Illumination – With static structure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-29
2004-08-10
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With static structure
C362S812000, C362S308000, C362S223000, C040S541000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06773135
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to luminaires intended for illumination of billboards, outdoor signs and similar vertical surfaces and particularly to luminaires of increased efficiency capable of superior lighting intensities and uniform illumination with reduced light “spillage”.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Luminaires capable of illuminating vertical surfaces such as billboards and similar signs occupy a particular niche in the lighting field. Luminaires of this kind must operate in a harsh environment and be effectively impervious to the elements including rain, wind and heat. Prior luminaires developed for illumination of outdoor signs and the like have addressed the requirement that an illumination level of an intensity sufficient to allow the sign being illuminated to be viewed with comprehension from varying distances must be provided. Prior luminaires have also addressed a second requirement that such signs be illuminated to desired levels on various portions thereof to provide a desirable impression of uniformity. Prior luminaires have addressed these two requirements as fully as technology existing at the time permitted. However, as energy conservation considerations have increased in recent times, a further requirement of such luminaires has been to direct as much light as possible of the generated light onto an outdoor sign so that a maximum amount of the generated light is actually used, full utilization of the generated light typically permitting lessened light generation for a given situation with a resultant conservation of energy. In the present marketplace, energy conservation must not result in a reduction in lighting intensity and uniformity. Relatively more recent requirements relating to light “pollution” caused in part by light generated by luminaires that illuminate outdoor signs and the like have resulted in the necessity for the light generated by such luminaires be directed to the greatest degree possible onto the sign or billboard that is to be illuminated rather than “spill” about edges of such an outdoor sign, thereby producing stray light that accomplishes no function and acts to obscure the night sky. Light from such luminaires that is not focused onto the billboard or similar sign produces glare and clutter and effectively wastes energy through such inefficiency that the cost of such waste is estimated to exceed as much as one billion dollars on an annual basis. Spill light of this nature can negatively impact tasks performed near the location of an outdoor sign while contributing to “sky glow” and degrading the nocturnal environment so as to affect the quality of life in rural communities in particular as well as having a negative impact on business and recreational activities.
Luminaires employed for the illumination of outdoor signs and the like have existed for at least the better part of a century as is evidenced by existing United States patents disclosing luminaires for this very purpose. Ennever, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,187, describes a system for illumination of an outdoor display such as a billboard or similar outdoor sign, this patent describing luminaires mounted along an upper edge of a billboard and which cast light directly down onto the billboard through direct illumination as well as through reflection from a reflective structure surmounting a light source. Luminaires of the time of Ennever did not produce uniform light intensities over the full surface of a sign and were not energy efficient. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,148, Wince discloses luminaire structures having both reflective surfaces and refractive structures configured to direct light onto a particular objective as well as for general illumination. The luminaires disclosed by Wince were not particularly intended for illumination of vertical surfaces. However, the Wince patent provides a disclosure of the use of reflective surfaces and refractive structures for illumination. Odle et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,341, disclose luminaires intended for illumination of outdoor signs and the like having vertical surfaces intended to be illuminated. By the time of Odle et al, outdoor sign illumination had progressed to the point where a plurality of luminaires mounted in spaced relation to each other and spaced from the sign face to be illuminated were disposed in front of the sign and in proximity to a lower edge of the sign, light generated by the luminaires being directed at angles generally upwardly from said luminaires as opposed to the downward illumination provided by Ennever et al as mentioned above. The patent to Odle et al illustrates an intent to evenly illuminate an outdoor sign with an appropriate intensity and to produce positive side edge cut-off, that is, to minimize light passing from the luminaire and past edges of the sign, the energy generated to produce light not incident on the sign being wasted. Odle et al disclose a combination of reflective surfaces and refractor structures intended to maximize illumination of an outdoor sign given a predetermined amount of generated light. Reibling, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,657, describes luminaires intended for the illumination of outdoor signs and being capable of producing light patterns by means of combinations of reflective surface finishes on reflective surfaces of the disclosed luminaires. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,030, Hernandez discloses lighting fixtures having horizontally disposed lamps with parabolic reflectors mounted one each behind each of the lamps such that light is directed onto a surface that is to be illuminated. Hernandez discloses auxiliary reflectors in addition to a primary reflector, the combination of reflective surfaces directing light onto a surface that is to be illuminated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,239 to de Vos et al discloses a luminaire intended for illuminating roadways and the like including a reflector capable of being removed from a weather-tight housing that also mounts a light source in an operative relation with the reflector. Odle et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,875, disclose a luminaire intended for illumination of a billboard or the like, the luminaire including reflective surfaces and a light source disposed between the reflective surfaces and a surface of the sign that is to be illuminated. The Odle et al luminaire utilizes refractive structures disposed on and formed integrally with a transparent cover that also comprises a portion of a weather-tight housing. The refractive structures of Odle et al function in concert with reflective surfaces to direct light onto a vertical surface that is to be illuminated such as the face of a billboard or similar outdoor sign. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,587, Quiogue et al disclose a luminaire having both reflective surfaces and refractor structures that function cooperatively to direct light onto an objective. Hammond, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,783, discloses a reflector configured to direct light emanating from a light source to all areas of an outdoor sign to create a uniform distribution of light on the face of the sign. Light is redirected by the Hammond reflector to portions of the sign surfaces that are not evenly illuminated with an appropriate intensity by light directly incident on the face of the sign from the light source. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,935, Hammond et al disclose a lighting system for illuminating an outdoor billboard or the like formed of a number of panels. The system disclosed by Hammond et al utilizes a number of luminaires, one for each panel of the sign. Hammond et al disclose use of a metal halide lamp with reflectors fixed within a lamp housing. The reflectors are positioned behind the lamp and reflect light radiating from the lamp onto the sign surface that is to be illuminated. The reflector of Hammond et al is provided with a number of flutes or reflecting segments. U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,507 to Lasker describes lighting fixtures with directional distributions. Luminaires disclosed by Lasker are provided with a prismatic unit and a reflector unit intended to reduce the amou
Acuity Brands Inc.
Darnell Kenneth E.
Husar Stephen
Ton Anabel
LandOfFree
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