Projection apparatuses and associated methods

• US 8,270,075 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Musion IP Ltd. (Musion DAS Hologram Limited)
• Original Assignee: Musion IP Ltd. (Musion DAS Hologram Limited)
• Inventors: Howes, Alex, Davis, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, KEVIN C
• Application Number:
  US13/175,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20110261450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 353/10, 353/79, 359/449, 359/478, 359/443, 472/63, 209403-405, 209/399, 210/445
• US Class Current: 359/449
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4895 Solvent bonding, i.e. the surfaces of the parts to be joined being treated with solvents, swelling or softening agents, without adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/21 said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes, i.e. spot joining or spot welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7371 oriented or heat-shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73711 oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73713 bi-axially or multi-axially
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/82661 by means of vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3475 Displays, monitors, TV-sets, computer screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/58 collapsible, e.g. foldable; of variable area
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/62 Translucent screens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Projection apparatuses and associated methods are provided. A representative apparatus includes: a support frame defining a projection area; a polymeric screen of sheet material sized and shaped to span at least a portion of the projection area; a retention member operative to contact the polymeric screen along an edge thereof; and a tensioning assembly operative to apply tension to the screen via the retention member, the tensioning assembly being operative to selectively reposition the retention member relative to the support frame.

Claims

1. A projection apparatus, comprising:

a support frame defining a projection area;

a polymeric screen of sheet material sized and shaped to span at least a portion of the projection area;

a retention member operative to contact the polymeric screen along an edge thereof; and

a tensioning assembly operative to apply tension to the screen via the retention member, the tensioning assembly being operative to selectively reposition the retention member relative to the support frame;

wherein;

the tensioning assembly comprises a pressure source and a piston, the pressure source being operative to selectively apply pressure to the piston such that movement of the piston repositions the retention member relative to the support frame;

the pressure source is a pressurized air source;

the retention member is a first retention member and the piston is a first piston;

the apparatus further comprises a second retention member operative to contact the polymeric screen; and

the tensioning assembly further comprises a manifold and a second piston, the manifold communicating with the pressure source and being operative to distribute pressure to the first retention member and the second retention member such that movement of the first piston repositions the first retention member and movement of the second piston repositions the second retention member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first retention member and the second retention member are members of a first subset of retention members;

the manifold is a first subset manifold;

the apparatus comprises a second set of retention members, a primary manifold and a second subset manifold; and

the primary manifold being operative to receive pressure from the pressure source and distribute the pressure to the first subset manifold and the second subset manifold.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first piston has a first end and a second opposing end;

the first end is fixed in position relative to the support frame; and

the second end is movable relative to the support frame and attached to a connector that couples with the first retention member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the support frame comprises a frame member, the frame member defining an interior space; and

the actuator is mounted within the interior space.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the frame member is formed of trusses.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first retention member and the second retention member are two of multiple retention members located about a periphery of and retaining corresponding edge regions of the screen;

the multiple retention members being oriented parallel to a common plane in which the projection area of the screen extends;

the multiple retention members are operative to apply tension along the common plane to the screen.

7. A projection apparatus, comprising:

a support frame defining a projection area;

a polymeric screen of sheet material sized and shaped to span at least a portion of the projection area;

a retention member operative to retain an edge of the polymeric screen, the retention member having a first elongate member, a second elongate member and defining a screen-receiving channel therebetween;

the first elongate member having a projection area-facing side and an opposing outward-facing side, and a protruding lip extending along a length of the first elongate member;

a gasket positioned within the screen-receiving channel and retained therein by the protruding lip of the first elongate member such that the gasket is operative to contact the edge of the polymeric screen; and

a tensioning assembly operative to apply tension to the screen via the retention member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the gasket comprises cork.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cork is configured as a strip of material.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the gasket is a first gasket;

the second elongate member has a projection area-facing side and an opposing outward-facing side, the projection area-facing side of the second elongate member having a protruding lip extending along a length thereof; and

the apparatus further comprises a second gasket positioned within the screen-receiving channel and retained therein by the protruding lip of the second elongate member such that the edge of the polymeric screen is positioned between and contacted by opposing contact surfaces of the first gasket and the second gasket.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the gasket is operative to provide cushioning to prevent damage of the screen.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the gasket is additionally operative to form vacuum seals along a contact surface of the gasket.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a pressure source and a piston, the pressure source being operative to selectively apply pressure to the piston such that movement of the piston repositions the retention member relative to the support frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pressure source is a pressurized air source.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the retention member is a first retention member and the piston is a first piston;

the apparatus further comprises a second retention member operative to contact the polymeric screen;

the tensioning assembly further comprises a manifold and a second piston, the manifold communicating with the pressure source and being operative to distribute pressure to the first retention member and the second retention member such that movement of the first piston repositions the first retention member and movement of the second piston repositions the second retention member.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the first retention member and the second retention member are members of a first subset of retention members;

the manifold is a first subset manifold;

the apparatus comprises a second set of retention members, a primary manifold and a second subset manifold; and

the primary manifold being operative to receive pressure from the pressure source and distribute the pressure to the first subset manifold and the second subset manifold.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the first piston has a first end and a second opposing end;

the first end is fixed in position relative to the support frame; and

the second end is movable relative to the support frame and attached to a connector that couples with the first retention member.

18. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the support frame comprises a frame member, the frame member defining an interior space; and

the actuator is mounted within the interior space.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the frame member is formed of trusses.

20. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the retention member is a first of multiple retention members located about a periphery of and retaining corresponding edge regions of the screen;

the multiple retention members being oriented parallel to a common plane in which the projection area of the screen extends;

the multiple retention members are operative to apply tension along the common plane to the screen.