Patent Publication Number: US-6220731-B1

Title: Cyclorama light

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to luminaires and, more specifically, to an improved cyclorama light. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Large curved curtains or screens as backgrounds for stage settings have been used for many years. Such curtains or screens are frequently referred to as cycloramas (“CYCs”). Frequently such cycloramas also include a series of large pictures, as of a landscape, placed on a wall of a circular room so as to appear in natural perspective to a spectator standing on the set in the center. However, in the field of lighting, to which this invention relates, a cyclorama or a “CYC” is a vertical surface used to form the background for a theatrical setting, usually made of heavy cloth drawn tight to achieve a smooth flat surface. With appropriate light projected on it, it usually represents the sky or suggests limitless space. Traditionally, cycloramas were horizontally curved but may now also be flat or vertically curved as well. Examples of cycloramas are discussed generally in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,989,362; 4,123,152; 4,512,117; and 4,893,447. 
     The present invention specifically relates to a cyclorama light or CYC light, which is a luminaire mounted at the top and/or the bottom of a cyclorama in order to light it in smooth, substantially uniform manner. While CYC lights have been known and have also been used for many years, they have had a number of disadvantages. In the past, CYC lights were difficult and inconvenient to work with in providing desired light distributions on a cyclorama. Aside from being bulky and heavy, known CYC lights have not always provided the desired light distributions or the necessary ranges to cover different cyclorama configurations. This was particularly true when the same CYC lights were used to provide lighting for both flat and curved screens. The adjustments required were difficult and inconvenient to make. Also, because such lights tended to emit significant amounts of light over relatively large areas, the lamps used for these lights tended to get very hot, thus also heating the luminaire itself Failure to adequately cool the bulbs has caused the lights themselves to become extremely hot as well as cause the deterioration of gel color filters used therein and even caused damage to the reflectors. Overheating of the lamp housings also presented danger of injury to the lighting staff as well as others in proximity to these lights. 
     Other disadvantages of prior CYC light included the inability of such lights to accommodate more than one size lamp or bulb. However, because there are a number of different lamp sizes, a standard lamp could not always be substituted and only the lamp for which the light was specifically designed could be used to replace a burned out lamp. Prior CYC lights have also had some difficulty in adjusting for non-level surfaces when these lamps are mounted on a floor or a stage. Lighting personnel have been required to use numerous objects that they placed under the light to adjust the angles of the light and the positions of shadow lines and/or to compensate for a non-level floor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that does not have the disadvantages inherent in such prior art lights. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that includes an optically efficient reflector that provides desired substantially uniform light distribution over substantial set areas of cycloramas. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide CYC lights that can be readily and conveniently arranged in straight or curved banks to cover significant ranges and shapes of cyclorama sets. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that can readily be adapted to illuminate flat as well as curved screens. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a CYC light as in the previous objects which provides efficient cooling of both the bulb or lamp, reflector as well as the color filter materials, irrespective of whether the orientation of the light is for ground or sky CYC use. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that can easily and quickly be converted between ground CYC and sky CYC applications. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a CYC light which can accommodate a wide range of color filters, including flat glass and flexible gel filters. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a CYC light of the type under discussion which provides ease of focusing or adjustment in the shifting of the light concentration or distribution. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that provides protection from damage to the bulb or lamp while optimizing the degree to which light is efficiently transmitted with minimal losses. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a CYC light as in the above objects which can readily be modified to accept different sized bulbs or lamps. 
     It is a further additional object of the present invention to provide a CYC light that can readily be used both on level as well as non-level surfaces without compromising the desired directions of light projection. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will become evident hereinafter, a CYC light in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having generally opaque rear, bottom and side walls and an open front wall defining a window extending from a region proximate to the upper end of said rear wall and a region proximate to the front end of said bottom wall and generally extending between said side walls. Said housing defining a housing axis generally parallel to said rear and bottom walls and normal to said side walls. An elongate reflector essentially extends between said side walls and mounted for rotary movements about said housing axis. An elongate lamp having a lamp axis is mounted on said reflector to maintain said lamp axis substantially coextensively with said housing axis. Said reflector is configured to direct light generated by said elongate lamp with a predetermined intensity distribution through said window formed in said open front wall in a direction which is a function of the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis. Filter means is provided for covering said window with a color filter material. Adjustment means selectively adjusts the rotational position of said reflector about said housing axis. In this manner the direction of projection of the light emitted from said housing can be modified substantially independently of the specific orientation of said housing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a CYC light in accordance with the present invention, illustrated positioned as a ground CYC placed on a floor or surface of a stage, with a flexible gel color filter material covering the opening in the CYC light through which light is emitted; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the CYC light shown in FIG. 1, partially broken away to show the interior of the light to the rear of the color filter medium or material, including the lamp, reflector and reflector supporting frame; 
     FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the reflector supporting frame, showing the details of the adjustment mechanism fr adjusting for different length bulbs; 
     FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the frame shown in FIG. 2A; 
     FIG. 2C is an enlarged side elevational of the reflector shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the component reflective surfaces making up the reflector and the location of the lamp or bulb in relation to such reflective surfaces; 
     FIG. 2D is a top plan view of a heat sink mountable on the reflector; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the light shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of three CYC lights of the types shown in FIGS. 1-3 shown connected in tandem along a straight line to cover a greater range or larger area of a normally flat set; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear elevational view of two of the connected CYC lights shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of three CYC lights connected to each other and arranged along a curve in a horizontal plane for lighting a cyclorama curved in the horizontal plane; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of three lights of the type shown in FIGS. 1-6 connected to each other along a curve in a vertical plane; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the CYC lights shown in FIG. 5 taken along line  8 — 8 , shown with the reflector rotated in a fully clockwise direction to direct or focus the emitted light mostly in an upward direction; 
     FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but showing the reflector rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move the concentration of the light more into a horizontal direction; 
     FIG. 10 is similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 but illustrating a glass color filter used in place of a flexible translucent plastic or gel sheet of color filter material; 
     FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing the two connected CYC lights turned upside down or rotated 180° and secured by a yoke to mount the CYC lights in a sky position instead of a ground position; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the CYC lights shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 11, but showing two pairs of CYC lights spaced from each other by a bracket, with all four CYC lights supported by a common yoke connected to the brackets; 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the CYC lights shown in FIG. 13, illustrating the various degrees of adjustability for obtaining a desired light distribution in a sky CYC position; 
     FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 11, in which a CYC light in accordance with the invention is mounted in a sky CYC position, but supported by spaced lateral brackets instead of a yoke; 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the CYC light as mounted by the brackets shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 15, but showing different hardware for mounting the light of the present invention in a sky CYC position, in which a bracket is connected directly to the rear wall of the housing instead of the side walls as shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the CYC light shown in FIG. 17; and 
     FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of a safety screen mounted on the front of the reflector that efficiently transmits the light emitted by the lamp while providing protection to the personnel using the light. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIGS. 1-3, a cyclorama or “CYC” light or luminaire in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     The light  10  includes a housing  12  having fixed side walls  12   a ,  12   b , a fixed rear wall  12   c , a fixed bottom wall  12   d  and a generally open front wall  12   e  which can be selectively closed or covered by a color filter, as will be more fully described below. The side walls  12   a ,  12   b  may be cast of thin metal and are each provided with a generally circular boss  14  as shown in FIG. 1 provided with a central threaded hole  16  for mounting the CYC light  10  in a sky CYC position as will be more fully described in connection with FIGS. 12-18. The housing  12  defines a tranverse axis A generally parallel to the rear and bottom walls  12   c ,  12   d  and normal to the side walls  12   a ,  12   b.    
     Provided at the top of the front side or opening  12   e  are laterally spaced support or retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b , each of which is generally U-shaped as best shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-10. Similar lower U-shaped retaining fingers are shown at  20   a ,  20   b . While the precise orientations of the upper and lower retaining fingers are not critical, the lower retaining fingers are shown open in the upper direction while the upper retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b  are shown open in a direction inclined downwardly and forwardly at an angle of approximately 45° with the horizontal. 
     The upper retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b  are shown spaced forwardly of the rear wall  12   c  to provide a generally open transverse region for receiving a plurality of upper baffles  22  extending between the side walls  12   a ,  12   b . The upper baffles, as best shown in FIGS. 8-10, include a front baffle  22   a , having an upper edge thereof bent rearwardly as shown, that cooperates with baffle plate  66  a straight, upwardly directed middle baffle  22   b  and a rear baffle  22   c  having its upper edge bent forwardly, as shown, to form channels  22   d  and  22   e . An additional channel  22   f  is formed by the rear baffle  22   c  and the rear wall  12   c . Lower baffles  24  are similar to the baffles  22 . By bending the end baffles  22   a ,  22   c ,  24   a ,  24   c  inwardly, in relation to baffle  24   b  at the top and the bottom of the housing, it will be appreciated that Venturi-type conditions are established in channels  24   d ,  24   e ,  24   f  in which heated gases rise and are caused to flow from the channels formed by the lower baffles  24  through the housing  12  and out through the upper baffles  22 , the Venturi effect creating low pressure conditions at the locations where the rising heated gases are forced to accelerate and move at a higher speed. Such regions of reduced pressures create dynamic conditions which enhance the flow of gases both interiorly and exteriorly of the housing, as indicated by broken lines f 1 -f 4 . It will also be appreciated that while the baffles  22  are normally the upper baffles and located at a point higher than the lower baffles  24 , when the light  12  is used as a ground CYC, this condition reverses when the housing is rotated 180°, as suggested in FIG. 12, when the light is used as a sky CYC. When so re-oriented, the heated air within the housing causes the air flow to reverse in direction, although the same or similar conditions and benefits are obtained, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
     According to one feature of the invention, the front side  12   e  of the housing  12  can be covered with different color filters so that the white light generated by the internal bulb or lamp B can be projected in any desired color. According to one option, a flexible frame  26  is provided which consists of two similar thin flexible rectangular frames  27   a ,  27   b  connected to each other by means of a transverse hinge  28  about which the individual flexible frames may be pivoted relative to each other to separate the individual frames or bring them together as shown in FIG. 8. A flexible sheet of translucent plastic color filter material or gel  30  is placed between the peripheral borders of the frame  26  so as to be retained therein, when the frames  27   a ,  27   b  are brought together as shown. The frame  26  includes upper frame portions  26   a  and lower frame portions  26   b , as well as side frame portions  26   c ,  26   d . The individual frame portions define an opening or window through which light may be transmitted. The frame portions  26   a - 26   d  themselves are opaque and may be formed of thin sheet metal or other thin, flexible sheet material that can withstand relatively high temperatures created by the lamp B. Translucent plastic sheet materials or gels  30  are well known in the art and any such appropriate materials may be used in connection with the CYC light  10 . The dimensions of the flexible frame  26  are selected such that the frame extends between the side walls  12   a ,  12   b  and extends from the lower U-shaped retaining fingers  20   a ,  20   b  to the upper U-shaped retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b  when the frame is flexed as shown. The optional filter frame holder  26  is flexible and removable without the use of tools. 
     Suitable quick release fasteners are provided at the corners of the rear of the housing  12 , where the side walls  12   a ,  12   b  meet the rear wall  12   c , as well as along the bottom of the housing where the side walls  12   a ,  12   b  meet the lower or bottom wall  12   d . The fasteners at the rear and the bottom of the housing are configured to permit a plurality of CYC lights to be connected to each other in tandem along either or both of the rear and/or bottom walls. While the specific fasteners used are not critical, the presently preferred embodiment uses quick release spring loaded double bolt latches  31 ,  33  that make it possible to quickly and conveniently connect or disconnect adjacent housings  12  at the rear and bottom walls. Referring to FIG. 5, female latch members  31   a  include spaced female loops or sleeves  32   a ,  32   b  that may be suitably secured along one of the rear edges while male latch members  31   b  include spring loaded pins  46 ,  48  that may be inwardly moved by means of grip levers  50 ,  52 . It will be evident that by squeezing the grip levers  50 ,  52  together towards each other the male spring loaded pins  46 ,  48  are moved inwardly toward each other so as to clear the female loops  32   a ,  32   b . Once the pins are aligned with the loops  32   a ,  32   b  the grips may be released and the spring loaded catch pins are able to be received within the associated loops. Such a connection is shown in FIG.  5 . To separate two adjoining housings the grip levers  50 ,  52  may again be squeezed toward each other so as to allow the male catches or pins  46 ,  48  to be withdrawn from the associated sleeves  32   a ,  32   b  and ultimately separated or disconnected. Similar latches  34 , including female latch members  33   a  having loops  34   a ,  34   b  and male latch members  33   b , are preferably provided in the regions where the sidewalls are proximate to the bottom walls. The use of rugged, tool-free quick release spring latches allows multiple units to be safely locked together in a number of different ways, such as in a straight row, curved horizontally, curved vertically, or any combination of the three. 
     Preferably, provided on the rear walls  12   c  are handle retaining brackets  36  that retain handles  40  that may be moved to a position along the back wall  12   c  as shown, when not being used, or may be rotated 90° upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 5, to provide a handle suitable for picking up the light. The rear mounted handles  40  can also serve as an attachment for a safety cable, when the CYC lights are sky mounted. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, an adjustment knob  38  is shown that includes a pin or shaft  38 ′ (FIG. 8) extending through and movable within a slot  42  along a direction extending between the bottom wall  12   d  and the upper baffles  22 . A graduated scale  44  may be provided proximate to the slot  42  to provide a relative or reference reading for the position of the interior reflector R. 
     As indicated in FIG. 2, provided within the housing  12  is a reflector frame  53  that defines a plane generally parallel to the housing axis A and essentially extends between the side walls  12   a ,  12   b . Frame  53  is rotatably mounted on the side walls  12   a ,  12   b  about the housing axis A and supports a reflector R extending rearwardly of the frame  53 . As best illustrated in FIGS. 2,  2 A and  2 B,the frame  53  includes mounting sockets M 1 , M 2  spaced from each other along the axis A for holding a bulb or a lamp B, with the lamp axis A L  being substantially coextensive with the housing axis A. By mounting at least one of the light sockets M 1 , M 2  for slidable movement along the direction of the lamp axis A L  (e.g., to M 2 ′ in FIG.  2 ), different lamps, such as T-2 to T-8 lamps, may be used by making a simple adjustment. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a specific construction is shown, by way of example only, for providing the adjustability of the socket M 1 , M 2  positions. Two slots  53   a ,  53   b  are provided on opposing lateral sides of the frame  53 , the slots being parallel to and arranged on opposite sides of the lamp axis A L . It will be evident, however, that a greater or lesser number of slots may be provided as long as one slot is provided. A detent plate  53   c  is secured to the frame  53  by any suitable means, such as rivets  53   d , to align a plurality of connected screw receiving openings  53   e ,  53   e ′ and  53   e ″ as shown. A right angle bracket M 1 ′ supports socket M 1  and can be secured to the frame  53  by means of a screw  53   f  which is selectively positionable in one of the openings  53   e ,  53   e ′ or  53   e ″. Bracket M 2 ′ similar supports socket M 2 , so that a number of combinations of positions of the brackets can change distance  53   g.    
     The frame  53  may be provided with additional apertures Q to allow for greater air flow and cooling of the lamp B and the reflector R. 
     The reflector R is mounted on the frame  53  for rotation about the axis A in any suitable or conventional manner. As best shown in FIGS. 8-10, a follower plate  72  is attached to the frame  53  that has a slot  74 , as shown, dimensioned to receive a linkage pin  76 . The linkage pin  76  is mounted on a tilt adjustment bracket  78  that is movable along the rear wall  12   c , it being clear that upwardly directed movements of the bracket  78 , as viewed in FIG. 8, will cause the frame  53  and reflector R to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as a result of the correspondingly upward movement of the linkage pin  76 , while downward movements of the bracket  78  will result in corresponding downward movements of the linkage pin  76  and cause the frame  53  and reflector R to rotate in a clockwise direction. Once a suitable position has been selected for the reflector R, so that the light flux is adequately focused or positioned, the knob  38  can be tightened or locked to prevent inadvertent further upward or downward movements of the knob  38  and therefore of the adjustment bracket  78 . Mounted proximate to the reflector R along the axis A is the lamp or bulb B preferably mounted at a location within the reflector that will optimally produce the desired lighting conditions, as to be more fully discussed in connection with FIG.  2 A. 
     Referring to FIG. 2C, the reflector R is formed of two separate and distinct portions. The upper portion between points A and B defines a sector of a circular cylinder having a center at C C . The remaining lower portion of the reflector R between B and C is parabolic in cross section and has a focal point at the center point C P . By placing the bulb or lamp B at the focal point C P  of the parabolic portion, the light emanating from the lamp, treated as a point source and reflected from the parabolic portion, will be transmitted outwardly along substantially parallel directions (L 1 ) while the light reflected from the circular portion (L 2 ) will diverge at different angles, depending on the location of the circular portion from the central point C P  of the lamp or bulb B. 
     As will also be seen in FIG. 2C, a suitable heat sink HS is attached to the rear of the metallic reflector R to dissipate the extensive heat from the lamp or bulb B which is close to the surface of the reflector. Since, it will be evident, the maximum heat will be developed at that point of the reflector closest to the central point C P , suitable heat sinks, preferable in the form of projecting fingers F, can be attached to the metallic sheet material forming the reflector at the “hotspot” H (FIG. 2 c ) by any suitable means such as rivets  79 . Such heat sinks or fingers F are shown in phantom outline in FIG.  2 . While a plurality of equally spaced fingers F may be provided along the entire transverse width of the reflector R, it may be desired to omit one or more of such heat sink fingers F to avoid contact with components in back of the reflector R while the reflector is being rotated about its axis. Examples of obstructions in the back of the reflector include the linkage pin  76  and the adjusting plate  78 . The fingers F may also be joined together as an integral heat sink HS, as shown in FIG. 2D, mounted on a transverse strip F 1  provided with holes F 2  for mounting the strip on the reflector R. The heat sink may be made of aluminum, the fingers typically having a width of approximately 0.25 in. and a spacing W 2  of approximately 0.20 in. The height K of the heat sink may be approximately 3.00 in. while the height of the strip F 1  may be approximately 0.50 in. Also, while eight fingers are shown in two groups of four, it will be evident that the shape and dimensions may be varied as required to provide the necessary heat dissipation while avoiding obstructions within the housing as the heat sink and the reflector are pivoted between extreme positions about the housing axis A. 
     In order to secure the flexible frame  26  to the housing  12 , there is preferably provided a curved elongate alignment boss  64  on the interior surface of each side wall about which the frame  26  may be flexed. Thus, for example, once the lower frame portion  26  is positioned within the lower U-shaped retaining fingers  20   a ,  20   b  the frame may be flexed sufficiently to cause the upper frame portion  26   a  to be initially clear and received within the upper retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b . This will necessarily result in bending of the frame  26  to conform to the shape of the internal bosses  64 , and the upper frame portion  26   a  will be securely received within the upper retaining fingers  18   a ,  18   b  as the frame is under stress when it is bent and it tries to revert to a flat planar condition. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the line U is shown in phantom outline and represents the upper shadow line or upper cut line and a corresponding lower cut or lower shadow line L. These lines represent the maximum elevations directions beyond which the light cannot travel or project as a result of the obstructions caused by the U-shaped retainers as well as the baffles  22 ,  24 . In FIG. 8, the reflector R is shown rotated about the lamp axis A L  and the focal axis A F  in a maximum clockwise rotated position, in which the knob  38  is in its lowermost position, which likewise moves the linkage pin  76  to its lower most position. Referring to FIG. 9, another position of the reflector R is illustrated in which the adjusting knob  38  has moved upwardly, as has the linkage pin  76 , to cause the reflector follower plate  72 , to rotate with the reflector R, in a counterclockwise direction about the lamp and reflector focal axes, A L  and the focal axis A F . It will be seen, therefore, that the focusing or adjustment of the distribution of the lamp intensity with this lamp is extremely simple, and is achieved without movement of the lamp itself, as the lamp simply rotates about its own axis. The same is true of the reflector R, which does not physically move linearly in any direction but merely rotates about the same axes about which the lamp rotates. The baffles  22   a - 22   c  and  24   a - 24   c  may be secured to the side walls  12   a ,  12   b  in any suitable manner, such as integral tabs  56 ,  60  fixed to the side walls by means of fasteners  58 ,  62 , respectively, such as screws or rivets. 
     FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the exception that instead of the flexible gel frame  26 , a flat glass color filter  88  is shown which rests at its lower edge on the lower retaining fingers  20   a ,  20   b , aligning the glass at its lateral edges along a straight preformed linear alignment boss  70 , projecting inwardly from the inside surface of each side wall  12   a ,  12   b , the upper edge of the glass color filter  88  being retained in any suitable manner. In FIG. 10, a color glass retaining clip  90  is provided which has an overlapping portion  90   a  that overlaps the glass color filter, a mounting portion  90   b  being secured to the baffle  22   a  by means of a suitable fastener such as a wing nut  92 . The unique clip  90  safely secures stripped glass color filters to the housing  12 . 
     Adjustable legs  84 ,  86  are advantageously provided at the front and the rear sides of the bottom wall  12   d  which are upwardly and downwardly independently adjustable to compensate for any elevational variations in the floor or surface upon which the CYC light is supported. By allowing the legs  84 ,  86  to be independently adjustable, it will be evident that the the CYC light may be adjusted to modify the orientation of the housing  12  while any such variations may be compensated, if desired, by repositioning of the reflector R. The independently adjustable feet eliminate the need for floor trunions or other objects for leveling the lamps when used in ground CYC applications. Preferably, three legs are provided—two rear legs  86  at the rear and one front leg  84  at the front of the bottom wall. 
     The operation of the CYC light  10  will now be described. Referring to FIG. 10, for example, a flat glass color filter  88  is placed with its lower edge within the lower retainer supports  20   a ,  20   b , with the upper edge of the glass color filter being retained by the retaining clip  90  as described. The independently adjustable legs  84 ,  86  are adjusted to compensate for any leveling problems in the support surface that may be necessary, when used as a ground CYC or to focus the beam as desired. The light may now be focused by loosening the knob  38  and moving the shaft or post  38 ′ within the slot  42  to rotate the reflector R about the lamp axis A L . As indicated, because the lamp axis A L  coincides with the focal axis A F  of the parabolic portion of the reflector, rotation of the reflector does not modify the distribution of the projected rays but only changes the direction of emission. Therefore, once the housing position is adjusted to provide the desired distribution, such distribution is reliably maintained irrespective of the specific positions of the reflector. 
     Once the lamp or bulb B is energized, it will be evident that the air within the housing will become rapidly heated. To protect the user from injury as well as to protect the glass filter (or gel filter, when used) there is preferably provided a protective mesh screen S which covers the opening within the frame  53  of the reflector R. Once the air within the housing becomes heated it starts to rise and is forced through the constricted regions formed by the passages  22   d ,  22   e . As indicated, the Venturi effect so formed creates a low pressure at the upper part of the housing which draws air both from the interior of the housing as well as air on the exterior of the housing. The resulting air flows are illustrated by the lines f 1 -f 4  in FIG.  8 . If desired, an additional internal baffle  80  may be provided as shown in FIGS. 8-10 with slots or other openings  82  provided within the bottom wall  12   d  below the an additional baffle, which causes additional air flow f 5  to be drawn into the housing  12  through region  24   g  and across the fingers F which form the heat sink. Such air flow additionally cools the heat sink and draws additional heat away from the reflector R making such reflector less susceptible to damage. 
     In FIG. 6 three CYC lights  10  in accordance with the invention are shown connected to each other along their rear lateral edges. Viewing these CYC lights in plan view it will be evident that these lights are arranged with their housing axes A 1  -A 3  along a line of curvature within a horizontal plane suitable for lighting a horizontally curved set or cyclorama. In FIG. 7 three CYC lights  10  are shown connected along their bottom edges and arranged with their housing axes A 1 -A 3  along a line curved in a vertical plane. It will be evident that the quick release latches as suggested provide the user great flexibility for arranging or re-arranging the CYC lights in any desired configurations in a rapid and convenient manner. 
     In FIG. 11, two CYC lights  10  are shown connected to each other by means of the spring loaded latches at their two adjoining side walls, a yoke  100  extending from the opposing side walls. Suitable knobs  102  are used to secure and tighten the yoke  100  to the side walls in any suitable manner. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 11, the two CYC lights are inverted or placed upside down from the positions shown in FIGS. 8-10 when used in a sky CYC position where the light is projected from an upper elevation substantially downwardly as opposed to the ground CYC position where the light projects from a lower elevation upwardly. FIG. 12 illustrates the positions of the CYC lights in FIG. 11, and also illustrates the manner in which the yoke  100  is attached to the bosses  14  in the side walls. FIG. 12 also suggests the air flows when the CYC lights are cooled in this orientation. 
     In FIGS. 13 and 14, two banks of CYC lights are shown in which each pair of CYC lights is connected as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, brackets  104  being used to connect each bank of two connected CYC lights to each other by means of knobsl 02 . The arrows  106 , 108 ,  110 ,  112  illustrate the wide range of adjustability that is available for positioning the CYC lights in numerous different positions relative to the set and to each other, when the yoke is provided with spaced adjustment apertures  114 . 
     In FIGS. 15 and 16, different mounting hardware is shown, including side mounting brackets  116 ,  118  that are similarly connected to the side walls by means of knobs  102  that are threaded into the threaded hole  16  in the bosses  14  of the side walls as in the previous arrangements. 
     In FIGS. 17 and 18, still additional mounting hardware is illustrated for mounting a CYC light in a sky CYC position in which a rear mounting bracket  120  is used and secured to the rear wall  12   c  by means of bolts  122  meshed with threaded holes  54  (FIG.  5 ). A wide selection of known yokes and other hanging hardware is also usable to accommodate additional sky CYC mounting configurations. 
     The housing  12  may be die-cast or sheet aluminum construction. The reflector R is preferably made of peened specular aluminum with integral or attached heat sync. Three height adjustable feet are preferably provided to allow for irregularities in the support surface when used as a ground CYC. 
     Referring to FIG. 19 the safety screen S is shown which includes a frame  124  adapted to be secured to the peripheral flanges of the reflector frame  53  to create a window for light transmission. A stainless steel expanded metal wire mesh screen  126  is placed across the open window of the screen. By selecting the dimensions of the cells of a mesh screen to provide a ratio of open area to obstructive area of at least 90%, transmission efficiencies of 90% or more can be achieved, so that with a 1000 watt lamp 900 watts of light energy are transmitted. This compares with approximately 70% efficiency with conventional protective wire screens. The super-thin safety screen is especially designed to allow optimal transmission of light but must also satisfy UL specifications and prevent passage of glass fragments of ⅛″ diameter, so that the small diagonal of the diamond shaped openings cannot exceed ⅛″. It has been found that a mesh in which the connecting webs, making up the diamond shaped openings, have a width of approximately 5 mm are suitable. Another benefit of using expanded metal is that the resulting webs or wires are arranged at an angle to the lamp axis A L . This avoids noticeable shadows/lines that are frequently formed when the mesh or screen, such as woven wire screens, present wires parallel to the lamp axis. 
     With the configuration of the reflector R, the peak intensity is projected at an angle of approximately 45° from a horizontal reference, although such peak intensity may be focused upwardly or downwardly by the rotation of the reflector as described. 
     The CYC light of the present invention is, therefore, a light weight compact luminaire designed to provide an even wash of light on cycloramas and backdrops. It can also be used as a multi-purpose flood/fill light for stage and studio lighting applications. The CYC light is extremely versatile and efficient. The highly polished and peened reflector is arranged to pivot about the lamp axis A L  for precision focusing. An adjustment knob, with an associated scale of markings, is located at the rear of the housing for adjusting and locking the reflector into position. 
     The light is extremely versatile and can easily replace a multitude of standard luminaires. 
     While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as defined in the appended claims.