US 8,045,264 B2 · Projection backwall apparatus and system

Abstract

A collapsible projection backwall system utilizes a short throw projector and a collapsible framework to create a display usable in a small amount of space. The framework is specifically configured to support and appropriately position a flexible screen member so that distortion is avoided. This is particularly significant in situations where a relatively large screen is utilized, which creates the need to maintain appropriate tension upon the flexible screen member. The framework is specifically configured to be slightly canted when in its extended configuration to thereby introduce natural tension forces which will cooperate with the screen fabric to maintain the necessary configuration for the screen. This canted configuration is achieved by configuring a set of corner hinge assemblies and any central hinged assemblies to maintain this natural cant. By maintaining the desired forces on the display screen fabric a more efficient and functional display screen is created.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A projection backwall system, comprising:

a projector projecting an image;
and
a projection screen comprising a frame moveable between a collapsed condition and a display condition, the frame comprising a plurality of substantially linear frame members, each of the frame members hingedly connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of frame members forming a substantially planar polygonal configuration wherein at least two adjacent hingedly connected frame members are canted outwardly within the plane when in the display condition, a stretch fabric attached to the frame, the stretch-fabric sized to cooperate with the frame members so that the outwardly canted frame members are pulled inwardly along the plane to provide a substantially planar, distortion free surface, the projection screen when in the display condition disposed to display the projected image.

A collapsible display screen for use with a projector to create a large scale display, comprising:

a foldable frame comprising a plurality of frame members and a plurality of hinge assemblies, each of the frame members having recesses in the ends configured to receive corresponding legs of the plurality of hinge assemblies, wherein the foldable frame is movable to an erected configuration having a predetermined geometry;
a pair of feet removably attached to the foldable frame at a lower end thereof and oriented transverse to a plane formed by the foldable frame to thereby support the foldable frame;
a flexible fabric screen removably attached to the foldable frame, wherein the flexible fabric screen is sized slightly smaller than the predetermined geometry of the foldable frame thereby causing the flexible fabric screen to cooperate with the foldable frame to create tension which causes the flexible fabric screen to be held in a tight and substantially smooth manner;
and
wherein the flexible fabric material is substantially rectangular and the predetermined geometry of the frame has sides bowed outwardly from parallel within the plane formed by the foldable frame when in the erected configuration.

2 more elements

A collapsible display screen for use with a projector to create a large scale display, comprising:

a foldable frame comprising a plurality of linear frame members, a plurality of corner hinge assemblies and a plurality of selectively lockable middle hinge assemblies, each of the linear frame members having recesses in the ends, each of the corner hinge assemblies having legs extending from each side thereof for insertion into an adjacent linear frame member, and each of the middle hinge assemblies having legs extending from each side thereof for insertion into adjacent frame members, wherein the frame members and the hinge assemblies form a continuous frame structure which is movable to an erected configuration having a predetermined geometry;
a pair of feet removably attached to the foldable frame at a lower end thereof and oriented transverse to a plane formed by the foldable frame to thereby support the foldable frame, the feet comprising an elongated foot member having a mating opening centrally located therein, and a flexible locking tab, wherein the mating opening is configured to receive a locking pin which is attached to the frame through one portion of the mating opening, and to allow the locking pin to be moved to a second locking portion of the mating opening, wherein the flexible locking tab will retain the locking tab in the second locking portion of the mating opening;
and
a flexible fabric screen removably attached to the foldable frame, wherein the flexible fabric screen is sized slightly smaller than the predetermined geometry of the foldable frame thereby causing the flexible fabric screen to cooperate with the foldable frame to create tension causing the flexible fabric screen to be held in a tight and substantially smooth manner.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Projection backwall apparatus and system

Life of this patent

Projection backwall apparatus and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21