Device for adapting a lighting projector to different lamps

Abstract: The invention relates to a device 81) for adapting a projector to different lamps (2, 3) comprising a fixing element (8) for fixing a lamp (2, 3) to a support structure (13) of said fixing element (8), said fixing element (8) providing locking means (9, 10) for the lamp (2, 3) and adapting means for at least two different diameters of the lamp tang (5, 7), said structure (13) providing means (18, 19, 20) for displacing the position of said fixing element (8) for the lamp (2, 3) between at least two positions, to adapt to the focal distance of the specific lamp.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for adapting a projector to different lamps. More specifically, the invention relates to a device of the above kind allowing using the same projector with lamps with very different powers. Particularly, even if not exclusively, the invention is directed to projectors that are used for TV and cinema shootings. The device according to the invention can be obviously used on any kind of projector employed in this field as well as in other fields. As it is well known, in the cinema and/or TV shootings, lights play a remarkably important role, so that very important are apparatuses employed for lighting the either indoor or outdoor scene, or the studio. Lighting apparatuses used are obviously very various, particularly as far as the power of the lamps is concerned, since it can vary from few Watt to very higher powers, up to12000 Watt and even more. Single lamps employed vary in function of the power. For example, in the discharge or filament lamps, the distance of the focus, the length of the tang. Therefore, productions, or much more often companies specialised in renting apparatuses of this kind are obliged keep in the storehouse a great number of very bulky apparatuses, in order to be able to satisfy the different needing. Obviously, this kind of situation involves noticeable storing problems, as well as an increase of costs of the hires for purchasing the apparatus, and consequently the hire cost for the production companies. In view of the above, the Applicant has realised a device allowing to adapt a single projector at at least two lamps of different power and tradename, thus without the needing of having at disposal a very large number of different projectors. The solution according to the present invention can be indifferently adopted for projectors having the lamp mounted on the horizontal axis of the lamp mounted on the vertical axis. US 1,404,751 A describes a device according to the precharacterising portion of claim 1. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a device for adapting a projector to different lamps, comprising a fixing element for fixing a lamp to a support structure of said device, said fixing element providing blocking means for the lamp and adapting means for at least two different diameters of the lamp tang, said structure providing means for displacing the position of said fixing element for the lamp between at least two positions, to adapt to the focal distance of the specific lamp, characterised in that said fixing element for the lamp provides two jaws, respectively an upper and a lower jaw, for blocking said lamp, each one of said jaws being provided with a couple of movable elements, slidable along said jaws, between a position in which it interacts with the lamp, adapting the fixing element to a diameter of the most little tang, and a position in which it does not interacts with the lamp. Preferably, according to the inventions, said movable elements slidable along the jaws are locked by a release coupling. According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, said support structure for the fixing element provides a support of the fixing element, two lateral elements each provided with slots by which the support of the fixing element slides between two fixing positions, and buckling means to block the support of the fixing element in said positions. Preferably, according to the invention, said support structure provides handgrip means. Still according to the invention, said support structure is provided with an electrical connection. Always according to the invention, said slots are arc shaped slots, provided with at least two stop positions. Furthermore, according to the invention, said buckling means can be comprised of a spring. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective illustrative view of the device according to the invention in a first position; figure 2 is a perspective illustrative view of the device according to the invention in a second position; and figure 3 shows the sequence of the motion of the device from the position shown in figure 1 to the position shown in figure 2. In the enclosed figures, it will be described a device to be used with discharge lamps, respectively 6000 watt and 12000 Watt, but it is well evident that it only is an illustrative example, since the device according to the invention can be used with a different kind of lamps, having a different ignition and power. Further, it will be described a solution providing a horizontal axis lamp, but the solution could be also adopted for vertical axis lamps. Observing now all the figures of the enclosed drawings, it is shown a device 1 according to the invention, that, in the position of figure 1 is set to mount a 6000 Watt lamp 2, while in the position of figure 2 is set to mount a 12000 Watt lamp 3. Since lamp 2 has a focus position closer to the coupling 4, as well as a smaller diameter of the tang 5, with respect to the lamp 3, the coupling and tang of which are respectively indicated by the reference numbers 6 and 7, the device 1 according to the invention must provide a coupling of the lamp 2 moved forward (figure 1). Thus, device 1 provides a front fixing element 8 for lamp 2 or 3 providing two jaws, respectively a lower jaw 9 and a upper jaw 10, the upper jaw 10 being laterally pivoted and releasable by the screw 11 to allow the introduction of the lamp 2 or 3. In order to adapt to the diameter of tang 5 or 7 of lamp 2 or 3, the two jaws 9 and 10 are each provided with a couple of slidable blocks 12 between two positions, respectively an active position, for the lamp 2 with a narrow tang 5 requiring a bigger thickness, or inactive, for the lamp 3 with a large tang 7 requiring a smaller thickness. In this way, the device 1 according to the invention allows to obviate to the problem of adapting the projector (not shown) to different diameters of the tang. In order to obviate to the problem of the focal distance, element 8 for fixing the lamp 2 or 3 is mounted on a structure 13 providing two lateral walls 14 and 15, and a rear wall 16. The fixing element 8 is provided on a front wall 17 movable between the two positions shown in figures 1 and 2, and in figure 3, by sliding of pins 18 along the slots 19 obtained on the lateral walls 14 and 15. Above said wall 17 is provided a handgrip 20 for the displacement between the two positions. The two slots 18 are shaped in such a way to require the lifting of the wall 17 to change the position, buckling elastic means 21 being provided on the lateral walls 14 and 15, that, once passed the median part of the slot 18, return the wall 17, along with the fixing element 8, downward in the new position. By the reference number 22, it is indicated the section of the device 1 according to the invention for the electrical connection. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: Device (1) for adapting a projector to different lamps, comprising a fixing element (8) for fixing a lamp (2; 3) to a support structure of said device (1), said fixing element (8) providing blocking means for the lamp (2;3) and adapting means for at least two different diameters of the lamp tang (5; 7), said structure providing means for displacing the position of said fixing element (8) for the lamp between at least two positions, to adapt to the focal distance of the specific lamp (2; 3), characterised in that said fixing element (8) for the lamp (2; 3) provides two jaws (9; 10), respectively an upper (10) and a lower (9) jaw, for blocking said lamp (2; 3), each one of said jaws (9; 10) being provided with a couple of movable elements (12), slidable along said jaws (9; 10), between a position in which it interacts with the lamp (2; 3), adapting the fixing el6ment to a diameter of the most little tang (5; 7), and a position in which it does not interacts with the lamp (2;3). Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said couple of movable elements (12) slidable along the jaws are locked by a release coupling. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support structure for the fixing element (8) provides a support of the fixing element (8), two lateral elements each provided with slots by which the support of the fixing element slides between two fixing positions, and buckling means to block the support of the fixing element in said positions. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said support structure provides handgrip means (20). Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that said support structure is provided with an electrical connection. Device according to claim 3, 4, or 5, characterised in that said slots are arc shaped slots, provided with at least two stop positions. Device according to claim 3, 4, 5, or 6, characterised in that said buckling means are comprised of a spring.

Inventors: DE SISTI FABIO, DE SISTI MARIO, DE SISTI, FABIO, DE SISTI, MARIO
Applicants: SISTI LIGHTING S P A DE, DE SISTI LIGHTING S.P.A.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F21V19
IPC codes: F21V19