Rotatable Animated Image Viewer with Secure Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animated image apparatuses, such as zoetropes and praxinoscopes, are not suitable for stationary commercial use and do not encourage user participation or development of motor skills in young children, as they often require active movement or involvement of animals like hamsters, which can obscure the image or are not designed for easy operation.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable member secured to a structure using various fixing means like suction devices, straps, or hooks, allowing manual rotation by the viewer to create an animated image, enhancing user interaction, motor skill development, and stability, with optional audio and light features for enhanced entertainment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the apparatus is made movable (push along toy or hamster wheel), then it can be operated by children or animals, but it cannot be used for stationary commercial applications and may obscure the animated image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability by children/animalsVSAvoidstationary commercial use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into two functional parts: a stationary base structure that provides stability and commercial usability, and a movable rotatable member that enables animation viewing. This segmentation allows the device to maintain stability while still permitting manual rotation by children without requiring the entire apparatus to move.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mounting structure acts as an intermediary between the stationary base and the rotatable member. This intermediary component allows the rotatable member to be securely mounted for stationary use while still permitting manual rotation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If children manually rotate the rotatable member, then motor skills and visual system development are encouraged, but the apparatus may be handled roughly causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual rotation for developmentVSAvoidstability during rough handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus separates the stationary base structure from the rotatable member, allowing children to interact with only the rotatable portion. This segmentation protects the overall structural integrity while enabling safe manual manipulation for motor skill development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure and securing mechanisms are designed beforehand to withstand rough handling by children. These pre-designed protective features cushion against instability caused by rough manipulation, ensuring the apparatus remains stable even during vigorous use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Extent of automation

If animals like hamsters operate the wheel from inside, then the apparatus can be operated automatically, but the animal obscures the generated animated image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic operation by animalVSAvoidobscuration of animated image

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the animal from the operational mechanism entirely. Instead of requiring animals to operate the device from inside (which obscures the image), the design allows manual operation by children or stationary mounting for display, removing the source of image obscuration while maintaining automatic operation capability through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus provides a stable and interactive animated image experience for young children and pets, promoting motor skill development and visual stimulation while being easy to operate and maintain, suitable for stationary use without the need for active movement or animals.

Implementation Method 1

Well known examples of such apparatus for providing optical illusions via the phenomena known as persistence of vision, are zoetropes, praxinoscopes, phenakistiscopes, thaumatropes and flicker/flip books.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPersistence of vision:

Implementation Method 2

The securing means may be a suction device for securing the apparatus to a flat surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

The securing means may be an adhesive, a hook and loop system, a clamp, strap, clip, hook, tie, buckle, lock, catch, latch, stay, magnetic device, a screw device, or any other securing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook and loop system: Velcro

Data Source

PatentUS11465065B2Apparatus for providing an animated image for a viewer

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HANCOCK PHILIPPA CLAIRE BARBARA

AI summary

Apparatus (2) for providing an animated image for a viewer, which apparatus comprises: (i) a device (4, 6, 10, 12) for providing the animated image; and (ii) securing means (14) for securing the apparatus (2) to a part (16) of a structure (18) such that the apparatus (2) is fixed with respect to the structure (18), and such that the device (4, 6, 10, 12) is operable by the viewer in order for the viewer to see the animated image.