CA2387530A1 - Devices for displaying backlit photo-transparencies - Google Patents

Abstract

Backlit photography is an art and technology used to satisfy corporate clients in the high end bracket for many years. This invention brings that personalized beauty to the common citizen at an affordable price and in very interesting packages.

Psychological studies demonstrates that people's stress decreases as he or she watches the images of a cherished one. This invention enhances that sensation with the benefit of the light behind it and with added the motion provided by some items. Apart from that, these articles, that we call Photolamps, are actually lamps that will fill your room with warm illumination while you are relaxing, reading, watching TV, etc. Would be ideal for the baby room also for relaxation purposes, or any other room as a very useful ornament or keepsake and conversation piece.

Photolamps have potential to become also advertising and promotional media.

Description

SPECIFICATIONS:
This invention relates to means for providing a rear illuminated photographic transparency, which forms the positive of a photographic image.
"Forwardly" herein means towards the viewer Rear illumination of a photographic transparency may be attempted with incandescent light However it is found that the appearance and color of the backlit transparency is deleteriously affected by the quality of incandescent light, spedally when comes to large formats.
What is called "the transparency" usually includes a wide mounting border outside the photographic image.
I have now found that a backlit transparency's appearance is greatly improved when one or more fluorescent tubes are used instead of incandescent lamps. A surface, which is at least partially reflecting, is placed behind the fluorescent tube to reflect light therefrom onto the transparency.
The side of the tube facing the transparency sometimes requires an opaque shield or heavy shade or the like to avoid forming an unsightly bright spot on the transparency. The partially reflecting surface is referred to as a 'retleding surface' although in most embodiments the reflection is low reflection level and diffuse rather than of mirror quality The light transmitted back from the fluorescent tube to the refleding surface and then forvvardly onto the transparency must somewhat diffused to produce the best appearance of the transparency. The transparencies produced by Kodak and other suppliers come;
of a first type which is substantially transparent and thus require an extra diffusing surface which may be part of Page 2 of 22 the reflecting means of be otherwise in the light's path; or of a second type where the diffusing quality of a layer laminated onto the transparency.
In a preferred embodiment a positive transparency and a holder therefor form one unit for the combining into an assembly with a second unit comprising at feast one fluorescent tube and a reflector surface bent into a shallow bow wit a fluorescent tube or tubes parallel to the axis of the concavity filled by ttie shallow bow. The projected width of the bow is approximately that of the transparency and the shaping of the bow is chosen to distribute forwardly reflected light for the bow's reflecting surface across the transparency.
The reflecting surface of the bow is preferably flat white which is found to be of a sufficiently high enough reflection level and adequate for reflecting for the device and provides a diffusing surface.
An alternative bow is a reflector made up of a series of plane surfaces whose angle to the transparency increases with the plane surface's distance transversely from the longitudinal axis of the tube or tubes. With such a reflector composed of plane surfaces the reflecting surfaces may be formed by mirrors. In such case care must be taken that there is a light transparency as a separate layer adjacent the transparency or as an intrinsic part of it.
The inventive device is preferably an assembly of two units. One unit is the transparency without a frame or casing. (Usually a frame or casing makes mounting the transparency more convenient). The other unit is a combination of the fluorescent tube, its holder, wiring (with or without ballast) and the reflector.
The ballast can either be incorporated in the light box assembly, or connected somewhere in between the light bulb assembly and the power plug. Plug-in type ballast unit could also be used as an alternative.
Although the transparency in accord with the invention may be of any shape transverse to the viewing direction, it will usually be rectangular. With a rectangular outline the invention may be displayed in 'portrait' (height greater than width) or 'landscape' (width greater than height) orientation, square, or in any of the inventive forms. By 'transparency' herein I include the central image as well as any border or structural support therearound.
The illuminated transparency of the invention in some embodiments may be displayed white resting on a plane surface.
The illuminated display of the invention may be mounted in a housing, which may hang or mounted in a vertical surface such as a wall of drywall by cutting a hole in the wall and mounting the housing on the cut wall edges. For better appearance, wiring from light box assembly to electrical outlet could travel inside the drywall.
Folded angle bars applied to the corners of the square, rectangular or any other format of light-box, will facilitate the mounting of the Photolamps. Plain angle bars could be used in between them whenever applicable.
This invention covers another novel image displaying device: a lampshade assembly which is able to display one or more images, in constant revolving motion, activated by the heat of an incandescent light bulb passing through a turbine attached to its top circumference.
It consists of a standalone lamp-stand with a shade made of rolled up photo-transparency (ies) that rotates on its own axis supported by the assemblies mounted on top, or over of the light bulb This feature item has also the advantage of accommodating more than one image in the same unit, and display them revolving graciously from photo to photo. This novel device can also display written messages combined or not with images that, when arranged spirally, in motion, will give a sensation of a continuously written message from top to bottom.
Obviously the turbine will be arranged to rotate anti-clockwise for languages read in reverse direction. That will be ideal Page 3 of 22 for displaying of prayers, psalms, hymns, poems, lyrics, sayings, messages, etc. Endless imaging applications can be achieved within the boundaries of that lampshade, taking advantage or not, of its brightness and motion. The lampshade can also be made of opaque and/or translucent materials other than photo-transparencies. They can also be made in a way to hide and/or enhance images and/or texts when turned on or off. Extra outer andlor inner display covers can be easily interchanged in order to bear different image/messages.
This lampshade can be made in any shape or size and the stand can also host more than one concentric shades, with or without turbines and/or other source of propulsion enabling motion in one or both directions, combination of still-moving, perforationslmirror/lens for projections, and/or any other means to enhance visual impact.
Units can also apply cool fluorescent lighting and have heating sources and/or electric motors to provide motion to the lampshade.
Supporting assemblies can also have special connections to convey electricity to LED and/or any other elements to light up the surface of the revolving lampshade, with or without blinkers, flashers, dimmers or any other gadgetry to enhance visual effects.
Lamp-stands can also have any specialty item incorporated or attached thereto.
1e. radios, clocks, penholders, electronic sensors, statues, etc.
The lampshade can have fringes, pendants, and/or any other decorative article that enhances visual appearance of the "Carousel Photolamp".
Angle on fins of turbine and intensity of electricity feeding the light bulb will control the speed of the revolution of lampshade. That means a light dimmer could customize it, and/or some handling to adjust mentioned angle of the turbine wedges. Counter weights can be used to compensate the excess weight of tapes, glues and/or any other excess of mass anywhere in the shade.
Lampshades can also be optionally installed in a way to display photo-transparencies and/or other opaque/translucent materials in a permanent still position even when turned on.
Practically any object that can bear a light bulb on its top (i.e. beverage bottles, statues, vases, etc. ) can become a lamp-stand for the Carousel Photolamp. An assembly for its supporting spike (or seat) with a bracket that could be fastened, latched, bolted, welded, etc., to its neck. Extra supporting rods and/or clear cylinders around the light bulb can be applied in order to avoid accidental contacts of the hot bulb with the surrounding shade.
In the drawings which illustrate the prefer-ed embodiments of the invention:
Fig. 1 shows a combination single fluorescent bulb and bowed reflector.
Fig. 2 shows a transparency and frame and a combination of Fig. 1 for mounting thereon.
Fig. 3 shows a front view of the transparency and frame along the arrow 3 of Fig. 2 Fig. 4 shows a section of the transparency and frame along the lines 4 - 4 of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a bowed reflector unit with two bulbs.
Fig. 6 shows a reflector unit constructed of flat panels and a bulb.
Fig. 7 shows a fluorescent bulb and bowed reflector where outwardly extending flanges extend on each side of the bowed reflector.

Fig. 8 shows a transparency and frame (bulb omitted) with apertured tabs bolting to a frame Fig. 9 and 10 show methods of mounting assemblies to drywall.
Fig. 11 and Section Fig. 11A show tabs for receiving a reflector.
Figures 12 and 13 show means for setting an assembly on a flat surface.
Page 4 of 22 Figures 14 and 16 show front and side views of three lamp arrays with magnetic attachment in portrait mode.
Fig. 15 shows a front view of a wall-mounted unit in landscape mode.
The wires and ballast necessarily connected to each fluorescent tube are omitted for ctarity. It is understood that these units can also be made in the above-described shapes or any other, with linear or any other lighting arranged tr~sversely or in any other manner.
In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic of a fluorescent bulb located in the concavity formed by a bowed reflector 12. The forwarding reflecting surface 11 is preferably formed by metal coated by white enamel on the concave surface. End wall 26 shapes the bow of reflector 12. The fluorescent bulb 10 will usually be masked or heavily filtered at 31 to avoid creating an unwanted "bright spot" on the transparency. The end wall 26 may be slanted rather than parallel to each other and may be bowed to be concave to each other. The edges of the reflector may be rounded and the reflector ends 28 could be made of heat resistant plastic.
There are a very large numbers of methods of mounting the lamp and reflector on a transparency and frame to form an assembly. One of the pref~rred methods is shown in Figures 1 - 4.
In these figures the bowed board is provided with laterally extending tabs 24 along those sides which are parallel to the axis of the concavity.
As best seen in Figures 1 - 4 the transparency 20 is usually combined with a frame, which in this case is composed of members 18 and 19. The frame will usually be used to achieve connection to the bowed reflector. Centrally of each frame side member the frame bar 18 is slotted at 25 to receive tabs 24 and fix the transparency on the bowed reflector and vice versa. In this embodiment the bowed reflector 12 is metal and sufficiently resiliently flexible to be laterally compressed until tabs 24 go into slots 25 and on release thus connect the wall 12 to frame 18 -19. Other slot-tab combinations may be used and other methods of connection available to those skilled in the art may be substituted.
Although member 20 is called the transparency, normally the photographic image will appear only on the area 201 delineated by the frame members 18 and 19 as shown. The outside of this will typically form a frame for the photographic images.
All bowed reflectors are preferably provided with a flat white finish, which acts as a sufficient reflector to illuminate the transparency and provide a diffuse illumination output.
Figure 5 shows a reflector combined with dual bulbs 38 and preferably provided with tabs similar to those in Fig. 1 for mounting on a frame 18 -19.
Figure 6 shows a reflector where the reflector is made of a number of flat plates, 34 extending parallel to the bulb and having an angle to the transparency varying with the disianoe from the center. Although it is possible to use flat white as the reflector material, it is preferred to take advantage of the flat plates and cover these with mirrors covering plates and not separately shown. Using mirrors means the light from the bulb travels undiffused to the transparency and it is necessary to ad a diffusing layer to the fight path to the transparency if the path does not already incorporate one. The reflector of Figure 6 may have tabs 24 as shown or alternate attachment means The arrangements of Fig. 6 may have one, two or more tubes (not shown).
Page 5 of 22 Figure 7 shows a lamp and reflector where the reflector is provided with full-length lateral flanges 27. It is proposed to use this design with a frame consisting only of lengthwise members 18 grooved for their entire length so that the flanges may be inserted lengthwise. Apertures 29 in the flanges may be provided to allow locking screws to pass through and contact the frame member 18.
Figure 8 shows a reflector (the lamp has been omitted) provided with flanges 31 with apertures 33 whereby the reflector may be saewad to members 18 instead of being inserted in grooves.
Figure 11 and 11 A show the rear of the frame and transparencies where the frame members 18 are provided with inwardly extending tabs 37, spaced from the transparency 20 so that flanges 27 such as those shown in figure 7 may slid thereunder to attach the reflector to the frame when the reflector is slightly flexed to move the flanges 27 inwardly-Figure 12 shows any of the bowed assemblies supported on a desk or table in portrait made.
Figure 13 shows the assembly with bowed board in landscape mode.
The bowed board assembly does not have to have the bulb and the axis of symmetry of the bowed board running in the long dimension although this is preferable.
The assemblies of Figure 12 and 13 may be made to support transparencies in the portrait or landscape position and the fluorescent may be parallel to the long or short dimensions.
.Fig. 9 shows drywall 44 cut to receive the rear of an assembly. Bolts 46 mounted on the edge of the transparency plate pass through flanges 47 on the reflector tube housing.
The bolts 46 may then be used to mount the assembly 48 on the wall. It is noted that, if desired, the drywall cutout may be saved and fitted back in place if the assembly is later removed, Figure 10 shows another method of mounting on drywall. The casing is provided with spring clips 59 attached to the casing and chamferred inward when the casing is pressed into the wall and such clips 41 are recessed at 43 as shown to receive the drywall ends and mount the casing in place. The watt of the casing is apertured (not shown). The spring clips 41 or equivalent fastener may be mounted as shown in Figure 16 may be part of the casing or designed in any other desired method which achieves their function.
Fig. 13-A shows a profile of a modern version of a ~rtrait format of table Photolsmp, showing 70:
frame, 74, bowed reflector and 75 table's surface.
Figures 14 and 15 show reflectors with three lamps with an opening. Figure 16 shows top wall edge 55, bottom tabs 51 for insertion behind drywall bottom edge 53. Once such insertion is made the box may be swung into place in the drywall opening (clockwise in Fig.
16) and the reanwardly-downwardly sloping top wall 57 allow this. The reflector has spring clips 41 attached as desired such as by rivets 62 which operate like the same clips of Figure 10 which fix the reflector to the side edges of the drywall opening. The frame 18 and transparency 20 may be attached to any of the means previously dealt with or by magnets 61 or the reflector and keepers 63 on the frame. Four magnets are indicated in Figure 14 (two of them are shown in Figure 16) and two are called for in the model of Figure 15 provided that the frame will have probes such as 71 at the horizontal lower portion to penetrate the lower surface of the reflector casing to fix in place. Surfaces with light diffusing capabilities can also be placed between lighting and Page 6 of 22 transparency assembly. The bowed reflecting shape is not always required. The reflecting surface 69 of the reflectors in Figures 14 -16 is preferably white enamel 69.
To avoid risk of overheating, any of the reflectors may be apertured to allow enough circulation to avoid an excess heat from the lamps andlor ballast the space about the lamps may be otherwise vented in any desired manner.
Fig. 17 shows one of the folded angle-bar brackets to be bolted, riveted, (through the perforations 72) welded, etc., to the four comers of the light-box reflector, and then to its frame & photo/glass assemblies, forming one single piece. For extra large displays, similar extra brackets, in a single angle-bar format (Fig. 17-A), can also be applied somewhere in between the comer ones. These brackets can also be replaced by straight angle tabs/bars protruding from the corners and along the borders of the light-box. Brackets of Fig. 17 and/or 17-A can have reinforcing bar (s) as shown on 73, with or without holes for bolts/rivets to go through. For better protection, photo-transparency can be fitted between two sheets of glass, acrylic, etc. then stapled, nailed, bolted or tabbed inside the surrounding frame. This system is proven to be very practical and economical. Other systems can also be applied in order to mount or slide the transparency into place.
Fig. 18 shows the standalone Carousel Photolamp unit with a shade 78 that will revolve around the protruding seat 77 when the light bulb is turned on exhaling hot air through the turbine 76, and supported by the stand 79.
Fig. 19 shows the flat transparency cutout to form a lampshade by joining the two edges together.
These edges can be cut in a straight line or crisscrossed in a decorative manner. 1e. zigzag, scallop, squiggle, tiara, wave, Victorian, etc. in both sides enabling a perfect mending. These decorative lines can also be used in order to visually and/or physically separate the images and/or texts displayed on the shade. This system is proven to be more effective also to insure even roundness of the shade when bonding both ends together, also eliminating the need of supporting rims. Photographic images can also be optically overlapped, andlor have any other special effect used in conventional or digital practices, as the shade can take any form of graphic art layout, same as a plain blank paper.
Fig. 20 shows one version of the turbine, made in flexible material, in laid out configuration.
Points 80 and 81 will have to be joined together in order to bring it to its three dimensional functionality. Other versions of turbine could be made, formed, injected, molded, stamped, etc. in rigid or flexible material, in the same or any other shape to satisfy application i.e. the one on Fig.
20-A a turbine with their wedges tips slanting down towards the light bulb.
This item has also the advantage of adjusting the speed of the lampshade by altering the angle andJor shape of the fins.
It can obviously be alternatively designed with different number of wedges, rotating clockwise or anti-clockwise, and/or in any other configuration for the same purpose.
Fig. 21 shows a rim that will hold the shade to the turbine in its concavity while ensuring the round shape of the shade. This rim can also be molded, stamped, etc. together with the turbine of Fig.
20-A forming one single piece. The measurements in the drawings are just to illustrate proportions.
Fig 22 shows the assemblies that will hold the central spike 83, which the whole shade will rotate around. This system can also be configured the opposite way: with a pointing-down spike at the center of the turbine that will seat on a flange concave towards the light-bulb, mounted on top or just above it.
The supporting spike (or seat) can also be installed on different an-angements, i.e. one or more rods, a cylinder surrounding the light bulb, etc, and also right on top of a clamp attached to the light bulb (not shown). The whole assembly can also have brackets) (not shown) that could embrace any surface that can function as a lamp-stand: i.e. beverage bottles, vases, statues, etc.

Page 7 of 22 Fig. 23 shows darkroom easel with masks 83 that can be lifted or lowered individually by the tab 85, to enable multiple exposures in the same sheet of photo-transparency. It has the advantage to make images separated by straight or decorative lines 84 crisscrossing in between them.
This device will enable ideal sorting of images to be applied to the lampshade according to the way they were photographed. 1e. if you have three images that will fit a square frame, four portrait formats, or two panoramic views, no problem, just use identical masks. But if you have a portrait frame image and others landscape ones, or any other combination whatsoever, you would have to use our easel with a combination of different masks. The same would apply to "collage" settings. This easel can also have interchangeable border strips that could easily be mounted, latched or bolted to the masks whenever different separating decorative lines are desired.
Fig. 24 shows another easel equipment that enables multiple exposures of images tike the one of Fig. 23, with advantage of enabling op6onai soft-focus masking in between photographs instead of mentioned decorative or straight lines. This equipment also enables the exposure of a few images combined with one or more images as background or any other combination whatsoever-It shows the adjustable masks 84 that wilt be sliding through the slots 91 that will be held by the protruding screws 85 and secured by the machined washers 86. The film to be exposed will be sitting on the easel 92, and the needles 87 wilt make a shadow in that film in order to guide where the ideal mending point for the lamp shade wilt be.
This equipment will have telescopic legs 88 that will be secured by the bolts 89, to adjust the ideal height between the enlarger head and the film.
Fig. 25 shows one more version of an easel that besides being able to perform soft and/or sharp focus image separation, will perform split image in order to disguise mending when rolling up the processed photo-transparency film. 94 is the easel board with the recessed surface 106 where the transparency film will be sitting, with the foldable masking assembly 95, that will be sitting on the protruding guiding spikes 97 through the orifices 96. The elevated arrows 99 will perform above mentioned guiding shadow in the film during exposures. Toggle surface 100 will guide the two points 98 of the image to be exposed, with the mending guide in its center.
Fig. 26 is a profile view of mentioned recessed toggle guide that will be moving around the axle 103 and exposing alternatively the guides 98 to the surface, sitting in the bracket 100, for ideal split image exposures. Magnets 104 can be used in order to ensure proper alternation in the dark.
Fig. 27 is a side view of easel equipment of Fig. 25 showing the mask support 94, that is adjustable in height by the poles 105, that can be telescopically adjusted like the version of Fig.
24, the mask assembly 95 sitting on the board 94, for desired soft-focus exposures. In case of sharp focus operation, previously mentioned decorative edges can be installed or be an intrinsic part of the lines 107.
The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is ed are defined as follows:
An assembly comprising a positive transpare , least on fluorescent bulb for creating a light path rearward of said tran , means in said light path for diffusing said light, and means of the transpare jacent side of said bulb for masking or reducing light transmission dir id transparency, and a reflective means for reflecting light from said bulb r 1y onto said transparency.
An assembly as claimed in Gaim 1 wherein said diffusing means forms part of said

Claims (27)

1. An assembly comprising a positive transparency, at least on fluorescent bulb for creating a light path rearward of said transparency, means in said light path for diffusing said light and means of the transparency adjacent side of said bulb for masking or reducing light transmission directly to said transparency, and a reflective mead's for reflecting light from said bulb forwardly onto said transparency.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diffusing means forms part of said transparency

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said reflecting is formed in a relatively flat bow concave towards said transparency.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said reflecting means is a flat light-colored surface which is adapted to diffuse the reflected light.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said reflecting means is a mirror.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said reflecting means is formed of reflecting surfaces respectively oriented to reflect rays received from said tube onto different areas of said transparency.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transparency forms part of first unit means and said bulb and mirror form part of said second unit means, and there are means for detachably attaching said first and second unit means to form said assembly.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflecting means, said bulb and said transparency are connectable as a unit.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 where the ballast is enclosed in a box and connected to the power plug forming a single unit.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said transparency is square or rectangular and means are provided to arrange said transparency in portrait or landscape orientation.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said transparency forms part of first unit means and said bulb and mirror form part of said second unit means, and there are means for detachably and said bulb and mirror form part of said second unit means, and there are means for detachably attaching said first and second unit means.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 where means are provided for mounting said attached fist and second unit means in a display orientation on a plane surface.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 where means are provided for mounting said attached first and second unit means in a display orientation on a plane surface.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 means for detachably attaching said transparency, reflector, with or without ballast, wiring and bulb(s) to a drywall.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 including means for detachably attaching said transparency, reflector with or without ballast, wiring and bulb(s) to a drywall.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 including means for detachably attaching said transparency, reflector with or without ballast, wiring and bulb(s) to a drywall.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 including means for detachably attaching said transparency, reflector with or without ballast, wiring and bulb(s) to a drywall.

18. An assembly comprising: a transparency, at least one fluorescent bulb for creating light path rearward from said bulb, then forwardly from said reflective means to said transparency.

19. A lamp with a shade made of one or more sheets of photo transparencies and attached to a turbine, that rotates when turned on, around its own axis on a spike assembled on top or atop the light bulb.

20. A lamp as claimed in claim 19 with the spike pointing downwards and attached to the turbine assembly, that rotates on a centered seat concave to said spike, mounted on top or atop the light bulb.

21. A lampshade as claimed in claim 19 that has decorative bar attached to its bottom and/or any other circumference with or without trimmings, fringes, pendants, and/or any other articles to enhance appearance.

22. A lampshade as claimed in claim 19 that has its bottom circumference cut in decorative manner matching, or not matching the decorative lines that separate the mending and/or arrangement of photographic images.

23. A lamp with a shade decorated with photo-transparencies that does not revolve even when turned on

24. A lamp as claimed in claim 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 with a shade that is made of opaque and/or translucent material, detachable or not, other than photo-transparency.

25. A darkroom easel with identical and/or different masking flaps that will enable multiple exposures of images on the cutout transparency that will form the lampshade.

26. A darkroom easel that besides enabling multiple exposures to the photo-transparencies, provides also separation and/or overlapping of image exposures with or without soft focus, besides guidance for split image mending among other special effects.

27. An apparatus placed somewhere after the dryer of the photo processing machine with a dye, rotary blade, laser beam or any other tool that will cut the transparency mentioned in Fig. 19. This device can have a light-box for inspection of the roll of film during manual or automatic handling. Automatic advancing would be also possible, with motorized spools, conveyor belts, etc. controlled by the barcode printed on the film that will also identify the exposure(s), or any other electronic and/or mechanical means.