Backlit transparent optics for costumed characters (grant dup).
An apparatus worn as headgear providing visual effects and vision to the wearer. The apparatus includes a shell or helmet. The apparatus includes an optical assembly mounted in the interior space of the shell adjacent eye slits or opening(s) to the interior space of the shell. The optical assembly includes an outer screen (e.g., a film of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) switchable between a rear projection (RP) screen state in which the outer screen is cloudy or translucent and a transparent state. The optical assembly includes a backlighting assembly with numerous lights. The optical assembly includes a controller switching, at a rate greater than the flicker fusion rate, between a first operating state with the outer screen in the RP screen state and the lights on to illuminate the outer screen and a second operating state with the outer screen in the transparent state and the lights off.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Description(1) The present description relates, in general, to vision or optical assemblies for use in costumes for characters and for use in other headgear such as helmets and the like worn by theatrical performers, sold as toys and as collector items, and the like. More particularly, the present description relates to a special effect and vision-enabling assembly for use in headgear (and such headgear including this assembly) such as a head, helmet, or mask for a character at an event or theatrical setting, for a toy or collector helmet or mask, or any other headgear in which it is desirable to provide a special or visual effect where the “eyes” or eye-shield(s) (e.g., outward facing portion(s)) of the assembly projects or transmits bright light and in which it is concurrently desirable to allow the wearer of the headgear to have relatively clear and/or unobstructed vision through the “eyes” or eye-shield(s).2. Relevant Background(2) There are numerous settings where headgear is utilized where it is desirable not only to allow the person wearing the headgear to have good vision but also to use the headgear to provide some specific visual or special effect. For example, a toy or collector helmet may be adapted to simulate a particular superhero from a comic book or movie, and this superhero may have a helmet with a shield over the eyes that emits or projects light or has some other specific visual quality (e.g., bright red or other colored eyes) to
1. An apparatus for use as headgear providing visual effects, comprising: a shell with an interior space for receiving a person's head, wherein the shell includes at least one opening to the interior space; and an optical assembly mounted in the interior space of the shell, the optical assembly comprising: an outer screen switchable between a rear projection (RP) screen state and a transparent state; a backlighting assembly with a plurality of lights switchable between a first state with the lights powered on and a second state with the lights powered off; and a controller switching between operating the optical assembly in a first operating state with the outer screen in the RP screen state and the backlighting assembly in the first state to illuminate a rear surface of the outer screen with light from the lights and in a second operating state with the outer screen in the transparent state and the backlighting assembly in the second state to allow light to pass through the outer screen into the interior space of the shell, wherein the backlighting assembly further comprises an opaque support panel with a first surface facing the outer screen and a second surface facing the interior space of the shell, the lights being mounted on the first surface about the periphery of at least one opening in the support panel providing a pathway for the light passing through the outer panel to reach the interior space of the shell.
8. A helmet, comprising: a shell with at least one eye slit; an outer screen positioned on the shell between the at least one eye slit and an interior space of the shell, wherein the outer screen comprises PDLC material; a shutter switchable from a closed state blocking light and an open state transmitting light; a backlighting assembly comprising a plurality of light sources switchable between a first state illuminating the outer screen with the light sources and a second state in which the light sources are powered off; and a controller in a first operating mode operating the outer screen to be translucent, the shutter to be in the closed state, and the backlighting assembly in the first state and in a second operating mode operating the outer screen to be transparent, the shutter to be in the open state, and the backlighting assembly in the second state.
14. A special effects and vision assembly for use in headgear, comprising: a controller; an outer screen switchable between being transparent to translucent to light; a shutter switchable between being transparent to light and being substantially opaque to light; a support panel disposed between the shutter and the outer screen; a plurality of LEDs position on a surface of the support panel that faces the outer screen; and a controller during a first operating phase operating the outer screen to be translucent, the shutter to be substantially opaque, and the LEDs to be on and emitting light onto the outer screen and during a second operating phase operating the outer screen to be transparent, the shutter to be transparent, and the LEDs to be off.
20. An apparatus for use as headgear providing visual effects, comprising: a shell with an interior space for receiving a person's head, wherein the shell includes at least one opening to the interior space; and an optical assembly mounted in the interior space of the shell, the optical assembly comprising: an outer screen switchable between a rear projection (RP) screen state and a transparent state; a backlighting assembly with a plurality of lights switchable between a first state with the lights powered on and a second state with the lights powered off; and a controller switching between operating the optical assembly in a first operating state with the outer screen in the RP screen state and the backlighting assembly in the first state to illuminate a rear surface of the outer screen with light from the lights and in a second operating state with the outer screen in the transparent state and the backlighting assembly in the second state to allow light to pass through the outer screen into the interior space of the shell, wherein the optical assembly further comprises a shutter assembly, wherein the backlighting assembly is disposed between the shutter assembly and the outer screen, wherein the shutter assembly comprises a shutter switchable between a dark or opaque state and a transparent state, and wherein the controller operates the shutter in the dark or opaque state during the first operating state of the optical assembly and in the transparent state during the second operating state.