Illumination – Plural light sources – With modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-02-06
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With modifier
C362S332000, C362S521000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183108
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention herein resides generally in the art of lighting devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a light apparatus which has a lens that generates a bright wide beam oriented in any number of directions. Specifically, the present invention relates to a lighting apparatus which couples a round rod lens to a light source in various configurations to obtain a desired lighting effect.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that lighting devices are used to illuminate darkened areas. Such lighting devices are commonly used as car headlights, flashlights, spotlights, and any other use where it is desired to focus a light beam in a particular manner. For example, in special situations, such as where an automobile is driving in a heavily fogged area, an intense low-beam light is desired. The low beam is usually focused on the roadway to assist the driver in operating the automobile.
A common problem with known fog lights and other driving lights is that they either project a spot type beam or a beam that is diffused. In any event, there is no way for the user to modify the light once it is purchased. Although reflectors and mirrors may be employed to obtain the desired light shape, these reflectors are quite expensive and are easily misaligned.
One alternative is to provide “bullet lights.” These are very small lights which project a small intense beam of light. However, a large quantity of these lights are required to produce a wide, high-intensity light beam. Moreover, none of the known lighting devices provide a light beam which is produced with only minimal power.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a lighting apparatus with convex-convex lens assembly.
It is thus an aspect of the present invention is to provide a housing which carries or supports a lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly is at least one circular rod which has a convex entry portion and a convex exit portion.
It is another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include at least one light or lamp bulb adjacent the lens assembly, wherein the light is positioned no further away than a radial dimension of the circular rod.
It is a further aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include several light sources adjacent the lens assembly, wherein each light source is individually adjustable with respect to its position adjacent the rod for the purpose of selectively providing a unique light beam pattern.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include a lens assembly with a plurality of circular rods with angled cuts at each end so as to abut one another, thus resulting in a wide light distribution pattern.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include a lens assembly which has a flat portion received within a supporting bracket of the housing, wherein the flat lens includes a rod element with a convex entry portion and a convex exit portion.
It is still another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include a housing which has a lens support bracket contained within the housing for carrying a circular rod lens and wherein the light is selectively positionable with respect to the lens.
It is still a further aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a lens assembly with four lenses with angular cuts which abut one another, wherein a center opening is formed to receive a light therein to generate a 360° light distribution pattern.
It is an additional aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a fixture in conjunction with the 360° light pattern so that all light emanating therefrom is directed downwardly.
It is still yet another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a pair of circular rods with alight source therebetween and, if desired, light sources above the rods so that the resulting housing emanates light from each side and downwardly through the lens assembly.
It is still yet a further aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a triple beam lighting apparatus, wherein a single light is positioned adjacent three circular rods, wherein one rod generates a single outward beam and the other two circular rods emanate light beams which may be re-directed outward by a reflective assembly.
It is yet an additional aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to include an adjustment assembly to adjust the position of each mirror in the reflective assembly to form a desired projected light pattern.
It is another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide the adjustment assembly with an adjustment knob with a spring-biased set pin to allow for selective adjustment of the knob to control the positioning of the mirrors and thus, the output of the triple beam lighting apparatus.
It is yet another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a brush bar lighting apparatus with opposed mounting brackets which carry a tube therebetween, wherein the tube receives a circular glass rod and wherein the tube has openings opposite light sources which project light beams through the openings.
It is still another aspect of the present invention, as set forth above, to provide a driving circuit which converts a DC power supply to an AC voltage which is then stepped to an appropriate voltage to operate a lamp that is positioned adjacent the circular rod lens assembly.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention, which shall become apparent as the detailed description proceeds, are achieved by a lighting apparatus, comprising a housing, at least one lens assembly carried by the housing, the lens having opposed convex surfaces separated by a radial distance greater than or equal to a radius of the convex surfaces, and at least one light carried by the housing, the light positioned adjacent one of the convex surfaces and projecting a high-intensity light beam from the other convex surface.
These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
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O'Shea Sandra
Renner Kenner Greive Bobak Taylor & Weber
Sawhney Hargobind S.
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