US3536905A - Artificial sun-bathing enclosure - Google Patents

Artificial sun-bathing enclosure Download PDF

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Publication number
US3536905A
US3536905A US666166A US3536905DA US3536905A US 3536905 A US3536905 A US 3536905A US 666166 A US666166 A US 666166A US 3536905D A US3536905D A US 3536905DA US 3536905 A US3536905 A US 3536905A
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United States
Prior art keywords
ceiling
lamps
enclosure
uvb
sun
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Expired - Lifetime
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US666166A
Inventor
Harold R Ruff
Richard J Walsingham
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British Lighting Industries Ltd
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British Lighting Industries Ltd
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Publication date
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an enclosure designed to reproduce the effects of natural conditions as closely as required for the purposes sun-bathing or recreation.
  • UVB region of sunlight which is the 290 to 315 nanometer (nm.) region, which produces erthema and sun-tanning, and there are a number of beneficial biological reactions such as, for example, the formation of vitamin D from ergosterol secreted under the skin.
  • safe dosage values which, if exceeded, can cause blistering or other troubles.
  • the acquiring of suntan by exposure to sunlight is favoured by the majority, and in addition to natural sun-bathing, home sun lamps exist, which provide UVB at light intensities used indoors; there are also medical UV lamps for curative medical treatments. In temperate climates it would be advantageous if it were possible to reproduce sun-bathing conditions comfortably indoors. To do this it is desirable to use less radiation intensities than the 100 watts/sq. ft. which are obtained from mid-day, midsummer sunlight.
  • an enclosure having a matt ceiling over a base area, one or more lamps arranged to direct light downwards towards the base area to produce a visual simulation of the suns rays, lamps arranged to illuminate the ceiling with a difiuse bluish-white light to simulate the sky, and UVB lamps to produce a substantially uniform distribution of UVB radiation over the base area.
  • the intensity of the UVB radiation is preferably controllable to suit diflerent individuals and different conditions of use.
  • the UVB radiation is reflected from the matt ceiling to give the desired uniformity.
  • a building 10 which houses an enclosure 11 having a ceiling 12 formed by a flexible sheet of material such as a commercially available polymeric amide coated with polyvinylchloride.
  • a base area 13 of the enclosure 11 constitutes a sun-bathing and recreational area and is surrounded by shops and changing rooms 14 to which the periphery of the sheet forming the ceiling 12 is secured.
  • the ceiling 12 is supported by maintaining a small excess air pressure within the enclosure by means of air pumps 15 which pump fresh air into the enclosure 11, air escaping from the enclosure 11 through the shops and changing rooms 14.
  • Three lamps 16 for simulating the suns rays are supported on a girder 17 above the ceiling 12. Each lamp 16 directs a beam of some 30 at an angle of 60 to 65 to the horizontal. A catwalk, not shown, is provided to allow access to the lamps 16.
  • the lamps 16 are tungstenhalogen or mercury halide lamps.
  • lamps 18 are mounted above the shops and changing rooms 14 and emit blue light towards the ceiling 12.
  • Lamps 19 for producing UVB radiation are also mounted above the shops and changing rooms 14 and emit radiation towards the ceiling 12.
  • the lamps 19 are fluorescent lamps having a special phosphor coating to convert 253.7 nanometre radiation into UVB.
  • each lamp 19 can comprise a fluorescent tube made of UVB transmitting glass such as Chesterfield 085 or 046 glass, coated internally with thallium activated calcium phosphate or lead activated zinc barium silicate.
  • the ceiling 12 has a matt aluminium or aluminium oxide coating 20 which reflects the blue light from the blue lamps 18 and the ultra-violet from the UVB lamps 19. Windows of transparent material are provided in the ceiling 12 below the lamps 16 to allow the lamps 16 to shine through the ceiling 12.
  • the smoothly curved surface provided by the flexible nllaterial forming the ceiling 12 aids the illusion of a blue s y.
  • An enclosure comprising:
  • UVB lamps are ararnged to direct UVB radiation to the ceiling.
  • the first lamp means comprises at least one lamp supported above the said sheet
  • the second lamp means comprising a plurality of blue lamps which, with the UVB lamps, are arranged within the enclosure adjacent the periphery of the said sheet, the periphery of the said sheet being secured to structures comprising shops and changing rooms.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Description

United States Patent 3,536,905 ARTIFICIAL SUN-BATHING ENCLOSURE Harold R. Rult' and Richard J. Walsingham, London,
England, assignors to British Lighting Industries Limited, London, England Filed Sept. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 666,166 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Sept. 9, 1966, 40,447/ 66 Int. Cl. F21v 9/02 US. Cl. 240-1.1 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An enclosure for simulating natural day-time illumination for sun-bathing and recreational purposes. A ceiling coated with a material which reflects blue light and UVB radiation from lamps within the enclosure is supported over a sun-bathing and recreation area. One or more lamps are supported above respective windows in the ceiling and direct light down onto the sun-bathing and recreation area to simulate the suns rays.
The present invention relates to an enclosure designed to reproduce the effects of natural conditions as closely as required for the purposes sun-bathing or recreation.
It is now well known that it is mainly the UVB region of sunlight, which is the 290 to 315 nanometer (nm.) region, which produces erthema and sun-tanning, and there are a number of beneficial biological reactions such as, for example, the formation of vitamin D from ergosterol secreted under the skin. It is also well known that there are safe dosage values which, if exceeded, can cause blistering or other troubles. The acquiring of suntan by exposure to sunlight is favoured by the majority, and in addition to natural sun-bathing, home sun lamps exist, which provide UVB at light intensities used indoors; there are also medical UV lamps for curative medical treatments. In temperate climates it would be advantageous if it were possible to reproduce sun-bathing conditions comfortably indoors. To do this it is desirable to use less radiation intensities than the 100 watts/sq. ft. which are obtained from mid-day, midsummer sunlight.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an enclosure having a matt ceiling over a base area, one or more lamps arranged to direct light downwards towards the base area to produce a visual simulation of the suns rays, lamps arranged to illuminate the ceiling with a difiuse bluish-white light to simulate the sky, and UVB lamps to produce a substantially uniform distribution of UVB radiation over the base area. The intensity of the UVB radiation is preferably controllable to suit diflerent individuals and different conditions of use.
Preferably the UVB radiation is reflected from the matt ceiling to give the desired uniformity.
The invention will now be further described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which the sole figure is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.
In the drawing there is shown a building 10 which houses an enclosure 11 having a ceiling 12 formed by a flexible sheet of material such as a commercially available polymeric amide coated with polyvinylchloride. A base area 13 of the enclosure 11 constitutes a sun-bathing and recreational area and is surrounded by shops and changing rooms 14 to which the periphery of the sheet forming the ceiling 12 is secured.
The ceiling 12 is supported by maintaining a small excess air pressure within the enclosure by means of air pumps 15 which pump fresh air into the enclosure 11, air escaping from the enclosure 11 through the shops and changing rooms 14.
Three lamps 16 for simulating the suns rays are supported on a girder 17 above the ceiling 12. Each lamp 16 directs a beam of some 30 at an angle of 60 to 65 to the horizontal. A catwalk, not shown, is provided to allow access to the lamps 16. The lamps 16 are tungstenhalogen or mercury halide lamps.
Further lamps 18 are mounted above the shops and changing rooms 14 and emit blue light towards the ceiling 12.
Lamps 19 for producing UVB radiation are also mounted above the shops and changing rooms 14 and emit radiation towards the ceiling 12. The lamps 19 are fluorescent lamps having a special phosphor coating to convert 253.7 nanometre radiation into UVB. For example, each lamp 19 can comprise a fluorescent tube made of UVB transmitting glass such as Chesterfield 085 or 046 glass, coated internally with thallium activated calcium phosphate or lead activated zinc barium silicate.
The ceiling 12 has a matt aluminium or aluminium oxide coating 20 which reflects the blue light from the blue lamps 18 and the ultra-violet from the UVB lamps 19. Windows of transparent material are provided in the ceiling 12 below the lamps 16 to allow the lamps 16 to shine through the ceiling 12.
The smoothly curved surface provided by the flexible nllaterial forming the ceiling 12 aids the illusion of a blue s y.
What is claimed is:
1. An enclosure comprising:
(a) a matt ceiling,
(b) means for supporting the ceiling over a base area,
(0) first lamp means in proximity to said ceiling and arranged to emit light directly downwards toward the base area in simulation of the suns rays,
((1) second lamp means below said ceiling and arranged to illuminate the ceiling with diffuse bluishwhite light, white light, and
(e) a plurality of UVB lamps below said ceiling and arranged in conjunction therewith to distribute UVB radiation substantially uniformly over the base area.
2. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UVB lamps are ararnged to direct UVB radiation to the ceiling.
3. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ceiling is formed by a sheet of flexible material, and the means for supporting the ceiling include means for maintaining a small excess of air pressure within the enclosure.
4. An enclosure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first lamp means comprises at least one lamp supported above the said sheet, the second lamp means comprising a plurality of blue lamps which, with the UVB lamps, are arranged within the enclosure adjacent the periphery of the said sheet, the periphery of the said sheet being secured to structures comprising shops and changing rooms.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 883,944 4/1908 Fish 2401.1 1,324,008 12/ 1919 DHurny 2401.1 2,125,319 8/1938 Schlumbohm 240-1.1 2,831,966 4/1958 Porteous 240-1.1 3,152,763 10/1964 Gangbin 24 1.1
JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner F. L. BRAUN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2409, 51.11
US666166A 1966-09-09 1967-09-07 Artificial sun-bathing enclosure Expired - Lifetime US3536905A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB40447/66A GB1138878A (en) 1966-09-09 1966-09-09 Artificial sun-bathing enclosure

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US3536905A true US3536905A (en) 1970-10-27

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GB (1) GB1138878A (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989012781A1 (en) * 1988-06-13 1989-12-28 Buelow Johan Lamp for electrical lighting
US5285356A (en) * 1991-11-29 1994-02-08 Iguzzini Illuminazione S.R.L. Lighting appliance, particularly for environments without natural light
US20090034252A1 (en) * 2007-08-02 2009-02-05 Engel Hartmut S Luminaire
US20100271843A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2010-10-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Illumination system, luminaire and backlighting unit
US20140036509A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2014-02-06 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Lighting device
CN105042426A (en) * 2015-08-12 2015-11-11 北京航空航天大学 Method for stimulating natural light transformation and light source equipment thereof
US10412809B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2019-09-10 Cree, Inc. Lighting device including solid state emitters with adjustable control
US10451229B2 (en) * 2017-01-30 2019-10-22 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight fixture
US10465869B2 (en) * 2017-01-30 2019-11-05 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight fixture
US10928020B1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-23 Usg Interiors, Llc Light bar for suspended ceiling

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US883944A (en) * 1904-12-08 1908-04-07 Gen Electric Electric lighting.
US1324008A (en) * 1919-12-02 Hilxtmiktatrng device
US2125319A (en) * 1934-08-14 1938-08-02 Schlumbohm Peter Method of illuminating rooms
US2831966A (en) * 1954-04-19 1958-04-22 Analite Corp Lighting fixtures
US3152763A (en) * 1960-06-09 1964-10-13 Gangbin Marvin Artificial daylight fixture

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1324008A (en) * 1919-12-02 Hilxtmiktatrng device
US883944A (en) * 1904-12-08 1908-04-07 Gen Electric Electric lighting.
US2125319A (en) * 1934-08-14 1938-08-02 Schlumbohm Peter Method of illuminating rooms
US2831966A (en) * 1954-04-19 1958-04-22 Analite Corp Lighting fixtures
US3152763A (en) * 1960-06-09 1964-10-13 Gangbin Marvin Artificial daylight fixture

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989012781A1 (en) * 1988-06-13 1989-12-28 Buelow Johan Lamp for electrical lighting
US5285356A (en) * 1991-11-29 1994-02-08 Iguzzini Illuminazione S.R.L. Lighting appliance, particularly for environments without natural light
US20090034252A1 (en) * 2007-08-02 2009-02-05 Engel Hartmut S Luminaire
US7841738B2 (en) * 2007-08-02 2010-11-30 Engel Hartmut S Luminaire having light emitting diodes (leds) directed to a reflector
US20100271843A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2010-10-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Illumination system, luminaire and backlighting unit
US8523389B2 (en) * 2007-12-18 2013-09-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Illumination system with inclined light source
US9200761B2 (en) * 2009-11-09 2015-12-01 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Lighting device for indirect illumination
US20140036509A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2014-02-06 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Lighting device
US10412809B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2019-09-10 Cree, Inc. Lighting device including solid state emitters with adjustable control
US11116054B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2021-09-07 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Lighting device including solid state emitters with adjustable control
US11800613B2 (en) 2015-06-11 2023-10-24 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Lighting device including solid state emitters with adjustable control
CN105042426A (en) * 2015-08-12 2015-11-11 北京航空航天大学 Method for stimulating natural light transformation and light source equipment thereof
US10451229B2 (en) * 2017-01-30 2019-10-22 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight fixture
US10465869B2 (en) * 2017-01-30 2019-11-05 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight fixture
US10781984B2 (en) 2017-01-30 2020-09-22 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight Fixture
US11209138B2 (en) 2017-01-30 2021-12-28 Ideal Industries Lighting Llc Skylight fixture emulating natural exterior light
US10928020B1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-23 Usg Interiors, Llc Light bar for suspended ceiling

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Publication number Publication date
GB1138878A (en) 1969-01-01

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