Abstract:
A shutter drive mechanism for an outdoor floodlight is described herein. The shutter drive mechanism and outdoor floodlight has an outer housing which surrounds the light fixture and also which protects the light fixture and a drive mechanism from the elements. Extending outward from the housing is a drive vale which supports the drive mechanism for raising and lowering a rigid shutter which covers the lens of the light fixture so that the light may be doused readily without turning off the lamp. The planar shutter moves horizontally or vertically within rails through a first and second slide, the shutter moveable by a drive arm which is affixed to a runner retained within a runner guide and driven by a screw drive. The shutter is actuatable between an opened and closed position such that the light fixture is adequately doused while the lamp remains on.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional utility application, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/407,805, filed Sep. 3, 2002. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to lighting fixtures and also to shutter systems for lighting systems for dousing of the lights.  
           [0003]    Many different designs for shutter systems for light systems have been previously utilized in order to quickly douse lights without actually turning off the light emission source from within the light system. Such systems may be desirable particularly when a light source is utilized that requires warm up time to reach full energy or lumen output. These systems are utilized in theatrical or other specialized display environments, both indoors and outdoors, where repeated cyclical light emissions are desired and wherein high energy output lights are implemented.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a front view of the shutter drive mechanism for an outdoor floodlight of the present invention;  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shutter drive mechanism and outdoor floodlight depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shutter drive mechanism and outdoor floodlight of the present invention with the shutter in the open position;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a front view of the shutter drive mechanism and outdoor floodlight of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 3;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the shutter drive mechanism of the present invention; and,  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the shutter drive mechanism of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]    The shutter drive mechanism for dousing of an outdoor floodlight  10  of the present invention is shown in the frontal view of FIG. 1 and perspective view of FIG. 2. As shown therein, a housing  19  may surround the floodlight and reflector mechanism as well as the drive mechanism for the drive arm  14 . Housing  19  may extend around the rear portion of the floodlight  10  while having on the front side thereof a shutter  12  which moves within rails  13   a  and  13   b . Shutter  12 , as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, moves vertically within rails  13   a  and  13   b  as positioned by drive arm  14  and may be a rigid planar shutter made of aluminum or other material. Drive arm  14  is received within a slot  15  of the drive veil  16  and is moved by a drive mechanism retained within the veil  16  extending above the main portion of the housing  19 . The shutter  12 , as depicted in the embodiment shown, moves vertically in order to quickly douse the light without resorting to removing power to the light source contained therein. Thus, the light may be turned on and off by actuation of the shutter  12  without necessarily turning off the lamp. Further, while the light is doused and the lamp is still on, the characteristics of the fixture are such that it will not overheat merely because the front of the fixture is covered by the shutter. The planar shutter  12  also acts so that the floodlight lens  27  and possibly the light source retained therein is protected from the elements and possible high winds. Thus, a light fixture may be placed in the interior of the housing  19  which may protect the light source and drive mechanism from the elements by a rain shield or other desirable material. The housing  19  may be protected by a Nomex rain shield or other similar material and may be mounted atop or around a luminaire while having the drive veil and drive system extending upward therefrom. The light source within the fixture may be an outdoor floodlight such as a 1000 watt metal halide having a standard reflector assembly.  
         [0011]    As detailed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shutter  12  is in the raised position and rides within rails  13   a  and  13   b . Shutter  12  has ball bearing slides  21   a  and  21   b  so that it may move within the rails  13   a  and  13   b  with relative ease such that the shutter  12  may be raised or lowered by drive arm  14 . Ball bearing slides  21   a  and  21   b  may be alternative slides or movement mechanisms within rails  13   a  and  13   b  and are provided herein as exemplary only. Various rail and slide mechanisms may be utilized interchangeably herewith and are felt to be incorporated by the teachings of the present application such that the vertical or planar shutter  12  covers the light emission area of the lamp contained within the fixture housing.  
         [0012]    As seen from the figures, housing  19  may encircle the luminaire, floodlight or light fixture contained therein while also protecting the drive motor or mechanism which may provide force to drive arm  14 . The housing  19  may also alternatively have a front visor  22  so that the glare from the light source may be reduced or obstructed to those viewing the fixture  10  from below or at an angle. Drive mechanism  35  may extend outward from the housing or may be retained therein and powered by a motor contained internally or externally of the housing  19 . Additionally, the placement of the drive mechanism and shutter  12  as depicted are provided as exemplary only as the horizontal movement of the planar shutter  12  is provided herein to properly describe the present inventive shutter drive mechanism for an outdoor floodlight. Alternative constructions and movement in the horizontal diagonal or vertical plane of the shutter  12  falls within the teachings herein.  
         [0013]    As shown in the figures, drive veil  16  extends upward from the rear portion of the housing  19  such that the drive mechanism contained therein is protected from the elements. The drive arm  14  slides within slot  15  of drive veil  16 . Slot  15  may have on either side a protective rubber gasket or seal to prevent the flow of water or other elements to the interior of drive veil  16 . The planar shutter  12  may be constructed of aluminum, plastic or other material and may, if desirable, be of sufficient structural strength or rigidity to protect the lens and light fixture from the elements. As shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the planar shutter  12  may move within the rails  13   a  and  13   b  such that the light is reduced significantly or eliminated when the shutter is placed in the closed position. The lens  27  and the internal components of the outdoor light fixture or floodlight may also be protected by placing the shutter  12  in the closed position. However, it may merely be desirable that the shutter system simply provide a method for eliminating or significantly reducing the light output of the fixture  10  without resorting to turning off the lamp source contained therein. It also may be desirable that multiple brackets on the exterior of the housing  19  may be provided for proper mounting or positioning of the outdoor floodlight  10  of the present invention.  
         [0014]    Turning to FIG. 5 in relation to the previously discussed figures, the drive mechanism  35  of the present invention may be shown. As depicted therein, the drive arm  14  may be affixed to a runner  30  which moves within the runner guide  31  between the upper limit switch  32  and lower limit switch  33 . The runner  30  may be directly affixed to a screw drive mechanism  33  contained within the runner guide casting  31  as shown in FIG. 6 so that the drive arm  14  and runner  30  moves between upper and lower limit switches  32  and  34 . As depicted in FIG. 6, screw drive  33  may be utilized which rotates in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction in order to properly move the runner  30  up and down. Screw drive  33  may be retained within the interior of runner guide  31  and may be powered by an electric motor or other drive system contained within the housing  19 . The drive mechanism  35  depicted in FIG. 5 allows for the easy transitioning of the planar shutter  12  from the open to the closed position. Drive mechanism  35  as depicted may be similar to a standard garage door opener drive system wherein the runner moves laterally between two defined positions. In the present inventive design, the screw drive  33  may be about 2 feet long and the runner  30  may travel between open and closed positions about 16 inches, depending on the amount of travel necessary to place the shutter  12  in either the fully closed position or the fully opened position. The screw drive may be driven by a ½ HP electric motor. Electrical contact trigger or switches may be implemented to set the upper and lower limit positions  32  and  34  for proper opened and closed position of the shutter.  
         [0015]    The runner  30  may be placed, as depicted in the figures, within a groove on the guide  31  such that it is in contact with the screw drive and may be in threaded contact therewith in order to travel vertically up and down the guide  31 . Thus, as the screw drive  33  rotates in the clockwise or counter clockwise direction, runner  30  travels the length of the guide  31  until limit switches are contacted by the runner  30  thereby deactivating the motor or other mechanism driving the screw drive  33 .  
         [0016]    It may be desirable in many circumstances in order to enshroud a floodlight or outdoor light fixture in a protective casing. In instances where the light fixture or floodlight is exposed to severe conditions, additional protection may be required such that a shutter mechanism is provided for opening and closing of the light fixture thereby exposing the lens and/or light assembly. Such assembly however must provide sufficient functionality to work in extreme conditions while also assuring repeated use and dependability as the positioning of the outdoor fixture may be such that it not readily accessible. The light fixture and shutter drive mechanism of the present invention provides such functionality by allowing a rigid planar shutter to be directly attached to a drive arm and drive mechanism in order to readily douse a light without having to turn the lamp on and off. Alternatively, upon activation of the illumination source within the fixture, the drive mechanism contained therein can be activated thereby opening the shutter to expose the illumination source or lens if mere protection of the lens or light source is desired. Upon deactivation of the light source, the shutter can be lowered or positioned in a closed manner so that the interior portions of the light fixture are protected.  
         [0017]    The drive mechanism  35  as depicted in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6 is comprised of an electric motor which turns a screw drive  33 . The screw drive  33  allows the runner  30  to move vertically within the runner guide  31  between the limit switches  32  and  34 . It is appreciated however that both vertical and horizontal drive mechanisms may be provided and may be constructed of alternative sources such as gears or belt drives. Such alternative constructions are felt to fall within the teachings of the present invention and no unnecessary limitation is to be interpreted from the specific drive mechanism disclosed herein. Alternative drive mechanisms are available to one of ordinary skill in the art and may be used interchangeably with the generalized teachings of the planar shutter drive mechanism for an outdoor floodlight depicted herein.  
         [0018]    The shutter drive mechanism for an outdoor floodlight of the present invention is comprised of a light fixture having a light emitting source contained therein, the light fixture surrounded by a housing, the housing also surrounding a drive motor or other power source, a planar shutter moveably retained over an opening of the housing or front of the light source, the planar shutter moveably retained within a first and a second rail, the planar shutter affixed to a drive arm, the drive motor reciprocating a runner within a runner guide, said runner affixed to said drive arm and positionable between an upper limit and a lower limit, said shutter moveable within said rails to fully enclose said housing and said light emitting source contained therein. The drive mechanism may be an electric motor powering a screw drive within the runner guide. The runner may be threadably attached to the screw drive and travel the length of the guide as the screw drive rotates in the clockwise or counter clockwise direction thereby forcing the planar shutter in the open or closed position to properly douse the light or allow light to fully emanate therefrom.  
         [0019]    The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications will become obvious those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.