Lighting device with beam altering mechanism incorporating a plurality of light sources

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed incorporating a plurality of light sources, such as a plurality of lighting emitting diodes, and a beam altering mechanism for altering the light projected by the plurality of light sources. Several mechanisms for altering the beam produced by the plurality of light emitting diodes are disclosed. The present invention can be used in for example hand held flashlights and theatrical lighting. The present invention in one embodiment discloses a hand held flashlight incorporating a plurality of light sources and a beam altering mechanism capable of changing the color of the emitted light beam produced by the flashlight. The beam altering mechanism may be comprised of an aperture device, which may be an aperture plate, provided with a plurality of apertures that are strategically aligned with the individual light beams emitted from each of the plurality of light sources. In one embodiment additional apertures containing color modifying filters may also be strategically placed in the aperture device and these modifying filters can be aligned over each of the light sources by rotation of the aperture device. The aperture device may be round and may be mounted centrally to a substrate on which the plurality of light sources are mounted. The plurality of light sources can be arranged symmetrically to provide uniform illumination. The aperture device can be arranged with a plurality of apertures that contain light refractive optics that are strategically placed in the aperture device and provide a means for changing the focus of the overall beam produced by for example a flashlight. The plurality of light sources and the aperture device may be incorporated into a remote controlled lighting device.

1. An apparatus comprising
 a mounting substrate having a first light source and a second light source mounted thereon;  
 a first aperture device having a first aperture and a second aperture;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second aperture of the first aperture device; and  
 wherein the first aperture device is adjustably mounted to the mounting substrate  adjustable so that the first aperture device can move  be aligned with respect to the mounting substrate; and  
 the first aperture device is aligned with the mounting substrate to allow the emission of light from the first light source through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source through the second aperture of the first aperture device by moving  aligning the first aperture device with respect to the mounting substrate.  
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 a second aperture device having a first aperture and a second aperture;  
 wherein the second aperture device can be aligned over the first aperture device so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first aperture of the first aperture device and then through the first aperture of the second aperture device;  
 and light from the second light source is emitted through the second aperture of the first aperture device and then through the second aperture of the second aperture device.  
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first light source is a light emitting diode; and  
 the second light source is a light emitting diode.  
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate  
 so that the first aperture of the first aperture device is coaxially aligned over the first light source;  
 and the second aperture of the first aperture device is coaxially aligned over the second light source.  
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device is comprised of a third aperture and a fourth aperture; and  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the third aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the fourth aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device is comprised of an aperture plate which includes the first and second apertures.  
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein
 the aperture plate of the first aperture device is round.  
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device is mounted centrally over the mounting substrate.  
 
     
     
       9. The aperture of  claim 8  wherein
 the first aperture device is rotatably mounted to the mounting substrate; and  
 the first aperture device is aligned with the mounting substrate to allow the emission of light from the first light source through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source through the second aperture of the first aperture device by rotating the first aperture device with respect to the mounting substrate.  
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 each of the light sources each emits broad-spectrum visible white light.  
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein
 each of the light emitting diodes emits broad-spectrum visible white light.  
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device is comprised of a transparent material.  
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein
 the aperture plate of the first aperture device is comprised of a transparent material.  
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 3  comprising
 a multi-parameter lighting device; and  
 wherein the substrate and the first aperture device are part of the multi-parameter lighting device.  
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 3  comprising
 a multi-parameter lighting device; and  
 wherein the substrate, the first aperture device, and the second aperture device are part of the multi-parameter lighting device.  
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 14  and wherein
 the multi-parameter lighting device includes a communications address.  
 
     
     
       17. An apparatus comprising
 a mounting substrate having a first light source and a second light source mounted thereon;  
 a first aperture device having a first aperture and a second aperture;  
 
       wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second aperture of the first aperture device further comprising
   a flashlight; and    wherein the mounting substrate and the first aperture device are part of the flashlight.    
 
     
     
       18. An apparatus comprising
 a mounting substrate having a first light source and a second light source mounted thereon;  
 a first aperture device having a first aperture and a second aperture;  
 
       wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second aperture of the first aperture device; and
 further comprising a masking device which prevents light from the first light source and the second light source from passing through the masking device if the light is emitted in a first direction.  
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device includes a first color filter covering  at a location of the first aperture and a second color filter covering  at a location of the second aperture;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first color filter and the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second color filter and the second aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein
 the first color filter and the second color filter filter substantially the same frequency.  
 
     
     
       21. An apparatus comprising
 a mounting substrate having a first light source and a second light source mounted thereon;  
 a first aperture device having a first aperture and a second aperture;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 wherein the first aperture device is mounted over the mounting substrate; and  
 further comprising a first color filter covering the first aperture of the first aperture device;  
 a second color filter covering the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 a third color filter covering the third aperture of the first aperture device; and  
 a fourth color filter covering the fourth aperture of the first aperture device;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate in a first position so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first color filter and the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second color filter and the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 and wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate in a second position so that light from the first light source is emitted through the third color filter and the third aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the fourth color filter and the fourth aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein
 the first and second color filters filter substantially the same frequency;  
 and the third and fourth color filters filter substantially the same frequency.  
 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 a first light refractive optic covering  as the first aperture of the first aperture device;  
 a second light refractive optic covering  as the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first light refractive optic and the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second light refractive optic and the second aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein
 the first light refractive optic and the second light refractive optic filter have substantially the same optical power.  
 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein
 a first light refractive optic covering the first aperture of the first aperture device;  
 a second light refractive optic covering the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 a third light refractive optic covering the third aperture of the first aperture device; and  
 a fourth light refractive optic covering the fourth aperture of the first aperture device;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate in a first position so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first light refractive optic and the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second light refractive optic and the second aperture of the first aperture device;  
 and wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate in a second position so that light from the first light source is emitted through the third light refractive optic and the third aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the fourth light refractive optic and the fourth aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein
 the first and second light refractive optics filter have substantially the same optical power;  
 and the third and fourth light refractive optics filter have substantially the same optical power.  
 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture is a slotted aperture; and  
 the second aperture is a slotted aperture.  
 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein
 the first aperture and the third aperture are contained with a first slotted aperture;  
 and the second aperture and the fourth aperture are contained with a second slotted aperture.  
 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first light source is comprised of a first group of light sources;  
 and the second light source is comprised of a second group of light sources.  
 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein
 the first group of light sources is comprised of a first group of light emitting diodes;  
 the second group of light sources is comprised of a second group of light emitting diodes.  
 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 19  herein
 the first aperture device includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture;  
 wherein the third aperture permits light to pass through the third aperture and the first aperture device unfiltered;  
 wherein the fourth aperture permits light to pass through the fourth aperture and the first aperture device unfiltered;  
 wherein the first and third apertures are adjacent one another and the second and fourth apertures are adjacent one another.  
 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the first aperture device includes a first variable density filter covering the first aperture and a second variable density filter covering the second aperture;  
 wherein the first aperture device can be aligned over the mounting substrate so that light from the first light source is emitted through the first variable density filter and the first aperture of the first aperture device and light from the second light source is emitted through the second variable density filter and the second aperture of the first aperture device.  
 
     
     
       33. An apparatus comprising
   a first light emitting diode light source and a second light emitting diode light source;        a first aperture and a second aperture;        wherein the first aperture can be aligned to a first position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first aperture;        wherein the second aperture can be aligned to a second position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second aperture;        and wherein the alignment of the first position and the second position happen substantially simultaneously;        wherein the first aperture can be aligned to a third position wherein substantially no light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first aperture;        wherein the second aperture can be aligned to a fourth position wherein substantially no light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second aperture;        and wherein the alignment of the third position and the fourth position happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 33  further comprising
   a theatrical lighting device; and        wherein the first light emitting diode light source, the second light emitting diode light source, the first aperture and the second aperture are components of the theatrical lighting device.     
     
     
       35. The apparatus of  claim 33  further comprising
   a first light refractive optic which is a component of the first aperture;        and a second light refractive optic which is component of the second aperture.     
     
     
       36. The apparatus of  claim 35  further comprising
   a theatrical lighting device; and        wherein the first light emitting diode light source, the second light emitting diode light source, the first aperture, the second aperture, the first light refractive optic, and the second light refractive optic are components of the theatrical lighting device.     
     
     
       37. The apparatus of  claim 33  further comprising
   a first color filter which is a component of the first aperture;        and a second color filter which is a component of the second aperture.     
     
     
       38. The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein
   the first color filter is a variable density filter; and        the second color filter is a variable density filter.     
     
     
       39. The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein
   the first light emitting diode light source and the second light emitting diode light source emit visible broad spectrum white light.     
     
     
       40. The apparatus of  claim 38  further comprising
   a theatrical lighting device; and        wherein the first light emitting diode light source, the second light emitting diode light source, the first aperture, the second aperture, the first color filter, and the second color filter are components of the theatrical lighting device.     
     
     
       41. The apparatus of  claim 33  further comprising
   an aperture device comprised of a transparent material; and        wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are components of the aperture device.     
     
     
       42. A multiparameter theatre lighting device comprising:
   an electronics housing;        a yoke; and        a lamp housing;        wherein the lamp housing comprises      a first light emitting diode light source and a second light emitting diode light source;        a first aperture and a second aperture;          wherein the first aperture can be aligned to a first position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first aperture;        wherein the second aperture can be aligned to a second position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second aperture;        and wherein the alignment of the first position and the second position happen substantially simultaneously        wherein the first aperture can be aligned to a third position wherein substantially no light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first aperture.     
     
     
       43. The multi- parameter theatre lighting device of    claim 42    wherein      the first aperture can be aligned to a third position wherein substantially no light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first aperture;        wherein the second aperture can be aligned to a fourth position wherein substantially no light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second aperture;        and wherein the alignment of the third position and the fourth position happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       44. An apparatus comprising
   a first light emitting diode light source;        a second light emitting diode light source;        a first light refracting optic;        and a second light refracting optic;        wherein the first light refracting optic can be aligned to a first position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first light refracting optic;        wherein the second light refracting optic can be aligned to a second position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second light refracting optic;        and wherein the alignment of the first position and the second position happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       45. The apparatus of  claim 44  further comprising
   a third light refracting optic;        and a fourth light refracting optic; and        wherein the third light refracting optic can be aligned to a third position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the third light refracting optic;        wherein the fourth light refracting optic can be aligned to a fourth position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the fourth light refracting optic;        and wherein the alignment of the third position and the fourth position happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       46. The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein
   the first light refractive optic and the second light refractive optic are of different light refractive types than the third light refractive optic and the fourth light refractive optic.     
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein
   the apparatus is a flashlight.     
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein
   the apparatus is a multi - parameter theatre lighting device.     
     
     
       49. A multi- parameter theatre lighting device comprising:      an electronics housing;        a yoke; and        a lamp housing;        wherein the lamp housing comprises      a first light emitting diode light source and a second light emitting diode light source;        a first light refractive optic and a second light refractive optic;          wherein the first light refractive optic can be aligned to a first position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first light refractive optic;        wherein the second light refractive optic can be aligned to a second position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second light refractive optic;        and wherein the alignment of the first light refractive optic and the second light refractive optic happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       50. A multi- parameter theatre lighting device comprising:      an electronics housing;        a yoke; and        a lamp housing;        wherein the lamp housing comprises      a first light emitting diode light source and a second light emitting diode light source;        a first color filter and a second color filter;          wherein the first color filter can be aligned to a first position over the first light emitting diode light source so that light from the first light emitting diode light source is emitted through the first color filter;        wherein the second color filter can be aligned to a second position over the second light emitting diode light source so that light from the second light emitting diode light source is emitted through the second color filter;        happen substantially simultaneously.     
     
     
       51. A multi- parameter theatre lighting device comprising:      an electronics housing;        a yoke; and        a lamp housing;        wherein the lamp housing comprises      a first light emitting diode light source and a second light emitting diode light source;        a first aperture device comprising a first and second aperture;        a second aperture device comprising a third and fourth aperture;          wherein light emitted from the first light emitting diode source can be transmitted through the first aperture;        wherein light emitted from the second light emitting diode source can be transmitted through the second aperture;        wherein light emitted from the first light emitting diode source can be transmitted through the third aperture;        wherein light emitted from the second light emitting diode source can be transmitted through the fourth aperture;        and wherein at least two of the apertures contain a color filter.