Illumination – Light source and modifier – With ventilating – cooling or heat insulating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2003-03-04
Chang, Audrey (Department: 2872)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
With ventilating, cooling or heat insulating means
C362S257000, C362S264000, C362S362000, C362S373000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06527418
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is particularly applicable to heat dissipation arrangements for illuminating devises used to illuminate inflatable objects and will be discussed with particular reference thereto; however, the invention has broader applications and may be used to dissipate heat in a wide variety of illuminating devices.
In the inflatable industry, it is a particular advantage to use inflatable devices for advertising purposes due to the eye-catching nature of the inflatables. The illumination of such inflatables during the night is also advantageous since the advertising can be visually seen at night and the illumination of such inflatables enhances the visual attraction of such inflatable thereby enhancing the value of the advertising promoted by such inflatables. However, the illumination of inflatables poses several challenging problems. Lights that are normally bright enough to effectively illuminate inflatables tend to radiate large amounts of heat. The heat from such lights can cause damage to the inflatable and/or cause damage to the inflatable if the inflatable were to deflate and come in contact with the hot surface of the light. The heat generated from the light can also adversely affect the operation of the light. A significant increase in temperatures of the light can result in the light filament prematurely burning out and/or the light casing becoming damaged, thereby resulting in a failure of the light. The high temperature resulting from the light can also adversely affect the electronics operating the light, thereby resulting in control problems and ultimately the failure of the light. The high temperature produced by the light also can hamper the rapid disassembly and packaging of the illuminated inflatable.
As a result, there is a need and demand in the inflatable industry for an effective illuminating device for inflatables which is safe and convenient to use and overcomes the problems associated with prior illumination devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light cooling system adapted to dissipate heat generated by an illumination source. The invention is particularly applicable to a light cooling system used to cool light sources for inflatables.
In accordance with the principles featured in the present invention, there is provided a light fixture designed to illuminate an inflatable structure. Such inflatable structures include balloons, advertising displays, recreational structures, and the like. The light fixture is designed so that it can be conveniently mounted on or within an inflatable to effectively illuminate the inflatable. The light fixture also includes several enhanced features which address the heat generation problems associated with large lumen light systems.
In accordance with: another feature of the present invention, the light fixture includes a light container or canister which is constructed of a semi-transparent or transparent material. One type of material is a high-impact, high heat-resistant plastic such as a polycarbonate material such as Lexan. However, other durable semi-transparent or transparent materials can be used. The durable material of the canister helps to protect the light fixture components from damage thereby increasing the life of the light fixture. The transparency of the material can be selected to control the amount of lumens generated by the lighting device. As can be appreciated, the material may be colored, have a colored coating painted or applied to the surface of the material so as to illuminate the inflatable by a particular colored light. The canister is designed to house the light source. The canister is preferably a cylindrically-shaped canister having a substantially uniform interior and exterior diameter. However, other canister shapes can be used for various types of applications.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the canister is sized to house other components of the light source. Preferably, the majority of the light fixture components, other than the canister and power source, are housed inside the canister. The incorporation of many of the components into the canister simplifies the installation and deinstallation of the light fixture.
In accordance with still another feature of the present invention, the canister is designed to allow a cooling fluid to pass through the canister so as to cool one or more components within the canister. Preferably, the cooling fluid is air and more preferably ambient air. Preferably, the canister provides a passageway to allow the cooling fluid to enter the bottom of the canister and exit out the top of the canister. As can be appreciated, the flow of the cooling fluid may be reversed and/or the cooling fluid may enter and/or exit at other areas on the canister.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the canister includes a top plate mounted on the top of the canister. Preferably the top plate is mounted so as to be spaced at some distance from the top edge of the canister. In one arrangement, the top plate is spaced from the top of the canister by use of brackets which are securely mounted to the top plate and the top section of the canister. However, other arrangements can be used to space the top plate from the top of the canister. As can be appreciated, the canister may include one or more openings in the top sides of the container as an alternative to or in combination with the space top plate. The space provided by the top plate can be substituted for or used in combination with slots in the top side of the canister. The top plate may also be designed to include openings. Such a top plate design allows the top plate to be spaced from or mounted on the top of the canister. The spacing of the top plate and/or openings in the top plate from the canister provides a passageway for a cooling fluid to enter or exit the canister. Preferably, the top plate is of the same material as the canister; however, other materials can be used. The top plate also has the function of reducing and/or preventing liquids or debris from inadvertently falling into the canister which may damage the light or other components of the light fixture in the canister. The openings of the canister may be covered by a mesh which allows a cooling fluid to pass through the mesh, but reduces or prevents debris, insects, liquid, etc. from inadvertently entering into the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the top plate may be or include a mesh such as a wire, plastic and/or fabric mesh. The top plate may preferably include a bracket or hook adapted to mount the top plate to an inflatable. In one embodiment, the inflatable includes a cord or chain attached to the interior of the inflatable. This cord or chain is then secured to the bracket or hook on the top plate thereby securing the light fixture in the interior of the inflatable.
In accordance with still yet another feature of the present invention, the illumination source of the light fixture is preferably an incandescent light source or a halide light source. Incandescent light sources typically require a larger wattage per lumen than halide light sources. If a large inflatable is to be illuminated, a halide light source is preferably used due to the lower wattage requirements and reduce amount of heat generated. Preferably, the light fixture includes a light socket adapted to be used with up to 1500 watt light sources. As can be appreciated, light sockets handling a larger wattage can be used if needed for a particular application. In one preferred embodiment, the light socket is positioned near the bottom end of the canister. In a particular embodiment, the light socket is spaced above the bottom end of the canister.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the base of the canister includes an opening adapted to allow fluid to flow into and/or out of the base of the container. The base of the canister may be mounted to the bottom end of the canister or mounted in a spaced relationship from th
Chang Audrey
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee
Scherba Industries, Inc.
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