Abstract:
A light source and its housing is provided with an insulating ceramic paint applied to the light reflector to isolate the heat from the light bulb and prevent it from irradiating upwardly into the light fixture thereby enhancing the efficiency of a light fixture by allowing larger wattage bulbs to be used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a heat resistant light enclosure, and more particularly, to a light enclosure housing with an insulated reflector which further may include a wireless FM receiver integrated within the housing.  
           [0002]    Spotlights are carried in housings generally mounted in ceilings or the like, and spotlights give off large amounts of heat. Spotlights include reflective surfaces or reflectors to focus the light and minimize the heat generated. But heat still irradiates around the housing which reduces the efficiency of the light source.  
           [0003]    Applicant has also combined wireless FM systems used in conjunction with such spotlights so as to cause sound to be selectively generated from within the spotlight housing. Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,057 is directed to this invention. Such spotlight housings are often installed in large commercial or retail establishments, and providing sound throughout the establishment or selectively within the establishment as often a desired objective.  
           [0004]    In order to effectively operate such wireless systems, it is important to minimize the heat generated by the light from reaching the electronic components of the FM receiver in order to insure that the receiver components operate most efficiently.  
           [0005]    An object of this invention is to provide a housing for a spotlight or the like in which heat irradiating from the region is materially confined and does not interfere with the efficient operation of light or any associated ancillary componentry.  
           [0006]    Another object of this invention is to provide a combined sound-light system mountable in conventional ceilings sockets in which a heat insulator is provided between the source of light and the electronic components.  
           [0007]    Still another object of this invention is to provide such a heat insulator for housing fixtures in which the heat insulation may be easily applied as by painting either individually at individual light fixtures or in the process of manufacturing without materially altering the cost of such light fixtures.  
           [0008]    Other object, advantages or features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In accordance with the teachings of this invention, an insulating paint is specifically applied to the reflector portion of the enclosure surrounding the lightbulb to prevent the heat from irradiating behind the reflector. By preventing heat from the light from radiating upwardly toward the ceiling, it has been found that greater wattage can be employed utilizing the same power because of the reduction of the propagation of heat throughout the light housing fixture.  
           [0010]    As another aspect of this invention, it has been found that a combined speaker-light assembly may be provided which is mountable in conventional ceiling sockets, and that standard chips can be employed and effectively operate without degradation which would occur if standard housings for the light bulbs were employed which permitted heat to propagate throughout the region above the light. Integrated circuits and electronic chips are generally heat sensitive, and it is important that such chips and circuitry be maintained within the appropriate range to operate effectively and efficiently.  
           [0011]    The preferred insulating paint is a ceramic paint and an example of such is that identified as which creates a thermal barrier. The ceramic particles in Insuladd refract, reflect and dissipate heat. This ceramic paint employs ceramic sphere compounds as the primary insulating mechanism. While Insuladd and other similar paints are well known to create a thermal barrier, to the inventors knowledge, the combination of such insulating paints in conjunction with light fixtures to improve the efficiency of a light fixture has never been employed before.  
           [0012]    Additionally, when the combined speaker light combination is employed, the insulating paint may be sprayed over the surface of the speaker driver to further isolate the speaker from the source of heat. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a sectional view through the housing a light fixture showing the housing for the bulb as well as the entire bulb itself which is not shown in this section.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a combined speaker-light assembly detailed description. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional lightbulb  10  having a threaded base  12  adapted to be inserted in a socket  14  which itself is attached to a reflective surface  16  formed as the lower part of a generalized housing  18  which houses the socket  14  to receive the threaded base  12 . The housing may be of the type which is connected into a conventional ceiling fixture or other assembly so that the housing is generally indicated to include a reflective surface to enhance the amount of illumination.  
         [0016]    In accordance with this invention, and insulating paint  20  is applied as by painting on the reflecting surface  16  to insulate and prevent heat from rising upwardly into the housing  18 . The insulating paint is of the type generally described as containing a ceramic filler such as ceramic sphere compounds as the primary insulating mechanisms, and one type is known by the trademark Insuladd. By using the insulating paint in preventing heat from rising in the housing, it has been found that a higher power lightbulb  10  can be employed in the same housing thus rendering the overall light efficiency of the bulb and housing greater than previously obtainable.  
         [0017]    The thickness of the insulating paint coating is chosen so as to provide effective insulation between the housing and the heat source, which is the bulb  10 .  
         [0018]    Another aspect of this invention is the provision of a conventional FM wireless receiver system which employs a speaker  22  having a driver  24  located above the housing  18  which carries a lightbulb  26  set within a socket  28 . The lightbulb  26  is set in housing  18  which has a reflective surface  30  but which also employs an insulating paint layer  32  painted on the surface of  30 .  
         [0019]    Speaker  22 , with its driver  24 , preferably includes a layer of insulating paint  34  painted on that portion of the speaker directly opposite the source of heat i.e., the housing  18  which holds lightbulb  26 . The speaker-light assembly is itself included held in a housing  36  which is adapted to screw into a standard threaded socket (not shown) by means of threads  38  located on the top portion  40  of the housing  36 . The specific arrangement of connecting the speaker light assembly to receive electrical power from a standard socket is preferably as that shown in FIG. 2, but other ways of providing electricity carried within the ceiling for generally electrifying light bulbs can also be employed to carry the electricity to power the speaker light assembly of FIG. 2. Speaker  22  generally receives an audio signal of sufficient amplitude to drive the speaker, and such signal can be generated by a standard wireless FM receiver or a wireless magnetic receiver housed within housing  36 . Such a system is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,057, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0020]    By employing insulating paint at locations  30  and  34 , the electronic circuitry and/or chips employed within housing  36  are insulated from the heat source  26 , and these components can operate within their preferred desired range.  
         [0021]    While the invention has been described with respect a particular embodiment, it will be appreciated that the described invention may have other embodiment. Many other variations and applications of the invention will be apparent. The above specification and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment are to be considered as representative only, as the scope of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of the claims, as interpreted by the Courts, and their reasonable and legal equivalents, as also interpreted by the Courts and applicable statutes.