US3903409A

US3903409A - Outdoor light mounting device

Info

Publication number: US3903409A
Application number: US456042A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vincent J Richilano
Original assignee: Zephyr Industries Inc
Current assignee: Zephyr Industries Inc
Priority date: 1974-03-29
Filing date: 1974-03-29
Publication date: 1975-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-02

Abstract

The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole. The specific structure disclosed comprises a generally cylindrical housing, and an integrally-formed, laterallyextending shroud supporting member wherein a generally cylindrical shroud member is releasably connected to the laterally-extending shroud supporting member. The housing has a central, axially-extending bore, open at at least one end and sized to receive the free end of a cylindrical support pole. A shoulder is formed circumferentially about the interior wall of the housing, at a location spaced inwardly from the end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the support pole. The shoulder has a surface facing the open end of the housing and forms an obtuse angle with the interior wall of the axially-extending bore. Threadedly received within the housing and inclined relative to the axis of the axiallyextending bore, at a location between the shoulder and the open end, a plurality of clamp screw members function to align and tighten the housing to the support pole.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Richilano OUTDOOR LIGHT MOUNTING DEVICE Vincent J. Richilano, Lakewood, Ohio [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Zephyr Industries, Inc., Cleveland,

Ohio

[22 Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [21] App]. No: 456,042

[52] US. Cl 240/84; 240/25 [51] Int. Cl. F21S 1/10; F21S 3/10; F21S 13/10 [58] Field of Search 240/25, 84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,156,418 11/1964 Jablonski et a]. 240/84 3,463,917 8/1969 Stockwell et a1. 240/25 X 3,678,265 7/1972 Porter et a1 240/25 X Primary Examiner-Richard A. Wintercorn Attorney, Agent, or FirmFay & Sharpe [57] ABSTRACT The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus 1 Sept. 2, 1975 for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole. The specific structure disclosed comprises a generally cylindrical housing, and an integrally-formed, laterally-extending shroud supporting member wherein a generally cylindrical shroud member is releasably connected to the laterally-extending shroud supporting member. The housing has a central, axially-extending bore, open at at least one end and sized to receive the free end of a cylindrical support pole. A shoulder is formed circumferentially about the interior wall of the housing, at a location spaced inwardly from the end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the support pole. The shoulder has a surface facing the open end of the housing and forms an obtuse angle with the interior wall of the axially-extending bore. Threadedly received within the housing and inclined relative to the axis of the axially-extending bore, at a location between the shoulder and the open end, a plurality of clamp screw members function to align and tighten the housing to the support pole.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures OUTDOOR LIGHT MOUNTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The subject invention is directed toward the art of lighting devices; and, more particularly, to an improved mounting bracket and shroud for an outdoor or streetlight-type lamp.

The invention is especially suited and intended for use in supporting and protecting a self-contained conventional street lamp of the type commonly used in parking lots or the like and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, as will become apparent, the invention could be used for many types of pole-mounted lamps.

Many types and styles of outdoor lamp fixtures are commercially available. Often, however, architects and designers are not satisfied with the commercially available styles and desire a custom fixture or lamp style to blend harmoniously with a particular building or structure. Since the cost of custom lamps is generally quite high, it is preferable in most instances to use a standard, commercially available lamp and enclose it in a custom shroud. However, even a shroud alone can be a difficult and expensive design matter. There are several reasons for this. For example, outdoor lights are subjected to a variety of wind, snow and ice loads. These factors place the shroud and its mounting bracket under high and unusual stress conditions. Also, there are problems with connections between the support pole and the mounting bracket. Typical of these are alignment and resistance to twisting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject invention provides an arrangement which overcomes the above-discussed problems; Assemblies formed in accordance with the invention are extremely rugged in construction and easy to install.

In particular, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the upper or free end of a generally cylindrical, vertically-extending support bolt. Preferably, the apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having a central, axially-extending bore. The bore is open on at least one end and sized to relatively closely receive the free end of the pole. A shroud supporting member is preferably formed integrally with the housing and extends laterally therefrom for releasable connection to a shroud. Formed within the interior of the bore cir cumferentially about the wall of the bore at a location spaced inwardly from the open end is a shoulder. The shoulder extends inwardly in the radial direction to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the pole. The shoulder includes a surface which generally faces the open end of the bore and forms an obtuse angle with the wall of the bore. A plurality of clamp screw members are threadedly received in the housing at a location between the shoulder and the open end. Each of the screw members have an end portion which extends through the interior wall of the bore. Additionally, the axis of each screw member is inclined relative to the axis of the bore. The combination of the inclined shoulder face and the clamp screw members produces a centering of the housing on the pole, and further, tightening of the inclined screw members causes the housing to be pulled down tightly on the end of the pole.

Preferably, and in accordance with a more limited aspect, the housing includes a pair of diametrically opposed bolt receiving openings. Consequently, after the clamp screw members have been tightened, an aligned hold can be formed through the pole and a bolt inserted to positively lock the housing to the pole.

Preferably, the housing and the shroud support member are formed as an integral unit, such as by casting. Additionally, an opening is formed from the interior of the bore outwardly through the shroud supporting member so that the required electrical wiring can be brought upwardly through the pole and laterally through the shroud support to a lamp assembly mounted within the shroud.

Although the shroud could have a variety of specific configurations, according to one aspect of the invention, it comprises a weldment structure having a vertically-extending, generally cylindrical side wall. The upper end is closed by a circular plate joined to the side walls and reinforced by gusset plates extending between the side wall and the top wall. Also, a relatively small diameter opening is formed through the top wall so that a flow of cooling air can pass over the lamp assembly within the shroud.

Accordingly, the primary objectof the invention is the provision of an outdoor lamp mounting bracket and shroud assembly which can be easily and readily mounted at the free end of a vertically-extending support pole.

Another object is the provision of an assembly of the type described wherein the assembly is automatically centered on and locked to the support pole during the installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing a pole-mounted,

outdoor lamp and luminaire assembly formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows the overall arrangement of a lamp assembly 10 arranged and mounted on a conventional, vertically-extending sup- Although the bracket or support member 14 could be made from many different materials and could have many different configurations, it is shown as being formed from cast aluminum and including a generally vertically-extending cylindrical portion 16 having a webbed, shroud-connecting portion 18 extending laterally therefrom. As noted, portion 16 is generally cylindrical and has an internal diameter D (see FIG. 2A) sized so as to freely receivethe upper end of the cylin' drical pole 12. For reasons which will hereafter be described, the diameter D is preferably a substantial amount greater than the diameter of the pole on which the support is to be mounted. As a typical example, for a 4-inch diameter pole the diameter D is preferably in the range of 4.2 to 4.25 inches.

The means for locating the support bracket 14 on the pole 12 include an internal shoulder 20 which extends circumferentially about the inner wall of cylindrical section 16. Preferably, the shoulder 20 has an inclined or somewhat conically-shaped lower wall 22. Additionally, the diameter D is preferably substantially less than the outer diameter of the pole 12. For example, for a 4-inch pole the preferred diameter would be in the range of 3 to 3.25 inches. As is apparent, the inclined lower wall 22 will act to axially center the cylindrical portion 16 on the upper end of the pole 12. The centering action is further enhanced by four cone point set screws 26 which are located 90 apart about the lower end of the cylindrical section 16. As shown, the casting is preferably heavier about the lower end and suitable tapped openings 28 are provided for set screws 26. Ad-

ditionally, it is preferred that the set screws be inclined at an angle in the range of approximately 30 to 60 relative to the axial center line of the pole 12. This arrangement assures that upon tightening of the set screws 26 to locate the bracket 14 on pole 12, the conically-shaped tips 26a of the set screws 26 engage and tend to bite into the pole. Because of their inclination, they additionally tend to exert a force pulling the bracket tightly down on the pole increasing the engagement between the inclined wall 22 and the upper outer edge of the pole 12. This arrangement in itself provides a substantial mechanical connection between the pole and the bracket. Additionally, however, the bracket is provided with bosses 30 on diametrically opposite sides of cylindrical section 16. Aligned openings 32 are formed through bosses 30. After the set screws 26 have been tightened, a hole 34 is drilled through the upper end of the pole 12 in alignment with the openings 32. Thereafter, a bolt 36 is inserted through the

openings

32 and 34 to provide a positive rigid mechanical connection to hold the bracket 14 to the pole 12.

The open upper end of the cylindrical portion 16 is preferably sealed by a cap member 40 which is locked to cylindrical section 16 in any suitable manner such as through the use of one or more set screws 42. As can be appreciated, the design of the cap member 40 can vary so as to constitute a decorative element if desired.

The laterally-extending bracket section 18 is, as previously mentioned, formed integrally with the cylindrical section 16. As shown', it includes a central web 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 2A) which is positioned generally vertically. Three horizontally-extending web portions 46 48 and 50 join the central web to a curved outer plate 52. A pipe or tube 54 is welded circumferentially, at

thecast weld joint provided in the bracket generally at the juncture between the

webs

44 and 48. An opening 56 (see FlGSz2 and 2A) provides communication between the inside of cylindrical section 16 and tube 54. As can be appreciated, tube 54 serves as a mounting member for a standard lamp assembly 60'shown dotted in FIG. 2. Lamp assembly 60 forms no part of the subject invention and any conventional outdoor lamp assembly could be used. The necessary wiring and the like for the lamp assembly 16 can be brought vertically up the pole and through opening 56 and tube 54.

The housing 15 is also preferably formed from aluminum. However, it is a weldment formed from fabricated aluminum plate and comprises a generally cylindrical side wall 62 and a flat, disc-like upper wall 64 which is welded or otherwise positively joined to the upper edge of the side wall 62. Additionally, an opening 66 is formed through the upper wall 64 to assure a flow of cooling air about the lamp assembly 60. This prevents a-buildup of heat within the housing.

As can be appreciated, the housing in normal use will be subjected to substantial wind loads, snow and ice loads, and the like. For this reason, relatively heavy reinforcing plates 68 are located between the side wall 62 and the top wall 64 in themanner shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Additionally, a heavy reinforcing plate 70 is welded between the two left brackets 68 (as viewed in FIG. 4). The entire housing is preferably removably connected to the support bracket 18 by a plurality of bolts 72.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. Obviously, modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specification and it is our intention to include all such modifications and alterations as part of our invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

- What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole comprising: I

a generally cylindrical housing having a central, cy-

lindrical, axially-extending bore open at at least one end, said bore being of a size to relatively closely receive the free end of said cylindrical pole;

laterally-extending shroud supporting member formed integrally with said housing, shoulder formed circumferentially about the interior wall of said bore at a location spaced inwardly from said open end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of said pole, said shoulder having a surface facing said open end and forming an obtuse angle with the interior wall of said bore; plurality of clamp screw members threadedly received in said cylindrical housing at a location between said shoulder and said open end, each said screw member having a conically shaped end portion extending through the interior wall of said bore anddirectly engaging the outer surface of said cylindrical pole with the axis of each screw member being inclined relative to the axis of said bore in a direction to pull the housing axially onto the pole; i at least a pair of diametrically opposed bolt-receiving openings formed through said cylindrical housing between said shoulder and said open end; and, a bolt extending through said bolt receiving openings and passing through the polereceived within said through said shroud supporting member.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and said shroud supporting member are formed from a unitary aluminum casting.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a generally cylindrical shroud member releasably connected to said shroud supporting member.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole comprising: a generally cylindrical housing having a central, cylindrical, axially-extending bore open at at least one end, said bore being of a size to relatively closely receive the free end of said cylindrical pole; a laterally-extending shroud supporting member formed integrally with said housing; a shoulder formed circumferentially about the interior wall of said bore at a location spaced inwardly from said open end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of said pole, said shoulder having a surface facing said open end and forming an obtuse angle with the interior wall of said bore; a plurality of clamp screw members threadedly received in said cylindrical housing at a location between said shoulder and said open end, each said screw member having a conically shaped end portion extending through the interior wall of said bore and directly engaging the outer surface of said cylindrical pole with the axis of each screw member being inclined relative to the axis of said bore in a direction to pull the housing axially onto the pole; at least a pair of diametrically opposed bolt-receiving openings formed through said cylindrical housing between said shoulder and said open end; and, a bolt extending through said bolt receiving openings and passing through the pole received within said bore to provide positive locking engagement between said housing and said pole.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including at least three of said clamp screw members located at relatively uniform distances apart circumferentially about said housing.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an opening extending from within said bore outwardly through said shroud supporting member.