Musco Corporation

David L Barker

Myron K Gordin

Kenneth G Lewis, Jr

Steven T Heaton

Timothy J Boyle

Philip D Hol

Gabriel P Gromotka

Gregory N Kubbe

Timothy D McGill

Christopher T Chantos

Darrell D Rogers

Nicholas A Tippett

Mark E Thedens

Paul M Hagens

Joe P Crookham

James F Marshall

Lawrence Howard Boxler

Lance K Livingston

Lowell J Ware

Mark A DeJong

Kenneth G Lewis

William E Brackett

Brady L Dieleman

Ian J Veenstra

It is well known that fireworks are a fundamental theatrical experience for many people. However, there are individuals and certain settings that cannot experience traditional fireworks—concerns with flammability from pyrotechnic materials often leads to a ban on fireworks in areas prone to drought, for example. For areas that cannot make use of traditional fireworks, there is a need for a suitable replacement. Discussed herein are multiple approaches to emulating a traditional fireworks show, and in a manner that does not pose a burning hazard, can be used in residential areas (as well as more traditional areas), and can emulate the look and feel of traditional fireworks. Also discussed are additional features which may not be common to some fireworks shows, but enhance a theatrical experience nonetheless at a lower operating cost.

Apparatus, method, and system for producing LED fireworks and theatrical effects

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and techniques directed to the manufacturing of heat sinks; specifically the forming of heat sink fins which are joined to a base or substrate so to collectively form a heat sink. Said methods permit full penetration at weld joints between said heat sink fins and said base, and said apparatus permit implementation of improved heat sink manufacturing in a production setting; specifically, in the production of LED lighting fixtures.

Apparatus, method, and system for laser welding heat sink fins in outdoor lighting fixtures

Apparatus, method, and system for improving visibility of objects against a background. Background luminance is monitored for an event or condition. Upon sensing of the event or condition, uplighting is provided for one or more areas above a target area at a time and in a manner which increases visibility of the object against the background. In one example, the objects are sports balls and the background is sky, stadium, or sports field. Time and manner can include detection of an event indicative of a ball being in play or transition between daylight and nighttime, manner can include amount, color, or direction of up light.

Sports lighting to increase contrast of an aerial sports object relative to background

A method, system, or apparatus for evaluating and/or improving illumination of a wide area target area or space above the same. Illumination of the area or space is evaluated relative to conventional illumination levels and spectral features. At least a portion of illumination is adjusted in some aspect of spectral profile to improve contrast between a target in the space or aspects of the target area or space. The adjusted illumination can be uplight, downlight, or both. Optionally, an object is launched to a known height above a lighting location, and the luminance from the object is read by a calibrated sensor, enabling verification of adequate uplighting.

Providing, measuring and demonstrating highly effective uplighting

The invention is directed to a method, apparatus, and system of illuminating a target area and space by providing continuous substantially controlled, concentrated, and aimed light downwardly towards the target area from an elevated position and providing temporary uplight relative to the target area upon a triggering event or condition. The triggering event or condition can be automatically sensed or manually initiated. Examples of automatic sensing include but are not limited to evaluating a sound, an image, or movement of an object. The uplight can be supplied by solid state light sources driven at or above rated operating power for a limited periods of time (e.g. 5-10 seconds for a triggering event in a baseball or football game), to save energy as compared to operating them continuously.

Apparatus, system and method for providing intermittent uplighting

Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for grounding outdoor light poles, as well as other structures, which may be exposed to lightning or other adverse electrical effects and may require a low impedance path to ground. Inventive aspects include a combination of apparatus integral to the pole or other structure and installation considerations whereby the ease of installation, reduction of onsite installation error, and reduction of impedance may be tailored to each installation. An apparatus can include a pre-installed earth grounding electrode at the lower end of the pole or structure to be inserted into the earth. A method can include installing an earth grounding electrode to/on/in a lower end of a pole or structure prior to insertion into the earth.

Apparatus, method, and system for grounding support structures using an integrated grounding electrode

Methods and apparatuses are provided that can be utilized for accurate pre-aiming and installation of devices. The devices are pre-set to an aiming orientation relative to a universal reference plane. The reference plane is then correlated to a feature of a pole, tower, or other structure that will be used to elevate or suspend the devices. A position sensing subsystem is utilized to inform a worker when each device is correctly angularly oriented to the reference plane. The worker simply moves the mounting structure for the device to the correct three-dimensional angular orientation, uses the position sensor to confirm the correct orientation to within a highly accurate margin of error, and either locks the device in that orientation or marks the orientation. The pole, tower, or other elevating structure is preliminarily erected at its pre-designed location and pre-designed rotational orientation with the pre-aimed devices.

Apparatus, system, and methods of precision aiming and installation of pre-aimed devices and method of composite lighting on target area

Apparatus, methods, and systems for determining point locations with respect to an origin point. Aspects provide for a cost-effective and easy to use way in which a limited number of persons may map out point locations over a relatively large area with a high degree of accuracy.

Apparatus, method, and system for identification of multiple points located throughout an area

Methods and apparatuses are provided that can be utilized for accurate pre-aiming and installation of devices. The devices are pre-set to an aiming orientation relative to a universal reference plane. The reference plane is then correlated to a feature of a pole, tower, or other structure that will be used to elevate or suspend the devices. A position sensing subsystem is utilized to inform a worker when each device is correctly angularly oriented to the reference plane. The worker simply moves the mounting structure for the device to the correct three-dimensional angular orientation, uses the position sensor to confirm the correct orientation to within a highly accurate margin of error, and either locks the device in that orientation or marks the orientation. The pole, tower, or other elevating structure is then preliminarily erected at its pre-designed location and pre-designed rotational orientation with the pre-aimed devices.

A method of laying out a grid of points across an area comprises designating a starting reference point; projecting with the laser beam a first reference line intersecting the first reference point and extending in a first direction relative to the area; designating the set of first line reference points along the first reference line; projecting with a laser beam a second reference line from each of the set of first reference line points in a direction at least partially across the area; designating a set of second line reference points at or near the area along each of the second reference lines, so that a grid of points across the area correlated to at least one laser beam projection is created. In this manner, the laser provides a quick and accurate straight line for referencing points in the grid. The method could be used to just lay out a grid of lines. An apparatus according to one aspect of the invention comprises a portable base, a laser on the base adapted to project a laser beam in a plane, and a means to identify measured points from the base. The measured points can be relative to the projected plane from the laser. The portable base can be moved to different reference points relative to the area to quickly set up a grid of accurate lines or points in the area.

Apparatus, method and system of precise identification of multiple points distributed throughout an area

Apparatus, method, and system of precise identification of multiple points distributed throughout an area

An apparatus and method of evaluating lighting for a given target area that will have an event which is televised. The method includes calculating television foot-candle and vertical foot-candle for various points on the target area as well as calculating the ratio between those two readings. These calculated readings can then be evaluated for the purpose of determining whether sufficient uniformity and intensity exists for given aiming locations on the target area to provide high quality television filming. The apparatus is preferably a computer program that is installed on a computer that would allow both simulations of not yet existing lighting systems to design lighting systems for optimum television coverage or evaluate existing lighting systems to change them for better performance for televising.

Growing community of inventors

Ottumwa, IA, United States of America

David L Barker