Apparatus for mechanically adjusting lighting fixture beam azimuth and elevation

Claim 2

Apparatus for remotely adjusting a beam of light in two axes comprising: a first support; a light source coupled to the first support; means for forming a beam suitable for entertainment lighting, said beam directed along a first axis fixed in relation to said first support; a second support mechanically coupled to said first support so as to permit rotation of at least said second support substantially about said first axis; a first remotely-adjustable means for rotating at least said second support about said first axis; first means for redirecting said beam along a second axis, said first means for redirecting mechanically coupled to said second support such that said first axis extends through said first means for redirecting and said beam is incident upon said first means for redirecting in all angular positions of said second support about said first axis within the range of beam adjustment; a third support mechanically coupled to said second support so as to permit rotation of said third support substantially about said second axis; a second remotely-adjustable means for rotating said third support about said second axis; second means for redirecting said beam along a third axis, said second means for redirecting mechanically coupled to said third support such that said second axis extends through said second means for redirecting in all angular positions of said third support about said second axis within the range of beam adjustment; wherein said second support is rotationally supported about said first axis at a point beyond said incidence of said beam upon said first means for redirecting.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotational coupling is provided between said first support and said second support at a point prior to said incidence, and such that passage of said beam is permitted.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first remotely-adjustable means drives said second support at said rotational support beyond said incidence.

Claim 5

Apparatus for remotely adjusting a beam of light in two axes, said beam suitable for entertainment lighting, said apparatus comprising: an assembly, said assembly mechanically coupled to a first support to permit rotation of said assembly relative to said first support about a first axis extending through said assembly, said light beam maintained substantially coaxial with said first axis; first means for remotely adjusting the angular orientation of at least said assembly about said first axis; first means for redirecting said beam along a second axis, said first means for redirecting mechanically coupled with said assembly such that aid first axis extends through said first means for redirecting and said beam is incident upon said first means for redirecting in all angular orientations of said assembly about said first axis within the range of beam adjustment, said redirection defining a near side of said assembly through which said beam enters said assembly prior to incidence upon said first means for redirecting and substantially coaxial with said first axis, and a far side of said assembly substantially coaxial with said first axis beyond said incidence; second means for again redirecting said once redirected beam along a third axis, said second means for redirecting maintained in alignment with said second axis in all angular orientations of said assembly about said first axis within the range of beam adjustment so as to permit rotation of said second means for redirecting about said second axis; second means for remotely-adjusting the angular orientation of said second means for redirecting about said second axis; said mechanical coupling of said assembly and said first support to permit rotation being provided on both said near side and said far side of said assembly.

Claim 6

Apparatus for remotely adjusting a beam of light in two axes, said beam suitable for entertainment lighting, said apparatus comprising: an assembly, said assembly mechanically coupled to a first support to permit rotation of said assembly relative to said first support about a first axis extending through said assembly, said light beam maintained substantially coaxial with said first axis; first means for remotely adjusting the angular orientation of at least said assembly about said first axis; first means for redirecting said beam along a second axis, said first means for redirecting mechanically coupled with said assembly such that aid first axis extends through said first means for redirecting and said beam is incident upon said first means for redirecting in all angular orientations of said assembly about said first axis within the range of beam adjustment, said redirection defining a near side of said assembly through which said beam enters said assembly prior to incidence upon said first means for redirecting and substantially coaxial with said first axis, and a far side of said assembly substantially coaxial with said first axis beyond said incidence; second means for again redirecting said once redirected beam along a third axis, said second means for redirecting maintained in alignment with said second axis in all angular orientations of said assembly about said first axis within the range of beam adjustment so as to permit rotation of said second means for redirecting about said second axis; second means for remotely-adjusting the angular orientation of said second means for redirecting about said second axis; said mechanical coupling of said assembly and said first support to permit rotation being provided on both said near side and said far side of said assembly.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first remotely-adjustable means comprises a rotary actuator having a fixed and a rotating portion, one coupled to said first support and the other coupled to said second support, said actuator having an effective rotational centerline coaxial with said first axis.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first remotely-adjustable means comprises a rotary actuator having a fixed and a rotating portion, one coupled to said first support and the other coupled to said second support, said actuator having an effective rotational centerline coaxial with said first axis.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said third support is supported from said second support by an elongated member extending substantially coaxial with said second axis.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second means for redirecting comprises a non-planar reflective surface having a divergent optical effect.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said third support is rotationally fixed to said elongated member and said elongated member is rotationally coupled at said second support for actuation by said second remotely-adjustable means, said second remotely-adjustable means comprising an actuator carried on said second support.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second means for redirecting comprises a non-planar reflective surface having a divergent optical effect.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said second means for redirecting is an optical element having a divergent optical effect.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said first support defines an enclosed volume, and wherein said second support and said third support can be oriented such that said second support, said first means for redirecting, said third support, and said second means for redirecting may be substantially enclosed within said volume.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein a means suitable for aiming said beam and having a directional character is carried upon said second support so as to be directed with said beam.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means suitable for aiming comprises an imaging device having a field of view substantially conformed to that of said beam.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said first axis and said second axis are substantially perpendicular.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said second axis and said third axis are substantially perpendicular.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said first axis is nominally horizontal.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, wherein said first and second means to redirect comprise reflective surfaces.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 4, and further employing additional means to redirect prior to said first means to redirect.

Claim 22

In an apparatus for adjusting the direction of a beam of light produced by a light projector, said beam suitable for entertainment lighting, said apparatus including a reflective surface, said beam incident upon and reflected by said surface defining an incident and reflected portion of said beam, the centerline of said beam in said incident portion defining a first axis, and a direction of said beam being altered by rotation of said reflective surface about substantially said first axis by a remotely-adjustable actuator, the improvement wherein said reflective surface is supported by an elongated shaft substantially coaxial with said first axis and interior to said beam, said reflective surface being rotationally fixed to said elongated shaft, and said direction of said beam altered by rotation of said elongated member and said reflective surface by said actuator.

Claim 23

In an apparatus for adjusting the direction of a beam of light produced by a light projector, said beam suitable for entertainment lighting, said apparatus including a reflective surface, said beam incident upon and reflected by said surface defining an incident and reflected portion of said beam, the centerline of said beam in said incident portion defining a first axis, and a direction of said beam being altered by rotation of said reflective surface about substantially said first axis by a remotely-adjustable actuator, the improvement wherein said reflective surface is supported by an elongated shaft substantially coaxial with said first axis and interior to said beam, said reflective surface being rotationally fixed to said elongated shaft, and said direction of said beam altered by rotation of said elongated member and said reflective surface by said actuator.

Claim 24

Method for remotely-adjusting the direction of a beam of light suitable for entertainment lighting, comprising the steps of: redirecting the beam once with first reflective surface; supporting the first reflective surface by means of at least two rotational couplings to a fixed support, said rotational couplings spaced apart along and effectively coaxial with the elongated centerline of said beam as incident upon said first reflective surface, so as to permit remotely controlling the rotation of said reflective surface substantially about said elongated centerline so as to alter the direction in which said beam is redirected through a first axis while maintaining incidence of said beam upon said reflective surface; redirecting said once-redirected beam a second time with a second reflective surface; remotely controlling the rotation of said second reflective surface substantially about the elongated centerline of said beam as redirected by said first reflective surface and incident upon said second reflective surface so as to alter the direction in which said beam is redirected in a second axis, said second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis, while maintaining incidence of said beam upon said second reflective surface.

Claim 25

Method for remotely-adjusting the direction of a beam of light suitable for entertainment lighting, comprising the steps of: redirecting the beam once with first reflective surface; supporting the first reflective surface by means of at least two rotational couplings to a fixed support, said rotational couplings spaced apart along and effectively coaxial with the elongated centerline of said beam as incident upon said first reflective surface, so as to permit remotely controlling the rotation of said reflective surface substantially about said elongated centerline so as to alter the direction in which said beam is redirected through a first axis while maintaining incidence of said beam upon said reflective surface; redirecting said once-redirected beam a second time with a second reflective surface; remotely controlling the rotation of said second reflective surface substantially about the elongated centerline of said beam as redirected by said first reflective surface and incident upon said second reflective surface so as to alter the direction in which said beam is redirected in a second axis, said second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis, while maintaining incidence of said beam upon said second reflective surface.