GB2045417A - Luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

A pole-mounted luminaire (10) is constructed to provide a square pattern of light distribution. Ready access to the luminaire's internal components, for example a reflector (19), a transformer (45), and a capacitor (47) is assured by utilization of a spring-loaded, easily removable top cover (57). The cover (57) includes a reflective surface (77) thereon which aligns with an aperture (75) located in the apex portion of the reflector (19) when the cover is in the closed position. The cover (57) is hinged by means of pivoted arms (59, 59') to a rectangular housing (11) comprising four side walls (13). The walls (13) are formed as identical aluminium castings which are interengaged and screwed together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Luminaire The present invention relates to luminaires and particularly to enclosed luminaires concerned with illuminating public areas such as parking lots, malls, parks, walkways, etc.

Even more particularly, the invention relates to luminaires of the above variety which are capable of providing direct lighting to those areas.

Luminaires of the type described are typically mounted on poles or similar supportive structures at elevations usually ranging from twenty to fifty feet. Accordingly, it is understood that a highly desirable feature of such devices is that maintenance thereof should be capable of accomplishment in a safe and expeditious manner.

Heretofore, servicing of most prior art luminaires involved releasing and lowering a pivotal bottom portion of the device and thereafter reaching upwardly to repair or replace the defective component. An example of such a luminaire is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,028,541. In addition to the generally awkward situation created by the aforedescribed requirements, luminaires such as shown in 4,028,541 proved relatively costly to produce due to the need for elaborate pivot and latch mechanisms required to provide the described release and retention of the luminaire's bottom portion during periods of repair and operation respectively. It was also possible for such retention mechanisms to fail, particularly during periods of high wind turbulence about the luminaire.

It is believed, therefore, that a luminaire for use in an outdoor environment which is relatively inexpensive to produce compared to prior art devices and which is capable of being serviced in a relatively safe and expeditious manner would constitute a significant advancement in the art.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a luminaire comprising: a housing including a plurality of upstanding side walls, and spaced-apart upper and lower openings therein; a substantially concave reflector located within said housing and adapted to have a light source positioned therein, said reflector being arranged to direct the light from said light source toward said lower opening within said housing; a light-transmitbng member positioned within said lower opening of said housing so that said light from said light source passes therethrough and illuminates an area below said luminaire in a predetermined pattern when said luminaire is substantially horizontally aligned; and a cover member secured to at least one of said upstanding said walls of said housing in such a manner that it can occupy first and second positions with respect thereto, said cover member being arranged to cover said upper opening of said housing when in first position and permitting access to the interior of said housing when in said second position.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a luminaire in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, said luminaire having one side partially removed and the top cover in the open position; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the luminaire of Fig. 1 with the top cover in the closed position; Fig. 3 is a partial plan view, in section, illustrating the mating relationship between two of the upstanding side walls of the invention; and Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the present invention, as assembled, including various means for mounting the invention on a pole or similar supportive structure.

Referring to Fig. 1 , there is shown a luminaire 10 which is designed for providing direct illumination on a planar area located therebelow when the luminaire is oriented in a horizontal manner. By direct illumination is meant that from about ninety to one hundred percent of the luminaire's light output is directed downward during operation. As will be defined, the pattern of illumination produced by luminaire 10 is substantially square in configuration when directed upon a planar area below the luminaire.

As will be further defined, this pattern is in the Form of a type V distribution: that is, luminaire irradiates in a substantially uniform manner to all locations in the square pattern, including the diagonals thereof.

Luminaire 10 comprises a rectangular housing 11 which includes four upstanding side walls 13.

One of the walls 13 is partially removed from the housing 11 in Fig. 1 for clarification purposes. An important feature of the luminaire 10 is that the walls 1 3 are similar in configuration, thus significantly reducing known manufacturing costs and also assuring ease of assembly. Typical prior art luminaires have hitherto included housings formed as a single piece casting, or by means of welded extrusions. Still another costly technique involved forming and welding sections of sheet metal. The present invention eliminates the above need for complex moulds, welding, etc. in that the four side walls 13, preferably aluminium, may be cast from a single mould and thereafter assembled with relative ease (in a manner to be described below).

When fully assembled (Fig. 2), the housing 11 defines upper and lower openings 1 5 and 17, respectively. It is understood that these openings assume the defined positioning relationship within the housing 11 when luminaire 10 is oriented in a horizontal operating position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Located within the housing 11 is a concave reflector 1 9 which is secured (e.g. by screws) to a base plate 22 which in turn is secured (e.g. also by screws) to at least one, and preferably all, of the projecting base portions 23 of side walls 1 3. It is understood that the reflector 1 9 could be directly attached to the portions 23, thus excluding the need for the plate 22. The illustrated arrangement is preferred, however, for ease of assembly and to promote rigidity of the reflector.The base plate 22 includes an opening therein which aligns with the forward, emitting end of the reflector 1 9. The plate 22 also includes a plurality of extending members ("bumps") 25 about the periphery thereof which assure an appropriate spacing between the reflector and a substantially planar lighttransmitting member 27 located within the lower opening 1 7 and serving as a closure therefor. The member 27 may be clear, diffused, or prismatic. A gasket 31 is used to seal the member 27 within the opening 1 7.

The reflector 1 9 is preferably specular reflective; that is, the angle between the reflected pencil (or ray) of light and a normal to the surface of the reflector will equal the angle between the incident pencil (or ray) and said normal. Examples of suitable specular reflective materials for the reflector 1 9 include polished and electrolytically formed anodic oxide on aluminium, and firstsurface silvered glass or plastic mirrors. As shown in Fig. 2, the reflector 1 9 is comprised of several, individual planar reflecting segments 19' which assure the aforedescribed square pattern of light on the area below (direction "B") the luminaire 10.

The reflector 1 9 also includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs 20 which are formed as extensions of the segments 19' and are bonded together during assembly of the reflector.

The preferred light source 35 for the luminaire 10 is a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp, such lamps well known in the industry for possessing high efficacy, long life, and good lumen maintenance. Additionally, HID lamps each provide a compact light source which permits effective light control by a reflector component when positioned therein. The three principal HID lamps currently in use arse mercury, high pressure sodium, and metal halide. Examples of HID lamps suitable for use in the luminaire 10 are described in U.S. Patents Nos. 3,714,485 (C. L. Peterson et al), 4,037,129 (A. T. Zack et al) and 4,053,805 (J.

A. Scholz et al), all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present Application. The lamp 35 is located within a socket 37 which projects through a relatively small opening 39 within the side of the reflector 1 9. The socket 37 is secured to an upright support 41 which in turn includes an orifice therein through which the respective electrical wiring 43 may pass. The wiring 43 connects the socket 37 to electrical ballast components located within the housing 11. These components serve to operate the lamp 35 when the luminaire 10 is electrically connected to a suitable, external line source, and include a transformer 45 and a capacitor 47. Examples of both of these components are well known in the art and further description is not believed necessary.Further description isalso not believed necessary for the circuit arrangement which includes these components and the socket 37 because such an arrangement is well within the capabilities of one skilled in the art. Of particular significance, however, is the manner in which the transformer 45 and the capacitor 47 are oriented within the housing 11. Each of these components is located on a respective tray member 49 which in turn is attached on opposing, facing side wails 13 in order to assure maximum spacing between the ballast components. This separation is deemed important to make the luminaire 10 less sensitive to critical temperatures.That is any excessive heat generated by one component will be adequately removed by the heat conductive side walls 1 3 to the luminaire's external environment rather than adversely affect the remaining component.

The trays 49 are especially designed for rapid removal from the housing 11 (through the upper opening 1 5). Each includes a pair of spaced keyholes 51 which each accommodate a retention bolt 53. After completing electrical disconnection.

a person servicing the luminaire 10 has only to loosen the bolts 53, slightly move the tray 49 to one side, and thereafter effect removal. Each tray is also provided with a handle 55 to facilitate this procedure.

The luminaire 10 further includes a top cover 57 which is secured to at least one side wall 13 and occupies first (closed) and second (open) positions with respect to the housing 11. The cover 57 is shown in the closed position in Fig. 2 and in the fully open position in Fig. 1. The direction of closure ("C") is illustrated in both Figs.

1 and 2. With particular regard to Fig. 1, the cover 57 is hinged on opposing sides thereof to two facing side walls. Each hinge assembly includes a pair of different length arms 59 and 59' (arm 59' being the longer), each of which is secured at one end to the cover 57 and at the other to a flange 61 (only one shown) which forms an extension of one of the walls 13. The arms 59' are connected to the flange 61 at a lower elevation than the arms 59 to assure that the cover 57 will assume a position parallel to the upper surface of housing 11 immediately prior to final closure. This prevents possible bending (or bowing) of the cover 57, thereby assuring an effective seal between the cover and the upper surfaces of the walls 1 3. A gasket 63 is provided atop each wall to further assure the aforedescribed seal.The cover 57 is retained in the closed position by four quick release screws 65. The cover 57 is provided with four holes 67 (two shown in Fig. 1) and each wall 13 is provided with a single hole 69 to accommodate screws 65. The defined openings are preferably located at the approximate centre of the respective part.

Release of the cover 57 is facilitated by provision of a biasing means 71 which continuously biases the cover toward the open position. The means 71 comprises a spring 73 secured (via screws) to the upstanding side wall between the walls accommodating the cover's hinge assemblies. The spring 73, being pre stressed, maintains engagement with an internal surface of the cover 57 and exerts its areatest force when the cover is fully closed and sealed.

Accordingly, when the person servicing the luminaire 10 releases the screws 65, the cover will rapidly open to the aforedefined parallel position. At this position, the cover is approximately 0.500 inch from the upper edges of the walls 13 such that it can be readily grasped and further removed to the fully open position.

As understood from the foregoing, the luminaire 10 readily lends itself to servicing during periods of needed replacement and repair. To even further promote this aspect of the invention, the reflector 1 9 includes an aperture 75 within the apex portion thereof such that a person desiring to replace the lamp 35 may do so merely by reaching through the aperture 75 and thereafter unscrewing and removing the lamp. To accommodate for the loss of reflective surfaces taken by the provision of the aperture 75, the top cover 57 is provided with a substantially planar reflective surface 77 which aligns with the reflector 19 in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The surface 77 is preferably diffusively reflective; that is, the material for the surface 77 is roughened or is composed of minute crystals or pigment particles.Accordingly, each ray of incident light obeys the iaw of reflection but because the surface of the particles are at different planes, the light is reflected at many angles. Understandably, this light is also directed toward the lower opening 1 7 of reflector 1 9. Suitable materials for the diffusely reflective surface 77 include flat paints and other matte finishes. The surface 77 may also be diffuse-specular wherein from about 5 to 1 5 percent of the incident light is directionally controlled. Examples of this material include porcelain enamel, glossy synthetic finishes, and other surfaces with a shiny, transparent finish over a matte base.

The partial view in Fig. 3 represents the interlocking relationship between two adjacent side walls 13 of the housing 11. One end of each wall includes a substantially solid, triangularshaped portion 78 having an elongated groove or slot 79 therein. The opposing end walls 1 3 each include an angular flange portion 83 having an elongated rib 85 thereon. As shown in Fig. 3, the ribs 85 aligns within the groove 79 to interlock the respective walls 1 3. A seal is assured between the walls 1 3 in Fig. 3 by the provision of a second groove 86 within the triangular portion 78, said groove including a plastic seal material 86' (e.g.

silicone) therein. Three screws 87 (one being shown in Fig. 3) are used to achieve final securing of these parts. Three openings 89 are provided in each flange 83 to accommodate the screws 87. It is thus seen that the separation of each wall 1 3 from the remaining walls of the housing 11 is initially accomplished from within the confines of the housing itself.

In Figs. 4 and 5, there are shown two different embodiments of means for mounting the luminaire 10 on a pole 91 or similar supportive structure. In Fig. 4, a mounting arm 93 (see also Fig. 1) is secured to one of the walls 13 and includes at least one opening 95 therethrough in which the required wiring (not shown) for interconnecting the luminaire 10 to an external line source may be located. The arm 93 may be attached to the wall 13 and the pole 91 by bolts.

In Fig. 5, a U-shaped yoke 97 is used to secure the luminaire 10 atop a pole 91. The yoke 97 is secured to opposing side walls 13 by bolts 99 (only two being shown).

There has thus been shown and described a direct luminaire which readily lends itself to servicing by provision of a top cover hingedly secured to the luminaire's housing for permitting access to the interior thereof when open.

Accordingly, service may be accomplished frorn the top down rather than from the bottom up, thus facilitating this procedure. Service is even further enhanced by spacedly positioning the luminaire's ballast components on readily removable trays and by providing an aperture within the apex portion of the luminaire's reflector to permit rapid removal of the light source therefrom. As described, the arrangement provides a substantially square pattern of light distribution on a surface located below the luminaire. This feature represents a significant advantage over luminaires which provide round or oval light patterns, particularly when the luminaire is utilized in combination with other, similar components, by substantially eliminating much of the excessive overlapping of illumination required in arrangements of round or oval pattern devices.

Accordingly, fewer luminaires of the kind described above can be employed to adequately illuminate the same area covered by the aforedescribed round or oval devices.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended Claims.

Claims (1)

1. A luminaire comprising: a housing including a plurality of upstanding side walls, and spaced-apart upper and lower openings therein; a substantially concave reflector located within said housing and adapted to have a light source positioned therein, said reflector being arranged to direct the light from said light source toward said lower opening within said housing; a light-transmitting member positioned within said lower opening of said housing so that said light from said light source passes therethrough and illuminates an area below said luminaire in a predetermined pattern when said luminaire is substantially horizontally aligned; and a cover member secured to at least one of said upstanding said walls of said housing in such a manner that it can occupy first and second positions with respect thereto, said cover member being arranged to cover said upper opening of said housing when in first position and permitting access to the interior of said housing when in said second position.

2. A luminaire according to Claim 1, wherein each of said upstanding side walls is separable from the remainder of said housing.

3. A luminaire according to any one of Claims 1 wherein the number of said side walls is four.

5. A luminaire according to any of Claims 1-4, wherein said concave reflector includes an aperture within the apex portion thereof.

6. A luminaire according to Claim 5, wherein said cover member includes a reflective surface thereon, said reflective surface being located adjacent said aperture within said reflector in order to reflect light from said light source toward said lower opening of said housing, when said cover member occupies said first position.

7. A luminaire according to Claim 6, wherein said reflective surface is substantially planar.

8. A lurninaire according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein said reflective surface is diffusively reflective.

9. A luminaire according to Claim 8, wherein said concave reflector is specularly reflective.

10. A luminaire according to any one of Claims 1-9, wherein said cover member is hingedly mounted on two opposing side walls of said housing.

11. A luminaire according to any one of Claims 1-10, further including light source ballast components located within said housing, each of said components being attached to a tray member which is readily removable from within said housing through said upper opening when said cover member occupies said second position.

12. A luminaire according any one of Claims 1-11, wherein the arrangement is such that said area below said luminaire occupies a plane and said pattern of light thereon is substantially square in configuration.

13. A luminaire according to any one of Claims 1-12, further including means for biasing said cover member toward said second position.

14. A luminaire according to Claim 13, wherein said means for biasing said cover member comprises a spring secured to one of said upstanding side walls, the arrangement being such that said spring in a stressed condition and in contact with said cover member when the latter is in said first position.

1 5. A luminaire substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 6. The features as herein described, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.