GB2358296A

GB2358296A - Luminaire with touch controlled colour and brightness

Info

Publication number: GB2358296A
Application number: GB9929406A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl John Elkington Elliott; Jonathan Angus King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-14
Filing date: 1999-12-14
Publication date: 2001-07-18
Also published as: GB9929406D0

Abstract

A luminaire comprises three differently coloured lamps 1, 2, 3, three touch sensitive electronic control circuits 6 and three support structures 7. Each lamp is connected to an electronic control circuit such that the brightness of each of the lamps can be independently controlled, or switched off, by touching the associated support structure. The lamps may be red, green and blue coloured to allow any colour in the visible spectrum, including white, to be created. The resultant light may be diffused by a liquid, a plurality of liquids, or a mixture of liquids and solids. The support structures may also provide ventilation for the lamps.

Description

2358296 INTERACTIVE LIGHT This invention relates to an interactive light

Lights are widespread and extremely varied in design. Despite this, most only emit white or off-white light. More recently, lights that emit coloured light have come on to the market. Two known exomples exist that use a number of differently coloured bulbs at source, which emit various colours within the visible light spectrum.

However, the control of these lights relies upon the manual switching of remote devices, or reverting to a pre-programmed set of colours, switched over time, and controlled by an independent control circuit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a light comprising three coloured bulbs, three touch sensitive electronic control circuits, three support structures, a power switch, a diffusing shade and means to support the bulbs, circuits, support structures and diffusing shade.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows in section the relative vertical position of the circuits, bulbs and their holders, support structure and diffusing shade.

-------4 - Figure 2 shows in plan the relative position of the bulbs and their holders, control circuits and the support structures.

Figure 3 shows in perspective, the complete light with shade and support structures.

Figure 4 shows in elevation, the complete light with shade and support structures.

Referring to the drawing, the light comprises a red bulb 1, a green bulb 2 and a blue bulb 3, in their respective bulb holders 4, and mounted by such means as to provide electrical insulation from one another 5. i Each bulb is connected to its own electronic control circuit 6, also electrically insulated from one another, whereby a low-power floating earth contact controls ON and OFF \oAth a momentary earth contact, and dimming between ON and OFF is controlled by a constant earth contact, the level of brightness being set when the earth contact is released. AA three circui is are then conneciled to, and powered by, the some supply power source, for example a UK domestic 24OVolts AC supply.

For each control circuit, the floating earth is connected to a separate conductive leg structure 7. The bulbs and their holders, with their respective control circuits are mounted in such a way as to allow air ventilation to pass over the components, but to prevent accidental physical contact with the high-power side of the control circuits. Only the low-power side of the floating earth is exposed to external, physical contact, by means of the aforementioned leg structures.

The components are mounted in such a way as to allow a diffusing shade 8, to be mounted over the bulbs and the control circuits, but that leaves the leg structures visible so that Qhysical toughing contact can be easily made.

Each leg structure is electrically insulated from around earth by suitable insulating material 9, at the point where each leg contacts ground.

Claims

1. Touch sensitive control of a plurality of coloured light bulbs. 1 2, A touch sensitive light as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the combined control effect results from three independent voltage control circuits, manipulated by c floating earth. Whereby a momentary earth contact controls ON and OFF, and a continuous contact controls a cyclical fluctuation between full brightness and off. The level of brijahtness is retained by the control circuitry during subseauent ON and OFF action.

3. A touch sensitive light as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein c red, green and blue coloured bulbs emit oil possible colours found in!I:! the visible!ight specirut-,-,, including the combined effect of white light.

4. A touch sensitive light as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein each leg structure combines three different functions; a) As touch sensitive contacts.

b) As a stabilising and ventilation structure for the whole light. 11 i 1 1 c) As assembly support for the base unit.

5. A touch sensitive light as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the resultant light effect is diffused or reflected by means of o liquid, or a plurality of liquids held within a vessel.

i - 1 6. A touch sensitive light as claimed in Claim 1, Clainn 2 or Claim 3 wherein the resultant light effect is diffused or reflected by means of a mixture of a solid and liquid material.

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