Framing contrast of multiparameter theatrical lighting fixtures
10018329 ยท 2018-07-10
Inventors
Cpc classification
F21W2131/406
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V14/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V7/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V11/186
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F21V7/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F21V14/08
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A plurality of framing blades; and a multiparameter theater light including a light source; and an optical component. Each of the plurality of framing blades configured to be placed in a path of the light source so that at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades reflects light rays from the light source. At least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades may include a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, alternating between a peak and a trough, and the distance between adjacent peaks varies; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface with the same angle of incidence with respect to a straight line defining a length of each of the plurality of framing blades, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the straight line, depending on where the light rays are incident on.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of framing blades; and a multiparameter theatre light comprising a light source; and an optical component; wherein each of the plurality of framing blades is configured to be placed in a path of the light source so that at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades reflects light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width, wherein the length is perpendicular to the width, for each of the plurality of framing blades, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for each of the plurality of framing blades, depending on which part of the at least one surface, the light rays are incident on; wherein the plurality of framing blades include a first framing blade and a second framing blade; wherein the apparatus further includes a first motor component configured to move the first framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the first framing blade with respect to the second framing blade; and wherein the apparatus further includes a second motor component configured to move the second framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the second framing blade with respect to the first framing blade.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade do not overlap.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade overlap.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of framing blades include a third framing blade and a fourth framing blade; wherein the apparatus further includes a third motor component configured to move the third framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the third framing blade with respect to the fourth framing blade; and wherein the apparatus further includes a fourth motor component configured to move the fourth framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the fourth framing blade with respect to the third framing blade.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first framing blade is configured to move towards the second framing blade in a first direction to move the first framing blade into the path of the light source; the second framing blade is configured to move towards the first framing blade in a second direction, which opposes the first direction, to move the second framing blade into the path of the light source; the third framing blade is configured to move towards the fourth framing blade in a third direction to move the third framing blade into the path of the light source; the fourth framing blade is configured to move towards the third framing blade in a fourth direction, which opposes the third direction, to move the fourth framing blade into the path of the light source; and wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to the third and the fourth directions.
6. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of framing blades; and a multiparameter theatre light comprising a light source; and an optical component; wherein each of the plurality of framing blades is configured to be placed in a path of the light source so that at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades reflects light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width, wherein the length is perpendicular to the width, for each of the plurality of framing blades, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for each of the plurality of framing blades, depending on which part of the at least one surface, the light rays are incident on; wherein each of the plurality of framing blades includes a coating and a base, wherein the coating is applied to a first side of the base, and a second side of the base, opposite the first side of the base, does not have the coating; wherein the at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades is a surface of the coating; and wherein the surface of the coating provides less reflection of light directed onto the at least one surface for each of the plurality of framing blades, compared to light directed onto the second side of the base, for each of the plurality of framing blades; and wherein the coating is a dry film lubricant comprised of molybdenum or graphite or tungsten.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the plurality of framing blades include a first framing blade and a second framing blade; wherein the apparatus further includes a first motor component configured to move the first framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the first framing blade with respect to the second framing blade; and wherein the apparatus further includes a second motor component configured to move the second framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the second framing blade with respect to the first framing blade.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade do not overlap.
9. A method comprising the steps of: placing a first framing blade in the path of a light source of a multiparameter theatre light having an optical component, so that at least one surface of the first framing blade reflects light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of the first framing blade is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface of the first framing blade alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface of the first framing blade with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width of the first framing blade, wherein the length is perpendicular to the width, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for the first framing blade, depending on which part of the at least one surface of the first framing blade, the light rays are incident on; wherein the multiparameter theatre light includes a plurality of framing blades including the first framing blade and a second framing blade; wherein the multiparameter theatre light further includes a first motor component configured to move the first framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the first framing blade with respect to the second framing blade; and wherein the multiparameter theatre light further includes a second motor component configured to move the second framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the second framing blade with respect to the first framing blade.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising placing one or more further framing blades of the plurality of framing blades in the path of the light source of the multiparameter theatre light having the optical component, so that at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades reflect light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades, with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width for the one or more further framing blades, wherein the length and width of each of the one or more further framing blades are perpendicular to each other, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for the one or more further framing blades, depending on which part of the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades, the light rays are incident on; and wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade do not overlap.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of peaks and the plurality of troughs, for each of the plurality of framing blades, are formed by texturing.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of peaks and the plurality of troughs, for each of the plurality of framing blades, are formed by embossing.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of peaks and the plurality of troughs, for each of the plurality of framing blades, are geometrically arranged.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the angle of reflection with respect to the plane for each of the plurality of framing blades is substantially different from the angle of incidence with respect to the plane for each of the plurality of framing blades, for a plurality of the light rays incident on the at least one surface.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade overlap.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of framing blades include a third framing blade and a fourth framing blade; wherein the multi-parameter theatre light further includes a third motor component configured to move the third framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the third framing blade with respect to the fourth framing blade; and wherein the multi-parameter theatre light further includes a fourth motor component configured to move the fourth framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the fourth framing blade with respect to the third framing blade.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first framing blade is configured to move towards the second framing blade in a first direction to move the first framing blade into the path of the light source; the second framing blade is configured to move towards the first framing blade in a second direction, which opposes the first direction, to move the second framing blade into the path of the light source; the third framing blade is configured to move towards the fourth framing blade in a third direction to move the third framing blade into the path of the light source; the fourth framing blade is configured to move towards the third framing blade in a fourth direction, which opposes the third direction, to move the fourth framing blade into the path of the light source; and wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to the third and the fourth directions.
18. A method comprising the steps of: placing a first framing blade in the path of a light source of a multiparameter theatre light having an optical component, so that at least one surface of the first framing blade reflects light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of the first framing blade is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface of the first framing blade alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface of the first framing blade with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width of the first framing blade, wherein the length is perpendicular to the width, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for the first framing blade, depending on which part of the at least one surface of the first framing blade, the light rays are incident on further comprising placing one or more further framing blades in the path of the light source of the multiparameter theatre light having the optical component, so that at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades reflect light rays from the light source; wherein the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades is comprised of a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, such that the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades alternates between a peak and a trough; and wherein light rays incident on the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades, with the same angle of incidence with respect to a plane including and parallel to a length and a width for the one or more further framing blades, wherein the length and width of each of the one or more further framing blades are perpendicular to each other, have a different angle of reflection with respect to the plane for the one or more further framing blades, depending on which part of the at least one surface of the one or more further framing blades, the light rays are incident on; wherein the first framing blade and the one or more further framing blades make up a plurality of framing blades; and wherein each of the plurality of framing blades includes a coating and a base, wherein the coating is applied to a first side of the base, and a second side of the base, opposite the first side of the base, does not have the coating; wherein the at least one surface of each of the plurality of framing blades is a surface of the coating; and wherein the surface of the coating provides less reflection of light directed onto the at least one surface for each of the plurality of framing blades, compared to light directed onto the second side of the base, for each of the plurality of framing blades; and wherein the coating is a dry film lubricant comprised of molybdenum or graphite or tungsten.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the multiparameter theatre light includes a plurality of framing blades including the first framing blade and a second framing blade; wherein the multiparameter theatre light further includes a first motor component configured to move the first framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the first framing blade with respect to the second framing blade; and wherein the multiparameter theatre light further includes a second motor component configured to move the second framing blade from out of the path of the light source to into the path of the light source, and to thereby move the second framing blade with respect to the first framing blade.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first framing blade and the second framing blade do not overlap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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(13) Arrow 24 show the reflected light ray direction of arrow 21, off of the blade surface 11a. Arrow 25 shows the reflected light ray direction of arrow 22, off of the blade surface 11a. Arrow 26 shows the reflected light ray direction of arrow 23, off of the blade surface 11a.
(14) Unfortunately the reflected light rays 24, 25 and 26 are all headed in substantially the same general direction from the surface 11a. It is common for these directional rays 24, 25 and 26 to all shine upon an optical component of a multiparameter light such as a lens component (not shown for simplicity) wherein the lens component can reduce the contrast ratio during the use of the framing parameter. The mill finish of the surface 11a of the framing blade or shutter blade 11 is too reflective in this prior art framing system, apparatus, and method 100 for the critical standards of the theatrical professional. Oxidization of the framing blades or shutter blades 11, 12, 13, and 14 due to heat can also cause a framing system, apparatus and method 100 to fault as it can make the blades 11, 12, 13, and 14, difficult to slide upon each other causing a mechanical malfunction.
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(16) The shutter blades 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be comprised substantially or entirely of high grade stainless steel such as 316 grade stainless steel. The shutter blades 31, 32, 33 and 34, in at least one embodiment, have their surfaces coated with a dry film coating of molybdenum on one or both sides, i.e. the side facing the aperture 35 and the side facing away from the aperture 35. The molybdenum coating serves two useful properties. First the molybdenum coating reduces the oxidization of the stainless surfaces of the shutter blades 31, 32, 33 and 24. Second the molybdenum is a very dark coating that greatly reduces the reflective property of the typically mill finish shutter blades 31, 32, 33, and 34.
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(18) By using the molybdenum film coating, the reflection from the surface 31a is substantially reduced by greater than 85% by absorption of the molybdenum coating depending on the uniformity of the coating. The reduced reflection light rays 44, 45 and 46 are still, however all headed in generally direction from surface 31a as shown. The reduced reflection rays 44, 45 and 46 can still shine upon an optical component of a multiparameter light such as a lens component, such as lens or lens component 904 shown in
(19) After working with many light absorbing dry film coatings including graphite, tungsten and molybdenum the inventor of the present application has been determined that all of these light absorbing coatings still have too much residual reflective properties to meet the need of the theatrical industry. It was necessary to find an innovative solution that incorporates altering the surface topology of the shutter blades, such as shutter blades 11, 12, 13, and 14 or shutter blades 31, 32, 33, and 34 before applying the dry film coatings to scatter the residual light thus spreading the residual reflective energy over a larger area.
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(21) Each of the shutter blades 51, 52, 53, and 54 may be a stainless steel sheet, and each may be comprised of high grade stainless steel such as 316 grade. Shutter blades 51, 52, 53 and 54 have had their surface topology altered. The shutter blades 51, 52, 53, and 54 of shutter system, apparatus, and method 500 are not coated with any dry film coating. The surface topology alteration method can be by abrasive blasting, laser milling or embossing. Other surface topology modifications may include tumbling or acid etching of patterns. The surface topology modification may be geometrical or random. A geometrical surface topology modification can provide a better known distribution pattern of the reflected light from the shutter blades. Alternatively the surface topology modification can be a random texturing. Although generally texturing or embossing of stainless steel is known, using a modified surface for reducing reflection on a framing system of a multiparameter is not known in the art.
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(24) Aperture and light source 75 is shown where a light path of collimated light from a light source of a multiparameter light as known in the art passes through. Shutter blade 71 is configured to can move in front of the aperture 75, so that blade 71 overlaps part or all of the aperture 75, by a motor such as including member 91 for framing blade 71 in
(25) The surface topology modification creates several improvements for the shutter system, apparatus, and method 500 of
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(27) The modification of a metal surface topology for reduction of reflected light could be used effectively for the stainless steel blades of an iris that is also commonly placed into the light path of a multiparameter light. The use of an iris to control a beam diameter is known in the art. Other structures within a multiparameter light that may have need to critically control the amount of reflected light may also benefit from surface topology modifications as described.
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(31) Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.