Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan., l0, 1961
`
`
`
`M. L. HEILIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet l
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`
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`
`AORNEY
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 001
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`M. E. HEG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`Filed Jan. 10, 196l.
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 2
`
`
`
`NVENOR
`/2267 (2V4. //zz/6.
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`6-4.2%
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`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 002
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan. 10, 1961
`
`T R- 5.
`
`M. L. HELIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 3
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`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 003
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan. 10, 1961
`
`
`
`M. L. HELIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 4
`
`
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`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 004
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan. 10, 1961
`
`M. L. HELIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 5
`
`T - lD.
`
`62.
`
`
`
`NVENOR
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`
`ATTORNEY
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 005
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan., l0, 196l
`
`M. L., HEIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`l T
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`SV
`
`050,870
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`AITORNEY
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 006
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan. 10, 1961
`
`
`
`M. L. HEILIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 7
`
`NVENTOR
`M267 v4. A/azz at
`(274 A. 264
`
`AITORNEY
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 007
`
`

`

`Aug. 28, 1962
`
`Filed Jan. 10, l961
`
`
`
`M. L. HELIG
`SENSORAMA SIMULATOR
`
`3,050,870
`
`8 Sheets-Sheet 8
`
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`ATTORNEY
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 008
`
`

`

`United States Patent Office
`
`3,050,870
`Patiented Aug. 28, 1962
`
`3,050,870
`SENSORAMA SMULATOR
`Morton L. Heilig, Long Beach, N.Y.
`(10 Sheridan Square, New York 14, N.Y.)
`Filed Jan. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 81,864
`13 Claims. (Cl. 35-1)
`The present invention, generally, relates to simulator
`apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus to stimu
`late the senses of an individual to simulate an actual ex
`perience realistically.
`There are increasing demands today for ways and means
`to teach and train individuals without actually subjecting
`the individuals to possible hazards of particular situa
`tions. For example, the armed services must instruct
`men in the operation and maintenance of extremely com
`plicated and potentially dangerous equipment, and it is
`desirable to educate the men with the least possible danger
`to their lives and to possible damage to costly equipment.
`industry, on the other hand, is faced with a similar
`problem due to present day rapid rate of development of
`automatic machines. Here, too, it is desired to train a
`labor force without the accompanying risks.
`The above outlined problem has arisen also in educa
`tional institutions due to such factors as increasingly com
`25
`plex subject matter being taught, larger groups of students
`and an inadequate number of teachers. As a result of
`this situation, there has developed an increased demand
`for teaching devices which will relieve, if not supplant,
`the teachers' burden.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide an apparatus to simulate a desired experience
`by developing sensations in a plurality of the senses.
`it is also an object of the invention to provide an appa
`ratus for simulating an actual, predetermined experience
`in the senses of an individual.
`A further object of the invention is to provide an appa
`ratus for use by one or more persons to experience a
`simulated situation.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a new
`and improved apparatus to develop realism in a simulated
`situation.
`Briefly, an apparatus constructed in accordance with
`the principles of the invention embodies a housing having
`a hood means mounted thereon to fit about the head of
`an observer. A visual image projection means is sup
`ported by the housing, and an optical means is included
`to direct images from the projection means to the hood.
`in addition to the above, means is provided to direct a
`breeze toward this hood, and at least one odor-sense
`stimulating substance is positioned to be releasable into
`the breeze in response to a signal from a suitable coordi
`nating means. It is the cooperative effects of the breeze,
`the odor, the visual images and binaural sound that stim
`ulate a desired sensation in the senses of an observer.
`For those instances where a sense of motion is desired,
`means is provided to induce Small vibrations or jolts to
`simulate movement and, also, to simulate actual impacts.
`Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in
`the following description and claims and illustrated in the
`accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of exam
`ple, the principle of the invention and the best mode which
`has been contemplated of applying that principle.
`in the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a hood arrangement for
`four viewers in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of only one of the
`hoods shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the panel inside
`the hood as taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation taken along the line
`4-4 in FIG. 3;
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`70
`
`10
`
`5
`
`20
`
`30
`
`2
`FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation similar to that shown
`in FIG. 4 but showing a seat, arm rest and controls;
`F.G. 6 shows a plan view of a plurality of films in
`position for selective viewing by one or more persons;
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one film container in
`accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 7A is a view along the line 7A-7A in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one end for the film
`container shown in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 is a view in elevation and in section showing a
`clasp for the structure of FIG.8;
`FIG. 10 is a view of the optical arrangement in accord
`ance with the invention;
`FiG. 11 is a side view partly in section showing one
`arrangement for enclosing an odor-stimulating substance
`for release into the hood;
`FIG. 12 is a view in perspective showing an arrange
`ment for a plurality of odor-stimulating substance con
`tainers for use with an arrangement as shown in FIG. 11;
`F.G. 13 is a side view in elevation of a breeze develop
`ing arrangement;
`FIG. 14 is a plan view of the breeze developing arrange
`ment shown in F.G. 13;
`FIG. 15 is a side view in elevation of one film container
`as shown in FIG. 7 illustrating a rewind mechanism;
`F.G. 16 is a gear system for use in the mechanism as
`shown in FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17 is a view of a control linkage for operating the
`rewind mechanism automatically; and
`FIG. 18 is a view of one frame of a film for use in the
`apparatus of the invention.
`Before proceeding with a detailed description of the
`present invention, a somewhat detailed discussion of the
`setting in which the invention is cast is believed to be in
`order.
`It is recognized generally that teaching by machine has
`at least two distinct advantages; (1) enables articulate,
`talened teachers to reach a greater audience, and (2)
`enables a subject to be clarified and dramatized to a
`greater extent than an unaided teacher is capable of doing.
`It is the great potential afforded by this second point that
`the present invention is adapted to be directed.
`A basic concept in teaching is that a person will have a
`greater efficiency of learning if he can actually experience
`a situation as compared with merely reading about it or
`listening to a lecture. For example, more can be learned
`about flying a SuperSonic jet airplane by actually flying
`one, or a student would understand the structure of an
`atom better through visual aids than mere word descrip
`tions. Therefore, if a student can experience a situation
`or an idea in about the same way that he experiences
`everyday life, it has been shown that he understands bet
`ter and quicker, and if a student understands better and
`quicker, he is drawn to the subject matter with greater
`pleasure and enthusiasm. What the student learns in this
`manner he retains for a longer period of time.
`Since it is either impossible or dangerous to give stu
`dents life-like experiences, attempts have been made to
`bring them as close as possible to this ideal by utilizing,
`for example, photographs, records and motion picture
`films. However, even the motion picture films, the most
`realistic of these media, fall far short of conveying to
`the student the illusion of reality.
`The training films which have been used at an early
`date provided visual movement that was confined to a
`small rectangle that fills only one-twelfth of the stu
`dents' normal visual field. Its image is flat and two di
`mensional, whereas the normal student sees in three di
`mensions (including depth). Also, such prior training
`films presented no scents, tactile sensations or directional
`sound, which are an important part of one's perception
`of reality.
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 009
`
`

`

`3,050,870
`
`O
`
`15
`
`35
`
`40
`
`25
`
`3
`Realizing the above, many attempts have been made in
`the past to obtain more realism in training aids. In the
`late 1930's and early 1940's, with the support of the
`United States Air Force, “Cinerama' was developed.
`This is a motion picture system that filled approximately
`40% of the viewers' peripheral field of vision with a two
`dimensional picture, and it employed five projectors to fill
`a screen shaped like a quartersphere. Directional sound
`was provided by five speakers located behind the screen
`at different spaced-apart points. Later, for its commercial
`debut in 1952, the five projectors and film strips were re
`duced to three, reducing the visual field to about 30%.
`The three projectors mentioned above were separated
`behind the proscenium in such a way that the centers of
`their projected beams crossed at the focal point of the
`screen's curve. However, a serious disadvantage in
`Cinerama was the noticeable jiggling between each of its
`picture segments.
`Another arrangement quite sinnilar to Cinerama is one
`known as "Cinemiracle.” This system uses three films and
`three projectors, but the projectors are located in one cen
`tral booth rather than dispersed, and, like Cinerama, has
`the jiggling between picture segments.
`In 1953 true 3-D movies (which had been invented
`some fifty years earlier) were introduced to the public.
`This system employs two cameras and two projectors, and,
`furthermore, requires a spectator to use Polaroid glasses
`in order to have the left eye image reach only the left eye
`and the right eye image reach only the right eye. Al
`though this system does provide true 3-D, it is hampered
`30
`seriously by the fact that only one-twelfth of a viewer's
`field of vision is used. Therefore, objects floating in space
`are disagreeably truncated by the picture's frame.
`The next development is known as “Todd-A-O” which
`is a step forward over the above described arrangements
`in that the bothersome jiggling between the three sections
`of Cinerama was eliminated. This was accomplished by
`putting the entire picture on one piece of 70 mm. film
`through one large lens as compared with previous meth
`ods of using three separate lenses and three strips of 35
`mm. film. However, the Todd-A-O development loses
`Some of the sharpness which is characteristic of Cinerama
`and fills only 25% of the natural peripheral field of vi
`sion. In addition, it provides only a two dimensional
`image.
`Following the above, Walt Disney introduced a system
`known as "Circarama.” This is a system that uses eleven
`projectors to put a two dimensional picture on a ribbon-like
`Screen that circles about the audience. However, there is
`no provision for the vertical field of vision of an audience,
`and it is plagued by extreme jiggling between each of its
`eleven frames and because the spectator gets dizzy turn
`ing around to see what is happening behind him.
`The most recent developments in the trend toward real
`ism include Walter Read's "Aromarama” and Mike Todd,
`Jr.'s "Scent-O-Vision.” These add scents to a wide screen
`CinemaScope or Todd-A-O picture. With the Aromarama
`System, odors are injected into the theater's air condition
`ing System, and with the Scent-O-Vision system, odors are
`piped into the arms of the spectators' chairs. Both of these
`systems are anachronistic when used in conjunction with
`a two dimensional picture seen through the confines of
`the 25% window viewing area.
`The Sensorama Simulator of the invention achieves a
`more complete illusion than the afore-mentioned systems
`without any of their defects through a novel approach.
`It accomplishes this by stimulating the nervous system with
`a wide varity of sensory stimuli in forms that are natural
`to it, i.e., color, visual movement, complete peripheral
`vision, 3-D, binaural sound, breezes, odor and tactile
`sensations.
`In the device of the invention there are no problems
`of spherical distortion because the eyes of a viewer are
`always on the optical axis of the picture; this is impos
`sible in all theater systems. No matter how severe the
`
`60
`
`70
`
`75
`
`4.
`barrel distortion of the image is, everything looks straight
`to the viewer.
`In addition to the above, there is no washing out of
`image contrast or color due to light bounding from one
`side of the screen to the other as it does on deeply curved
`theater screens, and since no Polaroid or colored glasses
`are necessary to achieve 3-D image separation, the color
`of the picture image is substantially pure. Also, since
`each eye sees only its own portion of each frame, greater
`sharpness is achieved with less film information than
`Would be necessary if both eyes could focus on the de
`tails of the same picture as they do in “wide screen'
`theater systems.
`The light source need only be sufficient to permit a
`person or persons close thereto to view the film, a much
`less amount of light is required, and there are no heat
`or film buckle problems that plague the theater systeins.
`Substantially perfect directional sound is achieved by
`using only two recording microphones and two playback
`tracks. Approximately twenty microphones, tracks and
`Speakers would be required to achieve a comparable di
`Tectional effect in a theater system. A still further ad
`Vantage of the invention is provided by the scent arrange
`ment. Scents can be given and removed with greater
`precision since only the air near the viewer's nose is in
`volved. Other systems require the movement of large
`Volumes of air, which necessarily means a time lag and
`Overlap of one scent with another and much larger and
`costlier ventilation equipment is needed.
`The invention provides other advantages. The cost
`of a device in accordance with the invention is only a
`few thousand dollars as contrasted with the millions re
`quired heretofore for actual life-size physical mock-up
`simulators which in many ways are not as effective or
`Versatile as the simulator provided by the present inven
`tion. The device of the invention, therefore, can be
`produced and used in large numbers. It is a physically
`Small unit that can be transported and installed at any
`desired location.
`Since the device of the invention is a “natural environ
`ment simulator” rather than a synthetic environment sim
`ulator, it can be used to create any environment desired
`(from realistic to abstract) and can be changed quickly
`from one program to another. As a consequence of this
`flexibility and naturalness, the device of the invention is
`capable of giving an environment all of the emotional
`color and intensity that a spectator or trainee would ex
`perience in real life situations.
`The device of the invention also is adapted to provide
`privacy for the viewer. Even if a viewer is experiencing
`a very quiet scene, he is in no way distracted by the lights
`and noise of the room about him. The converse is also
`true. The viewing of a scene in no Way disturbs the
`people around it, no matter how noisy the scene inside the
`machine may become. Therefore, several of the ma
`chines can be operating in the same room at the same
`time. The apparatus also can be installed in classrooms,
`laboratories, business offices, recreational centers, etc.,
`Without in any way disturbing the normal activities of
`the place. No conventional film or television projection
`can do this.
`The present invention now provides a completely new
`approach to the overall problem of realism. FIGURE 1
`of the drawings shows a plan view of an “individualized
`apparatus, as contrasted with the theater concept which
`accommodates a large number of people. Although any
`number of individual persons may participate in the use
`of an apparatus in accordance with the invention when
`the apparatus is constructed to accommodate that
`-
`ber of persons, the form of the apparatus illustrated in
`FIGURE 1 is constructed Specifically for one to four
`perSons.
`As seen in FIGURE 1, an enclosure 10 surrounds an
`optical system (to be described in greater detail present.
`ly) of which a reflector arrangement 1 is a portion. it
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 0010
`
`

`

`O
`
`5
`
`25
`
`30
`
`8,050,870
`5
`6
`is preferred that the enclosure 10 be substantially light
`picture being viewed. For this purpose, a suitable ma
`terial from which to form the flaps 32 and 33 would be
`tight and, in this connection, the inner surfaces of the
`rubber, plastic, etc.
`enclosure 10 are blackened to minimize light reflections.
`Similarly, the canopy 12 itself may be formed of rub
`Individual hoods or cancpies i2a, 2b, 2c and 32d
`are positioned conveniently about the enclosure it so that
`ber, plastic, etc., but whatever material is selected, it
`must be substantially rigid structurally to support itself
`from one to four persons may be accommodated at one
`and the various component parts of the apparatus, and
`time. A picture to be viewed is transmitted along an
`preferably, the apparatus should be formed of a material
`optical axis 13 to a semi-reflective surface 14, indicated
`that is non-conductive electrically to minimize the chance
`generally by the dotted line in FIGURE 1.
`The semi-reflective surface 14 permits the picture to
`of harmful electric shocks.
`On opposite sides of the canopy 12, speakers 34a and
`be viewed simultaneously along an axis is and an axis
`34b are supported in cavities 35a and 35b, respectively.
`16. A person at the canopy .2d will view the picture
`Each of the speakers is tilted slightly rearwardly, and if
`along an axis 7, which is a continuation of the axis 16
`desired, the speakers are excited stereophonically to create
`passing through a semi-reflective surface 8 similar to
`more realistic audio stimulations for a person using the
`the surface 14. The picture being transmitted along the
`apparat US.
`axis 16 is reflected also by the surface 18 to be directed
`A lenses system, to be described in greater detail pres
`along an axis 19 to a reflector surface 20 for viewing
`ently, terminates in eye pieces 36a and 36b in the canopy
`along an axis 24 by a person at the canopy i2c.
`B2. It should be noted that the space 37 between the
`A reflector surface 22 reflects the picture from the axis
`lenses for each eye is relatively small and that the tubular
`5 to an axis 23 from which a person at the cancpy (2a
`housings 43a and 43b are flared outwardly at sides of the
`views the picture along an axis 24, forming a continuation
`ends which are adjacent each other to provide a space
`of the axis 23. The picture being transmitted along the
`39 to receive the nose of a viewer, as will be made
`axis 23 passes through a semi-reflective surface 25, similar
`clearer hereinafter.
`to the surfaces 4 and 18, and also is refected by the
`The lens housings 43a and 43b are movable laterally
`surface 25 for transmission along an axis 26. From the
`relative to each other, and the lateral adjustment (inter
`axis 26, the picture is reflected to an axis 27 by a reflector
`ocular distance) of a picture image for each eye of a
`surface 28 for viewing by a person at the canopy i2b.
`viewer is obtained by lenses 46a and 40b. Each of these
`Any one or ail of the canapies 12a to 2d, therefore,
`lenses is supported in a frame 4: which is pivotable on a
`receive a picture which is transmitted initially along the
`fixed axis 4Aa. By turning a knob 42 (FIG. 3), a shaft
`single axis 3 from a film storage compartment 29, the
`42a (FIG. 2) is turned, and the lens housings 43a and
`details of which will be described hereinafter. Enter
`43b are noved laterally. The shaft 42a is threaded in
`ference between the respective picture transmitting axes
`opposite directions from the center outwardly so that the
`is prevented by supporting the surfaces 4 and 22 in a
`lens housings move laterally in opposite directions, and
`Suitable housing 30 or other structure to block unwanted
`since each axis 4a is fixed in position, the lenses 43a
`light.
`and 46b are tilted relative to each other by the lateral
`In the receipt of the same picture at all of the canopies
`movement of their respective housings. This also will be
`2a to 2d, an important consideration to be appreciated
`referred to again in more detail in the description to
`is that the focus of the picture image must be maintained
`follow concerning the complete lens system.
`for each canopy. This is accomplished with the reflec
`A focus adjustment for the optical system is seen in
`tor arrangement E by ensuring that the lineal distance
`FGS. 2, 3 and 4. A portion of each lens housings 43a
`from the point A is the same along each respective optical
`and 43b is movable axially relative to their length. For
`path. Since the distance from the film in the compart
`example, both of the housings 43a and 43b are some
`ment 29 along the axis 13 to the point A is the same for
`what tubular and both of these housings are fixed in posi
`each canopy, this distance presents no problem. How
`tion, but a pair of lens supports 38a and 38b are movable
`ever, the positions of the reflector surfaces must be se
`45
`axially in the respective housings 43a and 43b.
`lected carefully so that, by way of example, the length
`Two gears 44a and 44b are supported to mesh with
`of the axis 6 plus the length of the axis 37 must equal
`cooperating gear racks 45a and 45b fixed to the nowable
`the length of the axis 16 plus axes 9 and 2i. The opti
`lens Supports 38a and 38b, respectively. An axle 46,
`cal distances from the point A to the canopies A2a and
`common to the two gears 44a and 44b, has a pulley 47 at
`82b are traced in the same manner and must be equal
`tached thereto, and a suitable belt 48 (FIG. 4) connects
`to the optical distance to the canopies 2c and 2d men
`the pulley 47 with a knob 49.
`tioned above.
`Preferably, both of the knobs 42 and 49 are supported
`Since each canopy is substantially identical to the
`so that they can be gripped substantially entirely within
`others, the structural details of only one canopy will now
`the palm of the hand of a person to permit small adjust
`be presented to simplify the description, and the numeral
`ments in the interocular distance and the focus of the
`12 will be used generally to identify the canopy.
`lenses System. While the knobs 42 and 49 are shown
`Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a plan view
`supported in a plane Substantially perpendicular to the
`of the canopy 2 is shown partly in cross section. The
`front 5i, they may be supported in a plane substantially
`back 30' of the canopy 12, i.e., that portion which would
`parallel with the front 5, if desired, the preferred fea
`be behind a person's head, is provided with an open
`ture being that the knobs 42 and 49 are fully exposed
`ing 3 to permit access to the space within the canopy
`for greater ease in grasping in the hand of a user.
`2 without requiring a person to stoop.
`Also, it will be understood that while a flexible belt
`Access is simplified further by a plurality of outer flaps
`48 is shown for illustrative purposes, any other suitable
`32 and a plurality of inner flaps 33 supported about the
`interconnection means such as gears and/or levers may
`perimeter of the opening 31. As illustrated better in
`65
`be substituted therefor, if desired.
`FIG. 3, the flaps 32 and 33 are staggered so that each
`As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, two relatively small
`crack or space between adjacent flaps in, for example, the
`brow pads 53a and 53b are provided just above the lenses
`outer plurality is covered by one of the flaps of the
`eye pieces 36a and 35b, respectively, so that the head
`other plurality, for example the inner plurality.
`of an observer may be positioned correctly and com
`in addition, the flaps of each plurality 32 and 33 are
`70
`fortably during use of the apparatus. Each brow pad
`dimensioned suitably to permit flexibility so that a person
`may insert his head easily through the opening 31, and
`is a relatively thick, soft cushion so that with the fore
`yet, the flaps should be long enough in the direction
`head of an observer comfortably supported, the observer's
`directly away from the perimeter to close sufficiently be
`eyes are relatively close to the lenses eye pieces 36a
`hind his head to prevent light from interfering with the
`and 36b.
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`75
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1011
`Page 0011
`
`

`

`e
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`5
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`40
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`7
`The positioning of the eyes of an observer is important
`since a unique lenses system is provided to achieve an
`unusually wide visual range. Therefore, the brow pads
`must permit any observer to position his head correctly
`and comfortably. In this connection, Such features as
`ball sockets and spring mountings may be used if desired,
`to allow for some variations in head size and shape be
`tween observers.
`Located somewhere within each canopy 2 but prefera
`bly in the top thereof is an ultraviolet lamp 55 (FIG. 4),
`which is provided for illumination and sterilization. Since
`the eyes of humans are not responsive to light in the ultra
`violet range, suitable paint or other coatings of ultra
`violet responsive materials may be placed on those por
`tions within each canopy 2 which it may be desired to
`have more readily visible, such as the brow pads 53a
`and 53b. Also, it is preferred that the lamp 55 be io
`cated toward the rear of the canopy so that Substantially
`the entire forward parts of the canopy are bathed in the
`light.
`Suitable name plates S6 are on the front 5 (FIG. 3)
`of the device to identify the various subjects for which
`films are provided, and suitable electrica Switches 57
`(FG. 4) are provided directly behind each respective
`plate 56 to select a desired subject. The selection fea
`ture of the invention will be referred to again in greater
`detail hereinafter.
`Of course, in some instances and for Some uses of the
`apparatus of the invention, such as when the apparatus
`is used as a training aid, the various subjects to be viewed
`may not be selected by the observed, but may be set up
`by an instructor or other individual who may simply in
`sert a single desired film into the device at any one time
`or have the plate-switches 56-57 located externally of
`the apparatus. Therefore, it is intended that the device
`be adaptable to both selections made by a user and by
`another person as well.
`Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a seat 60
`is supported on a platform or base 6 which is separate
`from the enclosure C, which base, in turn, is supported
`on relatively soft resilient pads 62. A vibrator unit 63 is
`fixedly attached to the platform 6 so that, upon ener
`gization, a vibration is induced in the seat 66, foot plat
`form 63 and an arm rest 72.
`it will be appreciated that vibrations of relatively small
`amplitude are sufficient to create illusions of reality dur
`ing such scenes as a bobsled ride, a landing aircraft touch
`ing a runway, a train ride, etc. However, by suitable
`programming, the vibrations may be created unevenly
`and may also provide sensations of bumps or impacts.
`Control for the vibrator unit 63 is, preferably, elec
`trical and is initiated by electrical signals from a track
`on the film which is being viewed. A signal initiated
`at a preselected time and at preselected intervals may be
`amplified and used to close a relay (not shown) to ac
`tuate the vibrator unit 63. The provision of a suitabie
`control for the vibrator unit 63, therefore, is believed to
`be within the skill of persons in this field.
`The seat 60 is adjustable vertically to suit the require
`ments of various individuals. A center post 64 is at
`tached at its uppermost end to the underside of the seat
`6 and extends downWardly within a hollow block 65.
`Vertical support is obtained for the center post 54, and
`thus the seat 60, by a plurality of spaced apart idler gears
`66 meshing with separate, circumferential grooves spaced
`apart vertically along the center post 64.
`The idler gears 66 maintain the grooves in the center
`post 64 meshed with a small power gear 67 which is fixed
`to a rotatable shaft. Each of the idler gears 66 and the
`power gear 57 have teeth which are substantially the same
`pitch, which pitch is substantially that of the separate
`grooves in the center post 64.
`Fixed to the same shaft with the small power gear 67
`is an intermediate gear 68 which is larger and is meshed
`with a pinion gear 69. The pinion gear 69, in turn, is
`
`fixed to the shaft of a reversible motor 70. Therefore,
`the seat 56 is adjustable vertically by actuating the motor
`7 and is rotatable due to the circular grooves in the
`center post 64.
`A switch (not shown) to actuate the motor 70 may
`be located just under the edge of the seat 69 itself, or
`alternatively, such a switch may be located on the front
`panel 5 of the enclosure it. An electrical connection
`TE is shown in FEG. 5 between the platform SA and the
`enclosure it to provide an electrical ground connection.
`Also supported on the platform 6i is an arm rest 72
`positioned appropriately adjacent the front 5 of the en
`closure E8. A long, curved pipe 73 extends from the arm
`rest 72 at one end and is fixedly mounted on the piat
`form 6 at its opposite end.
`in view of the above described structure, it will be
`evident now that the seat 69, the foot rest (on the plat
`form 61) and the arm rest 72 are structurally independent
`of the main enclosure 8. This arrangement also is sepa
`Tate and independent for each of the canopies that are
`asSociated with any one enclosure 0.
`The film storage compartment, identified generally in
`F.G. 1 by the numeral 29, is shown in more detail in
`F.G. 6. A plurality of individual film magazines 74a,
`74 b, . . . 74n is supported so that they are movable lat
`erally within the compartment 23 to position a preselected
`magazine before an opening 75. Any desired means may
`be used to move the magazines, such as for example, all
`of the magazines may be connected together and shifted
`laterally by a belt, chain, etc. connected to the magazine
`on each end; the magazines may be supported on a car
`riage or conveyor which is moved in either direction by
`an electric notor; or any other means within the skill
`and purview of a mechanic in the art.
`A single light source 76 is located at one end of the
`compartment 29 in front of a reflector 77 so that light
`rays are directed through a pair of condensing lenses 78.
`From the lens 78, the light rays are reflected by a mirror
`Surface 79 and are directed along the inside of the front
`Wall of the compartment 29.
`Each film magazine 74a, 74b . . . 74n has an open
`ing 89 (FIG. 7) on one side and an opening 83 on the
`opposite side connected by a rectangular enclosure to
`permit light reflected by the mirror surface 79 to pass
`completely through. The purpose of the enclosure 80a
`is to prevent the film being exposed to dirt and other
`foreign objects through the openings 80 and 31. How
`ever, the forward Wall of each enclosure has a light in
`terrupter gate 82 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which is opened by
`a. plunger 83 (FIG. 15) when a preselected film Inaga
`Zine is in position before the opening 75.
`With a gate 82 open, light is reflected from its frosted
`Surface, through a film, and into the reflector arrange
`ment Ai to carry optical images to respective viewers.
`Suitable prismatic lenses 85 separate the two halves of
`each image slightly, and resolving lenses 86 ree