AU2004202522A1

AU2004202522A1 - Luminaire

Info

Publication number: AU2004202522A1
Application number: AU2004202522A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jan-Markus Holldorff
Original assignee: We ef Lighting Co Ltd
Current assignee: WE-EF LIGHTING Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-16
Filing date: 2004-06-08
Publication date: 2005-11-03
Also published as: NZ533532A; CN2751225Y

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): WE-EF LIGHTING CO. LTD.

Invention Title:

LUMINAIRE

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2

LUMINAIRE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a luminaire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lighting luminaires are complementary parts of a lighting system well known in the prior art. Though often overlooked for its necessity, lighting luminaires provide lamp mounting, switch gear fixing, reflector locating, and most of all protecting light sources and their accessories.

While most research has concentrated on the light source developments, only limited research has been directed to improvement of lighting luminaires which are of equal or more importance than the light source.

Thus, conventional lighting luminaires still have several drawbacks. This is especially true for large scale illumination such as outdoor lighting, sport lighting, utility lighting etc. In these types of illuminations, regular maintenance especially lamp and switch gear replacements are important to guarantee continuous and reliable services of the lighting systems.

The first drawback of conventional luminaires is the way a cover is attached to a luminaire housing. The most common and the cheapest way is the use of ordinary screws to hold the cover with the housing. This increases the problem for maintenance since tools such as screwdrivers are required for cover opening. The chance of losing the screws is common not to mention the loosening of covers after several or perhaps only few re-closings of the cover. Time required to un-screw and re-screw to detach and attach the cover to the housing is high especially when a large number of luminaires are to be serviced.

\\melb_files\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 3 Further improvements involve covers with hinges and locking devices. However, the provision of the hinge and the locking device unavoidably involves locations on the housing on which such devices have to be placed. These add difficulty in manufacturing processes as well as unaesthetic appearance of the housing. In addition, none of the above-mentioned methods can assure tightness between the cover and the housing. This is the main reason why the cover has to be opened from below of the housing where the maintenance work is harder to perform than from above.

Another disadvantage is parts inspection and replacement especially the switchgear. Various types of lamps, in particular, high intensity discharge lamps need accessories such as electrical and electronic components to function properly. Frequently, the lighting system malfunctions not because of the lamp but the accessories.

Besides regular replacement of lamps, accessories inspection and repair are periodically required.

Conventionally, this has to be performed on site at each luminaire which add more labor cost and risk for maintenance manpower.

If there is a new way to take the switchgear and the lamp off the housing, immediate replacement of lamps and theirs accessories will guarantee quick and reliable maintenance at a comparatively low labor cost and less risk.

Afterwards, components can be repaired off the site in a more convenient place and condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a luminaire comprising: a housing for containing a lamp and gear tray; a cover moveable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the luminaire; \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 4 a pantograph mechanism for raising and lowering the cover to open and close the luminaire, the pantograph mechanism comprising at least one set of linkages having a first link and a second link, one end of the first link being pivotally fixed to one of the housing or the cover, and one end of the second link being slidingly fixed to said one of the housing or the cover, the other end of the first link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and the cover, and the other end of the second link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and cover, a biasing means for biasing the first and second links so the second link is biased to slide the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link; and wherein sliding movement of the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link lowers the cover so the cover moves from approximately 300 inclination to a vertical plane to a horizontal plane.

Preferably the first ends of the first and second links are coupled to the housing, and the housing includes a base linkage including a slot to facilitate sliding movement of the first end of the second link.

Preferably the first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the base link.

Preferably the second ends of the first and second links are pivotally coupled to an intermediate link and to a upper link connected to the cover, and wherein the intermediate link is pivotally connected to the upper link.

Preferably the luminaire further comprises locking means for locking the cover in the lowered position.

Preferably the biasing means comprises a coil spring \\melb_filese\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 5 located between the first end of the first link and the first end of the second link.

Preferably the upper link includes a guide track for supporting the lamp and gear tray.

Preferably the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.

The present invention also provides a luminaire comprising: a housing for containing a lamp and gear tray; a cover for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the luminare; a pantograph mechanism for lowering and raising the cover to open and close the luminaire; a locking mechanism comprising a main part located on the cover and a minor part, the main part having a recess portion and the minor part being mounted on the recess portion, the main part having a hole and the minor part having a protrusion for location in the hole, at least one locking bar pivotally fixed to the protrusion of the minor part at an inner end of the locking bar, and an outer end of the locking bar being mounted for sliding movement relative to the cover; at least one locking member provided on the housing; and wherein upon turning of the minor part, the inner end of the locking bar pivots so that the outer end of the locking bar moves substantially longitudinally to engage the locking member and thereby lock the cover in the closed position, and upon rotation in the opposite direction, the locking bar is moved longitudinally away from the locking member to open the locking mechanism to enable the cover to move to the open position.

Preferably a plurality of locking bars are pivotally \\melb_files\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 6 connected to the protrusion of the minor part and a corresponding number of locking members are provided on the housing.

Preferably the major part carries a pin and the locking bars are provided with a slot which engages with the pin so that the engagement of the slot with the pin restrains the locking bar for said longitudinal movement, with the longitudinal movement of the locking bar being accommodated by relative movement of the pin in the slot.

Preferably the pantograph mechanism comprises at least one set of linkages having a first link and a second link, one end of the first link being pivotally fixed to one of the housing or the cover, and one end of the second link being slidingly fixed to said one of the housing or the cover, the other end of the first link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and the cover, and the other end of the second link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and cover, a biasing means for biasing the first and second links so the second link is biased to slide the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link, and wherein sliding movement of the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link lowers the cover so the cover moves from approximately 300 inclination to a vertical plane to a horizontal plane.

Preferably the second ends of the first and second links \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 7 are pivotally coupled to an intermediate link and to a upper link connected to the cover, and wherein the intermediate link is pivotally connected to the upper link.

Preferably the biasing means comprises a coil spring located between the first end of the first link and the first end of the second link.

Preferably the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.

The present invention further provides a luminaire comprising: a housing; a cover for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the luminaire; a pair of rails fixed to the cover; a lamp and gear tray having a lamp, a reflector and a lamp control gear, and guide means on the tray slidably engaging the rails; a male electrical connector fixed to the tray; a female electrical connector on the cover; and wherein the guide means guides the gear tray on the rail until the tray reaches a stop position with the male connector on the tray being electrically connected to the female connector on the housing.

Preferably the guide means comprises at least one pin for engaging each of the rails to guide movement of the tray relative to the rails.

Preferably: a locking mechanism comprising a main part \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 8 located on the cover and a minor part, the main part having a recess portion and the minor part being mounted on the recess portion, the main part having a hole and the minor part having a protrusion for location in the hole, at least one locking bar pivotally fixed to the protrusion of the minor part at an inner end of the locking bar, and an outer end of the locking bar being mounted for sliding movement relative to the cover; at least one locking member provided on the housing; and wherein upon turning of the minor part, the inner end of the locking bar pivots so that the outer end of the locking bar moves substantially longitudinally to engage the locking member and thereby lock the cover in the closed position, and upon rotation in the opposite direction, the locking bar is moved longitudinally away from the locking member to open the locking mechanism to enable the cover to move to the open position.

Preferably a plurality of locking bars are pivotally connected to the protrusion of the minor part and a corresponding number of locking members are provided on the housing.

Preferably the luminaire further comprises a pantograph mechanism for moving the cover between the open and closed position, and wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises at least one set of linkages having a first link and a second link, one end of the first link being pivotally fixed to one of the housing or the cover, and one end of \\melbfiles\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 9 the second link being slidingly fixed to said one of the housing or the cover, the other end of the first link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and the cover, and the other end of the second link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and cover, a biasing means for biasing the first and second links so the second link is biased to slide the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link, and wherein sliding movement of the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link lowers the cover so the cover moves from approximately 300 inclination to a vertical plane to a horizontal plane.

Preferably the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which: \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 10 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an improved luminaire according to the present invention; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an improved luminaire according to the present invention in an open position; FIG. 2B is a partial view of a coil spring attached to the fixed end and movable end of the pantograph mechanism.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a cover of an improved luminaire according to the invention.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of a minor part of the cover when viewed from below.

FIG. 3C is a sectional view of the cover showing a main part a minor part and locking bars of the cover.

FIG. 3D is a partial view of the cover showing a protrusion of the minor part attached to the locking bars.

FIG. 3E is a same partial view of cover as in fig. 3 D but with the handgrip of the cover is turned in clockwise direction.

FIG. 4 is a partial view showing a lamp and gear tray with a pair of sliding rails together with electrical connectors and wiring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially to Fig. 1 thereof, a perspective view of an improved luminaire according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Viewing from the exterior when the cover is closed, the external appearance of the luminaire with improved features is compact and simple. Underneath the luminaire is a glass lens through which light emitted by a lamp exits the luminaire. The luminaire has a cover 1 and a housing 2.

Referring now to Fig. 2A, the cover of the improved \\melb files\homeS\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 11 luminaire is open to reveal the components inside. The cover 1 is raised up from its circular housing 2 by a pantograph or scissor link mechanism 10 (referred to herein as a pantograph mechanism). A rectangular glass lens 3 is placed above the bottom opening inside the housing.

The pantograph mechanism forms a hinge for opening the luminaire. The pantograph mechanism comprises two sets of linkages 12. The following description for one set of the linkages 12 is also applied to the other. The linkage 12 has a base bar which is a comparatively flat v-shape bar with a small half length slot 11 near its upper end within which a linkage can slidingly move back and forth. Another linkage is pivotally fixed at one end to the base bar The linkages and cross each other at about their middle and a pin 13 is inserted so that each linkage and can pivot around the pin.

The other end of the linkage is pivotally attached to another short linkage by a pivot pin 14. The other end of the linkage is pivotally attached to the end of a upper bar by a pivot pin 16. The end of the linkage is also pivotally attached to the upper bar at substantially the middle of the bar by a pivot pin 17. The upper bar is fixed to the cover 1 by screws 18 (only some shown) at its ends. A small open rail F is fixedly fitted to the inside of the upper bar the function of which will be explained later.

The movement of the end of the linkage along the slot 11 of the base bar governs the movement of the entire linkage. The entire linkage moves down when the end of the linkage moves toward the outer end of the slot 11.

Thereby, the upper bar and the cover 1 are lowered. On the contrary, the entire mechanism is raised up when the end of the linkage reverses its movement towards the center of the base bar \\melbfiles\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 12 As shown in Figure 2B, a coil spring 20 is attached at one end to a fixed pivot pin and at the other end to a movable pin at the end of the linkage The coil spring 20 is at its normal length when the end of the linkage is at the center of the base bar When the end of the linkage moves, the coil spring 20 stretches and increases its spring force. The spring force acts upon the end of the pantograph linkage 10 trying to pull both ends of the linkages and toward each other.

However, the weight of the cover 1 acts against the spring force and the friction between the linkages resulting in uniform pressure on the pantograph mechanism 10 so that the cover holds its position wherever it moves. The cover can then move from its fully open position at approximately 300 inclination to a vertical axis to its fully closed position in a horizontal axis. The inclined slot 11 in the base bar guides the linkage and the cover to move toward the horizontal plane so that when the cover is slightly above the housing, the cover 1 can be pushed down to fit into the housing. When the cover is horizontally set in place the coil spring 20 is fully extended biasing its maximum spring force on both ends of the linkages and of the pantograph mechanism.

Afterwards, when the cover is open, the spring force tends to resume its normal size reducing the force to lift the cover up.

Referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E, now the cover and its locking mechanism will be explained. The cover comprises basically of two parts. The main part is essentially a cover plate with a recess portion 21 coaxially arranged around its center. The main part also has a circular hole 22 at its center. A protrusion 23 rises up around the perimeter of the hole. The depth of the recess portion is specially dimensioned so a minor part can be flush mounted on its surface.

\\melb file\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 13 The minor part is an integral part of die cast aluminium. The diameter of the part is equal to the diameter of the recess portion 21 of the main part The minor part "H also has a recess portion 24 on its upper surface specially designed so that the contour of the non-recess portion 25 is like a handgrip portion.

Viewing from below as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the underneath of the minor part has a round protrusion 26 with a slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the protrusion 23 of the main part Adjacent to the protrusion of the minor part is a small circumferential space 27 specially designed to receive the protrusion 23 of main part The protrusion 26 of the minor part also has a plurality of screw-fitting holes 28, preferably 4, equidistantly located around its perimeter. A plurality of corresponding locking bars preferably 4, each made of aluminium of 2-3 mm thickness or more are illustrated laying over the screw-fitting holes 28. Each locking bar has a hole at its inner end through which a screw 29 can be inserted. The outer end of each locking bar features a small slot 33 through which a pin (in this embodiment, in the form of a screw) 34 can slidingly move. The locking bars 30 are bent so that their shapes match the contour of the underneath of the cover.

As shown in FIG. 3C, a cross-sectional view of the cover and its parts are shown assembled together. When the minor part is located on the main part the protrusion 28 of the minor part is inserted into the hole 22 of the main part At the same time, the protrusion 23 of the main part protrudes into the space 27 around the periphery of the protrusion 26 of the minor part Then the four locking bars 30 are further assembled into the cover 1. The locking bars are pivotally fixed at its inner end to the screw-fitting holes 28 of the minor parts "H" with the flat-head screws 29. The other end of the locking \\melb_files\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 14 bars are then slidingly fixed to the screws 34 on the main part equidistantly arranged around the perimeter of underneath of the cover 1.

When the locking bars 30 are assembled into the main part and the minor part of the cover, the locking bars extend to their full lengths as shown in FIG. 3D. Now, when the minor part is turned in counterclockwise direction (viewing from above of the cover), the pivotal ends of the locking bars 30 are rotated clockwise (viewing from below of the cover). Rotary movement of the inner ends of the locking bars 30 is transformed into radial movement of the outer ends of the locking bars 30. The outer ends of the locking bars slide relative to screws 34 with the screws 34 being accommodated in the small slots 33. Four locking plates are located on the housing of the luminaire at corresponding positions to receive the outer ends of the locking bars 30. When the cover of the luminaire is closed, the minor part is turned counterclockwise so that the outer ends of the locking bars 30 extend to be inserted under the locking plates When the minor part is turned clockwise, the outer ends of the locking bars contract to be released from the locking plates The cover of the luminaire can be opened or closed with only turning the handgrip portion 24, 25 of the cover.

The pantograph mechanism 10 together with the cover mechanism 1 provides means for easy access to the inside gear of the luminaires. The opening and closing of the luminaire requires no tool while assuring of tightness between the cover 1 and the housing 2. In addition to this, both mechanisms 1 and 10 help eliminating the need for external hinges used in conventional luminaires. This means the exterior of the housing is screw-free or hingefree. Not only is the external appearance of the housing more aesthetic, but also the manufacturing of housings is \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 15 more simple and straightforward.

Now, quick removal of the lamp and its accessories will be explained with reference to Fig. 4. A box-type package of a lamp and its control gear referred hereinafter as lamp and gear tray is shown together with a pair of guide rails mounted on the linkage A preformed rectangular box-type tray 40 encloses the lamp and its accessories. The rectangular box-type tray 40 is made of a perforated steel sheet comprising a plurality of circular holes to allow for heat dissipation. A lamp reflector and a lamp socket are mounted into the lamp and gear tray by riveting. In one embodiment, the lamp and gear tray comprises two side extensions 41 each on each side of the tray. Each extension 41 is also made of perforated steel sheet. The width of the side extensions is equal to the depth of the lamp and gear tray so that they can be screwfitted or riveted with the outer rim along the length of the lamp and gear tray The side extensions 41 form side pockets along the length of the lamp and gear tray within which lamp accessories and wiring can be mounted. A light source, preferably a high intensity discharge lamp, can be mounted to the lamp socket. The lamp and its switchgear are electrically connected to be a self-contained unit.

The lamp will function properly when it is connected to an external electric power source through an electric connector. The side extensions 41 have four flat-head screws 43 with two screws fixed at each side of the extension. The screws 43 are fixed near the upper end of the side extension to be slidingly moved into the guide rails provided on the linkage on each set of the pantograph linkages 12. The outer end of the rails flare out and are fixed to the linkage by riveting. The inner end of the rails is fixed to the linkage by a screw at its end right in the middle of the rail. This screw also functions as a stopper to prevent the lamp and gear tray to move beyond the end of the rail. For lamp and gear tray \\melbfiles\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\we-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 16 mounting, a pair of front side pins (again in the form of screws) 43 on the left and the right of the side extensions of the tray is aligned with the rail. Then, the lamp and gear tray is pushed into the rail so that a pair of the rear side screws on the side extensions is supported by the rails. The lamp and gear tray will be further inserted to its full extension when the front side screws are stopped by the above-mentioned set screws in the rails. In the same way, the lamp and gear tray can be withdrawn from the rail to be taken out as a complete take-away unit. Once fitted in place, the lamp box will move together with the movement of the pantograph and the cover. When the cover is fully closed the lamp box will rest in horizontal plane. A stop bar (not shown) is fixed to the inside of the housing in front of the front side of the lamp box to prevent an undesirable movement of the lamp box once the luminaire is closed.

Another important feature of the practical design of the lamp and gear tray and the electricity supply is the wiring terminal. The lamp and gear tray has a three-leg (three-phase) male connector terminal 45 mounted on the side extension of the box. A three-leg female connector 46 mounted on the underneath of the cover 1 is provided so that they are interconnected when the lamp box slides into its stop position. Wiring from the female connector runs through a rubber bushing 47 mounted on the housing 2. When the lamp and gear tray is held in place, the lamp and its accessories are electrically connected to the electric power source. With such arrangement, the lamp and gear tray is automatically connected and disconnected to the electric power source by the sliding movement of the lamp and gear tray into and out of the rails F with no other means required.

This provides quick removal of the lamp and gear tray comprising the lamp and its accessories from the housing \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\we-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 17 2.

While the luminaire is preferably intended to be pole mounted where a high intensity discharge lamp or compact fluorescent lamp is fitted into the housing, other variations can also be applied to the invention. For example, where the accessibility for the lamp is only from the top due to safety reasons or any other limitation such as a hazardous location or an obstacle, the invention can be appropriately applied.

It is understood, of course, that while the forms of the invention herein shown and described include the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, they are not intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof.

It will also be understood that the words used are descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed below.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

\\melb_files\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\e-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04

Claims

2. The luminaire according to claim 1 wherein the first ends of the first and second links are coupled to the housing, and the housing includes a base linkage including a slot to facilitate sliding movement of the first end of the second link.
3. The luminaire according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the base link.
4. The luminaire according any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second ends of the first and second links are \\melbfiles\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 19 pivotally coupled to an intermediate link and to a upper link connected to the cover, and wherein the intermediate link is pivotally connected to the upper link.
5. The luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising locking means for locking the cover in the lowered position.
6. The luminaire according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring located between the first end of the first link and the first end of the second link.
7. The luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper link includes a guide track for supporting the lamp and gear tray.
8. The luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.
9. A luminaire comprising: a housing for containing a lamp and gear tray; a cover for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the luminare; a pantograph mechanism for lowering and raising the cover to open and close the luminaire; a locking mechanism comprising a main part located on the cover and a minor part, the main part having a recess portion and the minor part being mounted on the recess portion, the main part having a hole and the minor part having a protrusion for location in the hole, at least one locking bar pivotally fixed to the protrusion of the minor part at an inner end of the locking bar, and an outer end of the locking bar being mounted for sliding movement relative to the cover; at least one locking member provided on the \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 20 housing; and wherein upon turning of the minor part, the inner end of the locking bar pivots so that the outer end of the locking bar moves substantially longitudinally to engage the locking member and thereby lock the cover in the closed position, and upon rotation in the opposite direction, the locking bar is moved longitudinally away from the locking member to open the locking mechanism to enable the cover to move to the open position. The luminaire according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of locking bars are pivotally connected to the protrusion of the minor part and a corresponding number of locking members are provided on the housing.
11. The luminaire according to claim 9 or claim wherein the major part carries a pin and the locking bars are provided with a slot which engages with the pin so that the engagement of the slot with the pin restrains the locking bar for said longitudinal movement, with the longitudinal movement of the locking bar being accommodated by relative movement of the pin in the slot.
12. The luminaire according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises at least one set of linkages having a first link and a second link, one end of the first link being pivotally fixed to one of the housing or the cover, and one end of the second link being slidingly fixed to said one of the housing or the cover, the other end of the first link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and the cover, and the other end of the second link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and cover, a biasing means for biasing the first and second links so the second link is biased to slide the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link, and wherein sliding movement of the first end of the second link away from the first end of \\melb_files\home\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 21 the first link lowers the cover so the cover moves from approximately 30° inclination to a vertical plane to a horizontal plane.
13. The luminaire according to claim 12 wherein the first ends of the first and second links are coupled to the housing, and the housing includes a base linkage including a slot to facilitate sliding movement of the first end of the second link.
14. The luminaire according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the base link.
15. The luminaire according any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the second ends of the first and second links are pivotally coupled to an intermediate link and to a upper link connected to the cover, and wherein the intermediate link is pivotally connected to the upper link.
16. The luminaire according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring located between the first end of the first link and the first end of the second link.
17. The luminaire according to any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the upper link includes a guide track for supporting the lamp and gear tray.
18. The luminaire according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.
19. A luminaire comprising: a housing; a cover for movement between an open position and \\melb_files\homeS\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 22 a closed position to open and close the luminaire; a pair of rails fixed to the cover; a lamp and gear tray having a lamp, a reflector and a lamp control gear, and guide means on the tray slidably engaging the rails; a male electrical connector fixed to the tray; a female electrical connector on the cover; and wherein the guide means guides the gear tray on the rail until the tray reaches a stop position with the male connector on the tray being electrically connected to the female connector on the housing. The luminaire according to claim 19 wherein the guide means comprises at least one pin for engaging each of the rails to guide movement of the tray relative to the rails.
21. The luminaire according to claim 19 or wherein: a locking mechanism comprising a main part located on the cover and a minor part, the main part having a recess portion and the minor part being mounted on the recess portion, the main part having a hole and the minor part having a protrusion for location in the hole, at least one locking bar pivotally fixed to the protrusion of the minor part at an inner end of the locking bar, and an outer end of the locking bar being mounted for sliding movement relative to the cover; at least one locking member provided on the housing; and wherein upon turning of the minor part, the inner end of the locking bar pivots so that the outer end of the locking bar moves substantially longitudinally to engage the locking member and thereby lock the cover in the closed position, and upon rotation in the opposite direction, the locking bar is moved longitudinally away from the locking member to open the locking mechanism to \\melbfiles\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\we-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 23 enable the cover to move to the open position.
22. The luminaire according to claim 21 wherein a plurality of locking bars are pivotally connected to the protrusion of the minor part and a corresponding number of locking members are provided on the housing.
23. The luminaire according to claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the major part carries a pin and the locking bars are provided with a slot which engages with the pin so that the engagement of the slot with the pin restrains the locking bar for said longitudinal movement, with the longitudinal movement of the locking bar being accommodated by relative movement of the pin in the slot.
24. The luminaire according to any one of claims 19 to 23 further comprising a pantograph mechanism for moving the cover between the open and closed position, and wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises at least one set of linkages having a first link and a second link, one end of the first link being pivotally fixed to one of the housing or the cover, and one end of the second link being slidingly fixed to said one of the housing or the cover, the other end of the first link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and the cover, and the other end of the second link being pivotally fixed to the other of the housing and cover, a biasing means for biasing the first and second links so the second link is biased to slide the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link, and wherein sliding movement of the first end of the second link away from the first end of the first link lowers the cover so the cover moves from approximately 300 inclination to a vertical plane to a horizontal plane. The luminaire according to claim 24 wherein the first ends of the first and second links are coupled to \\melb_files\home$\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04 24 the housing, and the housing includes a base linkage including a slot to facilitate sliding movement of the first end of the second link.
26. The luminaire according to claim 24 or claim wherein the first end of the first link is pivotally connected to the base link.
27. The luminaire according any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the second ends of the first and second links are pivotally coupled to an intermediate link and to a upper link connected to the cover, and wherein the intermediate link is pivotally connected to the upper link.
28. The luminaire according to any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring located between the first end of the first link and the first end of the second link.
29. The luminaire according to any one of claims 24 to 28 wherein the pantograph mechanism comprises two said sets of linkages.
30. A luminaire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
31. The use of a luminaire as claimed in any one of the preceding claims as a pole mounted lighting system. \\melb_files\homeS\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent Luminaire.doc 7/06/04