GB861765A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for producing designs - Google Patents

Abstract

861,765. Kaleidoscopic apparatus. POSNER, W. July 16, 1959 [April 25, 1958], No. 13187/58. Class 97(1) A lens-like optical element having a discontinuous surface, for example, in the form of triangular facets as in Fig. 9, castellated projections or other such irregularities, produces complex partly superimposed symmetrical or unsymmetrical designs formed from the image elements of randomly distributed and variouslyshaped loose fragments of self-coloured or colour-producing material contained in an illuminated pattern-producing cell, the light from which is reflected by a kaleidoscope-type mirror system, or may pass directly, into the said multi-surfaced optical element. Intensity and colour tone control are provided by rotatable polarizing filters and/or tiltable interference filters contained in the pattern producing cell shown at the left of Fig. 4 the pattern producing fragments being also adjustable. The latter may be of any bi-refringent material such as mica to produce phase retardation and consequent interference colours, or they may be of transparent coloured material or a mixture of both. Opaque portions may also be provided. The instrument can be used visually or in conjunction with a screen or photographic film, continuously varying patterns being obtained by a motor or motors producing rotation of the filters or pattern-producing fragments.