Ceiling-based led auditorium pathway lighting apparatus

Abstract

Auditorium pathways, such as vertical and horizontal aisle ways, are illuminated by light fixtures located above the pathways, the light fixtures comprising a plurality of LEDs whose light is focused into a light beam of a width selected to illuminate the pathway. In one embodiment, the light beam is configured such that it may be disposed between a plurality of patrons and a stage or screen to illuminate a pathway while remaining invisible to the patrons.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Auditorium or theatre lighting apparatus configured to illuminate an aisle way and comprising:
 a light fixture located above an aisle way of an auditorium;   the light fixture comprising a plurality of LEDs and a light focusing lens and being configured to focus light from the plurality of LEDs in a beam of a width selected to illuminate a floor of the aisle way and which beam, when disposed between a plurality of patrons and a stage or screen located in a front of the auditorium, is invisible to those patrons.   
     
     
         2 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light fixture is configured to be located 30 feet or more above the aisle way. 
     
     
         3 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light fixture is configured to provide light to a floor of an aisle way, which floor is between three and five feet in width. 
     
     
         4 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light fixture is configured to provide light to a floor of the aisle way which is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less. 
     
     
         5 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the light fixture is configured to be located 30 feet or more above the aisle way; to illuminate an aisle way floor which is between three and five feet in width; and to provide light to the floor of the aisle way which is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less. 
     
     
         6 . A method of illuminating a pathway in a theatre or auditorium, the pathway being located between a plurality of patrons and a screen or stage to be viewed by the patrons, the method comprising:
 positioning a light fixture comprising a plurality of LEDs above the pathway; and   generating illumination from the light fixture in the form of a light beam of a width selected to light a floor of the pathway while at the same time being invisible to said patrons.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the light fixture is positioned 30 feet or more above the aisle way. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising configuring the light fixture to illuminate a floor of a pathway which is between three and five feet in width. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising configuring the light fixture to provide light to the floor of said pathway which is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less. 
     
     
         10 . The method of claim of  claim 6  further comprising:
 positioning the light fixture 30 feet or more above the aisle way; 
 configuring the light fixture to illuminate an aisle way floor which is between three and five feet in width; and 
 further configuring the light fixture to provide light to the floor of the aisle way which is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less. 
 
     
     
         11 . Auditorium or theatre lighting apparatus configured illuminate only an aisle way of the theatre or auditorium and comprising:
 a light fixture configured to mount at a ceiling level of an auditorium or theatre and comprising a plurality of LEDs and a light focusing lens,   the light fixture being further configured to focus light from the plurality of LEDs in a beam of a width selected to illuminate a floor of the aisle way and configured to produce a beam, which, when disposed between a plurality of patrons and a stage or screen located in a front of the auditorium or in a front of the theatre, is invisible to those patrons.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the light fixture is configured to be located 30 feet or more above the aisle way; to illuminate an aisle way floor which is between three and five feet in width; and to provide light to the floor which is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less.