Portable, adaptable set lighting system

• US 6,676,275 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Farsight LLC
• Original Assignee: Farsight LLC
• Inventors: Westhofen, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US09/835,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 362/233, 362/85, 362/383, 362/384, 362/386, 362/285, 362/486, 362/459, 362/543, 362/249, 362/252, 340/332, 315/316, 526/34, 526/41
• US Class Current: 362/249.01
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/04 carried on wheeled supports
• 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 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios

Abstract

A portable, adaptable, modular lighting system for use in television and movie sets and locations, and other similar applications is described. The system comprises a horizontal framework that is disposed on a plurality of vertical members in such a way as to allow the framework to move up and down relative to the vertical members. Lights, lighting fixtures, and other similar fixtures are attached to the framework in such a way as to enable the system to be remotely controlled. Specifically, in an embodiment of the invention, the lights, fixtures, and/or framework are computer controlled. As such, the operation, intensity, angle, height, and other similar specifications of the system can be pre-programmed, and the rig remotely operated, as needed. The system is portable, as the vertical members are equipped with moving means, such as rollers, that allow the entire rig to be moved from one set to another. The system suggests and embodies an “assembly-line production” process in which sets are separately constructed to allow the rig to move between and among them.

Claims

1. A set lighting system, comprising:

a horizontal framework connected to a plurality of vertical members having upper and lower ends;

means coupled to said lower ends for moving the system;

a plurality of fixtures connected to the framework;

means for controlling the operation of said fixtures; and

a digital processor in electronic communication with the controlling means, wherein

the digital processor has programmable means so as to allow pre-programming of an operation of said fixtures;

the digital processor is adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures;

the means for moving are in contact with the ground during use of the system; and

the framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above the set during use of the system.

2. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein the fixtures include at least two members chosen from the group consisting of lights and lighting fixtures.

3. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein the framework is configured to be vertically moveable with respect to the vertical members.

4. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein the framework includes at least one extension arm configured to support at least one backdrop light.

5. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting system is used with sets that are individually constructed to allow movement of the set lighting system between and among the sets.

24. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein said fixtures are chosen from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

25. The set lighting system of claim 1, wherein said lighting system is configured to be used with a plurality of sets that are constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving means.

26. The set lighting system of claim 25, wherein said plurality of sets are constructed so as to have no shared walls.

27. The set lighting system of claim 3, further including means for adjusting the height of said framework.

6. A set lighting system comprising:

a horizontal framework connected to a plurality of vertical members having upper and lower ends;

a moving member coupled to each of said lower ends to move the system;

a plurality of controllable fixtures connected to the framework; and

a digital processor in electronic communication with the fixtures, wherein

the digital processor has programmable means so as to allow pre-programming of an operation of said fixtures;

the digital processor is adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures;

the moving members are supported by a horizontal surface during use of the system; and

the framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above the set during use of the system.

7. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the fixtures are angled or turned on and off.

8. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the fixtures include at least two members chosen from the group consisting of lights and lighting fixtures.

9. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the framework is configured to be vertically moveable with respect to the vertical members.

10. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the horizontal surface is the ground.

11. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the framework includes at least one extension arm configured to support at least one backdrop light.

12. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein the lighting system is used with sets that are individually constructed to allow movement of the set lighting system between and among the sets.

28. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein said fixtures are chosen from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

29. The set lighting system of claim 6, wherein said lighting system is configured to be used with a plurality of sets that are constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

30. The set lighting system of claim 29, wherein said plurality of sets are constructed so as to have no shared walls.

31. The set lighting system of claim 9, further including means for adjusting the height of said framework.

13. A process for lighting multiple sets, the process comprising:

providing a lighting rig system having;

a horizontal framework connected to a plurality of vertical members having upper and lower ends;

a moving member coupled to each of said lower ends to move the system;

a plurality of controllable fixtures connected to the framework; and

a digital processor in electronic communication with the fixtures wherein

the digital processor has programmable means so as to allow pre-programming of an operation of said fixtures;

the digital processor is adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures;

the moving members are supported by a horizontal surface during use of the system; and

the framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above the set during use of the system;

moving the rig to a first location;

adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a first desired lighting effect;

moving the rig to at least a second location; and

adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a second desired lighting effect.

14. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein the fixtures are adjusted both in terms of location on the framework and in terms of intensity.

15. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein the framework includes at least one extension arm configured to support at least one backdrop light.

16. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein the first location is a first set.

17. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein the second location is a second set.

32. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein said fixtures are chosen from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

33. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, wherein said multiple sets are constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

34. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 33, wherein said multiple sets have no shared walls.

35. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 34, wherein said multiple sets are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a circle, a square, and straight rows.

36. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members so as to achieve said first desired lighting effect.

37. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 13, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members so as to achieve said second desired lighting effect.

18. A process for lighting multiple sets, the process comprising:

providing a lighting rig system having;

a moving member coupled to each of said lower ends to move the system;

a plurality of controllable fixtures connected to the framework; and

a digital processor in electronic communication with the fixtures, wherein

the digital processor has programmable means so as to allow pre-programming of an operation of said fixtures;

the digital processor is adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures;

the moving members are supported by a horizontal surface during use of the system; and

the framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above the set during use of the system;

moving the rig to a first location;

adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a first desired lighting effect;

moving the rig to at least a second location; and

adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a second desired lighting effect.

19. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein the horizontal surface is the ground.

20. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein the fixtures are moveably joined to the framework.

21. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein the framework includes at least one extension arm configured to support at least one backdrop light.

22. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein the first location is a first set.

23. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein the second location is a second set.

38. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein said fixtures are chosen from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

39. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, wherein said multiple sets are constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

40. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 39, wherein said multiple sets have no shared walls.

41. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 40, wherein said multiple sets are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a circle, a square, and straight rows.

42. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members for use in said first location.

43. The process for lighting multiple sets of claim 18, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members for use in said second location.

44. A set lighting and production process comprising:

(a) providing a set lighting system having;

(1) a horizontal framework connected to a plurality of vertical members having upper and lower ends;

(2) means coupled to said lower ends for moving the system;

(3) a plurality of controllable fixtures connected to the framework; and

(4) a digital processor in electronic communication with the fixtures, wherein

(i) the digital processor has programmable means so as to allow pre-programming of an operation of said fixtures; and

(ii) the digital processor is adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures;

(b) providing a plurality of sets in a single location, said sets being arranged so as to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets;

(c) operating the moving means to move the lighting system to a first one of said plurality of sets for a first use therein, wherein, during said first use, the lighting system is movably stationed on the ground, the moving means is in contact with the ground, and the horizontal framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above said first set; and

(d) upon completion of said first use, operating the moving means to move the lighting system to a second one of said plurality of sets for a second use therein, wherein, during said second use, the lighting system is movably stationed on the ground, the moving means is in contact with the ground, and the horizontal framework is configured to be supported by said plurality of vertical members without being suspended from above said second set.

45. The process of claim 44, wherein the plurality of sets are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a circle, a square, and straight rows.

46. The process of claim 45, wherein said plurality of sets are constructed so as to have no shared walls.

47. The process of claim 44, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members before at least one of said first use and said second use.

48. The process of claim 44, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members after at least one of said first use and said second use.

49. The process of claim 44, wherein said fixtures are chosen from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

50. The process of claim 44, further including adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a first desired lighting effect for said first use, and adjusting the fixtures so as to achieve a second desired lighting effect for said second use.

51. The process of claim 44, wherein a plurality of set lighting systems are placed adjacent to one another for at least one of said first use and said second use.