Guard for projection booth port window in a theatre

Abstract

An assembly in a cinema theatre auditorium can include a guard structure and a support element. The guard structure can have a surface area and can be positioned with respect to a cinema patron area in a theatre and to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron in the cinema patron area to a projected light path from the projection booth port window. The support element can be coupled to the guard structure to maintain a position of the guard structure with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window.

Description

1 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 GUARD FOR PROJECTION BOOTH PORT WINDOW IN A THEATRE Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 558,948, titled the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to theatre environments, and particularly (but not necessarily exclusively) to a guard for a projection booth port window that can prevent access by audience members to light emitted by a projector. Background

[0003] Image projectors used in large format cinema theatres can project image light with light levels that are considered hazardous close to the projector. For example, cinema theatres are increasingly using laser projection systems that have a laser light source to achieve improved displayed image quality and brighter light levels. The amount of light required to illuminate a cinema screen can be significant. In some cases, the brighter light levels generated by laser light projection systems may cause a portion of the projected image light to be hazardous and should not be accessible to nearby patrons.

[0004] The image light can be projected from a projector in a projection booth, through a port window, and into an auditorium of a cinema theatre. To ensure safety to the audience members in the auditorium, the portion of the projected image light in the auditorium with hazardous levels of light needs to be positioned at a minimum height above the seating floor. Hazardous light levels of projected light can occur in the space near the port window. The minimum height between the floor and the hazardous portion of the projected light may have to meet regulatory requirements for hazardous light levels. Cinema theatres that are upgraded with newer, more powerful projectors such as laser projection systems, may have seats near the port window (e.g., the rear-most auditorium seats positioned beneath the port window) that may not have a seat floor to projected light path separation distance to meet such regulatory requirements. Traditionally, such seats may be blocked off or even removed to prevent patron access to the hazardous light levels.2 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 Summary

[0005] In an example, an assembly for a cinema theatre can include a guard structure and a support element. The guard structure can include a guard structure frame and a panel. The panel can have a surface area. The panel can be positioned with respect to a cinema patron area in a theatre and to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron in the cinema patron area to a projected light path from the projection booth port window. The support element can be coupled to the guard structure frame to maintain a position of the guard structure frame with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window.

[0006] In a further example, a cinema theatre auditorium can include a projection booth, a cinema patron area, a guard structure, a support element, and one or more seats. The projection booth can include a projector that can project image light along a projected light path. The cinema patron area can be separated from the projection booth via a projection booth port window, wherein the projected light path extends through the projection booth port window. The guard structure can include a guard structure frame and a panel. The panel can have a surface area and can be positioned with respect to the cinema patron area and to an auditorium side of the projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron to the projected light path. The support element can be coupled to the guard structure frame to maintain a position of the guard structure frame with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window. The one or more seats can be positioned in the cinema patron area beneath the projection booth port window.

[0007] In another example, a method for converting a cinema theatre auditorium with a guard structure to allow seating to be used below a projection booth port window can involve coupling a first end of a guard structure frame of a guard structure to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window in a theatre. A panel of the guard structure can have a surface area and can be positioned with respect to a cinema patron area in the theatre and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron in the cinema patron area to a projected light path from the projection booth port window. The method can include coupling a second end of the guard structure frame to a support element. The method can include maintaining, by the support element, a position of the guard structure frame with3 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] FIG. 1 is an example of a cinema theatre auditorium including a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an example of a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an example of a support structure for a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG.4 is an example of an adjustable element of a support element or guard structure, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG.5 is an example of a hinge for a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG.6 is an example of a side view of a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example of a process for using a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0015] Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to a support structure for a guard structure that can extend from a projection booth port window towards a screen to block access to hazardous image light projected from a projector in the projection booth into the auditorium of a cinema theatre. The guard structure can be a two-dimensional structure positioned beneath the hazardous portion of the projected light path. This can block access to the hazardous portion of the projected light path from patrons positioned beneath the guard structure without blocking image light that is displayed on a screen in the theatre. The guard structure can extend out into the audience seating area by a distance that is greater than or equal to a light hazard distance of the projected light path from the port window. The height of the guard structure from the seating floor of the audience seating area can4 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 allow a patron to stand beneath the guard structure and prevent any access of the patron becoming exposed to hazardous light. For example, the guard structure can be positioned at a height of 80 inches or more. In some examples, the guard structure may only be needed when there is insufficient separation (e.g., that does not meet regulatory safety requirements) between the hazardous portion of the projected light path and the seating floor. Using the guard structure can allow seats below the projection booth port window to be utilized by patrons where access to such seats would otherwise not have been permitted or possible with past solutions.

[0016] When existing theatres update to newer projectors that project greater light levels (e.g., laser light projectors), this may result in a projected light path from the projection booth port window that may be hazardous for patrons accessing the seats beneath the port window. Traditionally, auditorium seats positioned under the portion of the projected light path that is hazardous may have been blocked off or removed. This reduces the number of patrons that can be seated in the auditorium of the theatre. Additionally, many theatres have raked seating and screens that extend from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling so that all patrons can have an increased vertical field of view of images on the screen. The geometry of such theatres can introduce challenges in preventing access to hazardous light, as a guard may be at risk of interfering with a patron’s view of the top of the screen when seated in the rear- most seat beneath the guard. Raked seating may worsen this view interference issue. For instance, a guard that extends over the second row of rear seats that are positioned lower than the rear-most row of seats may result in the guard interfering with the rear-most patron’s view of the displayed image on the top portion of the screen. Mitigating this issue may require further modifications to the projection booth, such as by moving the projector further back from the port window to reduce the amount of hazardous light extending into the auditorium, or by elevating the position of the projector in the projection booth and thus would allow the disclosed guard to be used.

[0017] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure can overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems with guard structure that is easily adaptable when installed, such as by being extendable from the projection booth port window. In some examples, the guard structure can be installed in existing theatres without requiring adjustment of projector position. The guard structure may be anchored from5 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 the projection booth port window frame and may supported by the projection booth port window frame, such as when the port window frame is made from metal. In other examples, the guard support can also be supported from a ceiling of the auditorium or from a wall between the projection booth and the auditorium. The guard structure can prevent a patron from being able to hang their full weight from the guard structure to mechanically overstress the guard structure and the guard structure mounting.

[0018] The guard structure can be supported with a support element that can maintain a position of the guard structure. In some examples, the support element may have an adjustable length that can change an angle of the guard structure with respect to the projection booth port window. The adjustability of the support element can allow the guard structure to be precisely positioned to block access to hazardous light by patrons while they approach seats positioned beneath or near the guard structure and to position the guard structure so any seated viewer beneath the guard can have an unobstructed from the guard view of the screen. Therefore, theatres that would need to install barriers or have had barriers installed to prevent access by patrons to seats underneath and around the portion of the projected light path with hazardous levels of light can have the seats remain in place. Seats that were previously removed can be reinstalled in the theatre. Having a guard structure installed can allow seats beneath and around the guard to be accessed by patrons, thus allowing the number of patrons that can be seated in the auditorium to be safely increased.

[0019] Illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an example of a cinema theatre 100 includes a cinema auditorium 106 with a patron seating area and a projection booth 110 with a port window 104 and a guard structure 102 extending from a projection booth port window 104, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The cinema patron seating area depicted in FIG. 1 is raked seating that includes seats 108 at each level of elevation, but in other examples any type of seating configuration may be included. The projection booth 110 includes a projector 112 that projects image light along a6 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 projected light path 114 through the port window 104 into the cinema auditorium 106 and onto a screen 116. In some examples, the projector 112 may be a laser light projector that includes laser light sources. The cinema theatre 100 may have been upgraded to include a laser light projector, which may produce image light with higher light levels than a previous projector that is an older projector. In some examples, the cinema auditorium 106 may be an immersive theatre with a surround loudspeaker system and a large field of view. For example, the screen 116 may be a large format screen, such as having a width of between 45 and 105 feet and a height of between 23 and 80 feet. In some examples, a portion of the image light projected by the projector may have light levels that are high enough to be hazardous if a patron’s eyes were exposed to the light, such as if nearby patrons 118 in the auditorium had access to the space with the hazardous light levels. Fig 1 shows a cross hatched nominal hazard zone 120 that is a portion of the projected light path 114 that can have a hazardous light level and extends beyond the port window 104. When a separation distance 134 between the nominal hazard zone 120 and the seating floor 132 beneath the nominal hazard zone is insufficient, patrons 118 accessing the seats beneath the nominal hazard zone could potentially access the light in the nominal hazard zone 120. To protect patrons 118 from being able to access the hazardous light in the nominal hazard zone 120, the guard structure 102 can extend from a wall 122 separating the projection booth 110 from the auditorium side (e.g., the cinema auditorium 106) of the cinema theatre 100. The guard structure 102 can prevent the patron 118 from accessing the projected light path 114, including the portion of hazardous light in the space that is the nominal hazard zone 120. For example, the guard structure 102 can extend from the port window 104 into the cinema auditorium 106 that is accessible by patrons with a length that is greater than a projected light hazard distance from the port window 104. Similarly, the guard structure 102 can have a width along the base of the port window 104 that is the width of the port window 104. Or, the guard structure 102 can have a width along the base of the port window 104 that can be greater than a width of the port window 104. Or, the guard structure 102 can have a width that is greater than the width of the projection path that is the widest portion of the nominal hazard zone 120 in the projection light path 114.

[0021] The positioning of the guard structure 102 can allow a patron 118 in the rear-most row of the cinema auditorium 106 to have an eyeline 124 in which the patron7 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 118 can view the top portion of the screen 116. That is, the guard structure 102 may not block any portion of the view the patron 118 has of the full screen 116 when seated in any of the seats under the guard structure. In an immersive theatre environment, a large-scale screen 116 can make placing the guard structure 102 difficult to prevent visual interference of a portion of the screen 116 by a patron 118 seated at a rear of the cinema auditorium 106. For example, the lower portion of the nominal hazard zone 120 has a separation distance 134 from the seat floor 132 that is less than the minimum distance permitted without a guard structure 102. The guard structure 102 can be installed in a position with a first height 130 from the seat floor 132 that is less than the separation distance 134 of the lower portion of the nominal hazard zone 120 from the seat floor 132. The first height 130 can be higher than the eyeline 124 between the patron 118 in the rear-most seat and the top of the screen 116. This first height 130 can be lower than the separation distance 134 between the floor 132 and the nominal hazard zone 120.

[0022] The guard structure 102 can be supported by a support element 126, which can maintain the position of the guard structure 102. In the example depicted in FIG.1, the support element 126 can be coupled to the port window 104 (e.g., to the frame of the port window 104). In other examples, the support element 126 may be coupled to other structures in the cinema auditorium 106, such as the auditorium ceiling 128, the wall 122 between the projection booth 110 and the cinema auditorium 106, or any other suitable structure.

[0023] FIG.2 is an example of a guard structure 102 extending from a projection booth port window 104, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. A projector 112 in the projection booth can project image light out of a projection lens 204, through the port window 104, and into a cinema patron area that is the auditorium of a theatre. The port window 104 can have a port window frame 202. In some examples, the port window frame 202 may be a metal frame. The guard structure 102 and its support element 126 can be attached to the port window frame 202. For example, the frame 201 of the guard structure 102 can be coupled to the port window frame 202 via hinges 206. A first end 208 of the support element 126 can be coupled at an anchor pivot point of the port window frame 202 (e.g., with an eye bolt). A second end 210 of the support element 126 opposite the first end 208 can be attached to the guard structure 102 via a support pivot attachment.8 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163

[0024] In some examples, the support element 126 may include an adjustment element 212 that can be adjusted to extend a length of the support element 126. The guard structure 102 may similarly include a guard frame adjustment element 214 that can be adjusted to extend a length of the frame 201 of the guard structure 102. The frame 201 of the guard structure 102 can include several frame segments to allow a plate or plates 216 to be mounted to the frame segments to cover an area and create a barrier that prevents a patron from accessing the projected light path from underneath the guard structure. FIG. 2 depicts six frame segments shown to allow plates 216 to be mounted, but in other examples any number of frame segments or plates may be included. In some examples, the guard structure 102 can additionally include plates 216 configured to be of a mesh material that may be sound permeable. Although FIG. 2 depicts the guard structure 102 and support element 126 as being coupled to the port window frame 202, in other examples the guard structure 102 or the support element 126 may be coupled to any other suitable structure.

[0025] FIG.3 is an example of a support element 300 for a guard structure 102 extending from a projection booth port window 104, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The support element 300 can be an assembly with a first end that couples to an anchor point 302 (e.g., an eye bolt) in a wall, a port window frame, or an auditorium ceiling. The support element 300 can also include a second end that couples with a guard anchor point 329 in a frame 331 of a guard structure 102. The support element 300 can be adjustable to optimally position the guard structure 102 with respect to the underside of a projected light path.

[0026] The support element 300 can include a first connector 305 that aligns with the anchor point 302. A pin 308 can lock the first connector 305 to the anchor point 302 with a locking pin 311 that can pass through a hole 309 at an end of the pin 308. At the other end, the support element 300 can be coupled to the frame 331 of the guard structure 102 by aligning a second connector 323 with the guard anchor point 329. A pin 326 can lock the second connector 323 to the guard anchor point 329 with a locking pin 333 that is passed through a hole 330 at an end of the pin 326. The first connector 305 can be coupled to a first threaded rod 314, and the second connector 323 can be coupled to a second threaded rod 320. The first threaded rod 314 and the second threaded rod 320 can be threaded into a turning block 317. When the turning block 317 is manually rotated (e.g., in a clockwise direction) in a first direction, the9 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 turning block 317 draws the first threaded rod 314 towards the second threaded rod 320 to decrease the length of the support element 300. Decreasing or increasing the length of the support element 300 can cause the end of the guard structure 102 to move up or down respectively, thus allowing the guard structure 102 to be optimally positioned under the projected light path.

[0027] The support element 300 may be configured in other ways to achieve this angular adjustment of the guard structure 102 with respect to the projected light path. For example, support element 301 can include a first removable chain link 342 that can be coupled to the anchor point 302. The first removable chain link 342 can include a threaded portion 341 that allows the first removable chain link 342 to be opened to be fitted to the anchor point 302 at a first end and closed to keep the first removable chain link 342 in place. At a second end, the first removable chain link 342 can be coupled to a length of one or more chain links (not pictured) that ends with a second removable chain link 345. The second removable chain link 345 can be coupled to a first threaded eye 348 of a turnbuckle assembly 349. The turnbuckle assembly 349 can also include a second threaded eye 353 that, along with the first threaded eye 348, is attached to a turn block 357. When the turn block 357 is rotated, the first threaded eye 348 and the second threaded eye 353 can move apart from one another to lengthen the support element or, when rotated in the opposite direction, may cause the support element to become shortened. Thus, rotating the turn block 357 can adjust the length of the support element 301.

[0028] The support element 301 can be attached to the guard structure 102 by attaching a first end of a third removable chain link 359 to the frame 331. The third removable chain 359 can be connected to the second threaded eye 353 by a length of one or more chain links (not pictured) ending in a fourth removable chain link 356. Adjusting the length of the support element 301 in this configuration can also adjust an angle of the guard structure 102 to be optimally positioned under the projected light path. Other adjustable support assemblies may also be utilized to support the guard structure 102. For example, suitable support assemblies may include sliding flat metal bars or channels with through-holes for locking pins and fasteners, locking telescopic tubes, or any other suitable adjustable support assembly.

[0029] FIG.4 is an example of an adjustable element 400 of a support element 126 or a frame segment in a guard structure 102, according to some aspects of the10 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 present disclosure. The adjustable element 400 can include a first angle iron segment 403 and a second angle iron segment 406 that can slide in and out of the first angle iron segment 403. A first bolt 409 and a second bolt 413 can be passed through aligned holes for the first angle iron segment 403 and the second angle iron segment 406 to lock in the length of the adjustable element 400. First nut 411 can be threaded onto first bolt 409 and second nut 416 can be threaded onto second bolt 413 to ensure the fixed length is more permanent. This adjustable element 400 can be included to adjust a length of the support elements or the frame segments of guard structures described herein. For example, a guard structure can include a first portion of frame segments that is fastened to a wall or port window frame and a second portion of frame segments that is extendable by having the second portion of frame segments sliding in or out of the first portion of frame segments.

[0030] The first angle iron segment 403 may include first mounting holes 424 and the second angle iron segment 406 may include second mounting holes 421. The first mounting holes 424 and second mounting holes 421 may be used to attach the sides of the first angle iron segment 403 or the second angle iron segment 406 to another structure, such as vertical side walls, panels, or plates to prevent a patron from accessing the side of the projection light path at the guard structure 102.

[0031] In some examples, in place of the first angle iron segment 403 and the second angle iron segment 406, the channel iron segments can be used. Such channel iron segments can slide in and out of one another and fixed in place in a similar manner as described herein. In other examples, telescoping tubular segments may slide in and out of one another and may be locked via a screw or pin.

[0032] FIG.5 is an example of a hinge 506 for a guard structure 102 extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The hinge 506 can be fastened to a section of the frame of the guard structure 102 that runs along the projection booth port window frame or the wall the guard structure frame is attached to. The guard structure frame can have a first segment 403 connected to the segment of guard structure 102 that runs along the back wall. The segment 403 can be configured to allow extension of the guard frame so that the guard structure 102 can be adjustable outwards from the port window frame or outwards from the back wall to which the guard frame is attached. The hinge 506 can allow the guard structure 102 to pivot downwards about a hinge pivot point to allow11 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 a support element (e.g., the support elements 126, 300, 301 described herein) to change the angle of the guard structure 102 with respect to a projected light path. For example, the support element can be positioned to angle the guard structure 102 along an underside of a projected light path.

[0033] FIG.6 is an example of a side view of a guard structure 102 extending from a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The dotted line 218 in FIG.2 can outline an example of a position of a side panel on the guard structure 102. FIG. 6 depicts an oblique view of guard structure 102 with a first side panel 606 and a second side panel 610 and a first guard structure frame panel 619 and a second guard structure frame panel 622. In some examples, the frame 603 for the guard structure 102 can include one or more frame segments. An extension panel 628 can be attached to the segment of the frame 603 facing the screen to extend protection of the guard further along the projection light path. The first side panel 606 and the second side panel 610 can include mounting holes 613. The mounting holes 613 can be aligned with first mounting holes 424 or second mounting holes 421 of FIG. 4 to mount the first side panel 606 or the second side panel 610 to the guard structure 102. Bolts may be inserted into the aligned mounting holes to secure the first side panel 606 or the second side panel 610 to the guard structure 102. The first side panel 606 and the second side panel 610 can have a height extending from the frame 603 of the guard structure 102 to make the projection light path within the space of the guard structure 102 inaccessible by a patron.

[0034] A first structure cover panel 619 and a second structure cover panel 622 can be mounted to the frame 603 of the guard structure 102. For example, mounting can be done via mounting holes 625 to frame 603 of guard structure 102. Mounting the first structure cover panel 619 and the second structure cover panel 622 can prevent patron access from beneath the guard structure to the projection light path area within the guard structure 102. The first side panel 606, the second side panel 610, the first structure cover panel 619, and the second structure cover panel 622 can be separate panels to allow the panels to overlap when the guard structure 102 is not fully extended from the projection booth port window.

[0035] To minimize the influence of the guard structure 102 on sound in the auditorium, one or more of the first side panel 606, the second side panel 610, the first structure cover panel 619, and the second structure cover panel 622 can be perforated12 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 meshing material that includes openings 605 that can allow sound to easily pass through the cover panels. For example, a panel can be a meshed panel such as perforated metal plate, perforated plastic plate, or perforated fiberglass plate. In some examples, the meshing can also include sound absorbing material outside of the openings 605 or on the surface area of the panels to minimize any audio reflections by the guard structure 102.

[0036] In some examples, the guard structure 102 can include an extension panel 628 of flexible material that can be mounted to a front edge (e.g., on the auditorium side) of the frame 603 of the guard structure 102. The extended panel 628 can be mounted to a front edge of the guard structure 102 via fasteners that extend through mounting holes 631 on the extended panel 628 that are aligned with mounting holes 625 on the guard structure frame 603. FIG.6 depicts the profile of the extended panel 628. The extended panel 628 can be included as a safeguard to prevent a patron from hanging from the guard structure 102 or from extending their head above the frame 603.

[0037] The extended panel 628 can be made of a material that is stiff enough to hold its shape, but not stiff enough to hold the weight of a patron. Further, the material of the extended panel 628 may be stiff enough to prevent deformation (e.g., sagging under its own weight or warping), but flexible enough that a patron attempting to grab or hang from the extended panel 628 as the extended panel 628 will deform and flex downwards, thus not allowing the patron to pull themselves up above the guard structure frame and into the projected light path of concern. The extended panel 628 may extend out a distance from the guard structure frame segment such that a patron’s fingers cannot reach the rigid portion of the frame 603 of the guard structure 102. Examples of the material for the extended panel 628 can include nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Teflon, rubber or any other suitable material that can provide the function described above. In some examples, the extended panel 628 may have a tapered thickness to meet the deformation objectives stated above. For example, the thickness of the extended panel 628 may decrease outwards from the rigid portion of the frame 603 (e.g., extending away from the frame 603).

[0038] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example of a process for using a guard structure extending from a projection booth port window to allow seating to be used below a projection booth port window, according to some aspects of the present13 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 disclosure. Other examples can include more steps, fewer steps, different steps, or a different order of the steps than is shown in FIG.7. The steps of FIG.7 are discussed below with reference to the components discussed above in relation to FIGS.1-6.

[0039] At block 702, a first end of a guard structure 102 can be coupled to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window 104 in a theatre or the wall between the projection booth and the auditorium. The guard structure 102 can have a surface area and be positioned with respect to a cinema patron area in the theatre and the auditorium side of the projection booth port window 104. The positioning of the guard structure 102 can prevent access by a patron 118 in the cinema patron area to a projected light path 114 from the projection booth port window 104 and can allow light in the projected light path 114 to reach a screen 116 in the theatre.

[0040] In some examples, the guard structure 102 can be coupled to the projection booth port window 104, a wall 122 separating the cinema patron area from the projection booth 110, or both via a hinge 206 or hinge 506. Coupling the guard structure 102 via the hinge 206 can allow the angle of the guard structure 102 to be adjusted to an optimal position for blocking a nominal hazard zone 120 while allowing nearby patrons 118 to view the entirety of the screen 116. In some examples, the length of the guard structure 102 can be adjustable such that the guard structure 102 can extend further out into the cinema patron area as needed.

[0041] In some examples, the guard structure 102 may include side panels or an extended front panels or guard structure frame panels that can block patron access to the projected light path within the space guarded by the guard structure 102. The panels can prevent a patron 118 from grabbing the guard structure and pulling themselves into the projected light path of concern. Additionally, the guard structure 102 can be sound permeable, such as by including openings 605 in the panels that can allow sound to pass through the guard structure. The guard structure 102 may also include sound-absorbing material on the surface area of the guard structure 102 that does not let sound through such as the space around the openings 605 in mesh- type covers.

[0042] At block 704, a second end of the guard structure 102 can be coupled to a support element 126. The second end may be opposite the first end and may extend into the cinema patron area. The support element 126 can be coupled at a first end to the guard structure 102. A second end of the support element 126 can be coupled to14 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 various structures, including the projection booth port window 104 (e.g., a frame of the port window 104), a ceiling 128 of the cinema patron area, the wall 122 between the cinema patron area from the projection booth 110, or any such suitable structure. In some examples, a length of the support element 126 can be extended via an adjustment element 212 to extend a position of the guard structure 102 away from the projection booth port window 104.

[0043] At block 706, the support element 126 can maintain the position of the guard structure 102 with respect to the cinema patron area and the auditorium side of the projection booth port window 104. The support element 126 can maintain the position of the guard structure 102 by locking the support element 126 to anchor points. For example, the support element 126 may include a pin 308 that locks connectors into anchor points (e.g., on the wall 122, the ceiling 128, the projection booth port window 104, etc.). In other examples, the support element 126 may include locking telescoping tubes, sliding metal bars with aligning holes that can be fastened with locking pins, or any other suitable mechanism for fastening the support element 126.

[0044] Because the support element 126 and guard structure 102 can be positioned to block patron access to the nominal hazard zone 120 in the projection light path 114, existing theatre auditoriums can be converted to allow seating to be used below the projection booth port window 104. Additionally, an existing theatre auditorium that had barriers installed or seats removed can be converted to remove the previously installed barriers that were blocking patron access to a floor area under the area of the nominal hazard zone 120, or to reinstall seats in the floor area under the area of the nominal hazard zone 120 where seats were previously removed. The guard structure 102 may be positioned along a lower boundary of the portion of the nominal hazard zone 120 without obstructing a view of any portion of the screen 116 by a patron 118 seated in any seat under the guard structure 102, even in a theatre auditorium with raked seating. This lower boundary of the portion of the nominal hazard zone 120 may be less than a required height from the seat floor (e.g., 80 inches), or greater than a height of a patron 118 standing on the seat floor under the guard structure 102. Thus, the guard structure 102 may extend a distance out from the projection booth port window 104 by an amount that is equal to or greater than a projected light hazard distance from the projection booth port window 104 to block15 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 access to the nominal hazard zone 120 by a patron 118 positioned underneath the guard structure 102.

[0045] The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

16 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 Claims What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for a cinema theatre comprising: a guard structure comprising a guard structure frame and a panel, the panel having a surface area and being positionable with respect to a cinema patron area in a theatre and to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron in the cinema patron area to a projected light path from the projection booth port window; and a support element coupled to the guard structure frame to maintain a position of the guard structure frame with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element is coupled to a frame of the projection booth port window.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element is coupled to a ceiling of the cinema patron area.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element is coupled to a wall between the auditorium side of the projection booth port window and a projection booth side of the projection booth port window.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard structure frame extends from the projection booth port window with a length that is greater than a projected light hazard distance from the projection booth port window.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard structure frame extends along a base of the projection booth port window with a width that is greater than a projected light hazard width at an end of the guard structure frame.17 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element comprises an adjustment element configured to adjust an angle between the guard structure frame and the projection booth port window.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support element further comprises an adjustment element configured to extend the position of the guard structure frame to be extended away from the projection booth port window.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface area of the panel defines a plurality of openings such that the guard structure is sound-permeable, and wherein the guard structure further comprises a sound-absorbing material on the surface area of the panel.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard structure frame further comprises an extended panel mounted to a front edge of the guard structure frame.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard structure further comprises a vertical side wall configured to prevent access by the patron to the projection light path.

12. A cinema theatre auditorium comprising: a projection booth comprising a projector configured to project image light along a projected light path; a cinema patron area separated from the projection booth via a projection booth port window, wherein the projected light path extends through the projection booth port window; a guard structure comprising a guard structure frame and a panel, the panel having a surface area and being positionable with respect to the cinema patron area and to an auditorium side of the projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron to the projected light path; a support element coupled to the guard structure frame to maintain a position of the guard structure frame with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window; and18 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 one or more seats positioned in the cinema patron area beneath the projection booth port window.

13. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the support element is coupled to a frame of the projection booth port window.

14. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the support element is coupled to a ceiling of the cinema patron area.

15. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the support element is coupled to a wall between the auditorium side of the projection booth port window and a projection booth side of the projection booth port window.

16. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the guard structure frame extends from the projection booth port window with a length that is greater than a projected light hazard distance from the projection booth port window.

17. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein a width of the guard structure frame extends along a base of the projection booth port window, the width of the guard structure being greater than a projected light hazard width at an end of the guard structure frame.

18. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the support element comprises an adjustment element configured to adjust an angle between the guard structure frame and the projection booth port window.

19. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the support element further comprises an adjustment element configured to extend the position of the guard structure frame away from the projection booth port window.

20. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the guard structure frame further comprises a vertical side wall configured to prevent access by the patron to the projection light path.19 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 21. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the surface area of the panel defines a plurality of openings such that the guard structure is sound-permeable, and wherein the guard structure further comprises a sound-absorbing material on the surface area of the guard structure.

22. The cinema theatre auditorium of claim 12, wherein the guard structure frame further comprises an extended panel mounted to a front edge of the guard structure frame.

23. A method for converting a cinema theatre auditorium with a guard structure to allow seating to be used below a projection booth port window, the method comprising: coupling a first end of a guard structure frame of a guard structure to an auditorium side of a projection booth port window in a theatre, a panel of the guard structure having a surface area and being positioned with respect to a cinema patron area in the theatre and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window to prevent access by a patron in the cinema patron area to a projected light path from the projection booth port window; coupling a second end of the guard structure frame to a support element; and maintaining, by the support element, a position of the guard structure frame with respect to the cinema patron area and to the auditorium side of the projection booth port window.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second end of the guard structure frame is coupled to a first end of the support element, and wherein the method further comprises: coupling a second end of the support element to a frame of the projection booth port window.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second end of the guard structure frame is coupled to a first end of the support element, and wherein the method further comprises:20 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 coupling a second end of the support element to a ceiling of the cinema patron area.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the second end of the guard structure frame is coupled to a first end of the support element, and wherein the method further comprises: coupling a second end of the support element to a wall between the auditorium side of the projection booth port window and a projection booth side of the projection booth port window.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the guard structure frame extends from the projection booth port window with a length that is greater than a projected light hazard distance from the projection booth port window.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein a width of the guard structure frame extends along a base of the projection booth port window, the width of the guard structure frame being greater than a projected light hazard width at the second end of the guard structure frame.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising: adjusting, by an adjustable element of the support element, an angle between the guard structure frame and the projection booth port window.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising: extending, by an adjustment element of the support element, the position of the guard structure away from the projection booth port window.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising: mounting vertical side walls to the guard structure to prevent access by the patron to the projection light path from a side of the guard structure.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the surface area of the panel defines a plurality of openings such that the guard structure is sound-permeable, and wherein the guard21 / 22 Atty. Docket No.0I0002-1478163 structure further comprises a sound-absorbing material on the surface area of the panel.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the guard structure further comprises an extended panel mounted to a front edge of the guard structure frame.