Illumination – With static structure – Staircase
Reissue Patent
1999-07-15
2001-03-27
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With static structure
Staircase
C362S245000, C362S247000, C362S249070
Reissue Patent
active
RE037113
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to lighting systems, and more particularly to step lighting for stairway steps for providing light directed upwardly and downwardly from a single lighting system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various forms of lighting systems have been devised for lighting aisles, stairs, floors, ceilings, and the like. Typically, low voltage string lighting systems are used which incorporate an incandescent or LED lighting strip having a number of spaced light bulbs or light sources.
In the case of steps and stairs, typically one or more stair “nosing” strips are provided at the edge or “nose” of each stair. For a number of years these devices have been provided for illuminating either upwardly from the forward edge of the stair or downwardly onto the riser and/or the next lower step so that the edge of each stair is illuminated whether one is walking up or down the stairway. Lighting systems of this nature are particularly desirable and useful in environments where the lighting level is low, such as in motion picture theaters and the like. With the advent of “stadium” type seating in motion picture theaters, stairs are more common in these theaters today, thereby creating a further need for suitable stair edge nose lighting.
Various forms of extrusions, either of metal such as aluminum, or plastic have been devised for holding a string of spaced light sources on a stair nose for either illumination upwardly or downwardly, or both. Typical lighting systems of this nature for illuminating both upwardly and downwardly involve either an extrusion for containing two sets of lights, or plural extrusions which are joined together with each holding a set of lights, for providing the upward and downward lighting. Generally, these lighting systems are relatively complicated to because of the dual lighting systems involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved step lighting system for the stair edge or nose, and wherein a single lighting string provides both the upward and downward illumination. In one embodiment, a combined lens and reflector is provided to allow light from a string of lights to be reflected upwardly and light from that string to impinge through the lens downwardly toward the riser and/or step below. In another embodiment, the extrusion houses a prism-type lens assembly for directing light both upwardly and downwardly. In another embodiment, the extrusion houses a dual reflector system for reflecting light from a light string both upwardly and downwardly. In a still further and preferred embodiment, the extension houses a lens and prism-type lens assembly for directing light both upwardly and downwardly but with improved downward illumination. In each instance, the extrusion may include slots at either end thereof for receiving the ends of carpet, such as carpet on the step and carpet on the riser.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting system.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved step nose lighting system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a single extrusion for a stair nose for holding a light directing member for directing light from a single string of lights both upwardly and downwardly from the vicinity of a stair edge.
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Cariaso Alan
Lyon & Lyon LLP
Shimada Enterprises Inc.
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