Cyclorama light

• US 6,220,731 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1998
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Altman Stage Lighting Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Altman Stage Lighting Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Ryan, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/189,477
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 362/219, 362/225, 362/217, 362/282, 362/284, 362/306, 362/319, 362/322, 362/324, 362/347, 362/293, 362/345, 362/373, 362/218, 362/368, 362/367, 362/404
• US Class Current: 362/373
• 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: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/16 by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/04 with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret auxiliary devices for cleaning, placing, or removing incandescent lamps H01K3/32, fluorescent lamps H01J9/006
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/00 Safety devices structurally associated with lighting devices gas- tight or water-tight arrangements F21V31/00; in general F16P; protective circuit arrangements per se H02H7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/505 of reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/76 with essentially identical parallel planar fins or blades, e.g. with comb-like cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/83 the elements having apertures, ducts or channels, e.g. heat radiation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios

Abstract

A cyclorama light includes a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window that extends from a region proximate to the upper end of the rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of the bottom wall and generally extending between the side walls. The housing defines a housing axis generally parallel to the rear and bottom walls and normal to the side walls. An elongate reflector essentially extends between the side walls and is mounted for rotary movements about the housing axis. An elongate lamp having a lamp axis is mounted on the reflector to maintain the lamp axis substantially coextensively with the housing axis, the reflector being configured to direct light generated by the elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through the window formed in the open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of the reflector about the housing axis. A filter is provided for covering the window with a color filter material, as well as an adjustment means for selectively adjusting the rotational position of the reflector about the housing axis. The direction of projection of the light emitted from the housing can thus be modified substantially independently of the specific orientation of the housing.

Claims

1. A cyclorama light (CYC) comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp optical having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

adjustment means for selectively adjusting the rotational position of said reflector about said optical axis, whereby the direction of projection of the light emitted from said housing can be modified substantially independently of the specific orientation of said housing.

4. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising connecting means for detachably connecting two housings of two lights to each other at associated side arranged in close proximity to each other.

5. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, wherein said reflector has a paracircular configuration including a first portion having a parabolic configuration arranged with the focal point of said parabolic portion substantially coincident with said housing axis and a second portion having a circular cylindrical portion having a center of curvature at a normal distance greater than the normal distance from said parabolic focal point to the reflecting surface of said reflector.

6. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising open baffles arranged between said rear wall and upper end of said window and between said bottom wall and lower end of said window to allow circulation of cooling air past said lamp, reflector and filter means to cool same.

7. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongate lamp is mechanically supported by a pair of electrical sockets or connectors spaced from each other along said housing axis, at least one of said sockets being mounted for movement along said housing axis to change the spacing between said electrical sockets or connectors to accommodate different length lamps.

9. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising heat sink means attached to said reflector for movements therewith about said housing axis for drawing heat away from said reflector and dissipating the same, whereby said heat sink means removes heat and cools said reflector independently of the position of said reflector.

10. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising screen means including a mesh material formed of filaments arranged to provide light transmitting openings, said filaments and openings having dimensions to provide at least 90% light transmission efficiency, whereby protection against injury is provided without excessively reducing the light output of the light.

11. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising attachment means attachable to at least one of said walls of said housing for mounting the light in a sky CYC position.

12. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 1, further comprising independently adjustable legs on said bottom wall for adjusting the orientation of the light when used as a ground CYC to compensate for an uneven or non-level floor or to shift the position(s) of shadow line(s) or cut(s).

2. A cyclorama light (CYC) comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally ex tending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material;

adjustment means for selectively adjusting the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis, said adjustment means comprising a slot in said rear wall extending along a direction substantially parallel to said side walls;

a knob on the outside of said rear wall and having a shaft extending through said slot; and

an adjusting bracket on the inside of said rear wall attached to said shaft for movement with said knob, said adjusting bracket being coupled to said reflector for imparting rotary movements to said reflector with movements of said knob along said slot, whereby the direction of projection of the light emitted from said housing can be modified substantially independently of the specific orientation of said housing.

3. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjusting bracket includes a transverse linkage pin, and a reflector follower plate attached to the rear of said reflector and provided with a slot for slidably receiving said linkage pin for coupling movements of said knob to said reflector.

8. A cyclorama light (CYC) comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material;

adjustment means for selectively adjusting the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis, said filter means including a flexible filter frame having a width substantially equal to the width of said window and a predetermined height; and

retaining means for resiliently retaining said flexible filter frame in a position to cover said window when flexed to impart curvature in a plane substantially parallel to said side walls to entirely cover said window, whereby the direction of projection of the light emitted from said housing can be modified substantially independently of the specific orientation of said housing.

13. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

hinged connecting means for detachably and hingedly connecting two housings of two lights to each other at associated sides arranged in close proximity to each other.

14. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 13, wherein said connecting means comprises quick release latches on said side walls.

15. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 14, wherein at least one quick release latch is provided at each side wall proximate to said rear wall to allow a bank of lights to be arranged along a curved line in a horizontal plane.

16. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 14, wherein as least one quick release latch is provided at each side wall proximate to said bottom wall to allow a bank of lights to be arranged along a curved line in a vertical plane.

17. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 13, wherein said housing is provided with a female connecting member at one side wall and a male connecting member at the other side wall, whereby a plurality of housings can be coupled to each other to form a bank of lights.

18. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material, said reflector having a paracircular configuration including a first portion having a parabolic configuration arranged with the focal point of said parabolic portion substantially coincident with said housing axis and a second portion having a circular cylindrical portion having a center of curvature at a normal distance greater than the normal distance from said parabolic focal point to the reflecting surface of said reflector.

19. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 18, wherein said lamp is arranged with its elongate axis substantially coextensive with said focal point of said parabolic portion.

20. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

open baffles arranged between said rear wall and upper end of said window and between said bottom wall and lower end of said window to allow convection flow of cooling air past said lamp, reflector and filter means to cool same.

21. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 20, wherein said baffles are configured to form Venturis that result in low pressure conditions on the exterior of said housing in the regions where heated air within said housing moves through said Venturis to create dynamic air flow through and about said housing to remove heat therefrom.

22. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 20, wherein said baffles are formed of a plurality of transverse members of sheet material spaced from each other and from the upper end of said rear wall and a plurality of transverse members of sheet material spaced from each other and from the forward end of said bottom wall.

23. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material, said elongate lamp being mechanically supported by a pair of electrical sockets or connectors spaced from each other along said housing axis, at least one of said sockets being mounted for movement along said housing axis to b e fixed in one of a plurality of selected positions to change the spacing between said electrical sockets or connectors to accommodate different length lamps.

24. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 23, wherein said at least one of said sockets is mounted for movement to preselected positions to define preselected spacings between said sockets to accommodate standard lamp sizes.

25. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material and including a flexible filter frame having a width substantially equal to the width of said window and a predetermined height; and

retaining means for resiliently retaining said flexible filter frame in a position to cover said window when flexed to impart a curvature in a plane substantially parallel to said side walls to entirely cover said window.

26. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 25, wherein said retaining means comprises a pair of upper U-shaped retaining fingers at the upper ends of said window and a pair of lower U-shaped retaining fingers at the lower end of said window, said upper and lower positioned fingers being linearly spaced from each other a distance less than the height of said flexible filter frame, said upper and lower retaining fingers being oriented to receive the upper and lower ends of said flexible filter frame when flexed and mounted on said housing.

27. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 25, further comprising arcuate positioning means projecting inwardly from each side wall for positioning said flexible frame in a desired flexed condition.

28. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 27, wherein said positioning means comprises elongate curved bosses.

29. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 26, further comprising straight bosses on the interior surfaces of said side walls for aligning an optional flat glass color filter supported on said pair of lower U-shaped retaining fingers;

and further comprising a retaining clip including a first portion for engaging the upper edge of the flat glass color filter and a second portion attachable to said housing.

30. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

heat sink means directly attached to said reflector for movements therewith about said housing axis for drawing heat away from said reflector and dissipating the same, whereby said heat sink means removes heat and cools said reflector independently of the position of said reflector.

31. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 30, wherein said heat sink means comprises a plurality of spaced elongate substantially parallel fingers attached to the rear of said reflector.

32. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 31, wherein said fingers are attached at a point tangent to said reflector along a line substantially parallel to said housing axis.

33. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 32, wherein said tangent line substantially coincides with points along said reflector closest to said lamp corresponding to the hot spots on said reflector.

34. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

screen means mounted between said reflector and said window for preventing injury when said lamp shatters, said screen means including a mesh material formed of filaments rranged to provide light transmitting openings, said filaments and openings having dimensions to provide at least 90% light transmission efficiency, whereby protection against injury is provided without excessively reducing the light output of the light.

35. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 34, wherein said screen mesh material is formed of stainless steed expanded metal wire mesh.

36. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

attachment means attachable to at least one of said walls of said housing for mounting the light in a sky position.

37. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 36, wherein said attachment means comprises a yoke attachable to said side walls.

38. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 36, wherein said attachment means comporises brackets attachable to said side walls.

39. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 36, wherein said attachment means comprises a bracket attachable to said rear wall.

40. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 36, wherein said attachment means comprises a yoke attachable to a bank of CYC lights secured side by side to each other along a straight line.

41. A cyclorama light comprising a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls, said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls;

an elongate reflector essentially extending between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis;

an elongate lamp having a lamp axis and mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis, said reflector being configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis;

filter means for covering said window with a color filter material; and

at least three independently adjustable legs on said bottom wall for adjusting the orientation of the light when used as a ground CYC to compensate for an uneven or non-level floor or to shift the position(s) of shadow line(s).

42. A cyclorama light as defined in claim 41, wherein three legs are provided.