OVERHEAD SUPPORT SYSTEM HAVING ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING ELEMENTS

• US 20150055323A1
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Huntair Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Schreiber, Kevin Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,310,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/06 by suspension
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/205 for operating theatres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/078 combined with lighting fixtures

Abstract

An overhead support system is configured to be positioned within a room. The system may include a main housing that includes at least a portion of an air-delivery sub-system, a plurality of lighting elements secured to the main housing, a light control unit in communication with each of the plurality of lighting elements, and a light operation interface in communication with the light control unit. Each of the plurality of lighting elements is configured to move relative to the main housing. The light control unit controls operation of each of the plurality of lighting elements. The light operation interface is configured to be used to move the plurality of lighting elements relative to the main housing to focus emitted light on a target location within the room.

Claims

1. An overhead support system configured to be positioned within a room, the system comprising:

a main housing comprising at least a portion of an air-delivery sub-system that is configured to deliver air to the room, the main housing configured to secure a plurality of lighting elements in a manner permitting movement of each of the plurality of lighting elements relative to the main housing;

a light control unit configured to be in communication with each of the plurality of lighting elements, wherein the light control unit is configured to control operation of each of the plurality of lighting elements; and

a light operation interface in communication with the light control unit, wherein the light operation interface is configured to be used to move the plurality of lighting elements relative to the main housing to focus emitted light on a target location within the room.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a moveable boom connected to the light operation interface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises a handheld device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the main housing is configured to be suspended from a ceiling of the room.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the main housing further comprises at least one air delivery panel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lighting elements comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface is configured to allow one or both of a light color or light intensity of the plurality of lighting elements to be adjusted.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises one or more light-focusing direction buttons configured to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises at least one rotary button configured to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises a joystick configured to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises a touch screen display showing a representation of a room, and wherein the touch screen display is configured to be engaged to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements within the room.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises an aiming device configured to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises a position detector and a locating device, wherein the position detector is configured to detect a position of the locating device, and wherein the control unit is configured to control movement of the plurality of lighting elements based on the detected position of the locating device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the light operation interface comprises a position and motion detector, wherein the position and motion detector is configured to detect a position and motion of a physiological structure, and wherein the control unit is configured to control movement of the plurality of lighting elements based on the detected position and motion of the physiological structure.

15. A method of focusing emitted light within a room through an overhead support system including a main housing that contains at least a portion of an air delivery sub-system, and a plurality of lighting elements secured to the main housing, wherein each of the plurality of lighting elements is configured to move relative to the main housing, the method comprising:

directing airflow through the air delivery sub-system of the overhead support system;

controlling operation of each of the plurality of lighting elements with a light control unit; and

engaging a light operation interface that is in communication with the light control unit to move the plurality of lighting elements relative to the main housing to focus emitted light on a target location within the room.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising suspending the main housing from a ceiling of the room.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting a light color or light intensity of the plurality of lighting elements through the light operation interface.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises engaging one or more light-focusing direction buttons to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises engaging at least one rotary button to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises engaging a joystick to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises engaging a touch screen display to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises moving an aiming device to direct movement of the plurality of lighting elements.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises:

detecting a position of a locating device, and

controlling movement of the plurality of lighting elements based on the detected position of the locating device.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging a light operation interface comprises:

detecting a position and motion of a physiological structure, and

controlling movement of the plurality of lighting elements based on the detected position and motion of the physiological structure.