Illumination – Light source and modifier – Including reflector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-20
2001-04-17
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Including reflector
C362S518000, C362S302000, C362S346000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217196
ABSTRACT:
The invention generally relates to a strobe light system. More particularly, the invention is a strobe warning light system that incorporates a unique reflector that enhances light distribution for wall mounted application.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Strobe lights have been widely employed in warning systems such as fire warning systems, security systems and the like. In fact, regulations and standards, e.g., from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), have been established to define various requirements, e.g., strobe frequency and light output.
One important requirement is the light output, which can be satisfied by increasing the intensity of the strobe lamp or by incorporating additional strobe lamps, as necessary. Unfortunately, warning systems are typically operated by battery sources, where an increase in the light output of the strobe lamp or the quantity of strobe lamps will reduce the operating time of the warning systems.
To address this criticality, unique reflectors have been implemented to redirect the light output of the strobe lamp to enhance light distribution without the need to increase the overall light output of the strobe lamp. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,259 issued on Sept. 13, 1994 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,361 issued on Dec. 12, 1995, which are owned by the assignee and herein incorporated by reference, illustrate reflectors that provide enhanced light outputs. Although these reflectors provide excellent performance when mounted to a ceiling, the light outputs from these reflectors are not maximized when mounted to a wall.
Therefore, a need exists in the art for a strobe light system that incorporates a small non-intrusive reflector for enhancing light distribution for wall mounted application, while maintaining a low current draw.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a small non-intrusive reflector that is employed within a strobe light system for enhancing light distribution for wall mounted application, while maintaining a low current draw. More specifically, the present reflector comprises a base that is co-planar with respect to a first reference plane.
In the preferred embodiment, a “top reflective section”, relative to the strobe lamp axis, e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the first reference plane. The top reflective section comprises three distinct reflective portions, a left reflective portion, a center reflective portion and a right reflective portion.
Similarly, a “bottom reflective section”, relative to the strobe lamp axis, e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the first reference plane. The bottom reflective section also comprises three distinct reflective portions, a left reflective portion, a center reflective portion and a right reflective portion.
Collectively, top section left portion and bottom section left portion provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of −60° to −90°, whereas top section right portion and bottom section right portion provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of 60° to 90°. Finally, the top section center portion and bottom section center portion provide illumination within the vertical viewing angles of 0° to −70°, and 0° to −15°, respectively. Furthermore, the top section center portion and bottom section center portion also provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of −60° to 60°.
These various portions contain panels that are uniquely designed with curvatures to direct light at various vertical and horizontal angles, without having to increase current draw. Furthermore, the present reflector meets the UL requirements while maintaining a small and non-intrusive structural configuration.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5347259 (1994-09-01), Jongewaard
patent: 5363293 (1994-11-01), Lasker
patent: 5475361 (1995-12-01), Curran et al.
Kosich Joseph
Nguyen Luy
Strome David H.
O'Shea Sandra
Thomason Moser & Patterson LLP
Tong Kin Wah
Wheelock Inc.
Zeade Bertrand
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