U.S. patent application number 12/709688 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for pathway indicating luminaire.
Invention is credited to Ronald Paul Harwood.
Application Number | 20100148671 12/709688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38138738 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100148671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harwood; Ronald Paul |
June 17, 2010 |
PATHWAY INDICATING LUMINAIRE
Abstract
A pathway indicating luminaire for use in an auxiliary lighting
system contains at least one source of primary light and at least
one light emitting diode. A switching system provides energy from a
storage cell to the light emitting diode upon certain conditions,
generally by time or by lack of ambient light.
Inventors: |
Harwood; Ronald Paul;
(Farmington Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Family ID: |
38138738 |
Appl. No.: |
12/709688 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11701255 |
Feb 1, 2007 |
7696895 |
|
|
12709688 |
|
|
|
|
10920007 |
Aug 17, 2004 |
7242313 |
|
|
11701255 |
|
|
|
|
10202746 |
Jul 25, 2002 |
6778093 |
|
|
10920007 |
|
|
|
|
60307947 |
Jul 26, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
315/86 ; 315/149;
362/227; 362/249.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2111/023 20130101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21S 9/032 20130101; F21S 8/02 20130101;
F21V 23/0442 20130101; F21W 2131/10 20130101; Y02B 20/72
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
315/86 ;
362/249.02; 315/149; 362/227 |
International
Class: |
H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; F21V 15/00 20060101 F21V015/00 |
Claims
1. A lighting system comprising: a) a housing having an upper
portion and a lower portion; b) a primary or main light source
mounted proximate the upper portion of the housing; and c) at least
one light emitting diode (LED) proximate the lower portion of the
housing.
2. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for
sensing a level of ambient light or for sensing a level of a main
source of power provided for the primary or main light source, the
sensor being connected to one of the main source of power and an
auxiliary source of power, and the sensor being connected to the at
least one LED to selectively control the provision of electricity
from the one of the main source of power and the auxiliary source
of power to the at least one LED in response to a low level of
ambient light or a lack of power to the primary light source.
3. A lighting system comprising: a primary light source; and a
light emitting diode (LED) connected to the primary light
source.
4. The lighting system of claim 3, further comprising a sensor for
sensing a level of ambient light or for sensing a level of a main
source of power provided for the primary light source, the sensor
being connected to one of the main source of power and an auxiliary
source of power, and the sensor being connected to the LED to
selectively control the provision of electricity from the one of
the main source of power and the auxiliary source of power to the
LED in response to a low level of ambient light or a lack of power
to the primary light source.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/701,255 filed Feb. 1, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/920,007, filed Aug. 17, 2004, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,242,313 B2, which is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 10/202,746, filed Jul. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,778,093 B2, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/307,947 filed Jul. 26, 2001,
the disclosures of the above-referenced applications are
incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an improved system for
providing pathway indication through unlit areas. For example,
outdoor parking lots are often illuminated by light poles, which
for economic reasons, are often designed to be automatically turned
off after a set time, for example at midnight. After this shut off
time, navigating or exiting the parking lot can be extremely
hazardous. In fact, the light poles themselves can be a significant
obstacle to safe egress of the parking lot.
[0004] A similar situation can exist in interior areas of
residences and buildings, whether for economic or other reasons.
After the interior lights of a building are shut off, for whatever
reason, navigating of the building's interior, or exiting the
building can be hazardous.
[0005] 2. Background Art
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,928 discloses an egress direction
indication system utilizing an indicator with at least three
electroluminescent lamps in a linear arrangement and circuitry for
sequentially illuminating the lamps on a repeating basis, in order,
from one end of the linear arrangement to the other. The lamps are
mounted on a circuit board with a lens covering the lamps. The
circuitry lights in a first direction under one sensed condition
and lights in a second direction in a different sensed
condition.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,068 discloses a light system with
controllable light sources positioned along alternative routes of
movement to serve as an optical means for influencing people to
follow an indicated route to a selected area. A command system
allows a selection to be made controlling the direction of movement
to be indicated. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a preferred light
source.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,375 discloses an emergency egress
illuminator and marking light strip. This patent teaches a system
for the lighting of a floor of an emergency egress passageway
during clear air conditions and also marks an emergency escape
path. The system utilizes two narrow strings of narrow cone LEDs
each in a transparent tubular housing, which is mounted on the
passageway wall.
[0009] While these systems are suitable for their intended
purposes, they are not ideally designed for applications such as
described above. This is because the present invention provides
improved energy efficiency over the systems known in the art, and
is thus more economical. Additionally, the present invention is
optimized to operate in conditions of power failure or other
interruptions of main power supply.
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an economical lighting system to allow safe egress from a
darkened area, such as a building interior or parking lot, when a
primary light system is unavailable.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a photocell for converting sunlight into electrical energy and a
storage cell for storing that energy for a future time. The
photocell and the storage cell may be combined into the same unit,
but this is not necessary. The storage device is connected, by way
of a switching apparatus, to an LED or series of LEDs, which
provide sufficient light to illuminate the darkened area
sufficiently to allow safe egress from the darkened area. A control
panel may be provided to allow the operator of the facility in
which the invention is installed to turn the system on or off,
and/or choose between various modes of operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description when considered in light of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an electrical
system in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an alternative
electrical system in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a light pole utilizing the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a light pole utilizing an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a self-contained unit
shown in the light pole in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a construction embodying
a further modification of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an elevational, sectional, view of a luminaire,
which embodies a further modification of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view, similar in part to FIG. 7, but showing a
further modification of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing
how a control panel may be used in the construction of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an auxiliary lighting system 10 according
to the present invention. The auxiliary lighting system 10 includes
a photoelectric collector 12 positioned in such a manner as to
receive a maximal amount of sunlight. If the auxiliary lighting
system is to be used indoors, the collector could be placed
indoors, in a place where it will be exposed to light, or it can be
placed outdoors. The photoelectric collector 12 is then connected
to an auto-switching energy sensor 14. The sensor 14 is then
connected to one or more electrical storage devices 16. The storage
devices 16 can then be connected to one or more LEDs 18 as the
light source of the auxiliary lighting system 10. The sensor 14 can
also provide an additional electric pathway directly from the
photoelectric collector 12 to the LEDs 18.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of the present invention,
shown as the auxiliary lighting system 20. In this embodiment, the
photoelectric collector 12 is connected to the energy storage
device 16. The energy storage device 16 is then connected to the
sensor 14. The sensor 14 is also connected to a primary power
source 22. Finally, the sensor provides an electrical connection to
the LEDs 18. In this embodiment, the sensor can switch the LEDs 18
between the main source of outside power 22 and the auxiliary
source, the storage device 16. This could be done, for example,
after the main power source 22 is switched off for the night, or
upon a failure of the main power source 22. In an alternative not
shown in this figure, the main power source 22 could be connected
to a different light source, specifically one generating more light
than the LEDs 18.
[0024] Thus when the sensor 14 sees that main power is on, the main
lights are turned on, and when main power is turned off, for
example by timer or upon an interruption in main power, the stored
power 16 is then connected via the switch 14 to the LEDs 18.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as
utilized in a light pole 24 for a parking lot. The light pole 24
has a main lighting source 26, and additionally has LEDs 18,
located near the bottom of the pole. The LEDs 18 can be connected
to a photoelectric collector and switch (see FIG. 2) and can be
turned on when the main light source 26 is disengaged. The location
of the LEDs 18 near the bottom of the light pole 24 is suitable to
allow individuals to see the location of the pole 24 in the
darkened parking lot.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a variation of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the auxiliary lighting unit is maintained as a
separate system 28 (see FIG. 5), which is inserted into a recess in
the light pole. The system 28 can be originally designed into the
light pole 24 or can be retrofitted into it subsequent to the
pole's initial construction. The system includes the photoelectric
collector 12 along with a sensor 14 and LEDs 18. The sensor can
work as described above, either by time, lack of main power, or
additionally, by sensing the level of ambient light, and turning on
the LEDs only when the ambient light is low enough to indicate that
the primary light 26 is inactive. This would provide illumination
at times when the main light 26 should be engaged but is not, for
example upon burnout of the main light bulb.
[0027] While exterior applications of the lighting system are
described above, further applications are envisioned, both exterior
and interior. The present invention is suitable for use anywhere an
auxiliary lighting system is necessary. Because of its use of lower
energy using LEDs and stored solar power, the system is extremely
economical compared to known auxiliary or emergency lighting
systems.
[0028] For example, referring to FIG. 6, auxiliary lighting system
20 is shown advantageously being used to light the interior of a
building 28. Photoelectric collector 12 is shown mounted to the
roof 30 of the building 28. Alternately, photoelectric collector 12
could be mounted in the interior of the building 28 anyplace where
it would receive sufficient sunlight during daylight hours, such as
near a window 32.
[0029] The photoelectric collector 12 is electrically connected to
an energy storage device 16, such as battery 34. Battery 34 can be
mounted at any convenient location in the building 28.
[0030] The energy storage device 16 is then electrically connected
to the energy sensor 14. The energy sensor is also connected to a
primary power source 22. Finally, the energy sensor 14 provides an
electrical connection to the LEDs 18, one such LED 18 being shown
mounted to reflector 46 of luminaire 48, having housing 49, as
shown in FIG. 6. A control panel 36 (FIG. 9) may be provided on an
interior wall 38 of the building 28 to provide for operator
selection of various modes of operation of the system 20, as is
explained hereinafter, or to turn the system off completely, if
desired. The LEDs 18 are electrically connected to the energy
sensor 14 and/or the control panel 36, depending on the
application.
[0031] Remote photocell 37 may be provided on the exterior or
interior of the building structure 28 to provide an indication of
ambient or exterior or interior lighting conditions when needed for
a particular application.
[0032] In this modification of the present invention, the LEDs 18
take the form of wall mounted LEDs 40, reflector mounted LEDs 42,
or bezel or trim ring mounted LEDs 44. Some or all of LEDs (40, 42,
44) may be combined to form interior auxiliary lighting system 45.
The invention contemplates taking any lighting fixture currently
manufactured, or yet to be designed and manufactured, whether
recessed, or surface mounted, and adding LEDs to the reflectors,
housings, trim rings, or bezels. These LEDs will be powered by the
energy storage device 16 and the photoelectric collector, and
controlled through various arrangements of switches, photocells and
relays of the type well known in the art.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a plurality of reflector
mounted LEDs 42 mounted to the reflector 46 of luminaire 48. While
several reflector mounted LEDs 42 are shown mounted to reflector
46, any practical number could be used, depending on the
application. The luminaire 48 is mounted, by ways well known in the
lighting and construction arts, to the ceiling 50 of a room 52 in
the building 28. A standard bezel or trim ring 54 is used to close
the gap between the ceiling 50 and the reflector 46.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 8, a modification of the invention is
shown. While a standard luminaire 48 is provided, a modified bezel
or trim ring 56 is utilized. Aperture(s) 44A are provided for
mounting one or more bezel or trim ring mounted LEDs 44 to the
modified bezel or trim ring 56. While the modification shown in
FIG. 7 takes advantage of the reflector 46 of the luminaire 48, and
may require a smaller LED and/or give a softer lighting effect, in
applications requiring more distinct or brighter illumination, the
modification shown in FIG. 8 may be preferred.
[0035] While the use of LEDs (18, 40, 42, 44) in recessed lighting
has been shown, the use of LEDs in surface or suspended
illumination is well within the scope of the present invention.
Also, the use of LEDs powered by the invention installed or molded
into moldings 58 (FIG. 6), channels 60, or other linear or
non-linear materials for use in defining paths 62, doors 64,
objects, handrails 66, etc. is contemplated. Wherever the LEDs are
used, they will be electrically connected to the photoelectric
collector 12 and the electrical storage device(s) 16, and will be
connected between the two by the energy sensor 14. By use of the
control panel 36, the operator may choose to have the system on or
off, and, if desired, may have the option to have any or all of the
LEDs (18,40,42,44) electrically connected at any desired time. The
knowledge to provide and wire such a control panel 36 is well
within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and need not be
described in detail herein.
[0036] In some applications, wall mounted LEDs 40 may be used (FIG.
9). Wall mounted LED 40 illumination is believed to be particularly
advantageous in interior applications such as nighttime
illumination for hallways, bathrooms, garages, bedrooms, and all
entrances and egresses.
[0037] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present invention has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted
that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or
scope.
[0038] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *