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, the aisle way being positioned above the aisleway and between a plurality of patrons seated closest to the aisle way and a stage or screen located in a front of the auditorium or theatre, the lighting apparatus comprising:
 a light fixture located above the aisle way of the auditorium or theatre and above the level of a seating area located in the auditorium or theatre;   the light fixture comprising a plurality of LEDs and a light focusing lens, the light fixture being so structured as to generate a beam of light from the plurality of LEDs which has a width selected to illuminate a floor of the aisle way and which is invisible to said plurality of patrons when viewing said stage or screen wherein the aisle way is between three and five feet wide and wherein the light provided to the aisle way is at a level of 0.25 foot candles or less.   
     
     
         2 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 1  further configured to be located 30 feet or more above the aisle way. 
     
     
         3 . A method of illuminating a pathway in a theatre or auditorium, the pathway being located between a plurality of patrons seated nearest the pathway 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 above the plurality of patrons; 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 plurality of patrons when viewing said stage or screen.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising positioning the light fixture 30 feet or more above the aisle way. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising configuring the light fixture to illuminate a floor of a pathway which is between three and five feet in width. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  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. 
 
     
     
         8 . Auditorium or theatre lighting apparatus configured to 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 and the light fixture being further structured so as to generate a beam of light from the plurality of LEDs which is of a width selected to illuminate a floor of the aisle way from said ceiling level and, which, when disposed between a plurality of patrons seated closest to the aisle way and viewing a stage or screen located in a front of the auditorium or in a front of the theatre, is invisible to those patrons.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  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. 
     
     
         10 . Light fixture apparatus for illuminating an auditorium or theatre aisle way, the aisle way being positioned between a plurality of patrons and a screen or stage of the auditorium or theatre, the light fixture comprising:
 a plurality of LEDs;   a surface located above the LEDs which is continuous and opaque with the exception of a plurality of apertures located in the surface and a plurality baffles each positioned to project vertically from the surface;   each aperture being disposed between a pair of the vertical baffles and over a respective one of the LEDs such that light from each LED passes through its respective aperture;   a lens disposed above the plurality of apertures and the plurality of LEDs; wherein the lens is configured to focus the light generated by the plurality of LEDs and wherein the plurality of vertical baffles are configured to limit the exiting angle of light from the plurality of apertures;   the light fixture apparatus further being configured to produce a beam width selected to illuminate the aisle way; wherein the baffles and lens are configured to generate a primary beam angle which is three to five feet wide at a surface of said aisle way; and wherein the light level provided to a said aisle way is in the range of 0.2 to 0.25 foot candles.   
     
     
         11 . The light fixture apparatus of  claim 10  further configured such that said beam is invisible to said patrons when viewing said screen or stage. 
     
     
         12 . The light fixture apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of LEDs are mounted in a row on a circuit board. 
     
     
         13 . The light fixture apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said row is a linear row. 
     
     
         14 . The light fixture apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the light fixture apparatus is located at a ceiling level of the theatre or auditorium. 
     
     
         15 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the lighting apparatus is configured to be located 30 feet or more above the aisle way.