Means and method for highly controllable lighting of areas or objects

• US 5,906,425 A
• Filed: 01/20/1997
• Issued: 05/25/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Musco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Musco Corporation
• Inventors: Gordin, Myron K., Crookham, Joe P.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US08/781,375
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 362/153.1, 362/241, 362/249, 362/431, 362/298, 362/301
• US Class Current: 362/153.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/16 using sheets without apertures, e.g. fixed
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/16 with provision for adjusting the curvature
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/105 of arenas or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes

Abstract

A highly controllable way to light target areas includes a primary reflector which generates a defined primary beam in association with a light source. The primary beam, or at least a portion of the primary beam, is directed onto a secondary reflector which generates a secondary beam to the target space. Other options, enhancements, alternatives, and features are possibly utilized in the principles of the present invention whereby a primary light source is reflected off of a secondary reflector means. The secondary reflector can be configured in any number of contours, shapes, specularities, or other characteristics to alter and control the characteristics of the secondary beam.

Claims

1. A means for highly controllable lighting for lighting roadways and the like comprising:

a light source comprising a light producing component and a primary reflector to produce a defined primary light beam;

a secondary reflector positioned to receive at least a portion of the primary light beam and oriented to reflect at least a portion of the primary light beam in a reflected light beam;

the secondary reflector having a shape, specularity, and orientation with respect to the primary light beam to produce a desired reflected light beam having a distinct cutoff and direction the secondary reflector positioned to receive at least a portion of a light beam and oriented to reflect at least a portion of the reflected light beam onto a roadway.

2. The means of claim 1 wherein the light source and reflector are elevated relative to the roadway by a elevation member.

3. The means of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of light sources and corresponding secondary reflectors.

4. The means for claim 1 for highly controllable lighting further comprising:

said source for providing a light beam;

said secondary reflector for receiving and reflecting at least a portion of the light beam;

a second secondary reflector for receiving and reflecting light energy from the first secondary reflector.

5. The means of claim 1 for lighting a target space comprising:

said light source and said secondary reflector positioned on one side of the target space;

a second light source and reflector positioned on another side of the target space, so that controlled concentrated light beams can be directed in and through the target space from various sides of the target space.

6. A method of highly controllable lighting for lighting roadways, highways, streets, and interchanges for automotive traffic comprising:

elevating a light source above a target associated with a roadway or the like;

creating a light beam from said light source of a defined and controlled nature;

reflecting at least a portion of the light beam, the shape, size, and characteristics of the reflected beam being a function of the shape, size and characteristics of a secondary reflector used to create the reflected beam;

elevating said secondary reflector so that at least a portion of light from the light source is reflected from the secondary reflector to at least a portion of the roadway;

controlling the cutoff at the perimeter of the reflected beam as to intensity drop-off over distance.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the secondary reflector means is configured to reflect light in a direction away from drivers.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the reflector means is configured to illuminate only a specific portion of the roadway.

9. The method of claim 6 for lighting further comprising:

generating said light beam;

reflecting at least a portion of said light beam to a target area;

generating another light beam;

reflecting at least a portion of the other light beam generally oppositely or at other non-coinciding angles, across the target area.