AN OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY PREPARATION APPARATUS

Abstract: An overhead transparency preparation apparatus formed from a generally planar light reflective surface (2), means to support said surface at a pre-determined height (3, 12) and at least two, spaced apart overhead transparency retaining means (4, 13) located adjacent corresponding edges of the surface (2). An overhead transparency (8, 14) is firmly held in place above the surface (2) by the retaining means (4, 13) and transcription onto and/or review of existing material on the overhead transparency (8, 14) is facilitated by reference markings (11) included in the surface (2).

Description: "AN OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY PREPARATION APPARATUS" A TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an overhead transpare preparation apparatus and, in particular, to an overhead transparency preparation apparatus providing an efficient and convenient means for the preparation of overhead transparency rolls or single sheets prior to projection. BACKGROUND ART Hitherto the most common manner of usage of overhead transparencies has involved working directly onto the light emitting lens surface of an overhead projector in order to simultaneously prepare and present information. The strong light emitting surface makes it difficult for the operator to discern the information being transcribed onto the transparency, particularly where colours are involved. Moreover, when time consuming presentations are involved, the continual glare of the strong light emitting surface tends to create both strain on the eyes of the operator and early fatigue. Transparencies normally either come in sheet or roll form but it is only the sheet form that is known to be capable of being easily used to prepare information prior to its eventual presentation by means of an overhead projector. This is accomplished by writing on the sheet transparency which is placed over a white background surface. Even so, the prior art does not disclose any apparatus that will assist in the efficient and convenient preparation of both types of overhead transparency. Accordingly, overhead transparencies, particularly in the roll form, are not utilized to their fullest extent because of the difficult in manually maintaining a pair of rolls, in particular, with a flat portion of the transparent material interconnect¬ ing the two rolls. It is an object of the present invention to provide an overhead transparency preparation apparatus that will replace the need for an overhead projector or other light emitting apparatus in order to prepare and/or review present¬ ation material and thereby faciliate the preparation and/or review. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed an overhead transparency preparation apparatus comprising a generally planar light reflective surface, means to support said surface at a pre-determined height, and at least two, spaced apart overhead transparency retaining means located adjacent corresponding edges of said surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from ' above of the overhead transparency apparatus of a first embodiment; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view from above of an overhead transparency preparation apparatus of a second embodiment. BEST MODE OF CARRYING-OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to Fig. 1, the overhead transparency preparation apparatus 1 of the first embodiment comprises a planar surface 2 retained at a pre-determined height above the ground by a pair of opposed end walls 3. The surface 2 is coloured white and is therefore light reflective. On each of the end walls 3 is mounted a substantially U-shaped supporting bracket 4. Rotatably mounted at each of the free ends of each of the brackets 4, is a corresponding disc-shape roll end clamp 5, 6. The pair of clamps 5 are free wheeling, whilst the pair of clamps 6 are rotatable with a crank handle 9. In addition, the clamps 6 are resiliently biased away from the handles 9 by helical compression springs 7 located between the corresponding free end of the bracket 4 and its adjacent clamp 6, and surrounding the shafts of the crank handles . The springs 7 can be compressed to vary the distance between each pair of clamps 5, 6 and thereby allow transpar- ency rolls 8 (illustrated in phantom) rolled about a rod like support (not illustrated) to be accommodated. The springs 7 enable rolls 8 of slightly different length to be rotatably mounted on the support brackets 4. Attached to the planar .surface 2 and disposed between drawing aids can be placed for convenient storage and ready access. A graticule 11, or other reference indicia, can 5 be inscribed, or painted on the surface 2 to form a reference . during the preparation and/or review of transparencies. If desired, the graticule 11 can be releasably located on the surface 2. For example, the surface 2 can be made of steel so that the graticule 11 can be fabricated from magnetized 10 rubber or plastics in order to allow the graticule 11 to releasably engage the magnetically permeable planar surface 2 Alternately, fixing of the graticule 11 (or the like) to the planar surface 2 can be achieved * by such equivalents as peg and sockets, suitable cloth and VELCRO (Registered 15 Trade Mark) or permanently tacky adhesive on a smooth surface. In such instances, the graticule 11 is conveniently drawn on a transparent sheet. It is also desirable that the apparatus 1 be capable of storage within a cover (not illustrated) which incorporate 20 a handle (not illustrated) in order to provide both. portabili and protection for the apparatus 1 during periods of non-use. If desired, a tensioning device such as a releasable clamping arm (not illustrated) can be incorporated on each of the brackets 4 to increase the firmness of the 25 hold on the transparency disposed upon the surface 2 and thereby minimi.z.e movement of the transparency during transc¬ ription. If also desired, the clamps 6 can be rotated by a motorised drive (not illustrated) which replaces the handles 9 30 Use of the apparatus 1 encourages the preparation of lecture, demonstration or conference material on a continuous roll 8 that facilitates a sequential class of presentation or topic discussion. Moreover, use of the apparatus 1 f 35 elli inates the need to remove or borrow overhead projectors from designated locations for lecture preparation or review purposes. This is because the surface 2 is light reflective and provides high visual resolution for material, particularly that involving colours, allowing same to be easily incorporated onto that flattened portion of transparency lying between the pair of rolls 8 and above the surface 2. Once this region has been fully utilized then rotation of one of the handles 9 allows either fresh transparency to be presented or previously prepared material to be reviewed depending upon the direction of rotation. The graticule 11 is extremely useful for neatly locating photo-copied or computer generated transparency graphics (not illustrated) that are to be included in the presentation Moreover, by merely inverting the position of the pair of rolls 8 between the pair of clamps 5, 6 and transcribing in mirror image, or what will become the underside of the eventual transparency it is possible for an operator to create a re-usable skeletal outline of presentations which allow for additions and notations to be made on the upper surface during a lecture. This is particularly useful where the rolls 8 are to be retained as permanent presentation aids. Turning now to Figure 2 , the overhead transparency preparation apparatus 1, planar surface 2, end walls 3, roll brackets 4, clamps 5, 6, springs 7, handles 9, receptacl 10 and graticule 11 are substantially as described above in relation to Figure 1. However, the planar surface 2 is supported above the table, working surface or the like, by four adjustable threaded support legs 12 which are threadedly engaged with the end walls 3 and set at any one pre-determined level and/o inclination by rotation of the support legs 12. At opposed ends of the planar surface 2 are attached a pair of single sheet transparency clamping strips 13 which are adapted to releasably engage and retain single sheets of transparency 14 (illustrated in phantom) during use of the apparatus 1-

Claims: CLAIMS 1. • An overhead transparency preparation apparatus comprising a generally planar light reflective surface, means to support said surface at a pre-determined height, and at least two, spaced apart overhead transparency retaining means located adjacent corresponding edges of said surface. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having two overhead transparency retaining means which each comprise mounting means to mount a roll including a rolled strip of transparent material, for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the roll, and drive means to rotate a roll so mounted. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of rotatable clamps which engage the ends of said roll, the width of said rolled strip of transparent material being less than the longitudina extent of said roll. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises means to rotate one of said clamps, the other one of said clamps being free wheeling. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said drive means comprises a crank handle having a shaft connected at one end to said one clamp. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said one clamp is resiliently biased towards said other clamp. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said one clamp is resiliently biased by a helical compression spring retained on said shaft. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said retaining means includes a pair of spaced apart clamps which bear directly onto said planar surface thereby permitting a sheet transparency to be clamped thereby against said surface. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said surface includes reference markings. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of legs each of adjustable length. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least one storage 'receptacle is attached to at least one side of said surface. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said retaining means incorporates tensioning means t.o restrict movement of said roll from any predetermine position. 13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said preparation apparatus is adapted to releasably engage a storage cover.

Inventors: WILSON MERVYN, WILSON, MERVYN
Applicants: RETEST MATERIALS PTY LTD, RETEST MATERIALS PTY. LIMITED
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G03B21
IPC codes: G03B21