Architectural lighting devices with photosensitive lens

• US 6,056,421 A
• Filed: 08/25/1995
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson; Michael Brian
• Original Assignee: Johnson; Michael Brian
• Inventors: Johnson, Michael Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/519,200
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 362/276, 362/293, 362/802, 362/147, 362/226, 362/260, 362/84, 362/255, 362/256, 362/1, 362/2, 359/241, 359/243, 252/586, 313/112, 313/117, 313/478, 313/479
• US Class Current: 362/293
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/003 by interposition of elements with electrically controlled variable light transmissivity, e.g. liquid crystal elements or electrochromic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/025 Associated optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 61/38 Devices for influencing the colour or wavelength of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/26 Screens; Filters associated with envelope H01K1/28

Abstract

An interior or exterior design lighting assembly with a photosensitive sheet member in spaced relation to said assembly capable of aesthetically concealing its inner componentry by having said photosensitive sheet member adapting a darkened appearance when said assembly is in its de-energized state. When the light assembly is energized said photosensitive sheet member will render its darkened state to adapt a transparent state allowing for full light transmission to occur.

Claims

1. A photosensitive interior lighting fixture which comprises:

a light source;

a housing supporting the light source; and

a photosensitive layer at least partially covering the light source, wherein the photosensitive layer is in a low transmittance state under ambient interior lighting conditions and becomes transparent upon illumination of the light source.

2. The photosensitive interior lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer is color pigmented in the low transmittance state.

3. The photosensitive interior lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein the low transmittance state is a colored appearance.

4. The photosensitive interior lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a photochromic material.

5. The photosensitive interior lighting fixture according to claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer changes from the low transmittance state to transparent as a result of infrared or electromagnetic radiation from the light source.

6. A photosensitive lighting fixture for mounting to a non-moving structure and for attachment to a source of power, the lighting fixture comprising:

a light source connected to the source of power;

a housing supporting the light source;

means for mounting the housing to the non-moving structure; and

a photosensitive layer at least partially covering the light source, wherein the photosensitive layer is in a low transmittance state under a first type of lighting condition and becomes transparent under a second type of lighting condition.

7. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 6 wherein the first type of lighting condition is ultra-violet rays.

8. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 7 wherein the low transmittance state is a colored appearance.

9. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 6 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a photochromic material.

10. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 6 wherein the second type of lighting condition is light emitted from the light source.

11. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 6 wherein the housing is a track light fixture.

12. A photosensitive lighting fixture which comprises:

a light source;

a housing supporting the light source; and

a photosensitive layer at least partially covering the light source, wherein the photosensitive layer is in a low transmittance state under a first type of lighting condition and becomes transparent upon illumination of the light source due to the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the light source.

13. The photosensitive lighting fixture according to claim 12 wherein the low transmittance state is a colored appearance.