U.S. patent number RE40,228 [Application Number 10/960,901] was granted by the patent office on 2008-04-08 for mast-type outdoor lighting system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Duraline, a division of J.B. Nottingham Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Paul F. Savoca.
United States Patent |
RE40,228 |
Savoca |
April 8, 2008 |
Mast-type outdoor lighting system
Abstract
An improved outdoor lighting system is provided that comprises a
light assembly formed from at least one tubular mast having a
distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and
a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for
connecting the light source to an underground power source. The
improved system includes an electrical connector assembly in the
cable located in the vicinity of the ground-mounted distal end of
the tubular mast. The electrical connector assembly spontaneously
disconnects in response to an application of an tensile force
indicative of an automobile collision with the mast, thereby
preventing damaging tensile forces from being transmitted along the
underground portion of the cable to the circuit breaker. The system
further comprises an underground fuse assembly and lightning
arrestor, both of which are mounted in an underground box
electrically connected between the circuit breaker, and the
underground portion of the cable that terminates in the
aforementioned connector assembly. The remote, underground location
of the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor provides easy and safe
access to these components by maintenance personnel while
discouraging vandals from tampering with or stealing these
components.
Inventors: |
Savoca; Paul F. (East
Patchogue, NY) |
Assignee: |
Duraline, a division of J.B.
Nottingham Co., Inc. (Islandia, NY)
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Family
ID: |
22225050 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/960,901 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10364510 |
Feb 12, 2003 |
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Reissue of: |
08090942 |
Jul 13, 1993 |
05335160 |
Aug 2, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/431; 174/38;
174/45R; 361/601; 362/153.1; 362/276; 362/802; 439/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
7/20 (20130101); H02G 9/10 (20130101); Y10S
362/802 (20130101); H02G 2200/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21S
13/10 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;362/153,153.1,276,431,457,802 ;439/93,282,474,923
;361/104,118,601,826 ;174/37,38,39,45R,45TD,40CC,72A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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Primary Examiner: Quach-Lee; Y. My
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Roberts, Mlotkowski & Hobbes
Cole; Thomas W.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,160 is a
continuation of reissue application No. 10/364,510 filed Feb. 12,
2003, which in turn was merged with reexamination application Nos.
90/005,715; 90/005,719 and 90/006,130 previously filed on Apr. 28,
2000, May 4, 2000 and Oct. 16, 2001, respectively..Iaddend.
Claims
I claim:
.[.1. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at
least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for
supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end
mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the
light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion
disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a
second portion disposed underground and connected to said power
source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector
assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second
portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said
portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said
connector than is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the
connection between said second portion and said power
source..].
.[.2. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein said
electrical connector assembly means is located in the interior of
said mast near the proximal end thereof, and spontaneously
disconnects upon the application of a tensile force between about
20 and 30 pounds..].
.[.3. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein said
electrical connector assembly means includes first and second
detachably matable connectors, and means for preventing ambient
water from entering said assembly when said connectors are
mated..].
.[.4. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein said
improvement further comprises means for securing said first portion
of said cable to said tubular mast to isolate the connection
between said light source and said cable from tensile forces
applied to the first portion of said cable..].
.[.5. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein the
improvement further comprises an underground fuse assembly
interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that
terminates in said electrical connector assembly means with a
second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in a
circuit breaker whereby the need for a fuse assembly in electrical
contact with the first cable portion in the interior of the mast is
obviated..].
.[.6. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein the
improvement further comprises an underground lightning arrestor
interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that
terminates in said electrical connector assembly means with a
second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in a
circuit breaker whereby the need for a lightning suppressor in
electrical contact with the first cable portion in the interior of
the mast is obviated..].
.[.7. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 5, wherein said
underground fuse assembly includes a first and second matable
connectors, one of which includes at least one fuse, and an
underground box for containing said fuse assembly..].
.[.8. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 6, wherein said
underground lightning arrestor includes a junction connector and a
surge arrestor circuit including a ground rod and an underground
box, wherein said junction connector functions to interconnect one
end of said first segment of said second cable portion with both
one end of said second segment of said second cable portion and
said surge arrestor circuit, and said underground box contains said
junction connector, surge arrestor circuit anti cable segment
ends..].
.[.9. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 8, wherein said
underground lightning arrestor further includes an electrical
connector assembly for detachably connecting the surge arrestor
circuit to the junction connector to facilitate replacement of the
surge arrestor circuit..].
.[.10. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 7, further
comprising a second electrical cable connected at one end to said
second segment of said second cable portion, and at the other end
to a second light source of a second light assembly whose second
electrical cable includes the improvement of the first electrical
cable..].
.[.11. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including a
light assembly formed front at least one tubular mast having a
distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and
a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for
connecting the light source to a circuit breaker, said cable having
a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said
light source, and a second portion disposed underground and
connected to said circuit breaker, wherein the improvement
comprises: an underground fuse assembly interconnecting a first
segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said first
cable portion with a second segment of said second cable portion
that terminates in said circuit breaker whereby the need for a fuse
assembly in electrical contact with said first cable portion in the
interior of the mast is obviated..].
.[.12. The improved outdoor light system of claim 11, wherein the
improvement further comprises an underground lightning arrestor
connected to said second cable portion that terminates in said
underground circuit breaker whereby the need for a lightning
arrestor in electrical contact with the first cable portion in the
interior of the mast is obviated..].
.[.13. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at
least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an
electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in
the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source
to an underground circuit breaker, said cable having a first
portion disposed within said mask and connected to said light
source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to
said circuit breaker, wherein the improvement comprises: an
underground lightning arrestor having a surge arrestor circuit
contained in an underground box for interconnecting a first segment
of said second cable portion with a second segment of said second
cable portion that terminates in said circuit breaker whereby the
need for a lightning suppressor in the interior of the mast is
obviated..].
.[.14. The improved outdoor lightning system of claim 11, wherein
said underground fuse assembly includes a first and second matable
connectors, one of which includes at least one fuse, and an
underground box for containing said fuse assembly..].
.[.15. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 14, wherein
said first and second matable connectors will spontaneously
disconnect in response to the applications of a tensile force that
is less than a tensile force necessary to damage connections
between said first segment and said second segment..].
.[.16. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 15, wherein
said first and second matable connectors spontaneously disconnect
upon the application of a tensile force of between about 20 to 30
pounds..].
.[.17. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 13, wherein
said underground lightning arrestor further includes a junction
connector in said underground box, wherein said junction connector
functions to interconnect one end of said first segment of said
second cable portion with both one end of said second segment of
said cable portion and said surge arrestor circuit, and said
underground box contains said cable segment ends..].
.[.18. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 17, wherein
said underground lightning arrestor further includes an electrical
connector assembly for detachably connecting the surge arrestor
circuit to the junction connector to facilitate replacement of the
surge arrestor circuit..].
.[.19. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 17, wherein
said surge arrestor circuit is connected to a ground rod that
electrically contacts the surrounding ground..].
.[.20. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 15, wherein
said first and second matable connectors include electrically
conductive pins and barrels, and means for forming a waterproof
seal when mated to prevent ambient water from coming into contact
with said pins and barrels..].
.[.21. A method for improving an outdoor lighting system of the
type including at least one tubular mast having a distal end for
supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end
mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable disposed partially
within said mast and partially underground for connecting the light
source to a circuit breaker, and a fuse assembly for a lightning
arrestor disposed within said mast and connected by splices to the
electrical cable, comprising the steps of: removing said fuse
assembly and lightning arrestor from the interior of the mast;
replacing said cable disposed in said mast at least in part with a
second cable that terminates in an electrical connector near the
distal end of the mast; providing a fuse assembly and a lightning
arrestor in an underground location; electrically connecting an
input of said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor to said circuit
breaker, and electrically connecting an output of said fuse
assembly and lightning arrestor to said second cable with an
underground third cable that terminates in an electrical connector
by mating said third cable connector with said second cable
connector..].
.[.22. The method of claim 21, wherein said mating connectors
spontaneously disconnect said second and third cable in response to
the application of a tensile force on said connectors that is less
than a tensile force necessary to damage a connection between said
third cable and said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor..].
.[.23. The method of claim 22, wherein said mating connectors
spontaneously disconnect upon the application of a tensile force of
between about 20 and 30 pounds..].
.Iadd.24. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including
at least one light assembly, a tubular mast having a distal end for
supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end
mounted to an underground base, and an electrical cable for
connecting a light source to a power source, said cable having a
first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light
source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to
said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an access
panel located at the proximal end of the tubular mast that affords
access to the interior of the mast; an electrical connector
assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second
portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said
portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said
connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force
necessary to damage the connection between said portion and said
power source, said electrical connector assembly means being
located in the interior of the mast near the proximal end thereof
and being disposed above ground; a fuse assembly including a fuse
contained in a case member electrically connected between said
electrical connector assembly means and said power source wherein
the need for a fuse assembly in mechanical contact with said first
cable portion is obviated, said fuse assembly being provided in a
box having a bottom wall that supports said box, said box being
secured against movement relative to said ground and said tubular
mast and positioned beneath said electrical connector assembly
means, said bottom wall receiving said second portion of said
cable, wherein electrical connections between said fuse assembly
and said second portion of said cable are contained within said
box, and a tension reliever connected to said cable in the vicinity
of said electrical connector assembly means that directs tension
applied to said cable away from at least one of said cable
connections and toward said electrical connector assembly
means..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24, further
comprising a surge arrestor provided in said box..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 25, wherein
said surge arrestor is part of a lightning arrestor that is
completely contained within said box..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24 wherein
said fuse assembly is completely contained within said
box..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24, wherein
said box is located underground..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24, wherein
said box is separate from said electrical connector assembly
means..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to outdoor lighting systems for
illuminating highways or airports and the like, and is specifically
concerned with an improved system of the type wherein outdoor
lights are mounted on a plurality of spaced-apart tubular masts and
powered by a common, underground circuit breaker.
Outdoor lighting systems for illuminating streets and highways are
known in the prior art. Such lighting systems typically include a
plurality of lighting units spaced along the road or highway, each
of which includes an electric light that is supported on the distal
end of a tubular mast whose proximal end is anchored into the
ground. In some instances, the light are suspended over the street
or highway by a cantilevered support member attached to the mast.
In other instances, a ring of high intensity lights circumscribes
the distal end of the mast. In either instance, an electric power
cable connects each of the spaced-apart, mast-supported lights to a
common power source in the form of the output of an above-ground
circuit breaker. The electric power cable for each lighting unit
includes a first portion that is connected to the light source and
disposed within the hollow mast, and a second portion disposed
underground and connected to a power source in the form of either
the aforementioned circuit breaker, or the power cable of an
adjacent lighting unit. Additionally, both a fuse assembly and a
lightning arrestor are disposed within the hollow end of the mast
and connected between the first and second portions of the electric
cable for preventing current overloads to the light fixture, and
for protecting the circuit breaker from current surges caused by
lightning. To provide access to the fuse assembly and lightning
arrestor, a removable panel is usually provided at the base of the
mast. Additionally, the wrenching tensile forces applied throughout
the length of the cable just before the breakage thereof at the
fuse assembly splices often weakens splices and other connections
made with adjacent lighting units, setting the stage for further
maintenance problems that are difficult to diagnose and solve.
While such prior art lighting system are widely used to illuminate
streets, highways, and virtually any place where large amounts of
outdoor lighting is required, the applicant has observed a number
of shortcomings associated with the design of these systems which
significantly impairs their overall usefulness.
For example, if one of the masts of such a system should be knocked
down as a result of an automobile collision, the stresses applied
to the cable within the mast often causes it to break at the
connections made with the fuse assembly. As these connections are
typically made by way of splices, the tension applied to the cable
from the automobile collision tears the splices apart, dangerously
exposing wires that are "hot". These exposed, hot wires can in turn
conduct dangerous electrical currents through the knocked-down mast
(which is typically made of a conductive metal) or even the body of
the colliding car. Even if the collision causes the exposed
conductors of the broken cable splice to short circuit and trip the
circuit breaker, this somewhat safer result is not partially
desirable, as such tripping will cut off the current flowing to all
of the other mast-supported lights that are serially connected to
the breaker, thus surrounding the area around the broken mast in
total darkness if the collision occurs at night. Additionally, the
wrenching tensile forces applied throughout the length of the cable
just before the breakage thereof at the fuse assembly splices often
weakens splices and other connections made with adjacent lighting
units, setting the stage for future maintenance problems that are
difficult to diagnose and solve.
Still another shortcoming of prior art lighting systems results
from the positioning of the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor in
the base of the hollow mast in each lighting unit. Because such
masts usually have openings at their upper ends or sides for
structural reasons, the interior of such masts often becomes the
home of wildlife that is either potentially hostile (such as wasps,
poisonous snakes, or rats) or of the type apt to build nests around
these components (such as birds or squirrels). The presence of such
animal life significantly impairs the replacement of fuses of
burned-out lightning arrestors by either assaulting the maintenance
personnel who carry out such operations, or by creating physical
obstructions (such as nests) that must be removed incident to such
operations. Additionally, the spliced connection between the
lightning arrestor and the cable that supplies electrical power to
the light source makes it difficult to replace this component in
the event of a burn out of the surge arrestor circuit in the
arrestor from a bolt of lightning striking the conductive mast.
A final shortcoming of such prior art systems results from the
relatively easy access to the components and cables located inside
the masts near the proximal ends thereof. The present access panels
are easily opened by vandals who may tamper with or destroy the
components inside, or by thieves who attach the cable leading to
the circuit breaker to a truck and pull it out of the ground for
the purpose of selling the relatively large amounts of copper in
it. In recent years, such vandalism and theft has been a major
drain on the maintenance budgets for such lighting system in both
the public and the private sectors of the economy.
Clearly, there is a need for an improved outdoor lighting system
having some sort of means for preventing the creation of dangerous
exposed "hot" wires in the event of a collision between an
automobile and a mast, as well as a means for preventing dangerous
destructive forces generated by such collisions from being
transmitted from the power cable inside the mast to other splices
and connections all throughout the system. Ideally, such a system
should deploy the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor in a
location which is reasonably accessible to maintenance personnel,
but completely inaccessible to potentially hostile wildlife. Such a
system should further make is difficult, if not impossible, for
vandals or thieves to destroy or steal large lengths of heavy
copper cables or other valuable components located inside the
masts. Finally, it would be desirable if such a system could be
easily retrofitted onto prior art, mast-type outdoor lighting
systems in a relatively quick and cost-efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an improved outdoor lighting system of the type
including at least one lighting assembly having a tubular mast, and
an electrical cable extending through the mast and underground for
connecting a light source located at a distal end of the mast to a
circuit breaker that overcomes or ameliorates all of the
aforementioned shortcomings associated with prior art outdoor
lighting systems. The invention comprises an electrical connector
assembly in the electrical cable near the proximal, ground-mounted
end of the tubular mast for spontaneously disconnecting the cable
at that location upon the application of a tensile force indicative
of a vehicle collision with the mast. In the preferred embodiment,
the electrical connector assembly includes first and second matable
connectors which spontaneously disconnect upon the application of a
tensile force much less than that which would damage the connection
between the electrical cable and the underground circuit breaker
(or other source of power) such as, for example, a force of between
20 and 30 pounds. The first and second matable connectors each
include means for isolating the conductive pins and barrels
contained in each from ambient water to prevent corrosion of the
metal forming the conductive pins and barrels.
The improved system preferably further comprises an underground
fuse assembly that electrically interconnects the circuit breaker
with the underground portion of the cable that extends up from the
ground and into the hollow interior of the tubular mast and which
terminates in one of the two aforementioned electrical connectors.
In the preferred embodiment, the underground fuse assembly includes
a junction box connected to the portion of the cable that extends
above ground and into the tubular mast, and a male fused connector
detachably matable with the junction box. Similar to the
aforementioned connector assembly disposed in the bottom of the
mast, the fuse assembly connector disconnects upon the application
of a tensile force which is less than the amount of force that
would damage other connections within the vicinity of the fuse
assembly, i.e., on the order of between 20 and 30 pounds. The fuse
assembly and all connections are preferably mounted within an
underground box which helps to isolate these components from the
ambient ground and moisture. Additionally, the lid is secured with
fasteners that are removable only with specially made tools to
deter would-be vandals an thieves from tampering with or stealing
the fuses and cables of the lighting system.
Finally, the improved system may include a lightning arrestor
mounted in the same box that contains the fuse assembly. The
lightning arrestor includes a surge suppressor circuit which is
connected to a ground rod which extends outside the surrounding
box. Preferably, the junction box that forms part of the fuse
assembly also functions to electrically connect the cable leading
from the light source to the surge suppressor circuit of the
lightning arrestor, as well as to the power cable of an adjacent
lighting unit. A third electrical connector may be provided in the
cable between the junction box and the surge suppressor circuit so
that the surge suppressor circuit may be easily replaced if burned
out as a result of lightning striking the high source connected to
the mast.
The invention further encompasses a method for improving an outdoor
lighting system of the aforementioned type wherein a fuse assembly
and a lightning arrestor is mounted within the hollow interior of
the mast, and connected by way of splices to the cable inside the
mast that connects the light source with the circuit breaker. In
this method, the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor are removed
from the interior of the mast, and the spliced ends of the cable
disposed within the mast are replaced at least in part with a
second cable that terminates in an electrical connector near the
distal end of the mast. The fuse assembly and lightning arrestor
are relocated in an underground box, and are electrically connected
between the circuit breaker and the cable disposed within the mast
by means of a second cable that terminates in a second connector
which extends above ground within the interior of the mast, and
which is matable with the first connector that ultimately leads to
the light source.
Both the improved system and the method of the invention results in
an outdoor lighting system that is far safer in the event of an
automobile collision with one of the masts of the systems, since
the forces associated with the collision will only cause the
electrical connector assembly at the proximal end of the mast to
spontaneously disconnect without exposing any dangerous wires, and
without transmitting any potentially damaging tensile forces to
other cables and connectors of the system. Locating the fuse
assembly and lightning arrestor in an underground box, instead of
within the hollow base of the mast, discourages vandals from
stealing or damaging these components while freely allowing
maintenance personnel with the proper tools to safely access these
components without disturbing potentially hostile wildlife.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a prior art lighting
system having a plurality of individual light assemblies that are
serially connected to each other and to a common circuit breaker,
and whose fuse assemblies and lightning arrestors are mounted
within the mast of the light assemblies;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the improved lighting
system of the invention that comprises a plurality of light
assemblies which are serially connected to each other and to a
common circuit breaker by way of a plurality of utility boxes, each
of which include the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor of one of
the lighting assemblies;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the utility boxes of the
invention, illustrating in detail the electrical connectors used in
the fuse assembly and in the lightning arrestor; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the proximal end of one of the
masts of the light assemblies with the access panel removed,
illustrating the electrical connector that is used in lieu of
splices to interconnect the cable leading to the light source to
the fuse assembly contained in the utility box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to FIG. 1, the invention is an improvement of a
lighting system 1 of the type comprising a plurality of light
assemblies 2 and 2', each of which includes a hollow metallic mast
3. Each mast 3 includes a distal end 5 for supporting a light
source 7 and a proximal end 9 mounted in the ground 11 by means of
a concrete reinforced underground base 13. Disposed within the
interior of each the masts 3 is an electrical power cable 15 which
interconnects the light source 7 of each of the light assemblies 2
with a power source. In the case of the first light assembly 2, the
power source is an outlet of an above ground circuit breaker 17. In
the case of the second assembly 2' (and all subsequent light
assemblies not shown) the power source is an outlet of the fuse
assembly 19 of the adjacent light assembly. Hence, should the
circuit breaker 17 becomes tripped by any of the light assemblies
2,2' for any reason, all of the light assemblies ultimately
connected to it will be switched off.
In the lighting system 1, the electrical power cable 15 of each of
the light assemblies includes a first portion 18 that is connected
between the light source 7 and the fuse assembly 19 by way of a
splice connection 21. The cable 15 further includes a second
portion 22 connected between the fuse assembly 19 and a power
source in the form of either that circuit breaker 17, or the fuse
assembly of an adjacent light assembly. Finally, each of the light
assemblies 2 includes a lightning arrestor 23 that is connected by
way of a cable 24 to a fuse assembly 19 by way of other splice
connections 25. A ground rod 26 forms part of each of the lightning
arrestors 23 in order to ground out current surges flowing through
the power cable 15 and fuse assembly 19 caused by lightning
striking the metallic mast 3. To provide access to both the fuse
assembly 19 and lightning arrestor 23 of each of the light
assemblies 2,2', includes an access panel 28 at the base of its
mast 3.
In the event that an automobile should collide with the mast 3 of
any of the light assemblies 2,2', the resulting tensile forces
applied to the electrical power cable 15 often caused the cable to
break at the splice connection 21 between the first portion 18 of
the cable 15, and the fuse assembly 19. Depending upon the geometry
of the fracture of the mast 3, these exposed "hot" wires could
electrify the metallic mast, or the metallic body of the colliding
automobile, thereby setting the stage for dangerous electrical
shocks to the driver of the automobile, or to rescue workers or
onlookers. Even if the exposed wires from the broken splice 21 are
short circuited to the extent that the circuit breaker 17 trips,
the situation is still not fully satisfactory, as such a tripping
would cause the lights on all of the light assemblies 2,2', etc. to
turn off, thereby leaving the areas surrounding the accident in
total darkness if the accident occurs at night. Finally, because
the fuse assembly 19 and lightning arrestor 23 are contained within
the hollow mast 3 of each of the various light assemblies 2,2', and
because some types of hostile wildlife often reside in or build
nests within these masts 3, the persons who remove the panels 28 to
perform maintenance operations on the light assembly 2 may be stung
or bitten by such wildlife.
To solve these and other problems set forth with more specificity
in the "Background . . . " section of this application, the
improved lighting system 30 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 was developed.
In this improved system, the previously described electrical power
cable 15 in each of the light assemblies 1,1', etc. is replaced
with a different power cable 32. Cable 32 includes a first portion
34 that extends between the light source 7 of each of the light
assemblies down to the proximal portion 9 of the mast 3 of its
respective light assembly 2, as well as a second portion 36 that
leads from the proximal end 9 of mast 3 all the way to an
underground utility box 38 as shown. As is best seen with respect
to FIGS. 2 and 4, an electrical connector assembly 40 electrically
and mechanically interconnects the adjacent ends of the first and
second portions 34,36 of the cable 32 in the proximal portion 9 of
the mast 3. The electric connector assembly 40 of each of the light
assemblies 2,2 ' includes a three-prong male connector at the end
of the first portion 34 of the cable 32, and a three-barrelled
female connector 44 located at the upper end of the second portion
36 of the cable 32. The female connector 44 extends up through a
stub conduit 45 as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, to relieve
tension from the electrical connections between the distal end of
the first portion 34 of the cable 32 and the light source 7, the
first portion 34 is securely mounted to the inner wall of the mast
3 by means of mounting clamps 46a,b.
In the preferred embodiment, the electrical connector assembly 40
is a combination of a Model MTP-3 and FTP-3 three pin and three
barrel connector manufactured by the Duraline Division of J. B.
Nottingham and Company, located in Central Islip, N.Y. Such
connectors require an engagement force of 25 pounds in order to
mate into position illustrated in FIG. 2, and a disengagement force
of 25 pounds in order to detach in the position illustrated in FIG.
4. The bodies of each of the connectors 42 and 44 are preferably
formed from an elastomer which is integrally molded to the ends of
their respective cable portions. The pins of the male connector 42
are mounted on a protruding face that is received in a
complementary recess (not shown) in the female connector 44 and
which serves to crate a water-tight seal between the connectors 42,
44. Alternatively, the water-sealing structure disclosed in the
connectors in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,652, (assigned to the Duraline
Division of J. B. Nottingham and Company) may also be used, the
entire text of which is expressly incorporated into the
specification of this application by reference.
With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second portion 36 of the
cable 32 includes a first segment 48 that extends between the
female connector 45 and the underground utility box 38, and a
second segment 50 that extends between the box 38 and a source of
electrical power. In the case of light assembly 2, the source of
electrical power is circuit breaker 17; in the case of subsequent
light assemblies 2', the source of electrical power is an outlet of
the utility box 38 associated with an adjacent light assembly
2.
The underground utility box 38 for each of the light assemblies,
includes a fuse assembly 52 in the form of a fused male connector
54 which plugs into a junction box 56 as shown. In the preferred
embodiment, male connector 54 is a Model 3MFP3 16-5 adapter-type
plug likewise manufactured by the Duraline Division of J. B.
Nottingham and Company. Such plugs are capable of holding two 5
amp, 600 volt fuses (not shown) in a tubular recess inside the
plug. The fuses may be installed or replaced by simply screwing out
the male connector pins that project outwardly from the face of the
connector 54. Each of the two current carrying pins includes
integrally molded 0 rings for providing a water-tight seal when
mated and fully seated to the distribution block 56. In the
preferred embodiment, distrustion block 56 is a Model 3B5-2 block
which again is manufactured by the Duraline Division of J. B.
Nottingham and Company. Like the previously discussed connector
assembly 40, an engagement force of 25 pounds is required to fully
mate or disconnect the fused male connector 54 from the female
connector contained with the junction box 56. The junction box 56
is connected to a source of power by means of inlet cable 58 which
in turn is spliced to the end of second cable segment 50 of cable
portion 36. While not specifically shown in the drawing, junction
box 56 is mounted within the walls of the utility box 38 to
insulate the splice connection 60 from any tensile forces applied
to box 56 by male connector 54.
Finally, the underground utility box 39 includes a lightning
arrestor 64. The lightning arrestor 64 includes an inlet cable 65
leading from the junction box 56 to a surge arrestor circuit 66. An
electrical coupling 69 is provided in the inlet cable 65 so that
the surge arrestor circuit 66 may be easily replaced in the event
that it is burned out as a result of lightning striking the
metallic mast 3, which in turn could cause a current surge through
cable segment 48 and from thence through junction box 56. A ground
rod 71 is connected to the surge arrestor circuit 66 by means of an
electrical wire 73 clamped thereon. Additionally, the ground rod 71
is attached to the ground wire of the cable segment 50 ' which
interconnects the fuse assembly 52 ' of the adjacent light assembly
2 ' with the outlet of the circuit breaker 17 as indicated. The
purpose of such a connection is, of course, to assist the lightning
arrestor 64 in grounding out any current surge applied to power
cable 32 ' as a result of lightning striking the mast 3'.
The utility box 38 is located in the ground as shown, and is sealed
in a water-tight fashion by means of a lid 73 which prevents any
local wildlife from entering or residing in the interior of the box
38. The lid is secured over the top end of the box 38 by means of
tamper proof hardware 79 of a type known in the prior art which can
only be removed with the use of special tools to discourage vandals
from tampering with or stealing the components within the box
38.
The method of the invention may be used to convert the lighting
system I illustrated in FIG. 1 to the improved lighting system 30
illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. In the first step of this method, both
the fuse assembly 19 and lightning arrestor 23 are removed from the
interior of the mast 3 of each of the light assemblies 2,2'. Next,
a utility box 38 is provided adjacent to each of the light
assemblies 2,2 ' as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the box 38 contains a
new fuse assembly 52 and lightning arrestor 64 as previously
described. Next, the old electrical power cable 15 is replaced with
a new cable 32 which has all of the aforementioned portions 34,36
and segments 48,50 interconnected between the connector assembly
40, the utility box 38, and the circuit breaker 17 or other power
source in the manner previously described. It should be noted that
the underground segments 48,50 of the portion 36 of cable 32 are
completely contained within underground conduits, only portions of
which are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 for the sake of simplicity.
Various modifications and additions to the improved lighting system
30 of the invention will become evident to those skilled in the
art. All such modifications and additions are intended to be
encompassed within this invention, the scope of which is confined
solely by the claims appended below.
* * * * *