Patent Grant
10323829
This invention relates to landscape and pathway spot lights, and in particular to systems, devices, and methods for adjusting and focusing a beam light spread to separate beams spreads of approximately 80 degrees, 60 degrees, 40 degrees and 20 degrees by a rotatable disc having a plurality of lenses thereon positioned in front of a primary lens fixed in front of an LED (light emitting diode) light source in a spotlight housing mounted on a stake, with a mechanically rotatable knob/wheel for adjustably rotating the single disc to the plurality of different positions.
Ground based landscape lighting directional fixtures having ground based spikes have typically been constructed to have a single beam angle set during the time of manufacture. This single beam angle option can limit the end user's application of the light. If a customer desires a different beam angle, their only option today would be to purchase a different fixture.
Purchasing a plurality of different fixtures can be an expensive and be time consuming and labor intensive to be installed.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for adjusting and focusing a beam light spread to separate beam angle spreads by rotating a disc of lenses in front of a primary lens fixed in front of a light source.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for adjusting and focusing a beam light spread to separate beams spreads of approximately 80, 60, 40 and 20 degrees by a rotatable disc having a plurality of lenses thereon.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for adjusting and focusing a beam light spread to separate beam angle spreads by rotating a disc of lenses in front of a primary lens fixed in front of a light source.
A spotlight embodiment can include a single housing, a light source in the single housing for emitting a light beam with a light spread therefrom, a disc rotatably supported within the single housing in front of the light source, and a plurality of lens positioned about the disc for allowing light to pass therethrough, each of the plurality of lens for narrowing the light spread to different narrower light spread angles, the rotatable disc being controlled from outside the housing, wherein rotating the disc to each of the plurality of lenses, and narrows the light spread to each of the different narrower light spread angles.
The spotlight can further include a stake extending below the single housing for supporting the spotlight on a ground surface, and a pivot member attached between a top of the stake and a bottom of the housing for allowing the housing to pivot up and down relative to the stake.
The spotlight can further include a rotatable component for allowing the single housing to rotate in a parallel plane to the stake.
The light source can include an LED (light emitting diode).
The spotlight can further include a primary lens fixed in front of the light source for converting the light spread emission from the light source.
The plurality of lenses on the single disc can include three lenses.
The spotlight can further include a primary lens fixed in front of the light source for narrowing the light spread to approximately 80 degrees, a first lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 20 degrees, a second lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 40 degrees, and a third lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 60 degrees.
The spotlight can further include a heat sink behind the light source.
The spotlight can further include a removable lens cap covering an open end of the housing.
The spotlight can further include a rotatable knob to rotate the disc.
The spotlight can further include a horizontal gear wheel attached to the rotatable knob, and a vertical gear wheel attached to the rotatable disc, wherein rotating the knob causes the horizontal gear wheel to rotate the vertical gear wheel which rotates the rotatable disc.
The spotlight can further include at least one rotatable lens on the rotatable disc having one or more lens for adjusting light spread.
The one or more lens can include a first lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 20 degrees, a second lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 40 degrees, a third lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 60 degrees, and a fourth lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 80 degrees.
A mountable light can include a cylindrical housing;
a light source in the cylindrical housing for emitting a light beam with a light spread therefrom, a disc rotatably supported within the cylindrical housing in front of the light source, and a plurality of lens positioned about the disc for allowing light to pass therethrough, each of the plurality of lens for narrowing the light spread to different narrower light spread angles, wherein rotating the disc to each of the plurality of lenses, and narrows the light spread to each of the different narrower light spread angles.
The mountable light can further include a primary lens fixed in front of the light source for converting the light spread emission from the light source.
The plurality of lenses on the single disc can include three lenses.
The mountable light can include a primary lens fixed in front of the light source for narrowing the light spread to approximately 80 degrees, a first lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 20 degrees, a second lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 40 degrees, and a third lens on the rotatable disc for changing the light spread to approximately 60 degrees.
The mountable light can include at least one rotatable lens on the rotatable disc having one or more lens for adjusting light spread.
The one or more lens can include a first lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 20 degrees, a second lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 40 degrees, a third lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 60 degrees, and a fourth lens on the single disc for changing the light spread to approximately 60 degrees.
The mountable light of can include a rotatable knob to rotate the disc, a horizontal gear wheel attached to the rotatable knob, and a vertical gear wheel attached to the rotatable disc, wherein rotating the knob causes the horizontal gear wheel to rotate the vertical gear wheel which rotates the rotatable disc.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification does not include all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.
The invention encompasses a user changeable lens assembly that gives the end user multiple, different beam angles. The directional fixture can utilize an LED as a light source which is centrally located inside the fixture. There is a disc that contains multiple lenses located in front of the LED light source. When the lens is positioned correctly in front of the light source, the angle of light is transformed. A knob on the outside of the fixture can be easily accessible by the end use. The user can turn the knob which changes the position of the disc. The disc can rotate in front of the LED light source allowing the user to change the beam angle.
A list of the main components will now be described.
Referring to
A disc shaped heat sink 20 can be mounted by groove edges 21 to interior tabs 11. The heat sink 20 can be used to draw heat from the internal components inside.
Centrally mounted on the heat sink disc 10 can be a light source 22, such as but not limited to a light emitting diode (LED). The light source 22 can be a white type light, or any type of colored, light, and the like.
Extending below the heat sink disc 20 can be mounted a multi-select rotatable knob 26, attached to a gear wheel 27 by a fastener 29. Rotating knob 26 will rotate a horizontal gear wheel 27 with gear sprocket edges 28, the functionality of which will be described later.
Extending outward from the heat sink disc 20 can be spacer shaft 23 with an axle 25 extending therefrom that can pass through a central opening of the rotatable disc/wheel 40. The spacer shaft 23 can position the rotatable disc/wheel 40 spaced apart from the heat sink disc 20. A pair of ratchet clips 24 having inner ends attached to the heat sink disc 20 can have outer bent ends that can lock into the vertical sprockets 48 of the rotatable disc/wheel 40, as the rotating turn knob 26 effectively rotates the rotatable disc/wheel 40 by gear components (sprockets) 28, 48).
A primary lens support 30 can be mounted over the light source 22 that is mounted to the face of the heat sink disc 20 by fasteners 32. A primary lens 35 can cover the light source 22.
Referring to
As will be explained below, rotating the disc/wheel 40 can change the focus to approximately 20 degrees, or approximately 40 degrees or approximately 60 degrees or approximately 80 degrees.
Covering the front open end of the housing/body 10 can be a lens cap 50 having a generally cylindrical ring shaped that can attached to the fastener edge 12 of the housing/body 10 by threads, snaps, and the like. The lens cap 50 can support a main light passable lens 52 that can be supported by rings 54, such as gaskets, O-rings, and the like.
Referring to
The LED light source 22 can emit light in a generally 120 degree light spread. The invention is able to take the generally 120 degrees light spread, and focus it down to 20 degrees, or 40 degrees or 60 degrees or 80 degrees.
The primary lens 35 can focus the approximately 120 degree light spread from the LED light source 22 down to approximately 80 degrees.
In one embodiment, positioning the clear/transparent portion 47 can allow for the approximately 80 degrees spread to be emitted from the lens cap 50. When the rotatable knob 26 is rotated clockwise, this causes the disc/wheel 40 to be rotated clockwise and the lens 46 can convert the approximately 80 degrees spread to approximately 60 degrees. Rotating the disc wheel 40 clockwise again allows for the lens 44 can then convert the light spread to approximately a 40 degree spread. Continuing to rotate the disc wheel 40 clockwise can allow for lens 42 to convert the light spread to approximately 20 degrees spread.
Although the disc wheel is described as rotating clockwise, the disc wheel 40 can also be rotated counter-clockwise by rotating the knob 26 counter-clockwise.
Although four lenses are shown and described, the invention can be used with more than four or less than four multi-lenses.
While the lenses allow for 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees and 80 degrees, the invention can be used with approximately 20 degrees, approximately 40 degrees, approximately 60 degrees and approximately 80 degrees. Additionally, different degree angles can also be added less than approximately 20 degrees, and more than approximately 80 degrees, such as up to approximately 120 degrees, and the like, as well as different degrees between each of 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees and 80 degrees, respectively.
Referring to
This embodiment 100 can have the same components and work similarly to the components in the previous embodiment with the exception of only using lenses on the rotatable disc 140. In this application, there can be four lenses 142, 144, 146 and 148. Lens 148 can convert the approximately 120 light spread from light source 122 to approximately 80 degrees when lens 148 is positioned in front of the light source 22. Rotating the disc 140 clockwise can allow for lens 142 to convert the light spread to approximately 60 degrees spread. Rotating the disc 140 clockwise can allow for lens 144 to convert the light spread to approximately 40 degrees. And rotating the disc 140 clockwise can allow for lens 142 to convert the light spread to approximately 20 degrees.
The term “approximately” can be +/−10% of the amount referenced. Additionally, preferred amounts and ranges can include the amounts and ranges referenced without the prefix of being approximately.
While the preferred embodiment shows a mechanically rotatable disc with a knob, the disc can be rotated by other techniques, such as but not limited to lever(s) with notches, sliders, magnets, and the like.
Although a preferred embodiment shows a rotatable disc in front of a fixed light source, the invention can work with more than one rotatable disc in front of the light source.
Although the rotatable disc has a plurality of lens, the invention can work with plural rotatable discs, each having one or more lens.
While the invention spotlight is generally described for use outdoors, the invention is not limited to outdoor use, and can be used indoors.
Although the invention describes ground based spotlight applications, the invention can be mounted to a support such as a post, against a wall, a ceiling, an overhang and the like, such as but not limited to track lighting, and the like. Additionally, the novel spotlight can be mounted on a stand that does not include a stake, and the like.
The spotlight can also be mounted on a ceiling fan, and the like.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/530,342 filed Jul. 10, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its' entirety.
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