Automatic video projection screen

• US 5,548,356 A
• Filed: 10/04/1995
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Sony Transcom Incorporated (Rockwell International Corporation), Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Portman, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOWLING, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US08/539,132
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 353/12, 353/13, 353/122, 353/119, 359/443, 359/449, 248/917, 248/919, 248/920
• US Class Current: 353/13
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/58 collapsible, e.g. foldable; of variable area

Abstract

A screen for an aircraft video projection system. The screen includes a frame for attachment to an aircraft cabin surface and cylindrically shaped first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the frame. In addition, the first and second pulleys are oriented substantially parallel relative to each other and the first pulley includes an interior hollow. The screen further includes a belt having a viewing surface and an indexing hole adjacent to the viewing surface. The belt is positioned in contact around the first and second pulleys and is moveable between a viewing position in which the viewing surface is exposed for display of the projected image and a stored position in which the viewing surface is hidden. The belt also serves as a heat absorbing layer. A light sensor is positioned opposite the belt. The light sensor serves to detect the presence of the indexing hole. In particular, if the indexing hole is positioned opposite the sensor, the sensor indicates that the viewing surface is exposed. Further, if the indexing hole is not positioned opposite the indexing hole, the sensor indicates that the viewing surface is hidden. In addition, the screen includes a gearmotor affixed within the hollow. The gearmotor serves to rotate the first pulley to move the belt to the viewing position upon detection that the viewing surface is hidden, wherein the gearmotor is affixed within the hollow.

Claims

1. A screen for an aircraft video projection system wherein said system generates a projected image, comprising:

first and second rotatable pulleys oriented substantially parallel relative to each other, said first and second pulleys each having a cylindrical shape and said first pulley further including an interior hollow;

a belt having a viewing surface, wherein said belt is positioned in contact around said first and second pulleys and is moveable between a viewing position in which said viewing surface is exposed for display of said projected image and a stored position in which said viewing surface is hidden;

detection means for detecting whether said viewing surface is exposed or hidden; and

rotating means for rotating said first pulley to move said belt to said viewing position upon detection that said viewing surface is hidden, wherein said rotating means is affixed within said hollow.

2. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said belt further includes a decorative surface which is exposed when said viewing surface is hidden.

3. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said detection means includes a light sensor.

4. The screen according to claim 3, wherein said belt includes an indexing hole adjacent said viewing surface and said light sensor is adapted to detect said hole.

5. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said rotating means is a gearmotor having a disc for rotating said first pulley.

6. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said belt is fabricated from a heat absorbing material.

7. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said belt is fabricated from a thin metal to enable said belt to further serve as a heat absorbing layer.

8. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said belt is fabricated from stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 0.005 in.

9. The screen according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes a frame for attachment to an aircraft cabin surface and wherein said first and second pulleys are rotatably mounted to said frame.

10. A screen for an aircraft video projection system wherein said system generates a projected image, comprising:

a frame for attachment to an aircraft cabin surface;

first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to said frame and oriented substantially parallel relative to each other, said first and second pulleys each having a cylindrical shape and said first pulley further including an interior hollow for defining an inner wall;

a belt having a viewing surface, wherein said belt is positioned in contact around said first and second pulleys and is moveable between a viewing position in which said viewing surface is exposed for display of said projected image and a stored position in which said viewing surface is hidden;

detection means for detecting whether said viewing surface is exposed or hidden; and

a gearmotor having a disc element affixed to said inner wall, said gearmotor being adapted to rotate said disc element and thus said first pulley to move said belt to said viewing position upon detection that said viewing surface is hidden.

11. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said belt further includes a decorative surface which is exposed when said viewing surface is hidden.

12. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said detection means includes a light sensor.

13. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said belt includes an indexing hole adjacent said viewing surface and said light sensor is adapted to detect said hole.

14. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said belt is fabricated from a heat absorbing material.

15. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said belt is fabricated from a thin metal to enable said belt to further serve as a heat absorbing layer.

16. The screen according to claim 10, wherein said belt is fabricated from stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 0.005 in.

17. An aircraft video projection system, comprising:

a frame for attachment to an aircraft cabin surface;

first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to said frame and oriented substantially parallel relative to each other, said first and second pulleys each having a cylindrical shape and said first pulley further including an interior hollow for defining an inner wall;

projection means for generating a projected image;

a belt having a viewing surface and an indexing hole adjacent said viewing surface, wherein said belt is positioned in contact around said first and second pulleys and is moveable between a viewing position in which said viewing surface is exposed for display of said projected image and a stored position in which said viewing surface is hidden, said belt being fabricated from a flexible sheet of thin metal for further use of said belt as a heat absorption layer;

a sensor for detecting said indexing hole, said sensor being located opposite said belt wherein if said hole is opposite said sensor, light generated by said sensor is not reflected back to said sensor thus indicating that said viewing surface is exposed and wherein if said hole is not opposite said sensor, light generated by said sensor is reflected back to said sensor thus indicating that said viewing surface is hidden; and

a gearmotor having a disc element affixed to said inner wall, said gearmotor being adapted to rotate said disc element and thus said first pulley to move said belt to said viewing position upon detection that said viewing surface is hidden.

18. The screen according to claim 17, wherein said belt further includes a decorative surface which is exposed when said viewing surface is hidden.

19. The screen according to claim 17, wherein said belt is fabricated from stainless steel having a thickness of approximately 0.005 in.