GB2398372A

GB2398372A - Marker light for stairs

Info

Publication number: GB2398372A
Application number: GB0303474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Tierney
Original assignee: Gradus Ltd
Current assignee: Gradus Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Also published as: GB0303474D0

Abstract

A light comprises a body of material (1) eg a rod of acrylic resin in which light is internally reflected, a light source (3) (eg LED) for directing light into the body (1), and a reflector (2) to reflect light out of the body (1) along its length. A second light source may be provided at the other end of the body which may have a light guard 5 surrounding it.

Description

LIGHT

This invention relates to lights, and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to stair, floor and/or wall lights.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to illuminate the stair edges, walls and floors of cinemas, theatres and other large public buildings. In conventional stair lighting arrangements, a plurality of spaced apart light bulbs provide a series of discrete points of light on the riser of each stair on the staircase. Conventional light bulbs have a short service life, and are difficult to replace when they fail. Furthermore, although the lamps are easy to see, they do not provide adequate lighting of the step beneath each riser, so that there is still a slight trip hazard.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a light comprising a body of material in which light is internally reflected, a light source for directing light into the body, and a reflector to reflect light out of the body.

Preferably the reflector is attached to the body, and may be a coating applied to a portion of a surface of the body, such that light reflects from the coating material and then leaves the body through an uncoated portion of a surface of the body. The coating may, for example, be a sprayed or painted coating.

The body is preferably an elongate solid block of material such as a rod, in which light is internally reflected. The reflector may be provided substantially along the length of the rod and about a portion of its circumference, for example between 30 and 90 degrees around its circumference, preferably between 40 and 50 degrees, and most preferably 45 degrees around its circumference.

The light source is preferably one or more light emitting diodes (LED). A housing may be provided to house the light source and a portion of the body. If the body is a rod, the housing may be provided around an end of the rod. Additionally a second light source and housing, a mirror or another reflective surface may be provided at the opposite end of the body.

The light may be provided in a stair nosing. In a preferred embodiment, two lights are provided in the stair nosing, one directing light upwardly and the other downwardly so as to illuminate the stair above and below the stair nosing.

The acrylic rod may be coloured, or colourless. In the case of the a colourless rod, the LEDs can be selected to provide alternative coloured illumination of the rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a rod of material in which light is internally reflected; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a light in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is an expanded view of an end of the stair light of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-section through a stair nosing suitable for use with the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the stair nosing of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-section through an end of a stair light; and Figures 7, 8 and 9 show a lighting system formed from a plurality of lights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a body of material into which light from a light source 3 is internally reflected. The body of material comprises a solid rod 1 which may have a length of, for example, 1500 mm and a diameter of, for example, 7 mm. The rod 1 may be made of, for example, transparent acrylic resin, translucent acrylic resin, or photofluorescent acrylic resin. A reflector 2 is provided on the rear of the rod 1. The reflector 2 comprises a reflective strip which extends along the length of the rod 1 and approximately 45 degrees around its circumference. The reflector 2 comprises a light reflective coating which is preferably sprayed onto the rod 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, at each end, the rod 1 is connected to a light source 3, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a cluster of LEDs, by means of a housing 4, comprising a hollow tube of square cross-section. A light guard 5 is provided around the rod 1. The light guard 5 comprises a thin walled tube of square cross- section, made of a transparent or translucent material.

Referring now to Figure 6, the housing 4 is provided with a holder section 16 having a cylindrical inner wall 17 within which the LED 7 is installed. A resistor (not shown) may be provided within the housing 4 behind the LED 7. Wires 18a, 18b extend from the back of the LED 7 and out of the housing 4. Lugs 8 are provided at each corner of the housing 4 and have an outer surface which cooperates with the light guard 5 and a curved inner surface which cooperates with the rod 1. In an alternative embodiment the lugs 8 may be replaced with a continuous collar.

When assembled, the light is of a continuous square cross-section which makes it easy to install in a support element, for example comprising an extruded aluminium stair nosing 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

A respective stair light or series of stair lights as described above, is inserted into each of the channels lla, lib, of the stair nosing 10 such that their reflectors 2 are positioned on the side of the rod 1 adjacent the base of the channels 12a, 12b.

In operation, the light provided by the LEDs 7 enters the acrylic rod 1 through one or both ends, is internally reflected and travels through the rod at various angles. At various points along the rod the light leaves the uncoated portion of the cylindrical surface. Light which impinges on the reflector 2 is directed back into the rod 1, and some of this light is reflected back at a suitable angle to travel diametrically through the rod 1 and leave the front of the rod 1.

Figures 7 to 9 show another lighting system of the invention. In this embodiment, one light source 3 is provided for each rod 1, so as to shine light into one end only of each rod 1.

Figure 7 illustrates the assembly process for assembling the lighting system prior to installation into the stair nosing 10. The LED 7 is inserted into the back of the housing 4 and pushed into position into the holder section 16. The rod 1 is then inserted between the lugs 8 of the housing 4, with the reflector 2 in the orientation described above. The light guard is then positioned over the lugs 8 as shown in Figure 6. If necessary, adhesive or sealant can be applied to the interfaces between the housing 4, light guard 5 and rod 1, as appropriate.

Figure 8 shows two stair lights situated end to end, the wires 18a, 18b from the LEDs extending from the back of the housings 4. If required, a strip of material 19 can be provided between adjacent stair lights, to hide the wires 18a, lab.

Figure 9 shows a plurality of stair lights as illustrated in Figure 8. It will be appreciated that any number of lights can be laid end to end to create a continuous strip of light of the required length for a particular application.

Claims

1. A light comprising a body of material in which light is internally reflected, a light source for directing light into the body, and a reflector to reflect light out of the body.

2. A light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector is attached to the body.

3. A light as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflector comprises a coating applied to a portion of a surface of the body, such that light reflects from the coating material and then leaves the body through an uncoated portion of the body.

4. A light as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coating is a sprayed coating.

5. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is elongate.

6. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a solid block of material.

7. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a cylindrical rod.

8. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

9. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source further comprises a housing provided around a portion of the body.

10. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second light source, provided at the opposite end of the body to the first light source.

11. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support element which houses the body.

12. A light as claimed in claim 11, wherein the support element is releasably attachable to a stair, wall or floor.

13. A light as claimed in claim 12, in which the support element fits over a stair edge of the stair.

14. A light as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is formed from acrylic resin.

15. A light substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.