Illumination – Light fiber – rod – or pipe
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-03
2001-02-06
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light fiber, rod, or pipe
C362S282000, C362S322000, C362S576000, C362S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183120
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to lighting systems and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus which is capable of effectively controlling the divergence and directionality of a beam emanating from a light source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A significant class of illumination means are identified as a type of system used for directing beams of light from a recessed, surface mounted or suspended ceiling into a room. Many of these commonly used systems have operating disadvantages sought to be overcome by the present invention.
Common forms of light projection incorporate conventional incandescent recessed light fixtures having a substantially cylindrical form, opening into the plane of a ceiling. A bulb is recessed therein. A conventional spotlight bulb or spot lamp may be placed in the fixture as the projection source. Spot lamps are extremely inefficient using only about 25% of the energy directed into the beam. Much of the radiation produced by the source is lost within the fixture and require baffles designed to reduce peripheral glare. The radiation that does get directed out of the fixture is generally directed with a relatively narrow angular pattern. Other types of fixtures such as track systems also use inefficient spot lamps.
Some of the problems associated with the above fixtures have been overcome by the inventor's prior patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,908 entitled Architectural Member Comprising Illumination System. Although this system has solved a number of problems associated with past concerns, recent energy codes do not permit the use of multiple spot floodlighting systems. Consequently, it would be highly desirable to provide a lighting system which is capable of providing extremely efficient accent light with savings in energy and bulb replacement costs while still meeting all new energy code requirements.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is capable of controlling the divergence and directionality of light beams.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lighting system which incorporates therein a light-conveying structure terminating in a distribution system which is effective in the control of beam divergence and directionality.
It is an even further object of this invention to provide a method of controlling the divergence and directionality of a light beam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes problems associated with past lighting systems.
More specifically, the lighting system of this invention includes therein any suitable light source adjacent one end of a light conveying mechanism and a light distribution component at the other end of the conveying mechanism. The light emanating from the light source is directed through the conveying mechanism to the distribution component for output therefrom.
The uniquely designed system of this invention includes the light distribution component made up of a reflective element rotatable within a housing and a lens located within the conveying mechanism. Selective interaction between the above elements provides control over the divergence and directionality of the beam output from the system.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, references is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3848119 (1974-11-01), Masson et al.
patent: 4064425 (1977-12-01), Masson
patent: 4933813 (1990-06-01), Berger
patent: 5126923 (1992-06-01), Hall, II
patent: 5130908 (1992-07-01), Simon
patent: 5276592 (1994-01-01), Henkes
patent: 5276601 (1994-01-01), Holzhacker
patent: 5590955 (1997-01-01), Bornhorst et al.
patent: 5855427 (1999-01-01), Lassovsky
patent: 5915823 (1999-06-01), Simon
patent: 5988841 (1999-11-01), Simon
patent: 6045250 (2000-04-01), Simon
Cohen Jerry
Kaye Harvey
Perkins Smith & Cohen
Sember Thomas M.
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