Lighting device comprising a projector with a laser-shaped light source

Abstract

1. Lighting device comprising: a base with a lower part for fixing said lighting device to a support and an upper part for fixing a yoke; a U-shaped yoke with a lower part and two essentially parallel arms, the lower part of the yoke being connected to the base by means of a first axis of rotation (I), the yoke being free to rotate relative to the base around said first axis of rotation (I); a projector provided with at least one light source, the projector being fixed between the two arms of the yoke by means of a second axis of rotation (II), the projector being free to rotate relative to the yoke around said second axis of rotation (I), the first (I) and second (II) axes of rotation being substantially perpendicular to each other, the yoke defining a cylindrical volume when rotating around the first axis of rotation (I).During a rotation of the lyre around the first axis of rotation (I), the ends of the base are contained within the cylindrical volume, and during a rotation of the projector relative to the lyre around the second axis of rotation (II), the ends of the projector are contained within the cylindrical volume, in which the light source comprises a laser. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Lighting device comprising a projector with a laser-shaped light source Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices and, more specifically, to a lighting device comprising a base with a lower part for fixing said lighting device on a support and an upper part for fixing a lyre, a ''U''-shaped lyre with a lower part and two essentially parallel arms, the lower part of the lyre being connected to the base using a first axis of rotation, the lyre being rotatable relative to the base around said first axis of rotation and a projector provided with at least one light source, the projector being fixed between the two arms of the lyre using a second axis of rotation, the projector being rotatable relative to the lyre around said second axis of rotation. State of the art

[0002] Nowadays, it is known to use lighting devices comprising a projector provided with at least one light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a base for fixing said lighting device to a support. The projector is connected to the base by means of an arm, a first and a second fixing element. Thus, the arm is, at a first end, connected to the base using the first fixing element to allow the arm to be movable in rotation relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. The projector is connected to the arm using the second fixing element, the projector being movable in rotation relative to the arm about a second axis of rotation. The base makes it possible to fix said lighting device to a support, such as a wall or a supporting structure on which several lighting devices are fixed next to each other.The base is connected, on the one hand, to a source of electrical energy making it possible to convey said electrical energy towards the light source of the projector and, on the other hand, to a control system adapted to generate commands concerning the management of the use of the lighting device.

[0003] In the field of entertainment, and more particularly in theatrical performances or musical shows, lighting devices represent a significant part of the decor. Indeed, lighting devices are used in order to complete the visual image offered to spectators by generating particular lighting effects. During normal use of lighting devices, it is possible to materialize the light beams obtained thanks to the light source and this, using a "fog" type of smoke. This fog forms the support onto which the different light beams are projected and made visible to the spectators.

[0004] Users of lighting devices arrange a determined number of such lighting devices in order to create a structure allowing innovative visual effects to be obtained. Thus, the lighting devices must be easily juxtaposable and adjustable in order to assemble without difficulty whatever the final structure to be obtained. However, existing lighting devices do not allow such freedom of assembly given the intrinsic size of a lighting device linked to the space required for the rotation of the projector. Thus, the current size of such structures is relatively large. In addition, in existing devices the light sources used are generally LEDs. This type of light source produces relatively divergent light beams. This divergence has the effect that the beams of adjacent lighting devices mix and are no longer visible as individual light beams.The solution that exists to solve this problem is to either position the light devices at relatively large mutual distances, or to use optical elements, such as collimators, to obtain parallel light beams. The disadvantage of a large distance between adjacent devices is that it limits the optical effects that can be produced with a set of light devices. The disadvantage of using optical elements, such as collimators, is that the optical elements limit the intensity of the resulting light beam.

[0005] In view of the above observations, the aim of the present invention is to propose a lighting device in which the projector of the lighting device has improved freedom of movement so that a first lighting device can easily be positioned at a short distance from other lighting devices in order to obtain a lighting system comprising several lighting devices. Subject of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to propose a lighting device comprising: - a base with a lower part allowing said lighting device to be fixed on a support and an upper part allowing a lyre to be fixed, - a lyre in the shape of a “U” with a lower part and two essentially parallel arms, the lower part of the lyre being connected to the base using a first axis of rotation (I), the lyre being movable in rotation relative to the base around said first axis of rotation (I), - a projector provided with at least one light source, the projector being fixed between the two arms of the lyre using a second axis of rotation (II), the projector being movable in rotation relative to the lyre around said second axis of rotation (I), - the first (I) and the second (II) axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to each other, - the lyre defining a cylindrical volume during a rotation of the lyre around the first axis of rotation (I), during a rotation of the lyre around the first axis of rotation (I), the ends of the base being contained in the cylindrical volume and, during a rotation of the projector relative to the lyre around the second axis of rotation (II), the ends of the projector being contained in the cylindrical volume, the lighting device being characterized in that, - the light source includes a laser.

[0007] Thus, the lighting device according to the present invention comprises a projector being rotatable relative to the arm about a second axis of rotation. The arm also being rotatable relative to the base about a first axis of rotation, the projector is rotatable relative to the base about the first axis of rotation and about the second axis of rotation. The first and second axes of rotation being substantially perpendicular to each other, the projector is free to be oriented in any direction relative to the base.

[0008] According to the present invention, the size and shape of the projector are defined so that the ends of the projector are contained within a defined cylindrical volume when the arm rotates about the first axis of rotation relative to the base, during a rotation of the projector relative to the arm. In addition, the size and shape of the base are defined so that the ends of said base are contained within the same cylindrical volume, during a rotation of the projector relative to the arm about the first axis of rotation.

[0009] In other words, the lighting device according to the invention allows a first lighting device to be positioned adjacent to a second lighting device, in which the different rotations of the arm and the projector carried out around the first and second axis of rotation cannot, in any way, prevent the movements carried out by the arm and the projector of the second lighting device, adjacent to the first lighting device. Thus, the lighting device offers a relatively compact structure, composed of several lighting devices positioned adjacent to each other.

[0010] Furthermore, taking into account that the light source in the light device according to the invention comprises a laser, the device is adapted to produce an intense and very little divergent light beam. This allows a viewer to perceive the light beams of adjacent devices as individual light beams, despite the restricted distance between the adjacent devices.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the lower part of the base comprises four fixing elements adapted to fix the base on a support.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the four fixing elements are positioned to together form a square.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fixing elements are quarter-turn type elements.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, in which the base has essentially the shape of a disc.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the projector essentially comprises the shape of a sphere.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the second axis of rotation (II) coincides with an axis of symmetry of said sphere.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing element and the second fixing element are adapted to allow rotation of the projector and the base according to an angle of rotation at least equal to 360°.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing element and the second fixing element are adapted to allow the transfer of electrical energy and the transfer of controls via said fixing element.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a lighting system comprising a support and at least one first and one second lighting device according to the invention, in which the support comprises a straight member with fixing elements for cooperating with the fixing elements of said at least first and second lighting devices to allow the fixing of said at least first and second lighting devices next to each other on said straight member. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The aim, object and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the figures in which: - [Fig.l] shows a front view of the light device according to the invention, - [Fig.2] shows a side view of the light device according to [Fig.l], - [Fig.3] shows a top view of the light device according to the figures 1 and 2, - [Fig.4] represents a lighting assembly composed of four lighting devices according to the invention, the projectors being oriented in a first direction, and assembled in order to form a square, - [Fig.5] shows the lighting assembly according to [Fig.4], in which the projectors are oriented in a second direction, - [Fig.6] represents a set composed of seven light devices according to the invention, assembled with the aim of forming a “star”, - [Fig.7] shows the lower part of the base 1 of the light device according to the invention, - [Fig.8] represents a support element suitable for fixing three light devices according to the invention, - [Fig.9] shows a set of two support elements, and - [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 1 1] represent a lighting assembly comprising nine lighting devices fixed on three adjacent support elements.

[0021] The present invention relates to a lighting device, particularly suitable for use within a lighting assembly of several lighting devices, said lighting devices being positioned next to each other.

[0022] [Fig. 1] describes the embodiment of a lighting device 10 according to the invention. The lighting device 10 comprises a base 1 adapted to allow the positioning and fixing of the lighting device 10 on a support. The support for the device 10 allows an alignment adapted to position the lighting devices 10 in parallel with each other. The support is described in detail below with reference to [Fig. 8]. According to the invention, during normal use, the base 1 is fixed on the support to allow several lighting devices 10 to be fixed together, at a minimum distance from each other, in order to obtain a luminous assembly of lighting devices providing optimal visual effects.

[0023] The base 1 is provided with at least one connector allowing connection with an electrical energy source. In addition, the base 1 is provided with another connector allowing the reception of control signals associated with the control commands and the optimal operation of the lighting device 10 according to the preferences of a user. The control commands make it possible to obtain the rotation of a lyre 2 and a projector 4 described below.

[0024] Indeed, the device 10 comprises a lyre 2 connected, at its lower end, to the base 1 by means of a first fixing element 3. The first fixing element 3 allows the lyre 2 to remain mobile in rotation relative to the base 1, around a first axis of rotation I. The first axis of rotation I, shown in [Fig.l], is a vertical axis located at the center of the lighting device 10. During a rotation around the first axis of rotation I, the lyre 2 pivots freely relative to the base 1.

[0025] According to the present invention, the first fixing element 3 allows the arm 2 to rotate without limit relative to the base 1. Thus, the lyre 2 can pivot, towards a first or a second direction, as many times as necessary for optimal use. The first fixing element 3 is adapted to the transmission, on the one hand, electrical energy from the base 1 to the lyre 2 and, on the other hand, to the transmission of signals allowing the movements and use of the light source of the device 10 to be controlled.

[0026] The lighting device 10 comprises a projector 4 fixed to the lyre 2. The projector 4 is connected to the two longitudinal elements of the “U” by means of said second and third fixing elements 5, 6. The second and third fixing elements 5, 6 are positioned to allow, together, the rotation of the projector 4 relative to the arm 2. The second fixing element 5 and the third fixing element 6 are of the same type as the first fixing element 3. In other words, the second fixing element 5 and the third fixing element 6 are adapted to allow free rotation of the projector 4 relative to the arm 2. The projector 4 can pivot, without limit, whatever the direction of rotation.In addition, at least the second fixing element 5 or the third fixing element 6 can be adapted to transmit the electrical energy and the controls of the arm 2 to the projector 4 in order to allow the optimal operation of the light source of the projector 4.

[0027] The second fixing element 5 and the third fixing element 6 allow the projector 4 to pivot freely about a second axis of rotation IL. The second axis of rotation II, shown in [Fig.l], is a horizontal axis of rotation essentially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation I.

[0028] The projector 4 is provided, within it, with at least one light source which emits a light beam towards the outside of the projector 4. The projector 4 is provided with a front lens 41, which forms the outlet for the light beams produced inside the projector 4.

[0029] According to the invention, the light source for the projector 4 is a laser. The advantage of this type of light source is the fact that with a laser light beams can be produced with a restricted divergence of the order of 2 degrees, or less.

[0030] This means that the light beams which come out of the adjacent light devices 10, even if these devices 10 are positioned close to each other, are visible as individual beams.

[0031] The most suitable design for use within a light device 10 according to the invention is that aimed at using a laser fixed on a printed circuit. The laser receives instructions, relating to the use of the laser, thanks to this printed circuit, said printed circuit being adapted to receive commands aimed at optimal use of the laser. A laser suitable for the light device according to the invention is for example a compact module using phosphor conversion. An example of such a type of laser is the BLL100-90-R00-000 laser marketed by the company YLX©.

[0032] During normal use, the light device 10 can be used in the presence of a smoke screen of the “fog” type. When the light beam illuminates said smoke screen, said light beam materializes on said smoke screen.

[0033] [Fig. 2] shows a side view of the lighting device 10 according to [Fig. 1]. In [Fig. 2], the lyre 2 positioned on the base 1 has external dimensions similar to those of the base 1. As shown in [Fig. 2], the projector 4 is essentially in the form of a sphere, the second axis of rotation II being essentially identical to the axis of symmetry of said sphere, in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane of the base 1. A light beam 20, obtained using a light source, is schematically represented using dotted lines. The lyre 2 can pivot freely relative to the base around the first axis of rotation I in the two directions shown by the arrow.

[0034] [Fig. 3] represents a top view of the lighting device 10 according to figures 1 and 2. [Fig. 3] shows the lyre 2 and the projector 4. The base 1, covered by the lyre 2, is not visible in [Fig. 3].

[0035] Thus, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the projector 4 can pivot relative to the lyre 2 and the assembly formed by the arm 2 and the projector 4 can pivot freely relative to the base 1. The lighting device 10 according to the invention is such that, during a rotation of the lyre 2 around the first axis of rotation I, the ends of the base 1 are contained in a cylindrical volume defined by the free ends of the lyre 2 during a rotation of the lyre 2 around the first axis of rotation I. Simultaneously, during a rotation of the projector 4 relative to the lyre 2, around the second axis of rotation II, the ends of the projector 4 are contained in the same cylindrical volume.

[0036] Thanks to the technical characteristics of the lighting device 10 according to the invention, a first lighting device 10 can be positioned at a short distance from a second lighting device 10, insofar as the rotation of the lyre 2 around the first axis of rotation I and the rotation of the projector 4 around the second axis of rotation II do not hinder the free rotation of the lyre 2 and the projector 4 of the second lighting device 10.

[0037] [Fig. 4] shows a first light assembly of four light devices 10 according to the invention. The four light devices 10 according to the arrangement as described in [Fig. 4] form, in combination, a square. [Fig. 4] shows that the different light devices 10 can be positioned very close to each other without the different rotations exerted by the lyres 2 and the projectors 4 of the different light devices 10 hindering the rotations of the lyres 2 and the projectors 4 of the neighboring devices.

[0038] According to [Fig.4], the lyres 2 and the projectors 4 are positioned in order to allow the light beams 20 to form, in combination, a divergent visual effect.

[0039] [Fig.5] shows the lighting devices 10 according to [Fig.4], with the lyres 2 and the projectors 4 positioned in such a way that the different light beams 20 form, in combination, a convergent visual effect.

[0040] [Fig. 6] represents a light assembly of seven light devices 10 according to the invention. According to [Fig. 6], the different light devices 10 can be positioned very close to each other, without the different rotations exerted by the lyres 2 and the projectors 4 of the different light devices 10 hindering the rotations of the arms 2 and the projectors 4 of the neighboring light devices 10.

[0041] [Fig.7] shows the lower part of the base 1 of the device 10 according to the invention. The base 1 is provided with four fixing elements 11, 12, 13, 14 which are adapted to fix the lighting device 10 on a support. [Fig.7] shows that the four fixing elements 11, 12, 13, 14 together form a square.

[0042] [Fig.8] shows a support element 8 specifically adapted to fix a first, a second and a third luminous device 10 in an aligned manner next to each other.

[0043] The support element 8 comprises a central planar and rectilinear member 81 which extends between a first end shown on the left in [Fig.8] and a second end 83.

[0044] To fix the light devices 10, the support element 8 comprises three times a set of four fixing elements 91, 92, 93, 94 adapted to cooperate respectively with the fixing elements 11, 12, 13, 14 present on the lower part of the base 1 of the light devices 10.

[0045] The fastening elements 11, 12, 13, 14, 91, 92, 93, 94 are quarter-turn type fastening elements. This type of fastening elements allows rapid fastening and loosening. Due to the fact that each light device 10 is fastened using the four fastening elements 11, 12, 13, 14, the alignment of the light devices 10 can be ensured.

[0046] To correctly align the adjacent light devices 10, the support element 8 must be straight, flat and rigid. The rigidity of the support element 8 is obtained thanks to the set of longitudinal folds 84, 86 on the one hand and the longitudinal folds 85, 87 on the other hand.

[0047] The support element 8 is particularly suitable for being fixed to the adjacent support elements 8, to together form a support for a determined quantity of light devices.

[0048] [Fig.9] shows the connection between a first support element 8 and a second support element 8. The connection between the support elements 8 is obtained by means of connection elements 7. Said connection elements 7 are used to connect two support elements 8 using the fixing elements 71, 72, 73, 74 of the quarter-turn type. It is obvious that the user can combine support elements 8 to obtain a support surface of his choice, large enough to fix the quantity of light devices 10 necessary for the needs of said user.

[0049] Figures 10 and 11 show a set of nine light devices 10 fixed on a total of three adjacent support elements 8.

[0050] Figures 4 to 11 show that the different characteristics of the light device 10 according to the invention make it possible to obtain an unlimited number of positions of the light devices 10 within a light assembly comprising several light devices 10.

[0051] A control system (not shown) allows the intensity and color of the different light sources to be managed and adjusted. In addition, the position of the different projectors 4 can be managed individually. Thanks to the compact positioning of the different lighting devices 10, new lighting effects can be achieved.

[0052] By using individual movements of light devices 10 according to the invention simultaneously, in combination with linear movements, an unlimited number of visual effects can be obtained.

Claims

Claims

1. Lighting device comprising: - a base with a lower part for fixing said lighting device on a support and an upper part for fixing a lyre, - a lyre in the shape of a “U” with a lower part and two essentially parallel arms, the lower part of the lyre being connected to the base using a first axis of rotation (I), the lyre being movable in rotation relative to the base around said first axis of rotation (I), - a projector provided with at least one light source, the projector being fixed between the two arms of the lyre using a second axis of rotation (II), the projector being movable in rotation relative to the lyre around said second axis of rotation (I), - the first (I) and the second (II) axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to each other,- the lyre defining a cylindrical volume during a rotation of the lyre around the first axis of rotation (I), during a rotation of the lyre around the first axis of rotation (I), the ends of the base being contained in the cylindrical volume and, during a rotation of the projector relative to the lyre around the second axis of rotation (II), the ends of the projector being contained in the cylindrical volume, the lighting device being characterized in that, - the light source comprises a laser.,

2. A light device according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the base comprises four fixing elements adapted to fix the base to a support.

3. A light device according to claim 2, wherein the four fixing elements are positioned to together form a square.

4. A light device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixing elements are quarter-turn type elements.

5. A light device according to any preceding claim, wherein the base is essentially disc-shaped.

6. A lighting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the projector essentially comprises the shape of a sphere.

7. A light device according to claim 6, wherein the second axis of rotation (II) coincides with an axis of symmetry of said sphere.

8. A lighting device according to one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7 when dependent on claims 2 to 4, in which the first fixing element and the second fixing element are adapted to allow rotation of the projector and the base through an angle of rotation at least equal to 360°.

9. A light device according to claim 8, wherein the first fixing element and the second fixing element are adapted to allow the transfer of electrical energy and the transfer of controls via said fixing element.

10. A lighting system comprising a support and at least one first and one second lighting device according to one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7 when dependent on claims 2 to 4, or 8, 9,, wherein the support comprises a straight member with fixing elements for cooperating with the fixing elements of said at least first and second lighting devices to allow fixing of said at least first and second lighting devices next to each other on said straight member.