GB2031604A - Transparency viewer - Google Patents

Abstract

A transparency viewer in which transparency images are viewed sequentially by movement of a viewing member rather than by movement of the images comprises a screen for mounting an array of transparency images, e.g. in a grid pattern, and a viewing member movable over the array by way of guides for viewing any selected said image of the array. In one type of embodiment transparencies are held firm over the screen and the viewing member can move from transparency to transparency by way of guides mounted on the screen. In one such case, each transparency is located on the screen by an individual carrier module which is engaged (preferably detachably) with the screen to provide in combination with the screen and adjacent like carrier module(s) the guides by way of which the viewing member moves over the transparencies; different size screens may be provided for accepting one or any desired greater number of rows of carrier modules. The viewing member is preferably disengageable from the guides. A preferred viewing member according to the invention comprises a magnifying lens mounted in an upper frame from which supporting legs descend through a lower frame to feet adapted to engage with the guides for the said movement of the viewing member over the array. The viewing member is preferably constructed so as to be erectable from and dismountable back to a more compact form.

Description

SPECIFICATION Transparency viewer This invention relates to transparency viewers and provides such a viewer comprising a screen for mounting an array of transparency images, e.g. in a grid pattern, and a viewing member movable over the array by way of guides for viewing any selected said image of the array.

The screen is usually light-transmitting and preferably acts as a light diffuser.

In one type of embodiment transparencies are held firm over the screen and the viewing member can move from transparency to transparency by way of guides mounted on the screen. In one such case, each transparency is located on the screen by an individual carrier module which is engaged (preferably detachably) with the screen to provide in combination with the screen and adjacent like carrier module(s) the guides by way of which the viewing member moves over the transparencies; different size screens may be provided for accepting one or any desired greater number of rows of carrier modules.

The viewing member is preferably disengageable from the guides. A preferred viewing member according to the invention comprises a magnifying lens mounted in an upper frame from which supporting legs descend through a lower frame to feet adapted to engage with the guide for the said movement of the viewing member over the array.

The viewing member is preferably constructed so as to be erectable from the dismountable back to a more compact form.

In another type of embodiment transparencies, which may be reduced, are combined and integrated into a composite viewing programme over which the viewing member moves on its guides. The viewing member may include a magnifying lens, and/or one fixed lens may be provided over each separate image of the composite transparency; the latter lenses may be combined into a single "fly-eye" composite lens. A light source may be incorporated in the device behind the composite transparency.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of part of a viewer according to the invention, omitting the moving viewing member; Figure 2 is a side elevation, in section, of the Figure 1 viewer including the viewing member; Figure 3 illustrates a composite multi-image transparency; Figure 4 is a side elevation, in section, of a viewer employing the Figure 3 transparency; Figure 5 is a side elevation, in section, of a modification of the viewer of Figures 1 and 2 in which a single viewing member capable of covering only a single transparency of the grid at a time is moveable in four directioris perpendicular to one another so as to be placeable selectively over any transparency of the grid.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a preferred screen and guide arrangement for use in the invention; Figures 7 and 8 are exploded sectional views taken respectively along lines 7-7 and 8-8 of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a top plan view of a preferred viewing member; and Figure 10 is an elevation view illustrating the Figure 9 viewing member in engagement with part of the screen and carrier module combination of Figures 6 to 8. Figures 9 and 10 are to a larger scale than Figures 6 to 8.

The viewer shown in Figures 1 and 2 is in the form of a flat box which can be held by a handle 2. The base 4 of the box is of translucent material and acts as a light diffuser. Transparencies 6 are mounted in a grid array on the base 4 and are held in position by guide member 8 which act as rails on which a viewing member 10 can slide from left to right in Figure 1. The viewer 10 extends the length of one column or line of transparencies to that when in register with one column or line any transparency in that column or line can be viewed; the viewing member is slid perpendicular to its length along the rails 8 for the viewing of a selected transparency in another column or line.In a less preferred arrangement, a viewing member could be provided which registers over only one transparency at a time, the viewing member being slideable on the rails along the length of one column or line and being removable from the box for transfer from one column or line to another.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the transparencies are reduced and integrated into a composite transparency 12 in which the individual images are again arranged in a grid pattern. The transparency 12 is loaded into a viewer 14 provided with a light diffuser 16, and a composite fly eye lens 18 is mounted in the viewer over the transparency. A moveable eye piece 20 is mounted above the lens for sliding movement over the array for the viewing of any selected individual image of the composite transparency. Instead of the illustrated fixed lens, a magnifying lens could be incorporated in the eye piece 20. The viewer can incorporate a light source which would be held behind the light diffuser.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment which is basically the same as that of Figures 1 and 2, except that the guide member rails 8 and viewing member 10 of the latter are replaced respectively by individual guides 8' disposed at the corners of the transparency locations and a single viewing member 10' which can move, guided by guide posts or members 8', from any one transparency to another across and/or up or down the grid.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a different method of mounting the transparencies. Each transparency 6 is located on screen 4, constituted by a light-diffusing base 24 with a surrounding frame 26, by a respective carrier module 22 which is detachably engaged with screen 4 by way of studs 28 which are a snap or push fit in holes 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the base 24 is of a size to accommodate three rows, each of four transparencies 6, but it will be appreciated that different bases can be provided for accommodating one or any large number of rows each of any number of transparencies.

Each carrier module 22 is in the form of an open generally rectangularframewhich has an outwardly projecting flange 23 extending around its external periphery and an inwardly projecting flange 25 extending around its internal periphery; these flanges are spaced from the base of the carrier module so that, when the module is mounted in position on base 24, the edge of the transparency 6 is secured between flange 25 and the base, and flange 23 defines together with base 24 and the flanges 23 of adjacent carrier modules (and/or the frame 26 of screen 4) a guide or runway 27 along which the feet of a viewing member can slide (see Figure 10).In the outer periphery of each module 22 a recess 29 is formed midway along each side, the opposing recesses of adjacent modules or a recess and the adjacent frame 26 of screen 4, cooperating to provide spaces 31 by way of which the feet of a viewing member may be moved into and out of engagement with the guides.

A viewing member suitable for use with the screen and guide arrangement of Figures 6 to 8 is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. The viewing member has a magnifying lens 32 carried in a frame 34 supported on legs 36 which diverge a little from one another in the direction away from frame 34. Legs 36 pass through a lower open rectangularframe 38 which secures them in position. Each leg 36 is connected to frame 34 by way of a projection 50 which is a push fit in recess 52 in frame 34, and to lower frame 38 by way of a trunk portion 42 which is a push fit through a hole 46 through frame 38, so that the legs and upper and lower frames can be disconnected from one another for easier storage. Lower frame 38 is positioned relative to each leg 36 by abuttment against flange 48.Each leg 36 terminates in afoot 40 which is slimmer than trunk portion 42 and separated therefrom by a neck portion 44. Neck portion 44 is narrower than the gap between adjacent flanges 23 and that between a flange 23 and frame 26; the foot 40 is broader than these gaps, except at the spaces 31 through which it can pass to allow the viewing member to be engaged with or disengaged from the guides 27.

For use, the viewing member is thus assembled from the separate lens carrying upper frame, lower frame, and four legs; the feet of the legs are then passed through corresponding spaces 31 to rest on base 24, and the viewing member can then be slid along the guides 27 across and up and down the grid from transparency to transparency. Each carrier module 22 can preferably be separated from and re-engaged with the base 24 to allow for substitution of transparencies. For easier location of the trans parencies of base 24 before securing the carrier modules 22 thereover, the surface of base 24 is preferably formed with shallow recesses in which the transparencies fit.

In the viewer shown in Figures 6 to 8, the recesses 29 are formed in each edge of the modules 22, so that the legs of a viewing member such as that of Figures 9 and 10 can be engaged with and disengaged from the guides over any transparency in the array. In a modified embodiment, it may however be preferred to arrange for the viewing member to be engagable with and disengageable with and disengageable from the guides only at a certain position or positions at the periphery of the array, e.g. at one or more corners only; a similar arrangement may be employed with viewers of the Figure 5 type.

Another feature which may be preferred for some applications is the provision of members permanently or temporarily blocking selected portions of the guides so that the viewing member is constrained to a single route or to a limited number of routes in its passage over the array of transparencies. The blocking members could for example be detachable clips fitting in or over the guides at selected positions, or blocks which can be inserted (e.g. through openings 31) and slid into frictional engagement with the guides at such positions, to restrict the choice of path that a viewing member can take. The viewing member may thus be constrained to pass over the transparencies of the array in a predetermined sequence.

Claims (21)

1. A transparency viewer comprising a screen, mounting means for mounting transparency images on the screen in an array, and guide means over the screen and by way of which a viewing member can be moved over such an array for the viewing of a selected image or images in the array.

2. A transparency viewer comprising a screen for supporting transparencies, and rail members mounted on the screen for retaining transparencies on the screen in an array and providing guides by way of which a viewing member is slideable along the rail members for registration with any selected transparency in the array.

3. A transparency viewer comprising a screen for supporting transparencies, and respective individual carrier modules secured over the screen in an array for retaining such transparencies on the screen in the array, each carrier module constituting a frame to extend over and around the periphery of a transparency, and adjacent carrier modules defining with one another and with the screen guides along which a viewing member can be slid for registration with any selected transparency in the array.

4. A transparency viewer comprising a screen, mounting means for mounting transparency images on the screen in an array, guide means over the screen, and a viewing member moveable by way of the guide means over such an array for the viewing of a selected image or images in the array.

5. A viewer according to claim 4, wherein said viewing member incorporates a magnifying lens.

6. A viewer according to claim 4 or 5 having a viewer box for mounting a composite transparency incorporating images arranged thereover in an array, the guide means being mounted on the viewer box, and the viewing member being moveable by way of the guide means for registration with a selected image or images of such an array.

7. A viewer according to claim 6 including a light source for illuminating the composite transparency.

8. A viewer according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the viewer box is provided with a composite lens for magnifying the viewer images.

9. A viewer according to claim 3 wherein the carrier modules are detatchably secured to the screen.

10. A viewer according to claim 3 or 9 wherein the carrier modules have recesses in their outer edges providing spaces by way of which a viewing member can be moved into and out of engagement with the guides.

11. A viewer according to claim 2,3 or 9 wherein engagement and disengagement of the guides with a viewing member is possible only at a certain position or positions at the periphery of the array.

12. A viewer according to any of claims 2,3 and 9 to 11 including members permanentlyortemporarily blocking selected portions of the guides whereby passage of a viewing member over the array by way of the guides is restricted to a predetermined route or routes.

13. A viewer according to any of claims 2,3 and 9 to 12 in combination with a viewing member slideable by way of the guides for registration with any selected transparency in the array.

14. A transparency viewing member comprising a magnifying lens mounted in an upper frame, supporting legs extending from the upper frame to respective feet on which the viewing member can be slid by way of guides over an array of transparencies to be viewed, and a lower frame engaging with the legs above the feet and securing the legs in position.

15. Aviewing member according to claim 14, which can be dismantled for storage in compact form.

16. A transparency viewer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A transparency viewer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A transparency viewer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A transparency viewer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A combined transparency viewer and viewing member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

21. Aviewing member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.