GB1326318A - Theatrical screen - Google Patents

Abstract

1326318 Projection screens P SZIGETY 17 Aug 1971 38489/71 Heading G2A [Also in Division A6] A screen (e. g. for the projection of stationary or moving images) comprises a plurality of elastic strips 20 arranged substantially edge to edge and supported between vertically spaced laterally extending members e.g. 40, 42, Fig.2, at least one of the members being a guide e.g. 42, Fig.2, having a plurality of carriages 30, each carriage being connected to one end of a respective strip 20 so as to hold the strip 20 under slight tension. A large object 10, Figs.1, 2, may be pushed through the screen, elastically displacing the strips to form a triangular opening which recloses when the object is removed. For rockets or the like in theatrical productions the upper ends of the strips 20 may be attached to the movable carriages 30 and the lower ends may be fixed. In an alternative arrangement both upper and lower ends of strips 20 may be secured to sliding carriages and either the upper or lower carriages locked by blocking the ends of the guide in which they move. As described each carriage 30 comprises an elongate body (34), Fig.3 (not shown) adapted to be secured to a strip 20, and a pair of wheels (28) at each end of the body (34). The ends of the bodies (34) are in abutment with adjacent carriage bodies so that all strips are displaced by the same amount, and adjacent carriages may be interconnected by easily stretched elastic bands. Return of the strips after displacement may be assisted by light springs. Carriages may be used byP. T. F. E. or ball races the guide may operate P. T. F. E. and ions may be integral between carriages. When installed in a theatrical stage the upper support 40 may serve as part of another piece of equipment (e. g. a screen) and the lower track may be recessed or provided with ramps to protect it when the large object moves over it. The screen may be coated for displaying projected images or may be ornamented and serve as a background. In a preferred use a large object (e. g. vehicle, boat or large animal) has its image projected on the screen and the real object may then be introduced through the screen so as to appear to have emerged from its image.