Light projector

A light projector, comprising:

• a light beam source for projecting a beam of light along an axis;
• a beam shaping apparatus disposed in the path of the beam of light, the beam shaping apparatus including a first beam shaping wheel and a second beam shaping wheel, the first beam shaping wheel having a first plurality of apertures disposed about its periphery, at least one of said apertures having a first cylindrical lens disposed therein, the second beam shaping wheel having a second plurality of apertures disposed about its periphery, at least one of said apertures having a second cylindrical lens disposed therein, the first beam shaping wheel being rotatable to selectively pass each of the first plurality of apertures through the axis, the second beam shaping wheel being rotatable to selectively pass each of the second plurality of apertures through the axis.

A light projector including

• a light beam source for projecting a beam of light along an axis;
• a strobe wheel disposed between the first retro-reflector and the lens,
• a motor coupled to the strobe wheel, the strobe wheel including a plurality of apertures disposed about its periphery, the strobe wheel being rotatable by the motor so that the plurality of apertures successively pass through the axis.

Awash light projector, comprising:

• a light beam source for projecting a beam of light along an axis;
• a beam shaping apparatus disposed in the path of the beam of light, the beam shaping apparatus including a first beam shaping wheel and a second beam shaping wheel, the first beam shaping wheel having a first plurality of apertures disposed about its periphery, at least one of said apertures having a first asymmetrical lens disposed therein, the second beam shaping wheel having a second plurality of apertures disposed about its periphery, at least one of said apertures having a second asymmetrical lens disposed therein, the first beam shaping wheel being rotatable to selectively pass each of the first plurality of apertures through the axis, the second beam shaping wheel being rotatable to selectively pass each of the second plurality of apertures through the axis.

A light projector comprising:

• a light source projecting a beam of light;
• an optical element movable between a first position in which the beam of light does not impinge upon the optical element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical element, wherein the optical element is comprised of a plurality of radially sectioned sub-elements.

A light projector comprising:

• a light source projecting a beam of light;
• a plurality of optical sub-elements each movable between a first position in which the beam of light does not impinge upon the optical sub-element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element.

A light projector comprising:

• a light source projecting a beam of light;
• a base having an opening formed therein, the beam of light positioned to pass through the opening;
• a plurality of optical sub-elements movably secured to the base, each sub-element movable between a first position in which the beam of light does not impinge upon the optical sub-element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element.

A beam size sub-assembly comprising:

• a base having an opening formed therein;
• a plurality of optical sub-elements movably secured to the base, each sub-element movable between a first position in which a beam of light passing through the opening does not impinge upon the optical sub-element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element.

A method for varying the beam size of a projected beam of light comprising:

• projecting a beam of light;
• moving an optical element between a first position in which the beam of light does not impinge upon the optical element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical element.

A method for varying the beam size of a projected beam of light comprising:

• projecting a beam of light;
• moving each of a plurality of optical sub-elements between a first position in which the beam of light does not impinge upon the optical sub-element, a second position in which substantially all of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element, and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a portion of the beam of light impinges upon the optical sub-element.