Optics: image projectors – Housing
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-30
2004-07-20
Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)
Optics: image projectors
Housing
C353S101000, C396S348000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764184
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of image projectors and more specifically an image projecting having a tubular telescoping body that is telescopically collapsible into an object with a small stowage footprint.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Image projectors using fully colour capable LCD systems require small but high-intensity light sources to adequately project images on a distant screen. Light sources such as xenon, halide or arc lamps are often used. Examples of such projectors include U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,216 “System and Method Employing LED Light Sources for a Projection Display” issued to Parker and Peterson on May 1, 2001; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,242 “Compact Integrated LCD Projector” issued to Rodriguez and Haushalter on Oct. 13, 1998. Both of these inventions rely upon forced air-type cooling systems generally comprising a heat sink in the form of air filled voids and a fan/motor combination to circulate air and dissipate heat through vents in the body of the projector. Image projectors of this type are necessarily voluminous to accommodate the required air voids for the cooling system and tend to retain a rectangular shape. Neither example of existing projectors is collapsible to the extent possible by utilizing heat sink air voids as stowage space.
Therefore, there continues to be a need for an image projector that is smaller, more portable and with a reduced foot print when operating and stowed for transport that takes advantage of unused heat sink voids as stowage space.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In light of the disadvantages noted above, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a telescopically collapsible projector.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telescopically collapsing projector that can be substantially reduced in size for stowage while retaining the ability to produce clear, undistorted images on a projection screen.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact, telescopically collapsible projector that utilizes electronically addressable colour LED technology capable of taking image signals from a computer and projecting them on a distant screen.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a telescopically collapsible projector that has a reduced operating and stowage footprint while retaining the ability to adequately air cool the heat producing components of the projector during operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a telescopically collapsible projector that can take advantage of cool light source technologies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects are achieved by providing a telescopically collapsible image projector having a segmented tubular body comprising:
a. a first tubular body segment;
b. a second tubular body segment co-axially mounted to the first tubular body segment and adapted for sliding concentric placement within the first tubular body segment; and,
c. a third tubular body segment co-axially mounted to the second body segment and adapted for sliding concentric placement within the second tubular body segment.
The image projector has a first stowed configuration in which the first, second and third tubular body segments are co-axially and telescopically collapsed within each other in concentric placement; and, a second operating configuration in which the first, second and third tubular body segments are co-axially deployed thereby forming a rigid optical pathway.
The image projector further comprises means for supporting the first tubular body segment, second tubular body segment and third tubular body segment co-axially in the second operating configuration; means for projecting an image on to a distant projection screen; means for cooling the image projector; and, means for controlling the image projector.
The first tubular body segment comprises: a closed back end; an open front end having an edge; an outer surface having an outer diameter; and, an inner surface having an inner diameter wherein the closed back end, the open front end, the inner surface and the outer surface act together to form a void. The void is adapted to receive the second tubular body segment and the third tubular body segment in respective concentric placement. The first tubular body segment further includes a flange depending radially inwards from the open front end edge. The flange has a bearing surface, a rear surface and a front surface.
The second tubular body segment comprises: an open back end having an edge; an open front end having an edge; a length; an outer surface having an outer diameter; and, an inner surface having an inner diameter wherein the open back end, the open front end, the outer surface and the inner surface act together to define a lumen. The lumen is adapted to receive the third tubular body segment in concentric placement. The second tubular body segment furthering includes: a first flange depending radially outwards from the open back end edge. The first flange has a front surface, a back surface and a bearing surface. A second flange depends radially inwards from the front end edge. The second flange has a front surface, a back surface and a bearing surface. The second tubular body segment further includes: a plurality of apertures spaced radially about its outer surface; and, a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole distally positioned at the open first end. The first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are positioned opposite each other.
The third tubular body segment comprises: an open back end having an edge; an open front end having an edge; a length; an outer surface having an outer diameter; and, an inner surface having an inner diameter wherein the open back end, the open front end, the outer surface and the inner surface define a lumen. The third tubular body segment further includes a flange depending radially outwards from the first open end edge. The flange has a back surface, a front surface and a bearing surface.
The image projector also includes means for supporting the first tubular body segment, second tubular body segment and third tubular body segment co-axially when the projector is in its operating configuration. The support means comprises means for supporting the second tubular body segment within the first tubular body segment and means for supporting the third tubular body segment within the second tubular body segment. These means comprise a first, second, third and fourth support. The first support comprises the bearing surface of the second tubular body segment first flange being in sliding frictional contact with the inner surface of the first tubular body. The second support comprises the bearing surface of the first tubular body segment flange in sliding frictional contact with the outer surface of the second tubular body. The third support comprises the bearing surface of the second tubular body segment second flange in sliding frictional contact with the outer surface of the third tubular member. The fourth support comprises the third tubular body segment flange bearing surface in sliding frictional contact with the inside surface of the second tubular body segment. These supports act together to permit telescopic co-axial sliding movement between the second tubular body segment and the first tubular segment and co-axial sliding movement between the second tubular body segment and the third tubular body segment. Hence the imaging projector may be moved from its first stowed configuration to its second operating configuration and form a rigid optical pathway. Additionally, the supports permit movement from the second operating configuration to the first stowed configuration.
Means for projecting an image on to a distant projection screen comprises the rigid optical pathway which is defined by the axis of the first tubular body segment, second tubular body segment and third tubular body segment co-axially aligned in the second operating configuration. Also included is a projection light source positioned on the optical pathway f
Adams Russell
Dalakis Michael
Thomson J. Gordon
LandOfFree
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