Multi-sensory theatrical presentation structure

• US 5,573,325 A
• Filed: 06/08/1994
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Encountarium Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Encountarium Incorporated
• Inventors: Lekowski, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William
• Application Number:
  US08/255,489
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 353/28, 353/30, 353/46, 353/50, 359/446, 359/458, 359/459, 359/630, 359/632, 359/633, 472/60, 472/61, 472/75, 352/89, 352/88
• US Class Current: 353/79
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2005/008 Smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/021 Mixing live action with images projected on translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/10 using back-projection, i.e. blending artificial background with real foreground

Abstract

A multi-sensory presentation structure for presenting a show composed of live action combined and superimposed with projected images includes a projector and a beam splitter formed of either a sheet of glass or a sheet of flexible film. The projector forms a still and/or moving image on the splitter which is superimposed on live action on a stage. The splitter can be undulated, shifted or pivoted back and forth toward the audience and/or the projector to provide very realistic visual effects. Preferably the projector is disposed above an area between the stage and the audience. The show is further enhanced by using speakers and olfactory devices to provide aural and olfactory stimuli to the audience coupled with the visual presentation.

Claims

1. A theatrical presentation structure comprising:

a stage;

an audience area;

a screen disposed between said stage and audience area, said screen having areas in different planes closer and further from said audience area;

projecting means for projecting a frontal image on said screen, said projecting means being disposed above said screen; and

beam splitting means disposed between said stage and screen for receiving and projecting said image toward a front of said stage.

2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising means for moving said screen toward and away from said projection means;

3. The structure of claim 1 further comprising moving means for moving said beam splitting means toward and away from said audience area.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said beam splitting means comprises a sheet of glass.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said beam splitting means comprises a sheet of flexible film.

6. The structure of claim 1 further comprising moving means for moving said beam splitting means for obtaining a rippling effect of said image.

7. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a prop disposed between said screen and said beam splitter and a corresponding prop on stage.

8. A theatrical presentation structure comprising:

a stage;

projecting means for projecting an image toward said stage; and

beam splitting means disposed between said stage and said projecting means for projecting said image toward a front of said stage, said beam splitting means including a beam spitting screen defined by a flexible film.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said projecting means is disposed above said beam splitting means.

10. The structure of claim 8 further comprising positioning means for positioning said beam splitting means to an idle position.

11. The structure of claim 8 further comprising shifting means for selectively shifting of said film.

12. The structure of claim 8 further comprising an audience .area from where an audience views said stage, with said image being visually superimposed on said stage.

13. The structure of claim 8 further comprising means for moving said screen toward and away from said projection means.

14. The structure of claim 8 further comprising a prop disposed between said screen and said beam splitter and a corresponding prop on stage.

15. A multi-media theatrical presentation structure comprising:

an audience area for holding an audience;

a stage for presenting a live performance, said stage including a center zone and several lateral zones separated from said center zone by scrims;

sensory means for providing sensory impressions to said audience associated with said live performance, said sensory means including an imaging screen, projecting means for projecting an image on said imaging screen and a beam splitter for projecting said image to said audience, said image as viewed by said audience being superimposed on said stage, wherein said projecting means is disposed at allocation between said stage and said audience.

16. The structure of claim 15 wherein said beam splitter screen includes a projecting surface defined by a flexible film.

17. The structure of claim 15 further including means for moving said beam splitter toward and away from said audience.

18. The structure of claim 15 further comprising means for moving said beam splitter toward and away from said projecting means.

19. The structure of claim 15 wherein said sensory means further includes olfactory devices for providing olfactory stimuli to said audience.

20. The structure of claim 15 wherein said projecting means further includes positioning means for shifting said beam splitter between an active position wherein said image is intercepted by said beam splitter and an idle position.

21. The structure of claim 15 further comprising shifting means for shifting a portion of said beam splitter reciprocatingly toward and away from said audience to obtain a fluttering of said image.

22. The structure of claim 15 wherein said beam splitter is disposed between said stage and said audience,

23. The structure of claim 15 further comprising a prop disposed between said screen and said beam splitter and a corresponding prop on stage.