Transformable scenery
Transformable scenery includes a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outward appearance and one or more other outward appearances wherein the one outward appearance and the one or more other outward appearances are three-dimensional.
1. Transformable scenery comprising:
a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outer appearance and one or more other outer appearances, wherein the one outer appearance and the one or more other outer appearances are three-dimensional, the at least one discrete portion of the shell comprising:
a shaped surface comprising a rigid or semi-rigid mesh having a non-uniform shape in cross section; and
a flexible material supported by the shaped surface and the flexible material configured to receive a medium for expanding the flexible material to a first extended position which creates the one or more other outer appearances and to second contracted position adjacent the shaped surface which creates the one outer appearance;
wherein the one outer appearance is a damaged appearance.
2. The scenery of claim 1 , wherein the medium comprises air and further comprising at least one air pump communicating via at least one aperture to an interior of the flexible material.
3. The scenery of claim 2 , wherein the at least one air pump comprises an air compressor and a vacuum pump and the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.
4. The scenery of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises a bladder.
5. The scenery of claim 4 , wherein the shell comprises a predetermined configuration and wherein the one or more other outer appearances include a simulated undamaged configuration.
6. The scenery of claim 5 , wherein the bladder comprises an outer surface that is painted or otherwise treated to match the shell.
7. The scenery of claim 6 , wherein the bladder comprises a flexible material that is impervious to a fluid disposed therein.
8. The scenery of claim 7 , wherein the shell comprises a portion of a vehicle.
9. The scenery of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises a material comprising a tensile strength of greater than 40 Mega Pascal.
10. The scenery of claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises biased tensile properties.
11. The scenery of claim 1 , further comprising at least one cavity located proximal to the shaped surface and wherein an outer edge of the flexible material is biased within the cavity.
12. The scenery of claim 11 , further comprising at least one spring disposed within the cavity and being connected with an outer edge of the flexible material for biasing the flexible material within the cavity.
13. The scenery of claim 12 , further comprising a gasket dimensioned to cover the at least one cavity.
14. The scenery of claim 13 , wherein the at least one cavity is disposed peripherally about the shaped surface and the at least one spring comprises a plurality of springs spaced about the periphery of the outer edge of the flexible material.
15. The scenery of claim 14 , wherein the shell comprises a portion of a vehicle.
16. The scenery of claim 1 , wherein the at least one discrete portion of the shell comprises a plurality of discrete portions of the shell.
17. A method of transforming scenery comprising:
providing a shell having at least one discrete portion, the discrete portion comprising a shaped surface having a rigid or semi-rigid mesh with a non-uniform shape in cross section and locating a flexible material on the shaped surface; and
transforming the at least one discrete portion of the shell between one outer appearance and one or more other outer appearances, wherein the one outer appearance and the one or more other outer appearances are three-dimensional, and wherein the one outer appearance is a damaged appearances.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein transforming at least a portion of the shell between one outer appearance and one or more other outer appearances comprises:
pumping high pressure or low pressure fluid into the flexible material for respectively expanding the flexible material to a first extended position which creates the one or more other outer appearances and to second contracted position adjacent the shaped surface which creates the one outer appearances.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the shell comprises a predetermined configuration and wherein the one or more other outer appearances include a simulated undamaged configuration.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein transforming at least a portion of the shell between one outer appearance and one or more another outer appearances comprises varying the rate of pumping of the fluid.