Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
, CA 02685762 2016-04-18
56146-6
1
TRADITIONAL STYLE POST-TOP LUMINAIRE WITH RELAMPING
MODULE AND METHOD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS -
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to,
and benefit from, U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/020,333, filed on Jan.
25, 2008,
entitled, "Traditional Style Post-Top Luminaire with Rel4mping Module and
Method,"
.which is a continuation ofIJ.S. Utility application Ser. No 11/424;935, filed
on Jun. 16,
2006,.entitled "Traditional Style Post-Top Luminaire with Relamping Module and
.
Method," now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,720.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a luminaire adapted to be mounted at the top
of a post.
More particularly, this invention is directed to a luminaire having a new and
improved
design reducing maintenance costs.-
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. I is a perspective view of an embodiment of the luminaire mounted
on the
top of a post showing the external components thereof;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a door in the
capital being open
showing the internal components thereof;
. . .
.
CA 02685762 2016-04-18
56146-6
2
[0006] FIG. 3 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a partial cutaway of
the capital
showing a gasket and the partial removal of a relamping module;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a view of the relamping module of the luminaire of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a door in the
capital being open
showing the capital with internal components removed therefrom;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a post-top luminaire showing the
interrelationship between
the relamping module and upper portion of the luminaire;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of a post-top luminaire showing a capital
having a door
removed and installed on a base for mounting atop a post;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a capital door with electrical
components mounted
therein;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the capital of FIG. 7 having the
capital door of FIG. 8
mounted thereon;
[0013] FIGS. 10A and 10B is a partial cut-away view of a post top luminaire
showing the dual
radial sealing method and cooperation between the upper components of the
luminaire.
[0013a] FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are close-up perspective view of the relamping
module cup
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013b] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
relamping module for a
luminaire removable through an opening in a capital, comprising: said capital
with a globe
mounted thereon forming an optical chamber within said globe, said capital
having an access
door hingedly attached to said capital covering an access opening; said
relamping module
having a stem supporting a lamp socket and a cup affixed to said stem, wherein
said
relamping module is mountable within said capital to insert said stem and a
lamp into said
CA 02685762 2016-04-18
, .
56146-6
2a
optical chamber; wherein said stem is pivotable relative to said cup, said
relamping module
removable downward and through said access opening of said capital, wherein
said relamping
module has a slide to lock said stem in a vertical position.
[0013c] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
luminaire adapted to
being mounted at the top of a post comprising: a capital having a globe
mounted thereon
forming an optical chamber, said capital having a front access area with a
front access door
hingedly attached thereto, said capital having a latch capable of holding said
front access door
over said front access area substantially enclosing said front access area;
wherein said capital
has an opening in a top portion leading into said optical chamber of said
globe, a relamping
module extending upwards from said interior of said capital, through said
opening and into
said optical chamber and having a lamp socket; said relamping module removable
downward
through said capital opening and said front access area for relamping of said
globe luminaire
without removal of said globe from said capital; and wherein said relamping
module has a
lamp socket affixed to a post, said post pivotably affixed to a cup, said cup
removably
retained in said capital, and wherein said cup further has a lock structure
preventing pivotable
rotation of said post with said cup in a first position and allowing pivotable
rotation of said
post with said cup in a second position.
[0013d] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
relamping module
for a luminaire, comprising: a globe mountable to a globe ring, said globe
ring affixed to a
capital and having an aperture, said capital having an access door hingedly
affixed to said
capital and covering an access opening; said relamping module having a cup and
a stem
extending upwards from said cup, said cup mountable within said capital to
position said stem
within said globe; said stem pivotable relative to said cup; wherein said
relamping module is
removable from said capital downward through said access opening, and wherein
said
relamping module has a slide to lock said stem in a vertical position.
[0014] To present a better understanding of the invention, particular
embodiments thereof will
now be described and illustrated in the Figures. Reference to the Figures
showing
CA 02685762 2016-04-18
56146-6
2b
embodiments of the presently claimed invention are made simply to describe the
presently
claimed invention and not to limit the scope of the claims herein.
[0015] A traditional style post-top luminaire is provided having a design
reducing
,
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
3
maintenance costs. Optionally, the luminaire has a substantially isolated
water and dust
tight optical chamber and may incorporate a unique design of tool-less access
to a re-
lamping module and/or a removable electrical gear tray. Incorporating each of
these
options provides access to substantially all internal components through a
hinged door on
a bottom luminaire capital without the need for tools.
[0016] A sealed optical chamber is achieved by gasketing between the roof,
globe, and
bottom luminaire capital. Preferably, a dual radial sealed removable socket
casting allows
for tool-less removal of a lamp and relamping via access to a relamping
module. The dual
radial sealing method for a re-lamping module is preferably a submersible
rated gasketing
method. The relamping module has a relamping post extending upward from a base
cooperating with a central portion of a radial sealed socket casting and has a
lamp socket
thereon. Electrical gear is preferably attached to a removable tray mounted in
the capital
which is removable and replaceable in a tool-less manner.
[0017] A user has access to the lamp for replacement and servicing of the
electrical gear
at the same time via an optional tool-less latch through a bottom capital.
Thus, a post-top
luminaire may have totally tool-less access and the capability to service most
all of the
components that require typical maintenance in a tool-less manner.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, luminaire 10 is illustrated in one position
mounted at
the top of a post 12. The external structure of the luminaire 10 is
substantially
symmetrical about a central vertical axis, and thus FIG. 1 illustrates the
exterior of the
luminaire 10 as perceptively viewed from substantially any side thereof. From
an external
perspective, luminaire 10 generally comprises a luminaire base 14 supporting a
capital
16. Capital 16 has an opening in the top thereof wherein globe 18 is sealably
retained
forming an optical chamber within. Atop globe 18 is roof 20 which sealed to
globe 18
forming an optical chamber substantially sealed off from the exterior
environment. Roof
20 is optional as globe 18 could have a top without an opening therein.
Preferably, globe
18 is an acorn globe.
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
4
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, luminaire 10 has capital 16 attached
to base 14
with cast top 32 there between. Base 14 resides atop post 12. Capital 16 has
door 22 open
showing the internal components therein. Electrical assembly 24 is removably
retained
within capital 16 with retainer 37, being retained on door 22, providing easy
access and
removability. Door 22 is attached to capital 16 via hinge 26. Tab 29 is
attached near an
edge of door 22 and is oriented to cooperate with tool-less latch 28 on
capital 16
providing tool-less access to electrical gear assembly 24, relamping module
40, and other
internal components thereof FIG. 2 shows relamping module 40 in a sealed
position
within capital 16 about dual radial sealed socket casting 39 with relamping
module
sealing base 30. Relamping module sealing base 30 seals about dual radial
sealed socket
casketing 39 with a twisting action or vertical placement thereon. Optionally,
threads are
about an outer portion of dual radial sealed socket casting 39 which cooperate
with
optional threads on an inner surface of relamping module sealing base 30. FIG.
3 shows
relamping module sealing base 30 released and removed from dual radial sealed
socket
casting 39 as is done when relamping. Relamping module 40 is shown partially
removed
exposing relamping post 36, socket 38, and lamp 42. Lamp electrical connection
34 is
removed from electrical assembly 24 and optional retaining bracket 33 is
rotatingly
removed from retainers 31. Terminal block 25 resides within capital 16 and
serves as a
connector to an external power supply via wires extending through luminaire
base 14 and
post 12. Electrical connector 27 is in electrical communication with terminal
block 25
and removed from electrical assembly 24. Outer globe ring 17 is shown having a
decorative outer surface sealingly holding globe 18 on capital 16.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a relamping module 40. Relamping module 40 has at its base
a
relamping module sealing base 30 that has an inner circumferential surface
which
optionally seals to a an optional single or dual radial sealed socket casting.
Optionally,
relamping module sealing base 30 has an internal thread to cooperate with
optional
external threads on a dual radial sealed socket casting. Alternatively,
relamping module
sealing base 30 has a smooth inner surface enabling a vertical placement about
a dual
radial sealed socket casting. Extending upward from relamping module sealing
base 30 is
relamping post 36 which contains wiring for lamp 42 terminating at connector
27.
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
Relamping post 38 has a length necessary to position lamp 42 within a central
portion of
globe 18 when relamping module sealing base 30 is sealed onto a dual radial
sealed
socket casting. Atop relamping post 36 is lamp socket 38 having lamp 42
installed
therein. Depending from relamping module sealing base 30 is optional retaining
bracket
33 that has slots in an upper portion for twistingly engaging fasteners
downwardly
depending from outer globe ring 17, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a post top luminaire 10 having door 22 in capital 16 being
open
showing the internal components removed for maintenance. Capital 16 is
attached to base
14 having cast top 32 and has globe 18 sealably retained thereon forming an
optical
chamber within. Base 14 resides atop post 12. Capital 16 has door 22 open
showing
electrical assembly 24 removed therefrom showing mounts 88. Mounts 88 and
retainer 37
enables for a tool-less removal and replacement of electrical assembly 24.
Door 22 is
attached via hinge 26. Tab 29 is attached near an edge of door 22 and is
oriented to
cooperate with tool-less latch 28 on capital 16 providing tool-less access to
electrical
assembly 24 and relamping module 40. Atop capital 16 is outer globe ring 17
holding
globe 18 thereon. Terminal block 25 is shown attached an inner wall of capital
16 having
all electrical wires removed therefrom.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows post-top luminaire 600 having relamping module 640, outer
globe
ring 661, and inner globe ring 663 in an exploded view showing the
interrelationship
between these component parts. Relamping module 640 has retaining bracket 633
extending radially from relamping module sealing base 630. Retaining bracket
633 has
notches proximate each end for twistingly engaging fasteners extending
downward from
outer globe ring 661. Depending upward from relamping module sealing base 630
is
relamping post 666 having socket 665 mounted atop. Lamp 662 is threadingly
engaged
within lamp socket 665. Retainer receivers 668 preferably have an internal
thread for
receiving a fastener holding inner globe ring 663 to outer globe ring 661.
Globe posts 667
extend upward from inner globe ring 663 supporting globe 664 thereon.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows post-top luminaire 700 having capital 770 with a door
removed
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
6
therefrom. Capital 770 is mounted on luminaire base 771 for mounting atop a
post. Tool-
less latch 774 is near an edge of capital 770 proving tool-less access to the
inner portion
of capital 770 by holding a door, shown in FIG. 8, in a closed position. On an
opposite
edge of capital 770 is hinge component 778 for hingedly holding the door.
Internal
components shown within capital 770 are optional photo control 775 and
terminal block
776. FIG. 8 shows capital door 881 with electrical assembly 885 removably
mounted
therein. Capital door 881 has latch 879 on a lower inner portion thereof
cooperating with
electrical assembly 885 providing for the tool-less removable of electrical
assembly 885.
Electrical assembly 885 has handle 887 extending from an upper portion for
tool-less
removal. Lower and upper hinge components 878 cooperate with hinge components
778
on capital 700, shown in FIG. 7. Tab 880 cooperates with tool-less latch 774
providing
tool-less access to the internal components of luminaire 700 having door 881.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows post-top luminaire 900 having capital 970 with capital
door 980
hingedly attached thereto. Capital 970 is mounted on luminaire base 971 for
mounting
atop a post. Tool-less latch 974 is near an edge of capital 970 proving tool-
less access to
the inner portion of capital 970 and capital door 980. Hinge components 978
and 979
cooperate to hingedly hold capital door 980 to capital 970. Internal
components shown
within capital 970 are optional photo control 975 and terminal block 976.
Capital door
980 has an electrical assembly removed therefrom exposing mounting blocks 988
and
latch 937 which cooperate with the electrical assembly providing tool-less
removal.
[0025] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a partial cut-away view of post top luminaire
1000
detailing the dual radial sealing method and cooperation between the capital
1072, outer
globe ring 1061, inner globe ring 1063, relamping module 1144, and globe 1064.
FIG.
10A shows luminaire 1000 having an upper sectional cut-away detailed in FIG.
10B.
Luminaire 1000 has capital 1072 attached to base 1071 for mounting atop a
post. Capital
1072 has hingedly attached door 1081 open showing the internal components
therein.
Electrical assembly 1085 is removably retained on door 1081 with retainer 1037
providing easy access and removability. Electrical assembly 1085 has handle
1087
extending from an upper portion for tool-less removal. Tab 1029 is attached
near an edge
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
7
of door 1081 and is oriented to cooperate with tool-less latch 1028 on capital
1072
providing tool-less access to electrical gear assembly 1085, relamping module
1044,
optional photo control 1075, terminal block 1076, and other components
therein. FIG.
10B shows an enlarged view of the cut-away portion shown in FIG. 10A detailing
the
cooperation between capital 1072, dual radial sealing method having seals
1101, outer
globe ring 1061, inner globe ring 1063, relamping module 1144, and globe 1064.
Relamping module 1144 is shown in a sealed position within capital 1072 with a
dual
radial sealed socket casting, having dual radial seals 1101, section of inner
globe ring
1063. Radial seals 1101 are optional as it is not required to have an air
tight seal about
relamping module 1144. Optionally, inner globe ring 1063 may have a single
radial seal
1101. Relamping module sealing base 1030 has relamping post 1036 depending
upward
from a central portion and has an outer cylindrical section sealed about dual
radial seals
1101. The sealing of relamping module 1144 within inner globe ring 1063 can be
done
with a twisting action or vertical placement of sealing relamping module base
1030 about
dual radial seals 1101 environmentally sealing a lamp atop relamping post 1036
within a
central portion of globe 1064. Optionally, threads are about an outer portion
of the dual
radial sealed socket casting section of inner globe ring 1063 which cooperate
with
optional threads on an inner surface of relamping module base 1030. Optional
retaining
bracket 1033 has a central portion engaged with relamping module base 1030 and
slots in
outwardly and upwardly depending flanges cooperating with retainers 1038
holding
relamping module 1044 in a sealed position about dual radial seals 1101.
Retainers 1038
threadingly engage and depend downwardly from outer globe ring 1061 having a
head
separated from outer globe ring 1061 a distance of at least the thickness of
retaining
bracket 1033 enabling rotating engagement of 1033 with retainers 1038. Also
shown here
is gasket 1012 cooperating with a lower edge of globe 1064 and located within
a recess in
inner globe ring 1063. The seal formed between globe 1064 and inner globe ring
1063
with gasket 1012 and the seal formed between relamping module 1144 and inner
globe
ring 1063 with radial seals 1101 provides tool-less access to a lamp mounted
atop
relamping post 1036 while providing an environmentally sealed globe 1064.
[0026] Relamping of embodiments of the post-top luminaire can be accomplished
in a
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
8
completely tool-less manner. For example, in this embodiment capital door 1081
is
opened by releasing tab 1029 from latch 1028. Relamping module base 1030 is
then
released from a globe ring 1063 in a tool-less manner. In this embodiment base
1030 is
rotated in a counter-clockwise direction releasing retaining bracket 1033 from
retainers
1038. Relamping module 1144 is then lowered from globe 1064 exposing a lamp
mounted atop relamping post 1036 allowing removal and replacement of the lamp.
The
lamp is then placed within the aperture in globe ring 1063 and relamping
module 1144 is
raised up into globe 1064 and base 1030 is secured to globe ring 1063 with a
clockwise
rotation. Capital door 1081 is then closed completing the relamping process.
[0027] Alternative structure for the relamping module 530 is depicted in FIGS.
11-14. In
the variations shown, larger lamp types which are electrically connected to
the lamp
socket 538 may be accommodated and relamped without removal of the globe 18.
As
shown in FIG. 11, the lamp socket 538 has an electrical power cord 519
depending
through the cup 527 and may be directly affixed to socket connection wiring
which
extend below the cup 527 and which are directly connectable to the replacement
ballast
which may be supported on the door 22 of the capital 16. These electrical
connections are
not shown for ease of simplicity. Lamp socket 538 may retain the larger lamp
types
which may be removed downward through the capital 16 as shown in FIG. 14
through the
use of a hinge or pivot pin 537. Such hinge or pivot pin 537 allows the
relamping stem or
relamping post to flex relative to the cup 527 so that the relamping module
may be
removed from the fixture through the opening in the capital 16 covered by the
door 22.
[0028] Turning to the structure of the pivoting relamping module 530 shown in
the
figures, in the present embodiment the relamping post or stem may be comprised
of an
upper relamping post 536 which is hingedly or pivotally connected to a lower
relamping
post 531 or other structure from cup 527. As depicted, the upper relamping
post 536 has a
pivot pin 537 extending there through and through the lower relamping post
531. Upper
relamping post 536 may also have an arcuate face 534 which has an arcuate face
slot 535.
Arcuate face slot 535 may receive a slide 529 therein in order to lock the
upper relamping
post 536 in vertical position relative to the cup 527. Relamping module 530
may have
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
9
various structures supporting the lamp socket 538 and lamp 539 which may vary
from the
posts 536 and 531. A single stem may be provided extending directly upwards
from the
cup or other supporting structure to adequately support and position the lamp
539 in the
light chamber and which may be pivotally attached thereto.
[0029] A locking mechanism or slide 529 is shown allowing the upper relamping
post
536 to be locked in the vertical position. The slide 529 may be a dual
position slide, the
first position being a locked position wherein the upper relamping post 536 is
locked and
retained in the vertical position depicted in FIG. 11. The second position may
be in the
unlocked position wherein the slide 529 is pulled outwardly in the direction
of the arrow
of FIG. 11 towards the edge of or cup sidewall thereby aligning the slide
notches 528
with the arcuate face slot 535 thereby allowing the arcuate face 534 to rotate
within the
slide notch 528 and allowing the upper relamping post to hinge or flex
relative to the cup
527. Cup sidewall 526 will allow the slide 529 to extend shown in FIG. 11 to
be placed in
a second position to allow pivoting of the upper relamping post 536 relative
to the cup
527. Many different structures or embodiments for a locking mechanism may be
utilized
and implemented in the use of the cup 527 and the relamping stem or relamping
post 536.
In the various embodiments depicted, a lower relamping post 531 is utilized in
combination with the slide 529. However, various structures may be implemented
to lock
the upper relamping post in vertical position as disclosed.
[0030] As a benefit to the design depicted in the figures, slide 529 must be
in the locked
first position depicted in FIG. 11 in order for the cup 527 to be properly
installed on the
globe ring 1063 since when in the second position, slide 529 has a handle
portion which
extends outside the periphery of the cup side wall notch 526 thereby
preventing the cup
527 from being affixed to the globe ring 1063. The second position of the
slide 529
therefore allows the lamp to be pivoted relative to the cup but also prevents
the cup from
being installed unless it is adequately locked in such vertical position.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 12, the slide 529 is placed in the second unlocked
position
allowing the upper relamping post 536 to be pivoted relative to the cup 527,
thereby
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
causing the slide 529 to extend outward beyond the cup sidewall but allowing
the upper
relamping post 536 to flex and tilting the socket cup 538 such that the entire
relamping
module may be pulled out of the fixture and through the aperture in the
capital covered
by the door 22. Thus, even large lamp types may be removed from the fixture
without
removal of the globe.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 13, the socket cup 527 may be removed from the globe
ring
through a counterclockwise rotation allowing the spring clips 521 to become
disengaged
from formed bosses on the globe ring thereby allowing the cup 527 to be
removed
therefrom. Various wiring connections, which are not shown in the figures for
simplicity,
may be disengaged between the lamp and lamp socket 538 and the ballast
electronics
which may be hung on the door 22 and easily connectable to the lamp. Plug 523,
shown
in FIG. 14 may be implemented on a lower side of the cup 527 in order to allow
wiring
between the socket, lamp, plug 523, control electronics and ballast components
positioned in the capital interior or hung on the door 22. Inner globe ring
1063 shown in
FIG. 14, works in conjunction with the globe ring 1061 in order to receive the
cup 527
and the bosses formed thereof for engagement with spring clips 521. As can be
readily
understood, removal of the cup 527 from the inner globe ring 1063 may be
accomplished
through the disconnection of the cup 527 through rotation relative to the
globe ring,
downward removal of the cup 527 from the globe ring and positioning of the
slide 529
into the secondary unlocked position thereby allowing rotation of the upper
relamping
post 536 relative to the cup 527 as shown in FIG. 14. Once in such flexed
position, the
lamp 539 and relamping module 530 may be fully removed through the opening in
the
capital even when larger lamps are implemented. Also as indicated, when
reinstalling the
relamping module 530 relative to the globe ring, positioning of the slide 529
in order to
lock the upper relamping post 536 in vertical position relative to the cup 527
may be
accomplished. Such locking of the slide 529 into the first position and
preventing
pivoting or rotation of the relamping module prior to installation is
desirable such that the
lamp 539 is properly positioned within the globe upon installation of the cup
527 to the
globe ring. This may be accomplished after insertion of the lamp into the
aperture of the
globe ring, as shown in FIG. 14, and prior to locking of the cup on the globe
ring boss.
CA 02685762 2009-11-12
11
[0033] Various installation structure may be utilized for combinations with
globe ring
1061 and inner globe ring 1063. Such combinations include composite globe
rings, inner
globe rings, capital and globe ring interface structure all integrated into
single unitary
units and other known structures which make ease of installation and
manufacturing
accomplishable. The various structures depicted interfacing both the inner
globe ring
1063 and globe ring 1061 are exemplary only as various globe ring structures
may be
used which allow for an aperture to be formed entering between the capital 16
and the
globe 18 while allowing the removal of cup 527 and installation of the cup 527
to an
interior portion of the capital thereby properly positioning the lamp 539
within the globe.
In the present embodiment, the cup 527 is positioned below the inner globe
ring 1063 and
substantially covering the aperture formed in the globe ring combination. As
mentioned
however, various structures may be utilized to implement globe ring and globe
structure
inter-face in combination with the capital 16.
[0034] Capital 16, as previously described, will also have the capital access
aperture
covered by the capital door 22 which may be hinged directly to the capital for
removal.
Capital door 22 may be removably placed over the opening within the capital by
virtue of
door latch 28 thereby allowing access to the interior of the capital and the
various
electronic components therein which may include the ballast, electronic
cabling, optical
sensors, plugs and other wiring necessary to maintain the fixture in proper
operating
form. In the present embodiment, collar 14 may be implemented to integrate
both the
capital 16 with the support post 12 such that the fixture may be properly
positioned atop
the post 12.
[0035] While embodiments have been set forth for purposes of disclosure,
modifications
of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to
those
skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all
embodiments which do not depart from the spirit of the disclosure.
