Low-temperature theatrical lighting system

• US 6,203,172 B1
• Filed: 07/27/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PS Production Services Ltd. (SIM Digital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PS Production Services Ltd. (SIM Digital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wanuch, Arthur Paul, Mosicki, Larry Stan
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/361,522
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 362/269, 362/319, 362/367, 362/260, 362/225, 362/251
• US Class Current: 362/260
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios

Abstract

A low-temperature theatrical lighting system consists of a rectangular frame structure having a pair of opposing tubular frame members; and a number of fluorescent lamps extending in parallel to each other between the frame members. Each frame member includes a number of fluorescent lamp sockets, and each fluorescent lamp is connected to an opposing pair of lamp sockets. The lighting system also includes a fluorescent lamp ballast assembly disposed within at least one of the frame members. The lamp ballast assembly is electrically connected to the lamp sockets and controls the intensity of light emitted from the fluorescent lamps.

Claims

1. A low-temperature theatrical lighting system comprising:

a frame structure comprising (i) a windows (ii) a first pair of opposing tubular frame members, and (iii) a second pair of opposing frame members secured to the first pair frame of members, the frame members being disposed along a perimeter of the window;

a plurality of fluorescent lamp sockets secured to each said frame member of the first pair of frame members;

a plurality of fluorescent lamps disposed within the window, each said fluorescent lamp extending parallel to one another and being connected to an opposing pair of the fluorescent lamp sockets;

a plurality of dimmable electronic ballasts disposed within each said frame member of the first pair of tubular frame members for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the fluorescent lamps, each said ballast being electrically connected to a non-adjacent pair of the fluorescent lamp sockets; and

a reflective panel removable secured to the frame members for selectively directing a beam of light emitted from the fluorescent bulbs, each said frame member of the second pair of frame members including a pivot for allowing the frame structure to pivot freely about an axis for directing the beam of light emitted.

2. The lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the lighting system includes a ballast control system coupled to the ballasts for controlling the ballasts disposed within one of the frame members of the first pair of frame members independently of the ballasts disposed within the other of the frame members of the first pair of frame members.

3. A low-temperature theatrical light housing comprising:

a frame structure comprising (i) a window, (ii) a first pair of opposing tubular frame members, and (iii) a second pair of opposing frame members secured to the first pair frame of members, the frame members being disposed along a perimeter of the window;

a plurality of fluorescent lamp sockets secured to each said frame member of the first pair of frame members for receiving a plurality of fluorescent lamps therein,

a plurality of dimmable electronic ballasts disposed within each said frame member of the first pair of tubular frame members for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the fluorescent lamps, each said ballast being electrically connected to a non-adjacent pair of the fluorescent lamp sockets; and

a reflective panel removable secured to the frame members for selectively directing a beam of light emitted from the fluorescent bulbs, each said frame member of the second pair of frame members including a pivot for allowing the frame structure to pivot freely about an axis for directing the beam of light emitted.

4. The lighting system according to claim 3, wherein the lighting system includes a ballast control system coupled to the ballasts for controlling the ballasts disposed within one of the frame members of the first pair of frame members independently of the ballasts disposed within the other of the frame members of the first pair of frame members.