Cable grid spectral lighting system

• US 6,347,877 B1
• Filed: 08/10/1998
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myrl Rae Ii Douglass
• Original Assignee: Myrl Rae Ii Douglass
• Inventors: Douglass, Myrl Rae II
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/131,964
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 362/811, 362/86, 362/87, 362/226, 362/391, 362/299, 362/300, 362/301, 362/302, 362/304, 362/294, 362/282, 362/322, 362/277, 362/319, 362/147, 359/367, 359/572
• US Class Current: 362/147
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• 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 8/02 of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/04 intended only for mounting on a ceiling or the like overhead structures F21S8/02 takes precedence; details of ceiling bases F21V21/03
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/811 Psychedelic lighting

Abstract

An apparatus consisting of a cable grid system for lighting in which a light can be positioned at any location on a ceiling. Optionally, the light fixtures can include a diffraction grating reflector (such as a music CD) to reflect light patterns onto the ceiling from a light source which is preferably a point source. Also, light fixtures with diffraction grating reflectors could be mounted on a wall, table, or on the ceiling without using a cable grid system.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a light source having light beams emanating therefrom;

a diffraction means for diffracting some of the light from the light source into colored light, the diffraction means having a plane;

directing means for directing some of the colored light onto a ceiling or a wall; and

means for varying the angle between the plane of the diffraction means and the light beams emanating from the light source.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the diffraction means comprises a CD or a laser disk.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising means for varying the distance between the diffraction means and the light source.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the directing means includes mounting means for mounting the light source on a wall, ceiling, or table.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising means for placing the diffraction means at an acute enough angle to the light source so that white light produced by the light source and the diffraction means can be substantially completely separated from the colored light produced by the light source and the diffraction means.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a reflector on which the diffraction means is mounted and means for curving the surface of the reflector to focus and intensify the display of colored light produced by the light source and the diffraction means.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising means of attachment to a mobile lighting apparatus to animate the display of rainbow light produced by the light source and the diffraction means.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the diffraction means is transmissive.

9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the diffraction means is reflective.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the light source comprises an MR11 or an MR16 low voltage spot light.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

the diffraction means is attached to the light source.

12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

wherein the directing means includes mounting means for mounting the light source on a wall.

13. The lighting system of claim 12, further comprising the wall.

14. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein:

wherein the directing means includes mounting means for mounting the light source on a ceiling.

15. The lighting system of claim 14, further comprising the ceiling.

16. A lighting system comprising:

a light source;

diffraction means for diffracting some of the light from the light source; and

a head of a drum or similar membrane that can be flexed upon impact to curve the surface of the diffraction means, the diffraction means being mounted on the head of a drum or similar membrane that can be flexed upon impact.

17. The lighting system of claim 16, wherein:

the diffraction means includes a diffraction grating.

18. A lighting system comprising:

a light source;

a diffraction means for diffracting some of the light from the light source into colored light;

directing means for directing some of the colored light onto a ceiling or a wall; and

a reflector on which the diffraction means is mounted and means for curving the surface of the reflector to focus and intensify the display of colored light produced by the light source and the diffraction means.