Light diffusion and condensing fixture

• US 8,568,002 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southpac Trust International
• Original Assignee: Southpac Trust International
• Inventors: Howe, Leslie D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNWIDDIE, MEGHAN K
• Application Number:
  US12/952,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20110216521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 362/34, 362 971- 974, 362/294, 362/328, 362/330, 362/433, 362/444, 362/455, 362632-634
• US Class Current: 362/433
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/14 characterised by the properties of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/00 Ancillary operations in connection with laminating processes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/14 operating by reflection only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0221 the surface having an irregular structure G02B5/0226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0231 the surface having microprismatic or micropyramidal shape macroscopic prism arrays G02B5/045
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0278 used in transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0284 used in reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0053 Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include system apparatus for providing a light diffusion and condensing fixture. According to an example embodiment, a light fixture is configured for illuminating subjects and it includes an enclosure cavity. The enclosure defines a cavity with an opening and one or more reflective inner surfaces. The light fixture also includes a frame structure defining an optical aperture and the frame structure is disposed proximate to the opening. The light fixture also includes two or more film tensioners associated with the frame structure. The light fixture also includes at least one light source positioned between the one or more reflective surface and a plane defined by the optical aperture. The light fixture further includes at least one optical film comprising at least one lenticular lens surface and the at least one optical film is suspended substantially parallel to the optical aperture by the two or more tensioners.

Claims

1. A light fixture configured for illuminating subjects, the light fixture comprising:

an enclosure defining a cavity with an opening and one or more reflective inner surfaces;

a frame structure defining an optical aperture, wherein the frame structure is disposed proximate to the opening;

two or more film tensioners associated with the frame structure;

at least one light source positioned between the one or more reflective inner surfaces and a plane defined by the optical aperture; and

at least one optical film comprising a least one lenticular lens surface, wherein the at least one optical film is suspended substantially parallel to the plane defined by the optical aperture by the two or more film tensioners wherein the two or more film tensioners are configured to engage the at least one optical film in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap disposed between the at least one optical film and the frame structure, and wherein the at least one optical film substantially covers the optical aperture and provides a continuous periphery defined by the frame structure.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical film comprises at least two optical films suspended by the two or more film tensioners in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap between the at least two optical films.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the film tensioners are adjustable.

4. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising two or more corners in the frame structure, and wherein the two or more adjustable film tensioners engage the at least one optical film in the two or more corners.

5. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises one or more of a fluorescent source, light emitting diode source, incandescent source, electroluminescent source, or chemiluminescent source.

6. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical film further comprises at least one diffusion surface or diffusion film.

7. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the one or more reflective inner surfaces reflect about 80% to about 100% of incident light, and wherein the incident light is reflected in a substantially diffuse lambertian reflectance distribution pattern.

8. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the light fixture further includes one or more cooling fans.

9. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the a least one lenticular lens surface is configured for condensing or focusing at least a portion of the light generated by the light source or light reflected from the one or more reflective inner surfaces.

10. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical film is secured to the frame structure or film tensioners with four or more clamping devices.

11. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is removable from the enclosure.

12. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the a least one lenticular lens surface comprises a first lenticular lens surface and a second lenticular lens surface disposed adjacent to one another, such that an axis of alignment of the second lenticular lens is perpendicular to an axis of alignment of the first lenticular lens surface.

13. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the lenticular lens surface comprises triangular prisms.

14. A retrofit lighting apparatus for attaching to a light fixture and configured for modifying light from the light fixture, the retrofit lighting apparatus comprising:

a frame structure comprising;

an optical aperture defined by at least a portion of the frame structure;

two or more film tensioners associated with the frame structure; and

one or more reflective inner surfaces disposed adjacent to the frame structure; and

at least one optical film comprising a least one lenticular lens surface, wherein the at least one optical film is suspended substantially parallel to a plane defined by the optical aperture by the two or more film tensioners wherein the two or more film tensioners are configured to engage the at least one optical film in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap disposed between the at least one optical film and the frame structure, and wherein the at least one optical film substantially covers the optical aperture and provides a continuous periphery defined by the frame structure.

15. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one optical film comprises at least two optical films suspended by the two or more film tensioners in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap between the at least two optical films.

16. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the film tensioners are adjustable.

17. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, further comprising two or more corners in the frame structure, and wherein the two or more film tensioners engage the at least one optical film in the two or more corners.

18. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one light source comprises one or more of a fluorescent source, light emitting diode source, incandescent source, electroluminescent source, or chemiluminescent source.

19. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one optical film further comprises at least one diffusion surface or diffusion film.

20. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more reflective inner surfaces reflect about 80% to about 100% of incident light, and wherein the incident light is reflected in a substantially diffuse lambertian reflectance distribution pattern.

21. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the light fixture further includes one or more cooling fans.

22. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the a least one lenticular lens surface is configured for condensing or focusing at least a portion of the light generated by the light source or light reflected from the one or more reflective inner surfaces.

23. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one optical film is secured to the frame structure or film tensioners with four or more clamping devices.

24. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the frame structure is removable from the enclosure.

25. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the a least one lenticular lens surface comprises a first lenticular lens surface and a second lenticular lens surface disposed adjacent to one another, such that an axis of alignment of the second lenticular lens is perpendicular to an axis of alignment of the first lenticular lens surface.

26. The retrofit lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lenticular lens surface comprises triangular prisms.

27. A frame structure comprising:

two or more corners;

an optical aperture defined by at least a portion of the frame structure;

at least one optical film; and

two or more adjustable film tensioners integrated into the frame structure wherein the two or more film tensioners are configured to engage the at least one optical film in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap disposed between the at least one optical film and the frame structure, and wherein the at least one optical film substantially covers the optical aperture and provides a continuous periphery defined by the frame structure.

28. The frame structure of claim 27, wherein the two or more adjustable film tensioners are integrated into the two or more corners of the frame structure and engage the at least one optical film in the two or more corners.

29. The frame structure of claim 27, further comprising two or more side frame members, wherein the two or more adjustable film tensioners are integrated into the two or more side frame members, and wherein the frame structure further comprising at least two optical films suspended by the two or more film tensioners in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap disposed between the at least two optical films, and wherein the two or more film tensioners are configured to engage the at least one optical film with substantially no gap disposed between the at least one optical film and the frame structure.

30. A light fixture configured for illuminating subjects, the light fixture comprising:

an enclosure cavity with an opening and one or more reflective inner surfaces;

a frame structure defining an optical aperture, wherein the frame structure is disposed proximate to the opening;

at least one light source positioned between the one or more reflective inner surfaces and a plane defined by the optical aperture; and

at least one optical film, wherein the at least one optical film is suspended or supported substantially parallel to or covering the optical aperture, wherein the two or more film tensioners are configured to engage the at least one optical film in a substantially flat configuration with substantially no gap disposed between the at least one optical film and the frame structure,

and wherein the at least one optical film substantially covers the optical aperture and provides a continuous periphery defined by the frame structure.

31. The light fixture of claim 30, wherein the at least one optical film is suspended by a transparent rigid substrate.