Foldable projection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable projection device comprising a transparent or translucent projection surface (1) and a pre-cut made of a foldable material, which can be folded from a substantially flat transport position into an upright position. The pre-cut has a base surface (2), wherein holding sections (4) connected to the base surface (2) via folding lines (3) are provided, which holding sections can be connected or are connected to the projection surface (1) such that the projection surface (1) is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the base surface (2) in the upright position, and wherein stand sections (6) connected to the base surface (2) via folding lines (5) are provided, which stand sections, in the upright position, form a stand, which is triangular in cross section, for holding a projector (7), preferably in the form of a mobile telephone or a tablet, such that the projector (7) on the stand is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° to the projection surface (1).

Description

FOLDABLE PROJECTION DEVICE Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a foldable projection device comprising a transparent or translucent projection surface and a blank made of a foldable material, which can be folded from a substantially flat transport position into an erected position. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the art that projection onto a transparent surface can create an effect in which the projected image appears free-floating, almost holographic. This is achieved by total internal reflection of the projected image on the transparent surface. The angle between the projector and the projection surface must exceed the critical angle for total internal reflection. Since the critical angle between glass and air, for example, is 42°, many of these devices are arranged at an angle of approximately 45° to the projector to achieve the desired effect.

[0003] Known devices that use a smartphone or tablet as a projector, for example, are therefore usually arranged so that the projector sits flat on the surface and the projection surface is tilted at approximately 45° toward the viewer. Additional shielding for ambient light is often required to ensure the effect is sufficiently effective. This has the disadvantage that the projector size and the tilted projection surface create an unfavorable angle for the viewer. One such device, although not foldable, was marketed by the Playmobil® brand as the Playmogram 3D.

[0004] Other devices known in the prior art often have a complicated structure and limited areas of application, as disclosed, for example, in EP 1520495 A1, WO 2018 / 126717 A1, or CN 106353996 A. These devices can either only be used with a specific, matched projector or have an unfavorable angle from the projection surface to the viewer, which limits the possible applications. Description of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a projection device mentioned above that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and can be manufactured cost-effectively and in large quantities. The device should be foldable, making it easy to store and ship in a substantially flat transport position. Smartphones or tablets of various sizes should be usable as projectors together with the projection device. Due to its simple design, the device should be manufactured from inexpensive materials, such as paper, cardboard, or paperboard, so that it can also be sent as a letter or greeting card.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the blank has a base area, wherein holding sections are provided which are connected to the base area via fold lines and can be connected or are connected to the projection surface so that the projection surface is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the base area in the erected position, and wherein stand sections are provided which are connected to the base area via fold lines and which, in the erected position, form a stand which is triangular in cross section for holding a projector, preferably in the form of a mobile phone or a tablet, so that the projector is aligned on the stand at an angle of approximately 45° to the projection surface.

[0007] The design of the cutout allows the projector itself to be positioned at an angle of approximately 45° away from the viewer, while maintaining a substantially vertical projection surface, as is typical for most screens users are used to. This allows for comfortable viewing angles when sitting in front of the projector, for example, when placing it on a table in front of them. The triangular cross-section of the stand provides the necessary stability to adequately support the weight of the projector, even with thin base materials.

[0008] According to one possible embodiment, two holding sections can be unfolded by punching out of the base surface, wherein the holding sections are mirrored to one another in the transport position about an axis of symmetry and their respective fold lines are arranged at right angles to the fold line for the stand sections, and wherein the holding sections have recesses at their free ends opposite the respective fold lines for receiving the projection surface in the erected position. By punching the foldable holding sections out of a base surface, a substantially rectangular basic blank can be used, whereby the device can be constructed in one piece except for the projection surface itself.

[0009] Another preferred feature is that the distance between the fold lines of the two holding sections is slightly greater than the height of the projection surface, so that the projection surface is held to the base by the two holding sections in the transport position. This allows the projection surface to be clamped flat between the holding sections folded into the transport position when not in use, allowing the cut-out to be stored or shipped together with the projection surface.

[0010] According to a further preferred feature, two stand sections are provided, one stand section being connected to the base area via a fold line and the second stand section being connected to the first stand section via a fold line parallel to the base area, and the holding sections and / or the second stand section having recesses to secure the second stand section in the erected position, so that the two stand sections, together with the base area, form the stand for the projector in the erected position. The stand sections can thus be easily folded to form the stand which is triangular in cross-section. The holding sections, which already have recesses for the projection surface, can be provided with further diagonally arranged recesses which accommodate the free end of the second stand section.Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding recesses can also be arranged on the stand section itself.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment, it is provided that a first, second and third stand section adjoin the base area via fold lines arranged parallel to one another, and a holding section designed as a connecting section and a further second holding section connected again to the base area are formed in succession on these stand sections, wherein the projection surface is firmly connected to the connecting section by an edge section, and the first stand section together with the base area in the erected position together form one of the three sides of the stand and the second and third stand sections form the other two sides of the stand which has a triangular cross-section.In this embodiment, the blank can be connected to itself and to the projection surface in a further step, allowing the user to unfold the device essentially in a single movement without any further folding steps. During the unfolding process, the stand is brought into its triangular cross-sectional shape, and the projection surface is lifted into its upright position via the holding sections.

[0012] A further preferred feature is that support sections are provided which are punched out and foldable from that stand section which comes into contact with the projector in the erected position, wherein the support sections can be folded into the interior of the triangular cross-section in the erected position via parallel fold lines and have a geometry such that the support sections are supported by corresponding edge sections on the other stand section and the base surface. The support sections, which can also be punched out of the basic blank, can additionally secure the device in the erected position in order to better distribute the weight of the projector over the device. In the embodiment with a blank with an already connected projection surface, the support sections allow the device to be secured in the erected position even without a projector in place.

[0013] A further preferred feature is that another side panel, preferably of a dark color, serving as a background is connected to the base surface via a fold line. The side panel is preferably arranged on the side opposite the stand sections and is approximately the same size as the base surface. Since the device can be used in different applications and under different lighting conditions, a correspondingly connected dark background can ensure that the desired effect is clearly visible even in brighter surroundings.

[0014] Finally, a further preferred feature is that the projection device is made of paper, cardboard, or paperboard except for the projection surface, and that the projection surface is made of a plastic, wherein the projection device is preferably designed as a greeting card for use together with a mobile phone as a projector. Together with special software, personalized greeting messages in the form of videos or slide shows, for example, can be created. These can then be played back on the projection device at the recipient's location. The projection device itself can correspond to a conventional greeting card format in its transport position, making it correspondingly easy to send.Since the projection device is made of paper, cardboard or paperboard, it is inexpensive to produce and can also be labeled or provided with additional instructions for downloading and viewing, for example, a greeting message via a smartphone or tablet. Short description of the drawings

[0015] The invention will now be described in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a blank of a first embodiment of a projection device, Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the projection device from Fig. 1 in an intermediate position during folding, Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the projection device from Figs. 1 and 2 in the erected position, Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of the projection device from Figs. 1 to 3 with a projector arranged thereon, Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the projection device in an intermediate position during folding, Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the projection device from Fig. 5 in the erected position, and Fig.7 is a schematic side view of the projection device of Figures 5 and 6. Way(s) of carrying out the invention

[0016] Figures 1 to 4 schematically show a first possible embodiment of a projection device according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a blank from above. The blank consists of a base 2 and two stand sections 6 connected to it via fold lines 5. The two stand sections 6 have the same area as the base 2 and, in the transport position, are folded onto it, for example, to form a greeting card.

[0017] The base surface 1 has cutouts that form the holding sections 4. These can be unfolded from the base surface via fold lines 3 and have recesses 8, 12 for the projection surface 1 and the outer stand section 6. In the transport position, the projection surface 1, preferably made of a transparent plastic film, is clamped between the holding sections 4. For this reason, the normal distance between the two fold lines 3 of the holding sections 4 is slightly greater than the height of the projection surface 1. The outer stand section 6 also has cutouts for support sections 10, which can be folded via fold lines 11 into the interior of the triangular cross-section of the stand in the erected position, thus stabilizing the stand.In addition, there are additional recesses 12 on the outer stand section 6, which, when plugged together, engage with the recesses 12 on the holding sections 4 and thus hold the stand in the erected position. The support sections 10 are only shown in Fig. 1, whereas Figs. 2 to 4 show an embodiment without support sections 10.

[0018] Fig. 2 shows an intermediate position in which the upright sections 6 are folded away from the base 2 and back onto themselves. The holding sections 4 are folded upward from the base along the fold lines 3. Subsequently, the free end of the outer upright section 6 with the recesses 12 is inserted into the corresponding, opposite recesses 12 on the holding sections 4, forming the upright with a triangular cross-section.

[0019] Finally, the projection surface 1 can be removed and inserted vertically into the corresponding recesses 8 on the holding sections 4, whereby the position according to Fig. 3 is achieved.

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a side view in which a smartphone is schematically depicted as projector 7 on the stand. The viewer sits on the right-hand side in the illustration and looks at projection surface 1 onto which an image coming from the screen of projector 7 is totally reflected. Because the projection surface is transparent, a type of holographic effect occurs, in which the image appears to float freely in space. Due to the vertical arrangement of projection surface 1, the user can assume a comfortable viewing position. In the illustration, projector 7 is oriented in landscape format, but it is equally possible to arrange the projection surface and projector 7 each in portrait format. This means that videos in portrait format, as used in many social media applications, can also be shown on the projection surface.

[0021] Not shown, but provided according to a preferred embodiment, a further side surface can be provided on the base surface 2 opposite the stand sections, which, for example, also has the same size as the base surface 2 and is dark in color. This side surface can serve as a background so that the effect on the projection surface 1 is clearly visible even under unfavorable lighting conditions.

[0022] Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative embodiment in which the device can be set up by the user with only a single folding operation.

[0023] Fig. 5 again shows an intermediate position during the folding process. In this case, three stand sections 6 are provided. The holding sections 4 are connected to the base 2 and the third stand section 6 via fold lines 3, wherein the fold lines 3 are arranged parallel to the fold lines 5 of the stand sections 6. One holding section 4 is designed as a connecting section 9 and is connected to the edge of the projection surface 1 during production. During unfolding, the stand sections 6 are moved away from the base 2, with the first stand section 6 together with the base 2 forming the lower side of the stand and the two other stand sections 6 forming the other sides of the stand, which has a triangular cross-section. During unfolding, the connecting section 9 is folded downwards by the third stand section 6 and the first holding section 4 is slightly lifted from the base.As a result, the projection surface 1 also moves into the vertical position, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0024] To stabilize the device in the erected position, the support sections 10 are folded into the interior of the stand over the fold lines 11 and, as shown in the side view according to Fig. 7, rest on the stand sections 6 and the base 2. The support sections 10 thus also prevent the first fold line 5 between the base 2 and the first stand section 6 from folding back. Although this embodiment is somewhat more complex to manufacture than the first one, it requires fewer folding steps from the user and is therefore easier to use.

Claims

Foldable projection device comprising a transparent or translucent projection surface (1) and a blank made of a foldable material which can be folded from a substantially flat transport position into a set-up position, characterized in that the blank has a base surface (2), wherein holding sections (4) are provided which are connected to the base surface (2) via fold lines (3) and are connectable or connected to the projection surface (1) so that the projection surface (1) is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the base surface (2) in the set-up position, and wherein stand sections (6) are provided which are connected to the base surface (2) via fold lines (5) and which, in the set-up position, form a stand which is triangular in cross section for holding a projector (7), preferably in the form of a mobile phone or a tablet, so that the projector (7) can be positioned on the stand at an angle of approximately45° towards the projection surface (1). Foldable projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that two holding sections (4) can be folded out by punching out of the base surface (2), wherein the holding sections (4) are mirrored to one another in the transport position about an axis of symmetry and their respective folding lines (3) are arranged at right angles to the folding line (5) for the stand sections (6), and wherein the holding sections (4) have recesses (8) at their free ends opposite the respective folding lines (3) for receiving the projection surface (1) in the erected position. Foldable projection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance between the folding lines (3) of the two holding sections (4) is slightly greater than the height of the projection surface (1), so that the projection surface (1) is held on the base surface (1) by the two holding sections (4) in the transport position. Foldable projection device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that two stand sections (6) are provided, wherein one stand section (6) is connected to the base (2) via a fold line (5) and the second stand section (6) is connected to the first stand section (6) via a fold line (5) parallel to the base, and wherein the holding sections (4) and / or the second stand section (6) have recesses (12) in order to secure the second stand section (6) in the erected position, so that the two stand sections (6) together with the base (2) form the stand for the projector (7) in the erected position. Foldable projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that a first, second and third stand section (6) adjoin the base surface (2) via folding lines (5) arranged parallel to one another, and a holding section (4) designed as a connecting section (9) and a further second holding section (4) connected to the base surface (2) are formed in succession on these stand sections (6), wherein the projection surface (1) is firmly connected to the connecting section (9) by an edge section, and the first stand section (6) together with the base surface (2) jointly form one of the three sides of the stand in the erected position, and the second and third stand sections (6) form the other two sides of the stand, which has a triangular cross-section. Foldable projection device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that support sections (10) are provided which are punched out of the stand section (6) and can be folded out which comes into contact with the projector (7) in the erected position, wherein the support sections (10) can be folded into the interior of the triangular cross-section via mutually parallel folding lines (11) in the erected position and have a geometry such that the support sections (10) are supported with corresponding edge sections on the respective other stand section (6) and the base surface (2). Foldable projection device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a further side surface serving as a background, preferably of a dark color, is connected to the base surface (2) via a fold line, wherein the side surface is preferably arranged on the side opposite the stand sections (6) and has approximately the size of the base surface (2). Foldable projection device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the projection device is made of paper, cardboard or paperboard except for the projection surface (1), and in that the projection surface (1) is made of a plastic, wherein the projection device is preferably designed as a greeting card for use together with a mobile phone as a projector (7).

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