Cinematic theater and theater multiplex

• US 6,164,018 A
• Filed: 12/07/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shopro Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Shopro Incorporated
• Inventors: Kolkmeyer, Albert R., Runge, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CALLO, LAURA ANTOINETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/206,530
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 52/6, 52/8, 52/174, 52/175, 52/176, 52/236.1, D25/12
• US Class Current: 52/8
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/22 Theatres; Concert halls; Studios for broadcasting, cinematography, television or similar purposes

Abstract

A theater has a pair of perpendicular front walls and a pair of perpendicular rear walls, with each of the front walls parallel to one of the rear walls. A screen wall tuncates the corner between the front walls and is bisected at its center by a diagonal which bisects the space delimited by the front walls and rear walls. A pod of four theaters is arranged so that their truncated rear comers converge in a common area, and a projection booth is built above the common area to house the projectors for all four theaters.

Claims

1. A multiplex of cinematic theaters, comprising

first and second pods of two theater rooms each, said two theater rooms of each said pod being on a viewing level of said multiplex and being separated from each other by a common wall, each said theater room including:

a pair of front walls which are oriented perpendicular to one another;

a screen wall between said pair of front walls, said screen wall being at an angle to each of said front walls; and

seating facing said screen wall;

said multiplex further comprising;

a hallway extending between said two pods which separates said two pods from one another, said hallway being accessible from all four of said theater rooms of said two pods.

2. A multiplex of cinematic theaters as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said four theater rooms has a central rear zone at a location in said room which is diagonally opposite from said screen wall, and wherein said rear zones converge in a common area of said two pods.

3. A multiplex of cinematic theaters as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a mezzanine level above said viewing level, and wherein said mezzanine level includes a projection booth which is common to said four theaters of said two pods, said projection booth accommodating at least one projector for projecting onto the screen wall of each theater of said two pods and being positioned above said hallway and said common area.

4. A multiplex of cinematic theaters as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a third pod of two theater rooms on said viewing level of said multiplex, each said theater room of said third pod including:

a pair of front walls which are oriented perpendicular to one another;

a screen wall between said pair of front walls, said screen wall being at an angle relative to each of said front and rear walls; and

seating facing said screen wall;

wherein an extension of said hallway separates said two rooms of said third pod from one another;

wherein each said room of said third pod has a rear zone at a location in said room which is opposite from said screen wall, and wherein said rear zones converge in a common area of said third pod; and

wherein said mezzanine level includes a second projection booth which is common to said theater rooms of said third pod and is connected by a hallway to said first mentioned projection booth, said second projection booth accommodating at least one projector for projecting onto the screen wall of each theater room of said third pod and being positioned above said hallway and said common area of said third pod.

5. A cinematic theater as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said theater room further comprises a pair of rear walls which are oriented perpendicular to one another, each of the two walls of said pair of front walls of said theater room being parallel to one of the two walls of said pair of rear walls, said front and rear walls of said theater room defining between them a certain space in which said seating is contained.