Multi-pieced, portable projection dome and method of assembling the same
AssigneeAlternate Realities Corporation
InventorsRichard W. Zobel, Jr., David T. Bennett, Raymond L. Idaszak, Dennis Kovach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-piece dome is constructed from a plurality of rigid panels and configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on a truncated spherical inner surface. The inner view surface has a predetermined retroreflectivity. The multi-piece dome is lightweight, portable, self-supporting, and easily assembled, disassembled and transported from one location to another.
Claims81
A rigid panel for constructing a self-supporting, multi-piece dome, said dome being configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on an inner surface, said panel comprising:
- a rigid body portion having an arcuate inner view surface, said inner view surface configured to define a spherical sector, said body portion being formed of a material comprising a polymeric material and a opacifier, said material having a predetermined color and surface texture, at least one of said color or surface texture being selected so that said inner view surface is suitable for receiving an image thereon;
- and
- at least one edge portion adjacent said inner view surface, said at least one edge portion extending along a portion of the periphery of said body portion and configured to mate with an edge portion of at least one additional rigid dome panel.
A rigid keystone for a multi-piece dome for use with an hemispherical optical projection system comprising:
- a rigid body portion having an arcuate inner view surface, said inner view surface configured to define a spherical sector, said body portion being formed of a material comprising a polymeric material and a opacifier, said material having a predetermined color and surface texture, at least one of said color or surface texture being selected so that said inner view surface is suitable for receiving an image thereon and an axisymmetric rim portion extending along a periphery of said body portion and configured so as to align with and mate with at least one rigid dome panel.
A multi-piece dome configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection comprising:
- a plurality of rigid panels, each of said rigid panels having a rigid body portion having an arcuate inner view surface, and an exterior surface and means for releasably connecting each of said rigid panels to at least one other of said rigid panels,
- said rigid panels being positioned such that said inner view surfaces define a truncated spherical inner dome view surface of a predetermined size to receive focused images projected on said truncated spherical inner view surface,
- said rigid panels having a rigid body portion configured and formed of a material having sufficient rigidity that said dome is self-supporting free of additional support members.
A multi-piece dome configured to receive an hemispherical optical projection on an inner surface comprising:
- a plurality of rigid panels, at least one of said rigid dome panels having a rigid body portion having an arcuate inner view surface, said arcuate inner view surface configured to define a spherical sector, said body section being formed of a material comprising a polymeric material and a opacifier, said material having a predetermined color and surface texture, at least one of said color or surface texture being selected so that said inner view surface is suitable for receiving an image thereon
- said rigid panels matingly joined such that said inner view surfaces align to define a truncated spherical inner dome view surface of a predetermined size to receive focused images projected on said inner surface.
A kit for providing an optical projection display dome system comprising:
- a plurality of rigid panels, at least one of said rigid panels having a rigid body portion having an arcuate inner view surface, said view surface configured to define a spherical sector, said body portions being formed of a polymeric material and opacifier having a predetermined color and surface texture, at least one of said color or surface texture being selected so that said inner view surface is suitable for receiving an image thereon;
- said rigid panels matingly join such that adjacent said inner view surfaces define a truncated spherical inner dome view surface of a predetermined size to receive focused images projected on said inner surface;
- and
- means for detachably connecting said rigid panels to form a multi-piece dome for use with a hemispherical optical projection system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.