Horizontally and vertically adjustable lighting system and method

• US 7,033,044 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Farsight LLC
• Original Assignee: Farsight LLC
• Inventors: Griffin, Mary
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Jason
• Application Number:
  US10/688,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20050083690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 362/85, 362219-220, 362232-233, 362249-250, 362269-272, 362/277, 362282-284
• US Class Current: 362/249.08
• 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: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

A moveable, adjustable lighting system for use in television/movie sets and locations, and other similar indoor/outdoor applications comprises at least one horizontal framework that is disposed on a plurality of vertical members in such a way as to allow the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the system, as well as the individual lights and fixtures within the system to be adjusted and adapted to the requirements of a specific set. Lights, lighting fixtures, and other similar fixtures are connected in such a way as to enable them and/or the dimensions of the system to be remotely controlled. 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. An adjustable lighting system, comprising:

a first 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 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 vertical members are horizontally moveable with respect to the framework so as to allow adjustment of the horizontal dimensions of the framework;

the moving members are in contact with a horizontal surface during use of the system; and

the framework is supported solely by said plurality of vertical members during use of the system.

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

3. The lighting system of claim 2, further including means for adjusting the height of said framework.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, further including means for adjusting the horizontal dimensions of said framework.

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

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

7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of sets is constructed so as to have no shared walls.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, further including a second horizontal framework connected to said plurality of vertical members and disposed at a vertical distance from the first horizontal framework.

9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the second framework is horizontally adjustable, a plurality of controllable fixtures are connected to the second horizontal framework, the lighting system further includes a digital processor adapted to remotely control the operation of said fixtures, and the fixtures are selected from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein said first and second frameworks are configured to be vertically moveable with respect to the vertical members and the lighting system includes means for adjusting the height of each of said frameworks.

11. The set lighting system of claim 8, wherein said lighting system is configured to be used with a plurality of sets that is constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein said plurality of sets is constructed so as to have no shared walls.

13. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the horizontal surface is the ground.

14. An adjustable lighting system, comprising:

at least two horizontal frameworks 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 fixtures connected to at least one of the frameworks;

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 moving members are in contact with a horizontal surface during use of the system; and

the frameworks are supported solely by said plurality of vertical members during use of the system.

15. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein the horizontal frameworks are configured to be vertically moveable with respect to the vertical members.

16. The lighting system of claim 15, further including means for adjusting the height of each of the frameworks.

17. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein said vertical members are horizontally moveable with respect to the frameworks so as to allow adjustment of the horizontal dimensions of the frameworks.

18. The lighting system of claim 17, further including means for adjusting the horizontal dimensions of each of the frameworks.

19. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein the fixtures are selected from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

20. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein said lighting system is configured to be used with a plurality of sets that is constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

21. The lighting system of claim 20, wherein said plurality of sets is constructed so as to have no shared walls.

22. The lighting system of claim 14, wherein the horizontal surface is the ground.

23. A set lighting and production process comprising:

(a) providing a lighting system having;

(1) a first horizontal framework connected to a plurality of vertical members having upper and lower ends, said vertical members being horizontally moveable with respect to the framework so as to allow adjustment of the horizontal dimensions of the framework;

(2) moving 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 and 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 supported solely by said plurality of vertical members; 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 supported solely by said plurality of vertical members.

24. The process of claim 23, further including horizontally moving the vertical members with respect to the framework so as to adjust the horizontal dimensions of the framework before at least one of said first use and said second use.

25. The process of claim 23, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members before at least one of said first use and said second use.

26. The process of claim 23, wherein the plurality of sets is arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a circle, a square, and straight rows.

27. The process of claim 26, wherein said plurality of sets is constructed so as to have no shared walls.

28. The process of claim 23, wherein said fixtures are selected from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

29. The process of claim 23, 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.

30. The process of claim 23, wherein a plurality of lighting systems are placed adjacent to one another for at least one of said first use and said second use.

31. The process of claim 23, wherein said lighting system includes a second horizontal framework connected to said plurality of vertical members and disposed at a vertical distance from the first horizontal framework.

32. The process of claim 31, further including vertically adjusting at least one of said first and second frameworks with respect to the vertical members before at least one of said first use and said second use.

33. The process of claim 31, further including horizontally moving the vertical members with respect to the frameworks so as to adjust the horizontal dimensions of the frameworks before at least one of said first use and said second use.

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

providing a lighting system having;

a first 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 vertical members are horizontally moveable with respect to the framework so as to allow adjustment of the horizontal dimensions of the framework;

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

the framework is supported solely by said plurality of vertical members 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.

35. The process of claim 34, further including horizontally moving the vertical members with respect to the framework so as to adjust the horizontal dimensions of the framework.

36. The process of claim 34, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members so as to achieve said first desired lighting effect.

37. The process of claim 34, further including vertically adjusting the framework with respect to the vertical members so as to achieve said second desired lighting effect.

38. The process of claim 34, wherein the framework includes at least one extension arm configured to support at least one backdrop light.

39. The process of claim 34, wherein the first location is a first set.

40. The process of claim 34, wherein the second location is a second set.

41. The process of claim 34, wherein said fixtures are selected from the group consisting of lights, lighting fixtures, backdrops, screens, blinds, shades, drapes, and combinations thereof.

42. The process of claim 34, wherein said multiple sets are constructed to allow movement of the lighting system between and among the sets with said moving members.

43. The process of claim 42, wherein said multiple sets have no shared walls.

44. The process of claim 43, wherein said multiple sets are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of a circle, a square, and straight rows.

45. The process of claim 34, wherein the horizontal surface is the ground.

46. The process of claim 34, wherein said lighting system includes a second horizontal framework connected to said plurality of vertical members and disposed at a vertical distance from the first horizontal framework.

47. The process of claim 46, further including vertically adjusting at least one of said first and second frameworks with respect to the vertical members to achieve at least one of said first and second desired lighting effects.

48. The process of claim 46, further including horizontally moving the vertical members with respect to the frameworks so as to adjust the horizontal dimensions of the frameworks.