US3679891A

US3679891A - Lighting fixture adapted to be mounted on a pole

Info

Publication number: US3679891A
Application number: US4212A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilbert Quack
Original assignee: Holophane Corp
Current assignee: HOLAPHANE COMPANY Inc A CORP OF DE; Johns Manville; Holophane Corp
Priority date: 1970-01-20
Filing date: 1970-01-20
Publication date: 1972-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-25
Also published as: CA923865A

Abstract

A pole mounted lighting fixture includes a lamp enclosure, i.e., a refractor, having opposed apertures. A lamp mounting adaptor for supporting the electrical components of the lamp, is inserted into the end of the pole and has a lip engaging the end of the pole. The refractor engages the other side of the lip and is held in place by an internally mounted latching ring which cooperates with a tapered surface on the inside of the pole. A cover plate for the other aperture has externally operated screws with nuts extending through the aperture to engage the inner surface of the refractor.

Description

I Unlted States Patent 1151 3,679,89 1 Quack 1 July 25, 1972 [54] LIGHTING FIXTURE ADAPTED TO BE 1,869,026 7/1932 Shaw et al ..240/13s MOUNTED ON A POLE 1,961,462 6/1934 Steinmayer et al.. .....240/l35 3,317,724 /1967 Pfafi et al. ..240/ 1 Invent Wflbe" Q Newark, Ohm 3,482,087 12/1969 Kelley, Jr... ..240/25 [73] Assignee: l-lolophane Company, Inc., New York, 3*396'268 8/1968 coho" 240/126 NY. 1,844,685 2/1932 Rowe 240/135 2,539,746 l/195l Masterson et a1. ..240/81 Filed? J 1970 3,131,899 5/1964 Luhrs 240/188 3,129,020 4/1964 Bujnowski ..29/453 [21] Appl 3,023,925 3/1962 Sher ..220/ x [52] U.S. Cl ..240/52, 220/55 B, 240/25, Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser 240/131, 240/ 147, 287/20 Assistant Examiner-Marvin Smollar [51] Int. Cl. ..F21v 17/00 Attorney-Nolte and Nolte [5 8] Field of Search ..240/25, 27-34,

240/84, 100, 106, -135, 147, 52, 52.1, 54 R, [57] ABSTRACT 51.11A, 73QD,73JC, 73 BJ,62A,DIG. 3,81R, 81 A, 153 85; 287/20; 248/188; 29/453; 220/55 B, pole mounted lightlng fixture includes a lamp enclosure, 55 E 55 G re, a refractor, having opposed apertures. A lamp mounting adaptor for supporting the electrical components of the lamp, is inserted into the end of the pole and has a lip engaging the [56] References Cited end of the pole. The refractor engages the other side of the lip UNITED STATES PATENTS and is held in place by an internally mounted latching ring which cooperates with a tapered surface on the inside of the 1,888,836 11/1932 Rowe ..240/ 1 A cover plate f the other aperture has externally 10703691 12/1962 Rehch" "240/147 operated screws with nuts extending through the aperture to 3,370,165 2/1968 Chan "240/147 engage the inner surface of the refractor. 3,194,952 7/1965 Wells. 240/25 X 3,231,734 1/1966 Stiffel ..240/81 18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures izl Parimanmzs 1912 3379.891

sum

2 or 2 INVENTOR MLBEPT Quack BY m @75 ATTORNEYS LIGHTING FIXTURE ADAP'I'ED TO BE MOUNTED ON A POLE This invention relates to lighting fixtures, and more in particular to a lighting fixture of the type adapted to be mounted or supported on the end of a pole or similar structure.

In the past, a number of different techniques have been employed for mounting lighting fixtures on the end of poles. As an example, in one previous structure, a metal frame was designed to slip over the end of the pole and be anchored thereon by external set screws. The frame held flat glass side panels, and was designed so that the socket and light source were plainly visible. In other arrangements, cast or spun socket housings were provided that held a glass refractor or globe in place and were attached externally to the pole, so that the attaching screws were visible.

In other types of units, for example for use with mercury lamps, the socket housing was made sufficiently large to contain all of the electrical components required for operation of the lamp, or alternatively, additional means had to be provided for mounting the electrical components remotely of the lamp. Such arrangements, however, have usually been large and unsightly.

In each of the above described lighting fixtures, there are at least two visible joints at the base of the fixture, i.e., the joint between the external sleeve and the refractor or other glass member, and the joint between the external sleeve and the pole. Such joints detract from the appearance of the fixture, and were difficult to seal against the entry of water and insects. In addition, the external set screws required were accessible to vandals.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a pole mounted lighting structure that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior structures.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a pole mounted lighting fixture is provided which comprises a lamp enclosure, for example in the form of a refractor, having a pair of opposed apertures. A lamp mounting adaptor is provided for supporting the electrical components of the lamp within the pole. For example, the lamp mounting adaptor may be a cylindrical member adapted to be inserted within the ends of the pole, and having an outwardly extending lip to engage the end of the pole. The lamp socket may be mounted within the recess of the cylinder, and a bottom wall may be provided on the cylinder to support additional electrical components within the pole.

The refractor is positioned on the opposite side of the lip of the mounting adaptor, and a mounting ring is provided within the refractor and surrounding the aperture in the refractor. The mounting ring carries a plurality of latching levers which extend through the aperture in the refractor and slots in the lamp adaptor to engage tapered inside surfaces in the pole. The latch levers are controlled by the screws in the mounting ring from within the refractor.

A cover plate is provided on the opposing aperture in the refractor and this plate is held in place by means of screws extending through the cover plate and having tightly fitting shaped nuts adapted to engage the inner surface of the refractor upon rotation. A spacing strap extends between these screws has tabs for limiting the movements of the nuts, and the strap also serves to maintain the screws in alignment.

In order that the invention will be more clearly understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of a lighting fixture according to a preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded partially cross-sectional view of a portion of the fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan section taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an inverted plan section taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 1, with the holding nuts shown in open position in full lines, and in locked position in dot-dash lines.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a lighting fixture denoted generally by the numeral 10 adapted to be mounted on the end of a pole 11 or similar structure. Although the invention is described with reference to a fixture mounted on the top pole, it will be obvious that the invention is adaptable to the mounting of a fixture on the end of a pole having any angular alignment.

The upper end 12 of the pole is formed with a tapered portion 13, so that the inner surface of the pole has a surface that tapers inwardly toward the end of the pole. This surface may be formed, for example, by spinning, or if the pole has a sufficient thickness, by matching.

A lamp mounting adaptor 14 is inserted within the end of the pole. This mounting adaptor may have a cylindrical portion 15 extending within the pole and having a radially outwardly extending lip 16 engaging the end of the pole. A suitable gasket 17 may be provided between the end 12 of the pole and the lip 16. The other end of the cylinder 15 is enclosed by a circular plate 18 which may be formed integrally with the cylinder 15. A suitable lamp socket 19 is mounted within the cylinder 15 and extends outwardly from the end of the pole for holding a lamp 20, for example, in axial alignment with the pole. The socket l9 and the lamp 20 may be of conventional manufacture, and the socket may be held on the bottom plate 18 by any connectional means, such as by screws extending through the plate 18.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is adapted for use with a mercury lamp, which may require the use of a transformer 25 and a capacitor 26. According to the invention, these components may be mounted on the adaptor 14 so that they are suspended within the post 11. For example, a pair of

plates

30 and 31 may be held within the post 11 by means of

screws

32 and 33 extending upwardly from the plate 31 through the plate 30 and into the plate 18. The transformer 25 is held between the plate 30 and a stepped downwardly extending member 34 on the adaptor 14. The steps on the member 34 prevent lateral movement of the transformer 25 in one direction. The edges 35 of the plate 30 may be bent upwardly, as shown at 35, in order to prevent lateral movement of the transformer 25 in the other lateral directions. The lower plate 31 is spaced from the plate 30 by means of spacers 36 surrounding the

screws

32 and 33, and the capacitor 26 is mounted in an aperture in the plate 31 and held in a downwardly extending position by means of push expansion pins 37. It will be understood, of course, that the illustrated arrangement is exemplary only and the components may be mounted in other manners from the adaptor l4, and that additional components may also be mounted from the adaptor 14 as the need arises. The wiring of the components within the post 11 has been omitted for the sake of clarity, and any conventional wiring arrangement may be employed. In order to facilitate extending of the conductors to the socket 19, a central aperture 38 may be provided in the plate 18.

The upper end of the lighting fixture is enclosed by a suitable light transmitting enclosure, which is preferably in the form of a refractor 40 having a lower aperture 41 and an upper aperture 42, with both apertures aligned with the axis of the post 11. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the refractor 40 is comprised of a lower bowl-shaped shell 43 and an upper bowl-shaped shell 44 of glass or other suitable light-transmitting material, such as, a plastic material, with the shells having suitable refracting ridges for directing the light in the desired manner. The upper shell is inverted, and

shells

43 and 44 are sealed together at a central joint 45 to form the enclosure. An external ring 46 may be provided around the circumference of the joint 43 for additional sealing and for ornamental purposes. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the form of refractor shown, and the refractor may thus, for example, be globe-shaped, or may partially be formed of non-light transmitting members with light transmitting panels, and also that the refracting ridges may be omitted if desired. For the sake of convenience, however, the term refractor is employed in the specification to include all such other obvious light transmitting enclosure structures.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower aperture 41 of the refractor is aligned with the top of the pole 11, and a suitable sealing ring 47 is provided between the bottom of the refractor surrounding the aperture 41 and the top of the lip 16 of the lamp adaptor. If desired, the refractor may be formed so that the portion thereof surrounding the aperture 41 is recessed, so that the bottom of the refractor surrounds the seals on both sides of the lip 16. This renders the joints much less visible, and also partially protects the joints from the entry of water into the fixture.

In order to hold the refractor and mounting adaptor in place, a mounting ring 50 is provided within the enclosure. The ring 50 has a cylindrical central portion 51, from which a lip 52 extends radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the refractor 40 surrounding the aperture 41.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ring 50 also has a plurality, preferably three, of bosses 55 for holding a latching mechanism. While the configuration of the bosses may be varied, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the bosses 55 are arranged symmetrically on the ring 50 and have upwardly extending portions 56 extending above the cylinder 51, fillet portions 57 extending between the top surface of the lip 52 and the outer surface of the cylinder 51 and lower extensions 58 extending from the portions 56 internally of the cylinder 51. In addition, a radially outwardly extending slot 59 extends through the ring 50 at each boss, so that only the upwardly projecting portions 56 bridge the slots at each boss.

A latching lever 60 is provided in each of the slots 59, and is mounted for rotation about a pin 61 extending through the fillet portion 57. The latching levers 60 extend downwardly through the aperture 41 and into the top of the pole 11, and have radially outwardly extending projections 62 on their lower ends adapted to engage the inner tapered surface 13 of the pole. The lamp adaptor 14 is, of course, provided with slots 63 to permit free movement of the levers 60 therethrough.

A vertically extending screw 64 is threaded in each of the upper portions 56 of the bosses, and is adapted to engage an upper surface of the respective lever 60, so that downward movement of the screws 64 forces the portions 62 of each lever against the inner tapered surface 13 of the pole.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the upper aperture 42 of the refractor is provided with an external cover plate 70 positioned over the aperture, with a suitable ring-shaped gasket 71 being provided between the cover plate 70 and the outer surface of the refractor surrounding the aperture 42. In order to hold the cover plate in position, a pair of screws 72 are provided extending through the cover plate, for external manipulation, at a pair of diametrically opposed positions adjacent the edges of the aperture 42. Each of the screws 72 is provided with an internal shaped nut 73. The nuts 73 do not turn freely on their respective screws, and some friction is intentionally introduced between these members. For example, the screws 72 may be provided with nylon inserts (not shown) according to the conventional practice, in order to prevent free movement of the nuts 73. A strap 74 is provided beneath the cover plate 70, and having a hole in each end through which the screws 72 extend. The ends of the strap 74 are bent upwardly to engage the bottom of the cover plate 70, in order to space the strap 74 from the cover plate 70. Each end of the strap 74 is also provided with a downwardly extending tab 75 in the proximity of the screw 72, for a purpose that will be described more fully in the following paragraphs.

The nuts 73 have a lower extension 76 that extends radially from the screws 72 a sufficient distance to engage the inner surface of the refractor 40 surrounding the aperture 42. The opposite side of the nut is also provided with an extension 77 adapted to engage the tab 75 to prevent rotation of the nut in one direction when the extension 76 is aligned with the inner surface of the refractor. The remaining edges of the nut "73 are provided with suitable shapes so that when the screw is turned in the opposite direction, another edge of the nut engages the tab 75 to hold the nut in a position in which all portions of the nut are free of the refractor. In addition to restraining the movement of the nut 73, the strap 74 also serves to space the screws 72 so that their lower ends do not move inwardly when they are tightened. Suitable gaskets, such as O-rings 78 may be provided between the heads of the screws 72 and the cover plate 70, and in order to avoid projections from the top of the plate 70, the screws 72 may be flat-headed, with the cover plate being inwardly dimpled to receive the screws.

In order to assemble the lighting fixture of my invention, the necessary components are first assembled on the adaptor l4, and suitably connected to wires extending upwardly through the pole 11. The assembled adaptor is then inserted in the end of the pole, with the gaskets engaging the lip 16, and the refractor is positioned over the adaptor 14. The ring 50 is placed within the refractor in the indicated position, and the screws 64 are tightened to clamp the adaptor l4 and refractor to the end of the post. The lamp 20 may now be placed in its socket 19. The cover plate assembly for the aperture 72 is now positioned over the aperture 42 and the screws 74 are tightened. Since the nuts 73 are frictionally held on the screws 74 the nuts will turn until the extension 76 engages the inner surface of the refractor, or the projections 77 engage the tab 75, to permit tightening of the nuts.

The fixture of my invention is thus assembled primarily from within the light transmitting enclosure by way of aperture 42, so that external screws are not necessary for mounting the fixture on a post, and so that the exposure and visibility of the mounting seals are minimized. Further, while the cover plate assembly for the aperture 42 has particular adaptability to the lighting fixture according to my invention, it will be apparent that this arrangement may also be employed within the scope of my invention for other applications, such as door latches or cover plates for apertures not necessarily associated with lighting fixtures.

In addition, it will be apparent that the mounting arrangement of my invention is also useful in the mounting of other lamp enclosure devices, such as reflectors, especially in locations where it would be difficult to mount the device externally of the enclosure due to space limitations, and it is hence contemplated that the invention extends to the use of such other lamp enclosure devices.

It is further to be understood that while the embodiment herein shown and described represents my invention in its preferred form, changes may be made in the structure without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a lighting fixture of the type adapted to be mounted on an end of a pole-shaped member, wherein the fixture com prises a lamp enclosure, means for mounting the enclosure on the end of the pole-shaped member and electric assembly means positioned within the enclosure; the improvement wherein the internal surface of the end of the pole-shaped member is provided with a latch engaging means, said electric assembly means comprises a mounting adaptor engaging the end of the pole-shaped member and having portions extending axially inwardly and downwardly in said pole-shaped member for the mounting of electrical components, said enclosure has an upper surface, and a lower surface, an aperture in said lower surface said enclosure has an aperture and is positioned to engage said adaptor in axial alignment with said pole, and wherein said means for mounting said enclosure and adaptor on said pole-shaped member comprises clamping ring means positioned within said enclosure and engaging the internal surface of said enclosure surrounding said aperture and having latch means operable from within said enclosure and engaging said latch engaging means, and means in said upper surface providing access to the interior of said lamp enclosure.

2. Improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means in said upper surface comprises a second aperture aligned with said first mentioned aperture and cover plate means releasably mounted to cover said second aperture.

3. A lighting fixture comprising a mounting pole having a tapered inner surface adjacent one end thereof tapering inwardly toward said one end, a mounting adaptor comprising means for mounting electric components within said end of said pole and having an outwardly extending lip axially engaging said end of said pole, a refractor having first and second oppositely disposed apertures, said refractor being positioned with the outer surface thereof surrounding said first aperture engaging the side of said lip away from said end of said pole, a clamping ring within said refractor having a radially outwardly extending lip axially engaging the inner surface of said refractor surrounding said first aperture, said ring further comprising latch lever means extending through said first aperture and releasably engaging said tapered surface, and means within said refractor for controlling the movement of said latch lever means,, said second aperture providing access to the interior of the refractor.

4. The fixture of claim 3 further comprising cover plate means releasable from externally of said refractor and positioned to cover said second aperture.

5. The fixture of claim 3 wherein said mounting adaptor comprises a cylindrical member inserted within the end of said pole and having slots to permit said latching levers to engage said tapered surface, said first mentioned lip extending radially outward from one end of said cylindrical member, and a mounting plate on the other end of said cylindrical member, and wherein said fixture further comprises a lamp socket mounted on said plate and extending therefrom into said refractor for holding an electric lamp.

6. The fixture of claim 3 wherein said clamping ring comprises a cylindrical member from which said second-mentioned lip radially extends, a plurality of bosses symmetrically disposed on said cylindrical member, a slot radially extending through the portion of said ring on the end thereof toward said pole at each boss, and means for pivotally mounting said latch lever means in said slots.

7. The fixture of claim 3 wherein said refractor comprises first and second bowl-shaped members of light transmitting material, said bowl-shaped members being inverted with respect to each other and sealingly joined at their edges to form an enclosure, said first and second apertures extending respectively through the bottoms of said first and second bowl-shaped members.

8. The fixture of claim 3 wherein the edge of said first aperture in said refractor is recessed within said refractor whereby said refractor has portions radially aligned with said end of said post.

9. The fixture of claim 5 further comprising additional electric components and means for mounting said additional electric components within said pole on the side of said plate means away from said one end of said pole.

10. The fixture of claim 9 wherein said means for mounting said additional electric components comprises second plate means within said pole and spaced from said first-mentioned plate means on the side thereof away from said end of said pole, a first electric component positioned between said second plate means and said first-mentioned plate means, and screw means extending parallel to the axis of said pole between said second plate means and said first-mentioned plate means for holding said first electric component therebetween.

11. The fixture of claim 10 wherein said mounting adaptor further comprises stepped retaining means for engaging one end of said first electric component for inhibiting lateral movement thereof, and said second plate means has axially extending edge portions for inhibiting lateral movement of said first electric component.

12. The fixture of claim 10, wherein said means for mounting said electric components further comprises third plate means spaced from said second plate means within said pole away from said one end thereof, said screw means being positioned to hold said third plate means, and means for mounting additional electric components on said third late means.

13. The fixture of claim 6 wherein sai means for controlling said latch lever means comprises screws threaded in said bosses and extending parallel to the axis of said pole for engaging said latch lever means, whereby the heads of said screws are accessible within said refractor.

14. The fixture of claim 4 wherein said cover plate means comprises a cover plate positioned over said second aperture externally of said refractor, a pair of screws extending through said cover plate and second aperture adjacent opposite sides of said second aperture, strap means extending between said screws within said aperture, whereby said screws extend through said strap means, means for spacing said strap means from said cover plate, and nut means on said screw means within said refractor, said nut means having radial extensions for axially engaging the inner surface of said refractor adjacent said second aperture.

15. The fixture of claim 14 wherein said strap means has tab means extending internally of said refractor adjacent to each of said screws, said nut means having extensions adapted to engage said tab means for inhibiting rotation of said nut means when said first-mentioned extensions are axially aligned with the inner surface of said refractor, said nut means being frictionally fitted on said screws to inhibit free rotation thereon.

16. In a lighting fixture of the type including a pole-shaped support adapted to convey electrical leads to a lamp and lamp mounting assembly mounted at an end of said support, retaining means within said end of said support, a lamp enclosure surrounding the lamp of said assembly, said enclosure having upper and lower surfaces and an aperture aligned with said end of said support in said lower surface, means providing access to the interior of said enclosure located on the upper surface of said enclosure, and means for holding said enclosure with respect to said support; the improvement wherein said means for holding comprises a unitary assembly having a first portion extending through said aperture and capable of engaging said retaining means, a second portion contacting the inner surface of said enclosure adjacent said aperture, and an actuating means within said enclosure for causing said first portion to engage and disengage from said retaining means, whereby said means for holding is removeable as a unitary assembly from within said enclosure.

17. The fixture of claim 16 wherein said means providing access comprises a second aperture aligned with said first mentioned aperture and cover plate means releasably mounted to cover said second aperture.

18. The fixture of claim 16 wherein said lamp mounting assembly has a portion extending outwardly between said end of said support and the outer surface of said enclosure and surrounding said aperture, whereby said holding device holds said enclosure and mounting assembly on said end of said support, and said mounting assembly has an aperture through which said first mentioned portion of said holding device extends.

Claims

1. In a lighting fixture of the type adapted to be mounted on an end of a pole-shaped member, wherein the fixture comprises a lamp enclosure, means for mounting the enclosure on the end of the pole-shaped member and electric assembly means positioned within the enclosure; the improvement wherein the internal surface of the end of the pole-shaped member is provided with a latch engaging means, said electric assembly means comprises a mounting adaptor engaging the end of the pole-shaped member and having portions extending axially inwardly and downwardly in said poleshaped member for the mounting of electrical components, said enclosure has an upper surface, and a lower surface, an aperture in said lower surface said enclosure has an aperture and is positioned to engage said adaptor in axial alignment with said pole, and wherein said means for mounting said enclosure and adaptor on said pole-shaped member comprises clamping ring means positioned within said enclosure and engaging the internal surface of said enclosure surrounding said aperture and having latch means operable from within said enclosure and engaging said latch engaging means, and means in said upper surface providing access to the interior of said lamp enclosure.

3. A lighting fixture comprising a mounting pole having a tapered inner surface adjacent one end thereof tapering inwardly toward said one end, a mounting adaptor comprising means for mounting electric components within said end of said pole and having an outwardly extending lip axially engaging said end of said pole, a refractor having first and second oppositely disposed apertures, said refractor being positioned with the outer surface thereof surrounding said first aperture engaging the side of said lip away from said end of said pole, a clamping ring within said refractor having a radially outwardly extending lip axially engaging the inner surface of said refractor surrounding said first aperture, said ring further comprising latch lever means extending through said first aperture and releasably engaging said tapered surface, and means within said refractor for controlling the movement of said latch lever means, , said second aperture providing access to the interior of the refractor.

12. The fixture of claim 10, wherein said means for mounting said electric components further comprises third plate means spaced from said second plate means within said pole away from said one end thereof, said screw means being positioned to hold said third plate means, and means for mounting additional electric components on said third plate means.

13. The fixture of claim 6 wherein said means for controlling said latch lever means comprises screws threaded in said bosses and extending parallel to the axis of said pole for engaging said latch lever means, whereby the heads of said screws are accessible within said refractor.