Abstract:
In a light distribution system for producing a series of light beams remote from a quasi point source, a light collection means, a conveyance means having an axis, and a series of illumination directors are provided. The light collection means projects light from the quasi point source through the conveyance means to the series of illumination directors. The illumination directors are axially displaced from one another, and each illumination director directs a beam away from the system to provide illumination. At least one of the illumination directors comprises a beam splitting reflector having a predetermined ratio of reflection to transmission. Consequently, each illumination director in the series provides a measured amount of brightness in a predetermined ratio to the other illumination directors in the series. The light collection means and said illumination directors define brightness and size of the beams projected from the system.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a division of Ser. No. 08/733,514 filed Oct. 18, 1996, which in turn claimed the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/005,621 filed Oct. 19, 1995. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a multiple beam projection lighting system, and more particularly to a system comprising a lineal series of illumination directors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to provide a system for producing a plurality of beams from a collimated or focused quasi point source. It is further desirable to be able to produce further illumination from the path of an individual beam. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a system in which a series of directable beams from locations along a lineal light conveyance pathway of a first light beam. 
     It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a system of the type described in which each directable beam in the series is of a controlled brightness with respect to a next beam. 
     Briefly stated, in accordance with the present invention, there are provided, in a light distribution system for producing a series of light beams remote from a quasi point source, a light collection means, a conveyance means having an axis, and a series of illumination directors. The light collection means project light from the quasi point source through the conveyance means to the series of illumination directors. The illumination directors are axially displaced from one another, and each illumination director directs a beam away from the system to provide illumination. At least one of the illumination directors comprises a beam splitting reflector having a predetermined ratio of reflection to transmission. Consequently, each illumination director in the series provides a measured amount of brightness in a predetermined ratio to the other illumination directors in the series. The light collection means and said illumination directors define brightness and size of the beams projected from the system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The means by which the foregoing objects and features of invention are achieved are pointed out with particularity in the claims forming the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation may be further understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the following drawings. 
     Of the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention including a plurality of predetermined spaced apart directional light distribution means; 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of another embodiment of this invention including means for varying the spacing of the directional light distribution means; 
     FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a further embodiment of the light conveyance means utilized with the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention; 
     FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 are pictorial illustrations of alternate embodiments of the collection/projection units utilized in the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a pictorial illustration of a further embodiment of the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention including beam splitting directional light distribution means; 
     FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation illustrating the beam splitting directional light distribution means utilized with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a pictorial representation of an another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a modified collection/projection unit; 
     FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a further embodiment of the present invention including focusing lenses therein; 
     FIG. 10 is a pictorial representation of an even further embodiment of this invention incorporating a variety of beam shaping means therein; 
     FIGS. 11A,  11 B and  11 C are a variety of different types of window elements which permit a variety of different patterns of light to pass therethrough; 
     FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of the present invention utilizing solid beam conveying means together with a unique collection/projection unit; 
     FIG. 13 is a pictorial representation of another embodiment of a solid beam conveying means incorporated within the present invention and including an integral collection/projection unit; 
     FIG. 14 is a further embodiment of the present invention incorporating therein a plurality of solid beam conveying means; 
     FIG. 15 is a still further embodiment of the present invention incorporating therein joined together solid beam conveying means; and 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 are each a further embodiment comprising first and second reflectors sharing the same diminished bean diameter formed by a focusing convex lens at a distal portion of conveyance means. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides for a multiple beam projection lighting system capable of producing high efficiency, low maintenance, accent lighting for commercial, visual, merchandising and residential use. The lighting system of the present invention is capable of providing light to be projected from predetermined linear spacing in order to provide a superior alternative to track lighting. The present invention integrates a single high intensity light source within the lighting system thereby replacing the multiple, inefficient light sources of past devices. By utilizing a plurality of unique components the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention provides uniform, repetitive, directional beam patterns that may be varied in brightness and size. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the multiple beam projection lighting system  10  is made up of the following major components: a light source  12  in the form of a “quasi-point” source, high intensity filament or any other such suitable compact light source; a collection/projection unit  14  surrounding light source  12  that collects light therefrom and projects it in a single or a plurality of directions, and is made of a parabolic or an ellipsoidal configuration or combination thereof, or reflectors or a combination of refractive and/or reflective elements that totally surround the light source  12  and redirect the flux of the source  12 ; a light or conveyance means  16  made up of a single or plurality of units or modules which act as a light guide and which may be hollow or solid; a plurality of directional light distribution means  18 , which intercept the light beam and redirect a percentage of the beam through a window  20  located in the conveyance means  16 . 
     Directional distribution means  18  may be in the form of a mirror, or segmented type beam splitter, or a mirror in the case of the last of a series of directional distribution means within the light conveying means  16 . More specifically, the directional distribution means  18  may be mechanically attached within the conveying means for rotational movement therein so that the beam direction can be controlled. The interior surfaces of conveying means  16 , as shown in FIG. 1 are reflective to act as a wave guide in directing the beam through the conveying means. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a series of internal beam shaping and continuity optics  22 , in the form of, for example, lenses of various focal lengths, allow for the varied spacing of the directional distribution means  18  by controlling the divergence of the beams within the conveying means  16 . 
     Directional distribution means  18  may also be referred to as illumination directors. 
     Referring once again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the collection/projection unit  14  directs the beam of light in a converging manner onto the directional distribution means  18  which can be made of a beam splitter, or a reflector/mirror beam splitter which further projects the beam through window  20  with an evenly distributed predictable divergence. In addition, the predictability of this divergence allows for the continuing passage of the beam along the conveying means  16  toward a second directional distribution means  18  for subsequent projection through a second window  20 . One such system of this invention can incorporate efficiently three such direction distribution means  18 . As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, since the source of light  12  illuminates in two directions a pair of conveying means  16  can be utilized adjacent source  12  in a highly efficient manner, with an evenly distributed predictable diversion of light at each window  20 . A plurality of conveying means  16  permit the efficient distribution of light from a single source. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings in which it is possible to vary the spacing between the directional distribution means  18  by incorporating therein a series of lenses of varied focal lengths  32  and  34  to control the divergence of the beam of light passing through the conveying means. These lenses  32 ,  34  can also act to collimate the beam and then reconverge the beam at a directional distribution means  18 . The lenses  32  and  34  are each spaced at a preselected distance from each other and with repect to the distances selected for locations the illumination directors. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the conveying means  16  having rounded sections or arc segments that conveys the light therethrough. Further the conveying means  16  controls divergence of the beam by being totally reflective on the interior surface thereof. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate even further embodiments of the collection/projection units  14  utilized with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates the utilization of lenses  38  as collection/projection means. 
     Further embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 wherein the collection/projection unit  40  is in the form of a matched parabolic and aspheric lenses  42  and  44 , respectively for maximum light collection and projection of a uniform beam cross section from source  46 . Also illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the conveying means  48  is made of a unique configuration wherein the windows  50  are of a bubble-like design enable a unique directional distribution means  52  to accept the entire cross-section of the beam as it passes therethrough. Even at 15° to the central axis of projection, the directional distribution means  52  will still intercept the entire beam cross-section. In this embodiment of the present invention the directional distribution means  52  is, for example, in the form of a beam splitter which is rotatable in order to project the beam through the bubble-like configured windows  50 . Due to the geometry need to provide for the described 15° angle, the directional distribution means  52  will be at least twice the diameter of the conveying means  48 . The conveying means  48  may vary in length in between the plurality of directional distribution means  52 . As with the embodiment of FIG. 1 the present invention can incorporate a plurality of such conveying means attached together in order to provide uniform distribution of light in a highly efficient and extremely cost effective manner. 
     FIG. 7 of the drawings clearly illustrate the relationship between the directional distribution means  52  and the windows  50 . Rotation of the directional distribution means  52  can be in the axial or radial direction and be accomplished by a mechanical mechanism or a magnetic suspension system, totally unaffected by external conditions. 
     FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which the collection/projection unit  40  is designed as to collimate a portion of the light emanating from source  46 , with the remaining light therefrom directed out of a secondary window system  60 . Furthermore, the bubble like windows  50  can have a lens  62  incorporated therein as well as being movable either independently of or with respect to the directional distribution means  52 . Note, lens  62  moves twice the number of degrees as the directional distribution device  52  move in the pivot to axial movement. Directions of rotation are indicated by the arrows in FIG.  8 . 
     A still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings wherein focusing lenses  72  are utilized within the conveying means  74  in order to direct the collimated light beam onto the directional distribution means  76 . These distribution means  76  may be similar to the type utilized with the embodiment of FIG.  1 . Incorporating lenses within the system can effectively alter the size of the beams as well as be utilized in order to effectively vary the spacing between the directional distribution means. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 10 of the drawings includes collimating means together with a series of lenses that permit the utilization of both focused and collimated beams for the effective distribution of light from the conveying means  82 . In addition, each of the windows  90  may incorporate therein a series of lenses as illustrated in FIGS. 11A,  11 B, and  11 C such as, for example, Fresnel lenses having clear portions cut therein to allow for collimation of the projected beam. Furthermore, the lenses  84  maybe segmented geometrically into focusing and window segments thus allowing a percentage of the beam to be focused onto the directional distribution means  92  and allowing a percentage of light to be conveyed to the next directional distribution means. 
     The embodiments of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 12-15 of the drawings illustrate the utilization of solid conveying means  100  incorporated within the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention. The solid conveying means  100  would be polished for total internal reflection. Also incorporated therewith are uniquely designed collection/projection units  102  which are capable of projecting light into a concentric ring so as to be accepted within a series of solid conveying rods as illustrated in FIG. 14 of the drawings. In addition, the collection/projection unit  102  having a conical section  116 , as shown for example in FIG. 12, forming part of the parabolic reflector  114  of the collection means and which assists in forming an annular band of rays of light thereby making it can be pressed within the solid rods so as provide for a unitary configuration as shown in FIG.  13  and FIG. 15 of the drawings. There is a light source  112 . FIG. 12 two light rods are shown with the upper one being bent downwardly at  118  and the lower one being bent upwardly at  120  so that the ends of the light rods lie on the same axis. The light distribution means  104  in FIGS. 12-15 are located external of the conveying means  100  and are rotatable so as to direct or project light in a predetermined direction. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 are each a further embodiment comprising first and second light distribution means/reflectors  128  and  129  respectively sharing the same diminished bean diameter formed by a focusing lens  135  at a distal portion  137  of conveyance means  138 . Each light distribution means/reflector  128  and  129  reflects an image created by the lens  135 , which is preferably concave. The focusing lens  135 , which may be convex, is preferably located a focal length from an aperture in conveyance means. Each light distribution means  128  and  129  is mounted for independent rotation. In FIG. 16, the light distribution means  128  and  129  are both mounted in a cylindrical window  140 . In FIG. 17, light distribution means  128  and  129  are mounted in respective separate spherical portions  143  and  144  a complex bubble window  142 . 
     The entire multiple beam projection lighting system of the present invention may be manufactured as a single body or in modules An example of the modularity of design maybe one in which the modules are as follows: a collection/projector module, a conveying means module or modules and a directional distribution module or modules. All modules may be interchangeable and all of the interchangeable parts which make up all of the modules, that is, the collector/projector module, the conveyance module(s) or directional distribution module(s) maybe completely interchangeable, one with the other. All of the embodiments shown in all of the drawings are interchangeable such that the various collections/projection modules, the conveyance modules and the directional distribution modules may all be used one with the other. 
     Furthermore, the conveyance modules can be of varying lengths so that the distance between projected beams may be varied by alternating or varying the distance between the directional distribution means or modules. In addition, the solid conveying means utilized within the multiple beam projection lighting system of this invention shown in FIGS. 12-15 could be in the form of a solid glass refracting compensating ring which would allow for a small diameter of the conveying means. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood that this invention is also capable of further and other embodiments within the spirit and scope of this invention.