SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ALTERING A THEME ASSOCIATED WITH A ROOM OR SIMILAR SPACE

• US 20110224006A1
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederick L. Smith, Jean Labadie, Murphy Gigliotti, Rick Gray, Stephen A. Sywak, William B. Gorlin
• Original Assignee: Frederick L. Smith, Jean Labadie, Murphy Gigliotti, Rick Gray, Stephen A. Sywak, William B. Gorlin
• Inventors: Labadie, Jean, Gigliotti, Murphy, Gorlin, William B., Sywak, Stephen A., Gray, Rick, Smith, Frederick L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/77
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/02 Scenery; Curtains; Other decorations; Means for moving same fireproof curtains A62C2/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A method for changing a theme associated with a given space (e.g., restaurant). A wall system includes a wall panel having multiple themes depicted thereon or multiple wall panels each having a theme depicted thereon. Using a series of winches, chain drives, cables and pulleys or the like, the wall panels are moved to change the theme of the space. A ceiling system includes two ceiling panels movable via a series of winches, chain drives, cables and pulleys. Once separated the ceiling panels expose a theme different than that depicted while closed. Audio and/or visual cues may be provided to alert patrons to a theme change.

Claims

1. A ceiling system comprising:

two ceiling panels hinged to one another with multiple hinges;

one of said ceiling panels having wheels on each end thereof, said wheel positioned to glide along a guide track, said other ceiling panel fixed along one side; and

means for folding said two ceiling panels about said multiple hinges.

2. The ceiling system of claim 1 wherein said means for folding said two ceiling panels about said hinges comprises one or more of the following:

winch, cable, pulley and chain lift.

3. The ceiling system of claim 1 wherein said means for folding said two ceiling panels about said hinges comprises one or more self-contained driving systems connected to said ceiling panel.

4. A system for changing a theme of a space comprising:

one or more moving ceiling systems, each moving ceiling system having at least two ceiling panels with a first ceiling panel hinged to a second ceiling panel near a mid-point; and

means for opening said at least two ceiling members such that said at least two ceiling members each bend near said mid-point and separate to expose an area thereabove.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

two guide tracks; and

two wheels on one ceiling panel configured to glide along said guide tracks as said ceiling members are opened and closed.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein bottom surfaces of said ceiling members depict a theme associated with said space.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein when said ceiling members are in an open position said theme is substantially concealed.

8. The system of claim 4 further comprising a series of light fixtures wherein a portion of said light fixtures are above said ceiling members and a portion of said light fixtures are below said ceiling members.

9. The system of claim 4 further comprising curtain members positioned to conceal said ceiling panels when said ceiling panels are in an open position.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein said means for opening said at least two ceiling members comprising one or more of the following:

winch, cable, pulley and chain lift.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein said ceiling panels include wheels positioned to move along guide rails.

12. The system of claim 4 further comprising computer means for controlling the movement of the wall panel.

13. A system for changing a theme of a space comprising:

one or more moving ceiling systems, each moving ceiling system having at least two ceiling panels with a first ceiling panel hinged to a second ceiling panel near a mid-point; and

a driving system attached to at least one of said ceiling panels for opening said at least two ceiling members such that said at least two ceiling members each bend near said mid-point and separate to expose an area thereabove.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

two guide tracks; and

two wheels on one ceiling panel configured to glide along said guide tracks as said ceiling members are opened and closed.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein bottom surfaces of said ceiling members depict a theme associated with said space.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein when said ceiling members are in an open position said theme is substantially concealed.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising a series of light fixtures wherein a portion of said light fixtures are above said ceiling members and a portion of said light fixtures are below said ceiling members.

18. The system of claim 13 further comprising curtain members positioned to conceal said ceiling panels when said ceiling panels are in an open position.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein said means for opening said at least two ceiling members comprising one or more of the following:

winch, cable, pulley and chain lift.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein said ceiling panels include wheels positioned to move along guide rails.

21. The system of claim 13 further comprising computer means for controlling the movement of the wall panel.