Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02381049 2002-04-25
This application is a divisional application based on Canadian Application
No. 2,185,201 filed September 10, 1996.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to canopy luminaires and more particularly to
canopy
luminaires adapted to be mounted to a horizontal mounting member by a single
individual.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Canopy luminaires are typically mounted on or in a flat horizontal member.
They are
used in many applications ranging from canopies over fuel pumps in a service
station,
to storefronts for convenience stores, to drive-throughs of restaurants. To
provide the
desired level of lighting, canopy luminaires typically use high intensity
discharge (HID)
lamps.
HID light sources are regulated by control gear, which may include a ballast
alone or in
combination with other components such as capacitors, igniters, or other such
equipment. This control gear may be as large as or larger than the lamp
itself. Further,
the lamp and control gear are frequently contained within a box-like housing,
which must
be mounted to the support structure.
To mount luminaires of currently existing designs, generally an opening must
be made
in the canopy in which the luminaire is to be mounted. As the canopy luminaire
is in a
box-like housing, an opening sized to receive that structure must be made. The
luminaire is then mounted to the horizontal member of the support structure by
brackets
or other equipment, which typically requires a significant amount of manual
labor.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
Further, cutting the substantial hole within the mounting member and
installing the
canopy luminaire into horizontal member typically requires the use of at least
two
electricians, resulting in a high installation cost.
Moreover, in luminaires of currently existing designs, the ballast is
generally located
within the housing with the other components of the luminaire. As a result,
the operating
temperature of the ballast and other control gear is increased due to exposure
to heat
from the HID lamp. This results in a corresponding reduction in the useful
life of the
components. Thus, the ballast and other control gear must be replaced on a
more
frequent basis than would otherwise be needed. As with installation, this too
is an
expensive procedure, as two individuals again are required, both of which
generally
must be electricians.
Another drawback associated with existing luminaires is that they frequently
mount the
HID lamp horizontally within the mounting structure. This degrades the amount
of light
emanating from the lamp, as approximately one-half of the luminous output of
the lamp
is directed upwardly, away from the target area. Although reflectors are used
to reduce
the amount of wasted light, a substantial portion of the luminous output of
the lamp is
nevertheless lost.
A still further drawback associated with existing luminaires is the difficulty
in replacing
the lamp. Typically, the glass lens of the luminaire is secured to the lamp
housing by
screws or similar fastening devices. To replace the lamp, an individual must
use a
ladder to reach the luminaire, loosen the fasteners to release the glass lens,
and then
replace the lamp. This is a time consuming procedure, often requiring more
than one
individual.
Thus, there is a substantial need for a canopy luminaire that may be easily
and quickly
mounted to a horizontal mounting member by a single individual. Further, there
is a
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
significant need for a canopy luminaire that mounts the lamp vertically to
improve the
lighting of the target area. Still further, there is a need for a canopy
luminaire that
extends the life of the ballast and other control gear and which permits quick
and easy
replacement of the lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a canopy luminaire which overcomes drawbacks
associated with the currently existing luminaires. More specifically, the
canopy luminaire
of the present invention comprises a luminaire housing having a bulbous body
configured to receive the light-emitting section of a lamp and a narrow neck
extending
therefrom with an inner end connected to the bulbous body and an outer end,
and a
socket disposed within the narrow neck opening toward the bulbous body and
which is
sized to receive the base of a lamp. A spring clip for securement of the
luminaire
housing to a mounting structure having an opening into which the outer end of
the
narrow neck is inserted has an upper end secured to the narrow neck and a
lower end
extending downwardly and biased outwardly from the narrow neck. The narrow
neck
may be adapted to receive a locking component to fixedly secure the luminaire
to a
mounting member, wherein the mounting member opening is located between the
locking component and the bulbous body.
The lower end of the spring clip is spaced above the bulbous body of the
housing a
distance sufficient to receive the mounting member therebetween. Preferably,
there are
two spring clips, which are secured on opposing sides of the narrow neck.
Preferably, the socket is oriented vertically and is sized to receive the base
of a high
intensity discharge lamp. Moreover, the luminaire may include a ballast that
is external
to the housing of the luminaire.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
The locking component may comprise a threaded nut sized to receive the narrow
neck
therein and whose threads are sized to engage threads formed on the inner end
of the
narrow neck. The threads on the narrow neck comprise a plurality of threaded
segments located circumferentially about the inner end of the narrow neck. The
spring
clip extends downwardly into the gap formed between two of the segments and
the
lower end of the spring clip is based outwardly beyond the outer surface of
the threaded
segments.
Alternatively, the locking component may comprise a clamp having an upper end
adapted to be secured to the narrow neck, a lower end, and an opening
therebetween
sized to receive the narrow neck. The lower end of the clamp engages the
mounting
member to fixedly secure the luminaire thereto when the upper end of the clamp
is
secured to the narrow neck. Preferably the clamp is frustro-conical in shape,
with the
upper end having a diameter smaller than the lower end. Further, the lower end
may
include an outwardly extending annular flange for engaging the mounting
member. The
upper end of the clamp is secured to the narrow neck by a plurality of
threaded
fasteners.
Further to another aspect of the present invention, the canopy luminaire
further
comprises a spring clasp secured to the body of the luminaire housing at a
first end and
a glass lens hingedly attached to the body of the housing at a second end,
opposite the
first end, permitting the glass lens to swing between an open position and a
closed
position. The glass lens further includes a latch positioned for releasable
engagement
with the spring clasp and a handle secured to the glass lens to permit opening
and
closing of the lens.
In use, the single installer forms an opening in the horizontal mounting
member that is
sized to receive the narrow neck of the luminaire housing. The installer
inserts the outer
end of the narrow neck of the housing upwardly into the opening in the
horizontal
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
mounting member such that the periphery of the opening engages and deflects
inwardly
the spring clip. The installer continues to extend the neck upwardly through
the opening
until the spring clip emerges upwardly above the mounting member such that the
spring
clip is biased outwardly toward its original undeflected state. Thereafter,
the installer
may release the luminaire housing, which will be supported on the mounting
member
by the spring clip.
To permanently secure the luminaire to the mounting member, the installer may
then go
to the top of the mounting member and secure the locking component to the
narrow
neck, such as by securing the threaded collar onto the threads, or by securing
the upper
end of the clamp to the narrow neck, thereby engaging the lower end of the
clamp with
the mounting member.
To replace the lamp of the canopy luminaire, an individual uses a lamp
changing pole
having a generally C-shaped hook on a first end and a lamp gripper on a
second,
opposite end. The user engages the handle of the glass lens with the hook and
moves
the pole downwardly, releasing the latch from the spring clasp. The user may
then
swing the glass lens to the open position, supporting the handle in the hook.
Upon
reaching the open position, the user disengages the hook from the handle,
inverts the
pole, and engages the lamp with the lamp gripper. The lamp is removed from the
base
and the user inserts a second lamp, again using the lamp gripper. The pole is
again
inverted and the user engages the handle with the hook, swinging the glass
lens to the
closed position and releasably engaging the latch in the spring clasp.
Further to another aspect of the present invention, the bulbous body of the
canopy
luminaire may comprise a base having a periphery with a stop and a shelf
extending
from the periphery. The shelf includes a floor having a recess formed therein,
the shelf
and periphery forming a channel. The glass lens has a foot with a detent
extending
therefrom, the foot being sized to be slidably received in the channel to
support the lens.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
The stop is adapted to engage the foot to limit the sliding movement of the
foot in the
channel and the detent operatively engages the recess to releasably hold the
lens to the
base. A gasket is secured in a peripheral groove formed along the periphery of
the base
and is intermediate the base and the foot of the glass lens. The gasket is
deformed to
permit the detent to be slidably received in the channel and urges the detent
into the
recess. Preferably, the foot is rotatably received in the channel. Further,
the periphery
of the base is a polygon (preferably square) with a shelf positioned at each
corner.
In use, the glass lens is secured to the base by pressing the lens against and
deflecting
the gasket. The glass lens is then rotated in a first direction until the foot
contacts the
stops. The lens is then released and the detents operatively engage the
recesses in the
shelves. To remove the glass lens, the glass lens is pressed against the
gasket,
deforming same. The glass lens is rotated in a second direction until the foot
is released
from the shelf. The glass lens is then removed.
By virtue of the foregoing, there is thus provided a canopy luminaire that may
be easily,
quickly and reliably mounted to a horizontal mounting member by a single
individual.
Additionally, the luminaire mounts the high intensity discharge lamp
vertically to more
fully light the target area. The luminaire also includes a ballast that may be
positioned
in an external location, to improve the useful life thereof by reducing the
temperature to
which the ballast is subjected. Still further, the luminaire is adapted to
enable a single
individual to quickly and easily replace the lamp.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become
apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a
general
description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given
below, serve
to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a canopy luminaire in accordance with
the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view partially in cross-section of the canopy luminaire of
FIG. 1 partially
inserted into an opening in a horizontal mounting member;
FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the upper portion FIG. 2 of the canopy
luminaire;
FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing the canopy luminaire of FIG. 1 being
inserted into
a horizontal mounting member;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the canopy luminaire installed in
a horizontal
mounting member;
FIG. 6 is a top view of another canopy luminaire in accordance with the
principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is a section view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of the FIG. 7 with the latch
released
from the spring clasp;
FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a lamp changing pole in accordance with a
further aspect
of the present invention;
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration view showing the opening/closing of the
glass lens of
FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrative view showing removing/inserting a lamp for
the canopy
luminaire of FIG. 7;
FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of another canopy luminaire in accordance
with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view showing the glass lens of the canopy
luminaire of
FIG. 12 being rotatably secured to the base;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged top perspective view, broken away, of the circled
portion of FIG.
13;
FIG. 15 is a side view partially in cross-section of a corner of the canopy
luminaire of
FIG. 12; and
FIG. 16 is a bottom view, partially broken away, of the canopy luminaire of
FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a canopy luminaire 10 comprising a
housing
12 having a bulbous body 14 configured to receive the light-emitting section
of a lamp
and a generally cylindrical narrow neck 16 with an outer end 18 and an inner
end 20
connected to bulbous body 14. Disposed within outer end 18 of narrow neck 16
is a
socket 21 sized to receive the base 22 of a lamp 24, such as a high intensity
discharge
(HID) lamp as shown. A pair of spring clips 26 are secured at an upper end 28
to
opposing sides of outer end 18 of narrow neck 16 and extend downwardly
adjacent
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
inner end 20 and are biased outwardly therefrom to a lower end 30 for
supporting
luminaire housing 12 from a mounting member as will be described below.
Further,
luminaire 10 may include a locking component 31 for fixedly securing luminaire
housing
12 to a mounting member. Specifically, located at inner end 20 of narrow neck
16, and
adjacent bulbous body 14, are threads 32 adapted to receive a threaded nut 34.
(See
FIGS. 4 and 5.) Housing 12 is preferably manufactured from die cast aluminum
which
provides a light but strong construction, and which readily dissipates heat to
prolong
component life.
Bulbous body 14 comprises a base 40 extending outwardly from inner end 20 of
narrow
neck 16. A prismatic glass lens 42 surrounded by frame 44 is hingedly secured
to base
40 by hinges 45, which permit glass lens 42 to swing between a closed position
as
shown and an open position (see FIG. 11). A handle 47 is secured to frame 44
for
opening and closing glass lens 42. Base 40, which is generally square,
although any
shape may be used, includes a centrally-positioned aperture 41 formed therein
to permit
passage of the base 22 of lamp 24 therethrough. Glass lens 42 has a plurality
of sides
46, each side having an upper panel 48 and a lower panel 50. The lower ends of
sides
46 are joined by a face 52 and the sides 46 are joined by corner sections 54.
Located within bulbous body 14 may be an annular thermal stop 56 that is
secured to
base 40 near aperture 41 having an inner perimeter 58 sized to abut the outer
surface
of lamp 24. Thermal stop 56 serves to reduce the amount of heat being
transmitted
from lamp 24 upwardly into narrow neck 16. Also included within bulbous body
14 is a
reflector 60, such as a specular reflector, that is adapted to reflect
incident light
outwardly through glass lens 42. Reflector 60 has an aperture 62 formed
therein to
permit passage of lamp 24 therethrough and has a round or square outer
configuration
to substantially cover base 40. Preferably, reflector 60 is manufactured from
specular
aluminum. However, any reflective material may be used.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
Luminaire housing 12 is generally adapted to be mounted to a horizontal
mounting
member, such as the canopy over fuel pumps in a service station. Moreover,
socket 22
is preferably oriented vertically such that lamp 24 is suspended downwardly
within
luminaire housing 12. This provides several advantages. First, lighting
effectiveness
depends upon the orientation of lamp 24. Mounting of lamp 24 horizontally
would result
in approximately half of the emitted light from lamp 24 being projected
upwardly and
away from the target area. By contrast, vertical mounting of lamp 24 provides
for
uniform downward projection of light. Moreover, it has been found that
vertical mounting
results in a greater total luminous output.
Additionally, it is preferable to recess luminaire housing 12 within the
mounting member
both to improve the aesthetic appearance of the luminaire and to reduce the
chances
of physical damage thereto. The structure of luminaire housing 12 of the
present
invention provides for recessed mounting thereof by a single individual. Thus,
unlike
existing canopy luminaires requiring two or more individuals for installation,
the canopy
luminaire 10 of the present invention may be quickly and easily installed by a
single
individual.
More particularly, spring clips 26 are adapted to secure luminaire housing 12
to a
mounting member, such as a horizontal mounting member 70 of a canopy 68. To
this
end, spring clips 26, which preferably have a rectangular cross-section,
although any
cross-sectional shape may be used, are formed from galvanized or stainless
steel,
tempered aluminum, plastic, or other material and have an upper end 28 secured
to
outer end 18 of narrow neck 16. Although two spring clips 26 are shown, it
will be
readily appreciated that any number of spring clips may be used without
departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention. Spring clips 26 extend
downwardly along
narrow neck 16 and adjacent inner end 20, with the lower end 30 of spring
clips 26 being
biased outwardly therefrom such that lower end 30 extends outwardly of the
outer
surface of threads 32. Moreover, lower end 30 of spring clips 26 are spaced
above base
CA 02381049 2002-04-25
40 of bulbous body 14 a distance substantially equal to or slightly greater
than the
thickness of mounting member 70 for a purpose to be described below.
Generally, the
canopy mounting member 70 is manufactured in the form of U-shaped troughs 71
having a thickness ranging from about 1/32 inch to about 1/16 inch.
When luminaire housing 12 is to be mounted into horizontal mounting member 70
of a
canopy 68, and as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a generally circular aperture 72
is formed
in horizontal mounting member 70 by a drill motor, hole saw, or any similar
tool.
Aperture 72 is sized to receive therethrough narrow neck 16 and threads 32. As
luminaire housing 12 is extended upwardly through aperture 72, the periphery
74 of
aperture 72 contacts lower end 30 of spring clips 26, deflecting spring clips
26 inwardly.
As spring clips 26 emerge through aperture 72, they are biased outwardly
toward their
original undeflected shape such that lower end 30 of spring clips 26 extends
outwardly
over horizontal mounting member 70. At this point, spring clips 26 are able
to, at least
temporarily, support luminaire housing 12 from horizontal mounting member 70.
Luminaire housing 12 can then be permanently secured to horizontal mounting
member
70 by threadably securing threaded nut 34 over threads 32. Preferably threads
32 are
integrally formed on inner end 20 of narrow neck 16. However, as will be
readily
appreciated, threads 32 may be formed on a separate threaded sleeve that is
secured
to inner end 20.
To prevent interference between spring clips 26 and threads 32, threads 32 are
preferably formed in four quadrants 76 spaced circumferentially about narrow
neck 16.
Spring clips 26 extend downwardly between the gaps 78 formed between quadrants
76
and are biased outwardly such that lower end 30 protrudes outwardly from the
outer
surface of threads 32. This permits threaded nut 34 to be secured to threads
32 without
interference from spring clips 26. Rather, as threaded nut 34 is secured to
threads 32,
threaded nut 34 urges spring clips 26 inwardly into gaps 78 formed between
quadrants 76.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
Still further, it may be preferable for the control gear 80 to be external to
luminaire
housing 12. To this end, and as shown in FIG. 5, control gear 80 may be
secured to
canopy 68 adjacent canopy luminaire 10, but external therefrom and connected
by any
suitable electrical connectors 82, such as a standard watertight fitting as
shown. As
shown in FIGS. 1-5, outer end 18 of narrow neck 16 has been extended upwardly
to
accommodate electrical connectors 82. However, as will be readily appreciated,
the
wiring compartment forthe electrical connectors may be formed separately from
housing
12.
Typically, the control gear 80 would be mounted adjacent the edge of the
mounting
member trough 71, as shown. Such a location removes control gear 80 from the
lamp
heat and permits control gear 80 to be surrounded by cool, ambient air. This
location
also provides for convenient access to control gear 80 for maintenance. Still
further, as
shown in FIG. 7, control gear 80 may be located in compartment 158, which is
in turn
mounted on the tops 73 of adjoining U-shaped troughs 71 and fitted over, but
not
supported by or attached to, upper end 118 of luminaire housing 112. Further,
the
components of control gear 80 could be dispersed to the periphery of
compartment 158,
away from heat rising from Iuminaire 110. By positioning control gear 80
external to,
rather than inside, luminaire housing 12, control gear 80 is subjected to
lower heat
variations and lower total temperature. As increased heat levels reduce the
life of the
control gear, external or remote mounting of control gear 80 from luminaire
housing 12
increases the overall life of the components control gear 80.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown another canopy Iuminaire 110
in
accordance with the principles of the present invention similar to canopy
luminaire 10
of FIGS. 1-5, with like parts having like numbers. Canopy Iuminaire 110
comprises a
housing 112 having a bulbous body 14 configured to receive the light-emitting
section
of a lamp and a generally cylindrical, stepped narrow neck 116 with an outer
end 118
and inner end 120 connected to bulbous body 14. The diameter of outer end 118
is less
than that of inner end 120 such that there is a shelf 122 at the junction of
outer end 118
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
and inner end 120. A pair spring clips 124 having an upper end 126 and a lower
end
128 are secured at upper end 126 to opposing sides of shelf 122 by screws 134.
Spring
clips 124 extend downwardly and are biased outwardly from narrow neck 116 to
lower
end 128, which is spaced above base 40 of bulbous body 14 a distance
substantially
equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of mounting member 70. Spring
clips 124
serve the same function as spring clips 26 in FIGS. 1-5. As will be readily
appreciated,
although two spring clips 124 are shown, any number of spring clips may be
used
without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
A thermal stop 130 having an inner perimeter 132 sized to abut the outer
surface of
lamp 24 may be located within inner end 120 of narrow neck 116. As before,
thermal
stop 130 serves to reduce the amount of heat being transmitted by lamp 24
upwardly
into narrow neck 116. Although thermal stop 130 is shown located within inner
end 120
of narrow neck 116, it will be readily appreciated that thermal stop 130 may
be located
anywhere along the upper portion of lamp 24.
Luminaire housing 112 is mounted to horizontal mounting member 70 of a canopy
68
by the same technique as described with respect to the first embodiment.
Specifically,
a circular aperture 72 is formed in horizontal mounting member 70. Luminaire
housing
112 is then extended upwardly through aperture 72, and the periphery 74 of
aperture
72 contacts lower end 128 of spring clips 124, deflecting spring clips 124
inwardly. As
spring clips 124 emerge through aperture 72, they are biased outwardly toward
their
original undeflected shape such that lower end 128 of spring clips 124 extend
outwardly
over horizontal mounting member 70 and support luminaire housing 112
therefrom.
To fixedly secure luminaire housing 112 to horizontal mounting member 70,
locking
component 31 comprises a clamp 140 having an upper end 142, a lower end 144,
and
an opening 146 therebetween sized to receive narrow neck 116 therein. Upper
end 142
is adapted to be secured to shelf 122 of narrow neck 116, such as by screws
145 or
other threaded fastening devices. Lower end 144 is adapted to engage
horizontal
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
mounting member 70, thereby securing luminaire housing 112 thereto.
Preferably,
clamp 140 has a frustro-conical configuration such that the diameter of upper
end 142
is less than the diameter of lower end 144. Moreover, lower end 144 may
include an
outwardly extending annular flange 148 to provide greater surface area contact
with
mounting member 70. To secure luminaire housing 112 to mounting member 70,
clamp
140 is attached to luminaire housing 112 by inserting screws through upper end
142,
which presses lower end 144 downwardly onto mounting member 70, thereby
clamping
mounting member 70 tightly between clamp 140 and bulbous body 14. Although as
shown clamp 140 is an integral component having a generally conical
configuration, it
will be readily appreciated that clamp 140 could be broken into several
pieces, each of
which has an upper end that is fixedly attached to shelf 122 and a lower end
that
engages mounting member 70.
In use, to mount canopy luminaire 10, 110, a single individual may form
aperture 72 in
horizontal mounting member 70 by way of a drill motor, hole saw, or similar
tool. After
forming aperture 72, outer end 18, 118 of narrow neck 16, 116 of luminaire
housing 12,
112 is inserted into aperture 72 and extended upwardly. As luminaire housing
12 is
extended upwardly through aperture 72, lower end 30, 128 of spring clips 26,
124 are
deflected inwardly by periphery 74 of aperture 72. Luminaire housing 12, 112
is
continued to be extended through aperture 72 until spring clips 26, 124 emerge
beyond
horizontal mounting member 70, enabling spring clips 26, 124 to be biased
outwardly
toward their original undeflected shape. At this point, luminaire housing 12,
112 may be
supported from horizontal mounting member 70 by spring clips 26, 124.
The installer may then move to the top of canopy 68 where he may then place
threaded
nut 34 over luminaire housing 12 and threadably secure it over threads 32.
(FIGS. 4 and
5). Alternatively, the installerthen may place clamp 140 over luminaire
housing 112 and
secure upper end 142 of clamp 140 to shelf 122 of luminaire housing 112 by
screws
145. (FIG. 7). By this method, luminaire housing 12, 112 is fixedly secured to
canopy
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
68. Finally, the installer may then connect control gear 80 to luminaire
housing 12 by
any of the means described herein.
As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, luminaire 10, 110
may be
constructed without spring clips 26, 124 and still provide the other benefits
of the present
invention. In this embodiment, luminaire 10, 110 is secured to horizontal
mounting
member 70 by attaching locking component 31 to luminaire housing 12, 112.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, luminaire 10,
110 is
adapted to permit quick and easy replacement of lamp 24. To this end, and
referring
to FIG. 7 and 8, prismatic glass lens 42, which is surrounded by frame 44, is
hingedly
secured to base 40 by a pair of hinges 45. This permits glass lens 42 to swing
between
a closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, and an open position, as shown in FIG.
11.
Handle 47, for opening and closing glass lens 42, is secured to frame 44 at a
first end
160 of base 40 of bulbous body 14. Hinges 45 are secured to the outside of
frame 44
at a second, opposite end 162 of base 40 of bulbous body 14.
To releasably secure glass lens 42 in the closed position, a spring clasp 164
is secured
at first end 160 of base 40. Spring clasp 164 comprises a pair of opposed,
flexible
fingers 166. A latch 168 is secured on the inside of frame 44, and is
positioned to
releasably engage spring clasp 164.
With reference to FIG. 9, to enable an individual to replace lamp 124 without
the
necessity of a ladder or other tools, lamp changing pole 170 is provided
having a
generally C-shaped hook 172 on a first end 174. A lamp gripper 176 is secured
to the
second end 178 of pole 170, the lamp gripper having a construction that is
well known
in the art Moreover, pole 170 is of a length sufficient to enable the
individual to reach
luminaire 10, 110 from the ground, without the need for a ladder. Although C-
shaped
hook 172 and lamp gripper 176 are described as being attached to opposite ends
of
CA 02381049 2002-04-25
pole 170, it will be readily apparent that C-shaped hook 172 and lamp gripper
176 may
be placed on separate poles without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present
invention.
C-shaped hook 172 is adapted to engage handle 47 for opening and closing of
glass
lens 42 as best seen in FIG. 10. Further, to electrically isolate the
individual from any
potential electric discharge from luminaire 10, 110, pole 170 includes a
wooden segment
180, or other insulator, at the mid-point thereof.
In use, to replace a lamp, the individual engages handle 47 with hook 172. By
moving
pole 170 downwardly, latch 168 is disengaged from spring clasp 164. Hook 172
then
supports handle 47 while glass lens 42 is being swung to the open position.
(FIG. 10).
Hook 172 is then disengaged from handle 47 and pole 170 is inverted. As
illustrated in
FIG. 11, the individual then engages lamp 24 with lamp gripper 176 and removes
lamp
24. A second lamp is then inserted into lamp gripper 176, and this lamp is
then inserted
into luminaire 10, 110. Lamp gripper 176 is then disengaged from new lamp 24,
pole
170 is inverted, and hook 172 is engaged with handle 47. Again, handle 47 is
supported
in hook 172 while glass lens 42 is swung to the closed position and latch 168
is
releasably engaged with spring clasp 164.
Finally, with reference to FIGS. 12-16, there is shown a still further canopy
luminaire 210
in accordance with the principles of the present invention similarto canopy
luminaire 110
of FIGS. 6-8, with like parts having like numbers. Canopy luminaire 210
comprises a
luminaire housing 212 having a polygonal, and preferably square, base 214 with
a
periphery 216. Although base 214 is preferably square, as will be readily
appreciated
by those skilled in the art, any shape base may be used. A peripheral groove
218 is
formed in periphery 216 and a gasket 220 is secured within peripheral groove
218 for
a purpose to be described below.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
A shelf 222 is formed in each of the corners 224 of periphery 216. Shelf 222
comprises
a wall 226 extending downwardly from periphery 216 and a floor 228 extending
inwardly
from the lower end 230 of wall 226. Formed within floor 228 are recesses 232.
Also
extending downwardly from periphery 216 are stops 234 that are positioned
counterclockwise from and near each shelf 222. Together, periphery 216, wall
224, and
floor 228 form channels 236.
Glass lens 240, which is generally square, includes an outwardly extending
foot 242
having a detent 244 extending downwardly from each of the corners 246 of foot
242.
Foot 242 is adapted to engage gasket 220, which is intermediate foot 242 and
periphery
216 of base 214. Still further, foot 242 has a thickness that is sized to be
slidably
received within channels 236 to support glass lens 240 in shelves 222.
Moreover,
detent 244, which extends downwardly from foot 242, is adapted to operatively
engage
recess 232 in shelf 222 to releasably hold glass lens 240 to base 214.
In use, to secure glass lens 240 to base 214, glass lens 240 is pressed
upwardly against
gasket 220, such that foot 242 engages same. Gasket 220 is then deformed and
glass
lens 240 is rotated counterclockwise or a first direction until corners 246
and detents 244
are rotatably, slidably received in channels 236. Rotation of glass lens 240
is continued
until foot 242 contacts stops 234, which prevents over rotation of glass lens
240. At this
point, glass lens 240 is appropriately in line with base 214. Glass lens 240
is then
released, gasket 220 urges glass lens 240 downwardly, and detent 244
operatively
engages recesses 232 to releasably hold glass lens 240 to base 214. To remove
glass
lens 240, glass lens 240 is again pushed upwardly such that foot 242
compresses or
deforms gasket 220. Glass lens 240 is then rotated clockwise or a second
direction,
releasing corners 246 from shelves 222. Glass lens 240 may then be lowered
from
base 214. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, canopy
luminaire
210 may be adapted such that glass lens 240 is secured to base 214 by
clockwise
rotation and released from base 214 by counterclockwise rotation without
departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention.
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CA 02381049 2002-04-25
By virtue of the foregoing, there is thus provided a canopy luminaire that may
be easily
and quickly mounted into a horizontal mounting member by a single individual.
Further,
the canopy luminaire of the present invention includes a vertically oriented
lamp to
improve lighting of the target area. Still further, the canopy luminaire of
the present
invention includes control gear extemal to the luminaire housing, which
extends the life
of the components of the control gear, including the ballast. Finally, the
canopy
luminaire of the present invention permits an individual to quickly and easily
replace a
lamp.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several
embodiments
which have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicant
to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such
detail. Additional
advantages will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the
invention in its
broadest aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative
apparatus and
method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may
be made from the details without departing from the spirit or scope of
applicant's general
inventive concept.
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