CA2048363C - Weatherproof light fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

A weatherproof light fixture is disclosed in which the fixture comprises a body having a generally hollow portion with a first open end and a second end notably attached to a cap. A shaft for connecting the cap to a base is notably mounted to the base and fixedly attached to the cap. A clamp restricts the rotational movement of the shaft relative to the base and the fixture includes means for restricting the rotational movement of the hollow portion about the cap. In one embodiment, the restricting means comprises a manually actuatable clip on the hollow portion, the teeth of which engage corresponding teeth on the cap. The structure of the fixture is such that the axis of the shaft is perpendicular to the base and the plane of rotation between the hollow portion and the cap is at a 45 degree angle to the axis of the shaft.

Description

FIEhD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a light fixture to position a light bulb close to a surface and more particularly to a weatherproof light fixture, for outdoor use or use in a humid atmosphere, which is capable of being adjusted to direct light as desired.
BACRGROUND OF INVENTION
Numerous types and forms of light fixtures are known and used to hold incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. Typically such fixtures comprise a socket attached to a base which is in turn attached in some manner to an electrical outlet or a surface. The socket is connected to a local electricity supply. In other cases the light socket may be separated from the base of the fixture by a chain, pipe or other apparatus depending upon the specific configuration of the fixture. Most often light fixtures are made from metal, wooden or glass components.
In the case of outdoor light fixtures, and specifically those designed to hold floodlights, the configuration of the fixture is often considerably different from'f;hat bf $n indoar'~fixture. For~~xamplW, ~s floodlights are normally intended to be focused upon a specific object or area, outdoor fixtures for holding floodlights are typically designed so as to enable the direction of the light to be altered. This is often accomplished through the use of a hinge or ball and socket type connection between the socket holding the bulb and base of tha fixture.
In the case of a hinge joint connection, the fixture will allow movement and focusing of the light bulb through approximately 180° in a single plane. That is, the hinge joint will allow movement only within the plane of the joint. The joint is usually adjustable through loosening and tightening a screw, bolt or nut and to prevent droop and unwanted movement, the screw, bolt or nut holding the joint must often be tightened with the use of tools. In damp or freezing conditions the hinge joint can become rusted or frozen and cease to function properly.
9n the other hand, a ball and socket structure will allow practically unlimited movement within the semi-spherical area defined by the surface to which the fixture is attached. However, in order to focus on any specific area, fixtures employing a ball and socket mechanism typically require a clamping means to hold the joint fast and prevent unwanted movement of the light bulb. Due to the nature of a ball and socket joint, such clamping means are often complex and difficult to use. The clamping means may :also::be .subject to corrosion as~d:.freezing ~,as. W n the case of the hinge joint.
In the past, various clamping mechanisms have been developed to hold the socket portion of an adjustable floodlight fixture in a specific position. These mechanisms have often involved the use of nuts, bolts, clasps, screws or other forms of fasteners. The _ 3 _ '~~~'~~~~
difficulty has been in developing a clamping mechanism secure enough to prevent droop of the fixture yet simple and easy enough to operate without the use of tools or external devices. In addition, the prior art devices typically are formed of steel or various other metals which may oxidize over time or become difficult to operate in freezing temperatures. Further, in the case of metal components, low temperatures normally result in a contraction of the metal making the mechanisms more difficult to operate.
SUMP~iARy OF THE INVEIdTIOid The invention therefore provides a weatherproof light fixture which overcomes these disadvantages by providing a means to rotate a light socket manually, without the use of tools or other apparati, such that light can be focused on any area within the semi-spherical field of the fixture, where such means axe not susceptible to oxidation or affected adversely by fluctuations within normal temperature ranges.
Accordingly, the present invention in one of its aspects provides a weatherproof lig'htwfixture eomp~ising;
a body for receiving the stem of a light bulb, said body comprised of a generally hollow portion having first and second end portions, said first end portion being open and said second end portion being rotably attached to a cap, a base for securing said fixture to a surface, a shaft for.
connecting said cap to said base, said shaft being rotably ~~~g~~'~
mounted to said base and fixedly attached to said cap, a clamp for restricting the rotational movement of said shaft relative to said base, and means for restricting the rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap.
In another aspect the invention provides a weatherproof light fixture comprising a body for receiving the stem of a light bulb, said body comprised of a generally hollow portion having first and second end portions, said first end portion being open and said second end portion being rotably attached to a cap, a base for securing said fixture to a suxface, a shaft for connecting said cap to said base, said shaft being rotably mounted to said base and fixedly attached to said cap, the axis of said shaft being perpendicular to said base and the plane of rotation between said hollow portion and said cap being at a 45 degree angle to the axis of said shaft, a manually actuatable clip, having a rest position and a displaced position, located on said hollow portion of said body, said clip restricting rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap through the engagement of teeth'on said clip with corresponding teetfi~on-said cap, and a clamp 'for restricting 'the rotational mbvement of said shaft relative to said base wherein said clamp comprises a sleeve encompassing said shaft and adapted to engage the surface of said base.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

_ 5 .. ~~~~~~D~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TB~ DR~~1TNGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiments of. the present invention in whichr Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and in front of a light fixture according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view from below and behind of the light fixture shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-~ of the light fixture shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the area 4 as shown in Figure 3 with a clip in its displaced position.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a base portion of the light fixture of Figure 2,' with a clamp in' a disengaged'configuration.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 3.
Figure 9 is a variation of Figure 4 showing an alternate embodiment of the invention.

~~9~~3 DESCRIPTTOivi OF PREFERRED E.MBODIPiENT
Figure 1 shows a light fixture according to the present invention generally indicated at 2. The light fixture 2 has a body 4 comprised of a hollow portion 6 having a first end 8 which is open and a second end 10 which is enclosed. The body 4 is capable of receiving the stem of a light bulb 90 (shown in ghost outline in Figure 3) through the open first end 8 and into a light socket 30 shown in Figure 3.
The second end 10 of the body 4 is enclosed by a cap 12, as is more clearly shown in Figure 2. A hollow shaft 18, of generally circular cross-section, is fixed to the side of the cap 12 and connects the body 4 to a base 14 which is in turn secured to a surface 16. Surface 16 would typically be a wall or soffit surface and base 14 would, in most instances, be secured to an electrical box through the use of screws (not shown) passing through holes 20 in the base 14. However, the base 14 could also be mounted on various other surfaces or through the use of other fastening means including nails, rivets, clamps and glue.
In order to allow for the directing.rox.focusing of a light bulb upon a specific area, the hollow portion 6 is rotably attached to the cap 12 as indicated at 22.
As is more clearly shown in Figure 3, the cap 12 contains a circular recess 24 which receives a cylindrical projection 2fi of the hollow portion 6. Axial means 95 connect the hollow portion 6 to the cap 12 and provide an _ 7 axis for rotation therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the axial means 95 comprises a screw 28 which passes through a channel 32 in the cap 12 and is threaded into hollow portion 6 in order to hold the body 4 together. The screw 28 also acts as an axis of rotation allowing the hollow portion 6 to rotate about the cap 12.
The screw 28 is preferably threaded into the hollow portion 6 and moves freely within the channel 3 to allow rotational movement of the hollow portion 6. The reception of the cylindrical projection 26 into the recess 24 assists in maintaining the stability of the structure by preventing lateral movement.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, and as is shown in Figure 9, the axial means 95 comprises outwardly extending prongs 87 which engage a socket 88 in cap 12 to notably attach the hollow portion 6 to the cap 12.
To keep water and debris from inhibiting the rotational movement a trim plug 34 is used to seal off the outer portion of the channel 32. An 0-.ring 36 is placed around the.cylindrical projection 26-in order to arcate a water~ti:ght seal between the hallow portion.6. and the cap 12.
Once the hollow portion 6 has been positioned such that the light is focused in the desired direction, it is important to restrict further rotational movement or droop. To accomplish this the hollow portion 6 includes means (noted generally as 37) to restrict its rotational _ g _ movement about 'the cap 12. In the preferred embodiment means 37 comprises a clip 38 which engages the cap 12.
The clip 38 is formed from a flexible resilient plastic material and is manually actuatable from a rest position to a displaced position. Biasing means (noted generally as 39) enhance the tendency of the clip 38 to return to its rest position when displaced. Figure 3 shows the clip 38 in its rest position whereas Figure 4 shows the clip 38 in its displaced position.
The engagement of the clip 38 with the cap 12 xs accomplished through the interlocking of teeth 40 on the clip 38 with corresponding teeth 42 on the cap 12. When the clip 38 is in its rest position the teeth 40 of the clip 38 mesh with the corresponding teeth 42 of the cap 12 and thereby prevent rotational movement of the hollow portion 6.
In order to rotate the hollow portion 6, the clip 38 must be moved from its rest position to its displaced position to unlock the teeth 40 and the teeth 42, as is more clearly shown in Figure 4. Displacement of the clip 38 can ~be accomplished through movement of the clip 38 away. from. the cap l2 bythe~ use of grasping means 44.
In the preferred embodiment the clip 38 is further comprised of first and second semi-circular straps, 46 and 47 respectively. First and second semi-circular straps 46 and 47 are connected at their ends by hinges 48. The resulting structure is of a saddle-shaped _ g _ configuration and is preferably formed from a flexible and resilient material. Semi-circular straps 46 and 47 are held in a correspondingly shaped recess 49 on the surface of hollow portion 6 with the first semi-circular strap 46 bearing against the surface 51. Holes 53 in 'the hinges 48 engage posts 55, which extend from hollow portion 6, to hold the clip 38 on the surface of hollow portion 6.
When the clip 38 is moved from its rest position to its displaced position the semi-circular strap 46 is prevented from moving due to contact with the surface 51 thereby creating a biasing force within the hinges 48.
This biasing force enhances the tendency of the clip 38 to return to its rest position when displaced. Following the rotational movement of the hollow portion 6 to its desired position, the clip 38 is simply released after which it returns to its rest position thereby locking the hollow portion 6 in place about the cap 12 through the meshing of the teeth 40 on the clip 38 and the teeth 42 on the cap 12.
As is shown in Figures 5 and 6, the teeth 42 on the cap 12 are continuous about its circumference.whereas, in the preferred embodiment, the .clip 38 extends over only a part of the surface of hollow portion 6.
According to the present invention the body 4 of the light fixture 2 is notably attached to the base 14 by the shaft 18. Shaft 18 is threaded in part and rotational movement of the shaft Z8 is accomplished by screwing the shaft 18 into a threaded hole 57 in the base 14 as is to - 2~~83~~
shown in Figure 3. External threads 50 on the shaft 18 correspond with internal threads 52 of the hole 5? such that the shaft 18 can be connected to the base 14 while allowing for rotational movement therebetween.
The ability to rotate the shaft 18 about the base 14 allows for the direction of light from the light fixture 2 to any specific point in the semi-spherical field of the fixture. That is, through the combination of rotating the hollow portion 6 about the cap 12 and, through rotating the shaft 18 about the base 14, light from the fixture 2 can be focused in any direction within the field defined by the surface 16 and the fixture 2.
Again, once the light fixture 2 has been adjusted to its proper position through rotation of the hollow portion 6 about the cap 12, and through rotation of the shaft 18 about the base 14, it is desirable to restrict the rotational movement of the shaft 18 about the base 14 to "lock" the fixture in place. To accomplish this, the fixture 2 further comprises a clamp, generally noted as 54 an Figure 3.
The clamp 54 is further comprised of a sleeve 56 and a nut 5$. The sleeve~56.is slideably mounted over the shaft 18 and has teeth 60 on its surface adjacent the base 14. The base 14 includes corresponding teeth 62 adapted to mesh with the teeth 60 on the sleeve 56 when the sleeve 56 and the base 14 come into contact, In order to restrict rotational movement of the shaft 18 about the base 14, shaft 14 includes at least one flattened portion ~~~$;3 64 upon its generally circular surface. The internal surface of the sleeve 56 also includes at least one flattened portion 65 which aligns with the flattened portion 64 of the shaft 18 when the sleeve 56 is placed over the shaft 18. In this manner, the sleeve 56 is slideably mounted on the shaft 18 and the engagement of flattened portions 65 and 66 prevent rotational movement of the sleeve 56 about the shaft 18. Accordingly, the teeth 60 on the sleeve 56, when engaged with the teeth 62 of the base 14, prevent the rotational movement of the sleeve 56 about the base 14 and, due to the interlocking of flattened portions 64 and 65, the sleeve 56 in turn prevents the rotational movement of the shaft 18.
According to the present invention, the interlocking of the teeth 60 and 62 is enhanced through the action of the nut 58 against the sleeve 56. The nut 58 is threaded onto the shaft 18 such that it can be tightened against the edge of the sleeve 56 thereby ensuring the integrity of the bond created between the interlocking teeth 60 on the sleeve 56 and the teeth 62 on the base 14.
Tn order to aid in the tightening of the nut 58 against sleeve 56, raised griping ridges 66 are spaced around the exterior surface of the nut 58. These gripping ridges provide a means for tightening the nut 58 securely against the sleeve 56 without the necessity of using wrenches or tools. In addition, in the preferred embodiment the surface of the nut 58 which contacts the sleeve 56 includes raised nibs 68 which bear against the sleeve 56. The nibs 68 reduce the frictional contact between the nut 58 and sleeve 56. This reduction in friction enhances the ability to tighten the nut 58 against the sleeve 56 with minimal force.
To be weatherproof and effective for use in an outdoor or humid atmosphere, the light fixture 2 is equipped with a seal 70 mounted about the opening in the first end 8 of hollow portion 6. As is more clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the seal 70, in its preferred embodiment, comprises an outer edge 72 and has two inwardly projecting annular ridges 74 which bear against the stem of the light bulb 90 when received into the light socket 30.
The seal 70 also comprises outwardly extending tabs 92 which engage holes 94 in the hollow portion 6 to releasably secure the seal 70 within the hollow portion 6.
Through the engagement of tabs 92 with holes 94, the seal 70 is securely held in place, and yet, can be readily replaced if desired.
The seal 70 is comprised of a flexible rubberized material such that it forms a weather resistant barrier against the stem of the light bulb 90 to prevent moisture or humidity from entering the hollow interior of portion 6. The weatherproofness of the light fixture 2 is further enhanced by the fact that in the preferred embodiment all components, with the exception of the light socket 30 and screw 28, are formed from a weather ~~~~~~J

resistant material and preferably from an impact resistant plastic.
The light socket 30 is held securely within the hollow portion 5 through screws or bolts 76 (shown in ghost outline in Figure 3). Electrical wires 78 run from connections on the light socket 30 through an opening 80 in hollow portion 6 and into the cap 12. An opening 82 in the cap 12 allows the wires to then pass through the cap 12 and then through a hollow channel 86 in the shaft 18 and eventually through the base 14 to be connected to an exterior electrical supply. A sufficient length of the electrical wires 78 is left within the internal portion of the cap 12 and the hollow portion 6 to allow for rotational movement of the hollow portion 6 about 'the cap 12. However, in order to prevent the electrical wires 78 from being twisted by more than one revolution (due to the rotation of the hollow portion 6) the cylindrical projection 26 of hollow p~artion 6 contains a stop 84 which projects into the recess 24 of the cap 12. When the hollow portion 6 is rotated about the cap 12, the stop 84 will bear against the electrical wires 78 at the point that they pass through the'~opening~ 82. The stop 84 thereby prevents rotational movement of the hollow portion 6 by more than 360° in either direction. This feature does not affect the ability of the light fixture 2 to focus light in any particular direction, however, it prevents the electrical wires 78 from being continually twisted around in the same direction.

In use, the base 14 of the light fixture 2 may be mounted to a surface 16 through the application of any of the fastening means previously described. The light bulb 90 may then be inserted through the open first end 8 of the hollow portion 6 and received by the light socket 30.
To focus the light on a specific area the clip 38 is moved from its rest position to its displaced position thereby disengaging the teeth 40 on the clip 38 from the teeth 42 on the cap 12. The hollow portion 6 may then be rotated to any position about the cap 12. The clip 38 is then released and the biasing means 39 force the clip 38 back to its rest position. The teeth 40 and 42 then interlock and prevent further rotational movement of the hollow portion 6.
Next the nut 58 is rotated so as to release the sleeve 56 from the base 14 and allow the shaft 18 to be rotated to its desired position. Once the light has been directed or focused in the proper direction, the nut 18 is then tightened against the sleeve 56 such that the teeth 60 on the sleeve 56 engage the teeth 62 on the base 14 to provide a clamping means preventing further rotational movement of the shaft 18.
Through the use of plastic components, the O-ring 36 at the junction of the hollow portion 6 and the cap 12, and through the use of the seal 70, the light fixture 2 is of a weatherproof construction and suitable for outdoor or high humidity indoor applications. Ar~thex advantage of the light fixture 2 is the fact that adjusting the direction of the light is relatively simple and does not require the use of any tools. Further, through the use of replaceable seals 70 having different internal diameters, the light fixture 2 can be readily adapted for use with light bulbs of varying configurations.
It is to be understood that what has been described are the preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is possible to make variations to these embodiments while staying within the broad scope of the invention. Some of these variations have been discussed above while others will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Fox example, the biasing means 39 for the clip 38 has been described specifically as comprising first and second semi-circular straps 46 and 47 and hinge 48. However, various other biasing means capable of returning the clip 38 from its displaced position to its rest position could also be used. Also, while the preferred embodiment shows the rotational axis of the hollow portion 6 about the cap 12 being a screw 28, in other instances the axis may take the form of a bolt, rivet, or other similar type structures.

Claims (30)

1. A weatherproof light fixture comprising, a body for receiving the stem of a light bulb, said body comprised of a generally hollow portion having first and second end portions, said first end portion being open and said second end portion being rotably attached to a cap, a base for securing said fixture to a surface, a shaft for connecting said cap to said base, said shaft being rotably mounted to said base and fixedly attached to said cap, a clamp for restricting the rotational movement of said shaft relative to said base, and means for restricting the rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap.

2. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said restricting means comprises a clip located on said hollow portion of said body, said clip engaging said cap and restricting rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap.

3. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein said clip is manually actuatable from a rest position to a displaced position.

4. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 3 wherein said clip and said cap have interlocking teeth.

5. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 4 wherein said teeth on said clip engage said teeth on said cap when said clip is in said rest position to releasably secure said cap and restrict rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap.

6. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim wherein said clip includes biasing means to enhance the tendency of said clip to return to said rest position When moved to said displaced position.

7. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 6 wherein said clip includes grasping means to allow said clip to be manually displaced from said rest position to said displaced position.

8. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 7 wherein said teeth on said cap are continuous about the circumference of the edge of said cap adjacent said clip.

9. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 8 wherein said clip extends over a part of the surface of said hollow portion of said body.

10. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 9 wherein said clip is made from a flexible resilient plastic material.

11. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim wherein the axis of said shaft is perpendicular to said base and the plane of rotation between said hollow portion and said cap is at a 45 degree angle to the axis of said shaft, said hollow portion capable of rotation about said cap from a position wherein the axis of said hollow portion is perpendicular to the axis of said shaft to a position wherein the axes of said hollow portion and said shaft are parallel.

12. A weatherproof light fixture comprising, a body for receiving the stem of a light bulb, said body comprised of a generally hollow portion having first and second end portions, said first end portion being open and said second end portion being rotably attached to a cap, a base for securing said fixture to a surface, a shaft for connecting said cap to said base, said shaft being rotably mounted to said base and fixedly attached to said cap, the axis of said shaft being perpendicular to said base and the plane of rotation between said hollow portion and said cap being at a 45 degree angle to the axis of said shaft, a manually actuatable clip, having a rest position and a displaced position, located on said hollow portion of said body, said clip restricting rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap through the engagement of teeth on said clip with corresponding teeth on said cap, and a clamp for restricting the rotational movement of said shaft relative to said base wherein said clamp comprises a sleeve encompassing said shaft and adapted to engage the surface of said base.

13. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 12 wherein said sleeve and said base have interlocking teeth.

14. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 13 wherein said sleeve is slidably mounted on said shaft and includes means to prevent rotational movement about said shaft.

15. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 14 wherein said means to prevent rotational movement comprises at least one flattened portion on the inside surface of said sleeve which corresponds to at least one flattened portion on said shaft.

16. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 15 wherein said shaft is at least partially threaded and said clamp includes a nut threaded onto said shaft, said nut bearing against said sleeve to enhance the engagement of said interlocking teeth on said sleeve and said base.

17. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 16 wherein said nut has raised gripping ridges on its exterior surface.

18. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 17 wherein said nut has raised nibs on the surface contacting said sleeve, said nibs reducing the frictional contact between said nut and said sleeve.

19. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 18 wherein said hollow portion of said body houses a light socket.

20. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 19 wherein said body, said shaft and said base have hollow passageways to allow for the passage of electrical wires from said light socket through said body, said shaft and said base.

21. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hollow portion has a stop to restrict the rotational movement of said hollow portion about said cap in excess of 360 degrees.

22. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 21 wherein said body includes a seal mounted on said open end, said seal providing a moisture resistant barrier for the inside of said hollow portion when a light bulb is received into said light socket.

23. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 22 wherein said seal includes at least two outwardly extending tabs which engage holes in said hollow portion, said tabs releasably securing said seal on said open end.

24. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 23 wherein said seal is comprised of a flexible rubberized material.

25. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 24 having an O-ring seal at the juncture of said hollow portion and said cap.

26. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 25 wherein said hollow portion and said cap are rotably attached by axial means.

27. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 26 wherein said axial means is a screw, bolt or pin.

28. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claim 26 wherein said axial means comprises prongs which extend outwardly from said hollow portion, said prongs engaging a socket in said cap to rotably attach said hollow portion to said cap.

29. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claims 1, 12, 27 or 28 made from an impact resistant material.

30. A weatherproof light fixture as claimed in claims 1, 12, 27 or 28 made from weather resistant plastic.