Claims
- 1. Light processing apparatus for creating on a display surface special effects which simulate movement, using light from a light source, comprising:
- (a) a multiplicity of flexible fibre optic light guides having input ends for receiving the light from the light source and output ends, the light guides being grouped into groups, each group creating a particular special effect, wherein the input ends of each group of light guides are placed in distinct receptor zones which define a pre-selected geometry and the output ends of each group of light guides are positioned in a pre-selected pattern; and
- (b) a moveable color changing means for periodically changing the color of the light from the light source, comprising a plurality of discrete colored filter zones which transmit light of various colors, wherein each of the filter zones defines a preselected geometry which is substantially the same width and geometric pattern as said receptor zone wherein the filter zones successively register with and sweep across the correlated receptor zones, thereby periodically changing the color of the light which is transmitted to the input ends of various groups of light guides.
- 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the colour changing means comprises a rotatable circular colour wheel filter having concentric coloured filter zones in the shape of sectors of an annulus.
- 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the receptor zones are arcuate in shape and no greater in width than the filter zones on the colour wheel filter.
- 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 which additionally comprises configuring means for configuring the input ends and the output ends of the light guides in pre-selected positions.
- 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the configuring means comprises:
- (a) an input surface for holding and positioning the input ends of the light guides in their pre-selected geometry in the receptor zones; and
- (b) an effects surface for holding and positioning the output ends of the light guides in their pre-selected pattern.
- 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the configuring means also comprises a support surface for supporting and positioning the light source relative to the colour changing means.
- 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the input surface defines a plane which is perpendicular to a plane of said support surface, and supports the color changing means.
- 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the color changing means comprises a rotatable circular color wheel filter which is coupled to a motor.
- 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the configuring means is a piece of foamed material which encapsulates the light guides.
- 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the color changing means comprises an endless flexible filter.
- 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the receptor zones and an interactive portion of said filter zone have the same width.
- 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the receptor zones are of the same shape and not greater in width than the filter zones.
- 13. A visual effects sign, comprising:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) a light source mounted in the housing;
- (c) a multiplicity of flexible fibre optic light guides having input ends and output ends, the light guides being grouped into groups, and each group being assigned to create a particular special effect, wherein each input end of each group of light guides are placed in adjacent and distinct receptor zones of preselected geometry and the output ends of each group of light guides are configures in a pre-selected pattern;
- (d) color changing means having a plurality of discrete colored filter zones for periodically changing the color of light from the light source, wherein each of the filter zones defines a preselected geometry which is substantially the same width and geometric pattern as said receptor zone;
- (e) configuring means for configuring the light source, color changing means and light guides in pre-selected positions relative to one another; and
- (f) display panel means for displaying light emitted form.
- 14. The visual effects sign defined in claim 13, wherein the configuring means comprises an input surface for holding and positioning the input ends of the light guides in their pre-selected geometry in the receptor zones, and an effects surface for holding and positioning the output ends of the light guides in their pre-selected pattern.
- 15. The visual effects sign defined in claim 14, wherein the configuring means comprises a foamed material which encapsulates the light guides.
- 16. The visual effects sign defined in claim 13, further comprising spacer means for spacing the display panel means a pre-determined distance from the configuring means.
- 17. Light processing apparatus for creating on a display surface special effects which simulate movement, using light from a light source, comprising:
- (a) a multiplicity of flexible fibre optic light guides having input ends for receiving the light from the light source and output ends, the light guides being grouped into groups, each group creating a particular special effect, wherein the input ends of each group of light guides are placed in distinct receptor zones which define a pre-selected geometry and the output ends of each group of light guides are positioned in a pre-selected pattern; and
- (b) a moveable color changing means for periodically changing the color of the light from the light source, comprising a plurality of discrete colored filter zones which transmit light of various colors, wherein each of the filter zones defines a preselected geometry which is at least as wide as said receptor zones and having the same geometric pattern as said receptor zone wherein the filter zones successively register with and sweep across the correlated receptor zones, thereby periodically changing the color of the light which is transmitted to the input ends of various groups of light guides.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 079,585 filed on Jun. 22, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,892.
US Referenced Citations (29)
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
79585 |
Jun 1993 |
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