. ZEMELMAN ,6

KALEIDOSCOPE Filed Feb. 20, 1946 RoscoE E. ZEMELMAN 57 W WW Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '7 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in kaleidoscopes.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a kaleidoscope in which the case or shell and essential component parts are molded from plastic materials.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a kaleidoscope having a new and unique type of polished mirror which may be referred to as a first surface mirror, that is to say, a mirror in which the reflection occurs directly on the surface of the mirror and, therefore, does not produce any secondary reflections or double images.

It -is '41. further object of the present invention to provide a kaleidoscope having a compound mirror of the type stated which is uniquely composed of two planar mirrors resiliently held together by novel holding elements and thereby capable of producing .a sharp "line of intersection without :the production :of a non-reflective line or dead area .at the point of intersection of angular-1yldisposed mirror suriaces.

It is a further ohject .of the present invention to provide a kaleidoscope of the type statedwhich is provided with an accessible object chamber in which numerous different kinds of small objects may be "optionally placed for viewing purposes and maybe :readily removed or changed bysmall children, thereby enabling them to produce .an endless variety of designs and patterns.

Itis anadditional object of the present invention to provide a kaleidoscope of the type statedwwhich is composed ofa few readily assemblable and interchangeable component parts, thereby facilitating and :rendering "more economical the manufacture and assembly of the toy.

And with :the above and .other objects in view, my imzent-ion resides in the :novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination :of parts presently described .and pointed out inzthe claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 115 a perspective view of a preferred form of kaleidoscope constructed :in accordance withandembodying my present invention;

Figure? isan exploded view o'f the kaleidoscope illustrating in more detail the several component parts and manner of assembly thereof;

Fig-ure'3'is a longitudinal sectional View of the kaleidoscope taken along the line 3--3 of Fig ure '1';

Figure is a top plan view io'f the kaleidoscope partly broken away and in section; and

.aFl-igures 5and 6 .areitransversesectional views .2 taken along the lines 5 -5 and .6-.6, respectively, of Figure 3.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a kaleidoscope comprising a onepiece molded plastic case or shell .I of more .or less tubular form and being slightly tapered throughout its length, so that it is somewhat larger in diametral size at its so-called objectitre end :2 and of somewhat smaller diametltal size at its .socalled eye-piece end 3. Preferably, though not necessarily, the outer surface of the case I is provided with a plurality of Iongitudinally extending uniformly spaced ribs 4, which facilitate manipulation. At its eye-piece end '3, the case 1| :is integrally provided with a transversely extending inwardly dished bottom wall 5, which is, in turn, provided with a small concentric sight-aperture 6 At its other or Dbi-ective end 2, the case I is internally counterbored for a short distance to provide an annular shoulder {L rSi-milarly, upon its outer face, the case I is provided with a p jecting an ula shoulder 8 and around the annular space between ;the shoulder B and the objective end 1, the case J is provided with a series of camming bosses 9, all as best seen in Figures 2 and flrand for purposes more fully appearing.

:Provided for removable disposition within the case i, is a circular disk ill of clear glass having an outer diametral size approximately equal to the inner diametral size of the case I in the region of the sight-aperture 6. The disk .l-B will, therefore, :flt within the case I and rest against the inner face of the dished bottom wall :5, as shown in Figure '3.

Also provided for disposition withinthe case ,1, is a V shape d'-mi-rrorgenerally designated :13 and comprising two accurately planar mirro e16!- ments H formed preferably from aluminum sheets and :highly polished upon one surface in the'provision of ;a true first-surface mirror, that is to :say, a mirror on which all reflection takes place directly upon :the top or exposed surface thereof, thereby preventing a, secondary reflection of the type commonly encountered in conventional glass mirrors. The mirror elements-III are slightly tapered along theinlongitudinal margins acomplementarily with the internal taper of the :case I :so asto-fitsnugly therein and are of a length equal to the distance between the inner suriaceof-the'disk IE] and the face of the shoulder I. The .mirror elements H, furthermore, are placed together in somewhat V-shape formation and resiliently held together in this position by a pair of spaced spring clips l2, each integrally including a small centrally disposed arcuate bight portion l3 and two bent arms l4 each provided at its outer end with bent-over or hook-like retention prongs I5. The mirror B, thus assembled, can be momentarily bent, so that the two elements are swung toward each other and the overall size of the assembly thereby reduced in crosssectional area to facilitate insertion into the case i and, upon release after insertion, will spring outwardly into accurate conformity with th interior of the case i. The transverse ends of the mirror elements II are cut off on the square, so to speak, so that, when the mirror B is disposed in operative position within the case I, the transverse margins of the lower or smaller end thereof will lie flush against the inner face of the disk It and the transverse margins of the other or larger end will lie precisely within the plane of the face of the shoulder i, all as best seen in Figure 3.

Provided for removable disposition within the objective end 2, is a clear gl ss d s 55 adapted to rest snugly upon the face of the shoulder l' and against the adjacent transverse margins of the mirror elements ll. Similarly provided for disposition within the objective end 2 of the case i, is an annular ring [1 formed preferably of plastic or other similar material and having an external diametral size substantially equal to the inner diametral size of the counterbored portion of the objective end 2 so as to fit snugly, but removably, therein. It should be noted in this connection that the ring I! has an inner diametral size equal to, or slightly greater than, the inner diametral size of the case I in the region of the shoulder 1 so as not to materially decrease the size of the circular area which may be viewed when the kaleidoscope is in use.

Also provided for disposition within the counterbore objective end 2 of the case I, is a frosted glass disk l8 adapted to fit against the outwardly presented end of the ring I! and extendfor a short distance upwardly beyond the objective end 2 of the case I in the provision of an enclosed space or objective chamber 3 in which various small objects, such as tiny bits of colored broken glass g or any other similar objects may be inserted. Provided for retentive or looking disposition upon and around the objective end 2 of the case I, is a molded plastic closure ring 19 having an inwardly projecting annular lip 20 adapted to engage the disk l8. The ring I9 is, furthermore,'

provided upon its inner surf-ace with a series of camming projections 2| of size and shape complementary to the camming projections 9. It will be apparent that the closure ring 19 may be rotated until its camming projections 2| are properly aligned with the camming projections 9 on the objective end 2 of the case I, whereupon the closure ring [9 may be shifted axially inwardly until the annular lip 28 thereof engages tightly against the disk l8 and the ring may thereupon'be rotated through approximately twenty to thirty degrees until the camming projections S and 2| respectively engage or look against each other, holding the entire kaleidoscope in completely assembled relation.

In fully assembled form, the kaleidoscope may be held in approximately horizontal position with the sight-aperture 6 up against the eye and the objective end 2 presented toward any suitable disk I8 may be removed and the bits of glass g may be removed from the objective chamber s, permitting substitution of any other small freefalling objects, such as rubber bands, paper clips, thumb tacks, or small chips of gravel, for the creation of a limitless variety of kaleidoscopic patterns. It should be noted in this connection that the mirror B is completely housed and enclosed between the disks l0 and I8, so that dirt and moisture will be kept away from the highly polished mirror surfaces and they will, therefore, remain clean and brilliant for a long period of time. Furthermore, if the mirror surfaces should become dirty, the entire kaleidoscope may be readily taken apart and the interior thoroughly cleaned, or, if the mirror B should become permanently tarnished, it may be conveniently and quickly replaced.

The mirror B furthermore, as has been pointed out above, is unique in that it provides for reflection only upon its top surface and, therefore, any multiple reflections are eliminated. This problem of multiple reflection is ordinarily not particularly serious in the case of conventional glass mirrors used for viewing the face, for example, because the source of light and the image being viewed are more or less directly in front of the mirror. In kaleidoscopes, however, the line of sight i more or less parallel to the general direction of the reflective surface or plane, with the result that the incident rays or light strik the mirror surface at relatively shallow or oblique angles. Consequently, the quality of reflection which occurs from a conventional glass mirror results in fuzzy images and indistinct repetitive patterns. This has been a well recognized disadvantage of all existing kaleidoscopes and is completely eliminated and overcome by the present invention. The use of a so-called first-surface mirror of the type herein disclosed furthermore makes possible the provision of a very sharp line of intersection between the mirror surfaces and, therefore, eliminates the dead or non-reflective area which, in conventional kaleidoscopes appears to the viewers eye as a sort of rod-like axis extending down through the center of the image being viewed.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the kaleidoscope may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:.

1. A kaleidoscope comprising a tapered outer tube having a transverse wall across its smaller end, said wall being provided with a concentric eye-piece-forming aperture, a pair of spaced disks at the larger end arranged to form a chamber for receiving objects to be viewed, the larger end of said tube being provided on its outer surface with a series of camming bosses, and a removable ring disposed upon the larger end for retaining the disks in place, said ring being interiorly provided with a series of camming projections of size and shape complementary to the first mentioned series of camming bosses for locking engagement with the tube upon relative rotation of the ring and tube.

2. A kaleidoscope comprising a tapered outer tube having a transverse wall across its smaller end, said wall being provided with a concentric eye-piece-forming aperture, a pair of disks at the larger end spaced by a removable spacing ring and arranged to form a chamber for receiving objects to be viewed, the larger end of said tube being provided on its outer surface with a series of camming bosses, and a removable ring disposed upon the larger end for retaining the disks in place, said ring being interiorl provided with a series of camming projections of siZe and shape complementary to the first mentioned series of camming bosses for locking engagement with the tube upon relative rotation of the ring and tube.

3. In a kaleidoscope, a pair of elongated mirrors held resilientl together in V formation by V-shaped spring clips having arcuate central portions and being provided at their outer ends with bent-over hooked portions, said clips further being bent outwardly along both legs intermediate the arcuate central portions and the hooked ends.

4. In a kaleidoscope, a pair of elongated mirrors held resiliently together in V formation by V-shaped spring clips having arcuate central portions adapted to cradle the apex formed by the mirrors along their line of abutment with each other, said clips being provided at their outer ends with bent over hook portions for retentively hooking over the outwardly presented edges of the mirrors, the intermediate leg portions of said clips extending on the outer sides of said mirrors and being bent outwardly therefrom for normally urging said mirrors outwardly away from each other.

5. A kaleidoscope comprising, an elongated tubular outer case, and a pair of elongated mirrors held resiliently in V formation b V-shaped spring clips having arcuate central portions adapted to cradle the apex formed by the mirrors along their line of abutment with each other, said 3 clips being provided at their outer ends with bent over hook portions for retentively hooking over the outwardly presented edges of the mirrors, the intermediate leg portions of said clips extend.- ing on the outer sides of said mirrors and being bent outwardly therefrom for normally urgin said mirrors outwardly away from each other, into edgewise abutment against the interior of said tube.

6. A kaleidoscope comprising a tubular outer case, and a pair of elongated mirrors held resiliently together in V formation by V-shaped spring clips having arcuate central portions adapted to cradle the apex formed by the mirrors along their line of abutment with each other, said clips being provided at their outer ends with bent-over hook portions for retentively hooking over the out wardly presented edges of the mirrors, the intermediate leg portions of said clips extending on the outer sides of said mirrors and being bent outwardly therefrom whereby only portions of the longitudinal margins of said mirrors are contacted by said clips.

'7. A kaleidoscope comprising an elongated tubular outer shell, and a manually insertable and removable reflector assembly, said reflector assembly comprising a pair of elongated rectangular mirrors and a plurality of spaced spring clip members, each clip having means for gripping the longitudinal margins of the mirrors, said mirrors being thus held with their longitudinal axis substantially parallel and their transverse axis in angular position in relation to each other, with the reflective faces of the mirrors facing inwardly, said reflector assembly being of such size and proportions that when the mirrors are swung inwardly toward each other, reducing the angle between the transverse axis thereof, the entire mirror assembl will assume a crosssectional size capable of fitting within a circumscribed circle of smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the tube, whereby the reflector assembly can be quickly and easily slipped within the tube and will, when released, expand for snugfitting engagement within the interior of said tube.

ROSCOE E. ZEMELMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UIHTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 631,550 Wale Aug, 22, 1899 754,143 Johnson Mar. 8, 1904 1,290,078 Cappa Jan, 7, 1919 1,294,967 Stabla Feb. 18, 1919 1,398,858 House Nov. 29, 1921 1,485,795 Mallernee Mar. 4, 1924 1,662,743 Hanson 1 Mar. 13, 1928 1,667,278 Wolfe Apr. 24, 1928 2,112,642 Angetell Mar. 29, 1938 2,152,424 Wetmore 1 Mar. 28, 1939 2,198,051 Jordan Apr. 23, 1940 FQREIGN PATENTS N umber Country Date 3,767 Germany May 15, 1878 19,220 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1893

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