U.S. patent number 3,923,300 [Application Number 05/528,525] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-02 for theater chair automatically movable by remote control.
Invention is credited to Antonio Tanus.
United States Patent |
3,923,300 |
Tanus |
December 2, 1975 |
Theater chair automatically movable by remote control
Abstract
A theater chair movable by remote control comprises a support
structure, a chassis having a back and arms installed on same, and
a seat rotatably engaged to the chassis. The support structure
comprises, at each side of the chassis, a rigid frame, a vertical
sliding mechanism and a horizontal sliding mechanism. The sliding
mechanisms comprise fluid-actuable ram devices. The horizontal
sliding mechanisms are attached by means of universal joints to the
chassis of the chair and both vertical and horizontal sliding
mechanisms are driven independently, operated by remote control by
sending a signal in synchronism with a scene of the show. The seat
contains a vibrator for producing vibrational and rhythmic
movements in the seat.
Inventors: |
Tanus; Antonio (Col. Obrera,
MX) |
Family
ID: |
26998223 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/528,525 |
Filed: |
November 29, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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354065 |
Apr 24, 1973 |
3865430 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
472/60;
297/217.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J
5/00 (20130101); A47C 1/12 (20130101); A61H
23/0263 (20130101); A63J 2005/002 (20130101); A61H
1/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
1/00 (20060101); A47C 1/12 (20060101); A63J
5/00 (20060101); A61H 1/00 (20060101); A61H
23/02 (20060101); A47C 001/12 (); A63J 005/00 ();
A63G 031/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/8R,8D,8P,10,16,17,18 ;297/217,330
;35/12B,12D,12E,12H,12N,12P,12W ;352/85 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard G.
Assistant Examiner: Kramer; Arnold W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ladas, Parry, Von Gehr, Goldsmith
& Deschamps
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 354,065, filed Apr. 24,
1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,430.
Claims
I claim:
1. A theater chair movable by remote control, comprising a
supporting structure, a chassis with a backrest and two armrests
integral therewith and installed on the supporting structure, a
seat connected to the chassis so as to be rotatable with respect
thereto, and vibrational means within said seat, the supporting
structure comprising, at each side of the chassis:
a rigid frame;
a first fluid-actuable ram device supported by said rigid
frame;
a first plate connected to be acted upon the first ram device to be
displaced vertically thereby;
a second fluid-actuable ram device supported by said first plate;
and
a second plate connected to be acted upon by the second ram device
to be displaced horizontally thereby,
the second plate at one side of said chassis being connected to
said one side of said chassis through at least one ball and socket
universal joint and the second plate at the other side of said
chassis being connected to said other side of said chassis by way
of at least one other ball and socket universal joint so that the
two sides of the chassis may be raised or lowered independently of
one another by independently actuating the first ram devices and
the two sides of the chassis may be moved forwards or backwards
independently of one another by independently actuating the second
ram devices.
2. A theater chair according to claim 1, wherein each of said
universal joints comprises a ball attached to said chassis and a
socket provided with a stem which is fitted in a hub secured to one
of said second plates.
3. A theater chair according to claim 1, wherein said seat is
rotatable about a horizontal axis from a sitting position to a
substantially erect position and the chair comprises a spiral
spring having one end secured to said seat and its other end
secured to said chassis so as to bias the seat towards its erect
position, and means arranged to be actuated when the seat is in its
erect position to maintain said ram devices each in a non-actuated
condition.
4. A theater chair according to claim 1, in combination with a
control desk at which an operator can produce a train of logic
signals for actuating the ram devices.
5. A theater chair according to claim 1, also comprising a pump
arranged to provide a flow of actuating fluid, a control valve
connected between the pump and the ram devices to control flow of
actuating fluid thereto, and means connected to the control valve
to deliver electrical signals thereto to control operation
thereof.
6. A theater chair according to claim 1, wherein, at each side of
the chassis, vertical rails are fixed in the rigid frame and the
first plate is provided with wheels engaging the vertical rails to
guide vertical displacement of the first plate therealong, and the
first plate includes horizontal rail portions and the second plate
is provided with wheels engaging the horizontal rail portions to
guide horizontal displacement of the second plate therealong, the
first ram device comprises a cylinder mounted on the rigid frame
and piston fitted in the cylinder and connected to the first plate,
and the second ram device comprises first and second opposed
cylinders mounted on the first plate and first and second pistons
fitted in the first and second cylinders respectively and connected
to the second plate and coaxially to each other, the first and
second cylinders being arranged to act in complementary manner.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention refers, in general, to theater chairs or seats and
it relates particularly to a chair movable by remote control by
movements ordered from a panelboard, actuated by an operator, or
else, by signals recorded on a carrier such as a film, and detected
by a pick-up means that through a circuit, operates hydraulic,
pneumatic, electromechanical or any other type of system, in order
to produce horizontal and vertical shifting of the chair, as well
as a combination of such movements, including vibrational or
rhythmic movements.
Heretofore, during a show, the viewer has been able to enjoy a
scene accompanied by sound, something which provides to a certain
extent participation in the show. However, the viewer always
occupies a static chair that, to a certain degree, isolates him
from the stage, thus preventing the effects conveyed audibly and
visually from providing a sufficient impact to make the viewer
participate more effectively in the scene, thereby the director and
the actors of the show are not able to properly convey to the
viewer the desired impression. If to all effects added to the
shows, simple movements are additionally provided to the theater
chair or seat occupied by the viewer during suitable and decisive
times, the impression attained in the sensibility of the viewer
would increase to a substantial degree.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an object of this invention to provide
a theater chair of any type, especially for moving pictures and
theater, automatically movable by remote control from a panelboard
actuated by an operator, or else by means of signals recorded on a
carrier such as a film and detected by a pick-up means that sends
them through a suitable circuit, to electric motors, hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders which, through hydraulic, pneumatic or
electromechanic systems provide to the chair, vertical or
horizontal movements or combinations of same, including vibrational
and rhythmical movements. Said movements are provided at the exact
time of the plot corresponding to the show, producing the effect
that the viewer becomes involved in the show, in a manner
heretofore unknown, providing to him more vivid sensations at
certain particular movements of the scene, such as riding a horse,
riding in a car, flying in an aircraft, sailing on a boat, falling
from a precipice, going up in an elevator, skiing on snow, etc.;
being these moments accompanied by the movements of the chair up
and down, back and forth, swinging to the right, swinging to the
left, vibrations, rhythmic movements and so forth.
In an embodiment of this invention applicable to moving pictures,
in the movie film already existing or in another special movie,
signals shall be recorded by means of a magnetic system at one side
of the moving picture, that can be read or detected by a pick-up
magnetic head attached to the sound head or the like, this head on
detecting the recorded signals, shall transfer same to an amplifier
that sends signals of different impulses, choosing several
solenoids or contactors that operate hydraulic, pneumatic or
electromechanic systems to move either mechanically, hydraulically
or pneumatically, the slides attached to the chair thus promoting
the movements above mentioned.
These and other objects obtained with the practice of this
invention, will be better understood and appreciated from reading
the following description related to the attached drawing of the
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1, is a side vertical elevation view of the theater chair
movable by remote control, subject of this invention, in an
embodiment hydraulically and pneumatically operated.
FIG. 2, is a view similar to FIG. 1, in an embodiment
electromechanically operated.
FIG. 3, is a front vertical elevation view of the chair movable by
remote control, subject of the present invention, with its seat cut
away.
FIG. 4, is a detailed view with conventional sections illustrating
one of the side frame of the support structure of the chair,
subject of this invention, in the embodiment hydraulically or
pneumatically operated.
FIG. 5, is a cross sectional view on line 5 -- 5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6, is a view similar to FIG. 4 corresponding to the embodiment
electromechanically operated.
FIG. 7, is a cross-sectional view on line 7 -- 7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8, is a semi-schematic view illustrating the assembly of
theater chairs and the remote control by means of which same are
operated, illustrating by double lines the hydraulic or pneumatic
system and by dotted lines, the electrical system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference is made to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 in which the hydraulic or
pneumatic system for theater chair is shown. The theater chair 11,
is comprised of a chassis 12, including firmly joined by welding or
any other means, a pair of balls 13, coupled to sockets 14,
producing a universal joint allowing the chair any kind of
movements, including these sockets 14, of the universal joints,
stems 15, firmly coupled to a plate 16, by means of hubs or
receptacles 17 included therein. Said plate 16 is, in turn, firmly
attached to a sliding plate 18, including at its top and bottom a
plurality of wheels 19, that are slidingly engaged on horizontal
rails 20, fixed to a frame 21, to which the hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinders 22 are firmly attached, with a common shaft 23, being
firmly attached to a central portion 24, of the sliding plate 18.
These hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 22, are synchronously
operated by means of hydraulic or pneumatic lines 25 connected to
the hydraulic or pneumatic receptacle of the solenoid valves 26. By
the aforementioned movements of the sliding plate 18, the
horizontal shifting of the seat of the theater chair is carried
out; on the other hand, the frame 21, is also a sliding member that
is vertically shifted by means of wheels 27, resting on rails 28,
attached to the side portions 29 of a main framework 30, making up
the sides of the support structure of the chair subject of the
present invention, illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. This
sliding frame 21 that is vertically shifted and that produces the
vertical movements of the chair is directly operated by a main
hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 31, bearing on the lower side 32 of
the support structure 30, that constitute the sides of the chair on
which the arms 54, attached to chassis 12, rest. The hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinder 31, drives through a bifurcated stem 33, the
sliding frame 21, to which it is firmly attached at its lower
portion 34. The hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 31, is engaged by a
hydraulic or pneumatic line 35, to the hydraulic or pneumatic
receptacle of the solenoid valves 26 and to the hydraulic or
pneumatic control main lines 37, illustrated in FIG. 8, and
connected, in turn, directly to the pumps 38, that can be directly
operated by line 39 from desk 40, actuated by an operator or else
through line 41, and automatic connecting means 42, such as relays,
contactors and solenoids, connected to the amplifying means 43; and
to detect by means of a pick-up head 44, the pulses of signals
recorded in a film 45 that is projected by means 46. The pick-up
head 44 may be similar to a sound pick-up head 47, the signal of
which is amplified by means 48 and is reproduced through a line 49
in a loudspeaker 50.
Depending on the signals recorded on the film 45 or commanded by
the operator of desk 40, the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 31
and 22 shall produce combinations of adequate movements in
synchronism with the scene played. This operating system was
described in reference to a hydraulic or pneumatic system but it
may also be applicable to any other similar system.
For the purpose that only the chair that is being used be operated
by the system, a spiral spring 51 is included, same being engaged
at one end to chassis 12 and at the other to an axis 52 by means of
which the seat 53 is rotatably engaged to chassis 12, thereby
biasing the seat 53 to an erect position when same is unoccupied,
operating a switch that leaves this chair out of the system.
Besides, the chair includes a connector 55, placed inside the
structure 30, to which is coupled, by means of a cable for
operating same, a motor with a vibrator 56 and a motor 57 with an
excentric flywheel 58, installed in the housing 59, inside the seat
53, in order to provide in same vibrational and rhythmical
movements.
As an example and not by way or limitation on the possibilities of
carrying out this invention, FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 illustrate an
electromechanical system for operating the chair movable by remote
control of the present invention.
The electromechanical system of this embodiment comprises a
horizontal sliding plate 60, including in its integral side ends
two threaded spindles 61, that are shifted along two threaded stems
62, supported by bearings 63 that are attached to the structure or
support plate 64, including these threaded stems at its ends, gears
65 meshing with an idler gear 66 that is engaged by its shaft 67,
to another gear 68 engaged, in turn, to a worm 69 engaged in the
shaft of a drive motor 70, that is fixed to the support structure
64, so that, on driving motor 70 from the remote control, a
horizontal shifting of the sliding plate 60 is produced, this
latter being attached to plate 16, and including hubs 17, that
support the stems 15, of the universal joint that includes the ball
sockets 14 and the balls 13 being attached to chassis 12, thereby
producing the shifting of the chair in a horizontal sense, and the
support plate 64 includes at its side ends, threaded spindles or
sleeves 71, that are vertically shifted in threaded stems 72,
supported by means of suitable bearings 73 to the rigid frame 30,
making up the sides of the chair on which the arms 54 attached to
chassis 12 can rest. Said threaded stems 72, include at their ends,
gears 74 meshing with gears 75, that include engaged in its shaft
76, other gears 77 driven by worms 78 mounted on a double shaft 79
of a second drive motor 80 that is supported on the bottom side 32
of frame 30.
These drive motors 80 and 70, during the vertical and horizontal
movements of the chair, can be energized in a logic sequence in
order to obtain several types of movements and the energization can
be carried out in a similar manner to that described in the
previous embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8; this is, a signal
impressed on film 45, that is detected by a pick-up head 44, or
else directly from the desk 40, actuated by an operator, sending
back electric pulses through a line as indicated in dotted lines 81
and that may include a connecting box 82.
Notwithstanding that the above description has been made in
relation to specific embodiments of the invention, it is to be
understood by those skilled in the art that any amendments in the
form or detail are to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *