US1154787A - Apparatus for producing illusionary effects. - Google Patents

Description

L. McCORMICK. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCiNG ILLUSIONARY EFFECTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1913.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

LANenou M CORMIcK HIS ATTORNEY LANGDON MCCORMICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSIONARY EFFECTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

Application filed December 20, 1913. Serial No. 807,891.

To all whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that I, LANGDONjMCCORMICK,

a'citizen of the United States of America, and resident of 501-1043.Broadway, New York city, State of New York, United States of America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Illusionary Effects, of which the following is a specification, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an apparatus for producing illusionary effects, particularly for the purpose of making it appear that an object, say a steam ship, is approaching or receding.

The invention consists in enlarging or de creasing the visible portion of the object by the movement of it in relation to adjacent objects and if desired by making the object say in sections so that it can be expanded or contracted.

An example of my invention as applied to a steam ship is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 represent the same steam ship but in Fig. 2 the horizon hasbeen raised and the water line lowered. Figs. 3 and 4 are side views of the screens bearing the illustrations of the steam ship, horizon, water line and sky as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively. Fig. 5 illustrates a modifi cation in which the steam ship is made in sections to expand and contract, and to thereby appear to turn more broad side on or bow on as the case may be.

If desired individual parts of the object may independently move to enhance the effeet, for example, the funnels of the steam ship can be increased in size and be moved toward or away from each other, or the port holes, lamps or other parts may be increased or decreased and may be correspondingly illuminated.

In Figs. 1 and 2 four screens or cloths are used, these being what I will call sky cloth a, horizon cloth 6, ship cloth or screen 0 and sea cloth or screen (Z. In these it will be observed that Z) and 0? only are adapted to be moved by the cords e and f but the other cloths or screens could be also moved if desired. It will be seen that the upper edges of the cloths or screens 6 and d are close together in Fig. 1 and a considerable distance apart in Fig. 2;, lowering of the cloth or screen 03 revealing ship while the screen 6 makes it much farther from considerably more of the raising of the cloth or appear that the ship is the horizon than it is in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 5 the ship cloth or screen i is made in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, adapted to be moved so as to more or less overlap each other and thereby increase the visible length of the ship and make it appear that the same is turning either more or less broad-side-on. This illusion can be used in conjunction with screens such as a, b, 0 and d shown above and illustrates by means of the hand winch g how a screen 72. supporting ship 71 can be raised and lowered. The funnels and the masts of the ship may be made to raise and lower as the ship rises and falls. This may be effected by one or more rope and pulley arrangements such as k, Z, but could also be done by a suitable lever connection. The steam ship of Fig. 5 is intended for use in connection with the screens a, b and d of Figs. 1 to 4, when desired.

It will be quite apparent that the inven tion can be applied to many forms of screens bearing pictures or illustrations and some or all of which may be movable vertically or otherwise, in addition to which some of the objects illustrated can be expanded and collapsed and other stationary or moving objects fixed or moved with, or independent of, any of the said screens may be employed to enhance the effect.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for producing illusionary effects in which screens are used, one of which Is movable in relation to others, the representation of an object, say a picture on a screen, being positioned between the screens so as to be exhibited to a greater degree when the said movement is in one direetion and to a lesser degree when move ment is in the other direct-ion.

2. In an apparatus for producing illusionary effects, the combination of a fixed screen; movable screens in proximity of the fixed screen; and a representation of an object associated with the screens and adapted to be variably covered by the movement of the movable screens.

3. In an apparatus for producing illusionary eflects, the combination of a plural ity of movable screens; and a representation of an object associated Withthescreens and adapted to be variably covered by the movement of the movable screens.

4:. In an apparatus for producing illusionary eflects, the combinationof a plurality of movable screens; and. a movable representation of an object associated With the screens and adapted to be variably covered by the movement of the movable screens.

5. In an apparatus for producing illusionary: effects, the combination. of: aplurality of movable screens and a representationj off an qapiq =01 r h s raters may he obt ined in;

' object; associated With the screens and adapted to be variably covered. by the movement of the variable screens, said representation 5 of the object being-adapted to be shortened and lengthened, y

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand-in presence of two Witnesses.,

LANGDON MCCORMICK. Witnesses:

H. D. JAMISON, R: J. W1LLIAMs.'

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