U.S. patent number 3,580,126 [Application Number 04/771,479] was granted by the patent office on 1971-05-25 for light display instrument.
Invention is credited to John F. Forkner.
United States Patent |
3,580,126 |
Forkner |
May 25, 1971 |
LIGHT DISPLAY INSTRUMENT
Abstract
A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of light
which is controllable like a musical instrument. The device
includes an elastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which
is spaced from a high intensity light source. A collimating and
focusing lens is interposed between the reflective surface and the
light source so that light beams emanating from said light source
and reflected from said reflective surface are focused st a point
within an aperture defined in the cabinet of the device. A dynamic
image display may be produced by applying localized pressures to
the reflective surface thereby distorting the reflected pattern.
These localized forces may be applied by sound waves, manual
pressure and the like. Further interesting effects are obtainable
by varying the optical characteristics of the light beams as they
pass through the focal point as by the use of light filters or
masks.
Inventors: |
Forkner; John F. (Laguna Beach,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
25091956 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/771,479 |
Filed: |
October 29, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/464R;
353/DIG.5; 359/847; 353/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J
17/00 (20130101); Y10S 353/05 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63J
17/00 (20060101); A63j 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;84/464 ;353/98 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilkinson; Richard B.
Assistant Examiner: Franklin; Lawrence R.
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for projecting a random light display
comprising:
a high intensity light source;
a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said
light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is
applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said
surface;
a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface
so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for
focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and
means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after
said reflected light passes through the focal point.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source and
said light source and said reflective surface are mounted within a
cabinet having sidewalls and opposing top and bottom walls and
including means located at the focal region of said Fresnel lens
for defining an aperture through which said light passes and means
at said aperture for verifying the properties of said reflected
light.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means
adjacent said Fresnel lens for maintaining an image carrying
transparency in the path of reflected light so that said image is
projected to said remote location.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for
varying the reflected light properties comprise patterned masks for
controlling the configuration of light passing through said
aperture.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective
surface is associated with the head of a percussion instrument for
movement therewith.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface
comprises synthetic, elastically stretchable material having a
reflective coating on at least a portion thereof.
7. A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic
material is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a fan
means for cooling said light source, said fan means being
interposed between said light source and said reflective surface so
that said fan means periodically interferes with the light passing
from said light source to said reflective surface.
9. An apparatus for projecting a random light display
comprising:
a high intensity light source;
at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance
away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms
when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light
images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from
said resilient reflective surface;
means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective
surface for defining an opening through which said light passes;
and
means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after
said reflective light passes through a focal point.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved
reflective surface for focusing said reflected light comprises an
oblate hemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective
surface.
11. An apparatus for projecting a random light display
comprising:
a high intensity light source;
a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said
light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is
applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight
chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other
side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing
the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective
surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration
for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point;
and
means for directing the reflected light to a remote location after
said reflected light passes through the focal point.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said chamber
includes means for providing communication with a musical
instrument for varying the configuration of said surface in
accordance with the pressure generated by said musical
instrument.
13. A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second
light source disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of
filters, one of said filters being interposed between each of said
light sources and said reflective surface and said filters having
different optical characteristics so that the light beams reflected
from said reflective surface are of two different optical
characteristics and when viewed through appropriate filtering
members provide a three-dimensional image.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of
substantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each
other and extending longitudinally intermediate said light source
and said reflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a
Kaleidoscope light display.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source
comprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective
surface comprises a high strength polyester film having a
reflective substance coated on one surface thereof, said film being
stretched over a frame member so as to be resiliently movable when
a pressure is applied to said film; said apparatus further
including a flat reflective mirror for directing the light rays
passing through said Fresnel lens to an aperture defined in said
apparatus at the focal point of said light rays; and said apparatus
further including means for directing the light rays passing
through said aperture onto a remote member.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective
surface communicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a
closed chamber so that the sound waves from said speaker cause
distortions of said reflective surface and produce variations in
the light image reflected.
17. Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light
displays which comprise:
a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable
supporting material having a reflective surface physically
connected to said supporting material so that said reflective
surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting
material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a
controllable manner in conjunction with a force applied to said
reflective member from an external source, said reflective member
deforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different
parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted,
reflected light rays from said reflective member;
a reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected
from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said
reflective member;
means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics
of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and
means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing
display on a remotely located surface.
18. An apparatus for projecting a random light display
comprising:
a high intensity light source;
means defining an opening;
a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from
said light source and being stretched over said opening defining
means so as to be stretchable by application of localized
pressure;
a reflective surface intermediate said resilient reflective surface
and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said
resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate
said reflective surface and said remote location; and
an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for
varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at
said opening for varying the properties of said reflected light.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for producing esthetically
pleasing displays of light for viewing alone or in conjunction with
music. The device is capable of operation in an artistic manner
similar to a musical instrument.
There is an increasing interest in correlating the musical product
of contemporary dance band combos with a visual interpretation or
effect of the music. Typically the visual effect has been provided
by light projecting machines which portray various notes or the
tempo of the music in colors or patterns displayed on appropriate
surfaces adjoining the musical group. Generally the projectors for
such images are operated independently of the musical instruments
which make up the group, although some electronic systems have been
devised which may be operated in conjunction with musical
instruments such as with a piano keyboard. Typically these devices
include extensive electrical circuitry or mechanical control
systems for varying the projected images in accordance with the
music.
A typical projector of this sort includes control circuitry and
mechanically operated cam devices for varying the projected light
and varying the pattern of the images projected therefrom. A
patterned reflective surface is used with such device and distorted
into various configurations by the mechanically operated cams or
other means mounted on the apparatus and synchronized with the
music. Such a device requires a patterned reflector which must be
changed for each musical rendition to vary the visual
interpretation of the music. Additionally, with this type device
the reflector is moved in a controlled manner which depends upon
the internal mechanism of the device. Thus, to vary this controlled
manner of movement of the reflector member, it is additionally
necessary to reprogram the device for synchronization with various
musical renditions.
In contrast to this type of a programmed projection apparatus,
there is a need for a device which will provide a visual
interpretation which corresponds to the tempo, rhythm, or beat of a
musical rendition by directly associating the visual projector with
the mood or sounds produced by the musical group. To esthetically
accomplish such an association, it is necessary to provide a visual
projector which can be controlled directly by the musical artist or
by a nonmusical member of the group who can develop a skill in
visually interpreting the music. The projecting apparatus must be
capable of sensitive control of the projected light displays to
visually interpret the mood and tempo of the musical number.
It has also been found that in order to better represent the effect
of the visual interpretation of the music, it may be necessary to
provide a device capable of projecting a three-dimensional image.
Such a device provides an interesting supplement to the effect of
varying the projected light display.
Additionally, it has been found that there is a need for a visual
interpretation imaging projector which provides greater contrast
and sensitivity than those devices presently available and which
can be readily adapted to changing musical moods, tempos and
numbers. Such a device should also be operable independently of the
music for displaying reflected light in an artistically controlled
manner.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to a light displaying device which
basically comprises a light source, a stretchable flexible
reflecting surface, a means for focusing the light rays as they
emanate from the reflective surface and means for varying the path
of light as it passes from the flexible reflecting surface through
the focal point of the focused light.
Such optical systems including a focusing lens are generally known
as Schlieren-type optical systems and have been found to produce
exceptional contrasts and characteristics of the projected light
when combined with the stretchable, resilient mirror.
The device may utilize a Fresnel lens which is mounted adjacent a
resilient, elastically stretchable drum head having a reflecting
surface on at least a portion of the inner side thereof. In this
instance, the flexible mirror formed by the drum head may be a
portion of a percussion instrument such as a snare drum, base drum,
kettledrum and the like. The reflected light display is distorted
by bending and stretching the resilient drum head during its use as
a musical instrument or if the reflecting surface is not a part of
a musical instrument it may be used independently by an artist who
renders his own visual interpretation of the music. This may be
accomplished by deforming the reflective drum head by hand or with
suitable force applying means such as cushioned or regular
drumsticks. The resilient drum head may be produced from any
flexible material having a reflective coating thereon. For example,
a high strength polyester film such as the polyethylene
terephthalate polymer Mylar, which is formed the condensation
reaction of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, having a
reflective metallized surface thereon may be used. The reflective
surfaces may also be applied by coating or lamination. It is also
possible to use thin flexible metallic reflectors such as aluminum
or stainless but these materials are not as effective as the
synthetic films since they are not elastically stretchable by a
sufficient distance to provide the variations obtainable with the
resin films. Typically the polyethylene terephthalate polymers have
elongations of 120 percent and tensile strengths on the order of
25,000 p.s.i.
Colored filters, stenciled patterns, masks and other means may be
used at the focal point of the rays emanating from the mirror
reflecting surface so that the operator can rapidly change the
appearance, intensity and configuration of the projected light in
time with the music with which the device is associated.
Transparencies may be inserted in the device over or under the lens
and projected to provide impressionistic distortable images or the
name of the group for example.
In another embodiment of the device of this invention, the flexible
mirror can be curved so that the light rays are focused by the
configuration of the mirror alone. This may be accomplished by
making the flexible reflecting surface as one side of a closed,
valved, airtight chamber. The other side may be formed by a flat,
transparent, plate glass member. The mirror is deformed into a
flattened or oblate hemispheroid by pumping air or an inert gas
into the chamber. It has been found that the flexible reflector so
formed into a curved mirror still retains its flexibility so that
it can be resiliently deflected to distort the reflections
emanating therefrom.
The use of a Schlieren-type optical system with an aperture located
at the focal point of the reflected rays enhances the contrast
between light and dark regions or colored regions of the reflected
pattern. Additionally, the sensitivity of the reflecting surface is
amplified by the use of the Fresnel lens and the Schlieren optical
system. The Schlieren-type system further enables the use of simple
means for varying the light pattern which is projected from the
device with the use of colored filters, stencils, and other such
means. By the use of additional flat reflecting mirrors the
flexible mirror can be located at practically any position desired
and the produced light pattern can be directed any appropriate
direction from the device. For example, the flexible mirror may be
in a horizontal plane as a snare drum head or kettledrum head and
the emanating light rays may be reflected behind the performer on a
screen or wall surface.
Normally the flexible mirror will undergo slight vibrations in
response to the tempo and beat of the music. The musical sound
produces a vibration of the mirror which varies in amplitude with
the intensity of the sound so that the reflected representation is
dependent upon the variations of the music with which the device is
associated. This effect can be amplified by suitably coupling an
electroacoustical transducer such as a speaker to the flexible
mirror. The speaker may be driven by signals from live or recorded
music. In this instance the vibrational effects of the mirror are
amplified by the direct connection of the speaker to the mirror.
For example, the speaker and mirror may form the opposite sides of
a closed sound box.
It has also been found that a three-dimensional light pattern can
be formed by the use of dual Schlieren-type optical system and
appropriate filters. For example two light sources may be employed
one of which is red in color the other of which is green in color.
The reflected pattern through the Fresnel lens and the Schlieren
aperture when viewed with colored glasses is a three-dimensional
configuration and produces some unusual effects not observable with
other systems. Alternatively, rather than using the red and green
colored glasses and filters, crossed polariod filters may be
employed with corresponding polariod glasses to produce the double
images which are viewed individually by each eye for producing the
three-dimensional effect.
Interesting effects are also producible with a modification of the
optical system discussed. This modification employs Kaleidoscope
flat mirrors which are inserted longitudinally between the light
source and the resilient reflecting mirror. By using the
Kaleidoscope mirrors, a brilliant display of light patterns may be
produced by small variations of the surface configurations of the
resilient mirror. These Kaleidoscopic designs literally dance on
the projection screen as they appear, disappear and reappear with
variations in the intensity and pitch of the associated music. Such
a vivid visual representation and interpretation of musical
compositions has heretofore not been producible with existing light
projection devices.
A feature of the display device of the present invention is to
project in a controlled manner a vivid, sharp, esthetic, dynamic
light display which may be correlated with music or used
independently.
Another feature of the device of this invention is to provide a
light display projector which can be artistically controlled by a
skilled performer to provide a visual interpretation of associated
music.
Yet another feature of the device of this invention is that it can
be used to project lettering or images from a transparency onto a
remote surface and to subsequently distort the projected image.
Still another feature of this invention is to provide a device
which projects a visual representation of a musical composition and
which may be included as an integral portion of a musical
instrument.
Another feature of the display device of this invention is to
provide a light projector which projects a controllable light image
and in which the reflecting surface is resilient so that it may be
varied in accordance with deformations induced therein and in which
the system includes means for rapidly varying the pattern, color
and configurations of the projected rays.
Yet another feature of this invention is to provide an esthetically
pleasing light display projector which is a sensitive instrument
with which artistic performances can be given.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light projecting device constructed in
accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a device constructed in
accordance with another embodiment of this invention and having a
curved flexible mirror without a collimating lens;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another arrangement of the optical
system for use in a light display device constructed in accordance
with this invention;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through another embodiment of the light
display device connected to an electroacoustical transducer for
operation thereby; and
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an optical system for use in a
light display device constructed in accordance with another
embodiment of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that in the preferred
embodiment the display device cabinet 10 may be of a generally
rectangular, boxlike configuration. The cabinet, as best shown in
FIG. 2, includes a top wall 11 and sidewalls 12 which may be
tapered to enhance the overall appearance. A thin, resilient,
flexible, substantially rectangular mirror 14 is mounted on top of
the image display device cabinet 10 on a suitable frame 16. The
mirror may be adhesively attached or clamped to the upper, side and
lower surfaces of the frame 16 by suitable means such as bolts 15
which are circumferentially spaced about the mirror for adjusting
the tension therein. The frame 16 is mounted about a substantially
rectangular opening 17 in the top 11 of the display cabinet 10. A
suitable focusing and collimating lens 18 is disposed subjacent the
mirror 12 over the opening 17 of the cabinet. The lens 18 may be
any focusing and collimating lens. A Fresnel lens is preferred
since it is not as large and heavy as other lenses having
comparable focusing power.
A reflecting mirror 20 is fixedly mounted near the lower portion of
the cabinet 10 at an acute angle to the bottom of the cabinet. The
mirror 20 may be mounted by a fixed frame or brackets 21 for
holding it in place. Any suitable means for maintaining the mirror
in this fixed position can be used.
As best shown in FIG. 1, a small, high intensity lamp 22 is mounted
at the front portion of the cabinet 10. The lamp 22 may be a high
intensity tungsten filament lamp which is fixed in the front
portion of the cabinet by suitable brackets 24. As shown in FIG. 1,
a cooling fan 26 may be mounted adjacent the lamp 22 with an
accompanying small motor 28 for preventing the temperature of the
lamp from getting too high. The fan 26 may be mounted on a
pivotable arm so that it can be swung in front of the light path
from the lamp 22 to the mirror 14. In this position, the blades of
the fan 26 periodically interfere with the light emanating from the
lamp 22 to provide an intermittent flashing light stroboscope
effect.
The top of the cabinet 10, near its front edge, is provided with a
substantially square projecting aperture 30. A post 32 is fixedly
mounted adjacent the aperture 30. The post 32 has a vertical
section 34 and a horizontal section 36. The horizontally extending
section 36 is adapted to fit into a tubular mount 38 which is
connected adhesively or by welding to a reflecting mirror 40 so
that when the tubular mount 38 is fixed over the horizontally
extending portion 36 of the post 32 the mirror 40 can be revolved
about the horizontally extending section 36. The mirror may be
fixed in any desired position by tightening it in place by means of
the setscrew 42 which bears against the horizontal portion 36 of
the post 32.
Preferably, the mirror 14 is constructed from a flexible, thin,
elastically stretchable or resilient supporting material such as
the synthetic high polyester resin polyethylene and terephthalate
which is provided with a reflective coating such as aluminum or
chromium on the underside thereof. The cabinet 10 may be
constructed from any suitable material such as wood, steel,
synthetic resins or other like materials. The frame 16 may be
constructed from similar materials. Although a rectangular frame is
shown, any configuration may be used. For example, the mirror,
frame and aperture may be circular.
In operation of the device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the light rays
emanating from the high intensity lamp 22 pass through the
collimating lens 18 and are collimated before striking the flexible
reflecting mirror 14. From the flexible mirror 14, they are
reflected back through the focusing lens 18 and coverage after
reflecting from mirror 20 at the aperture 30 in the top 11 of the
cabinet 10. After passing through their focal point at 30, the rays
intersect reflecting mirror 40 and by the orientation of mirror 40
are directed upon a appropriate displaying surface 41.
In principle, the patterns of light and their variations which are
observed at the surface 41 are produced when the flexible mirror 14
is distorted by applying pressure to the mirror 14. The collimated
beam impinging on the flexible mirror 14 is initially distorted by
reflection from the mirror 14 so that a distorted beam is
subsequently imaged on the remote surface. In practice the
aberrations of the collimating lens 18 are such that a very poor
image of the light source 22 is produced. This is desirable,
however, since a great variety of patterns and colors result from
the effects of these aberrations in conjunction with the
distortions of the flexible mirror 14 which create and intensify
the variations of patterns and colors to make an esthetically
pleasing light display. Due to the erratic distribution of light at
the focus of the lens 18 near aperture 30, an enhancement of the
light patterns generated by the flexible mirror 14 can be produced
by introducing various members which modify the optical
characteristics of the light passing through the aperture 30. These
members are generally represented by the light modifying member 46
shown in phantom lines. For example the member 46 may be one or
more color filters, stencils, polarizing lenses, light masks and
other such modifying members.
Attractive distribution and controlled displays of light can be
achieved by skillful manipulation of the light at the focus of the
light beams near the aperture 30. These light modifying members 46
operate on various parts of the projected pattern of light in a
extremely complex fashion that results in partial multiple images
and severely distorted images which are actually shadow projections
of the mask, stencil or filter fragments. With some skill the
device can be artistically operated so as to follow the beat of
music or it can be operated independently to provide a visual
interpretation of music being presented simultaneously.
A horizontal slot 47 may be provided through the upper wall 11 for
passing a transparency 48 (see FIG. 1) which has images or
lettering thereon. These are visible on the remote surface and may
be allowed to remain when the device is operated.
The flexible reflecting mirror 14 can be actually used as a drum
head so that distortions are created by a direct result of contact
of the drumsticks with the mirror so that the pattern displayed by
the projector changes rapidly with the drumbeats. Also this may be
accomplished by coating the inner surface of a conventional drum
head with a reflective coating or paint and using that surface in
the place of mirror 14. Alternatively the lower outer surface of
the drum may be coated with reflective material and used as the
flexible mirror in the optical system of FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen diagrammatically that the
collimating and focusing lens can be eliminated if the mirror
surface itself is curved and capable of focusing the light beams
emanating from the light source. SURFACE ITSELF IS CURVED AND
CAPABLE OF FOCUSING THE LIGHT BEAMS EMANATING FROM THE LIGHT
SOURCE. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a flexible mirror
50 which is expandable outwardly. This mirror may be constructed
from resilient Mylar or from any of the resilient synthetics having
a reflective inner surface.
The mirror 50 is mounted on a frame 52 by wrapping the outer edges
of the mirror about the frame 52 and adhesively attaching the edges
to the frame. The frame 52 is in turn mounted on the upper wall 54
of the cabinet 56 of the device. A lower transparent glass plate 60
is also mounted on the upper wall 54. A sealing resin such as a
caulking compound or a silicone rubber resin is pressed
intermediate the frame 52 and the plate 60 to form an airtight
chamber between the plate 60 and the upper mirror 50. The frame 52
and the plate 60 may also be bolted to the wall 54.
The plate 60 is provided with an integrally attached glass tubular
conduit 62 which has a valve 64 mounted therein. The conduit 62 may
be connected to a pump or other means for supplying pressurized
gases into the chamber defined between the plate 60 and the mirror
50. Thus, to form the curved focusing mirror 50, air is pumped into
this chamber expanding the mirror 50 outwardly much like a balloon
into a curved reflector configuration approximating an oblate
hemispheroidal surface.
The light beams for the high intensity light source 66 strike the
curved surface 50 and are then focused, after reflecting from
reflector mirror 68, at a point 69 near an aperture 70 in a
sidewall 72 of the cabinet 56. The aperture 70 may be provided with
brackets or tracks 73 for mounting suitable masks, filters and
other such means for varying the optical characteristics of the
light beam as it passes through the aperture 70. The beam is then
projected onto a remote screen or flat surface (not shown) for
exhibiting the resultant light patterns. By depressing the mirror
56 either manually or with suitable instruments such as cushioned
drumsticks, the image is distorted thus creating the desired
pattern on the remote surface.
Again with this embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use
as many planar reflecting mirrors such as mirror 68 as is desired
and to direct the light pattern to any desired location.
Additionally, the aperture 70 may be mounted on an extension in the
top wall as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if desired, by the use of an
additional reflecting mirror for a different orientation of the
planar reflecting mirrors such as 68. In this embodiment the mirror
68 is preferably fixed in position by suitable brackets 71 which
are mounted on the cabinet walls.
With the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the produced light pattern may
be associated with a musical instrument by connecting the tube 62
to the air exhaust of a percussion instrument or to a wind
instrument.
Referring now to FIG. 4, which illustrates diagrammatically a
different embodiment of the optical system for a light display
projector, it will be seen that the optical system can be modified
to produce a light image which appears three-dimensional when
viewed through the proper viewing glasses. In this embodiment, two
light sources 80 and 80' are used. A pair of filters 82 and 82' are
disposed in front of the light sources 80 and 80' respectively so
that light emanating from the light sources 80 and 80' are imparted
with different optical characteristics. For example filter 82 may
be a red filter and 82' a green filter or they may be crossed
polaroid filters. The paths of the light rays, as shown by dashed
lines 84 and 84', are spaced slightly from each other due to the
spacing of the light sources 80 and 80'. These light rays pass
through the lens 86 and impinge upon a flexible reflecting mirror
88 which is much the same as mirror 14 as discussed with respect to
FIGS. 1 and 2. The mirror may be distorted by means such as
drumstick 90 to cause variations in the light reflected therefrom
and unusual images on the viewing screen. As true with all the
embodiments shown, different distortions are obtained by contacting
different portions of the mirror 88.
The lens 86 focuses the light at a point within the aperture 91
defined in the projection device. The characteristics of these
light beams may be varied at this point by use of appropriate
filters and masks as discussed previously. The light beams are
projected onto a viewing surface 92 which may be a curved or flat
surface capable of displaying the images projected thereon.
By the use of appropriate filters 94 and 94' the spaced images may
be viewed by an observer to provide a three-dimensional effect. The
added dimension enables the viewer to observe many unusual
distortions and features and other ramifications of the projected
light display.
Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the light display
device of this invention can be connected directly to an
electroacoustical transducer such as the speaker 95. For example
the speaker 95 may have an annular mounting adapter flange 96
around its outer edge. The lower edge of the adapter 96 may be
mounted on an annular felt or rubber mounting pad 97 which fits on
top of the flexible mirror 14' over the mounting frame 16'. The
device constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the
invention produces visual images which vary in accordance with the
pressure produced on the flexible mirror 14' by means of the sound
waves emanating from the speaker 95. The speaker 95 may be
connected to a microphone for use with a live musical group or may
be connected to a recorder for correlating the image distortions
with recorded music.
The optical system shown in FIG. 6 may be included in any of the
embodiments discussed for enhancing the image display pattern. In
this optical arrangement a high intensity light source 100 is
spaced from a focusing and collimating lens 102 which may be the
Fresnel-type lens discussed previously. The lens 102 is mounted
subjacent a resilient, flexible light reflecting mirror 103
stretched over a frame 104.
A pair of planar Kaleidoscope mirrors 106 and 108 are disposed
along the light path between light source 100 and the Fresnel lens
102 at an acute angle to one another. An aperture 110 is provided
in one wall of the projector cabinet at the focal point of the lens
102. Light emanating through aperture 110 may be directed to an
appropriate display surface my means of a planar reflecting mirror
112.
If a Fresnel lens is used for the lens 102 its center of curvature
105 should be positioned just above the apex of the angle formed by
the intersection of the mirrors 106 and 108. As is known the
Kaleidoscopic pattern is divided into six segments. It has been
found that these segments will be of equal magnitude if the lens is
so positioned.
These elements of the optical system are included in a cabinet such
as cabinet 10 discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this
instance the mirrors 106 and 108 may be fixedly mounted by means of
brackets along their vertical edges or at their top and bottom
horizontal edges whichever is most convenient.
The use of the Kaleidoscope mirrors 106 and 108 produces an endless
variety of unusual patterns in response to deformation of the
flexible mirror 103 and the use of light modifying members at the
aperture 110.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
* * * * *