US2813455A

US2813455A - Overhead projecting apparatus for bowling alleys and the like

Info

Publication number: US2813455A
Application number: US516600A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald Harold G Fitz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-06-20
Filing date: 1955-06-20
Publication date: 1957-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 1974-11-19

Description

Nov. 19, 1957 H G FITZ GERALD 2,813,455

OVERHEAlj PR OJEC TING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS AND THE LIKE Filed June 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 19, 1957 H. G. FITZ GERALD OVERHEAD PROJECTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS AND THE LIKE Filed June 20, 1.955

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illllll'rlllil OVERHEAD PROJECTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS AND THE LIKE Harold G. Fitz Gerald, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,600

13 Claims. (Cl. 8824) This invention relates to a projecting apparatus and is particularly concerned with an overhead projecting machine such as is useful in connection with bowling alleys, or the like, whereby an image or the score or scores may be recorded as events occur or transpire and the recorded matter is then projected by means of light onto a screen or score board so that the spectators and contestants, both, may observe the progress of the contest.

Overhead projecting apparatus have long been used to project scores in bowling alleys and many other like situations. For example, such machines are used in visual education methods of teaching. Such machines commonly operate by passing light upwardly and vertically through a transparency and through an elevated projecting head that casts the image substantially horizontally and onto a screen or the like. The major problem in'such a machine is to protect a substantial amount of light in order to produce a bright image and at the same time without the presence of overheating of the machines such as would interfere with the comfort of the person operating the same. Further, by casting or projecting a light upwardly and vertically, disagreeable amounts of light are directed into the eyes of the person operating the machine, thus causing temporary blindness and eye strain, which is extremely disagreeable when conducting a contest or the like where unimpaired vision is essential. Also, cleanliness of the machine is an important factor since the optical systems of such machines become extremely inefficient when the elements thereof become dusty or dirty.

It is an object of this invention to provide an overhead projecting machine wherein the light is handled so that there is no blinding of the eyes of the person operating the machine.

An object of this invention is to provide a construction that eliminates the presence of heat from those parts of the machine that are handled or that come into contact with the person operating the machine. In the machine that I have provided, the light source and associated parts where heat is produced is elevated and remote from the point where the person operating the machine contacts the parts thereof while changing, adding to, or altering the image which is to be projected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described with means for continuously driving cooling air over all of the heat generating elements thereof in a manner which does not interfere with the comfort of persons operating the machine.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of the character referred to wherein a maximum quantity of light is directed through the transparency without heating of the table or plate upon which the hands of the operator or person are ordinarily engaged.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus as above referred to that includes a unit for installation in a desk top or the like, and which handles rates Patent*() 'ported and carried by any suitable structure.

large quantities of light without heating said unit or desk.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a projecting machine of the character referred to which is characterized by closed units, there being a unit for installation in a desk, which unit is completely and permanently sealed to exclude dust and dirt from the optical elements thereof.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a projecting apparatus characterized by closed units, there being a unit for installation at an elevated point above a desk or the like, and which includes means for eliminating dust and dirt from the air which is passed through said unit for cooling purposes.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive projecting apparatus of the character above referred to and which can be easily installed and easily maintained in proper operating condition.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical installation of the machine as it may be applied to a bowling alley and showing the machine installed in or at a writing desk, or the like. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the optical system that I have provided and showing the relative positions of the essential elements of the system. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed longitudinal sectional view of the projecting apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 55 on Fig. 3.

The apparatus of the present invention has to do with an overhead projecting machine X that may be installed in any suitable manner as circumstances require, as for example, in a desk Y, or the like. Projecting machines of the type under consideration are extensively used for projecting an image over the heads of an audience and onto a screen Z and are common at bowling events where it is necessary to continuously inform the contestants and spectators of the events which transpire. In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated a typical bowling alley installation of the apparatus of the present invention, which includes, generally, a projecting machine X installed in a desk Y and adapted to throw or cast an image onto a screen Z located above the bowling alleys 10. The screen Z is a flat element mounted in a substantially vertical plane and at an elevated height above the alleys 10 so that the contestants and/or spectators have full unobstructed vision of the screen Z at all times.

The projecting machine X, as illustrated throughout the drawings, is composed, generally, of two unified mechanisms, there being a light generating and projecting unit 11 and an image handling and directing unit 12. Each of the units 11 and 12 may be designed or constructed strictly for the function that it is adapted to perform and can be installed in furnishings, fixtures, or permanent structures, as circumstances dictate. As shown, the image handling and directing unit 12 is installed in the desk Y so that it is accessible from the top 14 thereof, and the light generating and projecting unit 11 is supported over the desk Y in a fixed elevated position relative to the unit 12. The two units 11 and 12 are fixedly related to each other and may be sup- In the case illustrated, supporting columns 15 project upwardly from the top 14 to carry the unit 11 at a point spaced above the unit 12. The columns 15 are preferably spaced tubular parts, or the like, and may carry electrical wiring 16, etc., such as is required to operate the unit 11.

The unit 11 is a light generating and projecting unit and is carried and supported at a point or position remote from the person operating the machine and projects light downwardly and onto the unit 12. As shown, the unit 11 involves, generally, a light source A, an image projecting means B including image directingmeans C, an air circulating means D, and an air filtering means E. The unit 11 includes a frame or housing. 18 having top, bottom, and

side walls

19, 20, and 21, respectively. The ends of the housing 18are closed by a forward end wall 22 and a rear end wall 23. As shown, the housing 18 may be of sheet metal construction suitably secured together by screws, rivets, or welding, as circumstances require.

The light source may vary widely in form and is pref erably a means involving an incandescent lamp 24 and may also involve a reflector 25 and a condensing lens 26. The lens 26 may be an ordinary lenspreferably a piano-convex lens placed in front of the lamp 24 and with the flat side thereof facing the lamp and adapted to direct a beam of light toward the image handling means hereinafter described. The reflector 25' is preferably provided behind the lamp 24 and is an ordinary concave mirror for concentrating a beam of light in a forward direction through the lens In accordance with the invention, a beam of light is directed forwardly or downwardly on a substantially vertical axis 27 through a window 28 in the bottom 20 of the housing 13. The window 2i? may be in the form of a condensing lens adapted to work in conjunction with the lens 26, and. like the lens 26, may be an ordinary plane-convex lens mounted in the bottom 29 and with the flat side thereof substantially flush with the bottom. In the preferred form of the invention, the light source A is disposed on a horizontal axis 29in which case a mirror 36 is provided to direct the light along the axis 27. The mirror 30 may be angularly mounted as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. As clearly illustrated, the light source A involves a suitable bracket 31 provided to carry the lamp 24, reflector 25, lens 26, and the mirror 30 which are located at or near the rear end portion of the housing 13. It will be apparent how the lens 26 and lens shaped window 28 operate as a pair of condensing lenses even though they are separated by the mirror 30.

The image projecting means B is provided to receive an image and to project it onto the screen Z and may be in the form of an ordinary projecting lens. As shown, the lens is a simple lens 32 preferably disposed to receive a substantially vertical beam of light on a vertical axis.

34, in which case the lens 32 is mounted or carried on a substantially vertical axis in the bottom wall 20 of the housing 18. The lens 32 is secured in a cylindrical barrel 35 which may be screw threaded into a mounting 36 carried by the housing 18 so that the lens may be focused by rotation of the barrel as circumstances require.

The image directing means is provided to adjustably position the image on the screen Z and involves an angularly positioned shiftable mirror 38 that receives a beam of light on the axis 34 and reflects it laterally and substantially horizontally onto the screen Z. The mirror 38 is shiftable and pivotally carried at one end by a horizontally disposed pivot pin 39 that extends transversely of the housing 18 and the other end of the mirror 38 is shiftably carried by a movable support 40. The movable support 40 may involve a rotatable screw 41 threadedly engaged in a nut 42 pivotally engaged with the mirror 38. The screw 41 is shouldered at 43 and a spring 44 yieldingly urges the nut to an up position. It will be apparent that the mirror 38 is angularly shifted by rotation of the screw 41 which operates to elevate or lower the nut 42.

From Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings it will be readily understood how the image projecting means B and image directingmeans Chandle an imagereceivedalongthe.

axis 34 so that the image is directed along a desired axis 45 and onto the screen Z. The image directing means C is located at or near the front end portion of the housing 18, and as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the front wall 22 of the housing is provided with a, window 46 of transparent material such as glass, or the like, for passing the projected image.

The air circulating means D is provided to move air through the housing 18 in order to cool the light source A, above described, and may be any suitable air circulating means including, primarily, a blower or fan. As shown, the means D is in the form of a blower 47 driven by a motor M located either in the top 19 of and above downwardly to the base portions of the elements of the.-

light source A. The means D includes means for exhausting air from the housing 18 after it passes over the elements of the light source A, and, as shown, the air flows from the base portion of the elements of the light.

source, upwardly and out of the housing 18 through an opening 48 in the top 19. The blower 47 is a flat horizontally disposed mechanism that covers the opening 48 in the top and receives the air and delivers it laterally to a deflector 49. The deflector 49 is provided to direct the air flow vertically as the heated air is exhausted from 1 the blower 47.

The air filtering means E is provided to clean the air as it is admitted to the housing 18 and before it is played' or directed onto the light source A by the circulating means D. As shown, one or more suitable screens or filtering pads 50 may be provided to admit air to the interior of the housing 18. I have shown a single filtering. pad 50, which may be of fibrous material loosely packedv and adapted to eliminate dust particles from the air as it passes into the housing 18 and which is located at the forward end of the housing ahead of the baflle 33 so that the air is drawn into the housing and onto the elements of the light source A. The pad 50 is shown carried by the top 19.

The elements of the projecting apparatus thus far described are combined in the light generating and projecting;

unit 11 to be fixedly located above the unit 12 and above the head of the person operating or handling the machine.

Access may be had to the interior of the housing 18 by hinging the top 19 at one side or end and by fastening thev opposite side by means of screws or the like, as shown. Since the light is projected downwardly from the unit 11 and since a person operating the machine also faces downwardly toward the unit 12, there are rays of light that would blind or otherwise impair the vision of the persons.

operating the machine.

The unit 12 is an image handling and directing unit and is carried at a point or position convenient to a person operating the machine so that the person can easily and quickly handle the image or jot down or record information to be projected onto the screen Z. As shown,.

the unit 12 involves an image handling means F, a light condenser G, and an image directing means H. The unit 12 includes a base of housing 55 having top, bottom, andf

side walls

56, 57, and 58, respectively. The ends of the housing 55 are closed by a forward end wall 59 and a rear end wall 60. The housing 55 may be constructed of sheet metal or like material suitably secured together by screws, rivets, or welding, as circumstances require.

The image handling means F is provided to receive abeam of light that is directed downwardly along the axis 27 and is provided to support a transparent element 8* having suitable markings or adapted to retain suitable.

markings so that when light is passed through the element S, an image is cast onto the screen Z by the light generating and projecting unit 11, above. described. The image handling means F involves a simple transparent window 61 of glass, or the like, in the top 56 of the housing 55, and the element S may be a thin transparent film of cellulose, acetate, or the like, provided with guide lines 62 and adapted to receive and retain markings of a pencil 63 or like writing implements.

In the preferred form of the invention, I have provided a light condenser G adapted to handle the image in the plane of the element S so that the image is directed toward a focal point. As shown, the light condenser G is in the form of a piano-convex lens 64, the flat side thereof acting as a support for the window 61. The lens 64 and window 61 are carried in an opening 65 provided in the top 56 of the housing 55 and are located at or near the rear end wall 6% of the housing.

The image directing means H is provided to receive the image from the lens 64 and direct it to the image projecting means above described. As clearly shown in Figs. 2. and 3 of the drawings, the means H receives light from the condenser G on the axis 27 and delivers the light upwardly and vertically along the axis 34. The beam of light handled by the image directing means H is directed along the intermediate axes 66 which may be substantially horizontally disposed by means of a pair of spaced reflecting

mirrors

67 and 68. The mirrors are preferably first surface reflectors in order to maintain a sharp image. One or more mirrors may be povided to direct the light along the axis 34 toward the means B and in the case illustrated, the mirror 67 is a single angularly mounted mirror at or beneath the condenser G and image directing means F to reflect the beam of light on the substantially horizontal axis 66. The mirror 68 is preferably a double mirror angularly mounted beneath the image pro jecting means B to erect the image and reflect the beam of light substantially vertically along the axis 34-. The single mirror 67 is mounted at or near the rear wall 60 while the double mirror 68 is mounted at or near the forward wall 59 of the housing 55. The image directing means H includes a window opening 70 in line with the axis 34 and provided in the top 56 of the housing 55 to pass light from the housing along the axis 34.

The double mirror 68 is composed of angularly related reversing mirrors 6% and 68 in planes 90 to each other and pitched to receive light from the single mirror 67 and to project the light forwardly and vertically along the axis 34-. The action of the double mirror 68 is so that the image is upright on the screen Z. It is to be understood that the mirror may be a sin,,.e mirror in which case one of the other mirrors involved may be a double mirror or the like.

A suitable light directing lens 71 is shown intermediate the

mirrors

67 and 68 which lens may be provided to control or minimize the diameter of the beam of light along the

axes

66 and 34 as circumstances require.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a unique overhead projecting apparatus that is not only eflicient in operation but which handles the projecting light so that the light does not interfere with the vision of a person operating the machine. That is, the light projected from the light source A is directed downwardly and away from the eyes of the person operating the machine to illuminate the transparency or element S and so that an image is reflected to the overhead image projecting means B to be cast upon the screen Z. With the construction that I have provided, little or no heat is felt on the hands of the person operating the machine as he manipulates the pencil or marking element since all of the heat is handled through the overhead unit 11 which characterizes the structure of the machine or apparatus that I have provided.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited 61 or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported in spaced relationship above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means supported in operative fixed position above the image handling unit and receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source, and an image directing means directing the image upwardly to said projecting means.

2. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, an upper light generating and projecting unit, a lower image handling and directing unit, support means extending between and supporting the units in vertical spaced relationship, said upper light generating and projecting unit including, a light source, means directing the light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said lower image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the lower image handling and directing units and projecting it horizontally onto a viewing screen, said lower image handiing and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source in the upper unit and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means directing the image forwardly and then upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means in the upper unit.

3. An image projecting apparatus of the character de scribed, including, an upper light generating and projecting unit supported above a lower image handling and directing unit, said upper light generating and projecting unit including, a light source comprising a lamp, a condensing lens ahead of the lamp, and a reflector ahead of the lamp and directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said lower image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the lower image handling and directing unit, said lower image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

4. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit and comprising an image projecting lens and a shiftable mirror for adjustably casting the image on a screen, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

5. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source comprising a lamp, a condensing lens ahead of the lamp, and a reflector behind the lamp and directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit and comprising an image projecting lens and a shiftable mirror for adjustably casting the image on a screen, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

6. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source on a substantially horizontal axis and comprising a lamp, a condensing lens ahead of the lamp, a reflector behind the lamp and an angularly related mirror directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit and comprising a vertically disposed image projecting lens and an angularly related shiftable mirror for adjustably casting the image on a screen, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

7. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to supportthe image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, an image focusing lens at the window, and an image directing means receiving the image and directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

8. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, and an image directing means comprising an angularly mounted mirror directing the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first 1 rentioned axis and to said projecting means.

9. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directingunit, and an image projecting means receiving the d imagefrom the image handling and directing unit said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and' on the vertical axis, and an image'directing means comprising an angularly mounted mirror receiving the image and directing it substantially horizontally and toa second angularly mounted mirror that directs the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

10. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis ontoand through said image handling and diresting unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, an image focusing lens at the window, and an image directing means comprising an angularly mounted mirror receiving the image from the lens and directing it substantially horizontally and to a second angularly mounted mirror that directs the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

11. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a light source comprising a lamp, a condensing lens ahead of the lamp, and a reflector behind the lamp and directing light downwardly on a substantially vertical axis onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit and comprising an imageprojecting lens and a shiftable mirror for adjustably casting the image on a screen, said image handling and directing unit including, an image handling means having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source and on the vertical axis, an image focusing lens at the window, and an image directing means comprising an angularly mounted mirror receiving the image from the lens and directing it substantially horizontally and to a second angularly mounted mirror that directs the image upwardly on a substantially vertical axis spaced from the first mentioned axis and to said projecting means.

12. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, an upper light generating and projecting unit sup orted above a lower image handling and directing unit, said upper light generating and projecting unit including, a housing supported in fixed position abovethe image handling and directing unit, a light source in the housing and directing light downwardly onto and through said image handling anddirecting unit, and an image projecting means in the housing and receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit therebetweenand projecting said image horizontally onto a screen, said lower image handling and directing unit including, a housing, an image handling means in the housing and having transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source, and an image directing means in the housing below the windew and directing the image forwardly and then upwardly to said projecting means.

13. An image projecting apparatus of the character described, including, a light generating and projecting unit supported above an image handling and directing unit, said light generating and projecting unit including, a housa la ght source in the housing and directing light downwardly onto and through said image handling and directing unit, and an image projecting means in the housing and receiving the image from the image handling and directing unit, said image handling and directing unit including, a housing, an image handling means in the housing and having a transparent window adapted to support the image and receiving light from said light source, and an image directing means in the housing and directing the image upwardly to said projecting means, there being an air filtering means admitting air to the interior of the housing of the light generating and pro- References Cited in the file of this patent jecting unit and an air circulating means adapted to move 10 2381260 the air over the elements in the housing.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Deming Mar. 13, 1917 Weigel Nov. 4, 1924 Bernard Jan. 26, 1932 Bancroft July 22, 1941 Bancroft Feb. 9, 1943 Coker et a1. Oct. 5, 1943 Coker Aug. 7, 1945