Framing means

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light assembly comprising at least one light source for generating a beam of light, which light assembly comprises light forming means, which light forming means comprise framing means, which framing means comprise shutter means, which shutter means co-operate with motor means to move the shutter means in and out of the light beam.

The present invention relates further to a system for operating shutter means in a light assembly comprising at least one light source to generate a beam of light, which shutter means co-operate with motor means to move the shutter means in and out of the light beam.

The present invention relates also to a method for operating framing means in a light assembly operating with at least one light source for generating a beam of light, which light forming means uses framing means, in form of shutter means.

Background of the Invention

It is well-known to apply light assemblies comprising a light source and light forming means. Several attempts have been made to provide spotlights and light assemblies with means for delimiting the light.

Spotlights are frequently used in the entertainment business to project beams of light. Many of these spotlights comprise means to provide perimetrical delimitation of the light beam.

WO9636834 describes a light apparatus for stage use in particular, which apparatus comprises a source of light with ancillary reflector, heat filter, lens systems for focusing and/or zooming the rays of light and a diaphragm system with ancillary control means, where said diaphragm system for profile cutting of the rays of light comprises a number of mutual co-operative knife plates adapted to be individually adjusted by

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means of moving means adapted to be remote-controlled, and where said diaphragm system in general is adapted to be turned around a centre axis.

US5904417 describes a lighting apparatus including a discharge arc-lamp illumination source, an elliptical reflector completely surrounding the illumination source to collect and project light from the illumination source, a shutter for dimming the amount of light generated by the illumination source and emanating from the lighting apparatus. The shutter is mechanically operable to define an optical passageway through a variable cross-sectional area. The shutter includes a plurality of shutter blades mounted in a movable relationship relative to each other in response to user input. The shutter blades is movable to define the optical passageway of a variable cross-sectional area to dim the amount of light from the illumination source passing through the range from about O to 100%.

US 6,834,982 describes a spotlight with perimetrical delimitation of the emitted light beam, comprising a light source for emitting a light beam. Beam adjusting elements are provided for perimetrically delimiting the light beam associated with the optical element.

The adjusting elements co-operate with motor means to move the shutter means in or out of the light beam. During operation the shutter means move in directions perpendicular in relation to each other. This allows the generation of light beams limited to square or rectangular delimitation of the light beam. The shutter means also operates in different levels in the direction of the beam of light. Hence, only one of the levels is optimal for generating a sharp image of the frame.

US 6550939 concerns a light beam shutter apparatus for a lighting instrument including several individual shutter mechanisms radially arranged around the axis of a light beam. Each shutter mechanism includes a generally circular shutter blade with a cut- out or a void area such that a portion of the shutter blade circumference is eliminated. The shutter blade preferably includes at least one straight edge at the boundary of the cut-out or void area, which straight edge passes through the centre around which the shutter blade rotates, and is used to intercept at least a portion of a light beam passing

through the light beam shutter apparatus. If desired the shutter blade may alternatively include other edge shapes at the boundary of the cut-out or void area. Driven surfaces, such as gear teeth or the like, are formed in opposed portions of the remaining circumference. The shutter blade is mechanically coupled to linear driving members, such as rack gears or the like, which are driven in turn by rotary driving members, such as pinions or the like. The rotary driving members may be driven by motors. Linear- actuating motors may also be used to drive the linear driving members. The shutter mechanism assembly, comprising the several similar shutter mechanisms may be rotated through a limited range.

US 7033047 describes a shutter section including a stack of circular plates independently rotatable in a nest formed as a laminar formation of rings. The plates have central openings defining a light path. Four central plates in the stack are shutter guide plates with radial guide slots slideably holding shutter blades. Two outer pairs of plates are shutter drive plates connected by cams to the shutter blades. Simultaneous rotation of a shutter guide plate and associated shutter drive plate causes rotation of an associated shutter blade around the light path. Rotation of a shutter drive plate, while the associated shutter guide plate is stationary causes the cam to move the associated shutter blade radially. The nest is enclosed by end plates. A motor section has motors driving pinions to rotate the circular plates. The circular plates, rings, pinions and shutter blades are made of sheet metal. Shutters may be provided as interleaved pairs each driven by a pair of rotatable drive plates.

US2004017685 concerns a spotlight with perimetrical delimitation of the emitted light beam, comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam along a light path; an optical element axially movable with respect to the light beam to adjust a breadth of the light beam; a Fresnel lens arranged on the light path for diffusing the light beam; and beam adjusting means arranged at said light path to perimetrically delimit the light beam, said beam adjusting means being mechanically and operatively associated with said optical element for joint axial movement.

WO03023513 (Al) describes a light beam shaping device including a supporting body extending about an axis and having an opening for a light beam; a first, a second,

a third, and a fourth shielding member movable at the opening in separate respective planes perpendicular to axis A.

DE 3228184 Al concerns a total closeable aperture formed as a pile of two different types of aperture sections where, in a closed position, two aperture sections from each type cover the centre. Both aperture sections are turnable connected to ring formed adjustment means placed around the aperture. The aperture sections are fastened by and rotating around shafts.

US 2003007802 concerns an iris type light quantity adjusting device, which includes a plurality of shading blades, each shading blade pivoting around each shaft provided around a fixed opening in a fixed member. At least one shading blade has an extended portion overlapping the other shading blade in order to keep overlapping with the other shading blade that pivots around the shaft not adjacent to the shaft as a pivot of the abovementioned at least one shading blade. Each of the shading blades have one or none intersection between an outer edge of the shading blade at an outside in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis and a peripheral edge of the fixed opening within an entire pivoting range, and one pair of shading blades approaching from substantially opposite directions during pivoting to a closing direction which, at the tip thereof, has a shape not overlapping the other shading blade in a closed position.

US 4462062 concerns a spotlight adjusting system for controlling the beam of a spotlight. An ellipsoidal reflector-lamp assembly is movable to a plurality of positions relative to the iris. The diaphragm of the iris is independently adjustable to a plurality of positions so that the light being reflected from the focal area of the reflector assembly can be controlled between passing the full beam received at the iris to a portion of the beam received there. The rear lens is adjustable relative to the iris and the front lens. The system provides mounting structures for both a long throw and a short throw front lens so that the system can be selectively mounted with either a removable long or short focal front lens.

Object of the Invention

A first object of the invention is to introduce a system, in which the shutters are placed as close as possible in the same focal plane. Another object of the invention is to achieve a very thin assembly for placing the framing module near further light forming means operating close to the focal plane. Another object is to achieve a more direct drive of the shutters.

Description of the Invention

The objects of the invention can be achieved by a light assembly as described in the preamble to claim 1 if modified so that the shutter means form a merged pile, where the shutter means in the merged pile are placed with the front area placed over the front area of a first neighbouring shutter means and the front area placed below the front area of the second neighbouring shutter means which shutter means can be individual adjustable.

Herby can be achieved a high degree of freedom of moving shutters in different directions to form a framing of a light beam. Forming the shutter means in a merged pile leads to a very thin assembly, where the operating edges of the shutters are operating mostly in the same plane. This can lead to a uniform sharp limitation of a projected light beam, hi a projector, the thin assembly can be placed physically close to further light forming means, which also has to operate near an optical focal plane.

In an preferred embodiment, the shutter means can co-operate with motor means to move the shutter means in and out of the light beam, where the shutter means com- prises a front end to delimit the beam of light and the two toothed sides, where the shutter means are slide ably mounted, and where each shutter means co-operate with two motors, which motors are connected to pinions, which pinions interact with the tooted sides at the shutters, where a (/at least one) first motor is placed in a fixed position, where a second motor is movable in a sideward direction.

Letting each shutter means co-operating with at least two motors offers a basis for appropriate and sufficient control of the shutter means. One active motor in combina-

tion with one inactive motor makes it possible to rotate the adjusting means. Thus, one active motor in combination with one inactive motor provides the light assembly with the ability to frame a beam of light only partly from one direction or to frame partly from 2-4 directions. Framing is possible for all parallel or no parallel four sided shapes of the framing and for most triangular forms. The present invention provides a high degree of freedom to move shutter means in different directions to form a light beam framing of different forms.

hi a possible embodiment, at least one of the two toothed sides of the shutters may have a curved or straight toothed outer side. Herby can be achieved further freedom of operation of the shutters.

hi a second preferred embodiment the shutter means can be placed between a sliding plate and a spring plate, which plates comprise openings for motor shafts and motor pinions. Hence, the motors can be mounted in a position to operate in relation to the shutter means.

It is preferred that a sliding plate and a spring plate are mounted rotationally in relation to a third outer base plate, where at least one of the sliding or spring plates are formed with toothed outer periphery angular section, which angular section co-operates with motor means to rotate the combined spring and sliding plates in relation to the third base plate, which motor means are fixed to the third outer plate.

The third plate can comprise guiding rollers, which guiding rollers co-operate with the outer periphery of at least one of the sliding plates or spring plates.

This patent application also concerns a system as described in the preamble to claim 7 where the shutter means comprise a front end to delimit the beam of light and the two toothed sides, where the shutter means are slide ably mounted, and where each shutter means co-operate with two motors, which are connected to pinions, which pinions interact with the tooted sides at the shutters, where a first number of motors are placed in a fixed position, where a second number of motors are movable in a sideward direction.

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By using one slide able motor the system makes it possible to accommodate change in the actual distance across the shutter when it is rotated by only rotating one of the pinions. A rotation of the shutter is also possible by operating both motors, but at a differ- ent speed. Very fast rotation of a shutter can be achieved by operating one motor in a direction of rotation forcing the shutter forwards where the other motor is rotated in a direction forcing the shutter backwards.

This patent application further concerns a method as described in the preamble to claim 8, where the shutter means forms a merged pile, where the shutter means in the pile are operating with the front area placed over the front area of a first neighbouring shutter means and the front area placed below the front area of the second neighbouring shutter means where the shutter means can be individual adjustable.

Herby can be achieved that very sharp edges on the shutters in the focal plane have the same sharpness for all edges when projected.

In accordance with a preferred implementation of the present invention the shutter means comprise partly rectangular plates. It is appreciated that the shutter means allow various enhancements for controlling the apparatus, the specific examples included herein are preferred by the inventors at this time, but they are not intended to illustrate all possible control enhancements of the present invention.

It should be noted that the objects and advantages of the invention may be attained by means of any compatible combination(s) particularly pointed out in the items of the description or the other sections of this application.

Shutter means, as referred to in the present application, can be any means by means of which it is possible to adjust the framing means to provide the desired forming means. Accordingly, shutter means are not limited to any particular type of means.

Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 shows the framing invention 10 seen from the light source, where the framing means 10 comprise shutters 12, 14, 16 and 18. The shutters 12-18 are seen in the centre opening and they are also indicated at the outside, when uncovered by other com- ponents. The shutters 12-18 have a front end 36 and a first toothed side 38 and a second toothed side 40. The toothed side 38 and 40 co-operates with pinions 44, which are connected to not shown motor means. The pinions 44 and the sides 38 and 40 are seen in opening 64, which openings are formed in a spring plate 62, which is placed over a sliding plate 60. The sliding plate 60 has an outer periphery 72 having a toothed section 74, which co-operates with a pinion 76 connected to motor means not shown. Rollers 78 support the periphery 72.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the invention. It indicates the outer plate 70 and motor means 20, 22 and the motor 76.

Fig. 3 shows the invention seen from the opposite side as in figure 1. The shutters 12, 14, 16 and 18 are seen in the central opening. Motors 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 are seen from their backside. Motors 22, 26, 30 and 34 are slide ably mounted on a sliding plate 80. This sliding plate is connected by springs 82 to force the plate 80 in a direction of the motor to interact with one of the shutters 12-18. At the outer periphery a toothed section 74 is indicated, which section co-operates with the motor 76. Furthermore, rollers 78 co-operate with the outer periphery of the sliding plate 60.

Fig. 4 shows the same embodiment as fig. 1, however, the spring plate 62 is removed. Thus, the shutters 12, 14, 16 and 18 are indicated in the hole. The shutters 12 to 18 have a toothed side section 38 and furthermore a toothed side section 40. These toothed sections co-operate with pinions 44 placed at motor axels. One of the pinions 44, which co-operates with the toothed section 40 of one of the sliders 12-18 are slide able in the side direction. The entire motor means are placed on a slide able plate 80, which is seen through openings 40. The sliding plate 60 has an outer periphery 72 which has an angular section 74, which is toothed. These teeth co-operate with a pinion 76, which is connected to motor 76 shown in figure 3, which lets the sliding plate and the shutters rotate in relation to the fixed plate 70.

From fig. 4 it is easy to see that rotation of the pinions 44 moves the shutters 12-18 in and out of the light beam. Moving only one of the pinions along one of the shutters 12-18 lets the shutter rotate about the still-standing pinion. This way each of the shut- ters is turned and moved in and out of the light. This possibility of turning the shutters 12-18 makes this invention very efficient, as the number of different openings formed between the shutter front ends 36 is not limited to rectangles. Hence, every square having different side lengths and angles can be formed. Furthermore, three angles can be formed according to this invention. This way the invention provides a light designer with a very high degree of freedom to create different light effects.

Figure 5 shows one of the shutters 12-18 where this shutter 12-18 has a front edge 36 and a first side edge 38 which comprises tooth where the other side edge 40 also contains tooth. The toothed sides 38 and 40 cooperate with pinions 44, which pinions 44 are connected to not shown motors. One of the pinions 44 are connected to a motor which is fixed in its position. In figure 5, the pinion 44, which cooperates with the toothed edge 40, is placed slide able on a sliding plate 80. This sliding plate 80 is under influence of a spring which is forcing the pinion 44 into action with the tooth at the edge 40.

In operation, a linear movement of the shutter 12-18 is achieved by letting the two motors rotate at exactly the same speed. This is easy to achieve if the motors are computer controlled step motors.

Figure 6 shows the same shutters 12-18 as seen in figure 5, but in operation of figure 5, only the upper of the pinions 44, the one which cooperate with the toothed edge 38, is rotating. This makes the shutters 12-18 rotate about a centre formed in the toothing 40, where this toothing is in contact with the still standing pinion 44. During the rotation of the upper pinion 44 and moving of the upper toothing edge 38, a sideward movement of the motor and the pinion 44, cooperating with the toothed edged 40, are slide able in that the sliding plate 80 is moveable.

Figure 7 shows a third operation situation where the shutters 12-18 are being moved by rotating the motors with a different speed. In this kind of operation, the speed of the motor operating with the edge 40 is rotating at a higher speed as the upper motor which is operating with the toothing at the edge 38. This leads to a combined move- ment of the shutters 12-18 with the shutter at the same time having linear forward movement and at the same time is rotating.

For a skilled man it would be understood that operation of the motors with same direction of rotation is possible for achieving a very rapid rotation of one of the shutters. By using computer controlled step motors there will be a number of new combinations of movement which could lead to new possibilities in designing a light show. This invention needs not to be limited to the use of four shutters, but it is possible also to use the same invention with a higher number of shutters. Also reduction down to one or two shutters should be possible, but this can only be used for a very limited number of pur- poses.