Abstract:
A fixed support includes an elevated foot platform and one or more handles allowing a live person to stand on the elevated foot platform, and a background member configured to receive a portion of the fixed support and support a cutout image of a person substantially orthogonal to the live person standing on the foot platform. A picture of the live person standing on the foot platform along with the background creates the illusion in the photograph that the cutout image of the person is levitating the live person standing on the foot platform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for creating an illusion and keepsake related thereto. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Illusions are staples of the magician. Various illusions provide the magician with the means to entertain and “trick” members of an audience. Unique illusions are generally maintained in secrecy and magicians are considered the gatekeepers of such illusions. 
     It would be useful and well-received to provide non-magicians with participation in creating an illusion and generating a keepsake related thereto. Advantageously, the system should be amenable to installation in high traffic locations (e.g., casinos, malls, etc.) to attract participants. Other attributes and features of such a system and method are detailed below. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed support including an elevated foot platform and one or more handles allowing a live person to stand on said foot platform, and a background member configured to receive a portion of the fixed support and support a cutout image of a person substantially orthogonal to the live person standing on the elevated foot platform. A picture of the live person standing on the elevated foot platform along with the background creates the illusion in the photograph that the cutout image of the person is levitating the live person standing on the elevated foot platform. 
     One embodiment of the fixed support comprises a base, frame, elevated foot platform and one or more handles. In one embodiment, a portion of the frame is received by a background member and a live person standing on the elevated foot platform conceals the other portion of the frame allowing a photograph to be taken which depicts a levitation illusion. 
     In one embodiment, the support and background member may be installed in high traffic locations, like casinos, malls and sporting events, in the form of a walk-in, photo booth so that interested participants may have pictures taken showing them in a levitation illusion. In one embodiment, the background member supports or includes an image depicting a famous person (e.g., magician David Copperfield) as the individual conducting the levitation illusion. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate side views of a support according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a support according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an upper perspective view of a foot platform of the support according embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of handles of the support according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate several views of a live person standing on the foot platform of the support with a blank background member according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6   a - 6   f  illustrate views of the process of concealing a portion of the support within the background member according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7   a - 7   e  illustrate props incorporated into the background member according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to those skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     The components of the embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including woods, plastics, alloys, composites, resins and metals, and may be fabricated using suitable techniques, including molding, casting, machining and rapid prototyping. 
     By way of reference for the remainder of this detailed description,  FIG. 7   e  shows use of the support  100  (not observable in  FIG. 7   e ) and background member  200  to create a keepsake photograph  260  of a levitating illusion. 
       FIGS. 1   a - 3  show various views of a support  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the support  100  comprises a base  105 , frame  110 , foot platform  115  and handles  120 . The base  105  is configured to attach to a floor of the background member  200  or other area upon which the support  100  is positioned. In one embodiment, the base  105  includes a primary vertical member  106  extending therefrom and is bolted to the floor. As shown, the frame  110  includes a primary vertical member  111 , horizontal members  112 - 1  and  112 - 2 , angled support member  113 , foot platform vertical member  114  and base support members  116 - 1 ,  116 - 2 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the frame  110  can take on many shapes and dimensions as long as the frame  100  is capable of supporting a person and being substantially concealed by the person when the person is standing on the foot platform  110 . The foot platform  115  extends away from the frame  110  to provide space for the person to stand on said foot platform  115  comfortably and without interference. Grip tape  116  or similar material may be adhered to the foot platform  115  to provide additional friction. 
     Now referencing  FIG. 4 , the pair of handles  120  is spaced from the foot platform  115  and provides means for a person to hold on while standing/balancing on the foot platform  115 . A first handle  120 - 1  is substantially parallel to the ground and extends opposite the foot platform  115  and a second handle  120 - 2  is angled relative to the ground and substantially orthogonal to the first handle  120 - 1 . While two handles  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2  are shown, more or less handles may be implemented. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other handle configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, in another embodiment, one or more handles may support objects (e.g., flowers) which further enhance the illusion by providing a sense that the individual being levitating is holding the object. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  show various views of a person standing on the foot platform  115 . As shown, the person can grip the handles  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  to assist with maintaining balance while standing on the foot platform  115 . The handles  120  may be covered with grips, tape or other material for providing additional friction with a person&#39;s hand. 
     In practice, the support  100  is incorporated in, or positioned proximate, the background member  200 . The background member  200  may be as simple as two walls and floor or a collection of three walls and floor forming a defined space/room. The floor may be any stable surface including a traditional floor, slab, ground or similar article which is capable of maintaining the support  100  and person standing thereon. It is envisioned that the support  100  and background member  200  will be installed in high traffic locations such that the public will be able to participate by standing on the foot platform  115  and having a photograph taken depicting a levitation illusion (see,  FIG. 7   e ). 
       FIGS. 6   a - 6   f  show the support  100  integrated with a wall  205  of the background member  200  such that at least a portion of the support  100 , including the base  105  is received by the wall  205 . The wall  205  extends upward from a floor adjacent to the base  105 . In one embodiment, the wall  205  meets the floor adjacent to a front edge of the primary vertical member  210  of the frame  110 . A cut-out  210  in the wall  205  permits the horizontal members  112 - 1 ,  112 - 2  and the angled support member  113  of the frame  110  to extend outward from the cut-out  210 . In one embodiment, a fabric covering  215  is placed over the wall  205  helping to conceal the cut-out  210  as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing look. A carpet or flooring material  220  conceals the portion of the base  105  not concealed by the wall  205 . 
       FIGS. 7   a - 7   e  show a background member  200  formed of wall  205 , wall  206 , wall  207  and floor  208 . A support  100  is positioned within the background member  200  as described above. A may be attached to wall  205  and/or wall  206 . Other props, such as a potted plant  235 , may be attached to wall  205  and/or wall  206  in an orthogonal relationship with the support  100 . Wall  206  is covered in carpeting  250  of a different color than the other walls  205 ,  207  and floor  208 . As shown, in  FIG. 7   e , a photograph of the background member  200  with a person standing on the foot platform  115  creates a levitation illusion when the photograph is turned 90 degrees or the photograph may be taken at a 90 degree offset. The cut-out image  230 , potted plant  240  (and any other props) and carpeting  250  are utilized to facilitate the creation of the illusion. In one embodiment, the background member  200  is curved in a concave or convex fashion to further add to the ability to create illusions. 
     In another embodiment, the background member  200  is modified to make it appear that both the magician and individual are floating rather than the illusion of the magician levitating the individual. The modification involves moving the cut-out image  230  to a position along wall  205  where the feet of the cut-out image  230  are no longer flush with an edge thereof. For example, in  FIG. 7   a , the cut-out image  230  would be moved to the left to a more central position. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.