HID lamp with collapsible reflector

Illumination – Light modifier – Translucent or opaque

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C362S278000, C362S350000, C362S450000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06688757

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present application relates to the artificial illumination arts. It finds particular application in high lumen output luminaries that include reflectors which are packaged and shipped and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the present application is not limited to the aforementioned application.
Typical reflectors used in conjunction with high intensity discharge (HID) lamps are bulky constructions, consuming space, yet having an actual volume that is relatively small. The shape of a reflector is often dictated by required optical characteristics, rather than size and shape requirements. As a result, bulky reflectors are often desired, and it is necessary to ship the bulky reflectors to the consumer. Packaging a reflector often involves putting the reflector in a box, the box being a standard shipping means. Since the box and the reflector are such different shapes, and the box must be big enough so the reflector can fit inside, much of the room in the box is unoccupied, making shipment of an assembled reflector in a box rather inefficient.
One known alternative is to ship the reflector in disassembled sections, reducing the amount of empty space in a packaging box. While this method holds the advantage of making more efficient use of packaging space, the reflectors require assembly upon arrival to the consumer. Either the consumer assembles the reflectors, or the retailer employs personnel to assemble the reflectors upon arrival to the consumer.
Umbersols such as the type used in photography flash fixtures, and described in EP 0 964 291 A1 to Whittle utilize collapsible reflectors. This type of reflector includes a sheet of reflector element that is supported by a plurality of legs. This type of reflector is typically assembled and disassembled before and after each use, the legs being folded or removed from the light socket. Moreover, this type of reflector is used in conjunction with a low average wattage lamp, making its use with HID light fixtures improbable.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lighting fixture is provided. A light source is fixed onto a ballast housing. A collapsible reflector is fixedly attached to the ballast housing with at least one fastener. At least one reflective element focuses and directs light emanating from the light source, and at least one support element aids in the retention of an optically useful shape of the reflective element.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of packaging a reflector is provided. The reflector is collapsed into a form that occupies less space than its expanded form. The reflector is inserted into a shipping medium in its collapsed form, there being substantial room left in the shipping medium.


REFERENCES:
patent: 86987 (1869-02-01), Laws
patent: 1196523 (1916-08-01), Clark
patent: 1813102 (1931-07-01), Vogel
patent: 2513961 (1950-06-01), Ostrom
patent: 2586583 (1952-02-01), Wagner
patent: 2625648 (1953-01-01), Zenda
patent: 2796517 (1957-06-01), Herzfelder
patent: 3040994 (1962-06-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4061913 (1977-12-01), Ross
patent: 4118763 (1978-10-01), Osteen
patent: 4167034 (1979-09-01), Noguchi
patent: 4285034 (1981-08-01), Sullivan
patent: 4594645 (1986-06-01), Terashita
patent: 4628423 (1986-12-01), Ogle
patent: 4654767 (1987-03-01), Yamaguchi
patent: 4839781 (1989-06-01), Barnes et al.
patent: 4855884 (1989-08-01), Richardson
patent: 4998189 (1991-03-01), Guggemos
patent: 5036445 (1991-07-01), Osteen
patent: 5287259 (1994-02-01), Lautzenheiser
patent: 5329438 (1994-07-01), Thompson
patent: 5571280 (1996-11-01), Lehrer
patent: 5579180 (1996-11-01), Geller
patent: 5662412 (1997-09-01), Glendmyer
patent: 6024469 (2000-02-01), Greif
patent: 6030087 (2000-02-01), Whittle
patent: 6206551 (2001-03-01), Stubblefield, Jr.
patent: 0597199 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 0964291 (1999-12-01), None

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

HID lamp with collapsible reflector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with HID lamp with collapsible reflector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HID lamp with collapsible reflector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3308781

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.