System and method for automatically altering a theme associated with a room or similar space

• US 8,475,287 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WYNN Resorts Holdings LLC (Wynn Resorts Limited)
• Original Assignee: WYNN Resorts Holdings LLC (Wynn Resorts Limited)
• Inventors: Gray, Rick, Gorlin, William B., Sywak, Stephen A., Gigliotti, Murphy, Smith, Frederick L., Labadie, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E.
• Application Number:
  US13/115,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 52/6, 52/7, 52/11, 52/66, 52/65, 52 68- 72, 523/111, 523/112, 523/113, 522/041, 52/9, 52/64, 52/67, 52210-213, 472/92, 472/77, 472/68, 472/76, 472/57, 472/75, 359/443, 359/461, 160/197, 160330-341, 160/377, 404/11, 404/27, 404/36, 404/60
• US Class Current: 472/77
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 1/02 Scenery; Curtains; Other decorations; Means for moving same fireproof curtains A62C2/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A method for changing a theme associated with a given space (e.g., restaurant). A wall system includes a wall panel having multiple themes depicted thereon or multiple wall panels each having a theme depicted thereon. Using a series of winches, chain drives, cables and pulleys or the like, the wall panels are moved to change the theme of the space. A ceiling system includes two ceiling panels movable via a series of winches, chain drives, cables and pulleys. Once separated the ceiling panels expose a theme different than that depicted while closed. Audio and/or visual cues may be provided to alert patrons to a theme change.

Claims

1. A system for changing a theme of a space comprising:

one or more moving ceiling systems positioned to conceal a space thereabove, each moving ceiling system having at least two ceiling panels with a first ceiling panel hinged to a second ceiling panel near a mid-point;

two wheels on one of said two ceiling panels and configured to glide along two guide tracks as said ceiling members are opened and closed; and

means for opening said at least two ceiling panels such that said at least two ceiling panels bend together near said mid-point and move to expose an area thereabove.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein bottom surfaces of said ceiling members depict a theme associated with said space.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein when said ceiling members are in an open position said theme is substantially concealed.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a series of light fixtures wherein a portion of said light fixtures are above said ceiling members and a portion of said light fixtures are below said ceiling members.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising curtain members positioned to conceal said ceiling panels when said ceiling panels are in an open position.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for opening said at least two ceiling members comprising one or more of the following:

winch, cable, pulley and chain lift.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said ceiling panels include wheels positioned to move along guide rails.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising computer means for controlling the movement of the wall panel.

9. A system for changing a theme of a space comprising:

one or more moving ceiling systems positioned to conceal a space thereabove, each moving ceiling system having at least two ceiling panels with a first ceiling panel hinged to a second ceiling panel near a mid-point; and

a driving system attached to at least one of said ceiling panels for opening said at least two ceiling panels such that said at least two ceiling panels bend together near said mid-point and move along one or more guide tracks to expose an area thereabove, said driving system comprising two wheels on one ceiling panel configured to glide along said one or more guide tracks as said ceiling members are opened and closed.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein bottom surfaces of said ceiling members depict a theme associated with said space.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein when said ceiling members are in an open position said theme is substantially concealed.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising a series of light fixtures wherein a portion of said light fixtures are above said ceiling members and a portion of said light fixtures are below said ceiling members.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for opening said at least two ceiling members comprising one or more of the following:

winch, cable, pulley and chain lift.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising computer means for controlling the movement of the wall panel.