Patent Application
20140085900
This disclosure relates to shaping a focused beam of light and more specifically providing multiple options for shaping a focused beam of light.
Conventional light bulbs or light sources are radiant by nature. Light sources, such as incandescent bulbs, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), fluorescent lamps, halogen lamps, metal halide lamps, ceramic metal halide lamps, and mercury vapor lamps, are typically designed to produce spherical light that emanates outward in all directions. However, spherical light is not well-suited for certain applications. For example, spotlights, searchlights, automobile headlights, framing projectors, and video projectors, among others, often have a focusing or a reflecting mechanism that not only restricts a portion of the spherical light but also collects the light emanating in a wrong direction and reflects the light in a desired direction, thus intensifying the light energy emanating in the desired direction.
For example, parabolic reflectors have been conventionally implemented to provide directional light. By configuring a luminaire (i.e, a light fixture) to have the light source at the focus of a parabolic reflecting surface, commonly known as a paraboloid, the light waves that hit the paraboloid are reflected in a substantially collinear direction that is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the paraboloid. These collinear light waves, often referred to as collimated light, will not disperse with distance (or at least will disperse minimally). Therefore, luminaires that incorporate paraboloids are often used to produce a directional beam of light. However, even though a luminaire may produce a directional beam of light, certain applications require the beam of light to also have a specific shape.
For example, museums and art studios often implement framing projectors that can be configured to provide precise shape illumination. However, conventional framing projectors and other light shaping mechanisms often require extensive calibration in order to illuminate a target shape. For example, in order to illuminate a specific object that is a specific distance away from the luminaire and that is at a specific angled orientation with respect to the luminaire, users often must perform the necessary calculations and must manufacture a physical template to place in front of the beam of light to provide the proper light shaping. This process of measuring, calculating, and manufacturing the template is time consuming, complicated, expensive, not easily adaptable.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that allows for a beam of light to be quickly, easily, and adaptably shaped in order to illuminate a specific object. The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available light shaping devices. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for shaping light that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable light shaping apparatus that includes a shaping housing that receives a focused beam of light from a luminaire and outlines a source shape through which the focused beam of light emanates to illuminate a target shape. The source shape, as described below in greater detail, may be configured from a paddle-framed shape, an iris-framed shape, or a combination of the paddle-framed shape and the iris-framed shape. The adjustable light shaping apparatus further includes two or more adjustable paddles movably coupled to the shaping housing, wherein each of the adjustable paddles is independently adjustable and each adjustable paddle has a framing edge. Further, the adjustable paddles may be oriented so that the framing edges intersect the focused beam of light and collectively illuminate an outline, defined in the present disclosure as the paddle-framed shape. The adjustable light shaping apparatus also includes an iris assembly connected to the shaping housing. The iris assembly includes an expandable and contractible iris that may intersect the focused beam of light to illuminate an outline, defined in the present disclosure as the iris-framed shape.
In another embodiment, the adjustable light shaping apparatus may further include a slide groove in the shaping housing configured to receive a template pattern, wherein when the template pattern is inserted into the slide groove the template pattern intersects the focused beam of light to outline a template-framed shape. In this embodiment, the source shape may be configured from the paddle-framed shape, the iris-framed shape, the template-framed shape, or combination of one or more of the paddle-framed shape, the iris-framed shape, and the template-framed shape.
In another embodiment, the adjustable light shaping apparatus is configured to illuminate a rectangular target shape and the adjustable light shaping apparatus is positioned off center of the target shape. Therefore, the light shaping apparatus can be configured to produce a source shape that is a trapezoid. In another embodiment, the source shape is a polygonal-circular hybrid shape comprising portions of the paddle-framed shape and the iris-framed shape (i.e., using both the paddles and the iris to produce the source shape). Still further, the adjustable paddles of the apparatus may be rotatable and/or slidable in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the focused beam of light. Also, the adjustable paddles may each have an elongated slot that engages a securing assembly configured to hold the adjustable paddles in place with respect to the shaping housing. The securing assembly may include a bolt assembly or a cam assembly for securing the position of the adjustable paddles.
In another embodiment, the framing edges of the adjustable paddles may be substantially straight to outline a polygonal paddle-framed shape or the framing edges may be substantially curved to outline a rounded paddle-framed shape. The shaping housing may also include a shaping housing coupling that enables the shaping housing to be coupled to the luminaire. The shaping housing may also be adaptable to a plurality of shaping housing couplings and each shaping housing coupling may be configured for a specific luminaire. In another embodiment, the housing coupling is adaptable to two or more luminaires, wherein each of the two or more luminaires has a different interface for coupling. In yet another embodiment, the shaping housing is integral with the luminaire.
The adjustable light shaping apparatus include a framing projector and the framing projector may include a light condensing assembly. The light condensing assembly may have one or more lenses that condense light from the light source to the focused beam of light. In one embodiment, the luminaire is a theatrical spot light and the theatrical spot light is configured to produce the focused beam of light to transmit to the shaping housing.
The present disclosure also relates to a method for illuminating a target shape. The method includes coupling a shaping housing to a luminaire, the shaping housing receiving a focused beam of light from the luminaire. The shaping housing includes two or more adjustable paddles movably coupled to the shaping housing, wherein each of the adjustable paddles is independently adjustable and each adjustable paddle has a framing edge. The shaping housing also includes an iris assembly connected to the shaping housing, the iris assembly comprising an expandable and contractible iris. The next steps in the method includes directing the focused beam of light towards a target shape and then forming a beam of light to have a source shape that emerges from the shaping housing, wherein forming a source shape comprises adjusting one or more of the adjustable paddles so that the framing edges outline a paddle-framed shape, and the iris assembly to outline an iris-framed shape.
The method may further involve a shaping housing that has a slide groove for receiving a template pattern, the template pattern shaped to outline a template-framed shape. Therefore, forming a source shape includes one or more of the following: adjusting the adjustable paddles so that the framing edges outline a paddle-framed shape, adjusting the iris assembly to outline an iris-framed shape, and inserting a template pattern to outline a template-framed. Adjusting the paddles may include rotating the adjustable paddles in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the focused beam of light and/or sliding the adjustable paddles in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the focused beam of light. Still further, adjusting the paddles may include loosening a securing assembly in order to move adjustable paddles with respect to the shaping housing and subsequently re-tightening the securing assembly when the adjustable paddles are in a desired position.
The present disclosure also relates to an adjustable framing projector system. The system includes a light source mounted within a luminaire, wherein the light source within the luminaire generates a focused beam of light. The system further includes a light condensing assembly mounted within the luminaire or attached to the luminaire, wherein the light condensing assembly receives light from the light source and focuses the light to form the focused beam of light. Still further, the system includes a shaping housing that receives the focused beam of light from the light condensing assembly and shapes the focused beam of light to form a source shape through which the focused beam of light emanates to illuminate a target shape. The system may also include two or more adjustable paddles movably coupled to the shaping housing, wherein each of the adjustable paddles is independently adjustable and each adjustable paddle has a framing edge, wherein the adjustable paddles may be oriented so that the framing edges intersect the focused beam of light and collectively outline a paddle-framed shape. The system also includes an iris assembly connected to the shaping housing, the iris assembly comprising an expandable and contractible iris to intersect the focused beam of light to outline an iris-framed shape. The system further includes a slide groove in the shaping housing configured to receive a template pattern, wherein when the template pattern is inserted into the slide groove the template pattern intersects the focused beam of light to illuminate a template-framed shape. The source shape includes one or more of the following: the paddle-framed shape, the iris-framed shape, the template-framed shape, and a combination of one or more of the paddle-framed shape, the iris-framed shape, and the template-framed shape.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present application may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
In one embodiment, a focus tube 150 with one or more lenses 152 may be inserted downstream of the adjustable light shaping apparatus 100 and the shaped beam of light 22 is emitted from the focus tube 150. In another embodiment, the luminaire includes the focus tube 150 and the adjustable light shaping apparatus 100 is downstream of focusing performed in the luminaire 20 using the focus tube 150. One of skill in the art will recognize other forms and configurations of a focus tube 150. Note that the focus tube 150 is omitted from
The luminaire 20 may be any fixture containing a light source. For example, although the light source is not depicted, the luminaire 20 in
Thus, as described below, the light shaping apparatus 100 of the present disclosure is configured to quickly and easily create various source shapes 114 that correlate to various target shapes 50 in various positions without involving the time, expense, and complexity of measuring, calculating, and tediously configuring a conventional luminaire to illuminate a target shape. Some examples of the target shape 50 to be illuminated may include paintings, photographs, logos, sculptures, words, documents, furniture, theatrical sets, and live actors, among others.
One or more adjustable paddles 120 are movably coupled to the shaping housing 110. Each adjustable paddle 120 has a framing edge 122 that can intersect the focused beam of light 22 to form a partial outline of a paddle-framed shape. Collectively, the adjustable paddles 120 can be configured to frame/outline various shapes. For example, the framing edges 122 may be substantially straight and collectively the paddles 120 may outline a polygonal shape. In another embodiment, the framing edges 122 of the paddles 120 may be substantially curved in order to outline a rounded shape. Further details regarding the paddle-framed shapes that can be created with the adjustable paddles 120 are included below with reference to
Although the figures show the light shaping apparatus 100 with four adjustable paddles 120, it is contemplated that the light shaping apparatus 100 may have a different number of paddles 120. For example, in one embodiment the light shaping apparatus 100 may be implemented with two paddles 120 that can crop the focused beam of light 22 on two sides. In another embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be implemented with three, five, six, or eight paddles 120 in order to frame a triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or an octagon, accordingly. Also, the depicted paddles 120 include handles for manual manipulation. In other words, the paddles 120 may be manually adjusted by a user to create the desired paddle-framed shape. However, in another embodiment, the paddles 120 may be automated and may be mechanically adjusted through the use of force actuators. Also, the paddles 120 may move independently or may be inter-coupled in such a way that their movement is dependent on the others. In yet another embodiment, the paddles 120 may be configured to have certain presets or pre-determined positions that enable a user to rapidly toggle the paddles into default, pre-selected patterns.
The light shaping apparatus 100 also includes an iris assembly 130. The iris assembly 130 includes an iris that is expandable and collapsible to create openings with varying diameters. Thus, a user may cause the iris assembly 130 to dilate to create a large opening for light to pass through or the user may cause the iris assembly 130 to collapse so that only a small opening is available for light to pass through. The shape formed by the iris assembly is the iris-framed shape. The iris-framed shape may be combined with the paddle-framed shape to generate a hybrid polygonal/circular source shape 114 (hybrid shape not depicted in
As briefly described above, the paddles 120 and the iris assembly 130 may be manually adjusted. In another embodiment, the paddles 120 and/or the iris assembly 130 may be automated or mechanically actuated. For example, the movement of the paddles 120 and the iris assembly 130 may be controlled by a computer program via a user interface mounted on the shaping housing 110. In another embodiment, the paddles 120 and the iris assembly 130 may be programmed to change the source shape 114 in order to track movement or changes in the target shape 50. Additionally, the depicted order of the components (i.e., the paddles 120 upstream from the iris assembly 130) is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the iris assembly 130 may be upstream from the paddles 120. Further, in certain embodiments when a template pattern 140 is implemented, the depicted order of the components 120, 130, 140 (see
As described above the luminaire 20 may be any fixture containing a light source. For example, although the light source is not depicted, the luminaire 20 in
Although not depicted, the shaping housing 110 of the light shaping apparatus 100 may include housing couplings that enable the apparatus 100 to be connected to the luminaire and/or to other components, such as the light condensing assembly 210. The shaping housing may also be adaptable to a plurality of shaping housing couplings and each shaping housing coupling may be configured for a specific luminaire 20. In another embodiment, the housing coupling is adaptable to two or more luminaires 20, wherein each of the two or more luminaires has a different interface for coupling. In yet another embodiment, the shaping housing 110 is integral with the luminaire 20. In other words, the light shaping apparatus 100 may be retrofitted to connect with an existing luminaire 20. For example, the shaping housing 110 may have housing couplings, such as clamps, fasteners, clips, bolts, adhesive layers, etc., that facilitate attaching the light shaping apparatus 100 to an existing luminaire. Different housing coupling mechanisms may be included with the light shaping apparatus 100 to enable the apparatus 100 to be connected with different luminaires made by different manufacturers.
As described above, the template pattern 140 may have a custom shape. In another embodiment, the template pattern 140 may include a transparent colored film across the cutout to provide different colors or color hues to the target shape. In another embodiment, the apparatus 100 may also include multiple slide grooves 142 so that multiple template patterns 140 may be used, thus allowing the source shape 114 to be made from the stacking of multiple template patterns.
The method may further involve a shaping housing that has a slide groove for receiving a template pattern, the template pattern shaped to outline a template-framed shape. Therefore, forming a source shape includes one or more of the following: adjusting the adjustable paddles so that the framing edges outline a paddle-framed shape, adjusting the iris assembly to outline an iris-framed shape, and inserting a template pattern to outline a template-framed. Adjusting the paddles may include rotating the adjustable paddles in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the focused beam of light 22 and/or sliding the adjustable paddles in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the focused beam of light 22. Still further, adjusting the paddles may include loosening a securing assembly in order to move adjustable paddles with respect to the shaping housing and subsequently re-tightening the securing assembly when the adjustable paddles are in a desired position.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.”
Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/705,519 entitled “ADJUSTABLE FRAMING PROJECTOR” and filed on Sep. 25, 2012 for Glenn Merlin Johnson, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61705519 | Sep 2012 | US |
