(12) United States Patent
`Luk
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,585,395 B2
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`US006585395B2
`
`(54) VARIABLE BEAM LIGHT EMITTING DIODE
`LIGHT SOURCE SYSTEM
`
`5,920,643 A * 7/1999 White et a1. .............. .. 362/249
`6,390,643 B1 * 5/2002 Knight ..................... .. 362/231
`
`(75) Inventor: John F. Luk, Flushing, NY (US)
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`(73) Assignee: Altman Stage Lighting Co., Inc.,
`Yonkers NY (Us)
`’
`Subject‘ to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adJusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 22 days.
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl, No; 09/815,321
`_
`(22) F1169:
`(65)
`
`Mar- 22’ 2001
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2002/0136010 A1 SeP~ 26, 2002
`(51) Int Cl 7
`
`FZIY 21/14
`
`362/250; 362/372
`,
`(52)
`(58) Field of Search ................................ .. 362/250, 372
`(56)
`References Cited
`
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,855,884 A * 8/1989 Rlchfirdson """""""" " 362/278
`5,084,804 A * 1/1992 Schairer ................... .. 362/245
`5,101,326 A
`3/1992 Roney
`5,580,163 A * 12/1996 Johnson, II ............... .. 362/239
`5,752,766 A * 5/1998 Bailey et a1. ............. .. 362/231
`
`Primary Emmi/1e’, —Sandra O’Shea
`Assistant Exammer—lsmael Negron
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lackenbach & Siegel LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A light source for stage, theatrical and architectural lighting
`that includes a plurality of separate ?at and rigid panels for
`mounting a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit light
`beams to a common focus area, each separate panel having
`grouped diodes of the plurality of diodes, and having inner
`and outer panel portions. A housing for the panels has a
`center base portion and an aperture/plane rim transverse to
`an axis aligned With the center base portion. A ?rst connec
`tion ?exibly secures each outer panel portion to the rim. A
`screW positions the panels at selected positions Wherein each
`is oriented at a selected angle relative to the axis and the
`diodes emit light beams transverse to each Separate paneL A
`second connection ?exibly secures each inner panel portion
`to the screW. The panels hold the diodes and include circuit
`boards for poWering the diodes. The screW is elongated and
`rotatably aligned With the axis of and threaded to a nut at its
`outer end portion, and its inner end portion being rotatably
`mounted to the Center base portion
`'
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`56 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
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`28-4
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`24
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`18/
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`VWGoA EX1033
`U.S. Patent No. 9,955,551
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`US 6,585,395 B2
`
`1
`VARIABLE BEAM LIGHT EMITTING DIODE
`LIGHT SOURCE SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to illumination for
`theatrical, architectural and stage lighting systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Longer life and more energy ef?cient sources of light have
`become increasingly important thus making alternative light
`sources important. Recent advances in light emitting diode
`(LED) technology particularly the development of multi
`chip and multi-LED arrays have led to brighter LEDs
`available in different colors. LEDs are available in both
`visible colors and infrared. In addition to red, yelloW, green,
`and amber-orange, Which Were the ?rst available colors,
`LEDs are noW available in blue and even White light. LEDs
`operate at loWer currents and yet produce 100 percent color
`intensity and light energy. For many applications, LEDs can
`compete directly With incandescent ?lament light sources.
`LEDs emit a focused beam of color light in a variety of
`different angles, in contrast to incandescent ?lament lamps,
`Which emit only the full spectrum of light. In order to obtain
`color from an incandescent ?lament lamp, a speci?c color
`gel or ?lter in the desired color spectrum must be used. Such
`a system results in 90 percent or more of the light energy
`Wasted by the incandescent ?lament lamp. LEDs on the
`other hand deliver 100 percent of their energy as light and
`so produce a more intense colored light. White light is also
`produced more advantageously by LEDs. White light is
`obtained from LEDs in tWo Ways: ?rst, by using special
`White light LEDs; and second, by using an additive mixture
`of red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs at the same intensity
`level so as to produce a White light. With regard to the
`second method, variable intensity combinations of RGB
`LEDs Will give the full color spectrum With 100 percent
`color intensity and light output energy. The primary colors
`red, green, and blue of RGB LEDs can be mixed to produce
`the secondary colors cyan, yelloW, magenta (CYM) and also
`White light. Mixing green and blue gives cyan, as is knoWn
`in the art of colors. Likewise as is knoWn in the art, mixing
`green and red gives yelloW. Mixing red and blue gives
`magenta. Mixing red, green, and blue together results in
`White. Advances in light-emitting diode technology include
`the development of multi-chip and multi-LED arrays, Which
`have led to brighter LEDs available in different colors. LEDs
`are available in both visible colors and infrared.
`LEDs are more energy efficient as Well. They use only a
`fraction of the poWer required by conventional incandescent
`?lament lamps. The solid state design of LEDs results in
`great durability and robustness to Withstand shock,
`vibration, frequent poWer cycling, and extreme tempera
`tures. LEDs have a typical 100,000 hours or more usable life
`When they are operated Within their electrical speci?cations.
`Incandescent ?lament lamps are capable of generating high
`intensity light for only a relatively short period of time and
`in addition are very susceptible to damage from both shock
`and vibration.
`Incandescent ?lament lamps of the MR and PAR type are
`the best knoWn and most Widely used technologies of the
`architectural, theatrical and stage lighting industry. Such
`lamps are available in different beam angles, producing
`beam angles ranging from narroW spot lights to Wide ?ood
`focuses. Such types of lamps are very popular because they
`have long-rated lives up to 5,000 hours.
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`Light emitting diode LED technology including White
`light and full color red, green, blue (RGB) tile array modules
`have become common in certain areas of illumination, most
`commonly for large scale lighted billboard displays. Such
`LED light sources incorporate sturdy, fast-moving and ani
`mated graphics With full color. Such ?at displays offer only
`one ?xed vieWing angle, usually at 100 degrees.
`Another use of ?xed ?at panels for LED arrays are
`currently used in traf?c lights and for stop lights and Warning
`haZard lights mounted on the rear of automobiles.
`A recent advance in LED lamp technology has been
`ICOLOR (a registered trademark of Color Kinetics Inc., 10
`Milk Street, Boston, Mass. 02108) MR light sources intro
`duced by such company, and the ICOLOR MR light source
`is a digital color-changing lamp, Which plugs into standard
`MR 16 type lighting ?xtures. This lamp has the advantage of
`using variable intensity colored LEDS With a long-life of
`100,000 hours or more. On the other hand, it has a ?xed LED
`array that is limited to a ?xed beam angle of 22 degrees
`(SPOT). Similarly, Boca Flashes, Inc. offers a compact LED
`array of up to 24 LEDS in a typical dichroic coated glass
`re?ector. The beam angle is limited to 20°.
`Another LED light source is use today takes the form of
`a ?ashing Warning beacon. The LEDs are arranged in a
`cylindrical array around the circumference of a tube base.
`This con?guration alloWs for vieWing from a 360 degree
`angle. The same con?guration is also used in Wedge base
`type LED lamps as Well as in LED bulbs mounted on a
`standard screW base.
`MR and PAR type incandescent ?lament lamps are able to
`be controlled to produce complete control of output beam
`angles. MR and PAR lamps are ?xed focus and are not
`adapted to control beam angles. LED technology to date
`does not offer complete control of output beam angles.
`Some patents that have addressed this problem are as
`folloWs:
`1) US. Pat. No. 5,752,766 issued to Bailey et al. on May
`19, 1998, discloses a focusable lighting apparatus for illu
`minating area for visual display. A ?exible base member,
`shoWn in this patent as a cylindrical base member 20, is
`supported on a housing and an array of LEDs 22 are
`supported on the ?exible base member. An actuator con
`nected to the base member is operable to move the ?exible
`base member to selected Working positions so as to direct
`LED generated light beams normally, inWardly or out
`Wardly. The LEDs are supported on the ?exible base 20.
`Base 20 can be de?ected (see col. 3, lines 45—49 and also
`col. 4, lines 43—46) so that the optical axes 39a in a parallel
`mode is made to provide converging light beams indicated
`by the three lines 39b shoWn in FIG. 2 thereof, and the
`bending of ?exible base 20 is accomplished by actuator 28
`by Way of a rod 26 With the second ?exed position shoWn in
`phantom. It is apparent that the range of beam angles that
`can be achieved by pulling or pushing ?exible base member
`20 is limited by the unitary structure of base member 20.
`Base member 20 itself is described as ?exible so that
`stretching of base member 20 itself is necessary to change
`the diode beam angles. The material composition of ?exible
`member 20 is described as being made of any of various
`polymer or elastomer materials (col. 4, lines 51—62). The
`unitary structure of base 20 creates a built-in limitation
`position (col. 4, lines 53—62. The invention described therein
`has a limitation to its usefulness in the ?eld of stage and
`theatrical lighting. It is also noted that the limited strength of
`elastomer base 20 itself to maintain constant diode beam
`angles is compromised so that the beam angles are signi?
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`

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`US 6,585,395 B2
`
`3
`cantly misdirected since the diodes 20 cannot maintain
`constant angles relative to the plane of ?exible member 20
`because ?exible member 20 itself undergoes a Warping
`effect and so maintains no constant plane angle except in the
`parallel beam mode. Also, the number of diodes 22 that can
`be mounted to base member 20 is limited by the “relatively
`thin” (col. 2, line 59) base member 20. Also, permanent
`molding of the light emitting elements seems necessary,
`Which indicates a dif?culty in replacing the elements When
`they fail.
`2) US. Pat. No. 5,580,163 issued to Johnson on Dec. 3,
`1996, discloses a plurality of light emitting elements includ
`ing light bulbs and LEDs attached to a circular ?exible
`membrane that in turn is connected to outer and inner
`housing that are movable relative to one another so as to ?ex
`the membrane in a predetermined manner. The inner housing
`is threaded into an adjusting nut that can be rotated to move
`the inner housing relative to the outer housing. The light
`emitting elements are correspondingly moved so that their
`collective light beams are selectively focused at a common
`area. In this invention, the mounting of the light emitting
`elements is restricted to a circular membrane. It is apparent
`that the number of light emitting elements are restricted.
`FIG. 6 of Johnson shoWs an increased number of light
`emitting elements but again this vieW emphasiZes the limi
`tation of lighting elements available on this device. The
`number of elements is limited primarily by the fact that the
`?exible membrane can support a restricted number of light
`emitting elements just as a Weight bearing problem. It is
`further noted that because of the ?exibility of the membrane
`holding the light emitting elements, each element Will to
`some degree be signi?cantly misdirected because of the
`Warping effect of the ?exible membrane as it is moved
`betWeen positions. Also permanent molding of the light
`emitting elements are discussed, Which indicates a dif?culty
`in replacing the elements When they fail.
`3) US. Pat. No. 5,101,326 issued to Roney on Mar. 31,
`1992, discloses a lamp for a motor vehicle that discloses a
`plurality of light emitting diodes positioned in sockets that
`direct the diode generated light beams in overlapping rela
`tionship so as to meet photometric requirements set forth by
`laW. The diodes are not selectively movable to different focal
`areas.
`4) US. Pat. No. 5,084,804 issued to Schaier on Jan. 28,
`1992, discloses a Wide area lamp comprising a plurality of
`diodes mounted on a single ?exible connecting path struc
`ture than can be moved to a number of shapes as required.
`The diodes of the disclosed lamp are not collectively and
`selectively adjustable in a uniform manner for being directed
`to a common focal area.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting
`system that is capable of providing a plurality of selected
`different light beam angles from a single LED lighting
`system source;
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`lighting system that is capable of selectively varying the
`common directional angles of a plurality of individual LED
`arrays arranged around a common central axis;
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`lighting system that is capable of simultaneously and selec
`tively moving a plurality of individual LED arrays about a
`common central axis to as to collectively arrange the totality
`of LED light beams arranged on individual arrays in a
`plurality of directional modes including a normal parallel
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`mode of all of the LED generated light beams, a selected
`converging mode of all of the LED generated light beams,
`and a selected diverging mode of all of the LED generated
`light beams.
`In accordance With the above objects and others that Will
`be disclosed in the course of the disclosure of the present
`invention, there is provided a diode light source system for
`stage, theatrical and architectural lighting that includes a
`plurality of separate ?at panels for mounting a plurality of
`light emitting diodes that emit a plurality of diode light
`beams to a common focus area, each separate panel being
`mounted With a plurality of grouped diodes of the plurality
`of diodes, each separate panel having an outer panel portion
`and an inner panel portion. A housing containing the panels
`has a center base portion and a circular rim de?ning a
`housing aperture aligned With a circular rim plane having a
`rim plane center that is arranged transverse to an axis aligned
`With the center base portion. A ?rst connecting means
`?exibly secures each outer diode panel portion to the hous
`ing rim. A screW arrangement positions the panels at a
`plurality of selected positions Wherein each of the panels is
`oriented at a selected angle relative to the axis and each of
`the grouped diodes emit diode light beams transverse to each
`separate panel. A second connecting means ?exibly secures
`each inner panel portion to the screW arrangement. The
`panels are ?at and rigid and have both the function of
`holding the diodes and of being electrical circuit boards for
`transmitting direct electrical current to the diodes grouped
`on each separate panel. The screW arrangement comprises an
`elongated externally threaded cylinder and a correspond
`ingly internally threaded cylindrical nut, the externally
`threaded cylinder, Which is rotatable about the axis, being
`threadably mounted Within the cylindrical nut. The exter
`nally threaded cylinder has the circular rim plane. The ?rst
`and second ?exible connecting means can each be either a
`biasable or ?exible member or a biasable spring.
`The present invention Will be better understood and the
`objects and important features, other than those speci?cally
`set forth above, Will become apparent When consideration is
`given to the folloWing details and description, Which When
`taken in conjunction With the annexed draWings, describes,
`illustrates, and shoWs preferred embodiments or modi?ca
`tions of the present invention and What is presently consid
`ered and believed to be the best mode of practice in the
`principles thereof.
`Other embodiments or modi?cations may be suggested to
`those having the bene?t of the teachings therein, and such
`other embodiments or modi?cations are intended to be
`reserved especially as they fall Within the scope and spirit of
`the subjoined claims.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a frontal vieW of my neW and novel variable
`beam lighting system that shoWs a plurality of diodes
`mounted on eight Wedge-shaped mounting/circuit board
`diode panels in the normal, or parallel beam, mode of the
`diodes;
`FIG. 2 is a side center sectional vieW of a outer ?exible
`hinge area of the panels taken through line 2—2 of my
`invention shoWn in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2A is a sectional vieW of the ?exible inner ?exible
`hinge area of the diode panels taken through line 2A—2A of
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 2B is a sectional vieW taken though line 2B—2B of
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 3 is a frontal vieW of the lighting system as shoWn
`in FIG. 1 With the eight diode panels in a full forWard mode
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`5
`With one diode panel shown mounted With diodes for
`purposes of convenience;
`FIG. 4 is a sectional vieW of the lighting system taken
`through line 4—4 in FIG. 3 shoWing the diode light beams
`in a converging beam mode;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional side vieW of the lighting system
`analogous to the vieW shoWn in FIG. 4 With the diode panels
`in the rearWard mode shoWing the diode light beams in a
`diverging mode;
`FIG. 6 is a sectional vieW of another embodiment of the
`lighting system analogous to the vieW shoWn in FIG. 3 With
`a protective lens positioned across the front of the housing
`and With a front hand Wheel;
`FIG. 7 is a frontal vieW of another embodiment of the
`variable beam lighting system that in particular shoWs a
`plurality of diodes mounted on eight Wedge-shaped mount
`ing board/circuit board diode panels indicating one diode
`panel With diodes for purposes of convenience in the normal,
`or parallel beam, mode of the diodes With outer and inner
`springs connecting the diode panels With both the housing
`and a center holloW cylinder;
`FIG. 8 is a sectional side vieW of the lighting system taken
`through line 8—8 of FIG. 7 With the diode panels in the
`normal position shoWing the diode light beams in a parallel
`mode;
`FIG. 9 is a frontal vieW of the lighting system as shoWn
`in FIG. 7 With the eight diode panels in a forWard mode With
`one diode panel shoWn mounted With diodes for purposes of
`convenience;
`FIG. 10 is a sectional side vieW taken through line 10—10
`in FIG. 9 With the diode panels in rearWard mode and
`shoWing the diode light beams in a converging mode;
`FIG. 11 is a sectional side vieW of the lighting system
`analogous of the lighting system as shoWn in FIG. 7 With the
`diode panels in the forWard mode and the diode light beams
`in a diverging mode;
`FIG. 12 is a sectional side vieW of another embodiment of
`the lighting system analogous to the vieW shoWn in FIG. 8
`With a protective lens positioned across the front of the
`housing and a front hand Wheel.
`FIG. 13 is a basic electrical diagram that relates to the
`selection of a single light emitting diode for a given direct
`current voltage;
`FIG. 14 is a basic electrical diagram that relates to the
`selection of a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in
`series in electrical connection With a source of alternating
`current that has been converted to direct current voltage;
`FIG. 15 is a basic electrical diagram that relates to the
`selection of a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in
`parallel in electrical connection With a source of alternating
`current that has been converted to direct current voltage; and
`FIG. 16 is a basic electrical diagram that relates to the
`selection of a plurality of light emitting diodes connected
`both in series and in parallel in electrical connection With a
`source of alternating current that has been converted to
`direct current voltage.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference is noW made to the draWings and in particular
`to FIGS. 1—16 in Which identical or similar parts are
`designated by the same reference numerals throughout.
`A light source system 10 for stage, theatrical and archi
`tectural lighting as shoWn in FIGS. 1—6 includes a plurality
`
`65
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`6
`of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 12, referred to as diodes
`herein, that are mounted on eight separate ?at diode panels
`14 so as to emit diode light beams 18 toWards a common
`focus area as seen in one directional mode in FIG. 2. The
`number of diode panels 14 are shoWn as eight for purposes
`of exposition only and can vary in number. A panel diode
`group 16 includes seventeen diodes 12 per diode panel 14
`for a total of 136 diodes 12 for the total array of diodes 12
`for light source system 10. The number of diodes 12 per
`diode panel 14 is shoWn as seventeen for purposes of
`exposition only and can vary. Each diode group 16 emits a
`common group of seventeen diode light beams 18 in parallel
`relationship.
`FIG. 2 shoWs a housing 19 for containing and holding
`diode panels 14 and diodes 12. Housing 19 de?nes a
`concave holloW volume shoWn as semi-spherical in con
`?guration for purposes of exposition but the con?guration of
`housing 19 is preferably of any regular con?guration such as
`semi-ellipsoidal, cone-shaped, and parabolic. Housing 19
`has a housing Wall 20 preferably having a microre?ective
`inner surface 21. Housing 19 has a center base portion 22
`and a circular rim 24 that in turn de?nes a circular aperture
`26 that lies in a housing plane 28. The center of circular
`aperture 26 is in an axial alignment indicated in FIG. 3 as
`axis 30 With center base portion 22. Each separate diode
`panel 14 is con?gured as a Wedge With a panel outer arc edge
`32 and a panel inner arc edge 34 and panel linear side edges
`36 that taper inWardly from panel outer arc edge 32 to panel
`inner arc edge 34. All diode panels 14 are movable betWeen
`adjacent panel relationships and separated panel relation
`ships.
`A beam direction selection screW mechanism or arrange
`ment 38 positions each diode panel 14 betWeen a plurality of
`selected positions relative to housing axis 30 Wherein each
`diode panel 14 is oriented at a predetermined angle relative
`to axis 30. As a result, each panel diode group 16 emits diode
`light beams 18 at a beam angle transverse to the predeter
`mined angle of panels 14. ScreW arrangement 38 is secured
`to housing 19 and to each diode panel 14 at panel inner arc
`edge 34.
`ScreW arrangement 38 comprises an elongated externally
`spirally threaded solid cylinder 39 that includes a threaded
`portion 40 and an unthreaded portion 41, Which extends
`betWeen threaded portion 40, and center base portion 22 and
`a correspondingly internally threaded cylindrical nut 42
`Externally threaded solid cylinder 39 is threadably mounted
`Within cylindrical nut 42. Externally threaded solid cylinder
`39 is rotatably aligned With axis 30 of housing 19 and
`extends external to housing plane 28.
`Externally threaded cylinder 39 has opposed inner and
`outer end portions 44 and 46, respectively. Inner end portion
`44 is rotatably mounted to housing 19 at center base portion
`22. Outer end portion 46 is positioned spaced from housing
`plane 28. Internally threaded cylinder nut 42 has a cylindri
`cal outer surface 48. Center base portion 22 de?nes an
`aperture Wherein is mounted bearings 50 through Which
`externally threaded solid cylinder 39 extends external to
`housing 19. A handWheel 52 is mounted to externally
`threaded solid cylinder 39 external to housing 19.
`A ?exible and biasable cylindrical outer connecting ring
`54 has an arced outer edge that is connected to the arced
`micro?ective inner surface 21 of housing Wall 20 at the
`circular inner side of the circular rim 24 by a means knoWn
`in the art. Housing 19 and outer connecting ring 54 are
`preferably made of plastic and can be connected one to the
`other by a means knoWn in the art such as by heat fusing.
`
`

`

`US 6,585,395 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`7
`Alternatively, ?xing pins (not shown) can be extended
`through housing wall 21 and a ?ap (not shown) of connect
`ing ring 54. Outer connecting ring 54 further has an arced
`inner edge that is connected to panel outer arc edge 32 in a
`manner know in the art, for example, by ?xing pins. A
`?exible and biasable cylindrical inner connecting ring 56 has
`an arced outer edge that is connected to panel inner arc edge
`34 by a means known in the art, for example, by ?xing pins.
`Cylindrical inner connecting ring 56 has an arced inner edge
`that is connected to the cylindrical wall of nut 42 by a means
`known in the art. For example, nut 42 is preferably made of
`a rigid plastic material and inner connecting member is
`likewise of plastic so that nut 42 and inner connecting ring
`56 can be heat fused.
`FIG. 2A shows an alternate ?exible connecting ring 54A
`that secures inner panel arc edge 34 to connecting nut 42
`wherein connecting ring 54A is creased to stretch and to
`compress by unfolding and folding, respectively, in the
`manner of an accordion or bellows between a normal folded
`mode as shown in FIG. 2A and an expanded mode (not
`shown).
`FIG. 2B shows an alternate ?exible connecting ring 56A
`that secures outer panel arc edge 32 to housing rim 24
`wherein connecting ring 556A is creased to stretch and to
`compress by unfolding and folding, respectively, in the
`manner of an accordion between a normal folded mode as
`shown in FIG. 2B and an expanded mode (not shown).
`Screw arrangement 38 is operable by rotation of hand
`wheel 52 at inner end portion 44 in either a clockwise or a
`counterclockwise direction. When handwheel 52 is rotated
`in the clockwise direction when diode panels 14 are in the
`position shown in FIG. 2, wherein diode panels 14 lie in
`housing plane 28 as shown in FIG. 2, and externally
`threaded solid cylinder 39 rotates clockwise relative to
`cylindrical nut 42 wherein panel linear side edges 36 are
`drawn inwardly, or apart. Continued counterclockwise rota
`tion can continue until cylindrical nut 42 is restrained by an
`internal cylindrical stop 58 connected to externally threaded
`cylinder 39, a position shown in FIG. 4. Internal stop 58 is
`positioned spaced from center base portion 22. When hand
`wheel 52 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the
`position shown in FIG. 2, externally threaded solid cylinder
`40 rotates clockwise relative to cylindrical nut 42 wherein
`panel linear side edges 36 are pushed outwardly, or apart.
`Continued counterclockwise rotation can continue until
`cylindrical nut 42 is retrained by an external cylindrical stop
`60 positioned at outer end portion 46 of externally threaded
`cylinder 40, a position shown in FIG. 5.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 show all diode panels 14 in a selected
`position wherein diode panels 14 are aligned with housing
`plane 28 wherein diode panels 14 are aligned with housing
`plane 28 and also are aligned at a 90 degree angle relative
`to axis 30 and to threaded cylinder 40. In this selected
`position diode light beams 18 of all diode panels 14 are
`oriented in parallel relative to axis 30 wherein the diode
`beam angle is in a normal beam mode towards a common
`focus area.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 show all diode panels 14 in a selected
`position wherein diode panels 14 are positioned oriented at
`a selected common obtuse angle A as measured relative to
`housing axis 30, that is, to externally threaded cylinder 40,
`and inner end portion 44 of cylinder 40. In this position
`diode light beams 18 emanating from diodes 12 positioned
`on of all diode panels 14 are in a converging mode. The
`selected converging mode of diode light beams 18 as shown
`in FIGS. 3 and 4 is at the maximum converging mode of
`
`8
`diode light beams 18 wherein cylindrical nut 42 is posi
`tioned in contact with a cylindrical internal stop 58 con
`nected to externally threaded cylinder 40 that is spaced from
`inner end portion 44 of externally threaded cylinder 40 and
`in particular is located at the inner end of threaded portion
`40. Any of a plurality of converging mode orientations of
`diode light beams 18 can be selected by positioning cylin
`drical nut 42 at any of a plurality of selected positions
`between the normal, or parallel light beam mode, of diode
`light beams 18 as shown in FIG. 2 and the maximum
`converging mode of diode light beams 18 towards a com
`mon focus area as shown in FIG. 4. In the maximum
`converging mode diode light beams 18 by pass outer end
`portion 46 of externally threaded cylinder 40.
`FIG. 5 shows all diode panels 14 in a selected position
`wherein diode panels 14 are positioned oriented at a selected
`common acute angle B relative to axis 30 as measured
`relative to housing axis 30, that is, to externally threaded
`cylinder 40, and inner end portion 44 of threaded cylinder
`40. In this position diode light beams 18 emanating from all
`diodes 14 positioned on diode panels 14 are focused toward
`a common focus area. In this position diode light beams 18
`are in a diverging mode. The selected diverging mode of
`diode light beams 18 as shown in FIG. 5 is at the maximum
`diverging mode of diode light beams 18 wherein cylindrical
`nut 42 is positioned in contact with a cylindrical external
`stop 60 connected to outer end portion 46 of externally
`threaded cylinder 40.
`FIG. 6 shows a diode lighting system embodiment 62
`generally analogous to diode lighting system 10 that
`includes housing 19 with rim 24 de?ning circular aperture
`26 and diodes 12 mounted to eight diode panels 14. Screw
`arrangement 38 including externally threaded solid cylinder
`40 having opposed inner and outer end portions 44 and 46,
`respectively, and internally threaded cylindrical nut 42
`threaded thereto is mounted in housing 19 at inner end
`portion 44 in alignment with a central housing axis 30. An
`optional handwheel 64 is positioned external to housing 19
`at inner end portion 44. Eight diode panels 14 having diodes
`12 mounted thereto are connected to housing 19 at circular
`rim 24 exactly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Flexible internal
`and outer connecting rings 54 and 56, respectively, connect
`diode panels 14 to cylindrical nut 42 as shown in FIGS. 1
`and 2. Internal and external stops 58 and 60, respectively, are
`mounted to externally threaded