United States Patent (19)
`Gordin et al.
`
`11
`45
`
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,712,167
`Dec. 8, 1987
`
`54 REMOTE CONTROL, MOVEABLE
`LIGHTING SYSTEM
`Myron K. Gordin; James L. Drost,
`(75) Inventors:
`both of Oskaloosa, Iowa
`73) Assignee:
`Mycro Group Co., Oskaloosa, Iowa
`(21) Appl. No.: 880,187
`22 Filed:
`Jun. 30, 1986
`51) Int. C. ................................................ F21P 5/02
`52 U.S.C. ...................................... 362/233; 362/61;
`362/66; 362/67; 362/85
`58 Field of Search ..................... 362/233, 61, 66, 67,
`362/85
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Re. 30,000 5/1979 Loffler et al. ....................... 362/233
`4,190,881 2/1980 Drost et al...
`... 362/250
`4,220,981 9/1980 Koether ................................ 362/61
`4,392, 187 7/1983 Bornhorst ........................... 362/233
`4,423,469 12/1983 Zerlaut et al. ...
`... 362/28S X
`4,423,471 12/1983 Gordin et al. ........................ 362/96
`4,450,507 5/1984 Gordin .................................. 362/61
`
`4,598,345 7/1986 Kleeman ............................. 362/233
`Primary Examiner-Larry Jones
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Zarley, McKee, Thomte,
`Voorhees & Sease
`ABSTRACT
`57
`A mobile, variable effect lighting device including a
`mobile base platform to which is mounted an adjustably
`positionable and extendable boom. A lighting array
`frame having one or more luminaire assembly units is
`hingeably mounted to the outer end of the boom. Each
`luminaire assembly unit, in turn, is individually verti
`cally and horizontally adjustable. Appropriate motor or
`power mechanisms are operably connected to the lumi
`naire assembly units, the lighting array frame, and the
`boom to allow automatic and remote adjustability and
`operation of these components. A control circuitry is
`operatively connected to the luminaire assembly units
`and the motor or power mechanisms and has a control
`unit by which a remote operator can control operation
`of luminaire assembly units, and their orientation with
`respect to a target area.
`
`16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
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`VWGoA EX1037
`U.S. Patent No. 9,955,551
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 8, 1987
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`4,712,167
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`27
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`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 8, 1987
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
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`4,712,167
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`U.S. Patent Dec. 8, 1987
`Sheet 3 of 3
`U.S. Patent —Dec.8,1987 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`4,712,167
`4,712,167
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`

`

`1.
`
`REMOTE CONTROL MOVEABLE LIGHTING
`SYSTEM
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a moveable, adjust
`able, variable effect lighting device and method, and in
`particular, to an easily transportable, variable effect
`lighting device and method where the lighting effect
`can be instantaneously altered and controlled by an
`operator at a remote location.
`2. Problems in the Art
`There are many instances where large scale lighting
`is needed or desired. For example, movies or other film
`or video productions require large area lighting, either
`direct or background. Sporting events, construction
`sites, and promotional events are other applications. At
`times, emergencies such as fires, rescue operations, or
`crowd control require wide-scale lighting. Special ap
`20
`plications, for example, lighting the space shuttle, also
`require large area, high intensity lighting.
`While devices and methods for wide-scale lighting
`uses do exist, problems with these devices and methods
`also exist. A particular problem in many of the applica
`25
`tions is the lack of mobility and adjustability in conven
`tional wide-scale lighting systems. Most conventional
`systems require permanent or semi-permanent construc
`tion and set-up which first requires construction of
`supporting poles or structures. Also, many of these
`30
`systems require numerous luminaire assembly units to
`meet the required needs for field and intensity of light.
`Significant time and expense is needed to construct
`and set up these systems. Conversely, the costs involved
`in dismantling and movement of these devices to differ
`ent locations becomes almost prohibitive.
`Because of the large number of luminaire assembly
`units, or the supporting structure required to secure the
`luminaire units in position, many of the conventional
`systems are not easily adjustable once in position. They
`40
`usually must be pre-adjusted before being secured to
`their supporting structure, or they require manual aim
`ing and adjustment by workers who must climb up and
`manually complete such adjustments.
`As can be seen, there is a real need for a wide-scale
`45
`lighting system which is both adjustable in the type of
`lighting and lighting effect it can produce, and which is
`easily and adjustably constructed and set up. Addition
`ally, there is a further need for such a device which is
`easily and economically mobile.
`Currently, certain types of mobile, adjustable lighting
`systems simply suspend a luminaire assembly unit array
`upon a framework from a crane. As is obvious, adjust
`ment of the individual lighting units must be done man
`ually by lowering the array, and conventional cranes
`55
`are not easily and conveniently mobile.
`The owner of the present application has developed a
`mobile, wide-scale lighting system which utilizes an
`extendable and swiveliable boom secured to a truck
`tractor making the system easily and economically mo
`bile. (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,471). This lighting array is
`adjustably extendable and can be oriented generally in
`the direction of the target area. However, for certain
`uses problems still exist in that for each lighting applica
`tion, the individual lighting units must be singly aimed
`according to a predetermined analysis to produce the
`desired lighting effect to the target area. The need still
`exists for a unit which allows the operator to aim and
`
`4,712, 167
`2
`adjust each lighting unit instantaneously from a control,
`remote from the lighting units themselves, to vary the
`lighting effect and the position of the target area.
`Another problem exists. In many of the applications
`where such a system would be desirable, it is required
`that power for the lamps and the motors controlling the
`adjustments be immediately available, even in locations
`where electric power is unavailable. Furthermore, it is
`generally desirable, particularly in applications such as
`movie sets, that the power generation be done as quietly
`as possible.
`It is furthermore many times desirable that the opera
`tor be able to adjust the lighting effect by personally
`controlling the lighting effect from the target area.
`It is therefore a primary object of the present inven
`tion to improve over or solve the problems and defi
`ciencies in the art earlier discussed.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a mobile, variable effect lighting device which can pro
`duce variable lighting effects and levels to a target area.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a mobile, variable effect lighting device which can re
`motely and automatically be adjusted to change the
`lighting effect and the target area.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a mobile, variable effect lighting device which can be
`easily moved from location to location and which can
`be easily and quickly set up or prepared for transport.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a mobile, variable effect lighting device which utilizes
`selfcontained and quiet power generation.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a mo
`bile, variable effect lighting device which allows multi
`ple and individual adjustment of lighting fixtures ac
`cording to desire.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a mobile, variable effect lighting device which is flexi
`ble in its application, is easily adjusted, is durable, and
`economical.
`These and other objects, features, and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent with
`reference to the accompanying specification and claims.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is a means and method for
`providing mobile, variable-effect lighting. The method
`of the invention includes the following steps. One or
`more lighting or luminaire assembly units, connected to
`a frame at the end of an extendable and adjustable boon
`on a moveable base, are moved to a position capable of
`producing the approximated lighting effect to the target
`area. The luminaire assembly units, the frame upon
`which they are mounted, and the boom are adjusted to
`an approximate position for producing the desired light
`ing effect to the target area. A controller then actuates
`the desired luminaire assembly unit or units to produce
`light on the target area. The actual lighting effect is then
`compared with that desired and the luminaire assembly
`units, frame, and boom are adjusted to achieve the de
`sired lighting characteristics to the target area.
`If the produced lighting effect is not as desired, or the
`controller wants to change the lighting effect on the
`target area, the system may be immediately and re
`motely adjusted to accomplish the same. Each lighting
`assembly unit can be individually controlled to turn on
`or off, to pan or tilt, and to produce a light beam any
`where between a narrow spot beam and a wide flood
`
`35
`
`50
`
`

`

`10
`
`15
`
`4,712,167
`3
`4.
`beam. Likewise, the lighting array frame and the boom
`26 which extend from tractor truck 14 to the ground to
`are adjustable by the user by automatic control.
`stabilize and secure the device 10 when boom 24 is
`The control for producing the variable lighting ef.
`extended or angularly adjusted.
`fects can be positioned on a control panel on the mobile
`The adjustability of boom 24 allows device 10 to
`base. Alternatively, remote control, either hard-wired
`provide light over (and around) tall objects, and for
`or by radio signals or other means without wires, can
`long distances. Also, while leaving tractor truck 14 in a
`also be utilized. A power generator for producing the
`single location, lighting frame 22 can be brought closer
`light beams and adjusting the boom, frame, and lumi
`or farther away to a target area, all without having to
`naire units is carried on-board, and is quiet so that the
`move tractor truck 14 itself.
`power generation does not unduly or detrimentally
`FIG. 2 is shown to illustrate the lay-out of base plat
`disturb the area surrounding the mobile base and the
`form 12 of tractor truck 14. Generator 16 is positioned
`target area. The generator is particularly valuable for
`over the rear axles of tractor truck 14 for support and
`movie set lighting.
`weight balance. Ballasts 18 are consolidated and like
`The means of the invention utilizes the above dis
`wise balanced across base platform 12 forward of gener
`cussed elements to present apparatus which produces
`ator 16. Finally, the swivelable mount 28 for boom 24 is
`variable effect, adjustable lighting to a target area, all
`centered and secured just behind cab 30 of tractor truck
`controlled remotely from the lighting units themselves.
`14. The control circuitry and on-board control panel for
`the device 10 is contained in control box 32. FIG. 2 also
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`shows boom 24 as collapsed and lowered to a horizontal
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the
`position ready for transport. The boom end mount 34
`20
`invention with the boom in an extended vertical posi
`(See FIG. 1) has been detached along with lighting
`tion, and showing in ghost lines, the boom retracted and
`frame 22 with the luminaire assembly units 20. These
`at an angular position.
`elements then can be either mounted on base 12 for
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mobile base with the
`transport or carried in a trailer or by other means.
`boom in position for transport and the lighting array
`FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of device 10
`25
`frame and lighting units removed.
`wherein a foldable joint 36 is included on boom 24 so
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the mobile base showing
`that boom end mount 34, lighting frame 22, and lumi
`an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2 having the boom
`naire assembly units 20 can be transported without dis
`retracted and in a transport mode but with the lighting
`assembly or detachment. Some rearrangement of ballast
`array frame and luminaire assembly units connected
`18, and control box 32 may be necessary to provide
`30
`thereto.
`space for luminaire assembly units 20 and lighting frame
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of the electronic control cir
`22, however the same overall structure and positioning
`cuitry for the present invention.
`of the elements on base 12 is retained.
`FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a
`FIG. 4 provides a schematic representation of the
`control panel for the present invention.
`circuitry of device 10. All such circuitry is conventional
`35
`FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the lighting array
`and is known and can be constructed by those of ordi
`frame and luminaire assembly units.
`nary skill in the art. The circuitry connects the power
`FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an individual
`source 16 with the components needed to operate the
`luminaire assembly unit and the mechanism for adjust
`luminaire assembly units 20 of device 10.
`ing it with respect to the lighting array frame.
`The power source or on-board generator 16 provides
`40
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an individual luminaire
`electrical power to luminaire assembly units or lamps 20
`assembly unit and the structure allowing the unit to pan
`through ballasts 18. It is noted that by placing the heavy
`with respect to the lighting array frame.
`and cumbersome ballasts for the lamps down on the
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lighting array
`base 12 of tractor truck 14, significant weight and sur
`frame and luminaire assembly units including a rack
`face area is eliminated from the lighting frame array 22.
`45
`assembly which allows further variance of the light
`It is also noted that auxiliary power 38 can be tapped
`beams emanating from the luminaire assembly units.
`from generator 16 to allow other electrical equipment
`to be powered and operated locally from the device 10.
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`The is particularly helpful when the device 10 is being
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`used in areas which are remote from electrical power
`In reference to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1,
`sources. Generator 16, also supplies power to boom
`there is shown a mobile variable effect lighting device
`motors 39 which power the extension, swivelling, and
`10 according to the present invention. The lighting
`tilting of boom 24.
`device is mobile by virtue of the truck bed or base 12
`Power switching circuitry 40 is connected between
`provided by tractor truck 14, as is conventional. Oper
`generator 16 and ballasts 18 and contains the circuitry
`55
`ating power for the system is provided by on-board
`necessary for providing power to luminaire assembly
`generator 16 which can be a diesel gasoline generator
`units 20 and for turning units 20 on and off. Light mo
`such as is known in the art. Such items as ballasts 18,
`tors 42 and array tilt motor 43 are powered and con
`and control circuitry are also mounted upon base 12 of
`trolled through control logic circuitry 44 and are posi
`tractor truck 14. An array of luminaire assembly units
`tioned up upon lighting array frame 22. Motors 42 and
`60
`20 are mounted to a lighting array frame 22 which is in
`43 allow luminaire assembly units 20 to be panned or
`turn mounted to extendable and articulated boom 24. As
`tilted, and the whole lighting array frame 22 to be tilted,
`is conventional in the art, boom 24 can be extended
`respectively. In FIG. 4, light motors 42 and 43, and
`between the lengths shown in FIG. 1 and at the same
`lamps or luminaire assembly units 20 are depicted inside
`time can be swivelled and angularly tilted in any state of
`dashed lines 45 to illustrate these elements are posi
`65
`extension. The ghost lines in FIG. 1 show boom 24 in a
`tioned up upon lighting array frame 22.
`retracted state, and angularly tilted from vertical. It is to
`Control logic circuitry 44 contains the logic circuitry
`be noted that the preferred embodiment includes braces
`for device 10. Control logic circuitry 44 receives input
`
`50
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`

`

`5
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`10
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`4,712,167
`8
`7
`It can therefore be seen from FIG. 6 that individual
`trol 50 were to turn so that the operator's back was to
`luminaire assembly units 20 can be adjusted indepen
`luminaire assembly units 20, lamp indicators 56 would
`dently from each other and to different orientations
`not correlate with luminaire assembly units 20 but
`with respect to a target area to produce unlimited num
`would be reversed. Therefore, by moving rotary switch
`ber of different lighting effects.
`76 to the "with' position, the correlation of lamp indict
`FIG. 7 depicts the tilting adjustability of each lumi
`ors 56 would change so that lamp indicator 56 labeled
`naire assembly unit 20. Luminaire assembly unit 20
`“5” on the control panel of FIG. 5 would correspond to
`includes a beam attachment portion 100 which is con
`the same luminaire assembly unit 20 in the upper left
`nected by hinged elbow 94 to lamp fixture portion 102.
`hand corner of the lighting frame array of FIG. 1. This
`A lamp 104 (not shown) is operatively mounted in lamp
`would allow the operator to control the device 10 while
`fixture portion 102. A reflector 98 is then attached to
`turned away from device 10 or looking directly at the
`lamp fixture portion 102.
`target area. The correlation between lamp indicators 56
`A bracket 106 is rigidly secured to beam attachment
`and the actual luminaire assembly units 20 is thus "re
`portion 100 and extends outwardly therefrom. Bracket
`versed'.
`106 includes yoke 108 to which is hingeably attached
`15
`“Off” and “on” push buttons 78 and 80 control, with
`tilting screw drive motor 92 at one end by a pin 110
`one touch, the simultaneous illumination of all luminaire
`extending through yoke 108. The other end of tilting
`assembly units 20 on lighting array frame 22. Thus, once
`screw drive motor 92 is journaled around pin 112 which
`each luminaire assembly unit 20 has been adjusted, the
`is rigidly secured to arm 114 which in turn is rigidly
`whole array can be turned on. Alternatively, the entire
`secured to the lamp fixture portion 102 of luminaire
`array of luminaire assembly units 20 can be initially
`assembly unit 20. By operation of tilting screw drive
`turned on and then each assembly unit 20 can be
`motor 92, extendable portion 116 of screw drive motor
`panned, tilted, or have its beam width adjusted.
`92 can either extend downwardly or retract upwardly
`Toggle switch 82 provides the additional feature of
`according to instruction from the control panel and
`controlling the tilting of the lighting array frame 22 so
`circuitry. Extending downwardly causes lamp fixture
`25
`that the entire array of luminaire assembly units 20 can
`portion 102 to hinge downwardly from beam attach
`be banked up or down depending upon whether toggle
`ment portion 100 thus tilting luminaire assembly unit 20.
`switch 82 is pushed upwardly or downwardly.
`Spring 118 is provided to assist in smooth movement
`Finally, push button switch 84 controls on and off
`and in pulling luminaire assembly unit 20 upwardly.
`power to the control panel itself, if it is remote battery
`The tilting action, as described, is shown by ghost lines
`30
`powered radio control 50, to allow operation of the
`in FIG. 7.
`above described adjustment switches and features.
`Similarly, FIG. 8 depicts panning adjustability of
`FIG. 6 depicts lighting array frame 22 with luminaire
`luminaire assembly units 20. Beam attachment portion
`assembly units 20 as it is hingeably attached to boom
`100 of each luminaire assembly unit 20 is actually move
`end mast 34 at the top of boom 24. A mechanism, such
`ably secured to its respective crossbeam 88 by utilizing
`35
`as screw drive motor 86, is attached between boom end
`an attachment plate 120 having opposing curved slots
`mast 34 and lighting array frame 22. Operation of screw
`122. Bolts or pins 124 are secured through slots 122 into
`drive motor 86 can tilt lighting array frame 22 accord
`cross beam 88. A panning screw drive motor 90 is
`ing to desire.
`hingeably secured between bracket 106 of beam attach
`FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 depict how each individual lumi
`ment portion 100 of luminaire assembly unit 20 and arm
`naire assembly unit 20 can be either panned or tilted
`126 which is attached to cross beam 88. Operation of
`with respect to lighting array frame 22, and each other.
`panning screw drive motor 90, causing retraction or
`Each luminaire assembly unit 20 is adjustably secured to
`extension of extendable portion 128 causes panning
`a respective cross beam 88 of lighting array frame 22.
`adjustment of luminaire assembly unit 20 in either direc
`Panning screw drive motors 90 are then hingeably at
`tion. FIG. 8 shows in ghost lines panning adjustment to
`tached between cross beams 88 and luminaire assembly
`the left.
`units 20 and allow horizontal panning adjustment of
`FIG. 9 illustrates an optional attachment to lighting
`luminaire assembly units 20. Tilting screw drive motors
`array frame 22. A rack assembly 130 can be secured by
`92 are attached between first and second portions 100
`means known within the art to lighting array frame 22
`and 102 (See FIG. 7) of luminaire assembly units 20 to
`to cover one or more of luminaire assembly units 20.
`50
`control tilting adjustment of luminaire assembly units
`Rack assembly 130 includes panels 132 which can pro
`20. First and second portions 100 and 102 are seprated
`duce light varying effects. For example, panels 132
`by elbow 94 which allows the tilting action. FIG. 6
`could be of suitable material, as is known in the art, to
`depicts top luminaire assembly unit 20 moved or panned
`diffuse the light emanating from luminaire assembly
`to the left while bottom luminaire assembly unit 20 has
`units 20 to provide a diffused light similar to soft day
`55
`been tilted downwardly, as compared to the middle
`light or moonlight. Alternatively, panels 132 could have
`luminaire assembly unit 20.
`appropriate properties to tint or otherwise modify the
`The variable beam capacity of luminaire assembly
`light from luminaire assembly units 20. Other modifica
`tions are possible, as are known in the art.
`units 20 is facilitated by small DC motors 96 which are
`A summary of the operation of the present invention
`secured to luminaire assembly units 20 and move the
`lamps of units 20 inwardly or outwardly with respect to
`begins with the mobility of the device 10. The self-con
`tained power and ease of transport provided by tractor
`the reflectors 98 of units 20 to produce the variable
`truck 14 and on-board generator 16 allows quick, easy,
`beam, as disclosed in the previously mentioned co
`pending application entitled "Variable Beam Lighting
`and economical transport for long distances, or for only
`Device'. In the preferred embodiment DC motors 96
`a few feet. Secondly, construction and set-up is likewise
`65
`are small, fractional horsepower DC operated gear
`easy, efficient, and economical. Once the tractor truck
`14 is positioned, and braces 26, if needed, are put in
`motors available from TRW, Globe Motors, Dayton,
`place, the operator secures the lighting array frame 22
`Ohio.
`
`

`

`5
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`4,712, 167
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`6
`from either on-board (local) control panel 46, hardwire
`Toggle switch 64 allows the operator to adjust the bean
`width of the corresponding luminaire assembly unit 20
`(remote) control 48 or radio (remote) control 50. A
`between a spot beam and a flood beam. By depressing
`switch 52 is included with control box 44 circuitry to
`the upper portion of toggle switch 64, a mechanism
`select between controls 46, 48, or 50.
`(including a light motor 42) is activated to adjust the
`An operator can therefore control the luminaire as
`sembly units 20 either directly on-board truck tractor 14
`beam produced by the unit 20 towards a narrow spot
`by on-board control panel 46, or at a distance away
`beam. Depressing the lower half of toggle switch 64
`produces the opposite effect of varying the beam
`from truck tractor 14 by using hardwire control 48,
`which is connected to control logic circuitry 44 by an
`towards a wide flood beam. By releasing toggle switch
`electrical cord 49. In the preferred embodiment, hard
`64, the beam will be set at that current width. The
`10
`wire control panel 48 can be linked to control logic
`mechanism to accomplish variable beam width is dis
`circuitry 44 by a cord 49 which can be many hundreds
`closed and explained in the co-owned and co-pending
`of feet long.
`application entitled "Variable Beam Lighting Device'
`As a third alternative, a radio remote control 50 can
`and filed Mar. 10, 1986 by the same inventors of the
`present application. The subject matter of that applica
`be utilized in combination with a radio receiver 54 on
`15
`board and directly connected to control logic circuitry
`tion is incorporated in the present application by refer
`44. As is conventional, depending upon the type of
`eCe.
`radio control 50 and receiver 54 selected, the operator
`Toggle switch 66 allows the operator to cause pan
`can operate luminaire assembly units 20 from even
`ning movement of the corresponding luminaire assem
`greater distances, and not have the clumsiness and cum
`bly unit 20. As can be seen, toggle switch 66 is disposed
`20
`horizontally so that the operator can correspondingly,
`bersomeness of an electrical cord. Radio remote control
`includes a battery power supply 51.
`by moving toggle switch 66 either left or right, cause
`It is noted that in FIG. 4, all elements of the circuitry
`horizontal panning of luminaire assembly unit 20 left or
`right respectively.
`which are positioned on base 12 of tractor truck 14 are
`enclosed by dashed lines 53, while, as previously ex
`Similarly, toggle switch 68 controls the tilting action
`25
`plained, dashed lines 45 enclose the elements at the top
`of the corresponding luminaire assembly unit 20. As it is
`disposed vertically, moving toggle switch 68 up or
`of boom 24. Hard-wired control 48 and radio control 50
`are depicted outside of dashed lines 45 and 53 to illus
`down causes corresponding tilting movement of lumi
`trate that they can be taken to positions a distance away
`naire assembly unit 20 up or down respectively.
`from or remote to tractor truck 14.
`On/off indicator 70 can be a light such as an LED,
`30
`By referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a control
`which becomes illuminated when power is supplied to
`panel for the device 10 is shown. The features on the
`the system, or in the case of radio remote control 50,
`panel shown in FIG. 5 could be utilized in on-board
`when the battery powered remote control 50 is turned
`control panel 46, hard-wired control 48, or radio remote
`O.
`control 50. FIG. 5 depicts a control panel in a form
`Push button switches 72 correspond to six pre-set
`35
`easily adaptable to be hand held, especially for controls
`beam widths between flood and spot beams. By depress
`48 and 50.
`ing any one of switches 72, the corresponding luminaire
`The control panel of FIG. 5 includes the following
`assembly unit 20 dialed up on click-stop switch 58 will
`features. Beginning at the top, a plurality of lamp indi
`automatically move to the pre-set beam width. This
`cators 56 represent and correspond to the actual array
`allows for quick and efficient set up of beam widths for
`of luminaire assembly units 20 of device 10. Lamp indi
`luminaire assembly units 20 and eliminates the need to
`cators 56 can comprise low power lights such as light
`use toggle switch 64 to slowly adjust the beam width of
`emitting diodes (LEDs) and are illuminated when the
`each luminaire assembly unit 20.
`corresponding luminaire assembly unit 20 is turned on.
`Rotary switch 74 can be turned between fast or slow
`The operator can thus at a glance, view lamp indicators
`positions. Setting of switch 74 controls the speed at
`45
`56 to confirm which luminaire assembly units 20 are
`which the other operations take place. For instance, it
`turned on, and which are turned off without having to
`may be desired to have one luminaire assembly unit 20
`actually look up at luminaire assembly units 20. Lamp
`pan very slowly for a particular lighting effect or for
`indicators 56 are specifically correlated so that the oper
`lighting set up. Switch 74 would thus be set towards the
`ator only has to visually compare the position of lamp
`slow position. Alternatively, if quick set-up or adjust
`50
`indicators 56 to a corresponding position on the array of
`ment is needed, switch 74 would be set towards the fast
`luminaire assembly units 20. For example, in a preferred
`position. Switch 74 also controls the speed of adjust
`embodiment shown in the drawings, FIG. 1 shows that
`ment for tilting and changing the beam widths of lumi
`there are fifteen luminaire assembly units 20. Corre
`naire assembly units 20 and for tilting the whole lighting
`spondingly, there are fifteen lamp indicators 56 ar
`array frame 22.
`55
`ranged in three rows and five columns. Additionally,
`Rotary switch 76 can be moved between what has
`each lamp indicator 56 is numbered from “1” to “15” to
`been labeled the "with' position and the "into' position
`provide for easier referencing.
`in FIG. 5. Rotary switch 76 is called the "pan reverser'
`A rotary click stop switch 58 has 15 positions which
`switch. By facing luminaire assembly units 20 with the
`correspond to the 15 luminaire assembly units 20. By
`control panel of FIG. 5, and having rotary switch 76
`60
`turning click stop switch 58 to the corresponding num
`turned to the "into' position, lamp indicators 56 would
`bered position, that particular luminaire assembly unit
`correspond in position to the position of luminaire as
`20 can be turned on or off, can be adjusted position
`sembly units 20 on the lighting array frame. Thus, lamp
`wise, and the width of the light beam it produces can be
`indicator 56 in FIG. 5 which is labeled “1”, being in the
`varied. The adjustments possible for each individual
`upper left hand corner of the array lamp indicators 56,
`65
`luminaire assembly unit 20 are as follows.
`would correspond to the upper left hand luminaire
`"On' and "off" push button switches 60 and 62 turn
`assembly unit 20 of FIG. 1. However, if the operator,
`the corresponding luminaire assembly unit 20 on or off.
`using either hardwired control 48 or radio remote con
`
`

`

`10
`
`15
`
`4,712, 167
`10
`longitudinally through the box. Motors 90 and 92 are
`with luminaire assembly units 20 to the boom end
`small, low-power motors which, as is conventional and
`mount 34 of boom 24, if not already in place, and then
`known in the art, stall when encountering certain levels
`operates the appropriate equipment, as is conventional
`of resistance. Therefore, motors 90 and 92 will not
`and known in the art, to orientate or extend boom 24 as
`break any structure if they snag, bind, or otherwise
`desired. Once boom 24 is in place, the operator utilizes
`cannot move the desired distance or angle. In the pre
`any of the control panels 46, 48, or 50 to tilt the lighting
`ferred embodiment screw drive motors 90 and 92 are
`array frame 22, turn on any number of luminaire assen
`DC operated linear actuators available from Warner
`bly units 20, and adjust their horizontal or vertical ori
`Electric Brake and Clutch, Beloit, Wis.
`entation with regard to the target area. Furthermore,
`It is to be understood that the present invention can
`adjustments can be made in the beam width of each
`take many forms and embodiments. The true essence
`individual luminaire assembly unit 20.
`a