Image projection apparatus
A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer. The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.
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This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,452 issued Feb. 14, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/243,309 filed on Oct. 27, 2000 60/242,309 filed on Oct. 20, 2000. The present application claims benefit to that provisional's filing date while it incorporates all the subject matter of both '452 and '309 as if it is fully rewritten herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices used to project images embodied on transparent polymeric film onto one or more viewing surfaces by shining a light through the image embodied on the film. More particularly, the invention relates to projectors used to project thematic images singly, in either a static or serial display, onto a viewing surface or to project multiple views of an image simultaneously onto a plurality of viewing surfaces.
2. Description of Related Art
The projection of images using light is a well known and popular way to decorate or entertain, especially during the holidays, seasonal events or special occasions. One can display images associated with the occasion (e.g. a ghost for Halloween), and a projected image displayed under low light conditions can make a lasting impression on an observer. A relatively small image can be enlarged to many times its original size and displayed upon a surface such as a wall, garage door, sheet, screen or the like.
Drawbacks to the practice of projecting images using light include the high cost of conventional projectors, many of which cannot be used outdoors in inclement weather, and the fact that such projectors typically require some intervention by the user in order to change the image being projected. Projectors are therefore needed that are economical to manufacture and use, that can be used outdoors without risk of injury or damage, and that can display images singly, serially, or simultaneously on multiple surfaces without user intervention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment of the invention, a low cost projector is provided that comprises a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image medium support assembly. For outdoor use, the projector is preferably attachable to a support member such as a mounting stake by a mechanism permitting the angle between the projector and the support member to be selectively adjusted, thereby simultaneously adjusting the angle at which the image is projected relative to an underlying support surface. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member preferably further comprises a tubular section containing a transformer that converts standard house current to a lower voltage power source for the projector.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a projector is disclosed that is substantially as described above but modified to serially advance different images into the light path without user intervention. A preferred modification for achieving this function this the provision of a small electric motor inside the housing with a rotating shaft that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. This rotation can be accomplished continuously or intermittently by the provision of approximate conventional linkage and control mechanisms well known to those of skill in the art.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a projector assembly is disclosed that comprises a low cost projector substantially as described above but modified to simultaneously project a single image in a plurality of directions after the projected light beam exits the projector housing. This embodiment of the invention utilizes a frame assembly that aligns the projector with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces. This embodiment of the invention is particularly preferred for indoor use where the image can be directed against both walls and ceiling at the same time. One aesthetic effect that can, for example, be produced using the apparatus of the invention is the illusion of falling snow where the projected image is that of snowflakes.
The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained in relation to the following figures of the drawings wherein:
Referring to
Projector 10 preferably further comprises a projector support member 34 to which housing 12 is connected in such manner that the angle of the light path relative to an underlying support surface can be adjusted easily by the user. According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting mechanism comprises opposed engagement members 38, 40 having interlocking teeth and coaxially aligned apertures through which a threaded bolt 42 can be inserted and tightened using wing nut 44 when projector housing 12 is in the preferred angular position. Projector support member 34 preferably further comprises a tubular member 46 containing a transformer 48 that desirably converts standard household electrical current to a lower voltage for use with lamp 30 of projector 10. One electrical conductor 50 supplies electrical current to transformer 48 and another electrical conductor 52 supplies the converted current to plug 54 on the back of light source 14 of housing 12. Projector support member 34 preferably further comprises mounting stake 56 having footrest 58 to facilitate insertion of mounting stake 56 into the ground for outdoor use on earthen surface 36. Although projector support member 34 is described above in relation to a preferred embodiment intended for use with an earthen support surface 36, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure that projector support members having other physical configurations can likewise be provided for use with other underlying support surfaces for projector 10.
According to another embodiment of the invention, described herein in relation to
The internal structure and operation of projector 60 are better described and explained in relation to
According to another embodiment of the invention, a projector assembly is disclosed that comprises a low cost projector substantially as described above but modified to simultaneously project a single image in a plurality of directions after the projected light beam exits the projector housing. This embodiment of the invention utilizes a frame assembly that aligns the projector with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces. This embodiment of the invention is particularly preferred for indoor use where the image can be directed against both walls and ceiling at the same time. Referring to
Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legally entitled.
Claims
1. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening through which an image medium can be inserted into the image medium support assembly; and
- a support member attachable to the projector, the support member comprising a transformer and a first electrical conductor attachable to the projector and a second electrical conductor attachable to an electrical power source.
2. The projector of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a tubular section and the transformer is disposed inside the tubular section.
3. The projector of claim 1 wherein the lens is biconvex.
4. The projector of claim 1 wherein the image medium is a light transmitting film.
5. The projector of claim 1 wherein the image medium is a light transmitting plastic disk.
6. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening through which an image medium can be inserted into the image medium support assembly; and
- wherein the support member comprises a mounting stake.
7. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening through which an image medium can be inserted into the image medium support assembly; and
- wherein the image medium support assembly further comprises an electric motor having a rotatable shaft and an image disk having arcuately spaced images, the disk being rotatable by a drive assembly connected to the rotatable shaft to serially advance the arcuately spaced images into the viewing window whereby two overlapping images may be projected from the projector simultaneously.
8. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening through which an image medium can be inserted into the image medium support assembly; and a support member attachable to the projector
- wherein the support member comprises a mounting frame with a proximal end holding the projector and a distal end holding a multi-faceted reflector element in spaced apart relation to the projector, the reflector element being rotatably mounted on a shaft and disposed in the light path of the projector, the shaft being rotatable by an electric motor to rotate the reflector element in the light path of the projector.
9. The projector of claim 8 wherein the multi-faceted reflector element is a mirror ball.
10. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening in which an image medium can be supported in the image medium support assembly; and
- a support member attachable to the projector, the support member comprising a transformer and a first electrical conductor attachable to the projector and a second electrical conductor attachable to an electrical power source.
11. A projector comprising a polymeric housing containing a directional electric light source, a lens disposed opposite the light source, a light path extending from the light source through the lens and out of the housing, an image medium support assembly disposed between the light source and the lens, the image medium support assembly further comprising an image window aligned in the light path, and an opening in which an image medium can be supported in the image medium support assembly; and
- a support member attachable to the projector comprising a mounting frame with a proximal end holding the projector and a distal end holding, in spaced apart relation to the projector, a multi-faceted reflector element, the reflector element being supported on two opposed sides and said reflector element being rotatable by an electric motor.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 11, 2006
Date of Patent: Dec 22, 2009
Assignee: Emerald Innovations, LLC (Butler, PA)
Inventors: Dale A. Panasewicz (Strongsville, OH), Dennis Futo (Strongsville, OH), Marc Louis Vitantonio, Sr. (South Russell, OH), John R. Nottingham (Bratenahl, OH), John W. Spirk (Gates Mills, OH)
Primary Examiner: William C. Dowling
Attorney: John D. Gugliotta, PE, Esq.
Application Number: 11/519,240