GB2358459A

GB2358459A - A lighting assembly which may represent the structure of a proein

Info

Publication number: GB2358459A
Application number: GB0000801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matteis Cristina Isabella De; Lindsay Bloxam
Original assignee: MATTEIS CRISTINA ISABELLA DE
Current assignee: MATTEIS CRISTINA ISABELLA DE
Priority date: 2000-01-14
Filing date: 2000-01-14
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-14
Also published as: GB2358459B; WO2001052222A1; AU2535201A; GB0000801D0

Abstract

A three dimensional-dimensional lighting assembly comprises a plurality of cylindrical lighting units 102 linked by structural connecting strands 104. The structural connecting strands 104 may contain or define means for passing electric current from one lighting unit 102 to the next and may have sufficient strength and/or stiffness to hold the lighting units 102 in a desired configuration without additional support. The lighting assembly may mimic the secondary and/or tertiary and/or quaternary structure of a protein, the lighting units 102 representing a -helical regions of the protein and the structural connecting strands 104 representing non- a -helical regions.

Description

2358459 A LIGHTING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a lighting assembly,

and more particularly to lighting assemblies having a shape or conformation mimicking that of the three dimensional structures of proteins. In addition, the invention provides modular three dimensional lighting assemblies and modular lighting units for use in constructing such assemblies.

In many known proteins, such as myoglobin and haemoglobin, the polypeptide chains contain repeating units in which the peptide backbone has a conformation in the form of an u helix. The a helix may be regarded as being a rod-like structure arid is often represented in depictions of protein structures as being in the form of a rod. The existence of the cc helix substructure has been known since the 1930s when it was first discovered by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey - see for example Biochemistry, by L Stryer, Publ. WH Freeman & Co San Francisco 1975 and Biochemistry, by AL Lehninger, Publ. Worth Publishers Inc Second Edition 1975.

The present invention provides a three dimensional lighting assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting units linked by structural connecting strands, the structural connecting strands serving to hold the assembly in a configuration whereby it mimics the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of a protein, the cylindrical lighting units representing a helical regions of the protein and the structural connecting strands representing non-a helical regions of the protein.

In another aspect, the invention provides a three dimensional lighting assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting units linked together by structural connecting strands.

2 The term "structural" as used herein means that the connecting strands have sufficient stiffness to maintain, or assist in maintaining, the structure of the assembly, optionally with the assistance of one or more supporting members. In this manner, the lighting assembly is distinguished from, for example festoon lighting arrangements.

The structural connecting strands typically contain or define a means for passing electric current from one lighting unit to the next. Thus, for example, the structural strands can be formed from a conductive material, for example when used with a low voltage lighting circuit, or can take the form of tubes within which is disposed a conductor, eg a conducting wire.

For smaller arrays of the lighting units, the structural connecting strands may have sufficient strength and/or stiffness to hold the lighting units in a desired configuration without additional support. Alternative, or additionally, supporting members, for example supporting struts or wires may be used to assist in holding the lighting units in place. Thus, for example, the structural connecting strands can be formed from metal rods, metal wire or metal tubing, but alternatively relatively stiff plastics material (e.g. cross-linked plastics materials) or carbon fibre may be used instead.

A lighting unit can comprise a transparent or translucent cylindrical main body portion and a pair of end caps, one for securing to each end of the cylindrical body portion. Within the transparent or translucent cylindrical body portion are disposed one or more lighting elements such as lamps or fluorescent lighting tubes - Electrical conduction means will typically be provided for connecting one end of the cylindrical body portion with the other so as to enable continuity of the electrical circuit. Such electrical conducting means can extend along the outside or the inside of the cylindrical main body portion, but preferably are disposed within the body portion.

3 In one embodiment, each end of the cylindrical body portion may have disposed therein a lamp, each lamp being connectable to an electrical conducting element contained in or defined by the structural connecting strands. For example, the lamp may be provided with a collar or socket for receiving an end of the structural connector strand and means for securing (eg a locking screw) the end of the strand within the socket or collar.

The electrical conducting means extending between the two ends of the cylindrical body portion preferably takes the form of a helix, for example a helix formed from metal tubing (e.g. copper tubing) through which conducting electrical cables or insulated wires may pass.

Thus, a lighting assembly according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lighting units of cylindrical form, each lighting unit being connectable at either end thereof to a structural connecting strand, the structural connecting strand containing or constituting an electrical conductor for delivering electricity to the lighting unit.

The structural connecting strands are typically bent or curved to mimic bends or folds in the backbone of a protein and typically, therefore, each connecting strand will tend to differ in configuration from the other connecting strands. Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides a lighting assembly comprising a plurality of lighting units linked by structural connecting strands, wherein each of the structural connecting strands is differently curved.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the particular embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically the tertiary structure of a myoglobin molecule; Figure 2 is a partial view of a lighting assembly mimicking the myoglobin molecule; 4 Figure 3 is a sectional elevation through one of the lighting units of the assembly of Figure 2, but with the end caps not shown; and Figure 4 is a view of an end cap of the lighting unit of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the three dimensional structure of a myoglobin molecule can be seen to consist of a series of " rod-like " a helix portions 2 linked by non-helical portions 4 of the polypeptide backbone. Helical structures such as those shown in Figure 1 have also been found in other proteins such as haemoglobin, flavodoxin, triose phosphate isomerase, troponin C, actin, myosin, and the DNA and calcium binding motifs in many proteins.

Figure 2 illustrates a lighting assembly of the present invention which mimics the myoglobin molecule. Thus, the lighting assembly comprises a plurality of cylindrical lighting tubes 102 linked by structural connecting strands 104. The cylindrical tubes mimic the helical portions of the myoglobin molecule whereas the bent connecting strands mimic the non-helical portions of the backbone of the myoglobin molecule.

The assembly can be suspended from a suitable support structure, for example mounted on a ceiling, and in the embodiment shown, the assembly is suspended from a ceiling structure by means of strings or wires 106. As an alternative, the lighting structure could be mounted on a stand for use as a table lamp, or floor lamp, or could be provided with a wall mounting: for such applications, the structure would typically need to be reduced or scaled down m size or only a part of the structure used.

The lighting assembly can be connected up to a low voltage supply, and, for example, may be linked to a low voltage power cable suspended across a room between two walls. Alternatively, the lighting system can be provided with a conventional plug and socket connection, linked via a transformer.

As is apparent from Figure 2, each of the lighting units 102 has a relative size intended to represent as closely as possible the relative size of an a helix region in a particular protein, in this case myoglobin. Thus, the lighting units are C1 of varying length.

One form of construction of the lighting units is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, in this embodiment, the lighting unit comprises a frosted glass cylinder 202, and a pair of metal (nickel plated copper) end caps 204 (omitted for clarity in Figure 3 but shown in Figure 4. End caps 204, which fit over the ends of the frosted glass cylinder have a clamping collar 206 which receives an end of the structural connecting strand 104, the connecting strand 104 being held within, by means of securing screw 210.

In this embodiment, the connecting strands are formed from metal tubing, preferably copper tubing, for example of 6 mm outside diameter. Electrical conductor wires pass along the copper tubing from one light unit to another.

Within the ends of the lighting unit, and obscured by the end caps 204, are lamp mounting units 212. Lamp mounting units 212, as the name suggests, hold lamps (not shown) and are electrically connected to the conductor wires 214 passing through the copper tube connectors. The lamp mounting units also are provided with clamping collars 216 that can receive and clamp against the ends of the copper tube 104.

In order to maintain the continuity of the electrical circuit through the lighting unit, a helical copper coil containing conducting cable (eg PTFE cable) extends from one lamp to another, The dimensions of the helical copper coil can be selected so as to mimic the pitch and length of an a helix in a given protein such as myoglobin.

In order to change the lamps in the lighting unit, the retaining collars on the 6 end caps can be unscrewed thereby enabling the frosted glass cylinder to be displaced axially to allow access to the lamps.

The lighting assembly shown described above is of modular construction and it will be appreciated that the cylindrical lighting units can be connected together using connector strands bent to a different configuration to mimic different proteins.

The lighting assemblies of the invention function as three dimensional sculptures and may be used solely for their aesthetic value. However, they have an educational value in that they serve as a reminder of the structure of proteins and hence may serve to stimulate interest in scientific matters.

The lighting assembly shown in the accompanying drawings represents but one embodiment of the invention, and it will readily be apparent that numerous alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the principles underlying the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

7

Claims

1. A three dimensional lighting assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting units linked by structural connecting strands, the structural connecting strands serving to hold the assembly in a configuration whereby it mimics the secondary and/or tertiary and/or quaternary structure of a protein, the cylindrical lighting units representing a helical regions of the protein and the structural connecting strands representing non-a helical regions of the protein.

2, A three dimensional lighting assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting units linked together by structural connecting strands.

3. A lighting assembly according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the structural ZD connecting strands contain or define a means for passing electric current from one lighting unit to the next.

4. A lighting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structural connecting strands have sufficient strength and/or stiffness to hold the lighting units in a desired configuration without additional support.

5. A lighting assembly according to claim 4 wherein one or more supporting members are provided to assist in holding the lighting units in place.

6. A lighting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lighting unit comprises a transparent or translucent cylindrical main body portion and a pair of end caps, one for securing to each end of the cylindrical body portion.

7. A lighting assembly according to claim 6 wherein the transparent or translucent cylindrical body portion has disposed therein one or more 8 lighting elements such as light bulbs or fluorescent lighting tubes.

8. A lighting assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein electrical conducting means are provided for connecting one end of the cylindrical body portion with the other so as to provide continuity of the electrical circuit.

9. A lighting assembly according to claim 8 wherein the electrical conducting means extending between the two ends of the cylindrical body portion takes the form of a helix, for example a helix formed from metal tubing (e.g.

copper tubing) through which conducting electrical cables or insulated wires may pass.

10. A lighting assembly comprising a plurality of lighting units of cylindrical form, each lighting unit being connectable at either end thereof to a structural connecting strand, the structural connecting strand containing or constituting an electrical conductor for delivering electricity to the lighting unit.

11. A lighting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structural connecting strands are bent or curved to mimic bends or folds in the backbone of a protein.

12. A lighting assembly according to claim 11 wherein each connecting strand differs in configuration from the other connecting strands.

13. A lighting assembly comprising a plurality of lighting units linked by structural connecting strands, wherein each of the structural connecting strands is differently curved.

14. A modular lighting system comprising a plurality of cylindrical lighting 9 units and, removably connectable thereto, a plurality of structural connecting strands.

15. A lighting assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings Figures 2 to 4.