Temporary and/or emergency lighting system with inflatable bearing structure

The invention is a temporary or emergency lighting system constituted by a bearing structure (2) made of flexible plastic material and having one or more light sources (4) at its top and a support base (1) at its bottom. The structure, which is kept constantly inflated by means of a fan (6), is constituted by one or more superimposed cylinders or cones that are internally divided in sections (2, 1) in order to ensure the progressive and vertical inflation of the structure. The structure can be folded in order to reduce the dimensions of the system as much as possible when it is closed and to make it possible to carry it on the shoulders. The light source is fixed or provided with a rotary mirror (8), in such a way as to direct or rotate the light beam. Some cords or tensioning elements (3) are provided on the structure to limit the height of the bearing structure. The power supply to fans, various functions and/or light source can be guaranteed through a current generator, the power mains or batteries.

The present invention concerns the lighting sector and in particular it
 concerns the temporary and/or emergency lighting of wide outdoor spaces.
 Sometimes it is necessary to light wide open spaces even in emergency
 situations, like blackouts, road accidents, first aid operations,
 emergency works, natural disasters that occur during the night, when
 visibility is scarce or there is no visibility at all. In this cases, the
 operations aimed at supplying or restoring good lighting and visibility
 conditions take a lot of time, since it is necessary to make use of power
 units and structures that require the presence of several operators and
 sophisticated equipment. To illuminate wide spaces, in fact, it is
 necessary to use powerful light sources that consequently must be
 positioned at suitable heights, in order to obtain effective lighting and
 to avoid dazzling the persons that must work in the lit area and limiting
 their efficiency.
 In order to place the light source at suitable height, metal structures
 ending with a lamp socket are generally used. The transport and
 installation of these structures require the use of complex and heavy
 mechanisms, besides transport means that sometimes must be specifically
 studied for this purpose.
 It is also important to consider that the emergency situations occurring at
 night are difficult to face and further organizational problems may arise
 if appropriate visibility is not guaranteed immediately.
 Practically, every time there is a night emergency, it is also necessary to
 signal particularly dangerous conditions immediately: closed road, road
 accident, road block, etc. In these cases the signalling lights used are
 those installed on the service cars, or otherwise signs positioned on the
 road surface are used, even if these are not provided with lighting
 devices. It is therefore important to have a clearly visible light signal,
 positioned at suitable height and in the colours prescribed by the
 regulations in force regarding signals.
 Finally, if it is necessary to look for persons or objects and visibility
 is insufficient, electric torches, lamps or similar equipment are
 generally used. However, these lighting devices present the drawback that
 the beam they send out is rather limited. In most cases, instead, it is
 fundamental to have a wide beam, covering all directions, and at the same
 time a tool that must not be an hindrance for the operator due to its size
 and weight. Besides unexpected circumstances or dangerous situations in
 which emergency operations with scarce visibility are required, there is
 often the need to light up wide spaces for limited lapses of time by means
 of structures that must be installed and removed very quickly. For
 example, the use of temporary lighting systems is required for fairs,
 exhibitions, gardens, etc., both in public and private areas, indoors and
 outdoors. In these cases overhead lines are used, positioning them on
 preexisting structures (posts, trees, etc.) or on removable structures
 constituted by modular systems that in most cases are rather unpleasant to
 look at. All this requires the presence of specialized personnel and
 rather long installation and removal times.
 In situations like these it would be useful to have a lighting system that
 does not require the use of said overhead lines: this system should be
 provided with its own bearing structure, be easy to install even for
 unskilled personnel and have pleasant aesthetical features in harmony with
 the environment and the circumstances in which it must be used.
 In order to solve all the above mentioned problems, a device has been
 designed and implemented, which is capable of positioning a light source
 at considerable height, portable, light and rather small, easy to install
 and to remove even in critical situations without the use of metal support
 structures.
 The new emergency lighting system comprises, in its main parts, a bearing
 structure to support the light source, a support base for the bearing
 structure, a container suitable for housing the base and the bearing
 structure and for guaranteeing easy transport and an air blowing system
 for the introduction of air inside the bearing structure.
 The bearing structure is preferably constituted by one or more cylinders
 and/or cones made of fabric or flexible plastic material, ending with a
 spherical, circular or another shape and whose inside is provided with
 reflecting surfaces and shape directing and changing systems, said
 cylinders/cones contain a light source, preferably consisting of a lamp
 directly positioned inside the cylinder/cone itself, and the bearing
 structure is provided with elements and devices suitable for inflating it
 through the constant blowing of pressurized air inside it.
 The bearing structure is made of synthetic fabric or heat-sealed plastic
 material that forms several superimposed cylinders. The material of which
 the several superimposed cylinders are made is opaque and/or antidazzle,
 or if necessary coloured, though maintaining suitable transparency, and
 has original and pleasant aesthetic features.
 The various heat-sealed or sewn parts of the bearing structure are
 watertight thanks to the application of insulating plastic substances or
 safety heat-seals.
 A progressive pressurized air blowing system is provided for the inflation
 of the structure, in such a way as to ensure its vertical development and
 the preservation of the acquired shape even in case of wind.
 In order to permit the progressive inflation of the bearing structure and
 its vertical development since the beginning of the air introduction
 phase, partitions or sections (discs) sealed onto the outer circumference
 of the bearing structure and provided with holes are positioned inside the
 structure. The bearing structure is thus divided in different sections
 corresponding to the each cylinder, whose final circular surfaces for the
 connection with the other sections are provided with holes. In the bearing
 structure inflation phase this ensures the creation of a pressure
 difference between the first section and the successive one. In this way
 the inflation of the bearing structure is obtained progressively, section
 after section, together with the vertical development of the structure
 itself. Said inner sections are made of transparent material, so that the
 inner diffusion of light is not hindered and the whole bearing structure
 has the necessary luminosity.
 If it is necessary to limit the dispersion of light upwards and to optimize
 the efficiency of the system, the top of the bearing structure, in
 correspondence with and around the light source, can be provided with a
 reflecting surface made of synthetic material.
 One or more ducted fans that take air from the outside and convey it inside
 the structure itself are positioned on the lower end of the bearing
 structure. The air outlet vents are provided with an unidirectional
 membrane valve, so that if the fan stops the air contained in the
 structure will not escape. Furthermore, one or more bleed valves are
 positioned on the side surface of the bearing structure and near the base
 and can be operated manually to deflate the structure and fold it.
 The bearing structure can be provided with additional coloured surfaces
 that limit the intensity of the light and permit the use of different
 colours or the application of signals according to the operator's needs.
 The light source is positioned internally at the top of the cylinder
 constituting the bearing structure.
 The light source consists of one or more incandescent, halogen or variable
 power discharge lamps, at low or high voltage, applied to a suitable
 support.
 The light source is protected, during the operating phase, by a suitable
 cage guard that insulates it from any accidental contact with the fabric
 of the bearing structure. If it is not used, it can be manually stored
 into the appropriate container.
 When it is necessary to obtain a "revolving light" effect, the bearing
 structure can be provided with a rotation system to be positioned on its
 top, near the light source. This rotation system is obtained either with
 the rotation of a reflecting surface positioned near the light source or
 with the rotation of a coloured surface positioned near the source.
 The rotation can be obtained either by means of a mechanical device like,
 for example, an electric motor, or by exploiting the air conveyed by the
 fans. In the latter case a disc with inclined blades or a similar item can
 be used: when struck by the air, it makes the device rotate.
 If it is necessary to obtain the rotation of the whole bearing structure
 and not of its upper part only, a movable plate provided with rotation
 mechanism can be applied to the base.
 The power supply to the light source and to the fans is guaranteed by the
 presence of a self-contained generator, by the connection to the supply
 mains or by a battery.
 The bearing structure support base comprises an anchorage surface and one
 or more axial or centrifugal fans for the inflation of the structure. It
 can also be provided with an endothermic motor and an alternator connected
 to the motor with the function of current generator, with electrical and
 electronic management and control accessories and with silencing systems.
 One of the main features of system object of the invention is represented
 by its reduced dimensions both when in operation and when the structure is
 deflated and ready for transport. The cylindrical or conical shape of the
 bearing structure is the most suitable shape both for the vertical
 development of the structure itself (so that the light source can be
 positioned at a considerable height) and for the size requirements.
 The operating height of the bearing structure as it has been geometrically
 defined and its stability and resistance to the bending moments due to the
 wind are affected both by the inner pressure and by the diameter of the
 support base. These variables are directly proportional to each other. As
 a consequence of this, the higher the operating position of the structure
 is, the greater the inner pressure and the base diameter will be. The need
 to increase the base diameter creates some size problems, especially for
 the transport of the system.
 Furthermore, the surface of the bearing structure base must necessarily be
 flat, in order to ensure stable support, and must be characterized by a
 certain degree of stiffness on at least one of its two axes. In fact, if
 the surface were flexible on both axes, during the operating phase the
 effect of the inner pressure would result in the development of a support
 base with spherical section, with obvious prejudice to the stability of
 the structure. The problem represented by the need to obtain a wide and
 rigid base and reduced size at the same time is solved by producing the
 support base in rigid sections with variable dimensions, in metal or
 plastic material, connected to one another through airtight hinges. The
 bearing structure, which develops vertically, is fixed on said base,
 structured as described above.
 When the lamp is not in operation or is being transported, the single
 sections can be folded on the hinges, thus reducing the size of the
 structure. During the operating phase the inner pressure of the bearing
 structure opens the support base.
 The advantage offered by this solution is represented by a considerable
 size reduction and by the fact that the support base can be an element
 suitable for containing the fabric of the bearing structure when the
 system is not used. In fact, once they have been folded, the single
 sections--properly dimensioned and equipped--can serve as walls of the
 container where the bearing structure and its components can be stored.
 Coupling systems and properly positioned handles ensure the easy transport
 of the unit.
 Furthermore, for large bases it is possible to provide a support base made
 of rubber or flexible plastic material, rendered partially rigid on one
 axis through the application of overturned T bars. This solution makes it
 possible to wind the base on itself so that it can be used to contain the
 bearing structure and its components, containing the final shape of a
 cylindrical container.
 The bearing structure is made of fabric or flexible plastic material. In
 case of considerable vertical development of the structure, the increase
 in the dimensions of the support base can be sufficient to guarantee the
 stability of the bearing structure in case of strong wind.
 The yielding points of the structure in case of bending moments generated
 by wind gusts are located near the base. To limit the yield and increase
 the stiffness of the system with no prejudice to the basic operating
 principles, for bearing structures with considerable vertical development
 it is possible to employ fabrics or plastic materials with different
 weight and thickness: more rigid near the base and gradually lighter and
 more flexible towards the top.
 The anchorage plane of the bearing structure comprises a surface made of
 metal or another material suitable for the stable fastenining of the
 bearing structure and for containing it when it is deflated.
 The fans generate a continuous air current and maintain sufficient pressure
 inside the bearing structure, thus making it possible to inflate it and
 ensuring the necessary stability.
 The fan wheels are operated by electric or endothermic motors and can be
 either axial or centrifugal.
 Axial fans are positioned on the anchorage planes and insulated from the
 planes by means of rubber joints and gaskets that reduce noise, are
 ducted, operated by electric motors and provided with air conveyors to
 ensure the necessary aerodynamic characteristics of the system and with
 noise-reducing devices. Alternatively, the fans and conveyors can be
 applied onto the lower walls of the bearing structure.
 For centrifugal fans, instead, the fan wheel can be connected directly to
 the current generator rotor or to the shaft of an electric motor or an
 explosion engine.
 The tools and the electric and electronic accessories for the operation,
 control and management of the system are positioned on the anchorage plane
 or on the walls of the bearing structure.
 The container is a casing suitable for housing the base and the bearing
 structure and ensures easy transportation of the system. The container
 also houses the various accessories needed for the assembly and operation
 of the system, together with the spare parts that may be necessary for
 this purpose.
 The container may be a rigid, box-shaped or similar casing provided with
 wheels, saddles or other devices that make it possible to move it on
 roads, grass, ice or snow.
 Alternatively, it may even be a flexible casing made of synthetic fabric
 and provided with all the elements necessary to make it possible to seize
 it with the hands or to carry it on the shoulders.
 The setting at work of this new system is extremely simple and rapid.
 It is sufficient to extract the unit from its container and position it on
 the ground.
 The fans constantly convey pressurized air inside the bearing structure,
 thus inflating it and ensuring the necessary stability stiffness.
 As a consequence of this, the inflation of the bearing structure makes it
 possible to position the light source at the height desired by the
 operator.
 Different lamps of this kind can be connected to one another in order to
 multiply the size of the area to light up according the need and can be
 used in case of emergency, but also for the temporary lighting of gardens,
 fairs, exhibitions, squares.
 For this specific purpose the support bases are provided with appropriate
 inlet and outlet sockets that permit series connection. The system can be
 connected directly to the power mains or to an external current generator
 available on the market. It can be used for gardens, conventions, fairs
 and exhibitions.
 The distance of the light source from the ground is given by the length of
 the bearing structure. However, it may be necessary to have a margin for
 the operating height.
 For this purpose the bearing structure can be equipped with inextensible,
 sliding cords inserted into appropriate pockets. They are anchored to the
 side surface of the structure and, on the lower part, to a mechanical
 return and winding system.
 Once the cylinder has been completely inflated, the cord winding mechanism
 can be operated to reduce the height of the bearing structure and move the
 light source to the desired height.
 The pockets within which the cords are positioned serve as guides and
 friction elements, so that the curling of the fabric in the return phase
 takes place in the lower part of the cylinder, without affecting the
 stability of the bearing structure.
 The return system comprises one or more pulleys operated by a geared down
 electric motor, on which the cords for the lowering of the bearing
 structure are wound.
 Strong lateral winds can affect the stability and verticality of the system
 and of the bearing structure.
 In order to eliminate this inconvenience, the bearing structure is provided
 with side couplings that in case of wind make it possible to anchor it to
 the ground by means of cables equipped with tension adjusters that allow
 the whole bearing structure to be inclined as required.
 In addition to this, the differentiated tensioning of the cords anchored to
 the top permits the deformation of the reflecting surfaces and therefore
 of the light beam width, while the tensioning of the outer cords anchored
 to the median points of the support structure makes it possible to direct
 the light beam laterally.
 Since the structure is inflated with air, the geometry of the upper
 reflecting surface can be altered by positioning an inner cord anchored to
 the surface centre. When the cord is tensioned, that is, is pulled
 downwards, the reflecting surface varies and it is possible to control the
 light cone.
 The bearing structure fastening cords make it possible to fasten the system
 to the ground in case of strong wind and also to incline the bearing
 structure through the differentiated tensioning of the cords themselves.
 The system described above can be implemented in different versions, some
 of which are illustrated here below.
 The base and the fan are positioned inside a rucksack. The cylinder
 inflates and develops above the rucksack. The air delivery vents are
 obtained on the rucksack or on the bearing structure with the application
 of fabric or semirigid plastic material with appropriate inner pipes that
 convey the air to the fan. The bearing structure and the straps are
 applied to an aluminum frame on the base of which there is a
 self-contained generator that powers both the fans and the light source.
 This model allows the operator to move easily carrying with himself a light
 source that can light up a wide space in all directions.
 The lighting system described above has the following goals and advantages:
 easy transport: the system can be comfortably transported in the boot of a
 car;
 independent operation: the system comprises all the elements necessary to
 make the lamp work;
 ease of use: the lighting system can be set at work by a single operator
 even if he is not an expert;
 versatility: the lamp can be positioned in extremely small spaces in all
 weathers;
 positioning of the light source at a considerable height: the system makes
 it possible to locate the light source in a high position with no need to
 use rigid structures; furthermore, the light source can be positioned at
 different heights according to the specific needs;
 diffuse light with possibility to be oriented: this model makes it possible
 to obtain a diffuse, non-dazzling light that allows the operators to work
 without hindrances;
 possibility to use it to send out light signals;
 low purchase and operating cost: the model can be produced industrially at
 low costs.

The above are the basic outlines of the invention, on the basis of which
 the technician will be able to put it into effect; any change which may be
 necessary upon implementation is to be regarded as completely protected by
 the present invention, provided that it is based on the same innovative
 concept described herein.
 Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the attached
 drawings, the following claims are put forth.