WO1994015492A1

WO1994015492A1 - Multiple image fabric

Info

Publication number: WO1994015492A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Lawrence Marsh
Original assignee: David Lawrence Marsh
Priority date: 1993-01-15
Filing date: 1994-01-14
Publication date: 1994-07-21

Abstract

A multiple image fabric (10) is disclosed. The fabric (10) includes a backing fabric (11) on which threads (A, B, C) are arranged in an array of cells (12). The threads (A, B, C) have a texture and colour such that when viewed from one angle the combined effect of the visible threads (A, B, C) present the viewer with one image whereas when viewed from another angle a different combination of threads (A, B, C) is visible, thus presenting the viewer with a different image.

Description

MULTIPLE IMAGE FABRIC The present invention relates to fabrics and, in particular, to a fabric which has two or more separate images encoded in or on the fabric by utilising thread colours and textures. It is known to produce fabrics in the form of tapestry or the like where an imag or pattern is portrayed thereon. The tapestry has a single image or pattern built into the fabric. It is believed that it is desirable to have a fabric in which two or more images ar encoded in such a manner that the different images are visible from different viewing angles relative to the fabric surface. These images can be of the same object in different colours, lighting or perspective; of different objects; or more than one object having different colours, lighting or perspective. The different images are made by producing a textured surface with threads or yarns of different colours.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fabric and a method of manufacture, which provides multiple images viewed from different angles relative to the fabric's surface.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed multiple image fabric comprising an array of cells, each said cell having at least two threads therewithin, and wherein said threads are arranged within each said cell to cause different patterns or images to be visible on said fabric by the at least partial visual occlusion of one of said threads when said fabric is viewed from at least one position relative to the fabric.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of producing a multiple image fabric, said method including the steps of arranging an array of cells on said fabric, each said cell having at least two threads therewithin, and wherein said threads are arranged within each said cell to cause different patterns or images to be visible on said fabric by the at least partial visual occlusion of one of said threads when said fabric is viewed from at least one position relative to the fabric. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1(a) is a front view of a section of a fabric of a preferred embodiment, Fig. 1(b) is a left side view of the section of fabric of Fig. 1(a), Fig. 1(c) is a transverse cross sectional view along the lines I-I of Fig. 1(a),

Fig. 2(a) is a front view of a cell of the fabric of another embodiment, Fig. 2(b) is a left side view of the cell of Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(c) is a right side view of the cell of Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(d) is a lower side view of the cell of Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(e) is a transverse cross sectional view along the lines II-II of Fig. 2(a), Fig. 3(a) is a front view of a cell of the embodiment of Fig. 1, Fig. 3(b) is a left side view of the cell of Fig. 3(a), Fig. 3(c) is a right side view of the cell of Fig. 3(a), Fig. 3(d) is a lower side view of the cell of Fig. 3(a),

Fig. 3(e) is a transverse cross sectional view along the lines III-III of Fig. 3(a), Fig. 4(a) is a front view of a cell of a further embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 4(b) is a left side view of the cell of Fig. 4(a), Fig. 4(c) is a right side view of the cell of Fig. 4(a),

Fig. 4(d) is a lower side view of the cell of Fig. 4(a), Fig. 4(e) is a cross sectional view along the lines IV-IV of Fig. 4(a), Fig. 5(a) is a front view of a section of fabric of a still further embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5(b) is a left side view of the section of fabric of Fig. 5(a),

Fig. 5(c) is a right side view of the section of fabric of Fig. 5(a), Fig. 5(d) is a lower side view of the section of fabric of Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 5(e) is a transverse cross sectional view along the lines V-V of Fig. 5(a). BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In general terms, the images seen on the fabric of the preferred embodiments o the present invention are made by producing a textured surface with threads or yarns of different colours. The texture of the fabric and the colours chosen are such that when viewed from one angle the combined effect of the visible threads present the viewer wit one image whereas when viewed from another angle a different combination of threads visible thus presenting the viewer with a different image. The texture of the fabric is such that some of threads protrude above the others thus wholly or partially hiding from view some of the adjacent threads which do not protrude as far. The threads which are wholly or partially hidden will depend on the viewing angle.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. l(a)-l(c). A fabric 10 consists of an array of cells 12. In Fig. 1(a) a single cell is denoted by a cross-hatched area. The array of cells 12 are similar to standard tapestry or cross-stitch, however, unlike standard tapestry work which has only one thread per cell 12, three threads A, B, C are used per cell 12. The threads A, B, C within each cell 12 can be of different colours and different prominence. In this embodiment the cells 12 include 3 different coloured threads A, B, C. The threads A, B, C are sewn on a continuous backing fabric 11 as used in standard tapestry and cross-stitch. In this embodiment, the threads A and C have small diameters while the thread B has a large diameter.

Three possible viewing positions are illustrated in Fig. 1(c) indicated by the arrows L, C and R. These viewing positions are the left viewing position L, the centre position C, and the right viewing position R, respectively. From the left viewing positi L, the threads Al and Bl, A2 and B2, A3 and B3 etc. are visible, but the threads Cl, and C3 etc. are hidden behind the threads Bl, B2 and B3 etc. The colours of the threa Al and Bl, A2 and B2, A3 and B3 etc. are therefore chosen so that when seen from a normal viewing distance, the average colour of the couplets of the threads Al and Bl e when perceived by the human eye, creates an image similar to a tapestry.

From the right viewing position R, the threads Bl and Cl, B2 and C2, B3 and C3 etc. are visible, but the threads Al, A2, A3 etc. are hidden behind the threads Bl, B2, B3 etc. The colour of the threads Bl and Cl, B2 and C2, B3 and C3 etc. are chos so that when seen from the right hand viewing position R at a normal viewing distance, the average colour of the couplets of the threads when perceived by the human eye creates an image different from the one seen from the left viewing position L.

From the centre viewing position C, the threads Al, Bl and Cl, A2, and C2, A3, B3 and C3 etc. are all visible and none of the threads are hidden from view. Therefore, since in each cell 12, the threads A, B and C are different colours, the net effect of each cell from a normal viewing distance is an average of the thread colours B and C, in proportion to visual area of each, which creates a different image to those visible from the left viewing position L and the right viewing position R.

A different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 2(a)-(e). Thread 2 A and 2B are sewn on a backing fabric 21 to form a fabric 20 the two threads 2 A and 2B have different diameters and have different colours. The threads 2 A and 2B form a cell 22. The thread 2 A with the greater diameter will hide the small diameter thread 2B partially or wholly from view when the viewer is positioned in or near the left viewing position L. The large thread 2 A in the adjoining cell (not illustrated) to the right of the cell 22 hides the small diameter thread 2B on the left partially or wholly from view wh the viewer is positioned in or near the right viewing position R. Once again, when the fabric 20 is viewed from the centre viewing position C, all threads are visible.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 is illustrated in Fig. 3 showing a single cell 32, with a fabric 30, having the cell 32, with the three threads 3A, 3B and 3C sew onto a backmg fabric 31.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 4(a)-(e). A fabric 40 has three vertical threads 4A, 4B and 4C per each cell 42. A fourth thread 4D is transverse to th two threads 4A and 4C with the third thread 4B being spaced from the two threads 4A and 4C. This arrangement provides a relief to the fabric 40 against a backing fabric 41. The thread 4B hides the threads 4A and 4C partially or wholly from view when the viewer is positioned in or near the left viewing position L. The thread 4B hides the thread 4A partially or wholly from view when the viewer is positioned in the right viewing position R. From directly in front of the fabric 41, all the threads 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are visible. The transverse thread 4D can be either a different coloured thread similar to the three vertical threads, 4A, 4B and 4C or a different type of thread such a a transparent nylon thread. It is also possible to have a variation where more than one transverse thread 4D is used. A further variation uses only two vertical threads with the transverse thread 4D extending beyond the single cell 42. Another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 5(a)-(e). A fabric 50 is a backing fabric with a woven, dyed or printed pattern on it. On the surface of a backing fabric 5 coloured threads 5 A protrude from the backing fabric 51. These threads 5 A are formed as part of the weave of the fabric 50, or are added after the backing fabric 51 has been produced. The protruding threads 5 A are able to hide the backing fabric pattern when the viewer is positioned in or near the left viewing position L or the right viewing position R. From the centre viewing pattern of position C the backing fabric 51 and all threads 5 A are visible.

There are many other layouts which will provide the required surface texture and enable the implementation of the present invention. For instance, although all the cells shown in Figs. 2-5 are rectangular in shape, a variation can use sloping threads to produce a parallelogram shaped cell. The threads within a cell can also be staggered vertically. The cells themselves can also be staggered relative to each other, either horizontally or vertically. The threads themselves need not all lie in the same direction, and both vertical and horizontal threads can be used either within one cell or in alternat cells to produce a fabric in which the images change as the viewer moves either horizontally or vertically relative to the fabric surface.

The necessary thread colours are typically calculated on a computer from scanned images or computer drafted images, although visual matching of colours is possible for simple designs. The two or more images encoded in the fabric design are the primary images.

Each of the primary images are visible from a specific viewing angle relative to the fabric's surface. Any other viewing angle presents the viewer with a secondary image. I general the maximum number of primary images which can be encoded in a fabric is equal to the number of colour threads per cell. Since there are substantially an infinite number of viewing angles there are substantially an infinite number of possible secondary images which can be viewed. Usually the secondary images form a gradual change from one primary image to another as the viewing position changes.

The averaging effects of the visible threads in each cell are determined by quantifying the desired colours and thread colours in terms of a colour definition system such as CIE LAB system the RGB system, CYMK system or HSL system. In practice the formula used to calculate the thread colours varies depending on which physical configuration of threads is used. In cases where there are less primary images required than the maximum number possible for a given thread layout, a large number of thread colour combinations yields the same visual effect for each cell; i.e. the combination chosen therefore depends on such factors as which thread colours exist as stock items, which thread colours are readily available, or which thread colours have already been allocated for use in the design.

SAMPLE CALCULATION A simplified sample calculation for a single cell is as follows:

Conventions:

R left, G left, B left denotes the red, green and blue components of the cell colour as viewed from the left viewing position as shown in Fig. 1.

R right, G right, B right denotes the red, green and blue components of the cel colour as viewed from the right viewing position as shown in Fig. 1. The threads are A, B and C as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4.

Ra, Ga, Ba denotes the red, green and blue components of coloured thread A. Rb, Gb, Bb denotes the red, green and blue components of coloured thread B. Re, Gc, Be denotes the red, green and blue components of coloured thread C. Assumptions:

The fabric uses a triplet of coloured threads per cell to produce two primary images, i.e. left and right. The layout style is the same as the one shown in Fig. 4, but utilises two transparent nylon threads for the transverse threads instead of only one.

The colour required in this cell for the image viewed from the left position is: R left = 30% G left = 58% B left = 70% (i.e. A dull blue)

The colour required in this cell for the image viewed from the right position is: R right = 76% G right = 86% B right = 36% (i.e. A yellow-green) Threads which are used are stranded cotton of DMC brand. Calculations: Let thread B equal the average of the left and right positions. Rb = (R left + R right)/2 = (30% + 76%)/2 = 53%

Gb = (G left + G right)/2 = (58% + 86%)/2 = 72% Bb = (B left = B right)/2 = (70% + 36%)/2 = 53%

Now R left = (Ra + Rb)/ 2 Ra = (2 x R left) - Rb = (2 x 30%) - 53% = 7%

And G left = (Ga + Gb)/ 2

Ga = (2 x G left) - Gb = (2 x 58%) - 72% = 44% And B left = (Ba + Bb)/ 2

Ba = (2 x B left) - Bb = (2 x 70%) - 53% = 87%

Also R right = (Rb + Rc)/2

Re = (2 x R right) - Rb = (2 x 76%) - 53% = 99% And G right = (Gb + Gc)/2

Gc = (2 x G right) - Gb = (2 x 86%) - 72% = 100% And B right = (Bb + Bc)/2

Be = (2 x B right) - Bb = (2 x 36%) - 53% = 19%

Therefore one possible combination of thread colours to obtain the required ce colour for each image is: Thread a : R = 7% G = 44% B = 87%

Thread b : R = 53% G = 72% B = 53%

Thread c : R = 99% G = 100% B = 19%

These colours can then be matched to the closest available thread of the requir brand; eg for DMC threads this would be: Thread a = DMC 995 (Electric Blue Dark)

Thread b = DMC 503 (Blue-Green Medium)

Thread c = DMC 307 (Lemon)

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. The multiple image fabric comprising an array of cells, each said cell having at least two threads therewithin, and wherein said threads are arranged within each said cell to cause different patterns or images to be visible on said fabric by the at least partial visual occlusion of one of said threads when said fabric is viewed from at least one position relative to the fabric.

2. The multiple image fabric according to claim 1 wherein more than one said different patterns or images are visible on said fabric when said fabric is viewed from more than one position relative to said fabric.

3. The multiple image fabric according to claim 2 wherein said fabric includes a backing fabric and wherein one said thread protrudes further from said backing fabric than other said thread(s).

4. The multiple image fabric according to claim 3 wherein said one threa protruding further from said backing fabric has a larger diameter than said other thread(s).

5. The multiple image fabric according to claim 2 wherein said one of sai threads is completely visually occluded from at least one position relative to said fabric.

6. A method of producing a multiple image fabric, said method including the steps of arranging an array of cells on said fabric, each said cell having at least two threads therewithin, and wherein said threads are arranged within each said cell to cause different patterns or images to be visible on said fabric by the at least partial visual occlusion of one of said threads when said fabric is viewed from at least one position relative to the fabric.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein more than one said different patterns or images are visible on said fabric when said fabric is viewed from more than one corresponding position relative to said fabric.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said array of cells are arranged on a backing fabric with one said thread protruding further from said backing fabric than other said thread(s).

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said one thread protruding further from said backing fabric is arranged with a larger diameter than said other thread(s).

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein one of said different patterns or images is visible on said fabric by the complete visual occlusion of said one thread, when viewed from at least one position relative to said fabric.