Abstract:
A system and method of making a remarkably bright high-gain reflective beam-splitter is presented. Each non-glued together touching layer of the multilayered film of the beam splitter has front and back reflective surfaces that additively increase the brightness. The system can include tables, step-down shelves, cutting bars, gripper units, tension units, a frame, a hoist assembly, and dollies. Constructing the beam-splitter can use grippers that slip slightly, as a function of applied tensioning force, along the trimmed edges of the multilayered film. This slip gripping scheme can result in constructing substantially coplanar sheets of the multilayered film that touch each other face to face and result in removing most of the air between the sheets. The planar integrity of the multilayered film of the high-gain reflective beam-splitter can be maintained at almost any desired display angle even when the high-gain reflective beam-splitter is as large as a standard theatrical stage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to Pepper&#39;s ghost illusionary accessories, more particularly to a partially reflective beam-splitter for use in providing high-gain reflective illusionary images on very large displays. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A wide variety of reflective devices is known in the art of partially reflective beam-splitters. For example, partially reflective beam-splitters, such as teleprompters, are well known and commonly used. Teleprompters provide the advantage of realizing reflective images of a text for a speaker to read while also providing the advantage of allowing the viewing audience is see the speaker without being visually encumbered by images of the reflected text. 
     While all of the above-described device and similar devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned beam splitter devices and systems do not describe a system for use in constructing and providing high-gain reflective illusionary images on very large displays. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved system for use in constructing and displaying a high-gain reflective beam-splitter for use in displaying high-gain reflective illusionary images of very large displays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present visual display system and method of constructing a partially reflective beam-splitter is provided for use in theatrical overlapping reflecting illusions as those known as Pepper&#39;s ghosts. Accordingly to the principles of the present invention, overcomes a number of the shortcomings of other illusionary systems such as the present invention provides a means for constructing a large and high-gain reflective beam-splitter. 
     One variant of the visual display system and method of constructing a partially reflective beam-splitter is envisioned to include tables, step-down shelves, cutting bars, gripper units, tension units, a frame, a hoist assembly, and some dollies. One variant of the method of constructing and displaying the partially reflective beam-splitter of the visual display system includes the procedures of affixing, angling, applying, attaching, connecting, cutting, hooking, interconnecting, laying, mounting, obtaining, placing, plumbing, positioning, removing, repeating, rigging, sealing, securing, sliding, supporting, tightening, trimming, unrolling, and using. 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the lower reflective efficiency types of Pepper ghost display devices, the present invention provides an improved high-gain reflective beam-splitter device, which will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved visual display system and method of constructing a partially reflective beam-splitter which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
     The invention may also include any number of additional optional features such as an optional leveling unit for use in leveling the interconnected tables of the system. In addition, pneumatic air lines may also be included in the visual display system. Also a trolley may also be included as an optional feature in the visual display system. Furthermore, a roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  may be optionally included in the visual display system 
     Numerous aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and aspects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts top and bottom perspective views of interconnected tables of one of the embodiments of the visual display system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts top and bottom perspective views of a table interconnected to a step-down shelve of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is depicts a partial top perspective view of interconnected tables and step-down shelves which also shows cutting bars of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is perspective view of one embodiment of a gripper unit of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  are side views of the clamp and the pull bar of one embodiment of a gripper unit depicting various points in a procedure used to firmly grip the gripper unit onto the multilayered film unit of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pull unit coupled to a tension unit of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  are perspective views of an interconnected table with step-down shelves and cutting bars being used to roll out a sheet of transparent film of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multilayered film unit after being trimmed on the interconnected table with step down shelves of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the trimmed multilayered film unit on the interconnected table with step-down shelves supporting the clamp of the gripper unit of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the trimmed multilayered film unit being gripped on by a plurality of gripper units of the visual display system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  are partial perspective views of one embodiment of the frame placed around and secured to the multilayered film unit of the visual display system; 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  are top views of one embodiment of the frame secured to the multilayered film unit with pneumatic air lines connected to the tension units of the visual display system for preparing the theatrical beam splitter of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  are top views of one embodiment of the frame secured to the multilayered film unit of the visual display system for preparing the theatrical beam splitter of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the fully assembled theatrical beam splitter of the visual display system of the present invention being supported and angled at a viewing angle. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity and like reference numerals denote like elements. 
     The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention. 
     Further, it should be understood that, although steps of various the claimed method may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such method are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. That is, the claimed method steps are to be considered to be capable of being carried out in any sequential combination or permutation order while still falling within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 to 14  thereof, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . One preferred embodiment of the visual display system for use in constructing and displaying a partially reflective beam-splitter  98  comprises a plurality of tables  10 ; a plurality of step-down shelves  30 ; a plurality of cutting bars  78 ; a plurality of gripper units  50 ; a plurality of tension units  72 ; a frame  94 ; a hoist assembly  100 ; and a plurality of dollies  92 . 
     The tables  10  may be any type of commercially available table  10  as long as they are substantially planar. It is preferable but not mandatory that the tables  10  are configured to be interconnectable to each other. One preferred embodiment of the tables  10  is that each table  10  comprises an upper surface  12 ; a lower surface  14 ; a plurality of height adjustable legs  16  attached to the lower surface  14 ; and a plurality of latches  18  attached to the lower surface  14 . Each leg  16  of the preferred embodiment of the tables  10  may comprise an interlocking base  20  attached to the lower surface  14 ; a shaft  22  attached to the interlocking base  20 ; and a foot  24  attached to the shaft  22 . 
     The step-down shelves  30  may be any type of commercially available step-down shelves  30  as long as they are substantially planar and can be aligned lower and adjacent to the tables  10 . One preferred embodiment of the step-down shelves  30  is that each step-down shelve  30  comprises: a top surface  32 ; a bottom surface  34 ; a plurality of height adjustable supports  36  attached to the bottom surface  34 ; and a plurality of claspers  44  attached to the bottom surface  34 . Each support of the preferred step-down shelves  30  may comprise an interlocking plate  38  attached to the bottom surface  34 ; a shank  40  attached to the interlocking plate  38 ; and a footer  42  attached to the shank  40 . 
     The gripper units  50  may be any type of commercially available type of gripper unit  50  as long as they can firmly grip onto the multilayered film unit  88 . One preferred embodiment is that each gripper unit  50  comprises a clamp  52  and a pull unit  64 . A clamp  52  of each preferred gripper unit  50  may comprise a hinge unit  54  pivotally connected together two opposing jaws  56 ; pads  58  attached to the jaws  56 ; a set screw  60  attached to at least one of the jaws  56 ; and a rear opening  62 . A pull unit  64  of each preferred gripper unit  50  may comprise a pull unit  64  which is configured to be slideably engagable with the clamp  52 . The pull unit  64  may comprise a pull bar  66 ; and a coupler  68  slideably engagable with the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52 . The pull unit  64  may optionally have stabilizer rods  70 . The pads  58  attached to the jaws  56  of the clamp  52  may be made of any commercially made material as long as they is able to firmly grip onto the multilayered film unit  88 . For instance, the pads  58  may comprise a polymeric material selected from at least one of a group consisting of polychloroprene, silicone rubber, isobutylene-isoprene polymer, flexible PVC, natural rubber, low density polyethylene, hydrin rubber, vinylbenzyl chloride styrene-butadiene rubber, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, bromomethyl styrenebutyl rubber, maleic acid styrene-butadiene rubber, carboxylic acid styrene-butadiene rubber, epoxyisoprene rubber, maleic acid modified natural rubber, maleic acid ethylene propylene rubber and carboxylic acid nitrile-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, urethane rubber, fluorinated rubber, silicon rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber, butadiene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate rubber and acryl rubber. 
     The tension units  72  may be any type of commercially available type of tension units  72  as long as they are can provide a controlled tension between the gripper units  50  and the frame  94 . Some examples of the tension units  72  could be springs, wire, string, rubber bands, and even screw on hooks. One preferred embodiment is that each tension unit is a pneumatic cylinder tension unit  72  having one input feed line connection  74 . Another preferred embodiment is that each tension unit  72  comprises a pneumatic cylinder tension unit  72  which has one input feed line and a lock line connection  76  so that the tension in the tension unit  72  can be locked in place. 
     The frame  94  may be any type of commercially available type of frame  94  so long as the frame  94  can support the partially reflective beam-splitter  98 . One preferred embodiment is that the frame  94  comprises a truss frame  94 . 
     The hoist assembly  100  may be any type of commercially available type hoist assembly  100  so long as they hoist assembly  100  can support the frame  94  holding the partially reflective beam-splitter  98 . One preferred embodiment is that the hoist assembly  100  comprises a pulley  102 ; a cable  104 ; and a jack  106 . 
     Any number of additional optional features may be included in the visual display system. For instance an optional leveling unit  28  may also be included in the visual display system. Also an optional set of pneumatic air lines  96  may also be included in the visual display system. Also a trolley  108  may also be optionally included in the visual display system. Also a roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  may be optionally included in the visual display system. This substantially transparent film  84  may be any known commercially available transparent film such as those made from polymeric materials selected from at least one of a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polycarbonate, polyimide, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylidene chloride, polyamides, polyether block amides, trinitrotrimethylenetriamine, polycaprolactan, polytetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylbromide, polysaccharides, polyesters, polyamides, aromatic polyamides, polyurethanes, polysiloxanes, aromatic polymers, phenol polymers, polysulfides, polyacetals, halogenated polyolefins, polyethylene oxides, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polycarbonates, polydienes, and hexamethylene diamine adipic acid polymers. One preferred polymeric material of the transparent film is that it is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     Yet another preferred embodiment of the visual display system comprises a table  10  with step-down shelves  30 ; a cutting bar  78 ; a gripper unit  50 ; a tension unit  72 ; and a frame  94 . 
     One preferred embodiment of constructing and displaying the partially reflective beam-splitter  98  comprises the steps of affixing, angling, applying, attaching, connecting, cutting, hooking, interconnecting, laying, mounting, obtaining, placing, plumbing, positioning, removing, repeating, rigging, sealing, securing, sliding, supporting, tightening, trimming, unrolling, and using. 
     The obtaining step comprises obtaining a system a visual display system comprising: a plurality of tables  10 ; a plurality of step-down shelves  30 ; a plurality of cutting bars  78 ; a plurality of gripper units  50  wherein each gripper unit  50  comprises: a clamp  52  comprising: a hinge unit  54  pivotally connected together two opposing jaws  56 ; pads  58  attached to the jaws  56 ; a set screw  60  attached to at least one of the jaws  56 ; and a rear opening  62 ; and pull unit  64  slideably engagable with the clamp  52 , wherein the pull unit  64  comprises: a pull bar  66 ; and a coupler  68  slideably engagable with the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52 ; a plurality of tension units  72 ; a frame  94 ; a hoist assembly  100  comprising: a pulley  102 ; a cable  104 ; and a jack  106 ; a plurality of dollies  92 ; a trolley  108 ; a leveling unit  28 ; a pneumatic air line; a trolley  108 ; and a roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84 . 
     The using step comprises using the leveling unit  28  to level the tables  10 . 
     The interconnecting step comprises interconnecting together the tables  10 . 
     The connecting step comprises connecting the step-down shelves  30  around the interconnected tables  10 . 
     The laying step comprises laying down the cutting bars  78  onto the connected step-down shelves  30  such that the cutting bars  78  are distributed around the interconnected tables  10 . 
     The hooking step comprises hooking up the roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  onto the dollies  92 . 
     The affixing step comprises affixing a trailing edge  82  of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  onto the connected step-down shelves  30 . 
     The unrolling step comprises unrolling a portion of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  over the interconnected tables  10 . 
     The cutting step comprises cutting the unrolled portion of the roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  to leave a sheet  86  of substantially transparent film  84  on the interconnected tables  10 . 
     The repeating step comprises repeating the affixing, unrolling and cutting procedures to build a multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The trimming step comprises trimming the multilayered film unit  88  by using the cutting bars  78  as guides. 
     The removing step comprises removing the cutting bars  78  away from the interconnected table  10  after completing the trimming procedure. 
     The positioning step comprises positioning the clamps  52  around the trimmed multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The tightening step tightening comprises tightening down the set screw  60  of the each positioned clamp  52  so that the pads  58  are holding onto the trimmed multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The sliding step comprises sliding the proximate interfacing unit of the pull unit  64  into the rear opening  62  at the back end of each positioned clamp  52  to form the gripper units  50  around the trimmed multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The placing step comprises placing the frame  94  around the trimmed multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The mounting step comprises mounting the tension units  72  to the each positioned clamp  52  at the pull bar  66  and onto the positioned frame  94 . 
     The plumbing step comprises plumbing the pneumatic air lines  96  to the mounted tension units  72 . 
     The applying step comprises applying pressure to the plumbed pneumatic air lines  96  to secure the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  into a substantially planar configuration. 
     The securing step comprises securing the tension units  72  in place applying the pressure to maintain the substantially planar configuration of the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  within the frame  94 . 
     The sealing step comprises sealing gripper units  50  around all exposed corners  90  of the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  mounted to make the partially reflective beam-splitter  98 . 
     The attaching step comprises attaching the dollies  92  to the frame  94  of the beam-splitter  98 . 
     The rigging step comprises rigging the hoist assembly  100  and the trolley  108  to the frame  94  of the beam-splitter  98 . 
     The angling step comprises angling up the frame  94  of the beam-splitter  98  by using the hoist assembly  100  to a viewing angle. 
     The supporting step comprises supporting the angled up frame  94  of the beam-splitter  98  by using the jack  106  and the hoist assembly  100  to support the frame  94 . 
     Yet another embodiment of a method of constructing and displaying the partially reflective beam-splitter  98  comprises the steps of adjoining, aligning, tensioning, clamp  52 ing, conjoining, coupling, procuring, reiterating, removing, slicing, and unraveling. 
     The procuring step comprises procuring a system a visual display system comprising: a table  10  with step-down shelves  30 ; a cutting bar; a plurality of gripper units  50 ; a plurality of tension units  72 ; and a frame  94 . 
     The adjoining step comprises adjoining a trailing edge  82  of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  onto the connected step-down shelves  30 . 
     The unraveling step comprises unraveling a portion of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  over table. 
     The slicing step comprises slicing off the unraveled portion of the roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  to leave a sheet  86  of substantially transparent film  84  on the table 
     The reiterating step comprises reiterating the adjoining, unraveling and shearing procedures to build a multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The clamp  52 ing step comprises clamp  52 ing the gripper units  50  around the multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The aligning step comprises aligning the frame  94  around the trimmed multilayered film unit  88 . 
     The coupling step comprises coupling the gripper units  50  to the frame  94 . 
     The conjoining step comprises conjoining the tension units  72  onto the connected gripper units  50  and onto the frame  94 . 
     The tensioning step comprises tensioning the tension units  72  to secure the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  into a substantially planar configuration within the frame  94 . 
     The removing step comprises removing the tension units  72 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  which depicts top and bottom perspective views of interconnected tables  10  of the visual display system of the present invention. The interconnected tables  10  are shown interconnected together via latches  18 . Each table  10  is shown having an upper surface  12 ; a lower surface  14 ; a plurality of height adjustable legs  16  attached to the lower surface  14 ; and a plurality of latches  18  attached to the lower surface  14 . Each leg  16  of the tables  10  is shown having an interlocking base  20  attached to the lower surface  14 ; a shaft  22  attached to the interlocking base  20 ; and a foot  24  attached to the shaft  22 . Also shown is the optional leveling unit  28  used to substantially planarize the upper surfaces  12  of the interconnected tables  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  which depicts top and bottom perspective views of a table  10  interconnected to a step-down shelve  30  of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention. The step-down shelve  30  is shown attached to the table  10  via interlocking plates  38 . The step-down shelve  30  is shown having a top surface  32 ; a bottom surface  34 ; a plurality of height adjustable supports  36  attached to the bottom surface  34 ; and a plurality of claspers  44  also attached to the bottom surface  34 . Each support of the step-down shelves  30  is shown comprising an interlocking plate  38  attached to the bottom surface  34 ; a shank  40  attached to the interlocking plate  38 ; and a footer  42  attached to the shank  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  which depicts a partial top perspective view of interconnected tables  10  and step-down shelves  30 . A plurality of cutting bars  78  is shown mounted flush long the sides of interconnected tables  10  and on the step-down shelves  30 . Also shown are some of the height adjustable legs  16  of the interconnected tables  10  and some of the height adjustable supports  36  of the step-down shelves  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  which depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a gripper unit. The gripper unit  50  is shown having a clamp  52  and a pull unit  64 . The clamp  52  is shown having a hinge unit  54  pivotally connected together two opposing jaws  56 ; pads  58  that are attached to the jaws  56 ; a set screw  60  attached to at least one of the jaws  56 ; and a rear opening  62 . The pull unit  64  is shown slideably engaged within the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52 . The pull unit  64  is shown having a pull bar  66  and a coupler  68  which is slideably engaged with the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5D  which are side views of the clamp  52  and the pull bar  66  of one embodiment of a gripper unit  50  depicting various points in a procedure used to firmly grip the gripper unit  50  onto the multilayered film unit  88  of one embodiment of the visual display system of the present invention. The clamp  52  is shown having a hinge, two opposing jaws  56 , pads  58 ; a set screw  60 , and a rear opening  62 . The pull unit  64  is shown having a pull bar  66  and a coupler  68 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the clamp  52  and pull bar  66  are not connected together. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the set screw  60  is loosened to open up the opposing jaws  56  so that multilayered film unit  88  can be inserted therein. As shown in  FIG. 5C , the pads  58  are positioned to firmly grab onto the multilayered film unit  88  by closing the opposing jaws  56  and the set screw  60  is used to firmly lock the opposing jaws  56  onto the multilayered film unit  88 . In  FIG. 5C , the pull bar  66  is shown slideably inserted within the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52  in which the pads  58  and the opposing jaws  56  to remain locked onto an edge of the multilayered film unit  88 . In  FIG. 5D , the pull bar  66  is shown being forced away from the clamp  52  which results in the coupler  68  of the pull bar  66  forcing the rear ends of the opposing jaws  56  apart and as a result the front ends of the opposing jaws  56  are force the pads  58  to grip more firmly onto the edge of the multilayered film unit  88 . It is believed that this substantially contributes to progressive clamping onto the edges of the multilayered film unit  88  once air is applied to the pneumatic cylinders  72  which progressively pulls in an angular fashion the puller  68  and which engages the rear opening  62  of the clamp  52  of the gripper unit  50 . This allows for equalizing the tension in unison by exerted on the edges of the multilayered film unit  88  by the clamps  52   
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pull unit  64  coupled to a tension unit. In this embodiment, the pull unit  64  is shown having a pull bar  66 , and a coupler  68 . The tension unit may be any type of tension unit such as being a string, a spring, a threaded bolt, a bungee cord, a pneumatic cylinder. The tension unit shown coupled to the coupler  68  of the pull unit  64 . The particular tension unit shown comprises a pneumatic cylinder tension unit having an input feed line connection  74  and a lock line connection  76  so that the tension in the tension unit can be locked in place. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7C  which depict perspective views of how to roll  80  out a sheet  86  of transparent film. After the interconnected tables  10  are substantially planarized, along with the step-down shelves  30  being connected to the interconnected tables  10 , then the cutting bars  78  are laid down against the interconnected tables  10  and on the step-down shelves  30 . A roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  is hooked up onto the dollies  92 . A trailing edge  82  of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  is then affixed onto the connected step-down shelves  30 . Then a portion of the roll  80  of the substantially transparent film  84  is carefully unrolled over and on top the interconnected tables  10 , the cutting bars  78  and partially over the step-down shelves  30 . Then the unrolled portion of the roll  80  of substantially transparent film  84  is cut which leaves a sheet  86  of substantially transparent film  84  on the interconnected tables  10 . This process of affixing, unrolling, cutting is repeated until a desired number of layers of sheets  86  of the substantially transparent film  84  is prepared on the interconnected tables  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  which depicts a perspective view of the multilayered film unit  88  which was prepared by trimming sheets  86  using a cutting edge and the cutting bars  78  for aligning the trimming. Also shown are some the step-down shelves  30  around the interconnected tables  10  with the multilayered film unit  88  overhanging the interconnected tables  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  which is a side view of the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  on the interconnected table  10  with step-down shelves  30  supporting the clamp  52  of the gripper unit. The clamp  52  is shown in an open position with a portion of the overhanging multilayered film unit  88  within the opened jaws  56 . The clamp  52  is shown composed of a hinge unit  54 , two opposing jaws  56 , pads  58 , a set screw  60 , and a rear opening  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10  which depicts is a partial perspective view of the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  being gripped on by a plurality of gripper units  50  of the visual display system of the present invention. Also shown is a corner  90  of the trimmed multilayered film unit  88  not being gripped on by any clamp  52 . Each of the gripper units  50  are shown to have a clamp  52  slidably connected to a pull unit  64  in which The pull unit  64  is shown having a pull bar  66 , a coupler  68  and optional stabilizer rods  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11B  are partial perspective views of a frame  94  placed around and then being secured to the multilayered film by interfacing the tension units  72  between the gripper units  50  and the frame  94 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A-12B  which are top views of a frame  94  placed around and then being secured to the multilayered film by interfacing the tension units  72  between the gripper units  50  and the frame  94 . Also shown are the optional pneumatic air lines  96  connected to the tension units  72  for providing the force in securing a relatively flat multilayered film mounted within the frame  94  for preparing the partially reflective beam-splitter  98  of the present invention; 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13B  which depict top views of one embodiment of the frame  94  secured to the multilayered film unit  88  of the visual display system for preparing the partially reflective beam-splitter  98  of the present invention. Once the tension units  72  are configured to provide the requisite force to secure a relatively flat multilayered film mounted within the frame  94 , then that tensioning may be locked in place by the stabilizer rods  70  of the pull unit  64 . As a result, the tension units  72 , along with the pneumatic air lines  96 , may subsequently be removed to minimize weight of the prepared the partially reflective beam-splitter  98  of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14  which depicts a perspective view of the fully assembled partially reflective beam-splitter  98  of the visual display system which is supported and angled at a viewing angle. Also shown are the hoist assembly  100  that comprise a pulley  102 ; a cable  104 ; and a jack  106 . Also shown is the optional trolley  108  connected to the hoist assembly  100  and the dollies  92  connected to the frame  94  for use in transporting the partially reflective beam-splitter  98 . 
     While a preferred embodiment of the visual display system and method of constructing a partially reflective beam-splitter has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.