Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02339460 2001-03-07
SPIKE LIGHT WITH APRON Attorney Docket No. 2918
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to an outdoor light that is
secured to the ground to illuminate walk ways, houses and other
structures. More specifically, the outdoor light of the present
invention concerns a light that has electrical connections which
allow a plurality of individual lights to be arranged in a series
and an apron which prevents grass and other objects from blocking
sensors located on the light fixture.
Summary of the Invention
In using outdoor lights that are to be located along walk ways
and near other types of outdoor objects, the lights are often
secured in place by including on the light an anchor or spike which
is driven into the ground. However, because a single light may be
insufficient to illuminate an entire walk way, it is also desirable
to locate a number of lights in a series. Moreover, sensors for
controlling the operation of the light may also be used.
However, since the lights are often located in grassy areas,
the surrounding grass will often block the sensor and interfere
with its operation. To limit this interference, the present
invention utilizes an apron that extends beyond the edge of the
fixture and which removes the obstruction by depressing the
surrounding grassy area. In addition, to connect a plurality of
lights in a series, both male and female electrical connections are
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provided.
The invention in one broad aspect provides a light fixaure
mountable to the ground comprising a light housing having a light
source and sensor thereon, an anchor connected to the housing and
adapted to secure the housing to the ground and an apron positioned
between the housing and the ground, the apron adapted to prevent
objects on the ground from obstructing the sensor.
Description of the Drawings
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and
drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in
several views and which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the present invention taken along
line 2 - 2.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a cover used with
the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectioned view of the cover shown in Figure
3.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed
to be the preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention
claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the
preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternates or
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CA 02339460 2004-05-31
modifications in which insubstantial changes in function, in purpose,
in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims
of this patent.
As shown in Figure 1, the present invention is an outdoor light
fixture 10 having a light housing 12, apron 30 and anchor 50.
Housing 12 may also have a lens cap 14 which contains a lens 16,
which is releaseably mounted to bulb housing 18 by coacting threads.
Housing 18 also may contain a bulb (not shown) as well as other
components necessary to energize the bulb. For the positioning of
the emitted light, bulb housing 18 is rotatably connected to post. 20.
Post 20, in turn, is part of body 22 which contains a sensor' 24,
external plug-type electrical connection 25 and electrical receptacle
connector 26, as shown in Figure 3.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, electrical receptacle 26 ma.y be
sheltered against the outside environment by hinged cover or door 32.
When in a closed position, as shown in Figure 4, door 32 protects
receptacle 26 from the outside environment. When in an open
position, access to the connector may be gained.
As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of lights may be connected in
a series. This may be accomplished by electrical connections 25 and
26 on each light which permit the lights to be electrically connected
together.
Light 10 may also include a number of different sensors 24. For
example, in one embodiment, sensor 24 may be a photo-sensitive sE:nsor
which activates the light at dusk or night and deactivates the 7_ight
during the day. In another embodiment, sensor 24 may be an infrared
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sensor which activates the light when motion is sensed as a change
in environmental infrared. The design of the wiring of the light as
well as the sensors which may be used with light 10 are known to
those of skill in the art.
Light fixture 10 is secured to ground 60 by anchor 50 which may
be in the shape of a fluted spike as shown. Of course, other designs
including without limitation a rod, blade, or screw-type
configuration may also be used with the present invention as anchor
50. Anchor 50, as shown, supports light fixture 10 by being embedded
into ground 60.
Often light fixture 10 is positioned in a grassy area in which
grass blades 70 will obstruct sensor 24 and impair its operation.
To prevent this from occurring, an apron 30 is provided which is
sized and adapted to depress downwardly the grass blades located near
sensor 24.
Apron 30 may be integrally connected to body 22 near sensor 24
or on anchor 50. In addition, anchor 50 may also be formed
separately, as shown. In a preferred design that is economically
manufactured, apron is a plastic disk that is sized to be larger than
the foot print of body 22. Apron 30 is also disposed between body
22 and the ground on anchor 50 by including a cruciform-like aperture
55 on apron 30 which is sized to receive anchor 50.
In use, anchor 50 is inserted through aperture 55 on G.pron
30 before being embedded into ground 60 to secure light 10 in
position. As light 10 is urged downwardly, apron 30 will also be
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CA 02339460 2001-03-07
Attorney Docket No. 2918
urged downwardly as well. Consequently, any grass blades located
near sensor 24 and which may interfere with the operation of sensor
24 are moved away from sensor 24 to prevent any unwanted
obstruction of the sensor. Once a plurality of lights are secured
in position, electrical connectors 25 and 26 may be used to
electrically connect each fixture in a series and to a power
source.
While the invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous
variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments are possible,
and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and alternate
embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope
of the invention.
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