Lighting apparatus

• US 20030076681A1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman Professional Denmark ApS. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Martin Professional A/S (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Glavind, Mads, Rasmussen, Niels Jorgen
• Granted Patent: US 6,971,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/280
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/007 using rotating transparent or colored disks, e.g. gobo wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/14 with many small apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/903 with magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/811 Psychedelic lighting

Abstract

Lighting apparatus includes an effect wheel which is mounted on a rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism is mounted on a mechanism which moves the effect wheel from a position outside of the light path to a position in which the effect wheel intersects the light path to provide a continuous wheel effect. The translation mechanism can move the effect wheel between positions in which the effect wheel crosses the light path in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, respectively. The apparatus allows a continuous wheel effect to be added to a multi-purpose luminaire and also allows the direction of travel of the continuous wheel effect across the illuminated field to be continuously varied.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus having a light path defined therethrough, comprising:

an effect wheel having a center and an effect region located radially outwardly of the center, the effect region being configured to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough;

a rotation mechanism arranged to rotate the effect wheel about the center; and

a translation mechanism arranged to move the effect wheel between

(i) a first position in which the effect region is outside of the light path, and

(ii) a second position in which the effect region intersects the light path and in which the center of the effect wheel is outside the light path.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism is arranged to move the effect wheel to a third position in which the effect region intersects the light path and in which the center of the effect wheel is outside the light path and wherein a radius through the light path from the center of the effect wheel in the third position is substantially perpendicular to a radius through the light path from the center of the effect wheel in the second position.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the translation mechanism is arranged to move the effect wheel to any position intermediate the second and third positions.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first, second and third positions are collinear.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism is configured to move the effect wheel linearly from one said position to another said position.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism comprises a linear guide arrangement and a carriage mounted for linear movement along the guide arrangement, and the effect wheel is mounted on the carriage for movement therewith.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the translation mechanism includes an electric motor.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism includes an electric motor.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electric motor is fixed relative to the light path and the rotation mechanism comprises a transmission arrangement arranged to transmit rotational movement of the electric motor to the effect wheel.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmission arrangement comprises:

a belt arranged in a loop between a drive pulley driven by the electric motor and a tensioning pulley, wherein

a driven pulley engages the belt between the drive pulley and the tensioning pulley and is arranged to impart rotational movement to the effect wheel.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the center of the effect wheel is connected to a driven member of the rotation mechanism for rotation therewith.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the effect wheel is removable mounted on the rotation mechanism.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the effect wheel is magnetically attached to the rotation mechanism.

14. A luminaire comprising the lighting apparatus of claim 1.

15. A removable optical component for a lighting fixture comprising:

an optical portion adapted to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough;

a magnetic portion arranged to attach the optical component to a surface of a lighting fixture by magnetic attraction; and

at least one locating formation configured to engage with a complementary locating formation on said lighting fixture to locate the optical component in position on said fixture.

16. A lighting fixture comprising an optical component having:

an optical portion adapted to alter the visual appearance of a light beam passing therethrough;

a magnetic portion attached to a metal surface of the lighting fixture by magnetic attraction; and

at least one locating formation engaging a complementary locating formation on the lighting fixture.