AU2010201264A1 - Lighting reflector - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 946286 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Bryan Julian Liebowitz, of Applicant: of 9 Tobruk Avenue, St. Ives, New South Wales, 2075, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Bryan Julian Liebowitz Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Lighting reflector Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2009901478 06 Apr 2009 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(2617863_1) LIGHTING REFLECTOR Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting reflector. 5 Background of the Invention Lighting reflectors housing light sources typically include a chamber for receiving the light source. The chamber includes an open or transparent lower portion and reflective internal surfaces for directing light from the light source to a particular 10 direction. In most cases, lighting reflectors for non-point sources (e.g. a compact fluorescent lamp) only provide a general distribution. This leads to significant waste of energy and cost as more light sources are required to illuminate a specific area. Object of the Invention is It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the prior art disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the Invention 20 The present invention provides a lighting reflector having: a substantially flat front wall having spaced side edge portions and spaced top and bottom edge portions; a substantially arcuate side wall having spaced top and bottom edge portions and spaced side edge portions attached to respective side edge portions of the front wall, and 25 an end wall extending between the top edge portions of the front wall and the side wall, wherein the front wall, the side wall and the end wall together at least partly enclose a chamber within which a light source can be received, with internal surfaces provided by the front wall, the side wall and the end wall and facing the chamber being light 30 reflective; and the side wall includes a plurality of panels providing said internal surfaces thereof, the panels being arranged in series between the side edge portions of the side 2 wall, and being configured so that each said panel internal surface is at least partly concave so as to reflect light substantially away from said end wall. The side wall in plan preferably substantially follows at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of about 240 mm and a minor diameter of about 195 s mm. The side wall in one embodiment includes curved side sections extending from its respective side edge portions, which are joined to a curved back section. The side sections preferably substantially follow at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 118 mm and a minor diameter of 107 mm, and the back section io substantially follows at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 107 mm and a minor diameter of 90 mm. Each side wall panel is preferably curved from a substantially vertical lower section adjacent a lower edge portion of the side wall to an upper section adjacent an upper edge portion of the side wall. The angle of a tangent to the upper section relative to 15 the vertical axis is preferably between 18" to 230. In one embodiment, the upper section is curved inwardly toward the end wall. The front wall is preferably generally trapezoidal in shape and includes an aperture formed in a middle portion thereof. The front wall is preferably angled relative to the vertical axis by about 10 degrees toward the side wall. 20 The end wall preferably comprises adjacent first to fourth panels each extending perpendicularly from the top edge portion of the front wall, wherein the second and third panels thereof meet at a central line aligned with a horizontal central axis of the lighting reflector and are angled downwardly from the central line towards the side wall by an angle of about 2 degrees relative to the horizontal. The first and fourth panels of the end 25 wall are preferably angled upwardly from respective edges of the second and third panels to the side wall side sections by an angle of about 8 degrees relative to the horizontal. In an alternative embodiment, the end wall preferably comprises first and second panels on either side of a central ridge panel, wherein the ridge panel is an upwardly curved longitudinal ridge extending from a central portion of the front wall top edge to 30 the side wall top edge. The first and second panels are preferably angled slightly upwardly from the ridge panel toward the side wall by an angle of about 10 degrees relative to the horizontal.

3 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighting reflector according to a preferred 5 embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the lighting reflector; Figure 3 is a side view of the lighting reflector; Figure 4 is a back view of the lighting reflector; Figure 5 is a top view of the lighting reflector; 10 Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the lighting reflector having a compact fluorescent lamp received therein; Figure 7 is an isometric top view of the lighting reflector having the fluorescent lamp received therein; Figure 8 is an isometric bottom view of the lighting reflector having the is fluorescent lamp received therein; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the lighting reflector in use; Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation view of the lighting reflector in use; Figure 11 is a schematic front elevation view of the lighting reflector in use; Figure 12 is a graph showing angular light output from the lighting reflector in 20 use; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lighting reflector; Figure 14 is a side view of the alternative embodiment; Figure 15 is a top view of the alternative embodiment 25 Figure 16 is a front view of the alternative embodiment; and Figure 17 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a lighting reflector 20 according to a preferred embodiment of 30 the present invention. The lighting reflector 20 includes a substantially upright flat front wall 21, an arcuate side wall 25 extending between side edges 23 of the front wall 21 and an end wall 30 extending between top edges 22, 29 of the front wall 21 and the side wall 25.

4 The front wall 21 is generally trapezoidal in shape and includes its top edge 22, curved side edges 23 and a bottom edge 24. An aperture 35 is formed in a middle portion of the front wall 21. The front wall 21 is angled relative to the vertical axis by about 10 degrees toward the side wall 25. 5 The side wall 25 includes an arcuate band body 26 having ends 27 respectively attached to the front wall side edges 23. As shown in Figure 5, the body 26 includes curved side sections 36 extending from its respective ends 27 which are joined to a curved back section 37. The body 26 is symmetrical in plan about a horizontal central axis 41 of the lighting reflector 20 extending through a centre of the aperture 35. The side wall 25 1o includes a bottom edge 28 aligned with the front wall bottom edge 24, and its top edge 29 which is substantially aligned with the front wall top edge 22. The horizontal and vertical profiles of the side wall 25 are further described below. The end wall 30 extends between the front wall top edge 22 and the side wall top edge 29. The end wall 30 comprises adjacent first to fourth panels 31 to 35 each 15 extending perpendicularly from the front wall top edge 22 to respective portions of the side wall top edge 29. Second and third panels 32 and 33 meet at a central line 36 of the end wall 30, which central line 36 is aligned in plan with the horizontal central axis 41 of the lighting reflector 20. The second and third panels 32 and 33 are angled slightly downwardly from the central line 36 toward the side wall side sections 36 by an angle of 20 2 degrees relative to the horizontal. First and fourth panels 31 and 34 are angled slightly upwardly from respective edges of the second and third panels 32 and 33 to the side wall side sections 36 by an angle of 8 degrees relative to the horizontal. The profile of the side wall top edge 29 follows the edges of the panels 31 to 34. In plan, as shown in Figure 5, the side wall body 26 substantially follows the 25 profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 240 mm and a minor diameter of 195 mm. The side wall 26 is formed by panels A to T arranged in series between the side edges 27 thereof. Each panel has a length and an angle relative to the horizontal central axis 41 of the lighting reflector 20 as noted in the table below. The lengths are taken from the along the side wall bottom edge 28. 30 Panel Length (mm) Angle A 40 347 B 44 357 5 C 43 8 D 33 23 E 30 36 F 22 48 G 19 59 H 17 68 I 17 79 J 16 87 K 16 273 L 17 281 M 17 292 N 19 301 0 22 311 P 30 324 Q 33 337 R 43 352 S 44 3 T 40 13 In elevation, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, each panel A to T is curved so that internal surfaces thereof are concave so as to face at least partly downwardly, so as to reflect light substantially away from said end wall 30. Each panel A to T curves generally 5 inwardly from a substantially vertical lower section 38 adjacent the lower edge 28 to an upper section 39 adjacent the upper edge 29. The angle of a tangent to the upper section 39 relative to the vertical axis at panels B and S is about 200, at panels D and Q is about 180, and at panels H and M is about 23*. In elevation, the side sections 36 substantially follow the profile of at least part 1o of an ellipse having a major diameter of 118 mm and a minor diameter of 107 mm, and the back section 37 substantially follows at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 107 mm and a minor diameter of 90 mm. The front wall 21, side wall 25 and end wall 30 together at least partly enclose a chamber 42 within which a light source 45 is received. The internal surfaces provided 6 by the front wall 21, side wall 25 and the end wall 30 are light reflective for directing light from the light source 45 as desired. Figures 6 to 8 show the lighting reflector 20 having a light source 45 which in the embodiment is a compact fluorescent lamp designated as type TC-T or TC-TE. The 5 lamp 45 is either a 42 Watt lamp having a maximum length of 160.7 mm or a 57 Watt lamp having a maximum length of 197.7 mm. The lamp 45 is mounted to a lamp holder 46 which is attached to the front wall 21. Figures 9 to 11 show the lighting reflector 20 in use. The lighting reflector 20 is housed in an outer cover 50 connected to a light post 51. The profile of the internal 1o surfaces of the lighting reflector 20 provides an optimised reflective chamber 42 for the non-point light source 45 to create a specific light output and distribution. The lighting reflector 20 minimises light energy lost above a horizontal plane 46 abutting the lower edges 24 and 28 and to optimise output to specific angles schematically shown by arrows 47. is Figure 12 shows the angular light output from the lamp 45 using the fitting 20. As shown, light output is primarily directed to an area between 300 and 60* to the vertical, secondarily directed to an area between 600 and 800 to the vertical, and thirdly directed to an area between 00 and 300 to the vertical. This result has been found to be provide optimal use of the light energy from the source 45 which allows spacing between light 20 source positions to be maximised and still comply with the requirements of Australian and New Zealand Standards "AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2005 Lighting for roads and public spaces Part 3.1: Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting-Performance and design requirements". Further, wastage of light above the horizontal plane 46 of the lower edge of the fitting 20 is minimised. 25 With the lighting reflector 20, it is possible to replace 150W Metal halide lamps with either a 42W or 57W compact fluorescent lamp to achieve the same illuminance level. It is also possible to retrofit the lighting reflector 20 to existing light fittings and use the compact fluorescent lamp. This provides a significant energy saving for individual lighting installations. This is achieved by the use of lower wattage lamps, 30 capability to dim the output, programme the installation for timed switching and "instant on/off light", in comparison to High Intensity Discharge lamps which require a start up and cooling period before ignition and full power.

7 Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the curve of the panels A to T can be changed slightly for production processes and external flanges can be added for attaching the fitting to 5 installations as required. These do not have a significant bearing on the efficiency of the fitting 20. Also, the front wall 21, side wall 25 and the end wall 30 can alternatively meet at portions (edge portions) thereof adjacent the edges rather than the actual edges. Further, the curved internal surface of the side wall panels A to T can be provided independently of the external surfaces thereof - the external surfaces of the panels for 10 example can extend vertically. Similarly, the angled internal surfaces of the front wall 21 and the end wall 30 can be provided independently of the external surfaces thereof. Also, each panel A to T, instead of being a smooth curve, can alternatively be formed by a plurality of narrow elongated facets arranged in series between the top and bottom edge portions of the panel. is Figures 13 to 17 show a lighting reflector 20a according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The lighting reflector 20a is substantially similar to the lighting reflector 20 described above and similar parts are referred to with similar reference numerals. The lighting reflector 20a includes the front wall 21 a having the aperture 35a, the arcuate side wall 25a having panels A to T, and the end wall 30a. 20 The main differences between the lighting reflector 20 and the lighting reflector 20a relate to the end wall 30a and the upper section 39a of the side wall panels A to T. The end wall 30a in this embodiment comprises first and second panels 3 1 a and 32a on either side of a central ridge panel 33a. The ridge panel 33a is an upwardly curved longitudinal ridge extending from a central portion of the front wall top edge 22a to the 25 side wall top edge 29. The ridge panel 33a is symmetrical in plan with the horizontal central axis 41a. The first and second panels 31a and 32a are angled slightly upwardly from the ridge panel 33a toward the side wall 25a by an angle of about 10 degrees relative to the horizontal. The upper sections 39a of the side wall panels A to T in this embodiment are 30 curved inwardly toward the end wall 30a. The radius of the curve of the upper sections 39 is about 5 mm. Also, the upper sections 39a of the panels H to M are extended as required to join with the ridge panel 33a.

8 The use and light distribution output of the lighting reflector 20a is similar to that of the lighting reflector 20 described above.

Claims (14)

1. A lighting reflector having: a substantially flat front wall having spaced side edge portions and spaced top 5 and bottom edge portions; a substantially arcuate side wall having spaced top and bottom edge portions and spaced side edge portions attached to respective side edge portions of the front wall, and an end wall extending between the top edge portions of the front wall and the side wall, wherein 10 the front wall, the side wall and the end wall together at least partly enclose a chamber within which a light source can be received, with internal surfaces provided by the front wall, the side wall and the end wall and facing the chamber being light reflective; and the side wall includes a plurality of panels providing said internal surfaces is thereof, the panels being arranged in series between the side edge portions of the side wall, and being configured so that each said panel internal surface is at least partly concave so as to reflect light substantially away from said end wall.

2. The lighting reflector of claim I wherein the side wall in plan substantially follows at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 20 about 240 mm and a minor diameter of about 195 mm.

3. The lighting reflector of claim I wherein the side wall includes curved side sections extending from its respective side edge portions, which are joined to a curved back section.

4. The lighting reflector of claim 3 wherein the side sections substantially 25 follow at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 118 mm and a minor diameter of 107 mm, and the back section substantially follows at least part of the profile of an ellipse having a major diameter of 107 mm and a minor diameter of 90 mm.

5. The lighting reflector of any one of the preceding claims wherein each side wall panel is curved from a substantially vertical lower section adjacent a lower edge 30 portion of the side wall to an upper section adjacent an upper edge portion of the side wall.

6. The lighting reflector of claim 5 wherein the angle of a tangent to the upper section relative to the vertical axis is between 180 to 23". 10

7. The lighting reflector of claim 5 wherein the upper section is curved inwardly toward the end wall.

8. The lighting reflector of any one of the preceding claims wherein the front wall is generally trapezoidal in shape and includes an aperture fonned in a middle s portion thereof.

9. The lighting reflector of any one of the preceding claims wherein the front wall is angled relative to the vertical axis by about 10 degrees toward the side wall.

10. The lighting reflector of any one of the preceding claims wherein the end wall comprises adjacent first to fourth panels each extending perpendicularly front io the top edge portion of the front wall, wherein the second and third panels thereof meet at a central line aligned with a horizontal central axis of the lighting reflector and are angled downwardly from the central line towards the side wall by an angle of about 2 degrees relative to the horizontal.

IH. The lighting reflector of claim 10 wherein the first and fourth panels of is the end wall are angled upwardly from respective edges of the second and third panels to the side wall side sections by an angle of about 8 degrees relative to the horizontal.

12. The lighting reflector of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the end wall comprises first and second panels on either side of a central ridge panel, wherein the ridge panel is an upwardly curved longitudinal ridge extending from a central portion of the 20 front wall top edge to the side wall top edge.

13. The lighting reflector of claim 12 wherein the first and second panels are angled slightly upwardly from the ridge panel toward the side wall by an angle of about 10 degrees relative to the horizontal.

14. A lighting reflector substantially as herein described with reference to 25 Figures I to 12 or Figures 9 to 17 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this Thirtieth Day of March, 2010 Bryan Julian Liebowitz Patent Attorneys for the Applicant 30 SPRUSON & FERGUSON