Method and apparatus for producing a design on a flat surface adapted to be formed into an arcuate surface

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface is progressively rotated in synchronization with the progressive projection of the narrow transverse images.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface is a mask which receives the projected narrow transverse images of the design.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface is a stencil which receives the projected narrow transverse images of the design.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1 wherein the flat surface is a transparency which receives the projected narrow transverse images of the design.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1 further comprising forming the flat surface into an arcuate form bearing the design in relatively undistorted form.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 7 further comprising repeating each of the steps thereof to produce a second design upon the image surface.

Claim 11

A method according to claim 7 further comprising forming said flat image surface into an arcuate surface bearing the design restored to a rectangular-coordinate disposition in arcuate form.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 7 further comprising: (g) applying the flat image surface bearing the polar-coordinate design to a flat base of substantially the same dimensions; (h) providing the flat base with a photosensitive coating; (i) exposing the flat image surface and the flat base to a light source to transfer the design from the flat image surface to the flat base; and (j) processing the exposed coating on the flat base to produce the design thereon.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 10 further comprising forming said flat base into an arcuate surface bearing the design restored to a rectangular-coordinate disposition in arcuate form.

Claim 14

Apparatus for transferring a design from a flat rectangular-coordinate form to a flat polar-coordinate form, comprising projection means for progressively projecting successive narrow transverse images of the design from the rectangular-coordinate form and support means adapted to hold a flat image surface spaced from the transparency and substantially perpendicular to the direction of projection and to progressively rotate the surface about an axis such that the narrow transverse images of the design are successively projected upon and received in polar-coordinate form by narrow radial segments of the flat image surface.

Claim 15

Apparatus for transferring a design from a flat rectangular-coordinate form to a flat polar-coordinate form, comprising projection means for progressively projecting successive narrow transverse images of the design from the rectangular-coordinate form and support means adapted to hold a flat image surface spaced from the transparency and substantially perpendicular to the direction of projection and to progressively rotate the surface about an axis such that the narrow transverse images of the design are successively projected upon and received in polar-coordinate form by narrow radial segments of the flat image surface.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising means for synchronizing the rate of progressive projection of the successive narrow transverse images of the design from the flat rectangular-coordinate form with the rate of progressive rotation of the flat image surface about the axis.

Claim 17

Apparatus for producing a circularly disposed design on a flat image surface, comprising: (a) means for projecting a relatively flat transparency upon which the design is in a rectangularly disposed form, including (i) a light source, (ii) means defining an opening for confining the light in a single narrow path, (iii) a carrier for holding the transparency, and (iv) means for moving the carrier along a path perpendicular to the narrow light path such that narrow transverse areas of the transparency are registered with the opening and are progressively and sequentially exposed to the light source, whereby narrow transverse images from the design are progressively and sequentially projected in the direction of the light path; (b) means for holding the flat image surface spaced from the transparency such that narrow radial segments thereof are progressively and sequentially maintained substantially perpendicular to the light path and substantially parallel with the projected images; and (c) means for rotating the flat image surface about its axis in synchronization with the motion of the carrier such that the projected images from the design are progressively and sequentially received by said narrow radial segments of the flat image surface and are transferred thereto to produce a substantially circular design image.

Claim 18

Apparatus for producing a circularly disposed design on a flat image surface, comprising: (a) means for projecting a relatively flat transparency upon which the design is in a rectangularly disposed form, including (i) a light source, (ii) means defining an opening for confining the light in a single narrow path, (iii) a carrier for holding the transparency, and (iv) means for moving the carrier along a path perpendicular to the narrow light path such that narrow transverse areas of the transparency are registered with the opening and are progressively and sequentially exposed to the light source, whereby narrow transverse images from the design are progressively and sequentially projected in the direction of the light path; (b) means for holding the flat image surface spaced from the transparency such that narrow radial segments thereof are progressively and sequentially maintained substantially perpendicular to the light path and substantially parallel with the projected images; and (c) means for rotating the flat image surface about its axis in synchronization with the motion of the carrier such that the projected images from the design are progressively and sequentially received by said narrow radial segments of the flat image surface and are transferred thereto to produce a substantially circular design image.