GB2355941A - Three dimensional scene creation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (101) comprises a frame (102) forming a partially open enclosure (14). The frame (102) having inwardly directed opposed upper and lower sides (105,106), each side having a plurality of channels (118) extending to at least one insert opening (12,13) to the frame (102), and a plurality of inserts (40,41,42) engageable in different channels (ll8). Each insert (40,41,42) having a display surface being adapted to display a portion of a scene, and the display surfaces of the inserts (40,41,42) being viewable through a display opening (4) to the frame (102) with different inserts (40,41,42) being at different distances from the display opening (4) so that the inserts (40,41,42) can display a three dimensional scene to a viewer. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use as a children's toy to create three dimensional artistic, graphical or sculptural works.

Description

2355941 Three Dimensional Scene Creation Kit The present invention relates

to an apparatus for creating three dimensional scenes, and particularly a toy in kit form that can be used by children to create these artistic, graphical or sculptural works.

There are many types of drawing toys for children. The most basic are sheets of paper on which colourful images lo may be drawn with crayons, felt tipped pens or pencils. Translucent images can be drawn on transparencies. Many types of decorative designs can be created in collages by adhering paper or plastic to a substrate such as paper. In all cases, it is difficult, particularly for children, to create perspective drawings of animate and inanimate objects or scenery, or abstract designs in three dimensional designs. Partly this is because children do not understand the technique and conventions for representing something in three-dimensions, and partly, this is because of the limitations of most two-dimensional materials used and the mechanical difficulty of constructing a work sculpture, such as a collage with some depth. Many adults experience similar difficulties.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient apparatus for creating three dimensional scenes.

Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus for creating three dimensional scenes, comprising a frame forming a partially open enclosure, the frame having inwardly directed opposed upper and lower sides, each side having a plurality of channels extending to at least one insert opening to the frame, and a plurality of inserts engageable in different channels, each insert having a display surface being adapted to display a portion of a I scene, and the display surfaces of the inserts being viewable through a display opening to the frame with different inserts being at different distances from the display opening so that the inserts can display a three 5 dimensional scene to a viewer.

The f rame may be a box shaped with a rectangular, or equivalently square, display opening.

The display surfaces may take any of several f orms. These surfaces may be surfaces on which a person may write or draw. The display surfaces may be pre-printed with images, or be surfaces on which stickers or transfers have been applied, either permanently, or removably. A person may thereby readily build up a scene with two or more such inserts.

In general, the inserts will be removably engageable with the channels, so that a person may alter a scene as desired by removing or substituting inserts.

In general, inserts need not be planar, but may have three dimensional shapes, for example as figurines or models.

The channels may run in any direction which allows an insert to be engaged with a channel so that the display surfaces are presented in view through the display opening. For example, the channels may be unidirectional, or alternatively run in directions which cross one another. The unidirectional case will be appropriate where there is one or more insert openings which permit the inserts to be inserted or removed in just one direction.

Preferably, the insert opening is transverse, and preferably at right angles, to the display opening. In this case, there may be a set of parallel channels, for i I example equidistantly spaced f rom one another, that runs transverse or at right angles to the insert opening.

Channels may be essentially parallel with the display opening. This allows inserts to be inserted across the f ield of view through the display opening, so that inserts can be correctly positioned in a lateral direction of the scene. If an insert has to be repositioned in a depth direction of the scene, then the insert can be removed from a channel and reinserted in a different channel having a different depth in the scene.

In a pref erred embodiment of the invention, the f rame has a backdrop spaced behind channels as viewed through the display opening. A person may then add inserts to create a three dimensional scene in front of the backdrop.

The backdrop may take any of several f orms. The backdrop may be removable, so that a viewer can see through the frame when looking through the opening. The backdrop may be a mirror allowing a viewer to look through the opening to see inserts from behind. Such a mirror is particularly advantageous in allowing a person to create a three dimensional scene with additional depth owing to the virtual image of inserts as viewed in the mirror. If the display surfaces present an opaque image to a person as viewed directly, then optionally the rear or opposite side of the display surfaces may present an image that can be viewed in the mirror. For example, if the display surface is an image of an animate object, then to the rear of the display surface presents the rear image of the same animate object.

Alternatively, if the display surface is transparent or 35 translucent, then the display surface itself may be visible as a reflection in the mirror.

Mirrors need not be planar mirrors, but could also be convex or concave to magnify or demagnify any reflections in the mirror.

More than one mirror may be used with mirrors angled towards one another to create multiple reflections and images in a mirror. Interesting effects may be created using partially reflecting mirrors.

The backdrop may be a rearmost insert viewable through the display opening. This allows a maximum of space in front of the backdrop for a person to create the scene.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the inserts are fully or partially transparent so that a viewer can view inserts behind transparent portions of said inserts. For example, the inserts may be transparent sheets that slot into the channels, engaging with opposite channels in the upper and lower inwardly directed surfaces. In general, whether or not an insert is translucent or opaque at least some of the inserts are adapted to engage slidingly between opposite channels in the upper and lower inwardly directed sides.

It is convenient if there are a pair of opposite insert openings so that inserts can be engaged with the channels through either of the insert openings.

The invention will now be described further by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus 35 according to a first embodiment of the invention for creating three dimensional scenes, with a plurality of insert slots into which a solid decorated backdrop and a foreground transparent decorated insert are to be inserted; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus similar to that of Figure 1, having a mirror backdrop, and a foreground transparent decorated insert; 10 Figure 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, with a plurality of insert slots having an undercut into which a solid decorated background and foreground solid decorated inserts are to be 15 inserted;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lower or upper plate f or a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is a front view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures I and 2 show perspective views of a first 25 embodiment of an apparatus 1 for creating threedimensional scenes. The apparatus comprises a frame 2 forming a partially open enclosure 4. The frame 2 consists of parallel upper and lower plates 5,6 of rectangular shape spaced apart at four corners by four posts 7.

Between the posts 7 are f our open sides, these being a front display opening 11, left and right insert openings 12,13, and an open rear side 14, which can optionally serve as an additional display opening.

The upper and lower plates 5,6 have on inwardly opposed upper and lower surfaces 15,16 seven parallel channels 17,18 that run at right angles to the insert openings 12,13, and parallel to the front and rear display openings 11, 14. Each of the channels 17 in the upper plate 5 is directly opposite a corresponding one of the channels 18 in the lower plate 6. This allows a variety of different types of sheets to be inserted with edges engaging in both the upper and lower channels 17,18. In Figure 1, two sheets 19,20 are shown being inserted into the partially open enclosure through the right insert opening 13. Each of the sheets 19 has a rectangular outline similar in extent to that of the display opening 11, so that when a person looks into the display opening with the sheets 19,20 inserted, he will see anything depicted on the sheets 19,20.

In Figure 1, the rearmost sheet 19 is a solid or opaque backdrop, for example white card or plastic, which has been decorated with outdoor scenery 21 including a building. The foreground sheet 20 is made of clear plastic material, to which a self-adhesive and removable sticker of a person 22 has been affixed. When both inserts or sheets 19,20 are inserted into the frame 2, a person looking through the display opening 11 will therefore see in three dimensions the f igure of a person 22 in f ront of the background scenery 21.

Although not illustrated, several such transparent inserts 20 can be inserted into one of the display openings 12,13, and if these inserts are appropriately decorated, either by drawing on the insets or by f ixing stickers, then a complex three- dimensional scene can be built up. Furthermore, the scenery can be viewed and then adjusted or altered as required so that a person can readily create the three-dimensional scene he desires.

Figure 2 shows another way in which the apparatus I can be used. Here, a rearmost insert or sheet 23 is a mirror. This may be a glass mirror, but for safety it may be preferable if the mirror is made from clear plastic with one metalised surface. When the mirror 23 is inserted into the frame. Anything spaced in front of the mirror 23 will present to a viewer looking at the mirror through the display opening 11 a virtual image of itself. Here, a clear insert or sheet 24 has had drawn on it a pattern of concentric rings 25, for example by using a template. More than one such template may be used with two or more such inserts spaced at different distances from the display opening 11. Templates may be so designed that when patterns drawn on the inserts are viewed at the correct angle, these patterns together give the effect of a three dimensional scene or representation of an animate or inanimate object. The process of creating scenes could be partially automated, for example if the insert is a transparency, such as A4 size ink-jet transparency that has been printing on using an ink-jet printer.

A self-adhesive sticker 26 has also been adhered to the clear sheet 24. A sticker 26 is opaque and has front decoration of stripes and rear decoration of spots. The stripes are therefore directly visible to a viewer looking through the display opening 11, while if the viewer does not look at the sticker 26 at right angles to the mirror 23, he will see the reverse side of the sticker 23 with the spots. Of course, stickers can be decorated with recognisable objects, whether animate or inanimate, with front and rear surfaces decorated according to what might be expected of a real object. Realistic three-dimensional scenes can therefore be constructed in front of a mirror 23.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus 101 for creating threedimensional scenes. This apparatus 101 has similarities to the apparatus described above. Corresponding features are therefore numbered with the same reference numerals, and similar features are numbered with the same reference numerals incremented by 100. The apparatus 101 differs from the first embodiment 1 in that the upper plate 105 is transparent with a frosted outer surface 30 a rear edge 31 of the upper plate 105 abuts with a lamp unit 32 that has an open aperture 33 facing into the rear edge 31. A light source (not shown) such as a fluorescent tube can then be used to direct light rays 34 into the clear upper plate 105. Any light 34 incident on the top frosted surface 30 will tend to be scattered downwards into the partially enclosed volume 4. In addition, any ambient light 35 can also pass through the upper plate 105 in order to help illuminate any threedimensional scene within the frame 102.

The second embodiment 101 also differs in that the upper and lower channels 117,118 are undercut so that the upper channels 117 have a 'T' cross section and thelower channels 118 have an inverted "T" cross-section. Inserts 40,41 can then have a matching shape so that these will be held in the T-shaped channels 117,118 by the undercut shape. In this case, it is not necessary for such inserts 40,41 to extend between opposite pairs of channels 117,118. Inserts 40,41 can therefore form portions of a scene not extending between the upper and lower plates 105,106. As before, other types of insert not having a shape matching the 'T" profile can be used, for example an insert 42 having a background decoration.

In the case of an insert 40 suspended in an upper channel 117, the insert may hang rigidly as illustrated, or may be 9 flexibly connected to the upper channel 117, for example at a joint or by a flexible linkage such as a string.

The use of ambient or artificial lighting through a transparent or translucent upper plate 105 is particularly useful when most of the inserts 40,41,42 are not transparent. Such illumination helps to avoid shadows between various inserts.

The frame 1, 101 may be conveniently moulded in plastics materials, for example polypropylene, PVC or the like. The post 7 may be engaged with the plates 5, 6; 105, 106 in a snap-fit engagement.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention 201. As before, components corresponding with the f irst embodiment are given similar reference numerals, here incremented by 200. The plane of view cuts through four triangular corner posts 207 and is directed either downwards or upwards towards, respectively, the lower plate 206 or the upper plate 205.

The upper and lower plates 205,206 have on inwardly opposed upper and lower surfaces 215,216 a criss-cross pattern of channels 217,218, that leads to all four frame openings 11,12,13,14. Any of these four sides can therefore serve as an insert opening and/or a display opening. The arrangement also has diagonal channels that permits inserts to be angled to the direction of view.

Figure 5 shows a f ront view of a fourth embodiment of the invention 301, and again components corresponding with the first embodiment are given similar reference numerals, here incremented by 300. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment 1 in that the frame 302 has in upper and lower plates 305,306 two pairs of side channels, for example in the form of grooves 27,28, that run along opposite insert openings 12,13 of the frame 302 between the front and rear display openings 11,14. Each of the grooves 27,28 is in a lip 46,47 of the upper plate 305 or the lower plate 306 that extends laterally beyond the posts 7 at a level recessed at least as much as a base surface 48 of the channels 17,18 so as not to interfere with the insertion of inserts into the channels 17,18 through the insert openings 12,13. The grooves 27,28 may therefore receive lateral inserts 44, for example as a side-oriented backdrop to a scene created within the partially open enclosure 4. If the lateral insert 44 is a mirror, then this provides the effect, when viewed through a display opening 11,14 transverse to the lateral insert 44, of extending the created scene apparently beyond the lateral extent of the partially open enclosure 4.

The invention therefore provides a convenient and versatile apparatus that may be used by a person to create a three-dimensional scene. This apparatus may be used by adults, or by children as a creative toy.

Claims (18)

Claims:

1. An apparatus f or creating three dimensional scenes, comprising a frame f orming a partially open enclosure, the frame having inwardly directed opposed upper and lower sides, each side having a plurality of channels extending to at least one insert opening to the frame, and a plurality of inserts engageable in different channels, each insert having a display surface being adapted to display a portion of a scene, and the display surfaces of the inserts being viewable through a display opening to the frame with different inserts being at different distances from the display opening so that the inserts can display a three dimensional scene to a viewer.

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the insert opening is at transverse to the display opening.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, in which a set of channels extend essentially parallel with the display opening.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame has a backdrop spaced behind channels as viewed through the display opening.

5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the backdrop is removable, so that a viewer can see through the frame when looking through the opening.

6. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the backdrop is a mirror allowing a viewer to look through the opening to see inserts from behind.

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7. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, in which the backdrop is a rearmost insert viewable through the display opening.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least some of the inserts are fully gr partially transparent so that a viewer can view inserts behind transparent portions of said inserts.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the channels are unidirectional.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, in which channels cross one another.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least some of the inserts are adapted to engage slidingly between opposite channels in the upper and lower inwardly directed sides.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame is box shaped with a rectangular display opening.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which there are a pair of opposite insert openings so that inserts can be engaged with the channels through either of the insert openings.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the channels are undercut so that inserts with a matching shape can be held in the channel by the undercut.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame has a light source to help illuminate the enclosure.

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16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper side is transparent or translucent so that ambient light can help to illuminate the enclosure through 5 the upper side.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which channels are provided along an insert opening so that a lateral insert may be inserted transverse to a display opening.

18. An apparatus substantially as herein described, with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.