US3580126A - Light display instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of light which is controllable like a musical instrument. The device includes an elastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which is spaced from a high intensity light source. A collimating and focusing lens is interposed between the reflective surface and the light source so that light beams emanating from said light source and reflected from said reflective surface are focused st a point within an aperture defined in the cabinet of the device. A dynamic image display may be produced by applying localized pressures to the reflective surface thereby distorting the reflected pattern. These localized forces may be applied by sound waves, manual pressure and the like. Further interesting effects are obtainable by varying the optical characteristics of the light beams as they pass through the focal point as by the use of light filters or masks.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor John F. Forkner 2670 Solana Way, Laguna Beach, Calif. 92651 [21 1 Appl. No. 771,479

[22] Filed Oct. 29, 1968 [45 Patented May 25, 1971 [54] LIGHT DISPLAY INSTRUMENT 19 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. (I 841464,

[51] Int. Cl A63j 17/00 [50] Field of Search 84/464; 35 3/98 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,977,997 10/1934 Patterson 84/464 2,41 1,804 l l/ l 946 Plebanek 84/464 3,140,347 7/1964 Cohen ABSTRACT: A device for producing esthetically pleasing patterns of light which is controllable like a musical instrument. The device includes an elastically stretchable reflective mirror surface which is spaced from a high intensity light source. A collimatin g and focusing lens is interposed between the reflective surface and the light source so that light beams emanating from said light source and reflected from said reflective surface are focused st a point within an aperture defined in the cabinet of the device. A dynamic image display may be produced by applying localized pressures to the reflective surface thereby distorting the reflected pattern. These localized forces may be applied by sound waves, manual pressure and the like. Further interesting effects are obtainable by varying the optical characteristics of the light beams as they pass through the focal point as by the use of light filters or masks.

PATENTED M25197: 7 3580.126 SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN E FOEK/VEZ Fan 4E2, mvoaae 414276716 PATENT EU HAY25 I971 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. JOHN F FOEK/VEE Fan/45?, (M0886 a nmerews 4 TTOZ/VE/SZ LIGHT DISPLAY INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND or INVENTION This invention relates to a device for producing esthetically pleasing displays of light for viewing alone or in conjunction with music. The device is capable of operation in an artistic manner similar to a musical instrument.

There is an increasing interest in correlating the musical product of contemporary dance band combos with a visual interpretation or effect of the music. Typically the visual effect has been provided by light projecting machines which portray various notes or the tempo of the music in colors or patterns displayed on appropriate surfaces adjoining the musical group. Generally the projectors for such images are operated independently of the musical instruments which make up the group, although some electronic systems have been devised which may be operated in conjunction with musical instruments such as with a piano keyboard. Typically these devices include extensive electrical circuitry or mechanical control systems for varying the projected images in accordance with the music.

A typical projector of this sort includes control circuitry and mechanically operated cam devices for varying the projected light and varying the pattern of the images projected therefrom. A patterned reflective surface is used with such device and distorted into various configurations by the mechanically operated cams or other means mounted on the apparatus and synchronized with the music. Such a device requires a patterned reflector which must be changed foreach musical rendition to vary the visual interpretation of the .music. Additionally, with this type device the reflector is moved in a controlled manner which depends upon the internal mechanism of the device. Thus, to vary this controlled manner of movement of the reflector member, it is additionally necessary toreprogram the device for synchronization with various musical renditions.

In contrast to this type of a programmed projection apparatus, there is a need for a device which will provide a visual interpretation which corresponds to the tempo, rhythm, or beat of a musical rendition by directly associating the visual projector with the mood or sounds produced by the musical group. To esthetically accomplish such an association, it is necessary to provide a visual projector which can be controlled directly by the musical artist or by a nonmusical member of the group who can develop a skill in visually interpreting the music. The projecting apparatus must be capable of sensitive control of the projected light displays to visually interpret the mood andtempo of the musicalnumber.

It has also been found that in order to better represent the effect of the visual interpretation of the music, it may be necessary to provide a device capable of, projecting a threedimensional image. Such a device provides'an interesting sup plement to the effect of varying the projected light display.

Additionally, it has been found that there is a need for a visual interpretation imaging projector which provides greater contrast and sensitivity than those devicespresently available and which can be readily adapted to changing-musical moods, tempos and numbers. Such a device should also be operable independently of the music for displaying reflected light in an artistically controlled manner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION.

- through the focal point of the focused light.

Such optical systems including a focusing lens are generally known as Schlieren-type optical systems and have been found to produce exceptional contrasts and characteristics of the projected light when combined with the stretchable, resilient mirror.

The device may utilize a Fresnel lens which is mounted adjacent a resilient, elastically stretchable drum head having a reflecting surface on at least a a 'portion of the inner side thereof. In this instance, the flexible minor formed by the drum head may be a portion of a percussion instrument such as a snare drum, base drum, kettledrum and the like. The reflected light display is distorted by bending and stretching the resilient drum head during its use as a musical instrument or if the reflecting surface is not a part of a musical instrument it may be used independently by an artist who renders his own visual interpretation. of the music. This may be accomplished by deforming the reflective drum head by hand or with suitable force applying means such as cushioned or regular drumsticks. The resilient drum head may be produced from any flexible material having a reflective coating thereon. For example, a high strength polyester film such as the polyethylene terephthalate polymer Mylar, which is formed the condensation reaction of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, having a reflective metallized surface thereon may be used. The reflective surfaces may also be applied by coating or lamination. It is also possible to use thin flexible metallic reflectors such as aluminum or stainless but these materials are not as effective as the synthetic films'since they are not elastically stretchable by a suflicient distance to provide the variations obtainable with the resin films. Typically the polyethylene terephthalate polymers have elongations of percent and tensile strengths on the order of 25,000 p.s.i.

' Colored filters, stenciled patterns, masks and other means may be used at the focal point of the rays emanating from the mirror reflecting surface so that the operator can rapidly change the appearance, intensity and configuration of the projected light in time with the music with which the device is associated. Transparencies may be inserted in the device over or under the lens and projected to provide impressionistic distortable images or the name of the group for example.

In another embodiment of the device of this invention, the flexible mirror can be curved so that the light rays are focused by the configuration.of-the-mirror alone. This may be accomplished by making the flexible reflecting surface as one side of a closed, valved, airtight chamber. The other side may be fonned by a flat, transparent, plate glass member. The mirror is deformed into a flattened or oblate hemispheroidby pumping air or an inert gas into the .chamber. It has been found that the flexible reflector so formed into a curved mirror still retains its flexibility so that it can be resiliently deflected to distort the reflections emanating therefrom.

Theuse of a Schlieren-type optical system with an aperture located at the focal point of the reflected rays enhances the contrast between light and dark regions or colored regions of the reflected pattern. Additionally, the sensitivity ofthe reflecting surface is amplified by the use of the Fresnellens and the Schlieren optical system. The Schlieren-type system further enables the use of simple means for varying-the light pattern which is projected from the device with the use of colored filters,.stencils', and other such means. By the use of additional flat reflecting mirrors the flexible mirror can be located at practically any position desired and the produced light pattern can be directed any appropriate direction from the device. For example, the flexible mirror may be in a horizontal plane as a snare drum head or kettledrum head and the emanating light rays may be reflected behind the performer on a screen or wall surface.

- Normally the flexible mirror will undergo slight vibrations in response to the tempo and beat of the music. The musical sound produces a vibration of the mirror which varies in amplitude with the intensity of the sound so that the reflected representation is dependent upon the variations of the music with which the deviceis associated. This effect can be amplified by suitably coupling an electroacoustical transducer such as a speaker to the-flexible mirror. The speaker may be driven by signals from live or recorded music. In this instance the vibrational efiects of the mirror are amplified by the direct connection of the speaker to the mirror. For example, the

speaker and mirror may form the opposite sides of a closed sound box. It has also been found that a three-dimensional light pattern can be formed by the use of dual Schlieren-typeoptical system and appropriate filters. For example two light sources may be employed one of which is red in color the other of which is green in color. The reflected pattern through the Fresnel lens using the Kaleidoscope mirrors, a brilliant display of light'patterns may be produced by small variations of the surface con- DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, it can-be seen that in the preferred 1 embodiment the display device cabinet may be of a figurations of the'resilient mirror. These Kaleidoscopic designs literally dance on the projection screen as they appear, disappear and reappear with variations in the intensity and pitch of the associated music. Such avivid visual representation and interpretation of musical compositions has heretofore not been producible with existing light projection devices.

A feature of the display device of the present invention is to project in a controlled manner a vivid, sharp, esthetic, dynamic light displaywhich may be correlated with music or used independently. v

Another feature of the device of this invention is to provide a light display projector which can be artistically controlled by a skilled performer to provide a visual interpretation of associated music.

Yet another feature of the device of this invention is that it can be used to project lettering or images from a transparency onto a remote surface and to subsequently distort the projected image.

Still another feature of this invention is to provide a device which projects a visual representation of a musical composition and which may be included as an integral portion of a musical instrument.

Another feature of the display device of this invention is to provide a light projector which projects a controllable light image and in whichthe reflecting surface is resilient so that it may be varied in accordance with deformations induced therein and in which the system includes means for rapidly varying the pattern, color and configurations of the projected rays.

Yet another feature of this invention is to provide an esthetically pleasing light display projector which is a sensitive instrument with which artistic performances can be given.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS accordance with another embodiment of this invention and having a curved flexible mirror without a collimating lens;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another arrangement of the optical system for use in a light display device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view through another embodiment of the light display device connected to an electroacoustical transducer for operation thereby; and

FIG. 6' is a diagrammatic view of an optical system for use in a light display device constructed in accordance with another embodiment of this invention.

generally rectangular, boxlike configuration. The cabinet, as-

best shown in FIG. 2, includes a top wall 11 and sidewalls 12 which may be tapered to enhance the overall appearance. A thin, resilient, flexible, substantially rectangular mirror 14- is mounted on top of the image display device cabinet 10 on a suitable frame 16. The mirror may be adhesively attached o'r clamped to the upper, side and lower surfaces of the frame 16 by suitable means such as bolts 15 which are circumferentially spaced about the mirror for adjusting the tension therein. The frame 16 is mounted about a substantially rectangular opening 17 in the top 11 of the display cabinet 10. A suitable focusing.

and collimating lens 18 is disposed subjacent the mirror 12 over'the opening 17 of the cabinet. The lens 18 may be any focusing and collimating lens. A Fresnel lens is preferred since it is not as large and heavy as other lenses having comparable focusing power. I

A reflecting mirror 20 is fixedly mountednear the lower portion of the cabinet 10 at an acute angle to the bottom of the cabinet.'The mirror 20 may be mounted by a fixed frame or brackets 21 for holding it in place. Any suitable means for maintaining the mirror in this fixed position can be used.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a small, high intensity lamp 22 is mounted at the front portion of the cabinet 10. The lamp 22 may be a high intensity tungsten filament lamp which is fixed in the front portion of the cabinet by suitable brackets 24. As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling fan 26 may be mounted adjacent the lamp 22 with an accompanying small motor 28 for preventing the temperature of the lamp from getting too high.

The fan 26 may be mounted on a pivotable arm so that it can be swung in front of the light path from the lamp 22 to the mirror'l4. In this position, the blades of the fan 26 periodically interfere with the light emanating from the lamp 22 to provide an intermittent flashing light stroboscope effect.

The top of the cabinet 10, near. its front edge, is provided with a substantially square projecting aperture 30. A post 32 is fixedly mounted adjacent the aperture 30. The post 32 has a vertical section 34 and a horizontal section 36. Thehorizo'ntally extending section 36 is adapted to fit into a tubular mount 38 which is connected adhesively or by welding to a reflecting mirror 40 so that when the tubular mount 38 is fixed over the horizontally extending portion 36 of the post 32 the mirror 40 can be revolved about the horizontally extending I section 36. The mirrormay be fixed in any desired position by tightening it in place by means of the setscrew 42 which bears against the horizontal portion 36 of the post 32.

Preferably, the mirror 14 is constructed from a flexible, thin, elastically stretchable or resilient supporting material such as the synthetic high polyester resin polyethylene and terephthalate which is provided with a reflective coating such as aluminum or chromium on the underside thereof. The cabinet 10 may be constructed from any suitable material such as wood, steel, synthetic resins or other like materials. The frame 16 may be constructed from similar materials. Although a rectangular frame is shown, any configuration may be used. For example, the mirror, frame and aperture may be through the collimating lens 18 and are collimated before striking the flexible reflecting'mirror 14. From the flexible mirror 14, they are reflected back through the focusing lens 18 and coverage after reflecting from-mirror 20 at the aperture 30 in the top 11 of the cabinet 10. After passing through their focal point at 30, the rays intersect reflecting mirror 40 and by the orientation of mirror 40 are directed upon a appropriate displaying surface 41.

In principle, the patterns of light and their variations which are observed at the surface 41 are produced when the flexible mirror 14 is distorted by applying pressure to the mirror 14. The collimated beam impinging on the flexible mirror 14 is initially distorted by reflection from the mirror 14 so that a distorted beam is subsequently imaged on the remote surface. In practice the aberrations of the collimating lens 18 are such that a very poor image of the light source 22 is produced. This is desirable, however, since a great variety of patterns and colors result from the effects of these aberrations in conjunction with the distortions of the flexible mirror 14 which create and intensify the variations of patterns and colors to make an esthetically pleasing light display. Due to the erratic distribution of light at the focus of the lens 18 near aperture 30, an enhancement of the light patterns generated by the flexible mirror 14 can be produced by introducing various members which modify the optical characteristics of the light passing through the aperture 30. These members are generally represented by the light modifying member 46 shown in phantom lines. For example the member 46 may be one or more color filters, stencils, polarizing lenses, light masks and other such modifying members.

Attractive distribution and controlled displays of light can be achieved by skillful manipulation of the light at the focus of the light beams near the aperture 30. These light modifying members 46 operate on various parts of the projected pattern of light in a extremely complex fashion that results in partial multiple images and severely distorted images which are actually shadow projections of the mask, stencil or filter fragments. With some skill the device can be artistically operated so as to follow the beat of music or it can be operated independently to provide a visual, interpretation of music being presented simultaneously.

A horizontal slot 47 may be providedjthrough the upper wall 11 for passing a transparency 48 (see FIG. 1) which has images or lettering thereon. These are visible on the remote surface and may be allowed to remain when the device is operated.

The flexible reflecting mirror 14 can be actually used as a drum head so that distortions are created by a direct result of contact of the drumsticks with the mirror so that the pattern displayed by the projector changes rapidly with the drumbeats. Also this may be accomplished by coating the inner sur face of a conventional drum head with a reflective coating or paint and using that surface in the place of mirror 14. Altematively the lower outer surface of the drum may be coated with reflective material and used as the flexible mirror in the optical system of FIG. 2.-

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen diagrammatically that the collimating and focusing lens can be eliminated if themirror surface itself is curved and capable of focusing the light beams emanating from the light source. SURFACE ITS ELF IS CURVED AND CAPABLE OF FOCUSING THE LIGHT BEAMS EMANATING FROM THE LIGHT SOURCE. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a'flexible mirror 50! which is expandable outwardly. This mirror may be constructed from resilient Mylar or from any of the resilient synthetics having a reflective inner surface.

The mirror 50 is mounted on a frame 52 by wrapping the outer edges of the mirror about the frame 52 and adhesively attaching the edges to the frame. The frame 52 is in turn mounted on the upper wall 54 of the cabinet 56 of the device. A lower transparent glass plate 60 is also mounted on the upper wall 54. A sealing resin such as a caulking compoundor a silicone rubber resin is pressed intermediate the frame 52 and the plate 60 to form an airtight chamber between the plate 60 and the upper mirror 50. The frame 52 and the plate 60 may also be bolted to the wall 54.

The plate 60 is provided with an integrally attached glass tubular conduit 62 which has a valve 64 mounted therein. The conduit 62 may be connected to a pump or other means for supplying pressurized gases into the chamber defined between the plate 60 and the mirror 50. Thus, to form the curved focusing mirror 50, air is pumped into this chamber expanding the mirror 50 outwardly much like a balloon into a curved The beam is then projected onto a remote screen or flat sur-' face (not shown) for exhibiting the resultant light patterns. By depressing the mirror 56 either manually or with suitable instruments such as cushioned drumsticks, the image is distorted thus creating the desired pattern on the remote surface.

Again with this embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use as many planar reflecting mirrors such as mirror 68 as is desired and to direct the light pattern to any desired location. Additionally, the aperture 70 may be mounted on an extension in the top wall as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if desired, by the use of an additional reflecting mirror for a different orientation of the planar reflecting mirrors such as 68. In this embodiment the mirror68 is preferably fixed in position by suitable brackets 71 which are mounted on the cabinet walls.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the produced light pattern may be associated with a musical instrument by connecting the tube 62 to the air exhaust of a percussion instrument or to a wind instrument.

Referring now to FIG. 4, which illustrates diagrammatically a different embodiment of the optical system for a light display projector, it will be seen that the optical system can be modified to produce a light image which appears three-dimensional when viewed through the proper viewing glasses. In this embodiment, two light sources and 80' are used. A pair of filters 82 and 82' are disposed in front of the light sources 80 and 80 respectively so that light emanating from the light sources 80 and 80 are imparted with different optical characteristics. For example filter 82 may be a red filter and 82' a green filter or they may be crossed polaroid filters. The paths of the light rays, as shown by dashed lines 84 and 84', are spaced slightly from each other due to the spacing of the light sources 80 and 80'. These light rays pass through the lens 86 and impinge upon a flexible reflecting mirror 88 which is much the same as mirror 14 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The mirror may be distorted by means such as drumstick 90 to cause variations in the light reflected therefrom and unusual images on the viewing screen. As true with all the embodiments shown, different distortions are obtained by contacting different portions of the mirror 88.

The lens 86 focuses the light'at a point within the aperture 91 defined in the projection device. The characteristics of these light beams may be varied at this point by use of appropriate filters and masks as discussed previously. The light beams are projected onto a viewing surface 92 which may be a curved or flat surface capable of displaying the images projected thereon.

By the use of appropriate filters 94 and 94' the spaced images may be viewed by an observer to provide a threedimensional effect. The added dimension enables the viewer to observe many unusual distortions and features and other ramifications of the projected light display.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the light display device of this invention can be connected directly to an electroacoustical transducer such as the speaker 95. For example the speaker 95 may have an annular mounting adapter flange 96 around its outer edge. The lower edge of the adapter 96 may be mounted on an annular felt or rubber mounting pad 97 which tits on top of the flexible mirror 14 over the mounting frame 16'. The device constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the invention produces visual images which vary in accordance with the pressure produced on the flexible mirror 14' by means of the sound waves emanating from the speaker 95. The speaker 95 may be connected to a microphone for use with a live musical group or may be conrecorded music. Y Y

The opticalsystem shown inFlG. 6 may be included in any of the embodiments discussed for enhancing the image display nected to a recorder for correlating the image distortions with V disposed along the light path between light source 100 and the Fresnel lens 102 at an acute angle to one another. An aperture 110 is provided in one wall of the projector cabinet at the focal pointof the lens 102. Light emanating through aperture 110 may be directed to. an appropriate display surface my means of a planar reflecting mirror 1 12.

If a Fresnel lens is used for the lens 102 its center of curvature 105 should be positioned just above the apex of the angle formed by the intersection of the mirrors 106 and 108. As is known the Kaleidoscopic pattern is divided into six segments. It has been found that these segments will be of equal magnitude if the lens is so positioned.

These elements of the optical system are included in a tion of the flexible mirror 103 and the use of light modifying members at the aperture 110. v

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent Iclaim:

1. An apparatus for projecting a prising:

a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface; I Y a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focalpoint.

random light display com- 2. An apparatus as defined in claim I wherein said light image is projected to said remote location.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the reflected light properties comprise patterned masks .for controlling the configuration of light passing throughsaid aperture. I

a 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surfa ce is associated with the head of a percussion instrument for movement therewith.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface comprises synthetic, elastically stretchable material having a 1 reflective coating on at least a portion thereof.

7. A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic material is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim l'and further including a fan means for cooling said light source, said fan means being interposed between said light source and said reflective surface so that said fan means periodically interferes with the light passing from said light source tosaid reflective surface.

9. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising:

a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; Y

means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surface for defining an opening through which said light passes; and

means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflective light passes through a focal point.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved reflective surface for focusing said reflected light comprises an oblate hemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective surface.

11. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: I

. a high intensity light source;

a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point; and I means for directing the reflected light to aremote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point. 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 .wherein said chamber includes means for providing communication with a musical instrument for varying the configuration of said surface in accordance with the pressure generated by said musical instrument.

13. A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second light source disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of filters, one of said filters being interposed between I each of said light sources and said reflective surface and said filters having different optical characteristics so that the light beams reflected from said reflective surface are'of two different optical characteristics and when viewed through appropriate filtering members provide a three-dimensional image.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of substantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each other and extending longitudinally intermediate said light'source and said reflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a Kaleidoscope light display.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective surface comprises a high strength polyester film having a reflective substance coated on one surface thereof, said film being stretched over a frame member so as to be resiliently movable when a pressure is applied to said film; said apparatus further including a flat reflective mirror for directing the light rays passing through said Fresnel lens to an aperture defined in said apparatus at the focal point of said light rays; and said apparatus further including means for directing the light rays 5 passing through said aperture onto a remote member.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface communicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a closed Chamber so that the sound waves from said speaker cause distortions of said reflective surface and produce variations in the light image reflected.

17. Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displays which comprise:

a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supporting material having a reflective surface physically connected to said supporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunction with a force appliedto said reflective member from an extemalsource, said reflective rnemberdeforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and

means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing display on a remotely located surface.

18. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source;

means defining an opening;

a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being stretched over said opening defining means so as to be stretchable by application of localized pressure;

a reflective surface intermediate said resilient reflective surface and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflective surface and said remote location; and

an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at said opening for varying the properties of said reflected light.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface; a Fresnel lens positioned with respect to said reflective surface so as to intercept light rays from said reflective surface for focusing said light reflected from said reflective surface; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source and said light source and said reflective surface are mounted within a cabinet having sidewalls and opposing top and bottom walls and including means located at the focal region of said Fresnel lens for defining an aperture through which said light passes and means at said aperture for verifying the properties of said reflected light.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 further including means adjacent said Fresnel lens for maintaining an image carrying transparency in the path of reflected light so that said image is projected to said remote location.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the reflected light properties comprise patterned masks for controlling the configuration of light passing through said aperture.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface is associated with the head of a percussion instrument for movement therewith.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface comprises synthetic, elastically stretchable material having a reflective coating on at least a portion thereof.

7. A apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said synthetic material is a polyethylene terephthalate polymer.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a fan means for cooling said light source, said fan means being interposed between said light source and said reflective surface so that said fan means periodically interferes with the light passing from said light source to said reflective surface.

9. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; at least one curved reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto for reflecting distorted light images from said surface and for focusing said light reflected from said resilient reflective surface; means at the focal region of said at least one curved reflective surface for defining an opening through which said light passes; and means for directing said reflected light to a remote location after said reflective light passes through a focal point.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said curved reflective surface for focusing said reflected light comprises an oblate hemispheroidal curved portion on said reflective surface.

11. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; a reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being resilient so that it deforms when a force is applied thereto, said surface forming one side of an airtight chamber and a spaced, opposing transparent member forming the other side thereof, said chamber further including means for increasing the pressure in said airtight chamber to cause the reflective surface to balloon outwardly into a hemispheroidal configuration for directing light rays reflected therefrom to a focal point; and means for directing the reflected light to a remote location after said reflected light passes through the focal point.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said chamber includes means for providing communication with a musical instrument for varying the configuration of said surface in accordance with the pressure generated by said musical instrument.

13. A apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a second light source disposed adjacent said light source and a pair of filters, one of said filters being interposed between each of said light sources and said reflective surface and said filters having different optical characteristics so that the light beams reflected from said reflective surface are of two different optical characteristics and when viewed through appropriate filtering members provide a three-dimensional image.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of substantially planar mirrors disposed at an acute angle to each other and extending longitudinally intermediate said light source and said reflective surface to define an apparatus which provides a Kaleidoscope light display.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a high intensity electric lamp and said reflective surface comprises a high strength polyester film having a reflective substance coated on one surface thereof, said film being stretched over a frame member so as to be resiliently movable when a pressure is applied to said film; said apparatus further including a flat reflective mirror for directing the light rays passing through said Fresnel lens to an aperture defined in said apparatus at the focal point of said light rays; and said apparatus further including means for directing the light rays passing through said aperture onto a remote member.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface communicates with an electroacoustical speaker through a closed chamber so that the sound waves from said speaker cause distortions of said reflective surface and produce variations in the light image reflected.

17. Means for projecting continuously changing, distorted light displays which comprise: a reflective member comprising an elastically stretchable supporting material having a reflective surface physically connected to said supporting material so that said reflective surface moves in correlation with the movement of said supporting material, said reflective member being adapted to be deformed in a controllable manner in conjunction with a force applied to said reflective member from an external source, said reflective member deforming in accordance with localized forces applied to different parts of the supporting material so as to produce distorted, reflected light rays from said reflective member; a reflective surface means for focusing the light rays reflected from said reflective member at a focal point remote from said reflective member; means near said focal point for varying the optical characteristics of said light rays emanating from said reflective member; and means for displaying said light rays as a continuously changing display on a remotely located surface.

18. An apparatus for projecting a random light display comprising: a high intensity light source; means defining an opening; a resilient reflective surface disposed a spaced distance away from said light source and being stretched over said opening defining means so as to be stretchable by application of localized pressure; a reflective surface intermediate sAid resilient reflective surface and a remote location for intercepting light reflected from said resilient surface and focusing said light at a point intermediate said reflective surface and said remote location; and an aperture located proximate the focal point of the light for varying the light rays emanating from the focal point.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including means at said opening for varying the properties of said reflected light.

Images