Abstract:
A high lumen output illumination device includes a light source secured within a socket and a reflector. The reflector redirects light emanating from the source along a direction of interest. The socket is mobile relative to the reflector and varies the directional output of the device. The socket holds the light source substantially vertical regardless of the relative angle of the reflector. The reflector includes a channel through which the socket moves. The device may also be inverted, keeping the light source substantially vertical, to give a range of illumination complementary to the range offered by tilting the reflector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the artificial illumination arts. It finds particular application in high lumen output floodlights that utilize pulse arc metal halide tubes and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned application. 
     In extremely high lumen applications, standard incandescent bulbs are not adequate, even with state of the art directional reflectors. Typically, in many high powered floodlights, an arc tube instead of an incandescent filament is used. The arc tube, rather than having a filament as standard incandescent bulbs do, has a tube with an electrode at each end. When enough of a potential difference is present: between the two electrodes, charge carriers arc, that is, jump between the two electrodes, exciting electrons in the gas contained within the tube. The excited electrons decay back to their original energy levels, emitting photons, which are perceived as visible light from the arc. 
     Typically, such arc tubes are mounted into a fixture that includes some manner of reflector, so that the light emanating from the arc tube can be focused or directed in a general direction. The tube is set in a fixed position relative to the reflector, then the whole tube/reflector assembly is tilted, oriented or aimed at a region where illumination is desired. 
     While this works for many arc tubes, some extremely high power arc tubes must remain in a substantially vertical position. This restriction severely limits the directional range of standard reflector systems, as the fixtures cannot be tilted to any great degree. 
     Some types of current fixtures allow movement of the lamp relative to a reflector, such as Nielson, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,371) and Douglas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,770). These systems disclose fixed reflector orientations, and move the lamp to achieve optimal operating characteristics. In these configurations, however, the orientation of the lamp does not change relative to the reflector (assuming a symmetrical lamp). 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a directional illuminating device is provided. A socket for receiving a light source is secured to a base. A reflector is movably connected to the base that re-directs and re-focuses light by virtue of movement of the reflector. The reflector includes a channel through which the socket is fixedly connected to the base. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a directional illuminating device is provided. A reflector is movably connected to a socket, the socket being for receiving a light source. The socket is fixedly connected to a base assembly, the base assembly holding the socket and light source in a substantially vertical position. A guide track in the reflector movably secures the reflector to the socket, the track providing a range of arc about the light source. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a directional illuminating device is provided. A socket for receiving a light source is fixedly mounted to a base. A reflector having an inner reflective surface is movably connected to the base. A channel in the reflector provides the reflector with a range of motion about the light source. Securements provide movable attachment between the reflector and base, and can be tightened to provide fixed attachment between the reflector and base. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an illuminating device, in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the illuminating device. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the second preferred embodiment of the illuminating device. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the second preferred embodiment of the illuminating device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of an illuminating device  10 , a light source  12  is secured within a socket  14 . Preferably, the light source  12  is a metal halide lamp such as but not limited to a PulseArc™ metal halide lamp made by General Electric. The socket  14  is secured to a base  16 . The base  16  includes a U-shaped member at the extremities of which are securements or fasteners  18 , such as screws or knobs, which secure the base  16  to a reflector  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the reflector  20  is a directional reflector, with the center of the light source  12  being preferably located at its focal point, approximately at the same height as the securements or fasteners  18  with respect to the bottom of the U-shaped member. 
     The fasteners  18  loosely secure the base  16  to the reflector  20 . The reflector  20  is able to pivot about the two fasteners  18  by virtue of a channel  22  in the reflector  20 . The channel  22  preferably allows the reflector  20  to tilt a range of 45° with reference to the socket  14 , which is fixed on the base  16 . Greater or lesser degrees of freedom that the channel  22  allows have also been contemplated. The preferred light source  12  typically has a 15° tolerance with respect to the vertical, giving the range of the illuminating device  10  a range of approximately a 60° arc. 
     It is to be understood that the device  10  may be inverted to achieve an additional 60° range. In this inverted configuration, the light source  12  remains vertical, with its electrodes reversed from the original configuration. Pictorially, the above referenced inversion would be achieved if FIG. 1 were rotated 180° from its original orientation. 
     In an illustrative example, the device  10  is used in a parking lot flood light application. In this application, the reflector  20  is directed downward so that the light illuminates a region around the base of a lamppost. In a separate application where illumination is desired above the device  10 , such as lighting a flagpole at night, the device  10  is inverted with respect to the lamppost application. Inverting the device  10  gives a complementary range of illumination to the non-inverted configuration. 
     Upon selection of the desired position of the reflector  20  the fasteners  18  are tightened to secure the position of the reflector  20  relative to the base  16 . In this manner, the illuminating device  10  is oriented for a single, present, application, but can be re-oriented at a later time for further applications. In an alternate embodiment, the fasteners are not securely tightened and extra weight is added to the underside of the base. In this embodiment, gravity keeps the light source vertical. 
     In another embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  4 , the light source  12  is carried in the socket  14 , which is adjacent to the reflector  20 . In this embodiment, the reflector  20  is attached so as to be slidable relative to the socket  14 . The reflector  20  includes a track  30  which permits controlled movement of the reflector  20  about socket  14 . 
     The socket is positioned along the track  30  and secured by tightening a base  32 , which holds the socket  14  into position relative to the reflector  20 . In one embodiment base  32  includes two perpendicular pieces, a first u-clamped bar  33  and a second bar  34 . Optionally, as seen FIGS. 2 and 3, the track  30  includes discrete notches  35  into which a clip  36 , carried on bar  34 , is inserted to secure the reflector  20  relative to the socket. 
     At least one bolt  38  extends from the underside of the base  32 , through the base  32 , through the track  30  and into the socket  14  securing the socket  14  in an immobile relationship to the base  32 . Preferably, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, two bolts  38 ,  39  are used to prevent rotation of the socket  14  relative to the base  32 . When the clip  36  is depressed, or when the bolts  38 ,  39  are loosened, there is nothing that obstructs movement of the track relative to the base  32  and socket  14 . Thus the reflector  20  is free to tilt relative to the light source  12  along the track. Particularly, as track  30  moves, a portion is in contact with prongs of u-clamped bar  33 . This relationship permits movement of the track and having a defined path. When the clip  36  is released and allowed to slip back into one of the notches  34 , or the bolts  38 ,  39  are securely tightened, then the reflector  20  is fixed relative to the socket  14 , base  32 , and light source  12 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, as ghosted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a guiding groove  40  is provided in which a guide pin  42  that is attached to the base  32  translates. The guide pin  42  and groove  40  aid in smooth transitions of the reflector  20  from one orientation to another about the light source, as well as lessening the possibility of rotation of the reflective surface  20  relative to the base  16  and socket  14 . 
     The track  30  of the preferred embodiment preferably defines a portion of a circle, the light source  12  being at its center. The preferred embodiment of the track  30  allows the reflector  20  to be adjusted without substantially affecting the optics associated therewith. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, control and power cables  43  extend from the bottom of the socket  14  through the channel  22 . In this embodiment channel  22  therefore also functions as a wire entry port, through which the power cables  43  which supply electric power to the light source or lamp  12  pass. A flange  45  is included so that the device  10  may be secured into a protective housing (not shown). The flange  45  includes screw holes  47  or other means of securement so that the flange  45  may be fixedly attached to the protective housing, and remain stationary with reference thereto. The light source remains substantially vertical with reference to the ground as described previously. Thus, the reflector  20  and protective housing are preferably tilted together, while the light source  12  remains stationary. The protective housing of the preferred embodiment protects the assembly  10  from the elements and other hazards in outdoor applications. 
     The disclosed embodiments may also include a retractable shield  44 . The shield  44  is preferably constructed of the same material as the reflector  20  and is adjacent to the socket  14  covering the channel  22  as the housing is moved. Preferably, the shield  44  includes multiple sections that resemble overlapping scales, the scales retracting underneath each other when the reflector  20  is moved in one direction, and extending out from underneath each other when the reflector  20  is moved in the other direction. 
     It is to be understood that both of the above-disclosed preferred embodiments include sockets  14  that are fixedly attached to stationary bases. This allows the preferred reflectors  20  to pivot about the light sources  12  while the light sources  12  remain stationary. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.