GB2203958A

GB2203958A - Audio-visual equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2203958A
Application number: GB08710303A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Lynch
Original assignee: GROSVENOR INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: GROSVENOR INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-30
Filing date: 1987-04-30
Publication date: 1988-11-02
Also published as: GB8710303D0

Abstract

Audio-visual equipment comprises a sound-reproducing device, such as a tape cassette player 11, and a picture- projection device 13 contained within a single housing 10. The equipment can be located on a horizontal support surface and pointed upwardly to project onto a ceiling or forwardly onto a wall. Preferably, the projection device 13 comprises a lens 14, bulb 15, reflector 16 and a slot 31 into which a disc (30, Fig. 3) bearing transparencies (32) may be inserted. The disc (30) may be rotated in synchrony with the sound output from the cassette player. <IMAGE>

Description

AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT This invention concerns audio-visual equipment intended for use by children primarily as a substitute for the traditional bed-time story.

According to the present invention there is provided audio-visual equipment comprising sound reproducing means and picture projection means contained within a housing which may be located on a horizontal support surface and wherein said picture projection means is or may be pointed upwardly so as to project onto a ceiling above said support surface.

The sound reproducing means may be a magnetic cassette tape player.

The picture projection means may be adapted to project stills from transparancies arranged at angularly spaced positions in a supporting disc.

The picture projection means may be arranged to change frames upon receipt of synchronisation signals from the sound reproducing means.

The picture projection means may be adapted, in an alternative mode of use, to project forwardly onto a wall rather than the ceiling.

In a preferred arrangement the housing may be reorientated on the horizontal support surface to change the mode of projection.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of exmple only, one form of audio-visual equipment embodying same.

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the equipment; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the equipment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a plan view of a transparancy carrying disc.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that-the equipment essentially comprises a housing 10 for a magnetic tape cassette play-back unit 11 supplying a loudspeaker 12 and a transparancy projector generally indicated at 13 comprising a lens assembly 14, bulb 15 and reflector- 16.

In known manner, the unit 11 comprises a compartment 20 to receive a cassette recording and various control switches, a- main on/off switch 21 (which also enables the projector 13) a play switch 22, fast-forward and rewind switches 23 and 24 and a cassette eject button 25.

The projector 13 can be loaded with a disc 30 in slot 31. The disc 30 has a plurality,of film transparancies 32 at angularly spaced locations therein and may be indexed to change the projected still by means of a drive unit 33 which operates in synchronism with receipt of control pulses from the cassette recording.

The equipment may be powered from self-coptained batteries (not shown) or from the mains electrical supply.

In use, the equipment is stood by its face A on a child's bedside table, a desired pre-recorded cassette and associated disk 30 are loaded and the equipment is switched on. The child will be entertained by a story illustrated by a series of stills projected onto the ceiling over its bed, all inducing, hopefully, sleep at the appropriate time.

In an alternative mode of use the equipment may be stood on its face B to project against a wall rather than the ceiling providing entertainment during the day, as for example at a party.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. Audio visual equipment comprising sound reproducing means and picture projection means contained within a housing which may be located on a horizontal support surface and wherein said picture projection means is or may be pointed upwardly so as to project onto a ceiling above said support surface.

2. Audio visual equipment according to claim 1 wherein the sound reproducing means is a magnetic cassette tape player.

3. Audio visual equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the picture projection means is adapted to project stills from transparancies arranged at angularly spaced positions in a supporting disc.

4. Audio visual equipment according to any preceding claim wherein the picture projection means is arranged to change frames upon receipt of synchronisation signals from the sound reproducing means.

5. Audio visual equipment according to any preceding claim where in the picture projection means is adapted, in an alternative mode of use, to project forwardly onto a wall rather than the ceiling.

6. Audio visual equipment according to claim 5 wherein the housing is reorientated on the horizontal support surface to change the mode of projection.