US1054759A - Lighting-fixture for theaters and public halls. - Google Patents

Description

- G. H. FOWLER; LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR THEATERS AND PUBLIC HALLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16. 1912 1 5054,759. V I Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

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WITNESSES: I lwmrol;

1.4/15 AIrolmEr UNITED STATES PATENT UFFQ GLOSS H. FOWLER, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO FOWLER SIGN COMPANY,

OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION.

LIGHTING-FIXTURE FOR THEATERS AND PUBLIC HALLS.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 4, 1913.

Application filed January 16, 1912. Serial No. 671,512.

.city of Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lighting- Fixturcs' for Theaters and Public Halls, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are, first, to suitably light a motion picture theater-or other public hall wit-h the least interference with the exhibition on the screen or stage and withthe greatest comfort to the audience; second, to provide a means for plainly lighting motion picture theatersand public halls by indirect light reflected and diifused from panels part of the lighting fixtures; and third, to secure the proper lighting of a motion picture theater or other public hall at a minimum expense. I attain these objects by means of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is plan of a small theater on which is shown the manner in which my newly invented lighting fixture is located to light the audience; Fig. 2 1s a sect onal view of my invention showing how it is fixed on the side wall of the theater or hall; Fig. 3

is a sectional view the same as Fig. 2, and showing an adjusted position of the fixture on the side wall; and Fig. 4: is anelevation of my inventionffrom a point of view at right angle withthe side wall.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several views.

For a time motion picture theaters were operated with all lights turned off while the pictures were being shown on the screen. This made the theater dark and uninviting to timid people, particularly women and children. Laterilight fixtures with colored shades were introduced and are still used to dimly light the theaters and enable the people to find their way in and out during the progress of the show.

With my newly invented lighting fixture,

a theater can be clearly lighted so that one can not only find his way in and out with case but can recognize acquaintances. The decorative and artistic features of the theater interior can be seen and appreciated. All these results are secured without interfering with the scenes on the screen or stage.

My newly invented lighting fixture cornprises a emi-cylindrical reflector shade hifi which areplaced'and concealed from view the electric lights B-B. This semi-cylindrical shade is adjustably attached torthe side or edgejof panel frame G made of suitable material. The curved panel frame O is provided 'with the side cleats D and D designed to form a panel in which cardboard or heavy paper or suitable material can he slipped in and out as desired. One side. of the panel frame opposite'the light shade is hinged to a wall strip Eat approved height from the floor to allow the panel frame to be adjusted to the most suitable angle with the wall by means of the adjuster arm F, also hinged to the wall at G and, its outward end engaged toslide and clamp in the slot H as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The panel frame being adjustable, it is intended that the panels placed nearestthe stage or screen shall be about at right angles with the side of the theater, and that the angle of each following panel as placed along the side walls a suitable distances v toward the rear shall d rease until the last panel is placed at anangle'of about thirty degrees with the walls as illustrated at LL in Fig. 1. This arrangement, aside from not interfering with a per t view of the screen or stage, affords a better view of the several panels from the audience than any other. At the same time the panels adjusted at any angle with the walls of thirty degrees or more, do not, expose the lampswr their direct rays to the audience. 7

The panel slide cleats D and D. are located near the sides of the-panel frame as shown and stand out about one-half an inch from the curved face of the frame. The cleat next the light reflector shade A is placed about six inches therefrom. This six inch space and the slide cleat ispainted a dead black or dark color. This dark surface in conjunction with the raised cleat eliminates the glare of the electric lights BB on thesurface of the panel C nearest the reflector shade, and the panel thus lighted and on account of its concave surface receives an even distribution oi light overits entire surface. The six inch space between the reflector shade and the slide cleat has the further advantageof allowing a full view of the panel by the audience from the rear of the house. up to a line abreast of the panel.

The reflector. shade oingtilfiiiotally at m reflects and diffuses a soft clear light over the audience that is very comfortable and restful.

While the audience'and all features of the room are plainly discernible/the pictures on the screen are as'ialea'rly visible as in a dark a less electric current than the common room. This is due 'to the fact that all the light from my newly devised fixture is reflected and diffused away from the screen or stage.

The clearer and'more .restful light pro.- duced by my invention is found to require dark shaded fixture now used.

The cardboard or paper panel, in addition to being a light surface to reflect and diffuse the light thereon, can be used as an advertising surface on which business advfertisements can be printed and displayed in an attractive and effective manner. The

paper panel being made to run loosely into the slide, cleats D-D can be changed and varied as often as desired. By this means my lighting fixture can be made both useful and profitable to the owner.

My lighting fixture is not to be confined to be used on side walls only. It can be used on the ceiling and for bulletin boards. It can be used to form a border or frame about the screen in motion picture and other theaters; the light being thrown away from the screen tends to accentuate the darkness of the screen. The fixture can also be used about the entrances in front of a theater or in other halls or lobbies not well lightedby other methods.

my invention is the novel idea of combining in a lighting fixture a diffused light reflected away from the screen or stage with a surface or panel for the radiating and diffusing surface.

While the drawing and this specification sets forth the present and preferred form of my invention, I reserve the right to vary the same when conditions require, to obtain the most practical results without departing from the spirit and novelty of the device.

Having described my invention and set forthits merits what I claim is 1. An indirect lighting fixture for theaters and public halls, comprising a concave frame, a reflecting and diffusing panel mounted in said frame, asemi-cyhndrical reflector hinged to one side of said frame,

and one or more sources of light mounted in said reflector.

' 2. A lighting fixture for theaters and public halls, com rising a panel frame carplying medium inclosed within the reflector,

the latter opening toward said panel, and a support to which the frame is hinged on an axis parallel to the reflector- H at. Alighting fixture for theaters and public halls, comprising a panel frame carrying a light diffusing panel, a reflector arranged at an outer edge of said frame, a light supplying medium inclosed within the reflector, the latter opening toward said panel, a support to which the frame is hinged on an axis parallel to the reflector, and means for adjusting and holding the frame at different positions about its hinge connection as a center.

5. A lighting fixture for theaters andipjublic halls, comprising a frame'having parade. lel panel retaining cleats, a reflector 'ar ranged at an outer edge of said frame parallel to said cleats and spaced from the adjacent cleat the frame being surfaced with=a dark color in the space intervening between the reflector and the cleat adjacent thereto, and a light supp-lying medium inclosed within thereflector, the latter opening toward said frame. 1

6. Alighting fixture for theaters and public halls. comprising a frame carrying a light diffusing panel, a reflector arranged at anouter edge of the frariie parallel to and spaced from the panel, the frame being, surfaced with a dark color in the spaces" intervening between the reflector and the panel, means of support for the frame at 7 that edge thereof which is opposite to the IBllGCtOL the frame projecting laterally from its support, and a light supplying me} dium inclosed within the reflector, the lattei'i' opening toward the panel.

In testimony whereof I- aflix any ig ture in presence of two witnesses.

' cross it. rewrite.

Witnesses: I

H. R. HEILIG, I. H. HILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Gommissionerof Patents,

\ Washington, D. G. g

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