INTERCHANGEABLE LIGHT EFFECTS

• US 20090122548A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman Professional Denmark ApS. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Martin Professional A/S (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: DALSGAARD, Carsten
• Granted Patent: US 7,703,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/282
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/002 with provision for interchangeability, i.e. component parts being especially adapted to be replaced by another part with the same or a different function F21V17/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios

Abstract

A light effect system includes a light source and one or more aperture elements interposed between the light source and an exit lens of the system. The aperture element comprises at least one aperture and at least one light effect element positioned therein. This invention concerns a system where the aperture element comprises at least two “fingers” partly surrounding each light effect element in at least 180° of the circumference. These snapping “fingers” engage with the contour of the outer surface of the said light effect element in order to hold the light effect element in position in the aperture, and the said fingers are formed of a flexible material. Hereby, it is achieved that the locking and releasing of the light effect component can be done by push and pull in an ideal perpendicular direction to the light path. In other words, no angling, bending or twisting is necessary, so a minimum of space is required.

Claims

1. A light effect system comprising at least one light source, which light source generates a beam of light, which beam of light is passing through a lens system which light effect system comprises at least one aperture element which aperture element comprises at least one aperture, which aperture element comprises at least one light effect element, where said aperture element comprises

at least two fingers partly surrounding each light effect element in at least 180°

of the circumference,

the said fingers engage with the contour of the outer surface of the said light effect element in order to hold the light effect element in position in the aperture,

and the said fingers are formed of a flexible material

2. The light effect system of claim 1 wherein the light effect element comprises a groove for accommodating the fingers.

3. The light effect system of claim 1 wherein the fingers comprise a groove, the said groove accommodating a flange on the light effect element.

4. The light effect system of claim 2 wherein each light effect element comprises

a bearing assembly, the said bearing assembly comprising an outer element relatively engaging with the fingers and an inner rotatable element comprising means for attachment of optical components and comprising a toothed flange.

5. The light effect system of claim 3 wherein each light effect element comprises

a bearing assembly, the said bearing assembly comprising an outer element relatively engaging with the fingers and an inner rotatable element comprising means for attachment of optical components and comprising a toothed flange.

6. The light effect system according to claim 1 wherein light effect elements are positioned in a circle around a rotating centre, the said centre comprising a sun gear independently rotatable from the aperture element, and the said centre sun gear engaging the said toothed flanges.

7. The light effect system according to any of the claims 4 or 5 wherein the light effect elements are positioned in a straight line.

8. The light effect system of claim 1, where the fingers are engaged with the outer contour of the light effect element in three positions, which positions are spread in at least 108 degrees of the circumference of the light effect element.

9. The light effect system of claim 1, where the fingers are formed of a wire folded into the form of the fingers, which fingers partly surround each light effect element in at least 180°

of the circumference.

10. A method for interchanging light effect elements in a lighting fixture in which light fixture a beam of light is generated by a light source, which beam of light is passing through a lens system where the light beam is further passing through a light effect element which light effect element is placed in an aperture, where the said light effect element is removed and repositioned from outside the light fixture in a direction completely or nearly parallel to the plane of the aperture element without bending or twisting the light effect element and without removing or touching any other parts than the light effect element itself.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the said light effect element is fixed inside the aperture element by at least two fingers, made of a flexible material, which surround more than 180°

of the circumference of the light effect element.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein a plurality of aperture elements and light effect elements are positioned rotatable in a circle around the centre of a wheel, and the said light effect elements comprise optical components.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the said light effect elements are rotatable in a bearing, where the bearing has an outer element fixed by fingers and an inner freely rotatable light effect element rotated by a toothed flange.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the said toothed flanges engages with a centre sun gear, the said centre sun gear rotating independently of the aperture element.