Angle adjustment device

• US 6,390,643 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Knight
• Original Assignee: Richard Knight
• Inventors: Knight, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US09/544,466
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249, 362/250, 362/252, 362/231, 362/800, 362/269, 362/287, 362/239, 250/239, 250/522.1
• US Class Current: 362/249.03
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2200/36 Conjoint adjustments, i.e. a mechanical link allows conjoint adjustment of several units
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/003 Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/02 with provision for adjustment, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/29 employing universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An angle adjustment device comprises a support member, a plurality of holders for light emitting or receiving devices, each holder being supported by the support member for pivoting about at least one axis and an elongate spiral element which co-operates with the holders so that when the spiral element is displaced angularly about its axis relative to the support member, each holder pivots about its said at least one axis.

Claims

1. An angle adjustment device comprising a support member, a plurality of holders for at least one of light emitting and receiving devices, each holder being supported by the support member for pivotable movement about at least one axis, and an elongate spiral element which cooperates with the holders so that when the spiral element is displaced angularly about its axis relative to the support member, each holder pivots about its said at least one axis.

2. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one axis of each holder extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to a radius extending outwardly from the axis of the spiral and through the holder.

3. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spiral element passes through an aperture in each holder or in a part connected to each holder and is slidable relative to each holder when displaced angularly.

4. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for angularly displacing the spiral element about its axis.

5. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holders are spaced apart on the support member along a spiral path.

6. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holders are spaced apart on the support member in concentric circles.

7. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each holder is connected to the support member by universal joint.

8. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 7, wherein one or more angularly displaceable members are connected to the holders so that when the angularly displaceable member(s) is/or displaced angularly relative to the support member, each holder pivots about a second axis extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to said one axis.

9. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the angularly displaceable member(s) is/are in a form of a further spiral or a plurality of spokes extending radially outwards from the axis of the first mentioned spiral.

10. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means for angularly displacing the angularly displaceable member(s) relative to the support member.

11. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light emitting devices supported by the holder.

12. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the light emitting devices are in the form of light emitting diodes.

13. An angle adjustment device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the light emitting diodes are white light emitting diodes each having red, blue and green guns.

14. An angle adjustment device a claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is capable of flexing and means are provided for flexing the support member between a planar condition and a bow-shaped or dome-shaped condition.