Lenticular 3D Display

Abstract

A lenticular 3D display which can display 3D effect image is provided. The lenticular 3D display comprises a frame, a lenticular sheet, a replaceable image sheet, and a supporting board. The supporting board has a arched surface to push the image sheet to attached to the lenticular sheet tightly to achieve a better alignment and better 3D effect. The replaceable image sheet can be printed with regular media and printers.

Claims

1. A lenticular 3D display, comprising: a frame; a lenticular sheet having a top side and a bottom side received in the frame with the top side exposed, wherein the top side comprises an arrange of lenses with a set of predetermined characteristics, and the bottom side is flat; an image sheet with lenticular image printed thereon, wherein the lenticular image is designed in accordance with the set of characteristics of the lenticular sheet for achieving a desired effect; and a supporting board coupled with the frame, wherein comprises a top surface to removably hold the image sheet thereon and push the image sheet to attach to the bottom side of the lenticular sheet with no gap in between, wherein the top surface is curved outward.

2. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 1, wherein the lenticular sheet comprises an arrange of cylindrical lenses aligned vertically.

3. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 2, wherein the top surface of the supporting board is arched with the straight edge parallel to the cylindrical lenses.

4. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 3, wherein the lenticular sheet received in the frame is replaceable.

5. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 4, wherein the frame and the supporting board are hooked up with a hinge.

6. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 5, wherein comprises one or more fastener to fasten the frame and the supporting board.

7. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 6, wherein comprises a lock to lock the frame and the supporting board.

8. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 7, wherein the supporting board comprises one or more clips to hold the image sheet.

9. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 8, wherein the supporting board comprises protruded lines to align the image sheet.

10. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 8, wherein the supporting board comprises a foldable bracket to support the frame when the frame is lifted from the supporting board.

11. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 10, wherein comprises a light source in front of the lenticular sheet to light the front side of the lenticular sheet.

12. The lenticular 3D display, as recited in claim 10, wherein comprises a light source behind the supporting board, wherein the supporting board is transparent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of a lenticular 3D display according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lenticular 3D display illustrating the bottom of the embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a lenticular 3D display when it is opened.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a lenticular 3D display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 4 depict the lenticular 3D display as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lenticular 3D display of the present invention comprises a frame 10, a supporting board 20, an image sheet 30, and a lenticular sheet 40.

[0020] The lenticular sheet 40 is a translucent sheet. It has a top side with an arrange of lenses on it, and a bottom side with a flat surface. Preferably, the lenses are cylindrical lenses aligned vertically. The lenticular sheet 40 has a set of predetermined characteristics such as LIP, thickness, and shape of the lenses according to the application of the 3D display. The lenticular sheet 40 can be formed in one piece, or by attaching a lens membrane on a translucent substrate.

[0021] The lenticular sheet 40 is received in the frame 10 with the front side exposed. The lenticular sheet 40 is fixed in the frame 10, or alternatively is detachable for replacing different type of lenticular sheets for different applications. The frame 10 may also comprises a transparent screen to cover the front side of the lenticular sheet 40 for protection.

[0022] The image sheet 30 is a piece of printing media with lenticular image printed on it. The lenticular image is designed in accordance with the characteristics of the lenticular sheet 40 for achieving a desired effect, such as 3D effect, flip, or animation. The printing media could be paper, film, plastic sheet, etc. as long as the lenticular image can be printed on it with required resolution. As a result, most printers can be used to print the lenticular image.

[0023] The supporting board 20 is a substrate having a top surface. The image sheet 30 can be removably held on the top surface. The supporting board 20 may comprise a fasten feature to fasten the image sheet 30, such as one of more clips. The supporting board 20 may also comprise alignment feature to align the image film in correct position, such as protruded lines or edges to regulate the position of the image sheet 30. Therefore the image sheet 30 can be easily replaced and aligned.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, the top surface of the supporting board 20 is not flat but curved outward. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top surface is arched but the straight edge is parallel to the cylindrical lenses. Preferably, as the cylindrical lenses are aligned vertically, the vertical direction of the top surface is straight, the horizontal direction of the top surface is curved. In another embodiment, the top surface is convex.

[0025] The supporting board 20 and the frame 10 can be coupled together. In this situation, the image sheet 30 is pushed by the supporting board 20 to attach to the bottom side of the lenticular sheet 40. Since the top surface of the supporting board 20 is arched or convex, and the material of the lenticular sheet 40 is flexible, the supporting board 20 will cause the lenticular sheet 40 to deform along the curve of the top surface and generate a constant tensile force, which can press the image sheet 30 on the lenticular sheet 40 tightly without any gap in between.

[0026] It is worth mentioning, the curve of the lenticular sheet 40 is very small so it won't affect the 3D image and people won't observe any deformation.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the frame 10 and the supporting board 20 are hooked up by a hinge 11, so the frame 10 can be lifted around the hinge 11 to open the 3D display. The frame 10 and supporting board 20 are also connected by a foldable bracket 21. When the 3D display is hung on the wall, this foldable bracket 21 can hold the frame 10 in position when it is opened. This will save a hand to replace the image sheet 30.

[0028] The lenticular 3D display also comprises one or more fasteners 22 to fasten the frame 10 and the supporting board 20 when the 3D display is closed. The fastener 22 could be hook, screw, elastic latch, etc.

[0029] The lenticular 3D display also comprises a lock 50 to lock the frame 10 and the supporting board 20 together.

[0030] The lenticular 3D display may also comprises a light source. The light source may be placed in front of the lenticular sheet 40, such as inner edge of the frame 10; or behind of the supporting board 20 when the supporting board 20 is transparent. The light source could be LED, or fluorescent lamp.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the supporting board 20 also comprises some hanging features to hang the 3D display on a wall. For example, a board with holes 23, and boards with sticker 24.

[0032] While the embodiments and alternatives of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.