# US 9,004,720 B2 · Retaining bracket for spotlights > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,004,720 B2 - Document ID: US9004720B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/991,664 - Filed: 2006-09-06 - Published: 2009-10-08 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-08 - Assignees: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG - Applicants: Erwin Melzner; Jürgen Heinlein; Wolfgang Baumgartner - Inventors: Erwin Melzner; Jürgen Heinlein; Wolfgang Baumgartner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9004720B2 ## CPC - F21V 21/34: Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element {(telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22)} - F21V 21/15: specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control - F21V 21/30: Pivoted housings or frames - F21W 2131/406: for theatres, stages or film studios - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS ## Abstract A retaining bracket for spotlights is provided. The retaining bracket comprising bracket bearings which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket, for accommodating the spotlight housing and a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus The distance of the bracket bearings from one another is capable of being adjusted in self-centering fashion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A retaining bracket for a spotlight comprising: a rigid frame construction having a crossmember and bracket arms at end sections thereof including bracket bearings arranged for accommodating said spotlight; and said crossmember comprising a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus, said crossmember and said bracket arms being connected via synchronously adjustable coupling elements to adjust the distance of the bracket bearings from one another in a self-centering fashion for accommodating spotlight housings of different sizes while keeping said supporting bearing automatically in the central position of said crossmember without displacement of the center of gravity with respect to said supporting bearing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket bearings are capable of being pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis for setting an inclination of the spotlight. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the supporting bearing is connected rotatably to the supporting apparatus for rotating the spotlight about a vertical axis of rotation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the crossmember and the bracket arms comprise mutually adjustable rods or tubes for adjusting the distance between the bracket bearings from one another and for adjusting a distance of the bracket from the crossmember. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the crossmember comprises a rectangular frame with cross tubes, which are connected via lateral flanges, and wherein the bracket arms are L-shaped and have horizontal and vertical arms, which are spaced apart with respect to one another by a length of lateral flanges of the crossmember and are connected to one another via cross arms, with the horizontal arms being connected to the coupling elements and the vertical arms being connected to the bracket bearings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The retaining bracket of claim 5, wherein the coupling elements are adjustable along the cross tubes of the crossmember. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The retaining bracket of claim 6, wherein the coupling elements are synchronously adjustable via a drive device, which is connected to the crossmember. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The retaining bracket of claim 7, wherein the drive device comprises a spindle drive with a drive motor, at least one spindle and spindle nuts, which are connected to the coupling elements and which the at least one spindle engages. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The retaining bracket of claim 8, comprising one spindle, which is connected to the drive motor, with opposed threads, which engage the spindle nuts, which are connected to the coupling elements, with a left-handed thread on one side and a right-handed thread on the other side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The retaining bracket of claim 8, comprising two spindles, which are connected to the drive motor and whose threads engage the spindle nuts, which are connected to the coupling elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The retaining bracket of claims 8, wherein the spindle is supported on the flanges of the crossmember. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The retaining bracket of claim 7, wherein the drive device is are connected at least partially via a friction coupling to the respective adapter or flange plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, further comprising an adapter, drive and control module, which is connected to the crossmember, with an adapter and flange plate for connecting the retaining bracket to the supporting apparatus, with a drive motor of a spindle drive and a drive motor for rotating the retaining bracket about a vertical axis of rotation, with a first sensor for detecting the rotary angle of the retaining bracket and with a control device, which is connected to the first sensor, a setpoint encoder and the drive motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, wherein the control device has a PID regulating device for regulating the starting and braking reaction of at least one of the drive devices of the retaining bracket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, further comprising a remote control for driving at least some functions of the retaining bracket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The retaining bracket of claim 15, wherein the remote control is connected to the control device of the retaining bracket via a Digital Multiplex (DMX) interface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The retaining bracket of claim 15, wherein the remote control is wirelessly connected to the control device of the retaining bracket. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, wherein the vertical axis of rotation and horizontal pivot axis are coupled to rotary angle encoders, which emit a position signal to the control device of the adapter, drive and control module. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, wherein the distance between the bracket bearings is capable of being set by calling up stored values of spotlight housing data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, further comprising a second sensor for detecting the distance between the bracket bearings and/or a contact pressure between the bracket bearings and the spotlight housing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The retaining bracket of claim 13, wherein the bracket bearings have a pivot drive for rotating the adapter or flange plates, which are connected to the bracket bearings, for accommodating the spotlight housing and setting an inclination of the spotlight about the pivot axis. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The retaining bracket of claim 21, wherein the adapter or flange plates have a quick-action fastener device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The retaining bracket of claim 21, wherein the pivot drive is connected to the control device of the adapter, drive and control module. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The retaining bracket of claim 21, wherein the adapter and flange plate is connected to a safety suspension device for suspended operation of the retaining bracket. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the distance of the bracket bearings from the crossmember is adjustable and is capable of being set. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The retaining bracket of claim 25, further comprising a spindle or telescope drive, which is connected to the bracket bearings and the crossmember. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The retaining bracket of claim 1, wherein the crossmember is adjustable in length for adjusting the distance between the bracket bearings from one another. ### Claim 28 A retaining bracket for a spotlight with bracket bearings, which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket for accommodating a spotlight housing of the spotlight and comprising a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus, wherein a distance of the bracket bearings from one another is adjustable in a self-centering fashion by a drive of an adapter drive and control module for accommodating spotlight housings of different sizes, wherein the adapter, drive and control module is connected to a focusing drive device for adjusting the light exit angle of the spotlight. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The retaining bracket of claim 28, wherein the focusing drive device is arranged in a focusing transmission housing, which can be flange-connected to the spotlight housing, and is connected to the adapter, drive and control module via a control and power supply line. ### Claim 30 A retaining bracket for a spotlight with bracket bearings, which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket for accommodating a spotlight housing of the spotlight and comprising a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus, wherein a distance of the bracket bearings from one another is adjustable in a self-centering fashion by a drive for accommodating spotlight housings of different sizes, wherein the bracket bearings are capable of being pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis for the purpose of setting an inclination of the spotlight, and wherein a maximum pivoting range of the spotlight is programmable and a program-controlled switch-off at limit is provided. ### Claim 31 A retaining bracket for a spotlight with bracket bearings, which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket for accommodating a spotlight housing of the spotlight and comprising a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus, wherein a distance of the bracket bearings from one another is adjustable in a self-centering fashion by a drive for accommodating spotlight housings of different sizes, wherein the bracket bearings are capable of being pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis for the purpose of setting an inclination of the spotlight, and wherein a pivoting speed of the spotlight is continuously regulable. ### Claim 32 A retaining bracket for a spotlight comprising: a module for pivotably connecting to a support structure; a crossmember coupled to the module and comprising a center and having an adjustable length; a first bracket arm extending from the crossmember; a second bracket arm extending from the crossmember and being spaced apart from the first bracket arm; a first bracket bearing mounted to the first bracket arm for supporting the spotlight; and a second bracket bearing mounted to the second bracket arm for supporting the spotlight, wherein adjusting the length of the crossmember adjusts a spacing between the first and second bracket arms, wherein during adjustment said center is stationary. ### Claim 33 A retaining bracket for a spotlight with bracket bearings, which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket for accommodating a spotlight housing of the spotlight and comprising a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus, wherein a distance of the bracket bearings from one another is adjustable in self-centering fashion by a drive for accommodating spotlight housings of different sizes. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The retaining bracket of claim 33, wherein a distance of the bracket bearings from the supporting bearing is adjustable. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The retaining bracket of claim 33, wherein the bracket bearings are capable of being pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis for the purpose of setting an inclination of the spotlight. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The retaining bracket of claim 35, wherein a maximum pivoting range of the spotlight is programmable and a program-controlled switch-off at limit is provided. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The retaining bracket of claim 35, wherein a pivoting speed of the spotlight is continuously regulable. ### Claim 38 (depends on 33) The retaining bracket of claim 33, wherein the supporting bearing is connected rotatably to the supporting apparatus for the purpose of rotating the spotlight about a vertical axis of rotation. ### Claim 39 (depends on 33) The retaining bracket bearing of claim 33, wherein an adapter, drive and control module is connected to a focusing drive device for adjusting a light exit angle of the spotlight. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The retaining bracket of claim 39, wherein the focusing drive device is arranged in a focusing transmission housing, which can be flange-connected to the spotlight housing, and is connected to the adapter, drive and control module via a control and power supply line.