Patent US3742618A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3742618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forward observer trainer
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-09-03
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-09-03
Abstract
Abstract Artillery shell and bomb bursts may be simulated using motion picture techniques by projecting bursts on a projected landscape. To simulate dark colored ground level bursts, a film bearing the image of a burst is moved into focus in the optical system of a landscape projector. Air bursts are simulated in the same way with the additional step of lighting a second film bearing a dust cloud image and which is permanently focused in the optical path of an auxiliary projector. The image projected by the auxiliary system is combined with that of the landscape projector to show an aerial burst having a dust cloud beneath it on the projected landscape.
Inventors
- 👤 R Entwistle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:13
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41G3/2616; F41G3/2694; G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a forward observer trainer for training personnel to observe and direct artillery fire, missiles, bombs and the like, comprising a screen, a projector having means for projecting a landscape on said screen, means for locating a shell burst film in the optical path between said projector and said screen and for traversing said shell burst film so that different shell burst images appear in said optical path, said shell burst film being normally positioned out of the focal plane of said projector, and means for moving said shell burst film into and out of the focal plane of said projector to superimpose a shell burst image on said projected landscape, whereby personnel can be trained in the firing of artillery pieces, missiles, bombs and the like by observing selectively superimposed shell burst images on a projected landscape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a forward observer trainer for training personnel to observe and direct artillery fire, missiles, bombs and the like, comprising a screen, a projector having means for projecting a landscape on said screen, means for locating a shell burst film in the optical path between said projector and said screen and for traversing said shell burst film so that different shell burst images appear in said optical path, said shell burst film being normally positioned out of the focal plane of said projector, and means for moving said shell burst film into and out of the focal plane of said projector to superimpose a shell burst image on said projected landscape, whereby personnel can be trained in the firing of artillery pieces, missiles, bombs and the like by observing selectively superimposed shell burst images on a projected landscape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising another projector having film moving means, a dust cloud film bearing light colored dust cloud images thereon, said dust cloud film being positioned in the focal plane of said second projector, a lamp in said second projector, said lamp being normally extinguished, a lamp control mechanism having means for lighting said lamp to illuminate said dust cloud film to thereby project an image of a dust cloud, and a beam splitter arranged to direct the optical path of both said projectors onto said screen, said projectors, films, and beam splitter being positioned with respect to each other and said screen so a tO project a dust cloud beneath a shell burst to simulate an aerial burst on said screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2, said lamp control mechanism including means for gradually extinguishing said lamp to cause said projected dust cloud to appear on said screen and then gradually disappear and thereby simulate the dissipation of the dust cloud caused by a shell burst.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3, said film moving means including means for moving said films to position bursts and dust clouds vertically and laterally on said landscape, and computer means connected to control said film moving means and said lamp control mechanism.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |