Illumination – Light source and modifier – Adjustable or repositionable modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-03-20
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Adjustable or repositionable modifier
C362S282000, C362S301000, C362S319000, C362S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203174
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an accessory unit including a reflector for a reflector lamp which, typically, provides directed beams, and to an illumination system for a reflector lamp, usually a reflector lamp having an essentially circular reflector opening bounded by a rim, using and in combination with the reflector unit for selective direction of the illumination provided by the lamp.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Commercial reflector lamps used singly or in combination with lamp strips are usually fitted in fixed lamp sockets which cannot be shifted in position. These sockets are then supplied with the reflector lamps. Due to the fixed position of the socket, it is not possible to direct the light in a desired direction, rather than the direction provided by the socket, for example perpendicularly downwardly. Lighting strips of this type are frequently used in connection with merchandise displays which may be rearranged and thus will not always be optimally lighted by the lamps in the light strip.
THE INVENTION
It is an object to provide a reflector unit for reflector lamps which permits change in the direction of the emitted light beams from the direction determined by the lamp socket. The reflection unit, additionally, should be independent of the construction of the lamp, the entire lighting unit or array, or luminaire, using the reflector lamp.
Briefly, the reflector unit is preferably formed as an attachment for a reflector lamp. The lamp defines a lamp axis. The unit has a light reflecting disk and a frame which retains the disk. The frame has two holding arms which pivotably retain the disk to permit pivoting about a pivot axis. The frame further has coupling elements to rotatably couple the frame to the lamp for rotation about the reflector axis. Preferably, the pivot axis and the lamp axis are at right angles to each other.
The reflector unit for the reflector lamps, thus, can form an accessory which has a light reflecting disk and a frame. The coupling elements, which form attachment elements to attach the frame to the lamp at the same time permit rotation of the frame and the light reflecting disk attached thereto about the lamp, or reflector axis.
The light reflecting disk, pivotable about the pivot axis in the frame, can thus vary the direction of emitted light from the reflector lamp. The disk, thus, is positionable about the reflector axis and about the pivot axis which, preferably, is perpendicular to the reflector axis. Since the unit has the coupling means for coupling the unit to the reflector lamp, the entire unit can be directly attached to the outside of the reflector of the reflector lamp. The reflector unit can thus be made and designed entirely independently of the construction and arrangement of the light strip, or luminaire, in which the reflector lamps are inserted, or intended to be used.
Preferably, the coupling means are a ring-shaped flange with at least two snap hooks formed thereon. The diameter of the flange is matched to the diameter, that is, the light exit opening of the reflector of the reflector lamp. The ring-shaped flange and the snap hooks permit easy attachment and coupling of the unit to the lamp, so that the light reflecting disk is reliably and securely retained on the lamp. The light reflecting disk preferably has light transmissive regions. The light transmissive regions, preferably centrally of the disk, prevent formation of shadows in axial direction of the reflector lamp or, at least, largely reduce such shadows.
The light reflecting disk preferably has a first, mirrored surface and a second surface opposite thereto which can be matte, that is, light diffusing. In dependence on the surface facing the reflector lamp, it is thus possible to direct a cone or beam of light in accordance with the pivoting and rotation of the disk, or a spread, diffusely reflected light. The light reflecting disk preferably is made either of glass or of an opaque, i.e. light blocking material, such as a plastic, aluminum, sheet steel or the like. If an opaque element is used, the disk is preferably formed with one or more transparent openings. If the disk is made of glass, one of its surfaces preferably is coated with a partially light permeable mirror.
The various arrangements and variations possible for the light reflecting disk permit splitting of the light emitted by the reflector lamp into a light beam which passes through the transparent regions of the disk and another light beam reflected from the light reflecting portions of the disk.
The illumination system, in accordance with the present invention, has at least one reflector lamp and the reflector unit, as described above, attached thereto. The reflector of the reflector lamp of the system usually has a ring-shaped circumferential projecting ring, to which the reflection unit can be so attached that it is rotatable about the reflector axis. The projecting rim of the reflector lamp and the ring-shaped flange of the reflector unit with the snap hooks formed thereon form an inter-engaging snapover coupling. The illumination system preferably uses an arrangement in which the pivot axis of the light reflecting disk is perpendicular to the light emission axis from the reflector of the at least one reflector lamp.
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Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
O'Shea Sandra
Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft F. Elektrische Gluehlampen mbH
Zeade Bertrand
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