GB2406162A

GB2406162A - A lighting apparatus for providing ornamental illumination

Info

Publication number: GB2406162A
Application number: GB0418708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alastair Vardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-10
Filing date: 2004-08-23
Publication date: 2005-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-23
Also published as: GB2406162B; GB0418708D0; GB0410235D0

Abstract

A lighting apparatus which comprises a container 13 for containing a liquid 17, the container comprises a base (14, fig. 1) provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces 15 the planes of some of the reflective surfaces being irregularly relatively orientated. The apparatus further comprises a light source 29 positioned to direct light through liquid contained in the container and onto the base. The base may be rotatably mounted within the apparatus. Further disclosed is a lighting apparatus which comprises a housing provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, where some of the surfaces are irregularly curved, and a light source that can be positioned to direct light onto the reflective surfaces.

Description

2406 1 62

A LIGHTING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus and particularly but not exclusively relates to a lighting apparatus for use in a domestic environment.

It has previously been proposed to provide a lighting apparatus comprising a light source which in use directs light onto a body of water.

The body of water may comprise bath or sink water, or may be provided in a stand-alone unit. Some of the light incident on the water reflects back off the water surface, onto the walls or ceiling of the room in which the lighting apparatus is located. This can achieve a visually pleasing effect.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lighting apparatus comprising a container for containing a liquid, the container comprising a base provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, the planes of at least some of the reflective surfaces being irregularly relatively orientated, the apparatus further comprising a light source positioned to direct light onto the base, the container, in use, being at least partially filled with an at least partially transparent liquid, the light source directing light through the liquid contained in the container and onto the base.

Preferably the reflective surfaces are provided by a plurality of separate mirrored pieces.

Preferably some of the mirrored pieces are bent so as to comprise a plurality of reflective surfaces occupying more than one plane.

Preferably some of the mirrored pieces are concave.

Preferably some of the mirrored pieces are convex.

Preferably the margins of at least one of the mirrored pieces are non orthogonal.

Preferably the base of the container is substantially planar and the plane of at least one of the mirrored pieces is inclined relative to the plane of the base.

Preferably at least some of the mirrored pieces are irregular curved so as to define a composite reflective surface that is irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of water.

Preferably the container comprises at least two container portions that are angled relative to one another such that the base of each container portion occupy the same plane but the longitudinal axis of each container portion are non-parallel.

Preferably the liquid is a clear liquid. Preferably the liquid is water.

Preferably agitation means are provided and are adapted in use to be located within the container to agitate any fluid contained in the container.

Preferably control means is provided to control the amplitude and/or frequency of agitation of the agitation means.

Preferably at least two light sources are provided.

Preferably the light sources are adjustably mounted on the lighting apparatus such that the orientation of the light sources relative to one another and relative to the container base can be adjusted.

Preferably each light source comprises a light unit comprising a bulb mounted in a reflector, the reflector being mounted on a flexible stem operative to enable the orientation of the light sources to be adjusted.

Preferably each light unit comprises adjustment means operative such that the position of the bulb within the reflector can be adjusted.

Each light unit may comprise mounting means operative to releasably mount the light assembly on the lighting apparatus.

Preferably the control means is operative to control the activation and deactivation of the light sources.

Preferably the lighting apparatus comprises a housing which houses electronic circuitry operative to control the light source and the agitation means.

Preferably the housing also houses power supply means to power the lighting apparatus.

Preferably the container is removably mounted on the housing.

In one embodiment, the base of the lighting apparatus is rotatably mounted on the housing such that, in use, the base and the reflective surfaces rotate relative to the light source(s).

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a lighting apparatus comprising a housing provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, at least some of the surfaces being irregularly curved, the apparatus further comprising a light source that can be positioned to direct light onto the reflective surfaces on the housing.

Preferably at least some of the surfaces are concave.

Preferably at least some of the surfaces are convex.

Preferably the surfaces together comprise an irregularly rippled composite reflective surface.

Preferably the surfaces are irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of water.

Other aspects of the present invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention with some components not shown; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lighting apparatus of Figure 1, partially filled with a fluid, with some additional components shown and part of which is in phantom; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a component of the lighting apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lighting apparatus of Figures 1 to 3, in an assembled condition with part of the apparatus shown in phantom; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another modified lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a lighting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 7 taken through line A-A of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus of Figures 7 and 8; and Figure 10 is a sectional plan view of a component of any one of the lighting apparatus of Figures 1 to 9.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a first embodiment of a lighting apparatus 1 comprises a hollow cuboid shaped housing 3 having a rectangular planar roof 5. Planar walls 7, 8, 9 are upstanding respectively from three of the margins of the roof, the fourth margin being open. A rectangular panel 11 is provided on top of the walls 7, 8, 9 adjacent the end of the housing 3 remote from the fourth, open margin.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a container 13 having a rectangular planar base 14 and four upstanding walls. The container 13 is dimensioned to be slid onto the roof 5 of the housing from the open margin of the housing and towards the panel 11, so as to abut the three walls 7, 8 and 9.

The base 14 comprises a light absorbing layer such as a dark painted layer on top of which are mounted a plurality of reflective surfaces which are irregularly relatively orientated. The reflective surfaces are provided by a plurality of mirrored pieces 15, some of which are bent so that the reflective surfaces of those mirrored pieces 15 occupy more than one plane. Some of the mirrored pieces 15 are irregular curved so as to define a composite reflective surface that is irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of water. Some of the mirrored pieces 15 are concave and some of the mirrored pieces 15 are convex. The mirrored pieces 15 can be a variety of different shapes and sizes so that the margins of at least some of the mirrored pieces 15 are non orthogonal. The planes of at least some of the mirrored pieces 15 are inclined relative to the plane of the base 14.

The mirrored pieces 15 are formed from a plastics material but any other suitable reflective material, such as for example, glass or metal may alternatively be used. A reflective coating or layer may also be provided to enhance or provide the reflective properties of each piece 15.

Referring to Figure 2, the container 14 is shown mounted on the housing 3 with one end of the container 14 being located partially beneath the rectangular panel 11. The container 14 is shown partially filled with a translucent liquid 17 which may be water but which could also be any other suitable non volatile, non corrosive, liquid that is transparent enough for light to pass through the liquid and be incident on the mirrored pieces 15.

Agitation means 19 is provided comprising a fluid tight plastics casing 20 in which a brushless DC motor 21 is mounted, the motor 21 comprising an output shaft 23 on which is mounted a small weight 25, the weight 25 being offset from the rotational axis of the output shaft 23. Wires 27 for the motor 21 extend from the casing 20, out of the container 14 and into the housing 3. The agitation means 19 is located in the container 14 and rests in use on the base of the container 14 although the agitation means 19 need not be fixed in place and may float in the liquid 17.

Referring additionally to Figure 4, two light sources 29 are provided comprising flexible stems 31 terminating in bulb/reflector units 33. The stems 31 are mounted on the upper rectangular plate 11 of the housing 3 and contain cabling (not shown) which extends into the housing 3 and is connected to a DC power source (not shown) in the housing 3. The DC power source is either a single battery or multiple batteries which may be rechargeable. The agitation means 19 is also connected to the power source. An external AC-DC transformer (not shown) may be provided which can be connected between the batteries and a socket 35 on the rear of the housing 3. The transformer can be connected to an external AC power source so as to charge or re-charge the batteries. A switch 37 is provided to toggle between powering the light sources 29 from only one of either the internal DC power source or an external AC supply. A switch 39 is also provided to activate the agitation means 19. Finally, two rotary controllers 41, 43 are provided to adjust the speed and magnitude of agitation provided by the agitation means 19 - these controllers 41, 43 may be variable resistors comprising part of the power circuit that powers the agitation means 19.

In use, a user of the lighting apparatus 1 can adjust the stems 31 of the light sources 29 so that the light is directed onto the liquid 17. The light passes through the liquid 17 and refracts to some degree. The unretracted and refracted light is incident on the mirrored pieces 15 which, because of their irregular reflective surfaces, cause the light to reflect back through the liquid 17, to refract further and then be incident on the walls and/or ceiling of the room in which the lighting apparatus is used. This double refraction of light (as it passes into and out of the water) is enhanced by the irregularly reflective base 14 and results in a distinctive and visually pleasing pattern on the ceiling and/or walls of the room. The agitating means 19 can be used to cause the liquid 17 to move within the container 14, this movement also causing the pattern of light incident on the ceiling and/or walls of the room to move. The frequency and magnitude of this movement can be controlled using the rotary controllers 41, 43.

It will be appreciated that the irregular mirrored pieces 15 together with the liquid 17, create a particularly distinctive, ambient pattern over and above that which has previously been achieved using liquid only. The combination of these features with the agitation means 19 enhances the distinctiveness of the effect which is particularly useful where it is desired to create a calm, relaxing, stress free environment such as in a children's nursery, or a bathroom for example.

Referring now to Figure 5 a modified lighting apparatus 51 is shown. In this embodiment the apparatus 51 comprises an elongate container 53 that is shown mounted on two adjacent walls 55, 56. The container 53 comprises two container portions 53A, 53B that are at 90 to one another so as to extend from one wall 55 onto adjacent wall 56. The container 53 could comprise any number of container portions so as to be able to extend fully or partially around a room or rooms of any size or shape.

The container base 54 is provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces as described above.

A plurality of light sources 59 are provided adjacent the container 53 so as to extend along the length of the container 53. The light sources 59 can be adjusted so as to direct light onto the reflective base 54 and through the liquid 57 contained in the container portions 53A, 53B as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Referring now to Figure 6, another modified lighting apparatus 61 is shown wherein the container 63 is mounted on a triangular bracket 62 that is adapted to be mounted on a wall or pillar or the like using any suitable mounting means such as, for example bolts that extend through apertures in the bracket 62 and into the wall or pillar or the like.

Again the container 63 is filled with liquid 67 and is provided with adjustable light sources 69 and an agitation means 70 to agitate the liquid 67.

The lighting apparatus 61 can be connected to control means operative to control the light sources 69 and the agitation means 70 in response to external inputs as may be provided by a DMX controller so that the light sources 69 and agitation means 70 are activated in response to, for example, music that might be playing in the room at the time. The lighting apparatus 61 could therefore be used as a disco light.

In any of the above apparatus, the container base could, instead of separate mirrored pieces 15, comprise a single, unbroken mirrored sheet that has been moulded to form a plurality of irregularly orientated reflective surfaces. A lid may be provided to prevent any liquid contained in the container from evaporating.

Coloured filters can be provided on each or some of the light sources, or the liquid can be coloured, to provide different lighting effects.

More than one agitation means could also be provided.

The lighting apparatus 1, 51, 61 could each be hard wired into the lighting circuit of the building in which the apparatus is used.

The lighting apparatus 1, 51, 61 may all be controlled by mechanical or electrical control means operative to activate the light sources and the agitation means in a predetermined or random manner.

The container could be any suitable shape including, for example, rectangular, square, circular or curved although the base will be planar or curved at the margins so as to be convex.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, a second embodiment of the lighting apparatus 71 comprises a hollow housing comprising a cylindrical housing portion 73 and an end housing portion 75 which contains various electronic and control components.

The circular housing portion 73 is divided into two vertically stacked cavities 76, 77 by a horizontal separating floor 79, the periphery of the floor 79 forming a fluid seal with the walls of the housing portion 73. I A circular, planar base 84 is rotatably mounted in the upper cavity 77 on a vertical axle 85 which extends through the floor 79 and is mounted on an oil sealed o-ring (not shown) so as to affect a liquid seal between the floor 79 and the axle 85. The axle 85 is secured to a pinion wheel 87 at a position beneath the base 84 and the underside of the floor 79.

The pinion wheel 87 is driven by a worm gear 89 that is mounted on the output shaft 91 of a gearbox 93 driven by a DC electric motor 95 in the lower cavity 76. The gearing of the gearbox 93 is such that the motor 95 causes the base 84 to rotate in an approximate range of, for example, between 0.1 and 2.0 rpm. The motor 95 is powered by a battery bank 97 also mounted in the lower cavity 76. The motor 95 is controlled by a user operated control means, such as a rotary switch mounted on the exterior of the housing 71.

As with the lighting apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 above, the upper surface of the base 84 comprises a light absorbing layer such as a dark painted layer on top of which are mounted a plurality of reflective surfaces 99 which are irregularly relatively orientated as described above.

The upper cavity 77 can be filled or partially filled with a clear, coloured or opaque liquid to a level that covers the upper surface of the rotary base 84.

Three light sockets 101 are mounted on the top of end housing portion 75 and are connected to the battery bank 97 and a user operated control device on the exterior of the housing portion 75. One of the sockets 101 is centrally located with a further socket 101 being positioned at each side and angled towards the central socket 101.

The sockets 101 each receive, in use, a respective light unit 103.

Each light unit 103 comprises a flexible stem 105 one end of which terminates in a jack plug 107 dimensioned to be received in a respective socket 101. The other end of the stem 105 terminates in a bulb assembly comprising a reflector 109 in which a bulb 111 is mounted using any suitable mechanism which, for preference, is a screw thread. The bulb is connected to wires that extend through the stem 105 and are connected to the jack plug 107. The position of the bulb 111 within the reflector 109 can be adjusted using a suitable mechanism, which may be the screw thread, so as to adjust the light beam provided by each light unit 103.

This adjustment allows further variation of the light effect created.

In use the upper chamber 77 is partially filled with, for example, water to a level above the reflective surfaces of the base 84, and a light unit 103is plugged into each of the sockets 101.

The stems 105 of each light unit 103 are then bent so that the beam of light emitted from each light bulb 111 is directed onto the reflective surfaces 99 of the base 84. The position of the bulb 111 within the respective reflector 109 can be adjusted as desired to vary the reflective pattern created by the light beams incident on the reflective surfaces 99.

The user can then activate the motor 95 to rotate the base 84 within the housing portion 73. This rotates the reflective surfaces 99, which because the reflective surfaces 99 are irregularly relatively orientated, causes the light pattern reflected from the surfaces 99 onto the walls of the room or the like in which the apparatus 71 is used to vary in an aesthetically pleasing, and mentally soothing manner. The user can use the control device to vary the speed of rotation of the base 84 if desired.

The water can be omitted from the upper chamber 77 if desired and the nature of the reflective surfaces 99 will still create the desired lighting effect. However, this effect will be enhanced if water or other liquid is used.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus 71 may be used with any desired number of light units 103 including only one light unit 103. In addition, the light units 103 may be hardwired into the apparatus 71 in which case the sockets 101 and jack plugs 107 would be omitted.

The light units 103 can also be used with the lighting apparatus 1 of Figures 1 to 6.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus comprising a container for containing a liquid, the container comprising a base provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, the planes of at least some of the reflective surfaces being irregularly relatively orientated, the apparatus further comprising a light source positioned to direct light onto the reflective surfaces of the base, the container, in use, being at least partially filled with an at least partially transparent liquid, the light source directing light through the liquid contained in the container and onto the base.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reflective surfaces are provided by a plurality of separate mirrored pieces.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are bent so as to comprise a plurality of reflective surfaces occupying more than one plane.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are concave.

5. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are convex.

6. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the margins of at least one of the mirrored pieces are non orthogonal.

7. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the base of the container is substantially planar and the plane of at least one of the mirrored pieces is inclined relative to the plane of the base.

8. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein at least some of the mirrored pieces are irregular curved so as to define a composite reflective surface that is irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of water.

9. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises at least two container portions that are angled relative to one another such that the base of each container portion occupy the same plane but the longitudinal axis of each container portion are non-parallel.

10. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein agitation means are provided and are adapted in use to be located within the container to agitate any fluid contained in the container.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein control means is provided to control the amplitude and/or frequency of agitation of the agitation means.

12. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least two light sources are provided.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the light sources are adjustably mounted on the lighting apparatus such that the orientation of the light sources relative to one another and relative to the container base can be adjusted.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 13 wherein each light source comprises a light unit comprising a bulb mounted in a reflector, the reflector being mounted on a flexible stem operative to enable the orientation of the light sources to be adjusted.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 14 wherein each light unit comprises adjustment means operative such that the position of the bulb within the reflector can be adjusted.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 15 wherein each light unit comprises mounting means operative to releasably mount the light assembly on the lighting apparatus.

17. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the control means is operative to control the activation and deactivation of the light sources.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 17 wherein the lighting apparatus comprises a housing which houses electronic circuitry operative to control the light source and the agitation means.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 18 wherein the housing also houses power supply means to power the lighting apparatus.

20. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is removably mounted on the housing.

21. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the lighting apparatus is rotatably mounted on the housing such that, in use, the base and the reflective surfaces rotate relative to the light source(s).

22. A lighting apparatus substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

22. A lighting apparatus comprising a housing provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, at least some of the surfaces being irregularly curved, the apparatus further comprising a light source that can be positioned to direct light onto the reflective surfaces on the housing.

23. The lighting apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least some of the surfaces are concave.

24. The lighting apparatus of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein at least some of the surfaces are convex.

25. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the surfaces together comprise an irregularly rippled composite reflective surface.

26. The lighting apparatus of claim 25 wherein the surfaces are irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of water.

27. A lighting apparatus substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

IS

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A lighting apparatus comprising a container for containing a liquid, the container comprising a base provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces, the planes of at least some of the reflective surfaces being irregularly relatively orientated, the apparatus further comprising a light source positioned to direct light onto the reflective surfaces of the base, the container, in use, being at least partially filled with an at least partially transparent liquid, the light source directing light through the liquid contained in the container and onto the base.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are bent so as to comprise a plurality of reflective surfaces occupying more than one plane. I 4. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are concave. .e : t

5. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein some of the mirrored pieces are convex. i:

6. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein at least 20 one of the mirrored pieces comprises a plurality of substantially straight ë An,; side margins, adjacent side margins being non orthogonal.

7. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the base of the container is substantially planar and at least two of the mirrored pieces are inclined relative to the plane of the base. 1]

8. The lighting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein at least some of the mirrored pieces are irregular curved so as to define a composite reflective surface that is irregularly rippled so as to resemble the surface of a body of rippled water.

12. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein : at least two light sources are provided. e e..

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the light sources are ee.

adjustably mounted on the lighting apparatus such that the orientation of a r.

a 20 the light sources relative to one another and relative to the container base : can be adjusted. s... e e .

20. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein i'. the container is removably mounted on the housing. be.. C cee

21. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the lighting apparatus is rotatably mounted on the housing such that, in use, the base and the reflective surfaces rotate relative to 20 the light source(s). e