Cinema Structure And A Method For Constructing A Cinema Structure

Abstract

A cinema structure (1) comprises an auditorium (12) defined between a floor (2), a ceiling (3), front and rear walls (5,8) and side walls (10), which is of length (L) similar to its width (W) and of height (H.sub.1) approximately half its width (W). A screen (14) which is substantially the width and height of the auditorium (14) is located adjacent the front wall (5). Rows (17) of seats (18) are tiered upwardly rearwardly at an angle of approximately 22.5.degree.. The front row (17a) of seats (18) is located on the floor (2), while the second and subsequent rows (17) of seats (18) are mounted on corresponding plinths (20). The rearmost plinth (20a) is located adjacent the rear wall (8) and is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling (3) a height (H.sub.2) of approximately 2 metres. A projector (24) in a projector housing (23) is located centrally on the rearmost plinth (20) within the auditorium (12), and a lens port (22) of the projector (24) is located at a level of approximately 0.5 metre below the ceiling 3.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cinema structure and to a method for constructing a cinema structure, and in particular, though not limited to a cinema structure of the size of a studio cinema, and to a method for constructing a cinema structure of the size of a studio cinema.

[0002] Cinemas and cinema structures comprising an auditorium within which motion pictures are projected by a projector onto a screen for viewing by patrons in the auditorium are well known. In general, a screen is located adjacent a front wall of the auditorium, and images of motion pictures are projected by a projector onto the screen. The projector is located in a projection room outside the auditorium behind a rear wall of the auditorium, and the motion picture is projected by the projector through a port formed in the rear wall of the auditorium. Seating in the auditorium typically is tiered in a generally upwardly direction from the screen. However, in general, patrons sitting in the seats in the auditorium of cinemas known heretofore when viewing images of the motion picture on the screen do not obtain a particularly pleasant intimate viewing experience, in that in general, they do not feel part of the action of the motion picture. This is largely due to the construction of such cinemas.

[0003] In cinemas known heretofore, in general patrons sitting in the front few rows of the auditorium must view the images on the screen at a particularly uncomfortable angle. In general, such patrons sitting in the front few rows of an auditorium are forced to angle their heads backwards in order to view the images on the screen, since such patrons must view the screen at an angle looking upwardly. This is uncomfortable for the patron. In general in cinemas known heretofore patrons do not have a clear line of sight to the entire area of the screen when seated. In general, the lower portion of the screen is very often obstructed by one or more patrons sitting in one or more rows of seats in front of a patron. Again, this is undesirable. Additionally, shadows of portions of the body and head of patrons are commonly projected onto the screen, where a patron stands up from a seat, or is walking to or from a seat. This is particularly undesirable. These problems with cinemas known heretofore tend to combine to prevent a patron having a pleasant and intimate viewing experience. In an attempt to overcome the problem of the obstruction of a patron's view of the screen by other patrons and to prevent shadows of patrons being projected onto the screen, the screen is located on an upper portion of the front wall of the cinema with a lower edge of the screen spaced between two and three metres above the floor of the cinema. This further aggravates the discomfort of patrons sitting in the first few rows of an auditorium viewing the images on the screen.

[0004] In the motion picture industry there is a trend towards cinemas and cinema structures with smaller auditoriums, particularly for showing specialist motion pictures and for showing first-run motion pictures after they have had their initial showing in cinemas with relatively large auditoriums. These problems with auditoriums of cinemas known heretofore manifest themselves to a more serious extent in smaller cinemas and in particular in relatively small studio cinemas and cinema structures.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a cinema structure and a method for constructing a cinema structure which addresses at least some of the problems of cinema structures known heretofore.

[0006] The present invention is directed towards providing such a cinema structure and a method for constructing a cinema structure.

[0007] According to the invention there is provided a cinema structure comprising a floor, a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, and a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, the auditorium being of length from the front wall to the rear wall not more than 1.2 times the width of the auditorium along the front wall, the auditorium being of height between the floor and the ceiling adjacent the front wall being in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a screen being located adjacent the front wall, and being of length along the front wall substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and of height substantially similar to the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, some of the rows of the seats being mounted on respective plinths, the plinths of the respective rows being tiered generally upwardly towards the rear wall and having upwardly facing surfaces on which the seats of the respective rows are mounted, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a back row of the row of the seats being spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres, a front row of the rows of the seats being located on the floor of the cinema structure, and a projector being located on the plinth of the back row of the seats with a lens port of the projector located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.25 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats to 0.75 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats.

[0008] Preferably, the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall lies in the range of 0.8 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 1.2 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Advantageously, the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall lies in the range of 0.9 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 1.1 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Ideally, the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall is substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

[0009] In one aspect of the invention the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 2.5 metres. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance of approximately 2 metres.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth lies in the range of 0.9 metres to 1.5 metres. Preferably, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.3 metres. Advantageously, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.2 metres. Ideally, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth is approximately 1 metre.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure in the range of 0.55 metres to 0.65 metres. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure in the range of 0.58 metres to 0.62 metres. Advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure of approximately 0.6 metres.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of a third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats in the range of 0.55 metres to 0.65 metres. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of the third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats in the range of 0.58 metres to 0.62 metres. Advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of the third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats of approximately 0.6 metres.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention the plinth of the back row of the seats is located adjacent the rear wall.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention the front row of the seats is located in the auditorium so that the seat in the centre of the front row or the location at which a seat in the centre of the front row would be located is spaced apart perpendicularly from the screen a distance not less than 0.3 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

[0015] Preferably, the rows of the seats are equi-spaced apart from each other.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention the rows of the seats define a tiering angle with the floor of the cinema structure lying in the range of 21.degree. to 40.degree.. Preferably, the tiering angle defined by the rows of the seats with the floor of the cinema structure lies in the range of 21.degree. to 30.degree.. Advantageously, the tiering angle defined by the rows of the seats with the floor of the cinema structure is approximately 22.5.degree..

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Preferably, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.48 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.52 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Advantageously, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention the ceiling of the cinema structure extends substantially parallel to the floor of the cinema structure. Advantageously, the floor of the cinema structure extends substantially horizontally.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention the height of the screen lies in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium. Preferably, the height of the screen lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium. Advantageously, the height of the screen is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention the screen defines a substantially horizontally extending lower edge, the lower edge of the screen being located not more than 200 mm above the floor. Preferably, the lower edge of the screen is located not more than 100 mm above the floor. Advantageously, the lower edge of the screen is located adjacent the floor.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention the lens port of the projector is located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.4 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats to 0.6 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats. Advantageously, the lens port of the projector is located at a level below the ceiling of approximately 0.5 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats.

[0022] In another embodiment of the invention the projector is located in a housing located on the plinth of the back row of the seats. Preferably, the housing in which the projector is located comprises a sound attenuating housing. Advantageously, the projector is located substantially centrally on the plinth of the back row of the seats relative to the width of the auditorium.

[0023] In another aspect of the invention at least one aisle is located extending along one side of the auditorium from the back row of the seats towards the front wall adjacent corresponding ends of the rows of the seats. Preferably, a pair of aisles are provided extending along respective sides of the auditorium from the back row of the seats towards the front wall adjacent the corresponding ends of the rows of the seats.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention a pair of spaced apart side walls extend between the floor and the ceiling, and between the front and rear walls at respective opposite ends thereof. Preferably, the side walls extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention each side aisle is defined between the adjacent side wall and the adjacent ends of the rows of the seats.

[0026] In another aspect of the invention each of the rows of the seats with the exception of the front and second rows and the back row thereof extend continuously.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention a central gap is defined in the back row of the seats for accommodating the projector therein.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention a central gap is located in the front and second rows of seats for accommodating at least one wheelchair.

[0029] In one embodiment of the invention the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof lies in the range of 5 metres to 15 metres.

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof lies in the range of 7.5 metres to 12.5 metres.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof is approximately 10 metres.

[0032] Additionally, the invention provides a method for constructing a cinema structure, the method comprising providing a floor, providing a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, providing a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, and providing a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, the front and rear wall being located so that the auditorium is of length from the front wall to the rear wall not more than 1.2 times the width of the auditorium along the front wall, the height of the auditorium between the floor and the ceiling adjacent the front wall being in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, locating a screen adjacent the front wall, the screen being of length along the front wall substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and of height substantially similar to the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, locating a plurality of rows of seats in the auditorium mounted on upwardly facing surfaces of respective plinths, tiering the plinths of the respective rows of the seats generally upwardly towards the rear wall with the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a back row of the row of the seats being spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres, locating a front row of the rows of seats on the floor of the cinema structure, and locating a projector on the plinth of the back row of seats with a lens port of the projector located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.25 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats to 0.75 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats.

[0033] The invention also provides a cinema structure comprising a floor, a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, a screen located in the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, the rows of seats being tiered upwardly towards the rear wall, a back row of the seats being mounted on a plinth defining an upwardly facing surface on which the seats of the back row are supported, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 2 metres, and a projector located within the auditorium mounted on the plinth of the back row of seats having a lens port, the lens port being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 500 mm from the ceiling.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling in the range of 2 metres to 2.5 metres. Advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling of approximately 2 metres.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling lies in the range of 0.25 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted to 0.75 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted. Preferably, the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling lies in the range of 0.3 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted to 0.6 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted. Advantageously, the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling is approximately 0.5 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention the projector is located substantially centrally on the plinth of the back row between the respective opposite ends of the back row of seats. Preferably, the projector is located in a housing, the housing being located in the auditorium and mounted on the plinth of the back row of seats.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention the housing for the projector comprises a sound attenuating housing.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention a gap is provided between the seats of the back row of seats to accommodate the projector therebetween. Preferably, at least one seat is removed from the back row of seats to form the gap for accommodating the projector. Advantageously, at least two seats are removed from the back row of seats to form the gap for accommodating the housing. Ideally, four seats are removed from the back row of seats to form the gap to accommodate the projector and the housing therefor.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention at least one aisle offset from a centre line of the auditorium extending perpendicularly to the screen is provided for accommodating patrons to the rows of the seats.

[0040] In another embodiment of the invention a pair of side aisles are provided, the respective side aisles being offset on respective opposite sides of the centre line of the auditorium. Preferably, each side aisle is located adjacent corresponding ends of the rows of seats.

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention no centre aisle is provided.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention a pair of spaced apart side walls are provided extending between the front wall and the rear wall adjacent respective opposite ends thereof. Preferably, the side walls extend parallel to each other. Advantageously, the side walls extend perpendicularly from the front wall.

[0043] In another embodiment of the invention the front and rear walls extend parallel to each other.

[0044] Preferably, each side aisle is located adjacent a corresponding side wall.

[0045] Advantageously, each side aisle is located between the corresponding side wall and corresponding ends of the rows of the seats.

[0046] In another embodiment of the invention the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor in the range of 21.degree. to 40.degree.. Preferably, the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor in the range of 21.degree. to 30.degree.. Advantageously, the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor of approximately 22.5.degree..

[0047] In a further embodiment of the invention the rows of seats are located spaced apart from each other a constant pitched distance. Advantageously, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 0.9 metres to 1.5 metres. Preferably, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.3 metres. Preferably, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.2 metres. Ideally, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other is approximately 1 metre.

[0048] In another embodiment of the invention the front row of the seats is located on the floor.

[0049] In one aspect of the invention the ceiling extends substantially parallel to the floor.

[0050] Advantageously, the floor extends substantially horizontally.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention the front row of seats is located relative to the screen so that the perpendicular distance from the screen to a position in the front row which is occupied or would be occupied by a centre seat of the front row is not less than 0.3 times the width of the auditorium.

[0052] In a further embodiment of the invention the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Preferably, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall. Advantageously, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

[0053] Further the invention provides a method for constructing a cinema structure, the method comprising providing a floor, providing a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, providing a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, providing a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, providing a screen located in the auditorium adjacent the front wall, providing a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, tiering the rows of seats upwardly towards the rear wall, mounting a back row of the seats on a plinth defining an upwardly facing surface on which the seats of the back row are supported, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats being located at a level below the ceiling of not less than 2 metres, and mounting a projector within the auditorium on the plinth of the back row of seats with a lens port of the projector being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 500 mm from the ceiling.

[0054] The advantages of the invention are many. The cinema structure according to the invention overcomes a large number of the problems of cinema structures known heretofore, in that the cinema structure according to the invention provides an auditorium in which patrons are provided with a pleasant, intimate, immersive viewing experience of a motion picture in the auditorium of the cinema structure. In particular, the patrons seated in the auditorium of the cinema structure according to the invention are provided with a viewing experience in which they virtually become immersed and a part of the action of the motion picture to the extent that such patrons are provided with an experience whereby they feel as if they are participating in the action of the motion picture. In fact, it has been found that the patrons in the auditorium of the cinema structure according to the invention are provided with a highly immersive viewing experience whereby the patrons feel as though they become part of the action of the motion picture. Patrons seated in the auditorium of the cinema structure according to the invention, in general, are provided with an uninterrupted view of the entire screen, irrespective of the seat in the auditorium in which the patron is seated. The view of the patrons of the entire screen is not interrupted by any other patron seated in the auditorium, and thus, the patron has a clear line of sight of the entire screen. This is achieved by virtue of the construction of the cinema and the tiering of the rows of seats, and by the location of the rows of the seats relative to the screen.

[0055] Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the screen extends substantially the width of the auditorium and the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, the patrons in the auditorium are provided with the highly immersive viewing experience, whereby the patrons feel as though they have become a part of the action of the motion picture. Additionally, by virtue of the fact that the plinth of the back row of the seats is located at a level whereby the upwardly facing surface of the plinth is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling of the cinema a distance of between two metres and three metres, and preferably, two metres or closer to two metres, the capacity of the auditorium is maximised without interfering with the immersive viewing experience provided to the patrons. The location of the projector on the plinth of the back row of the seats allows the cinema structure to be constructed in the available space such that the capacity of the auditorium is maximised.

[0056] By locating the projector with the lens port at a level below the ceiling of between 0.25 and 0.75 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats, the projection of the image onto the screen is optimised.

[0057] Additionally, by providing the auditorium with one side aisle or a pair of side aisles, there is no need for a central aisle, and accordingly, patrons approaching and leaving their respective rows of seats approach and leave the rows of seats by the side aisle or aisles, thereby avoiding interference with the image of the motion picture on the screen, which would otherwise be caused by shadows of patrons walking to or from their seats along a centre aisle. A further advantage of providing one or a pair of side aisles for accommodating patrons to and from their seats is that downwardly directed lighting may be provided on the side walls adjacent steps of the side aisle or aisles for illuminating any steps in the side aisle or aisles, and such downwardly directed lighting does not affect the viewing experience of the patrons.

[0058] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cinema structure according to the invention,

[0060] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cinema structure of FIG. 1,

[0061] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cinema structure according to another embodiment of the invention,

[0062] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cinema structure of FIG. 3,

[0063] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cinema structure also according to the invention, and

[0064] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the cinema structure of FIG. 5.

[0065] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated a cinema structure according to the invention, indicated by the reference numeral 1, which in this embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable as a studio cinema for showing specialised motion pictures and first-run motion pictures after their first-run in a first-run cinema. The cinema structure 1 comprises a floor 2, and a ceiling 3 spaced apart above the floor 2. A front wall 5 extends upwardly from the floor 2 to the ceiling 3 at a front end 6 of the cinema structure 1, and a rear wall 8 spaced apart from the front wall 5 extends upwardly from the floor 2 to the ceiling 3 adjacent a rear end 9 of the cinema structure 1. The front and rear walls 5 and 8, respectively, extend parallel to each other. A pair of spaced apart parallel side walls 10 extend upwardly from the floor 2 to the ceiling 3 and between the front and rear walls 5 and 8. The side walls 10 extend perpendicularly from the front and rear walls 5 and 8, and define with the front and rear walls 5 and 8 and the floor 2 and ceiling 3 an auditorium 12.

[0066] In this embodiment of the invention the length L of the auditorium 12 between the front wall 5 and the rear wall 8 is substantially similar to the width W of the auditorium 12 between the side walls 10, so that in plan view the area of the floor 2 of the auditorium 12 is square. The floor 2 defines a horizontal plane, as does the ceiling 3, and the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium 12 from the floor 2 to the ceiling 3 is approximately half the width W of the auditorium 12.

[0067] A screen 14, onto which images of the motion picture are projected, is mounted adjacent the front wall 5 and extends substantially the width W of the auditorium 12 from one side wall 10 to the other side wall 10, and extends substantially the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium 12 from the floor 2 to the ceiling 3. In this embodiment of the invention the screen 14 defines a horizontally extending lower edge 15 which is located approximately 20 mm to 50 mm above the floor 2 of the cinema structure 1 in order to avoid damage to the lower edge 15 of the screen 14, and also to avoid collection of dust thereon adjacent the lower edge 15 of the screen 14.

[0068] A plurality of equi-spaced apart rows 17 of seats 18 are provided in the auditorium 12 and are tiered generally upwardly towards the rear wall 8. A front row 17a of the rows 17 of the seats 18 is located on the floor 2 of the auditorium 12. The second row 17b of the seats 18 and each subsequent row 17 of the seats 18 are mounted on respective plinths 20, which are tiered upwardly rearwardly to produce the tiering of the rows 17 of the seats 18. The rows 17 of the seats 18 and the plinths 20 when viewed in plan are slightly arcuate, and when viewed from the screen 14 are concave. A back row 17c of the seats 18 is located adjacent the rear wall 8 on a rearmost plinth 20a of the plinths 20, which is also located adjacent the rear wall 8. Each plinth 20 defines an upwardly facing surface 21 on which the corresponding row 17 of the seats 18 is mounted. In this embodiment of the invention the upwardly facing surface 21 of the rearmost plinth 20a is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling 3 a height H.sub.2, which in this embodiment of the invention is 2 metres. The plinths 20 are supported on a support structure 25 which comprises a plurality of inclined joists 27 supported on upstanding members 28 which extend upwardly from the floor 2 to the joists 27.

[0069] The width w.sub.1 of each plinth 20 from a front edge of the plinth 20 to a rear edge of the plinth in this embodiment of the invention is approximately 1 metre. The height h.sub.1 of the upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinth 20b of the second row 17b of the seats 18 above the floor 2 is approximately 500 mm. The upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinths 20 of the third row 17d of the seats 18, and each subsequent row 17 of the seats is at a height h.sub.2 above the upwardly facing surface 21 of the immediately adjacent forward plinth 20 of approximately 500 mm. Accordingly, the provision of the plinths 20 to be of width w.sub.1 of approximately 1 metre, and the heights h.sub.1 and h.sub.2 of the upwardly facing surface 21 of each plinth 20 above the floor 2 or the upwardly facing surface 21 of its immediately forward plinth 20 of approximately 500 mm results in the rows 17 of the seats 18 being tiered upwardly at an angle .alpha. to the floor 2 of approximately 22.5.degree.. The rows 17 are spaced apart from each other a horizontal pitch distance which corresponds to the width w.sub.1 of the upwardly facing surface 21 of each plinth 20, which in this case is approximately 1 metre.

[0070] A sound attenuating housing 23 is mounted within the auditorium 12 centrally on the rearmost plinth 20a for housing a projector 24 which is supported on the rearmost plinth 20a for projecting images of the motion picture onto the screen 14. The projector 24 may be an analogue or a digital projector, however, in this embodiment of the invention the projector is a digital projector. The projector 24 is mounted centrally between the side walls 10 on the rearmost plinth 20a within the auditorium 12 in the housing 23 at a level so that the centre of a lens port 22 of the projector 24 is at a level of approximately 500 mm below the ceiling 3, which is 0.25 times the height H.sub.2 of the spacing between the upwardly facing surface 21 of the rearmost plinth 20a and the ceiling 3. A port 26 in the housing 23 accommodates the image beam from the projector 24 through the housing 23. A gap 29 is provided centrally in the back row 17c of the seats 18 by removing four of the seats to accommodate the housing 23 and the projector 24 in the auditorium 12.

[0071] A central gap 33 is left in the front row 17a of the seats 18 and the second row 17b of the seats 18 and a portion of the plinth 20b of the second row 17b of the seats 18 by removing seven of the seats 18 from the front row 17a adjacent the centre thereof and seven of the seats 18 from the second row 17b of the seats 18 and a central portion 30 of the plinth 20b of the second row 17b of the seats 18. The central gap 33 in the front and second rows 17a and 17b of the seats 18 is provided in order to provide spaces 31 on the floor 2 to accommodate wheelchairs 32 on the floor 2. Two seats 34 are provided on the floor 2 in the central gap 33 adjacent the wheelchair spaces 31.

[0072] The front row 17a of the seats 18 are located in the auditorium 12 so that a centre one of the seats in the front row 17a or a location in the front row 17c of the seats 18 which would be occupied by a centre seat of the front row 17c is spaced apart from the screen 14 a perpendicular distance d of approximately 0.3 times the width of the screen 14, which is approximately 0.3 times the width W of the auditorium 12. The perpendicular distance d from the screen 14 to the centre seat of the front row or the location which would be occupied by the centre seat is measured to the centre of a seating portion of the seat.

[0073] Side aisles 35 are located on each side of the auditorium 12 between the side walls 10 and adjacent ends 36 of the rows 17 of the seats 18, and extend rearwardly up to the back row 17c of the seats 18. The side aisles 35 are stepped with two steps 37 provided on each of the plinths 20 from the plinth 20b of the second row 17b of the seats 18 to the penultimate plinth 20c of the penultimate row 17e of the seats 18. Two steps 38 are also provided on the floor 2 adjacent the plinth 20b of the second row 17b of the seats 18. The width w.sub.2 of each side aisle 35 from the corresponding side wall 10 is approximately 1 metre. A door 39 in one of the side walls 10 adjacent the front end 6 of the cinema structure 1 is provided to the auditorium 12 for accommodating patrons in and out of the auditorium 12.

[0074] In this embodiment of the invention the length L of the auditorium 12 is approximately 10 metres, the width W of the auditorium 12 is approximately 10 metres, and the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium 12 is approximately 5 metres. The centre seat of the front row 17a of the seats 18 or its location is located at a perpendicular distance d of approximately 3 metres from the screen 14. With these dimensions, it is possible to locate seven rows 17 of seats 18 in the auditorium 12, and with the exception of the front row 17a, the second row 17b and the back row 17c of the seats 18, each row 17 comprises thirteen seats 18. The first and second rows 17a and 17b each comprise six seats 18, while the back row 17c comprises thirteen seats 18. This, thus, provides the auditorium with seventy-seven seats 18, thus producing a cinema structure 1 with a capacity for seventy-seven patrons plus two wheelchair spaces 31 and two seats 34 for carers.

[0075] By providing the rows 17 of seats 18 at the tiering angle of approximately 22.5.degree., and by locating the front row 17a of seats 18 with the centre seat a perpendicular distance d of 3 metres from the screen 14, and by providing the upwardly facing surfaces 21 of the plinths 20 to be of width w.sub.1 of approximately 1 metre, with a cinema structure having an auditorium 12 of length L of approximately 10 metres, which is similar to the width W of the auditorium 12, the plinth 20a of the back row 17c of the seats 18 is located with the upwardly facing surface 21 thereof at a level spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling 3 the height H.sub.2 of 2 metres, when the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium 12 is approximately half the width W of the auditorium 12.

[0076] This allows the seating capacity of the auditorium to be maximised while providing the patrons seated in the seats 18 and 34 with a pleasant intimate immersive viewing experience.

[0077] By locating the projector 24 with the lens port 22 at a level approximately 500 mm from the ceiling 3, and at a perpendicular distance of approximately 9 metres from the screen, the vertical angle .theta. at which the image beam is projected from the lens port 22 to the screen 14 is approximately 30.degree.. With the rearmost plinth 20a, which is the highest of the plinths 20, being 2 metres from the ceiling 3, the projected image beam from the lens port 22 of the projector 24 to the screen 14 remains uninterrupted by patrons, unless a patron stands up from his or her seat 18.

[0078] Additionally, with the rows 17 of the seats 18 at the tiering angle of approximately 22.5.degree., and with the centre seat of the front row 17a of the seats 18 or its location spaced apart a perpendicular distance from the screen 14 the distance d of approximately 3 metres, the line of sight of each patron in each row 17 of seats 18 to the lower edge 15 of the screen 14 is uninterrupted by any patron sitting in any of the seats 18 in any of the rows 17 in front of that patron. Furthermore, patrons sitting in the front row 17a of seats 18 view the screen with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.1 of approximately 69.degree., and patrons in the back row 17c of seats 18 view the screen 14 with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.2 of approximately 29.degree.. The patrons in the seats of the second row 17b to the back row 17c of the seats 18 have a vertical viewing angle .gamma. decreasing from the value y.sub.1 of approximately 69.degree. of the patrons in the seats 18 of the front row 17a to the value y.sub.2 of approximately 29.degree. of the patrons in the back row 17c. Accordingly, patrons in all rows 17 of seats 18 in the auditorium 12 are provided with a pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience whereby they become immersed in the motion picture and feel as though they are part of the action of the motion picture due to the fact that their view of the screen is uninterrupted by other patrons, and they are essentially oblivious to the existence of other patrons in the auditorium 12. The pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience provided to the patrons is further enhanced by the fact that the screen 14 extends substantially the width W of the auditorium and substantially the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium.

[0079] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a cinema structure according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The cinema structure 50 according to this embodiment of the invention is substantially similar to the cinema structure 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the cinema structure 50 and the cinema structure 1 is that the cinema structure 50 is slightly smaller than the cinema structure 1, in that the length L of the cinema structure 50 is slightly less than the width W of the cinema structure 1, and in this embodiment of the invention is of length L approximately 8.5 metres. The width W of the cinema structure 50 is similar to the width of the cinema structure 1, and accordingly, is approximately 10 metres. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention the length of the cinema structure is approximately 0.85 times the width of the cinema structure.

[0080] Because of the fact that the length L of the cinema structure is 8.5 metres, the number of rows 17 of seats 18 in the auditorium 12 of the cinema structure 50 is one less than the number of rows 17 of seats 18 in the cinema structure 1. Additionally, the upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinth 20a of the back row 17c of the seats 18 is at a level H.sub.2 of approximately 2.5 metres below the ceiling 3. The heights h.sub.1 and h.sub.2 of the upwardly facing surfaces 21 of the plinths 20 above the floor 2 and above an immediately forward plinth 20 are 500 mm. The width of each plinth 20 is 1 metre, and thus, the respective rows 17 of seats 18 are spaced apart a constant pitch distance of 1 metre.

[0081] The front row 17a of the seats 18 is located in the auditorium 12 so that the location which would be occupied by a centre seat of the front row 17a of seats 18 is located at a perpendicular distance from the screen 14 of approximately 3 metres.

[0082] The tiering angle of the rows 17 of seats 18 is approximately 22.5.degree., and accordingly, patrons in the front row view the screen with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.1 of approximately 73.degree., while patrons in the back row 17c of seats 18 view the screen 14 with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.2 of approximately 34.degree..

[0083] The image beam is projected by the projector 23 at a vertical angle .theta. of approximately 36.degree..

[0084] Otherwise, the cinema structure 50 and its use is similar to the cinema structure 1, and produces substantially similar benefits and advantages as the cinema structure 1.

[0085] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a cinema structure according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. The cinema structure 60 is somewhat similar to the cinema structure 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and where relevant, similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the cinema structure 60 and the cinema structure 1 is in the length of the auditorium 12 of the cinema structure 60. In this embodiment of the invention the auditorium of the cinema structure 60 is of length L approximately 1.5 times the width W of the auditorium 12. The width of the auditorium 12 is 10 metres.

[0086] However, in the cinema structure 60 the upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinth 20a of the back row 17c of seats 18 is located at a level H.sub.2 of 2 metres below the ceiling 3 of the cinema structure 60. The projector 24 is located in the sound attenuating housing 23 centrally on the upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinth 20a of the back row 17c of seats 18 with the lens port 22 of the projector 24 at a level of 500 mm below the ceiling 3 of the cinema structure 60.

[0087] The tiering angle of the rows 17 of seats 18 is approximately 22.5.degree..

[0088] Patrons seated in the seats 18 of the front row 17a view the screen 14 with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.1 of approximately 73.degree., while patrons seated in the back row 17c of seats 18 view the screen 14 with a vertical viewing angle .gamma..sub.2 of approximately 28.degree..

[0089] The image beam is projected from the projector 23 at a vertical angle .theta. of approximately 30.degree..

[0090] It has been found that the cinema structure 60 according to this embodiment of the invention also provides a pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience to the patrons whereby the patrons feel as though they have become a part of the action of the motion picture. It is believed that by locating the plinths 20a of the back rows 17c of seats 18 at a level H.sub.2 of approximately 2 metres below the ceiling permits maximum allowable tiering of the rows 17 of the seats 18, thereby ensuring that the line of sight of each patron to the lower edge 15 of the screen 14 is unobstructed by patrons sitting in forward rows of seats. Furthermore, since the screen occupies substantially the entire width and height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall 5, the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons in the auditorium 12 of the cinema structure 60 is further enhanced. Additionally, by providing the upwardly facing surface 21 of the plinth 20 of the back row 17c of seats 18 at a level of 2 metres below the ceiling 3, as well as allowing the viewing experience of the patrons to be pleasant, intimate and immersive, also allows maximising of the number of seats 18 and the number of rows 17 in the auditorium 12 of the cinema structure 60, and in turn thereby maximises the capacity of the auditorium 12 of the cinema structure 60.

[0091] The provision of the cinema structure as described with reference to the cinema structures 1 and 50 of FIGS. 1 to 4 with the auditorium being of length L which is equal to the width of the auditorium, and the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof to be approximately half the width of the auditorium provides many advantages. In particular, it provides an auditorium in which the patrons experience a highly pleasant, intimate and immersing viewing experience. A particularly important advantage of providing the height H.sub.1 of the auditorium to be approximately half the width of the auditorium allows the screen to occupy the entire front wall of the auditorium, since the ideal aspect ratio of a motion picture screen is 2:1, in other words, the ideal width of a motion picture screen should be twice its height. By virtue of the screen occupying the entire area of the front wall of the auditorium contributes to producing the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience.

[0092] With regard to the cinema structures 1 and 50 which have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, it has been found that even when the height of the auditorium is not equal to half the width of the auditorium, an acceptable viewing experience is achievable once the height of the auditorium lies in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium, although the closer the height of the auditorium approaches half the width of the auditorium, the viewing experience is further enhanced.

[0093] The provision of the cinema structure with an auditorium of length substantially equal to the width of the auditorium produces a particularly intimate type of auditorium which ensures that the maximum distance a patron is from the screen is less than the width of the auditorium. This further enhances the viewing experience. However, it has been found that even when the length of the auditorium is greater than the width of the auditorium, an acceptable viewing experience is achieved once the length of the auditorium lies within the range of 0.8 times the width of the auditorium to 1.2 times the width of the auditorium.

[0094] Tiering the rows of seats at a tiering angle relative to the floor of the auditorium of approximately 22.5.degree. provides a particularly important advantage of the invention, in that the line of sight of the patrons to the lower edge of the screen, even when the screen extends the width and height of the auditorium, is uninterrupted by other patrons seated in the auditorium. In other words, each patron has a clear line of sight to the lower edge of the screen once all the patrons remain seated in the auditorium. This aspect of the invention is further enhanced by locating the front row of the seats a distance from the screen such that the perpendicular distance from the screen of the seat in the centre of the front row, or the position which would be occupied by the seat in the centre of the front row is not less than 0.3 times the width of the auditorium. By providing each patron with a clear line of sight to the lower edge of the screen, each patron has a full and uninterrupted view of the entire screen. This further enhances the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons.

[0095] By providing the plinth of the back row of seats with the upwardly facing surface of that plinth at a level between 2 and 3 metres below the ceiling, permits the maximum seating capacity of the auditorium to be achieved, while at the same time not adversely affecting the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons.

[0096] By locating the projector in the auditorium on the plinth of the back row of seats further enhances the utilisation of the available space for the cinema structure, and thus permits the cinema structure to be provided with the maximum seating capacity. By providing the projector in a sound attenuating housing located on the plinth of the back row of seats within the auditorium ensures that the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons remains unaffected.

[0097] Pitching the rows of seats at a horizontal pitch distance from each other of approximately 1 metre further enhances the comfort of the patrons in the cinema structure. Indeed, it has been found that the horizontal pitch distance at which the rows of seats are located in the auditorium may lie within the range of 0.9 metres to 1.5 metres without adversely affecting the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons.

[0098] By providing the projector with its lens port at a level of not less than 500 mm below the ceiling, and preferably, at a level below the ceiling of between 0.25 and 0.75 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the back row of seats permits the image beam of the motion picture to be projected from the projector onto the screen at an angle which minimises and effectively eliminates distortion of the images of the motion picture projected onto the screen. This further enhances the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience of the patrons.

[0099] By providing the plinth of the back row of seats with the upwardly facing surface thereof at a level of between 2 and 3 metres below the level of the ceiling, and by locating the projector on the plinth of the back row of seats with the lens port of the projector at a level of between 0.25 and 0.75, the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats, and preferably, at a level of 500 mm below the ceiling, obstruction of the beam of images of the motion picture projected by the projector onto the screen is avoided by patrons seated in the seats, and thereby there is no danger of a shadow of a seated patron being projected onto the screen.

[0100] Turning now to the cinema structure 60 described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the cinema structure 60 of FIGS. 5 and 6 even where the length of the auditorium exceeds 1.2 times the width of the auditorium, and in the case of the cinema structure 60 the length of the auditorium is approximately 1.5 times the width of the auditorium, it has been found that beneficial advantages can be achieved by providing the back row of seats on a plinth having an upwardly facing surface which is at a level of between 2 and 3 metres below the ceiling. By so locating the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats relative to the ceiling, the seats in the auditorium can be tiered at a reasonable angle sufficient to minimise obstruction by forwardly seated patrons of the lines of sight of rearwardly seated patrons of the lower edge of the screen. Furthermore, by locating the projector centrally on the plinth of the back row of seats, and by locating the projector with the lens port thereof at a level of approximately half a metre below the ceiling, substantially undistorted images of the motion picture are projected onto the screen. Furthermore, with this relationship between the plinth of the back row of seats and the level of the lens port of the projector, interference by patrons with the beam of images projected by the projector onto the screen by seated patrons is avoided. Accordingly, even in cinema structures in which the length of the auditorium exceeds 1.2 times the width of the auditorium, it has been found that patrons can still enjoy a pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience in the auditoriums of such cinema structures once the plinth of the back row of seats is located at a level of between 1 and 3 metres below the ceiling, and the projector is located centrally on the plinth of the back row of seats, with the lens port of the projector at a level of approximately 500 mm below the ceiling.

[0101] As well as providing the pleasant, intimate and immersive viewing experience, locating the plinth of the back row of seats and the lens port of the projector as discussed also permits the capacity of the auditorium to be maximised, and the available space for the cinema structure to be optimised.

[0102] While the cinema structures have been described as comprising an auditorium 12 of specific dimensions, and rows of seats tiered at a specific angle, it will be appreciated that cinema structures of other dimensions and with tiering angles of other values may be provided. The limits of these dimensions and angles are discussed in the specification. However, the length of the auditorium of cinema structures according to the invention should lie within the range of 0.8 times the width of the auditorium to 1.2 times the width of the auditorium in the case of the cinema structures 1 and 50 of FIGS. 1 to 4. Additionally, the tiering angles of the rows of seats in the auditorium of cinema structures according to the invention should lie between 21.degree. and 40.degree.. Additionally, the spacing of the upwardly facing surface of the rearmost plinth below the ceiling should not exceed 3 metres, and preferably, should lie between 2 metres and 3 metres, and in order to maximise the seating capacity of the auditorium, the spacing of the upwardly facing surface of the rearmost plinth below the ceiling should be approximately 2 metres.

Claims

1.-136. (canceled)

137. A cinema structure comprising a floor, a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, and a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, the auditorium being of length from the front wall to the rear wall not more than 1.2 times the width of the auditorium along the front wall, the auditorium being of height between the floor and the ceiling adjacent the front wall being in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a screen being located adjacent the front wall, and being of length along the front wall substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and of height substantially similar to the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, some of the rows of the seats being mounted on respective plinths, the plinths of the respective rows being tiered generally upwardly towards the rear wall and having upwardly facing surfaces on which the seats of the respective rows are mounted, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a back row of the row of the seats being spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres, a front row of the rows of the seats being located on the floor of the cinema structure, and a projector being located on the plinth of the back row of the seats with a lens port of the projector located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.25 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats to 0.75 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats.

138. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall lies in the range of 0.8 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 1.2 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and preferably, the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall lies in the range of 0.9 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 1.1 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and advantageously, the length of the auditorium from the front wall to the rear wall is substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

139. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 2.5 metres, and preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance of approximately 2 metres, and advantageously, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth lies in the range of 0.9 metres to 1.5 metres, and preferably, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.3 metres, and advantageously, the width of the plinth of each row of seats from the front of the plinth to the rear of the plinth is approximately 1 metre.

140. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure in the range of 0.55 metres to 0.65 metres, and preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure in the range of 0.58 metres to 0.62 metres, and advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the second row of the seats is at a height above the floor of the cinema structure of approximately 0.6 metres, and preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of a third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats in the range of 0.55 metres to 0.65 metres, and preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of the third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats in the range of 0.58 metres to 0.62 metres, and advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of each one of the third and subsequent rows of the seats to the back row of the seats is at a height above the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the immediately forward row of the seats of approximately 0.6 metres, and preferably, the plinth of the back row of the seats is located adjacent the rear wall, and advantageously, the front row of the seats is located in the auditorium so that the seat in the centre of the front row or the location at which a seat in the centre of the front row would be located is spaced apart perpendicularly from the screen a distance not less than 0.3 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and preferably, the rows of the seats are equi-spaced apart from each other.

141. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the rows of the seats define a tiering angle with the floor of the cinema structure lying in the range of 21.degree. to 40.degree., and preferably, the tiering angle defined by the rows of the seats with the floor of the cinema structure lies in the range of 21.degree. to 30.degree., and advantageously, the tiering angle defined by the rows of the seats with the floor of the cinema structure is approximately 22.5.degree..

142. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and preferably, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.48 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.52 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and advantageously, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and preferably, the ceiling of the cinema structure extends substantially parallel to the floor of the cinema structure, and advantageously, the floor of the cinema structure extends substantially horizontally.

143. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the height of the screen lies in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium, and preferably, the height of the screen lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium, and advantageously, the height of the screen is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium.

144. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the screen defines a substantially horizontally extending lower edge, the lower edge of the screen being located not more than 200 mm above the floor, and preferably, the lower edge of the screen is located not more than 100 mm above the floor, and advantageously, the lower edge of the screen is located adjacent the floor.

145. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the lens port of the projector is located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.4 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats to 0.6 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats, and preferably, the lens port of the projector is located at a level below the ceiling of approximately 0.5 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of the seats.

146. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the projector is located in a housing located on the plinth of the back row of the seats, and preferably, the housing in which the projector is located comprises a sound attenuating housing, and advantageously, the projector is located substantially centrally on the plinth of the back row of the seats relative to the width of the auditorium.

147. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which at least one aisle is located extending along one side of the auditorium from the back row of the seats towards the front wall adjacent corresponding ends of the rows of the seats, and preferably, a pair of aisles are provided extending along respective sides of the auditorium from the back row of the seats towards the front wall adjacent the corresponding ends of the rows of the seats, and advantageously, a pair of spaced apart side walls extend between the floor and the ceiling, and between the front and rear walls at respective opposite ends thereof, and preferably, the side walls extend substantially parallel to each other, and advantageously, each side aisle is defined between the adjacent side wall and the adjacent ends of the rows of the seats, and preferably, each of the rows of the seats with the exception of the front and second rows and the back row thereof extend continuously, and preferably, a central gap is defined in the back row of the seats for accommodating the projector therein, and advantageously, a central gap is located in the front and second rows of seats for accommodating at least one wheelchair.

148. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 137 in which the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof lies in the range of 5 metres to 15 metres, and preferably, the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof lies in the range of 7.5 metres to 12.5 metres, and advantageously, the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall thereof is approximately 10 metres.

149. A method for constructing a cinema structure, the method comprising providing a floor, providing a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, providing a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, and providing a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, the front and rear wall being located so that the auditorium is of length from the front wall to the rear wall not more than 1.2 times the width of the auditorium along the front wall, the height of the auditorium between the floor and the ceiling adjacent the front wall being in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, locating a screen adjacent the front wall, the screen being of length along the front wall substantially similar to the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and of height substantially similar to the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, locating a plurality of rows of seats in the auditorium mounted on upwardly facing surfaces of respective plinths, tiering the plinths of the respective rows of the seats generally upwardly towards the rear wall with the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of a back row of the row of the seats being spaced apart downwardly from the ceiling a distance in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres, locating a front row of the rows of seats on the floor of the cinema structure, and locating a projector on the plinth of the back row of seats with a lens port of the projector located at a level below the ceiling in the range of 0.25 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats to 0.75 times the distance between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats.

150. A cinema structure comprising a floor, a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, a screen located in the auditorium adjacent the front wall, a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, the rows of seats being tiered upwardly towards the rear wall, a back row of the seats being mounted on a plinth defining an upwardly facing surface on which the seats of the back row are supported, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 2 metres, and a projector located within the auditorium mounted on the plinth of the back row of seats having a lens port, the lens port being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 500 mm from the ceiling.

151. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 150 in which the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling in the range of 2 metres to 3 metres, and preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling in the range of 2 metres to 2.5 metres, and advantageously, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats is at a level below the ceiling of approximately 2 metres, and preferably, the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling lies in the range of 0.25 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted to 0.75 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted, and preferably, the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling lies in the range of 0.3 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted to 0.6 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted, and advantageously, the level of the lens port of the projector below the ceiling is approximately 0.5 times the spacing between the ceiling and the upwardly facing surface of the plinth on which the back row of seats is mounted.

152. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 150 in which the projector is located substantially centrally on the plinth of the back row between the respective opposite ends of the back row of seats, and preferably, the projector is located in a housing, the housing being located in the auditorium and mounted on the plinth of the back row of seats, and advantageously, the housing for the projector comprises a sound attenuating housing, and preferably, a gap is provided between the seats of the back row of seats to accommodate the projector therebetween, and advantageously, at least one seat is removed from the back row of seats to form the gap for accommodating the projector, and preferably, at least two seats are removed from the back row of seats to form the gap for accommodating the housing, and advantageously, four seats are removed from the back row of seats to form the gap to accommodate the projector and the housing therefor.

153. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 150 in which at least one aisle offset from a centre line of the auditorium extending perpendicularly to the screen is provided for accommodating patrons to the rows of the seats, and preferably, a pair of side aisles are provided, the respective side aisles being offset on respective opposite sides of the centre line of the auditorium, and advantageously, each side aisle is located adjacent corresponding ends of the rows of seats, and preferably, no centre aisle is provided, and advantageously, a pair of spaced apart side walls are provided extending between the front wall and the rear wall adjacent respective opposite ends thereof, and preferably, the side walls extend parallel to each other, and advantageously, the side walls extend perpendicularly from the front wall, and preferably, the front and rear walls extend parallel to each other, and advantageously, each side aisle is located adjacent a corresponding side wall, and preferably, each side aisle is located between the corresponding side wall and corresponding ends of the rows of the seats.

154. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 150 in which the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor in the range of 21.degree. to 40.degree., and preferably, the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor in the range of 21.degree. to 30.degree., and advantageously, the tiering angle at which the rows of seats are tiered makes an angle with the floor of approximately 22.5.degree., and preferably, the rows of seats are located spaced apart from each other a constant pitched distance, and advantageously, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 0.9 metres to 1.5 metres, and preferably, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.3 metres, and advantageously, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other lies in the range of 1 metre to 1.2 metres, and preferably, the pitched distance at which adjacent rows of seats are spaced apart from each other is approximately 1 metre, and advantageously, the front row of the seats is located on the floor.

155. A cinema structure as claimed in claim 150 in which the ceiling extends substantially parallel to the floor, and preferably, the floor extends substantially horizontally, and advantageously, the front row of seats is located relative to the screen so that the perpendicular distance from the screen to a position in the front row which is occupied or would be occupied by a centre seat of the front row is not less than 0.3 times the width of the auditorium, and preferably, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.4 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.6 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and advantageously, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall lies in the range of 0.45 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall to 0.55 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall, and preferably, the height of the auditorium adjacent the front wall is approximately 0.5 times the width of the auditorium adjacent the front wall.

156. A method for constructing a cinema structure, the method comprising providing a floor, providing a ceiling spaced apart above the floor, providing a front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling, providing a rear wall spaced apart from the front wall extending between the floor and the ceiling and defining with the front wall, the floor and the ceiling an auditorium, providing a screen located in the auditorium adjacent the front wall, providing a plurality of rows of seats located in the auditorium, tiering the rows of seats upwardly towards the rear wall, mounting a back row of the seats on a plinth defining an upwardly facing surface on which the seats of the back row are supported, the upwardly facing surface of the plinth of the back row of seats being located at a level below the ceiling of not less than 2 metres, and mounting a projector within the auditorium on the plinth of the back row of seats with a lens port of the projector being at a level below the ceiling of not less than 500 mm from the ceiling.