US3548519A

US3548519A - Illuminating amusement device for perforating objects

Info

Publication number: US3548519A
Application number: US693199A
Authority: US
Inventors: Agnes R Oliver
Original assignee: AGNES R OLIVER
Current assignee: AGNES R OLIVER
Priority date: 1967-12-26
Filing date: 1967-12-26
Publication date: 1970-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1987-12-22

Description

1970 A. R. OLIVER 3,548,51

ILLUMINATING AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR PERFORATING OBJECTS Filed D66. 26, 1967 INVENTOR, @GNES .R. OLIVER ATTOEA/gf United States Patent M 3,548,519 ILLUMINATING AMUSEMENT DEVICE FOR PERFORATING OBJECTS A creative amusement device having a translucent, resilient working surface beneath which is a source of illumination. The user places a material, such as a card, picture, or the like, on the surface and perforates the card to produce any desired illuminating effect.

This invention relates generally to an amusement device adapted to illuminate a picture, card or the like on a resilient backing whereby the user can perforate the picture to produce any desired illuminated effect.

It is the object of this invention to provide an educational, creative amusement device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device whereby the user can perforate an ordinary picture to create an interesting illuminating effect.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which allows the user to illuminate a card or picture in multicolor fashion.

It is an object of the invention to provide an amusement device whereby almost any pictorial representation can be given an illuminated image.

It is a broad object of this invention to provide an inexpensive amusement device which teaches artistic creativity.

These and other, further, and more specific objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the device of the invention in a perspective view with part of the working surface broken away.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevation of another embodiment of my device, further provided with means for multicolor illumination and an auxiliary viewing screen.

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of still another embodiment of my invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a frame is provided with a working surface of a suitable resilient, translucent material. A light source is placed so that light passes through the working surface, and, for example, a picture is placed on the working surface. The user, with a punch, simply punches out the desired design in the picture, and the light passes through the translucent material and the perforations in the picture creating an interesting, lighted effect. The working surface allows the passage of light as well as enduring repeated puncturings.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate similar elements, the device is generally indicated by the numeral and includes a frame 11 of any suitable, preferably heat resistant material. The frame is generally rectangular with parallel front and

rear sides

13 and 14 with the terminal edge of side 14 being at a higher elevation than the upper terminal edge of side 13. Sides 15 of frame 11 slant rearwardly between 13 and 14 and support planar, inclined panel 12. A generally rectangular frame 16 is affixed to planar surface 12 and is slightly raised therefrom. Most of the area of panel 12 within frame 16 is cut out. Any conventional means of assembling the frame 11 may be used without 3,548,519 Patented Dec. 22, 1970 affecting the novel combination otherwise herein.

Within frame 16 and supported on glass 17, which is coplanar with surface 12 within the cut out, is the working surface 20. The working surface 20 may be of any material such as that sold by Dow Chemical under the trade name Styrofoam. It is important that this working surface be translucent, that is allow the passage of light, and still be resilient enough to withstand repeated puncturing without undue deterioration. Mounted within the confines of frame 11 at a location below the working surface 20 is a light source 21. This is shown as a relatively low wattage ordinary AC light source having onoff switch 22. It will be obvious that a flashlight bulb and batteries would serve equally well. Air holes may be provided in the rear of frame 11 to dissipate heat given off by the light source 21.

It is apparent from this description that the user wishing to use the device simply places working material such as a Christmas card, as shown in FIG. 1, on the working surface 20 and switches on light 21. Although not shown, it may be desirable to provide a clamp on surface 20 to hold the material being worked firmly in place. By punching pin-point holes in appropriate places in the card directly above the light source, the desired effect is achieved as the light coming through the perforations creates an illumination. This is shown in exaggerated form in FIG. 1 as an illuminated Christmas tree. The working surface 20 can be perforated repeatedly without damage and still allows the light to come through. Channel 23 running transversely along the lower edge of surface 12 serves as a retainer for punches and other working tools.

In FIG. 2, yet another embodiment is shown. The device is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but further provided with a color wheel 25 of known manufacture. This wheel is rotatively mounted about axis 26 on support 27 extending transversely between sides 15 of frame 11. A slot, not shown, in side 15 allows the user to rotate the color wheel to any desired position. The wheel itself is provided with one or more color windows which allows light passage, and as the wheel is rotated the light from source 21 passing through the wheel produces a colored light through surface 20.

Additionally, this embodiment is provided with a viewing screen 30 for completed work. The screen 30 is of any translucent material and may be of the same material as 20, is mounted flush with surface 12 and is supported by frame 35. A channel 34 holds the work in place, and a separate light source 31 and switch, not shown, are provided to illuminate the viewing screen 30.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 in which still another preferred embodiment of my amusement device is specifically illustrated. Here panel 12, which carries the working surface 20, along with frame 16 and glass backing 17, is vertically hinged to rectangular base 38 having sides of uniform, height at 39. Accordion-type sides 36 extend between surface 12 and base 38. Arm 37 is pivotally attached to base 38 and locks into notch 40 secured to surface 12. Light source 21 is contained with frame 38 as described with reference to FIG. 1. This embodiment allows the working surface to be folded down into base 38 when not in use and provides a compact, more easily stored and packaged unit. For example, the user simply vertically raises the rear edge of panel 12 causing the front edge of 12 to pivot at 39. Accordion sides 36 expand and are locked into a working position by arms 37 at notch 39.

involved It will thus be seen that my amusement device can be used as a creative toy for persons of all ages. It is not only fun as a pastime, but has potential as a hobby and useable in therapeutics. It is ideal for the nursery, kindergarten, and in its simplest form is a toy for the individual child and can be used without playmates.

It must be emphasized that the work creations herein attainable are inexpensive due to the availability of materials. For example, the material for punching can be any greeting card, magazine picture, foil, or plain paper. The possibilities of the range of artistic creations are endless and limited only by the users imagination. The user may even make his own Christmas decorations with this device.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes in size, shape, material and the like will occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modification and changes do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be within the spirit and scope hereof, which is not limited to the embodiments specifically illustrated.

I claim:

1. A creative amusement device for use with perforable working materials comprising:

(a) a frame having upstanding walls;

(b) a top panel having a cut-out therein supported by said upstanding walls;

() a translucent insert in said cut-out coplanar with said panel;

((1) a working surface supported on said insert, said working surface being a translucent foamed plastic able to support said materials and absorb repeated punctures; and

(e) a light source located within said frame below said working surface adapted to illuminate said working surface whereby the user can manually perforate the 4 working material creating the desired illuminated elfect.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a separate trans lucent viewing screen is provided in said top panel and positioned to receive illumination from said light source.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein means for changing the color of light illuminating said working surface are disposed between said light source and said translucent insert.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said top panel is rearwardly inclined.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said top panel is hingedly affixed to said frame whereby said panel can be pivoted and locked into a use position from a position of non-use.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,455,474 5/ 1923 Brown 40143X 1,796,322 3/1931 Callender 40-143X 2,060,308 11/1936 Harding -48 2,080,652 5/1937 Cook et a1. 3526 2,300,447 11/ 1942 Glukes 132 3,171,204 3/1965 Balducci 3519 3,358,389 12/1967 Ruderfer 3524 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,046,751 7/ 1953 France 3526 HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 83522