US1888320A - Apparatus for multiple visual effects - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1932. A. HUDIAKOFF APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE VISUAL EFFECTS Filed 001:. 7, 1931 a INVENTOR 4v; ATTORNEY V manipulating mechanism.

Patented Nov. 22, 1932 FICE ,ANDREI I-I'UDIAKOFF, OF NEW YORK, N.

APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE VISUAILEFFECTS Application filed October '2, 1931. Serial No. 567,373.

The present invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for multiple visual effects. One object thereof has been to provide a device applicable to theatre curtains, display apparatus and the like, which will permit the presentation of widely varied visual effects arranged in such amanner that the changes can he made conveniently and effectively by simple' mechanism and in full view of the audience without revealing the In the matter of curtains, back-drops and other like devices used in the theatre, considerable labor is wasted and unnecessary space is occupied by reason of the fact that each representation requires a separate, and separately handled, curtain or drop. 'One object of my invention, as applied to this par ticular field of use,is to provide a curtain or back-drop which maybe made to present many different visual representations by a simple and readily controlled mounting of the parts in a special relationship and in such a manner that, without revealing the operating mechanism, the appearance of the curtain or drop may be made to change in full view of the audience, thus, not only effecting the shift from one picture or representation to another, but also producing a highly theatrical effect. Obviously, the same principle may advantageously be applied to display devices and others for a similar purpose.

My invention will be better understood by reference to a description of one embodiment thereof set forth in the following specification and to the drawing appended thereto and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation with a base or main pattern exposed;

Figure 2 is a similar view with portions of the base pattern concealed and with portions 7 of a supplementary pattern exposed;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing still further portions of the base pattern covered and further portions of the supplementary portion exposed;

Figure l is a similar view showing the base pattern concealed and the supplementary pattern fully exposed.

Figures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a illustrate a modtrating in dotted line a rearwardly positioned guide for the supplementary pattern carry- 'ing sheets; r a

Figure 5a a rear view of the construction shown in Figure 5;

Figure 6 a fragmentary view with portions broken away to show more clearly the overlapping relation of the separate portions making up the supplementary pattern;

Figure 7 a front view illustrating a variety of shapes or designs for the lower edges of the members constituting the supplementary pattern carrying'sheets or members, and

Figure 8 a rear view illustrating the supplementary members as indicated in Figures la to 4a inclusive in their relation to guiding means, at the rear of the device. 7

Referring to the' drawing, the-form of my apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 6 comprises a front base or unitary design carrying mem -ber 1, provided with rows of slots 2 arranged in staggered relationanda composite design carrying member made up of a. support 3 upon which is mounted a plurality of supplementary representation or design carrying members at, each thereof being hinged to the support 3 at 5 and adapted to be moved a into and through the respective slots 2 of the unitary member 1.. In the form of my device illustrated in Figures 1 tot, the separate or supplementary members 45 are mounted in staggered relation, corresponding to the ar-* rangement of the slots 2, and, as shown more clearly in Figure 6, the lower or free end of "each member 4 overlaps the upper or secured end of the next adjacent lower member 4, so that, when the parts are in the p'ositionillus" trated in Figure 4, they will present the illusion or appearance of being a continuous unitary member, for the purpose at least, of the design or representation which they carry.

r of the strips edge of the supplementary member 4 is guided into and through the slot 2 by means of a guiding member 6 secured at the rear of the base 1 and in guiding relation to the slot 2, that is, in such a way that, when the lower edge of a member 4 is projected between said member and the rear surface of the base 1, said lower edge will be guided into and through the slot 2.

Where the arrangement of the separate members 4 constituting the rear or supplementary representation member is like that shown in Figures 1a to 4a inclusive, a different form of guiding means is required. For this purpose I provide the arrangement shown in Figure 8 wherein a guiding strip 7. )referably of a flexible material, has one end secured at 8 and at an angle to the line of the slot into which the guide is intended to direct the end of the member 4. The other end of the flexible guide strip 7 is secured along the line 8 also at an angle to the slot and substantially parallel with the edge 8. The next guiding device to the right is a flexible strip 9 having its left hand end secured to the strip 7 along the line 10 and having its right hand end secured to the rear surface of the member 1 on the line 10. The next stri to the right, namely 11, is arranged in a simi ar manner in relation to strip 9; and the last one, or that occupying a position at the right hand end of the row, is arranged in a manner similar to that illustrated in connection with the strip 7. Thus, where the supplementary design members 4 are arranged as in Figure 1a for example, their lateral edges are separated by end portions 7, 9 and 11 in such way that, even though the lower edge portions of the supplementary members may disengage from the slots in the main or base member 1, the will, when moved downwardly again, rea ily re -engage the slots and be guided into and through the same by said strips which, by reason of their arrangement, present a wider opening at the top than at the bottom, or adjacent to the slot 2 through which the supplementary member 4 is directed.

In Figure 7 I have shown several designs for the lower edge contours of the separate members to take the lace of the straight lower edges illustrate in other figures, although many other different designs or contours may be effectively used.

Interesting efiects are produced by the interaction of simple geometrical designs, and

it is contemplated that other effects based upon scenic or other representations may also be produced in a wide range of variations. In the field of display, it will be apparent that devices of this character are not only capable of carrying various representations which will attract attention, but may be used to present advertising for example in an artistic and unusual manner.

I claim 1. Apparatus for multiple visual effects comprising a unitary flat design carrying base having a slot, a support arranged in operative position at one side of said base, said support and said base being mounted for relative movement of one in relation to the other, a supplementary design carrying member mounted with one end hinged on said support and with the opposite free end positioned in operative relation to said slot, and a guide effectively positioned between said base and said support and secured along one edge of said slot to guide the free end of the supplementary member into engagement with the slot.

2. Apparatus for multiple visual. effects comprising a unitary flat design carrying base having a plurality of slots aligned in end to end relation, ative position at one side of said base, said support and said base being mounted for relative movementof one in relation to the other, a plurality of supplementary design carrying members each mounted with its upper end hinged on said support and its lower end in operative relation to one of said aligned slots, and flexible guiding means effectively positioned between the base and the support and having portions secured along alower edge of each slot and intermediate portions secured between adjacent slots to guide said supplementary members in relation to their respective corresponding slots.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this th day of September, 1931.

ANDREI HUDIAKOFF.

a support arranged in oper

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