Reflector/refractor light control luminaire

A globe member of a luminaire formed of a light transmissive material and having a light source disposed therewithin at a position level with or essentially above first portions thereof through which light passes for illumination of a space exteriorly of the globe member, light emanating directly from the light source onto at least portions of said first portions of the globe member having a first pattern of incidence angles thereon, comprising:

• first means formed on second portions of the globe member redirecting light incident thereon from interior portions of the globe member back into the interior of the globe member to form a second pattern of incidence angles on said first portions of the globe member, the first and second patterns being similar;
• and,
• second means formed on said first portions of the globe member for redirecting light incident thereon externally of the globe member, the similarity of angles of incidence of light incident on the first portions of the globe member in said first and second patterns permitting improved control of light distribution from the globe member wherein light redirected from the second portions of the globe member is caused to pass through a focal point or loci or points above the light source.

A method for controlling distribution of light from a light transmissive globe member of a luminaire having a light source disposed within the globe member, the light source being located within the globe member at a position level with or essentially above certain first portions thereof through which light passes for illumination of a space exteriorly of the globe member, light emanating directly from the light source onto at least portions of said portions of the globe member having a first pattern of angles of incidence thereon, comprising the step of redirecting light incident on at least certain second portions of the globe member essentially located above the light source back into the interior of the globe member to form a second pattern of angles of incidence onto said first portions of the globe member that is similar to the first pattern, at least major portions of the light passing from the globe member being more efficiently controlled and distributed from the globe member wherein the redirected light is caused to pass through a point or loci of points located immediately above the source.

A method for controlling distribution of light from a light transmissive globe member of a luminaire having a light source disposed within the globe member, the light source being located within the globe member at a position level with, essentially above or essentially below certain first portions thereof through which light passes for illumination of a space exteriorly of the globe member, light emanating directly from the light source onto at least portions of said first portions of the globe member having a first pattern of angles of incidence thereon, comprising the step of redirecting at least a portion of light incident on at least certain second portions of the globe member level with, essentially located above or essentially located below the light source back into the interior of the globe member to form a second pattern of angles of incidence onto said first portions of the globe member that is similar to the first pattern, at least major portions of the light passing from the globe member being more efficiently controlled and distributed from the globe member wherein the redirected light is caused to pass through a point or loci of points located to a side or to sides of the light source.

A method for controlling distribution of light from a light transmissive globe member of a luminaire having a light source disposed within the globe member, the light source being located within the globe member at a position level with, essentially above or essentially below certain first portions thereof through which light passes for illumination of a space exteriorly of the globe member, light emanating directly from the light source onto at least portions of said first portions of the globe member having a first pattern of angles of incidence thereon, comprising the step of redirecting at least a portion of light incident on at least certain second portions of the globe member level with, essentially located above or essentially located below the light source back into the interior of the globe member to form a second pattern of angles of incidence onto said first portions of the globe member that is similar to the first pattern, at least major portions of the light passing from the globe member being more efficiently controlled and distributed from the globe member wherein the redirected light is caused to pass through a point or loci of points located below the light source.