U.S. patent number 3,805,055 [Application Number 05/314,798] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for removable outdoor light structure.
Invention is credited to Harold C. Cassey.
United States Patent |
3,805,055 |
Cassey |
April 16, 1974 |
REMOVABLE OUTDOOR LIGHT STRUCTURE
Abstract
An outdoor light to illuminate driveways, walks, swimming pools
and the like comprising a base member installed in the earth, such
as a lawn, flush with the upper surface and having a vertical
socket extending downward from the upper end of the member to
receive s supporting post member telescopically for support. The
telescoping members have co-engageable electric contacts, the
contact in the base member being connected by under ground cable
above or within the ground to a source of current and the other
contact being connected to an electric lamp on the post member. A
bracket on the post member supports shades for the electric light
and also has a handle to facilitate removal of the post member from
the base socket to permit lawn mowing or other operations free from
obstruction by said lights.
Inventors: |
Cassey; Harold C. (Salunga,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
23221483 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/314,798 |
Filed: |
December 13, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/358; 362/431;
439/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V
21/06 (20130101); F21V 15/005 (20130101); F21V
23/06 (20130101); F21V 21/116 (20130101); F21S
8/081 (20130101); F21V 21/0824 (20130101); F21V
15/00 (20130101); F21V 27/00 (20130101); F21W
2131/109 (20130101); F21V 31/00 (20130101); F21W
2131/10 (20130101); F21V 11/16 (20130101); F21V
1/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
23/06 (20060101); F21S 8/08 (20060101); F21V
21/116 (20060101); F21V 23/00 (20060101); F21V
21/10 (20060101); F21s 001/10 (); F21v
021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/84,108,109,11.2R
;339/36,42 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peters, Jr.; Joseph F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Just; C. Hercus
Claims
1. An outdoor electric light comprising in combination, a base
member insertable in the earth at a level no higher than the
surface of the earth and having a socket open at the top and
extending downward thereinto and having plug-like means centrally
therein extending upwardly therein, a tubular post-like support
member insertable axially slidably into said socket for support by
said base member and telescopically receiving said plug-like means,
co-engageable electric contact means within said tubular support
member and on said plug-like means separably engaging each other
when said tubular support member is inserted into said socket
telescopically, an electric light carried by said support member,
and means on said base member connectable to an underground source
of current
2. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said base member
is provided with stabilizing fins extending radially from the axis
thereof and the inner edges thereof having cutouts to form said
socket, and said fins being engageable with the earth in which the
base member is mounted and operable to stabilize the same against
tilting or wobbling when
3. The outdoor light according to claim 2 in which said base member
has a tubular lower portion relative to which the post-like support
member is positioned in axial alignment when in operative position
therewith, and said stabilizing fins projecting radially from said
tubular lower portion
4. The outdoor light according to claim 3 in which said base member
further includes electrical conductors connected to one of said
stabilizing fins and extending radially to an opening provided
therefor in said tubular portion of said base member, and said base
member further including shield and plow means connected to said
fin and overlying at least a portion of said electrical conductors
to protect the same incident to the base member
5. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said base member
additionally includes a face plate extending across the upper end
of said base member radially outward beyond said socket and
positionable substantially at the level of the earth within which
the base member is mounted to limit the insertion of said base
member into the earth, and said base member including tubular means
coaxial with said socket within which additional electrical contact
means are mounted, said face plate
6. The outdoor light according to claim 5 further including a
plurality of circumferentially spaced stabilizing fins projecting
radially from said tubular means of said base member and the upper
ends of said fins also being connected to said face plate to
strengthen the base member and
7. The outdoor light according to claim 6 further including shield
means extending between said fins of said base member and spaced
from the axis of said base member a greater distance than said
tubular means to define a limited annular space radially beyond
said socket of said base member to
8. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said base member
has a tube positioned centrally thereof at the lower end portion of
the member, said tube including an insulating plug projecting from
the upper end thereof, contact means supported by said insulating
plug, and said postlike support member at the lower end thereof
being insertable within
9. The outdoor light according to claim 8 in which said insulating
plug in said central tube of said base member supports a plurality
of said contact means in spaced insulated relationship to each
other adjacent the upper end of said base member and one of said
contact means being at a lower level than the other, whereby when
said post-like support member is removed from said base member, the
possibility of accidentally
10. The outdoor light according to claim 9 in which one of said
contact means is substantially central of said insulating plug and
the other contact means is radially spaced therefrom upon said
insulating plug and the upper ends of said contact means are at
different axial levels relative to said plug and the uppermost
contact means being substantially
11. The outdoor light according to claim 8 further including a
plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially extending
stabilizing fins interconnected to said central tube, the inner
edges of said fins having vertically extending clearance spaces
between the ends thereof to permit reception of the tubular lower
portion of the post-like support member within said base member and
engage the inner surfaces of said fins at restricted sections
thereof to provide ease of insertion and withdrawal of
12. The outdoor light according to claim 11 additionally including
an insulating plug within said tubular lower end portion of said
post-like support member, and spring-type contact means supported
by said insulating plug within said post-like support member for
engagement with an electrical contact carried by said base member
and positioned therein for contact by said spring-type contacts of
said post-like support member.
13. The outdoor light according to claim 12 in which said base
member and post-like support member additionally include
snap-acting friction-type co-engageable contacts operable to
establish a second line of electrical circuitry between said
members when the same are connected together in operative
relationship and prevent accidental separation thereof by the
spring force of said spring-type contact means operating against
said
14. The outdoor light according to claim 8 further including a
plurality of circumferentially spaced wire friction members having
outwardly extending and flexible bowed portions and connected to
said base member in a manner to prevent relative longitudinal
movement therebetween, said friction members being frictionally
engageable with the inner surface of the tubular portion of said
post-like support member to stabilize said support member with
respect to the base member and additionally establish electrical
contact between said members for one line of circuitry therein.
15. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said base
member and post-like support member respectively include
telescopically interfitting connection means, said tubular means on
said post-like support member having an electric bulb socket
supported at the upper end thereof, and bracket means connected to
said upper end portion of said post-like support member, said
bracket means including a substantially horizontal handle connected
thereto above said bulb and arranged to be manually engaged to
facilitate upward telescopic withdrawal of the post-like support
member from the socket of said base member and also faciliate
re-engagement of said members in operative relationship with
respect to
16. The outdoor light according to claim 15 further including a
shield member carried by said bracket means of said post-like
support member below said handle and supported thereby in axial
alignment with and above
17. The outdoor light according to claim 15 further including a
vertically extending shade which surrounds said electric bulb and
socket carried by said post-like support member, said shade
removably slidably interengaging
18. The outdoor light according to claim 17 further including
securing means extending through said shade and connectable to said
bracket means to prevent ready removal of said shade from said
bracket means and thereby
19. The outdoor light according to claim 17 in which said bracket
means comprises a plurality of spider members spaced
circumferentailly around the axis of said post-like support member
and extending radially therefrom, said spider members being
connected to the upper portion of said post-like support member and
the lower ends thereof projecting radially outward beyond the shade
supported by said bracket means and the lower edge of said shade
abutting said projecting portions of said spider members to
maintain said shade in operative position with respect to said
20. The outdoor light according to claim 17 further including a
shield, and means on said bracket means engaging said shield to
support the same substantially centrally above said electric bulb,
and said bracket means also having portions engageable with the
interior surfaces of the upper portions of said shade to position
the same in operative position upon
21. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said post-like
support member has an electric bulb socket supported adjacent the
upper end thereof, spider members connected to the upper end
portion of said tubular support member and extending outwardly and
upwardly therefrom, a shield member supported by said spider
members above said electric bulb socket in axial alignment
therewith to protect an electric bulb from weather elements when
mounted in said socket, and positioning means on said spider
members engaging said shield adjacent the periphery thereof at
circumferentially spaced locations to support the same in
operative
22. The outdoor light according to claim 21 in which said shield
member has limited flexibility and said positioning means on said
spider members engaging the upper portions of the perimeter of said
shield member to detachably secure the same against said spider
members which extend
23. The outdoor light according to claim 1 further including
interengageable means on said base member and said post-like
support member comprising a lock member movably carried by said
base member which engages an abutment on said support member to
prevent separation of said support member from said base member,
and lock means operable by a key and adapted to maintain said
interengaging means in the engaged position
24. The outdoor light according to claim 23 in which said lock
means is mounted on said base member and is of the type which
requires a key device to actuate the same for rotational
disengagement of such lock member from engagement with said
abutment on said post-like support member to permit
25. The outdoor light according to claim 23 in which said lock
means also is shaped to function as a cover and is arranged to be
disposed over the socket of said base member when said support
member is removed from said
26. The outdoor light according to claim 23 further including earth
anchoring means mounted yieldably on said base member and operable
to permit insertion of said base into the earth without appreciable
obstruction and including movement resisting means movable relative
to said base member in a direction to engage the earth below the
surface thereof in a manner to oppose upward movement of said base
member from the
27. The outdoor light according to claim 1 in which said base
member has a cover movably mounted thereon and is positionable over
said socket in said base member to cover the same when said supprot
member is removed therefrom, said cover being spring biased toward
said covering position
28. The outdoor light according to claim 1 further including
positioning means on said support member adapted to engage stop
means on said base member to limit the insertion of said support
member into said socket of said base member and thereby provide
means to insure adequate engagement of said co-engageable electric
contact means in said socket and on said
29. The outdoor light according to claim 28 in which said
positioning means on said support member is visible when in
engagement with said stop means in said socket and thereby serves
as a visible indicator to show when full
30. An outdoor electric light comprising in combination, base means
adapted to be inserted in the earth and including a face plate
having an opening defining an entrance to a socket extending
axially from said opening, fin-like members connected to and
extending perpendicularly from one surface of said face plate and
extending radially therefrom at circumferentially spaced locations
thereon and adapted to engage the surrounding earth in a manner to
stabilize the position of said base means in the earth, said
fin-like members having inner edges spaced from each other to
define the sides of said socket, a tubular post having one end
adapted to be telescopically received within said socket and
engageable with said inner edges of said fin-like members to
position said post for support by said base means, an electric
light socket mounted upon the upper end portion of said post, and
an electric conduit extending axially of said post and connected at
one end to said electric light socket and
31. The light according to claim 30 in which the sides of said
socket between the inner edges of said fin-like members are open to
permit said one end of said post to push any debris in said socket
aside through said openings incident to inserting said one end of
said post into said socket.
32. The light according to claim 31 further including a tubular end
member on said base means opposite said face plate and portions of
said fin-like members being fixedly connected to said end member,
said end member being tapered to facilitate insertion thereof into
the earth and the diameter of said end member being adapted to form
an opening into the earth ahead of said socket when said base means
is being mounted in the earth, whereby the walls of said opening in
the earth partially define said socket to
33. The light according to claim 32 further including axial plug
means extending from said tubular end member into said socket and
having electrical contact means thereon connectable to a source of
current, and said one end of said tubular post having electrical
contact means therein spaced from the terminal end thereof and
connected to said conduit in said post and said one end of said
post receiving said plug means when said post is mounted in said
socket in said base means to coengage said
34. The light according to claim 33 in which one of said electrical
contacts is pointed and is pressed axially by a spring and thereby
firmly engaging the other contact through the force of said spring
to insure the establishment of a circuit between said contacts by
penetrating debris and
35. The light according to claim 34 further including additional
coengageable contacts on said axial plug means and within said one
end of said tubular post which are of a separable snap-acting
friction type and adapted to resist any accidental separation
thereof by forces exerted by said spring against said pointed
electrical contact.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to outdoor lights and particularly those
intended to be positioned along driveways, walks, around swimming
pools and at any other location where, for example, a preferably
low light is desired to supply limited illumination and not
interfere with the driving of motor vehicles or be of a glaring
nature. Various types of lights are used at present for this kind
of illumination. A number of them are provided with spikes or other
types of pointed ends which are driven into the ground in order to
support the light. Various types of conduit means are employed to
furnish current to the lights, including underground conduits as
well as certain ones above ground. Patents directed to lights of
this type include the following; U. S. Pat. No. 2,673,286 to Moore
in 1954 U. S. Pat. No. 2,764,671 to Clark in 1956 U. S. Pat. No.
2,797,310 to Moore in 1957 U. S. Pat. No. 3,104,064 to Bellek in
1963 U. S. Pat. No. 3,231,731 to McDonald in 1966 The principal
difficulty encountered in regard to use of the aforementioned type
is that they normally are intended to be fairly permanently
installed in the ground adjacent a driveway or walk for example,
such installation frequently being in a lawn area. It is obvious
that attempting to mow a lawn around a permanently installed post
of any kind presents difficulties and requires, in general, the use
of hand-clippers which consitutes a nuisance. In the event the
light is of a type which has a spike on it inserted into the lawn,
if it is desired to remove the light, especially for lawn-mowing
purposes, it is necessary to pull the entire light, including the
supporting spike, from the ground. This is frequently not possible
due to the underground wiring installation leading to and from the
light. Therefore, to obviate this difficulty and permit ready
removal of any post light obstruction connected with outdoor
lighting of the type referred to, so that mowing of lawns may occur
without any such obstruction, the present invention has been
developed and affords several different embodiments of
construction, representing a marked improvement over existing
lights of the general character referred to above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a removable
outdoor light structure comprising a socket-like base member which
is adapted to be installed permanently in the earth, such as in a
lawn area, and including an electrical contact means therein which
is connected by underground cable or the like to a source of
current, and a post-like support member for an electric light which
has one end insertable telescopically within the socket of the base
member and also including electric contact means engageable with
the electric contact means in the base member when the light post
is installed in operative position within the socket of the base
member, whereby the supporting post for the electric light is
quickly removable from the socket and thereby render the lawn area
adjacent the socket completely unobstructed by any upstanding
projection so that lawn-mowing may occur by simply laying aside the
lamp post which has been removed from the socket and then quickly
reinstalling the same in the socket at the completion of the
lawn-mowing operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide relatively simple
foolproof and weather-proof co-engageable electric contact means in
the socket-type base member and the insertable light post, said
contact means being of a character which readily establish an
electric circuit when they are co-engaged, regardless of the
occurrence of inclement weather or a limited amount of accumulation
of grass clippings within the socket.
A further object of the invention is to provide bracket means upon
the upper end of the supporting post for the electric light to
serve the dual purpose of supporting a weather shield above the
electric light bulb and also including a handle by which the light
post portion of the assembly readily may be removed from the socket
of the base member without involving any exposed electrical conduit
or otherwise.
Still another object of the invention ancillary to the foregoing
object is to support a light shade upon the bracket means which
preferably is colored suitably to present an esthetic type of
illumination of a non-glaring nature.
One further object of the invention is to employ an electric
circuit of a low voltage nature, such as 12 volts, thereby
minimizing the risk of electric short circuits occurring due to
inclement weather or otherwise and, accordingly, render the the
light structure reasonably free from accidentally shocking anyone
removing the light from its supporting socket.
An additional object of the invention is to incorporate
anti-pilfering mechanism within the light structure which
preferably is operable by a separate key-like tool or similar
device and includes means to prevent removal of the base from the
earth in which it is installed.
Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as
other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical elevation, partly in section, showing an
outdoor type of light embodying the principles of the present
invention and installed in a section of lawn shown in vertical
section and illustrating an exemplary type of conduit by which
current is supplied to the light.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are similar, fragmentary, vertical sectional views
showing, respectively, two different types of electric contact
means suitable for use in the light of the type shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 2A is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detail of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of details of the mechanism
shown on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of details of the structure
of FIG. 2 as shown on the line 5--5 thereof.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partially fragmentary vertical elevation of
the supporting base member of the lamp structure shown in FIG.
1.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are fragmentary elevation and sectional views of
details for supplemental structure for FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrated on a smaller
scale, and showing a different side elevation of the base member
otherwise illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the base member shown in FIGS. 6 and
7.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section showing the
supporting post and lamp per se of FIG. 1 partly broken away to
show details.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the light structure shown in FIG. 8,
partly broken away to show details.
FIG. 10 is an exemplary side elevation of the light shown in FIG. 1
as seen when installed in operative position.
FIGS. 11, 11A, 12, 13 and 13A show details of several embodiments
of anti-pilfering structures comprising part of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a plan elevation of an additional anti-pilfering and
closure device of the invention.
FIG. 14A is a fragmentary view of a further detail for FIG. 14.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation of an alternate embodiment
of closure for the base member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The light comprising the present invention essentially includes a
base member 10 which is insertable into the earth 12, such as a
lawn 14. The principal object of the present invention is to
provide an illuminating means for installation in lawn areas
adjacent driveways, walks or pathways, swimming pools and
otherwise. The light is of such nature that the elements which
project above the surface of the lawn quickly may be removed to
clear the lawn, for mowing for example, without obstruction.
Following such mowing, the elements of the light which have been
removed quickly and readily may be reinserted into socket means in
base member 10, whereby easy exchange of light types may occur.
The light assembly shown in FIG. 1 includes a post-like support
member 16 to support an electric light socket at its upper end and
a light shield or shade 20 surrounds the same.
The base member 10 may be formed from suitable rigid material such
as appropriate sheet metal, such as steel or aluminum, or the same
may be suitably formed from synthetic resin of suitable thickness
and strength. Essentially, the base member comprises a tubular
lower portion 22 which preferably is formed with a terminal pointed
end 24 to facilitate inserting the base member into the earth to
assume the position therein shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the upper end of the
tubular member 22 preferably is spaced a short distance below the
horizontal face plate 26 which has a central hole 28 therein. Plate
26 limits insertion of base 10 into the earth by contacting the
surrounding surface thereof. Preferably, the face plate 26 is
circular, as shown in FIG. 7A. Such shape is not to be regarded as
restrictive however.
Lateral stablizing means for the base member 10 also are provided
in the form of a plurality of radial fins 30. As will be seen from
FIGS. 6 and 7, the fins 30 are substantially triangular in shape
which also facilitates the installation of the base member into the
earth. Particulary if the earth is seasonably soft at the time
installation is made, the base members may be mounted therein by
driving them into the earth. It will be understood that, from a
practical standpoint, the overall vertical dimension of the base
member 10 is, for example, of the order of 9 to 12 inches. The
lower portions of the fins 30 are provided with suitable connecting
means, such as narrow transverse flanges 32, see FIG. 7A, which may
be fixedly connected to the exterior surfaces of the tubular
portion 22 of base member 10 by any appropriate means such as
welding or otherwise. The upper ends of the fins 30 also are
provided with narrow flanges 34, see FIGS. 6 and 7, which are
suitably fixed, by rivets, welding or otherwise, to the lower
surface of the face plate 26.
The base member 10 also is provided with elongated socket means
defined by the upper portions of the inner edges of the fins 30,
due to the fact that the inner edges of the upper portions of the
fins are not connected to the tubular portion 22 of the base member
as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Cutouts in the inner edge of fins
30 form the socket 36 for minimum resistance to the insertion of
the lower end 38 of member 16 into base member 10 or removal
therefrom. When inserting base member 10 into the ground, a
cylindrical collar 39 which is fixed to tube 22 of base member 10
forms a hole larger in diameter than tube 22 to freely receive
portion 38 of post-like member 16. If desired to prevent earth from
falling into such enlarged hole, shield members 37, such as
quadrants shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, may be fixed to fins 30 to
preserve socket 36 but the lower edges of members 37 are spaced
from tube 22 to provide passage for minor debris and water.
The tubular portion 22 of base member 10 contains one of several
embodiments of insulating plugs respectively illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3. Referring to FIG. 2, the insulating plug 40 is fixedly
positioned within the upper end of tubular portion 22 and has a
central opening 42 through which electrical conductor 44 extends
which is connected electrically, such as by soldering, to fixed
central bushing-type contact 48. Conductor 46 is connected, such as
by soldering, to the interior of tubular metal sleeve contact 50
which is crimped around bulbous means on plug 40 and terminates
below the upper end thereof to prevent accidental short-circuiting,
as when support member 16 has been removed from base member 10. The
lower end of sleeve contact 50 extends into an insulating bushing
51 fitted into the upper end of tubular lower portion 22 of base
member 10.
The lower portions of the conductors 44 and 46, which comprise a
two-wire conductor, extend through a hole, not shown, in the wall
of the tubular portion 22 of the base member. Said hole is opposite
the lower end of shield and plow member 52 which is best shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7. The plow member 52 may be formed from metal and
extends along and is suitably attached to one face of one of the
fins 30 by any suitable means such as a screw 54, for example,
adjacent the lower end thereof. Along the outer edge, member 52 has
a reversely bent flange 56 which extends around the outer edge of
said fin 30 to stabilize attachment of member 52 thereto. Plow
member 52 is shaped to cover the conductors 44 and 46 which extend
upwardly from the aforementioned hole in tubular portion 22 and
along one face of said fin 30, whereby as the base member 10 is
pressed or otherwise inserted into the earth 12, no undue abrasion
of the conductors will occur. At the upper end of plow member 52,
the conductors 44 and 46 are bent to extend laterally beneath the
face plate 26 for installation in a shallow channel in the lawn 14,
for example, as illustrated in exemplary manner in FIG. 1.
Said conductors 44 and 46 are connected to a suitable source of
electric current carried by a 2-conductor cable disposed either
below or above ground and extending along a row of the lights,
which are individually connected thereto. Preferably, however,
rather than employ conventional current of 110 volts, for example,
it is preferred that a low voltage, such as of the order of 12
volts, be utilized in the electric circuit which supplies current
to the lights in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, thereby minimizing the possibility of short-circuiting,
or producing objectionable electric shocks to persons or animals,
even under inclement weather conditions. To supply such low voltage
current, an appropriate transformer, not shown, may be installed,
for example, where the overall circuit is connected to a source of
current such as 110 volt capacity. The transformer may be
positioned or mounted at any convenient location, such as in a
basement or garage or outdoor weatherproof box.
From FIG. 2, it is to be noted in particular that the contact
members 48 and 50 are no higher than the face plate 26. If desired,
they may be slightly lower than the face plate 26, but under no
circumstances should they be higher than said face plate, whereby
the face plate 26 constitutes the uppermost part of the base member
10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, as long as the base plate 26 is
no higher than the surface of the earth upon which the lawn 14 is
growing, for example, no obstruction to lawn mowing or other
similar operations will be present after the post-like support
member 16, which carries the lamp of the outdoor light structure,
has been removed from the socket 36 of base member 10.
Referring to the second embodiment of contact structure illustrated
in FIG. 3, an insulating plug 58, which is partly broken away to
expose the electrical conductors 44 and 46, extends upwardly from
the upper end of tubular portion 22 of the base member 10. The
cross-sectional shape of the insulating plug 58 is illustrated in
FIG. 4. It will be seen that the same is generally cylindrical but,
at circumferentially spaced locations, is provided with elongated
grooves 60 which receive end portions of bowed friction wire
members 62 which are of a springy nature. The intermediate portions
thereof are bowed outwardly for frictional engagement with the
inner surfaces of the lower tubular portion of the post-like
support member 16, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The lower ends of
the wire members 62 are fixed to a metal ring 64 to which one end
of electrical conductor 46 is connected at 66, for purposes to be
described. The upper end of conductor 44 is connected electrically
to a fixed central contact 68 which is insulated by the electric
plug 58 from the metal ring 64 and conductor 46.
The post-like support member 16 preferably is of any desired
height, from a range of from 15 or 18 inches, to 5 or 6 feet, for
example. It preferably is formed from a metal tube and the lower
end portion 38 thereof is free from obstruction for a predetermined
length thereof, such as of the order of at least 3 or 4 inches, for
example, whereby the same is adapted to be inserted through the
central hole 28 of face plate 26 and telescopically receive the
upper end portion of the tubular member 22 of base member 10. This
telescopic relationship is illustrated in both of the embodiments
of contact arrangement respectively illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Said lower end portion 38 of the support member 16 is provided at a
predetermined distance from the lower end thereof with an
insulating plug 70 which is securely connected thereto by any
appropriate means. The arrangements of the electrical contacts
within the lower end portions 38 respectively shown in FIGS. 2 and
3 are different from each other and are described in detail as
follows:
Referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the insulated plug 70 is
provided with either a channel or an elongated passage within which
the metallic conductor 72 of the insulated electrical conductor 74
extends from the upper end of the tubular support member 16, where
it is connected electrically to one of the contacts, not shown, in
electric light socket 18, for example, and the metallic conductor
72, at its lower end, is electrically connected to an annular
contact 76 which is segmentally slotted to form a series of
U-shaped tongues comprising contact members, as shown in FIG. 2A,
which frictionally and resiliently engage each other with a
releasable snap action, as is evident from FIG. 2A and the
foregoing description, and thereby electrically pointed contact the
annular contact 50 within the base member 10. Socket 18 is
electrically insulated from post 16 by any conventional means.
The insulating plug 70, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with a
central elongated opening 78 which has a constriction within which
the lower end of the contact 80 extends. The contact 80 is provided
with a shoulder 82 against which a spring 84 abuts at one end and
the other end of the spring abuts the inner end of an insulating
tubular insert 86 which is secured against relative movement with
respect to the plug 70 by means of a suitable radial locking pin
88, for example. This arrangement maintains contact 80 in firm
contact with contact 48 and the snap-acting connection of contacts
76 with contact 50 is adequate to prevent spring 84 from
accidentally separating contacts 48 and 80. The locking pin 88 may
be inserted radially from the outer end of an appropriate hole
formed in the plug 70 and insert sleeve 86 before the insulated
plug 70 is inserted in operative position within the portion 38 of
the tubular support member 16. An additional insulating insert 89
is fitted into plug 70 and affixed thereto by suitable means such
as cement, or integrally molded therewith. An electrical conductor
90 is connected at one end to the upper end of spring-pressed
contact 80, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The opposite end of the
conductor 90 extends upwardly through the tubular post or support
member 16 and is connected to an appropriate contact, not shown, in
the electric light socket 18 shown in FIG. 8. Annular contact 76 is
seated between the lower end of insert 89 and annular shoulder 91
which is integral with plug 70, as shown in FIG. 2A. The coengaging
surfaces of contacts 50 and 76 preferably are silver-plated for
durable conductivity.
Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the
electrical current carried by the conductor 74 of FIG. 2 is carried
by the metallic post member 16 in FIG. 3. Also in FIG. 3, there is
only a single contact associated with the insulating plug 70 in
view of the fact that metallic post member 16 becomes the second
conductor of the circuit. As previously described, the bowed wire
members 62 are connected to the metal ring 64 to which the
conductor 46 is connected, and by means of the frictional contact
of the member 62 with the inner surface of lower end portion 38 of
tubular post member 16, connection of conductor 46 thereto is
established. In this embodiment, light socket 18 is electrically
connected to post 16.
As in regard to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the conductor 90 in FIG.
3 is electrically connected to the spring-pressed contact 80 which
also has a shoulder 82 thereon against which one end of the spring
84 abuts and the opposite end of the spring is abutted by tubular
insert 86 which is of insulated nature and is held in fixed
relationship with the insulated plug 70 by means of a locking pin
88. Thus, the spring-pressed contact 80 is maintained in firm
electrical contact with the fixed central contact 68 when the
tubular post member 16 is inserted within the socket 36 of the base
member 10, as in regard to the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 2. Similarly, it is only necessary to axially pull the tubular
post member 16 in each embodiment from the socket 36 of the base
member 10 in order to separate the post member 16 and the lamp and
shade carried thereby from the base member to render a lawn, for
example, free of obstruction, as when it is desired to mow the
lawn.
Incident to mowing the lawn, it also is to be observed that there
is little if any opportunity for grass clippings to interfere with
the establishment of electrical contacts by the various relatively
movable and co-engageable contacts of the several embodiments of
the electrical contacting structure. Also, as in regard to the
embodiment of FIG. 2, the arrangement in FIG. 3 is such that when
the post member 16 and the light and shade carried thereby have
been removed from the base memer 10, no part of the base member 10
extends above the face plate 26 thereof which, in turn, is no
higher than flush with the upper surface of the earth 12 upon which
the lawn 14 is located.
The upper portion of the tubular post member 16 also is of interest
with respect to the present invention in that it includes a bracket
means 92 which preferably comprises a plurality of spider members
94 which may be formed, for example, from relatively stiff wire of
suitable gauge. Intermediate portions of the spider members 94 are
affixed to the outer surface of the upper portion of the tubular
post member 16, such as by weldments 96, as shown in FIG. 8. The
opposite end portions of the spider members 94 are bent angularly
to extend outwardly substantially equal distances in a radial
direction. The lowermost ends 98 of the spider members 94 project
laterally outward a short distance to form an abutment to receive
the lower rim 100 of the cylindrical shade 20.
The shade 20 is illustrated as being cylindrical but, if desired,
other geometrical shapes may be utilized, such as squares,
hexagons, octagons, etc. The dimensions of the spider members 94
are selected in accordance with the shape and cross-sectional size
of the shade selected for use with the lamp assembly. Illumination
is provided with an appropriate electric bulb 102 which is
complementary to the electric light socket 18, the bulb being of
standard commercial type. If desired, either the bulb and/or the
shade 20 may be selected to have a certain color of either
utilitarian or esthetic type. It also will be understood that the
conductors 74 and 90 of FIG. 2 and conductors 16 and 90 of FIG. 3
are attached to appropriate binding screws, not shown, associated
with the electric light socket 18, or by soldering.
The terminal ends of the upper portions of the spider members 94
are suitably dimensioned so as to slideably engage the inner
surface of the shade 20, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The
terminal ends of spider member 94, as described, are suitably
prepared for operatively securing shade 20 thereto by appropriate
mechanical means, including, but not limited to, horizontally and
radially match-boring shade 20 and spider 94 to insert compression
clips, self-tapping screws 95 or other suitable mechanical means.
Also, extending between an opposite pair of said spider members 94
is a horizontal bar 104 which comprises a handle by which the post
member 16 and the light and shade structure attached thereto
quickly may be removed from the base member 10, as well as being
re-established therewith after the mowing of a lawn, for example,
has been completed. Further, the upper portions of the spider
members 94 are utilized to support a shield 106 which is above the
electric bulb 102 a predetermined distance to protect it from the
elements. If desired, the inner surface of the shield 106 may be of
a light-reflecting nature to reflect light from the bulb 102
downwardly. Appropriate small positioning members 108 are fixed to
the upper portions of the spider members 94 to engage rim portions
of the shield 106. If desired, the shield 106 may be of a flexible
nature to permit snapping the same below the positioning members
108 to position the shield upon said brackets.
To limit the insertion of support member 16 into base member 10, a
stop ring 110 is fastened to member 16 for engagement thereof with
chamferred edges of the fins 30 of base member 10 as shown in FIGS.
2 and 3. If desired, the walls of member 16 may be upset to provide
equivalent stop means. Stop ring 110 is fixedly positioned at the
required location on support member 16, to provide and insure and
visibly indicate adequate mechanical contact of the appropriate,
previously described complementary contacting elements in the upper
portion of base member 10 and within support member 16. Said
mechanical contacts provide necessary electrical circuit continuity
for light bulb 102. When stop ring 110 is seated within the socket
therefor in base member 10, said ring preferably is no higher than
flush with the upper surface of face plate 26. Also, if desired, a
luminous ring 112 of paint or otherwise may surround hole 28 in
face plate 26 to facilitate inserting the end of member 16 into
said hole, especially after dark.
Post member 16 is capable of being protected from pilferage by a
plurality of types of locking devices respectively shown in FIGS.
11 and 13 and in FIGS. 11A and 13A, details of which are described
as follows. In FIGS. 11 and 13, in which only half of face plate 26
is shown, a circular metal lock plate 114 is fixed eccentrically to
a stud 122 which is mounted rotatably within a suitable bearing
hole in face plate 26. When in locked position, the lobe 115 of
lock plate 114 slidably overlies ring or flange 110 on post member
16 when in operative position within the socket 36 of base member
10 and thereby prevents removal of post member 16 from said base
member 10. The ring 110 may be in the form of an annular flange, as
shown specifically in FIG. 13. Lock plate 114 is rotatable manually
by the use of exemplary rod-like key devices having an end
configuration complementary to the socket opening 124 in stud 122
such as, but not limited to, the half round configuration thereof
shown in FIG. 11. Stud 122 is fitted with releasable latching means
in the form of a pin 120 extending through stud 122 and the ends
being received within spring seats 128 depressed from face plate
26, for example and adequate to prevent manual release when locking
lobe 115 is in latching position relative to ring or flange 110.
Release requires force by said aforementioned tool. If desired a
pair of lock plates 114 may be employed at opposite sides of the
axis of face plate 26.
Referring to FIGS. 11A and 13A, another exemplary half section of
base 10 and plate 26 are shown to which another embodiment of
anti-pilfering locking device, somewhat similar to that shown in
FIGS. 11 and 13 and comprising a circular metal lock plate 114
fixed eccentrically to a stud 122 rotatably mounted within a
bearing hole in face plate 26 and the lobe 115 thereon, is adapted
to slidably overlie the ring or flange 110 on post 16 to latch the
post against removal from base 10.
As in the preceding embodiment, stud 122 has a socket opening 124
of irregular shape to receive a tool of complementary shape to
rotate stud 122 and locking plate 114 between latching and
unlatching position relative to ring or flange 110. To releasably
maintain lobe 115 in latching position over ring or flange 110 and
prevent free manual release, a spring washer 116, is mounted on
stud 122 between circular plate 118 and face plate 26 to create
rotational resistance. Pin 120 secures plate 118 on stud 122. If
desired a detent 126 may be formed in face plate 26 to increase
resistance to rotation.
To deter pilfering removal of base member 10 from the earth in
which it is sunk, base member 10 preferably is provided with any
suitable earth-anchoring means such as spring leaves 130 attached
to some or all of radial fins 30 by rivets 132, in FIG. 6. The
upper ends of leaves 130 are inclined to extend outwardly and
thereby will dig into the surrounding earth when upward movement is
attempted. Insertion of the base member 10 into the earth is not
impeded by said leaves due to their resilient nature. If prefered,
the spring leaves or fingers 130 may be mounted on the tubular
lower portion 22 of base member 10 and, if desired, may be
pivotally connected thereto for only limited outward movement, such
as to a horizontal position, for example, by means of appropriate
restriction means on the hinges.
An additional embodiment of anti-pilfering device from that shown
in FIGS. 11 and 11A illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. The top plan
view of face plate 26 in FIG. 14 shows an elongated combination
cover plate and locking member 134 which is pivotally and slidably
mounted upon the upper surface of face plate 26, between the
covering position over central hole 28, shown in full lines, and
the latching position thereof shown in phantom in FIG. 14. One side
edge of cover plate 134 has a downwardly struck tongue 136 which is
movable in arcuate slot 138 formed in face plate 26 for purposes of
limiting the movement of cover plate 134 toward the closed position
thereof.
Cover plate 134 preferably is strongly urged constantly toward the
covering position thereof by a leaf spring 140 which, at one end
142 thereof, is firmly secured to a stud 144 by a pin 146. The stud
144 is firmly secured to cover plate 134 and is also rotatable
within a bearing hole 148 in face plate 26 and has a socket 150
therein of a non-circular configuration which is adapted to receive
an operating tool or wrench, not shown, having a stud thereon which
is complementary in shape to said socket 150. The opposite end of
spring 140 abuts a fixed stud 152 which depends from the
undersurface of face plate 26. Due to the stud 144 being fixed to
cover plate 134, it will be seen from FIG. 14 that the spring 140
will bias the cover plate 134 constantly toward the hole-closing
positions thereof and also will maintain the same in said closed
position when support member 16 is removed from base member 10.
Due to such urging or biasing of the cover plate 134 toward the
hole-closing position thereof, said plate also serves the
additional feature of serving as a latch or locking member which is
adapted to overlie the ring 110 or flange 110' on support member 16
when the same is within the central hole 28 of face plate 26. The
cover plate 134 is strongly held in such overlying position by
spring 140 and the strength of the spring preferably is great
enough that merely attempting to remove the plate 134 from such
overlying latching position by hand is not possible. It is intended
to be necessary, in accordance with the invention, that a specially
shaped wrench or key is required to actuate the stud 144 in a
direction to move the cover plate 134 from its latching position
and thereby permit removal of supporting member 16 from the base
member 10. It thus will be seen that plate 134 serves the dual
function of both a cover for hole 28 and an anti-pilfering
latch.
A further feature of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 16, which
is a fragmentary exemplary vertical sectional view of the base
member 10 with which the support member 16 is shown in phantom. In
said figure, another embodiment of cover plate 154 is provided to
cover central hole 28 when support member 16 is removed therefrom.
The plate 154 is connected to face plate 26 by a spring biased
hinge 156 which is secured to face plate 26 by a bolt or rivet 158.
When the support member 16 is positioned within central hole 28,
the cover plate 154 readily may be pivotally moved to the elevated,
idle position thereof, shown in phantom, in FIG. 16.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention
provides a convenient type of outdoor light of a variety of
different shapes, styles and heights, which are removable from
mounting means therefor comprising a base member insertable into
the earth and having no portion extending appreciably above the
upper surface of the earth and especially earth upon which a lawn
is established. Upon withdrawing the tubular post member of the
light from a complementary socket in the base member, no
obstruction of any kind exists on the lawn as far as the light
structure is concerned and mowing of the lawn may occur without the
nuisance of having to mow around a fixed post or trim remaining
grass from around the post as is necessary under normal conditions
with respect to outdoor lights which are fixed relative to a lawn
surface. In addition, especially by providing a base plate around
the upper portion of the base member, such base plate prevents
grass from growing immediately adjacent the socket of the base
member and, correspondingly, immediately adjacent the post member
which projects upwardly from the base member when the lamps are in
operative condition upon a lawn.
Relatively foolproof and durable electrical contacts comprising
co-engageable members are provided in several different embodiments
of circular arrangements between the base member and the lamp upon
the post member. Further, an esthetically pleasing light shade is
provided and includes a positioning means which serves the
additional function of affording a handle by which the removable
portion of the lamp assembly may be separated from the base member
which remains in the lawn. Anti-pilfering devices for the lamp
structures, as well as covers for the central hole of the base
members, also are provided.
In the spring actuating means for the cover and latch means 134, if
additional strength is desired to resist turning stud 144 in a
direction to unlatch post member 16, over the strength afforded by
spring 140, another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.
14A in which, for example, pin 146, of FIG. 14, may be formed from
suitable spring rod and extend at one end 160 to abut another stop
pin 162 projecting from face plate 26. Said extension 160 is
strongly flexed when cover 134 is in latching positioning relative
to ring 110 on post member 16. Also, if desired, tongue 136 can be
so positioned on cover 134 that, when said cover is in latching
position, the tongue will be in flexing engagement with spring 140
and thereby increase the resistance to rotating the cover 134 in
unlatching direction, thus insuring that a special tool or wrench
must be used to release the post 16 from engagement by cover
110.
While the invention has been described and illustrated in its
several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein
illustrated and described, since the same may be carried out in
other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated
and described.
* * * * *