Pseudo elliptically-shaped tool
AssigneeWeb Communications Group, Inc.
InventorsRalph Barry Johnson, Mike Hunter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.
Claims28
A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through said lenticular lens array, comprising:
- a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other to form the lenticular lens array, each lenticule comprising a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side,
- wherein each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape comprising a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element, and
- wherein the vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.
A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through said lenticular lens array, comprising:
- a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other to form the lenticular lens array, each lenticule comprising a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side,
- wherein each lenticular lens element has a vertex and has a cross section comprising an approximated portion of an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape comprising a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element, and
- wherein the vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.
A method for producing a tool, the tool for creating a mandrel for forming elliptically-shaped lens elements of a lenticular lens array, comprising the steps of:
- providing a base member having a radius b corresponding to a minor axis of an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape corresponding to a desired elliptical shape for each lens element of the lenticular lens array;
- and
- cutting the base member along a plane that forms an angle k with the minor axis of the desired elliptical shape,
- wherein the elliptical shape comprises a major axis perpendicular to the minor axis,
- wherein a vertex of the desired elliptical shape lies at a point a along the major axis, and
- wherein the angle k is given by the formula cosine(k)=b/a.
A tool for creating a mandrel for forming pseudo elliptically-shaped lens elements of a lenticular lens array, comprising:
- a circular-shaped portion that approximates a circular portion of an elliptical shape, the elliptical shape corresponding to a desired elliptical shape for each lens element of the lenticular lens array;
- and
- a plurality of facets disposed adjacent to said circular-shaped portion, each facet approximating a portion of the elliptical shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.