Device for displaying moving images in the background of a stage

• US 5,865,519 A
• Filed: 07/07/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Uwe Maass
• Original Assignee: Uwe Maass
• Inventors: Maass, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): DOWLING, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US08/836,911
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 353/28, 353/98, 353/30, 353/29, 353/10, 359/478, 359/630, 472/58, 472/61, 472/63
• US Class Current: 353/28
• 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

An article such as for example a motor vehicle at a publicity function is to be represented in front of different viewers (38) in the background of a stage (28) in the form of a virtual image (26). A presenter (40) is to stand in the image and give explanations. Disposed above the stage (28) is an image source (12, 14). It projects an image, a film, on to a reflecting surface (18) on the floor (30) of the stage (28). Behind that reflecting surface (18) a transparent smooth foil (20) extends at 45° from the ceiling (32) to the floor (30). The image produced by the image source (12, 14) appears to the viewers (38) as a virtual image (26) behind the foil (20). The presenter (40) stands behind the foil (20) and in the middle of the image.

Claims

1. Apparatus for representing moving images in the background of a stage using an image source, said stage including a floor, a ceiling disposed vertically above said floor and a background disposed therebetween, said apparatus characterised in that a reflecting surface (18) is arranged on said floor (30) of said stage (28) in the central region thereof, a transparent smooth foil (20) extends between said floor (30) and said ceiling (32) at a position which is disposed further forwardly, and the image source is arranged at the ceiling (32) in front of the upper end of the foil (20) which is held there, and is directed on to the reflecting surface (18).

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the foil (18) extends at an angle of about 45°

relative to the floor (30) of the stage (28).

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the image source is a computer-controlled intelligent light amplifier (12).

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 characterised in that a mirror (14) is arranged in front of the computer-controlled light amplifier (12) and said light amplifier is directed on to the mirror (14) and the mirror (14) receives the light radiated from the light amplifier (12), is directed on to the reflecting surface (18) and projects the light on to said reflecting surface.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that the light amplifier (12) and the mirror (14) are covered over forwardly by a curtain extending over the entire width of the stage (28).

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the foil is subject to a tensile stress.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 characterised in that the foil (20) has a surface area of at least 3 m times 4 m.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that the foil (20) is rolled on a winding tube (24) and can be pulled off same and can be fixed with its free end in a support mounting (22).

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the reflecting surface (18) is a coat of white paint.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the reflecting surface (18) is a white projection screen.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the floor (30) of the stage (28) can be raised and lowered.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that light amplifier (12), mirror (14), reflecting surface (18), foil (20) and stage (28) are enclosed by a lattice frame (44) and can be fixed thereto.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 characterised in that the lattice frame (44) includes two units which can be set up on both sides of the stage (28) and each unit has a lower girder portion (46), an upper girder portion (48), a front girder portion (50) and a back girder portion (52).

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 characterised in that the two lattice frame units which can be set up on both sides of the stage (28) can be connected by transversely extending struts.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 characterised that the light amplifier (12) and the mirror (14) are covered over forwardly by a cover bar (34) extending over the entire width of the stage (28).