GB2425134A

GB2425134A - Diffuser arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2425134A
Application number: GB0507558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Michael Payne
Original assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Current assignee: Monodraught Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-14
Filing date: 2005-04-14
Publication date: 2006-10-18
Also published as: GB0507558D0

Abstract

A diffuser arrangement 18, in particular for use as part of a lighting assembly 10 comprising an elongate internally reflective pipe 12 for conveying daylight from a roof area 14 of a building to a room 16 below, and which is arranged to diffuse daylight into the room 16, comprises first and second diffuser members 22, 24.

Description

Diffuser Arrangements The present invention relates to diffuser

arrangements for diffusing natural light into a room of a building, and in particular but not exclusively to diffuser arrangements for use with lighting apparatus including light conveying means for conveying natural light to a room of a building.

Lighting apparatus for conveying natural light from roof level to a room of a building is known. Such lighting apparatus generally includes a transparent light collector mounted, in use, on the roof of the building, and a light conveying means, such as an internally reflective pipe, extending from the light collector through the roof space of the building to a room below.

It can be desirable to use a diffuser arrangement with such lighting apparatus to diffuse the conveyed light into the room. ** .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a * I diffuser arrangement for diffusing natural light into a room of a building, wherein the diffuser arrangement comprises first and second diffuser members. s S

The diffuser arrangement may be arranged to diffuse daylight into a room of a building. The diffuser arrangement may be arranged for use with a lighting apparatus including light conveying means for conveying natural light to a room of a building, and may be arranged for use with a lighting apparatus including an elongate internally reflective pipe for conveying natural light to a room of a building.

The first and second diffuser members may be arranged so that, in use, light may be initially conveyed through the first diffuser member, and may be subsequently conveyed through the second diffuser member into the room.

The first and second diffuser members may be generally circular in plan and may be hermetically sealed together around their outer edges.

The first diffuser member may be located in use adjacent an open end of the light conveying means, and may be located inwardly of the second diffuser member. The first diffuser member may be inwardly dished towards an open end of the light conveying means, and may be generally concave when viewed from a room of a building.

The first diffuser member may comprise a prismatic material which may be arranged to refract light conveyed by the light conveying means.

The second diffuser member may be located adjacent the first diffuser member, and may be located outwardly of the first diffuser member with respect to the light conveying means. The second diffuser member may be spaced apart from the first diffuser member to preferably define a hermetically sealed region between the first and second diffuser members.

* .*** The second diffuser member may be outwardly dished away from the first diffuser member. The second diffuser member may be generally convex when viewed from a room of a building. I. S * S S * S.

The second diffuser member may comprise a translucent material, for example a frosted or a textured material.

The second diffuser member may define a circumferential outer rim which may be substantially flat, and which may extend in the radially outward direction of the second diffuser member. The outer rim may include a flange which may extend from an outer edge of the outer rim and which may extend substantially perpendicular to the outer rim from said outer edge. The flange may extend in the axial direction of the second diffuser member, and may extend in use towards the light conveying means.

The first diffuser member may define a circumferential outer rim which may be substantially flat, and which may extend in the radially outward direction of the first diffuser member. The outer rim of the first diffuser member may be locatable, in use, against the outer rim of the second diffuser member, and the first and second diffuser members may be hermetically sealed together around their respective outer rims.

The first and second diffuser members may constitute a diffuser, and the diffuser arrangement may include a mounting arrangement for mounting the diffuser on a ceiling or a wall of a room of a building.

The diffuser arrangement may include retaining means for retaining the diffuser in the mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement may define a channel for receiving the retaining means. The channel may be generally circumferential and may be defined by radially inner and radially outer circumferential walls of the mounting arrangement. The channel may also be defined by a circumferential bottom wall of the mounting arrangement.

The radially inner wall may define one or more openings through which the retaining means may pass to engage the diffuser, and the retaining means may engage the second diffuser member to retain the diffuser in the mounting arrangement. The retaining means may engage the outer rim of the second diffuser member. * 25

The retaining means may comprise a resilient member. The resilient member may include a reaction portion which may abut the radially outer wall of the channel. The resilient member may include a retaining portion which may extend through the or each opening and which may be arranged to *. : 30 engage the diffuser. The diffuser arrangement may include a plurality of said * .* resilient members.

**S*S. * S

The second diffuser member may comprise sealing means locatable against the mounting arrangement, and the sealing means may be provided on the flange. The sealing means may abut the radially inner wall of the mounting arrangement.

The diffuser arrangement may include a trim member which may be removably locatable on the mounting arrangement. The trim member may be generally annular, and may include radially inner and outer walls and a bottom wall, and the walls may define a generally circumferential channel.

The trim member may include a metallic component and the metallic component may be provided on the bottom wall of the trim member. The mounting arrangement may comprise one or more magnets which may be cooperable with the metallic component to provide for removable location of the trim member on the mounting arrangement. The magnets may be circumferentially spaced around the bottom wall of the mounting arrangement.

The inner surface of the trim member may comprise an opaque material layer to prevent the passage of light therethrough into the room. The opaque material layer may be co-extruded with the material of the trim member.

The diffuser arrangement may include a cover member for covering the diffuser and preventing the transmission of light therethrough into the room, and the cover member may be removably locatable on the mounting arrangement. The cover member may include magnets, for example on its Is..

inner surface, which may be co-operable with the magnets of the mounting arrangement to thereby provide for removable location of the cover member on the mounting arrangement.

*.5. The magnets on the inner surface of the cover member may have a different magnetic strength to the magnets on the mounting arrangement. The magnets on the inner surface of the cover member may have a lower magnetic strength than the magnets on the mounting arrangement.

The inner surface of the cover member may comprise an opaque material layer to prevent the passage of daylight therethrough from the internally reflective pipe into the room of the building. The opaque material layer may be co-extruded with the material of the cover member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting assembly comprising light conveying means for conveying natural light to a room of a building, and a diffuser arrangement for diffusing conveyed light into the room, wherein the diffuser arrangement comprises first and second diffuser members.

The diffuser arrangement may be according to the first aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view of a lighting assembly including a diffuser arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view of a diffuser :.:::. arrangement according to the present invention; S... S...

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the diffuser arrangement of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a mounting arrangement of the diffuser arrangement of Figs. 2 and 3; S.....

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Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line A-A of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line B-B of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic cross- sectional side view of a cover member of the diffuser arrangement; and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an inner surface of the cover member of Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. 1, a lighting assembly 10 comprises a lighting apparatus including a light conveying means in the form of an elongate internally reflective pipe 12 for conveying daylight from a roof area 14 of a building to a room 16 below. The light is conveyed into the room 16 through a diffuser arrangement 18 according to the present invention which is attached to the ceiling 20 of the room 16 and which will now be described in further detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 8.

Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 3, the diffuser arrangement 18 comprises first and second diffuser members 22, 24. The first and second diffuser members 22, 24 are generally circular in plan and together constitute a diffuser 26 of the diffuser arrangement 18.

The first diffuser member 22 is located in use inwardly of the second * 25 diffuser member 24 adjacent the lower open end 28, commonly known as the bell end, of the internally reflective pipe 12. The first diffuser member 22 is * S. S generally concave in shape when viewed from the room 16 and is inwardly dished towards the open end 28 of the internally reflective pipe 12. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the concave shape of the first diffuser member 22 can provide a locating feature to enable the diffuser 26 to be located centrally with respect to the lower open end 28 of the internally reflective pipe 12. ** * S

The second diffuser member 24 is of a similar general overall shape to the first diffuser member 22 and is located in use outwardly, or externally, of the first diffuser member 22 so that it is visible from the room 16. The second diffuser member 24 is generally convex in shape when viewed from the room 16 and is outwardly dished away from the lower open end 28 of the internally reflective pipe 12 and away from the first diffuser member 22.

The first and second diffuser members 22, 24 both define circumferential outer rims 30, 32 and are hermetically sealed around their outer edges via their respective outer rims 30, 32. The first and second diffuser members 22, 24 thus define therebetween a hermetically sealed airtight region 34.

In more detail, the outer rim 32 of the second diffuser member 24 is substantially flat and extends in use generally horizontally in the radially outward direction of the second diffuser member 24. The outer rim 32 further includes a flange 36 which extends from an outer edge of the outer rim 32 substantially perpendicular thereto in an in use upward direction towards the ceiling 20 of the room 16. The flange 36 extends upwardly in the generally axial direction of the second diffuser member 24 in use towards the internally reflective pipe 12.

The outer rim 30 of the first diffuser member 22 is also substantially flat and extends generally horizontally in use in the radially outward direction of : 25 the first diffuser member 22. As indicated above, the outer rim 30 of the first diffuser member 22 is locatable in use against the outer rim 32 of the second "S.

diffuser member 24, and is hermetically sealed thereto.

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The first diffuser member 22 is formed of a prismatic material which is operable in use to refract light conveyed by the internally reflective pipe 12 into the room 16. The second diffuser member 24 is formed of a different material to the first diffuser member 22 and is desirably formed of a translucent material such as a textured or frosted material. For example, a material sold under the trade name PINSEAL can be used to form the second diffuser member 24. However, any suitable material that is capable of providing an even distribution of light to the room 16 may be used.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Figs. 4 to 6, the diffuser arrangement 18 includes a mounting arrangement generally designated by the reference numeral 38 which is operable in use to mount the diffuser 26 on the ceiling 20, or on a wall, of the room 16.

The mounting arrangement 38 is generally annular and includes a fixing portion 40 which lies in use generally flush with the ceiling 20. The fixing portion 40 defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 42 for receiving attachment means such as screws 44 which are operable in use to attach the mounting arrangement 38 to the ceiling 20.

The mounting arrangement 38 includes radially inner and outer circumferential walls 46, 48 and a generally circumferential bottom wall 50 which together define a generally circumferential channel 52.

In order to retain the diffuser 26 in the mounting arrangement 38 and thereby mount the diffuser 26 in position for use, the diffuser arrangement 18 includes retaining means 54 which are locatable in the channel 52. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, the radially inner wall 46 of the mounting arrangement 38 defines a plurality of discrete circumferentially extending openings 56 through which individual retaining means 54 extend in use to engage the IS..

outer rim 32 of the second diffuser member 24 and thereby retain the diffuser 26 in the mounting arrangement 38.

Each of the retaining means 54 comprises a resilient member 58, for example in the form of a metallic or plastics clip. Each resilient member 58 includes a reaction portion 60 in the form of spaced legs which abuts the radially outer wall 48 of the mounting arrangement 38. Each of the resilient members 58 also includes a sloping surface in the form of a lip 62 which is operable in use to facilitate insertion of the diffuser 26 into the mounting arrangement 38, as will be best appreciated from Fig. 6.

In order to ensure that an adequate seal is established between the diffuser 26 and the mounting arrangement 38 when the diffuser 26 is located in position in the mounting arrangement 38, an annular sealing member 64 is provided around an upper edge of the upwardly extending flange 36 of the second diffuser member 26. As best seen in Fig. 2, the annular sealing member 64 contacts both the radially inner wall 46 and a generally in use horizontal portion 66 of the mounting arrangement 38.

In order to conceal the various components of the mounting arrangement 38 and to provide the diffuser arrangement 18 with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, the diffuser arrangement 18 includes a trim member 68 which is removably locatable on the mounting arrangement 38. The trim member 68 is generally annular and includes radially inner and outer walls 70, 72 and a bottom wall 74 which together define a generally annular channel 76.

In order to provide for removable location of the trim member 68 on the mounting arrangement 38, the bottom wall 74 includes a metallic component such as a metallic strip 78 which is co-operable in use with magnets 80 which * 25 are circumferentially spaced around the bottom wall 50 of the mounting arrangement 38. I...

I III.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the outer wall 72 of the trim member 68 abuts a downwardly depending portion 82 of the mounting arrangement 38, the latter facilitating location of the trim member 68 on the mounting arrangement 38, *:*. and particular facilitating location in situations where the screws 44 have I: been over-tightened.

In order to prevent the transmission of light from the outer rims 30, 32 of the first and second diffuser members 22, 24 through the trim member 68 into the room 16, the inner surface 84 of the trim member 68 comprises an opaque material layer. The opaque material layer is conveniently coextruded with the material of the trim member 68 to facilitate manufacture of the trim member 68.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the diffuser arrangement 18 comprises a cover member 86 which a user may selectively use to cover the diffuser 26 and thereby prevent the transmission of light through the diffuser 26 into the room 16. In order to enable the cover member to be used at selected desired times, the inner surface of the cover member 86 includes plurality of magnets 88 which are co-operable in use with the magnets 80 provided on the mounting arrangement 38. Thus, removable location of the cover member 86 on the mounting arrangement 38 is possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnets 88 on the inner surface of the cover member 86 are of a lower magnetic strength than the magnets 80 provided on the mounting arrangement 38.

In a similar way to the inner surface 84 of the trim member 68, the inner surface of the cover member 86 desirably comprises an opaque material layer to prevent the passage of light therethrough into the room 16. As with : * 25 the trim member 68, the opaque material layer may be co-extruded with the material of the cover member 86 to facilitate manufacture thereof. * **S.

In use, the mounting arrangement 38 with the resilient members 58 preinstalled in the channel 52 is mounted on the ceiling 20, or possibly on a waIl, of the room 16 using the screws 44. When in position, the diffuser 26 is pushed into the mounting arrangement 38 such that the outer circumferential edge of the diffuser 26, as defined by the flange 36 of the second diffuser member 24, rides over the lip 62 of the resilient member 58 to thereby deform the resilient member 58.

Once the flange 36 has passed over the lip 62, the forces induced in the reaction portion 60 cause each of the respective resilient members 58 to spring back to their original position such that they abut the flat outer rim 32 of the second diffuser member 24 and thereby securely retain the diffuser 26 in position in the mounting arrangement 38.

The trim member 68 is then located on the mounting arrangement 38, the interaction between the magnets 80 and the metallic strip 78 ensuring that the trim member 68 is securely retained in position.

As will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, the above steps can be carried out in reverse in order to allow for the ready dismantling of the diffuser arrangement 18.

As will be clear from Figs. 1 and 2, in use light conveyed by the internally reflective pipe 12 passes initially through the first diffuser member 22, and in doing so the light is caused to refract by the prismatic material from which the first diffuser member 22 is formed. The light then passes through the second diffuser member 24 into the room 16, the textured or frosted translucent material of the second diffuser member 24 creating an even light distribution to provide an aesthetically pleasing and soft lighting effect to the room 16. * S. * I S... *I*s

When a user wishes to prevent the passage of light into the room 16 through the diffuser 26, the user may locate the cover member 86 over the diffuser 26 by aligning the magnets 88 provided on the cover member 86 with the magnets 80 provided on the retaining arrangement 38. In order to facilitate mounting and removal of the cover member 86, the cover member 86 is provided with a suitable gripping portion 90.

There is thus provided a diffuser arrangement 18 which, when used in conjunction with lighting apparatus including an internally reflective pipe 12, is capable of diffusing natural light into a room 16 of a building without conveying heat to the room 16.

The provision of a hermetically sealed region 34 is particularly advantageous since it prevents any heat transfer. In particular, the hermetically sealed region 34 prevents heat transfer from the exterior of the building into the room 16, and thus solar gain to the room 16, during hot weather such as during summer months, and prevents heat transfer from the room 16 to the exterior of the building, and thus heat loss from the room 16, during cold weather such as during winter months.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that various modifications to the examples given may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the diffuser arrangement 18 may be used in conjunction with any suitable light conveying means. The diffuser arrangement 18 may be mounted in use on a wall of the room 16 rather than on the ceiling 20.

The first and second diffuser members 22, 24 may be of any suitable shape or configuration, and may be formed from any suitable material.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A diffuser arrangement for diffusing natural light into a room

of a building, wherein the diffuser arrangement comprises first and second diffuser members.
2. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser arrangement is arranged to diffuse daylight into a room of a building.
3. A diffuser arrangement according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the diffuser arrangement is arranged for use with lighting apparatus including light conveying means for conveying natural light to a room of a building.
4. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the diffuser arrangement is arranged for use with lighting apparatus including an elongate internally reflective pipe for conveying natural light to a room of a building.
5. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second diffuser members are arranged so that, in use, light is initially conveyed through the first diffuser member, and is subsequently conveyed through the second diffuser member into the room.
6. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second diffuser members are generally circular in plan.

* ,, 25
7. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second diffuser members are hermetically sealed * together around their outer edges.
8. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first diffuser member is located in use adjacent an open end of the light conveying means, inwardly of the second diffuser member.
9. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the first diffuser member is inwardly dished towards an open end of the light conveying means.
10. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first diffuser member is generally concave when viewed from a room of a building.
11. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first diffuser member comprises a prismatic material.
12. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein the second diffuser member is located adjacent the first diffuser member, and is located outwardly of the first diffuser member with respect to the light conveying means.
13. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 12, wherein the second diffuser member is spaced apart from the first diffuser member to define a hermetically sealed region between the first and second diffuser members.
14. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second diffuser member is outwardly dished away from the first diffuser member. I * * I. * S.
15. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second diffuser member is generally convex when viewed from a room of a building. : 30
16. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, * 01*1 * wherein the second diffuser member comprises a translucent material.
17. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second diffuser member defines a circumferential outer rim which is substantially flat, and which extends in the radially outward direction of the second diffuser member.
18. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the outer rim includes a flange which extends from an outer edge of the outer rim and which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer rim from said outer edge.
19. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the flange extends in the axial direction of the second diffuser member.
20. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the flange extends in use towards the light conveying means.
21. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first diffuser member defines a circumferential outer rim which is substantially flat, and which extends in the radially outward direction of the first diffuser member. * S. * . S *.S.
22. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 21 when dependent on any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the outer rim of the first diffuser member is * S....

* 25 locatable, in use, against the outer rim of the second diffuser member.

". :
23. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the first and : second diffuser members are hermetically sealed together around their respective outer rims.
24. A diffuser arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second diffuser members constitute a diffuser, and the diffuser arrangement includes a mounting arrangement for mounting the diffuser on a ceiling or a wall of a room of a building.
25. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the diffuser arrangement includes retaining means for retaining the diffuser in the mounting arrangement.
26. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 25, wherein the mounting arrangement defines a channel for receiving the retaining means.
27. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the channel is generally circumferential and is defined by radially inner and radially outer circumferential walls of the mounting arrangement, and by a circumferential bottom wall of the mounting arrangement.
28. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 27, wherein the radially inner wall defines one or more openings through which the retaining means may pass to engage the diffuser.
29. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the retaining means engage the second diffuser member to retain the diffuser in the ::. mounting arrangement. S... * S I...
30. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein * 25 the retaining means comprises a resilient member.

. :
31. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the resilient member includes a reaction portion which abuts the radially outer wall of the channel and a retaining portion which extends through the or each opening and which is arranged to engage the diffuser.
32. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 24 to 31, wherein the second diffuser member comprises sealing means locatable against the mounting arrangement.
33. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 32, wherein the sealing means is provided on the flange and abuts the radially inner wall of the mounting arrangement.
34. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 24 to 33, wherein the diffuser arrangement includes a trim member which is removably locatable on the mounting arrangement.
35. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the trim member is generally annular, and includes radially inner and outer walls and a bottom wall, the walls defining a generally circumferential channel.
36. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 35, wherein the trim member includes a metallic component on the bottom wall thereof and the mounting arrangement comprises one or more magnets which are co-operable with the metallic component to provide for removable location of the trim member on the mounting arrangement. * ** * $ * S...

*::::
37. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 36, wherein the magnets are circumferentially spaced around the bottom wall of the mounting arrangement.

*SS$.. * 25
38. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 34 to 37, wherein . : the inner surface of the trim member comprises an opaque material layer to : prevent the passage of light therethrough into the room.
39. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 24 to 38, wherein the diffuser arrangement includes a cover member for covering the diffuser and preventing the transmission of light therethrough into the room, the cover member being removably locatable on the mounting arrangement.
40. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the cover member includes magnets which are co-operable with the magnets of the mounting arrangement to thereby provide for removable location of the cover member on the mounting arrangement.
41. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 40, wherein the magnets on the cover member have a different magnetic strength to the magnets on the mounting arrangement.
42. A diffuser arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the magnets on the cover member have a lower magnetic strength than the magnets on the mounting arrangement.
43. A diffuser arrangement according to any of claims 39 to 42, wherein the inner surface of the cover member comprises an opaque material layer to prevent the passage of daylight therethrough from the light conveying means intto the room of the building.

: * : : :*
44. A diffuser arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

S.....

* 25
45. A lighting assembly comprising light conveying means for conveying natural light to a room of a building, and a diffuser arrangement for diffusing * . : conveyed light into the room, wherein the diffuser arrangement comprises first :; and second diffuser members.
46. A lighting assembly according to claim 45, wherein the diffuser arrangement is as defined in any of claims 1 to 44.
47. A lighting assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
48. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. * S. * . S *5** *... * * S... * S * S * * S.

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