CIRCULAR MOTION THEATER

Abstract

An entertainment structure and apparatus principally comprising a 360-degree 2D and/or 3D cinematic theater. Seating for audience members is arrangeable on a circular motion base platform. A compound curved screen may lower from above to surround the theater upon a circular motion base platform, providing seamless media. A 2D/3D projection system is oriented within the structure to provide 2D/3D images on the screen through projection overlap for edge blending. A control system is used to rotate, pitch and roll the motion base platform. The control system can be synchronized with the media presentation. The structure includes a number of variations such as a variety of seating orientations, a stationary screen, a variety of screen configurations, and modular tracking seating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a motion base theater having a curved compound stationary screen.

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the theater in the show position.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing movement of the seats on the motion base.

FIGS. 4-6 show a second embodiment of a motion base theater having a compound curved screen and modular tracking seating. The screen is vertically moveable from a loading/unloading position, where the screen is above the seats, to a show position, where the screen surrounds the seats. The seats are provided on modules which move into and out of the theater. The seating modules may be provided in sector shapes, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the second theater embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and showing the theater in a loading/unloading position.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and showing the theater in a show position.

FIGS. 7-9 show a third embodiment of a motion base theater, with seating provided only on one side of a center line of the theater. The seats face inwardly.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the third motion base theater embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the theater in a show position.

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the projection and the movement of the seats on the motion base.

FIGS. 10-12 show a fourth embodiment of a motion base theater, with a separate entrance and exit, and having an octagonal outer structural shape.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the fourth motion base theater embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing the theater in a loading/unloading position.

FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing the theater in a show position and showing movement of the seats on the motion base.

FIGS. 13-15 show a fifth motion base theater embodiment similar to the theater shown in FIGS. 10-12, but with the seats facing outwardly, towards the screen, rather than inwardly, towards each other. The description of FIGS. 13-15 otherwise corresponds to the description of FIGS. 10-12.

FIGS. 16-18 show a sixth motion base theater embodiment having a dome screen moveable vertically from a loading/unloading position to a show position. The seats are shown facing inwardly towards the center of the theater.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the sixth motion base theater embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a section view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16 and showing the theater in a loading/unloading position.

FIG. 18 is a section view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16, showing the theater in a show position and showing movement of the seating on the motion base.

FIGS. 19-21 show a seventh motion base theater embodiment having a cylinder screen moveable vertically from a loading/unloading position to a show position. The seats face inwardly. The description of FIGS. 19-21 is otherwise the same as the description of FIGS. 10-12.

FIGS. 22-24 show an eighth embodiment of a motion base theater having a cylinder screen, a reduced number of seats, and a stairway leading to the seating platform.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the eighth motion base theater embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a section view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22, showing the projection and showing movement of the seating on the motion base.

FIGS. 25-27 show a ninth embodiment of a motion base theater having a projection screen formed of flat segments. The projection screen is moveable from a loading/unloading position to a show position. The seats face inwardly. The description of FIGS. 25-27 is otherwise the same as the description of FIGS. 10-12.

FIGS. 28-30 show a tenth embodiment of a motion base theater having a seating arrangement whereby the audience first takes their seats and is then lowered into the theater.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the eleventh motion base theater embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a section view taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 28 showing the theater in a loading/unloading position with the audience still situated above the theater.

FIG. 30 is a section view taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 28 and showing the theater in a show position with the audience in place.

Claims

1. A theater comprising: a motion base;seats on the motion base;a substantially continuous screen at least partially around the seats.

2-6. (canceled)

7. The theater of claim 1 wherein the seats are face radially inwardly.

8. The theater of claim 1 wherein the seats face radially outwardly.

9-10. (canceled)

11. The theater of claim 1 further comprising multiple 2D and/or 3D projectors arranged to provide substantially seamless edge blended images on the screen.

12. The theater of claim 1 further comprising a control system operable to coordinate the media presentation with movement of the motion base.

13. The theater of claim 12 wherein the control system is operable to control operation of a drive means operable to tilt, pitch and roll the motion base in all 360 degrees.

14-15. (canceled)

16. The theater of claim 12 wherein the control system coordinates movement of the motion base with the media presentation.

17-18. (canceled)

19. The theater of claim 18 further comprising a multi-channel audio system including a respective speaker on each channel of the system.

20. The theater of claim 1 wherein the seating comprises modules that rotate and move in and out of the theater on a tracked system.

21. A theater comprising: a motion base;tiers of seats on the motion base;a screen extending substantially entirely around the seats.

22. The theater of claim 21 further comprising projectors adjacent to a central location of the theater, with the projectors projecting images radially outwardly and onto the screen.

23. The theater of claim 21 with the screen curved and substantially continuous around the seats.

24. The theater of claim 21 comprising projectors radially outside of the screen, and with the projectors projecting images onto a back surface of the screen.

25. The theater of claim 21 with the screen comprising a self illuminated display, such as an LED screen.

26. The theater of claim 21 further comprising a stairway leading from floor area up to the seats on the motion base.

27. (canceled)

28. The theater of claim 21 further comprising a screen lifter for lifting and the lowering the screen vertically.

29. The theater of claim 21 with the motion base adapted to provide one or more of the following movements: pitch, roll, yaw, spin, heave, surge and yaw.

30. The theater of claim 21 with the seats comprising vehicles that can move onto and off of the motion base.

31-32. (canceled)

33. A theater comprising: tiers of seats;a screen substantially surrounding the tiers of seats;seat moving actuators attached to the seats, for moving the seats;at least one projector position to project motion pictures onto the screen; anda controller linked to the seat moving actuators and to the projector for coordinating the motion pictures with movement of the seats.

34-39. (canceled)