GB2220278A - Projecting pictures onto a screen - Google Patents

Abstract

Pictures are projected onto a non-permanent screen (A), which is provided by spraying a mist of water from nozzles (2), preferably on a barge (1). The projector (5) may be on land and may be mounted on a moving vehicle travelling parallel to the moving barge. The flows to the nozzles may be individually adjustable. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN PROJECTING PICTURES ONTO A SCREEN.

This invention relates to the projection of pictures onto a screen.

Conventionally, fixed objects, e.g. a cloth screen or the surface of a wall or other structure are used as screens onto which motion pictures and slides are projected. However this projection technique has the following disadvantages: A) Very large screens are needed for many events.

However, most of the screens used on such occasions obstruct the spectacle of other events when not being used; and, B) An instant projection system e.g. to provide a staging effect, is impossible.

According to the present invention, in a method of projecting pictures onto a screen the screen is formed of a mist of water maintained by spraying jets of water from nozzles.

The invention also includes apparatus for use in the new method the apparatus comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to spray jet of water to provide a generally planar screen of a mist of water.

The nozzles may be mounted on a barge and the water acquired acquired from a body of water on which the barge is floating.

With this invention, still or motion pictures may be projected onto a screen on a sea, river, lake or pond, or in any open air stadium or on an indoor stage.

An additional advantage is that the screen can be formed only in case of need with a splendid stage effect, and caused to disappear, when not needed, by shutting off the water.

The screen preferably has enough thickness to enable reflected light to be seen in a wide range of directions.

In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a perpsective illustration of a screen produced according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the screen; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the screen; FIG. 4 is a diagram of other example of screen; and, FIG 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a nozzle.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the apparatus includes a barge 1, jet nozzles 2 on the barge 1 and pumps 3.

The barge 1 is a floating structure which is made, e.g., of steel, concrete or FRP. It is important for the barge 1 to be without excessive superstructure. The equipment which is to be provided on the barge 1 should be well-balanced, and well-known vibration-damping arrangements can be provided as occasion demands.

The jet nozzles 2 are designed to spout water to form the mist-like water screen and arranged on a horizontally line facing upwardly from a manifold 4 with individual control valves to control the quantity of water to be sprayed. The nozzles 2 are arranged in a line to cross at right angles the projecting direction. However it is possible and also desirable to arrange other jet nozzles, parallel to the jet nozzles 2, taking into account prevention of transmission of light and the projection cost.

The distance between the nozzles 2 and the number of the nozzles 2 can be chosen as necessary.

Figures 5 shows an embodiment of nozzle 2 which includes a valve 23 with closure element 24, an inner frame 21 an outer frame 22, and a nozzle cover 25 connected with the outer frame 22.

The jet nozzle 2 shown in Figure 5 has only one outlet but the nozzle may have two outlets to form the mist of water, for a jet screen formed by a nozzle which has two outlets is finer than a jet screen formed by nozzles which have only one outlet.

Therefore, the jet screen formed by such nozzles provides more distinct pictures. Further, more the noise of falling water is reduced. The nozzles 2 may be constructed so that the jet-level can be controlled from land.

A diesel engine or motor is used as a power source for the pump 3, and designed to supply water to the nozzles 2 through the valves 4. Water from the body of water on which the barge 1 floats is supplied to the pump 3.

The apparatus producing the screen can thus be floated on a sea, a lake, or a pond.

The barge 1 can move under diesel engine or other motor power or under tow from a ship, or the barge 1 can be moored to an anchor in a certain position. Then projection apparatus 5 can be provided on land. e.g. on a vehicle travelling substantially parallel to movement of the barge.

In operation water is caused to spout out from the nozzles 2 to the sky by the pump 3. When such water reaches several tens of metres from the nozzles, the water forms a mist engulfing surrounding air, and the flat screen A will be formed. After the jet screen has been formed, either still-pictures or motion-pictures from the projection apparatus are projected onto the screen.

When pictures from the projection apparatus are not being projected onto the screen, the nozzles 2 may produce a regular fountain.

In the above mentioned embodiment, the nozzles 2, the pump 3, and the valves 4 are mounted on a barge 1. It is possible that only nozzles with necessary valving 4 are provided on the barge 1 and the pump 3 is provided on land.

2) It is also possible to provide the nozzles 2 under water instead of using the barge 1 when projecting on a pool or shallow pond.

3) The barge 1 can also be made larger to accommodate the projection apparatus.

In accordance with this invention, the mist-like screen having a suitable thickness and extent is formed by spouting water which engulfs surrounding air. Therefore the screen diffuses reflected light widely, and the pictures of superior quality can be on the screen from every direction.

When picutres are not being projected, the screen can be used as a regular fountain which can be stopped from playing and restored without restraint.

Therefore, it is out of the bounds of possibility that the screen can obscure any spetacle of an event.

The screen is so constructed as to be able to be stopped and started by spouting out water partly or wholly, so that an unprecedented stage effect can be created, i.e. pictures on the screen can be created partly or completely, or caused to disappear, quickly.

When colored light is projected onto the screen, there is provided a splendid staging effect.

The screen can be used not only for projecting pictures but also for advertisements.

Existing smoke machine and dry ice as artificial methods of forming a mist, are not as good as natural mist. This invention provides a mist which is nearly a natural mist by mixing pressurised atomised water with air.

Claims (10)

1. A method of projecting pictures onto a screen wherein the screen is formed of a mist of water maintained by spraying jets of water from nozzles.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles are mounted on a barge, and the water is acquired from a body of water on which the barge is floating.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the pictures are projected from land.

4 A method according to claim 3, wherein the barge is moving and the pictures are projected from a vehicle travelling substantially parallel to the movement of the barge.

5. A method of projecting pictures, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. Apparatus for use in the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to spray jet of water to provide a generally planar screen of a mist of water.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, including a projector for projecting onto the screen, substantially at right angles to the screen, a picture,

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the flows to the nozzles are individually adjustable as to the quantity of water which can be sprayed.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the nozzles are mounted on a barge.

10. Apparatus for use in displaying pictures, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.