US3784806A

US3784806A - Luminaire

Info

Publication number: US3784806A
Application number: US00250444A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Kenyon; J Plemmons
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1972-05-04
Filing date: 1972-05-04
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08

Abstract

Post top luminaire has a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps arranged in a sealed annular optical enclosure formed by an inner assembly of reflectors, an outer cylindrical housing, and a bottom transparent panel. An axially extending support formed of four elongated angle members attached at the bottom to a slipfitter is provided at its lower portion with quick-disconnect means for detachably securing a ballast assembly selectively to the sides of the central support. The arrangement provides for light ray distribution with effective light sheilding cutoff without crossing of the light beams from the lamps, while the central mounting of the ballast assemblies permits cooler operation of the latter as well as ready access for servicing.

Description

Kenyon et al.

Jan. 8, 1974 LUMINAIRE Inventors: Lewis W. Kenyon, Flat Rock; Jerry R. Plemmons, West Asheville, both of N.C.

General Electric Company May 4, 1972 Appl. N0.: 250,444

US. Cl. 240/25, 240/11.4 R, 240/5l.11 R,

240/64, 240/84, 24/224 SS, 24/224 LS, 24/223 Int. Cl. F215 l/l0, F215 3/10 Field of Search.........,.. 240/25, 11.4 R, 51.11 R, 240/64, 84; 292/256 R; 24/224 SS, 224 LS, 223

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 24/224 Ls p4 240125 x 240 25 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 40,680 12/1886 Germany 24/223 Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney-Sidney Greenberg [5 7] ABSTRACT Post top luminaire has a plurality of gaseous discharge lamps arranged in a sealed annular optical enclosure formed by an inner assembly of reflectors, an outer cylindrical housing, and a bottom transparent panel. An axially extending support formed of four elongated angle members attached at the bottom to a slipfitter is provided at its lower portion with quick-disconnect means for detachably securing a ballast assembly selectively to the sides of the central support. The arrangement provides for light ray distribution with effective light sheilding cutoff without crossing of the light beams from the lamps, while the central mounting of the ballast assemblies permits cooler operation of the latter as well as ready access for servicing.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 8 i974 SHEET 10F 4 PMENTEDM a ram 3.784.806

sum 2 or 4 PAFENTEBJAM 8 i974 SHEET 30? 4 LUMINAIRE The present invention relates to luminaires, and more particularly to luminaires of the type adapted to be mounted on the top of posts or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a luminaire of the above type having good light shielding cut-off.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luminaire of the above type having a plurality of lamps and ballast assemblies therefor wherein improved cooling is afforded for the components during operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide ready access to the interior of the luminaire for replacement of the lamps and ballast assemblies.

A further object of the invention is to provide for ready attachment and detachment of the ballast assembly in the luminaire for interchanging different ballast units as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luminaire of the above type having a sealed optical compartment.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

. With the above objects in view, the present invention in one of its aspects relates to a luminaire comprising, in combination, a base member adapted to be mounted on top of a post, elongated central support means extending upwardly along a central axis from the base member, a housing having a bottom opening secured to and surrounding the central support means, reflector means arranged within the housing surrounding the central support means and having a reflecting surface facing away from the central axis, the reflector means and the housing defining therebetween a generally annular optical chamber, lamp supporting means in the annular optical chamber for mounting a plurality of lamps circumferentially spaced in the chamber adjacent the reflector means and spaced substantially above the bottom of the housing, whereby light rays emanating from the respective lamps are directed downwardly through the bottom opening radially outwardly relative to the central axis, and electrical ballast means for operating the lamps attached to the central support means.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of a post top luminaire embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the interior of the annular optical compartment of the luminaire;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the central support of the luminaire with associated parts including ballast assemblies attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in section, of the lower portion of the central support and associated parts;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view partly in section of the fastener arrangement for attaching the ballast assembly to the central support; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the fastener arrangement taken inthe direction of arrow 6 in FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to F IG.- 1, there is shown a post top luminaire l embodying the invention and comprising an opaque housing formed of a cylindrical side wall 2 attached. toa canopy 3. A cover 4 overlying the opening at the top of canopy 3 is spaced somewhat above the canopy to allow outward escape of heated air from the interior of the luminaire. The luminaire is mounted on top of post 5 by means of tubular base member or slipfitter 6 (see FIG. 4) which is in the form of a socket fitting over the top of post 5 and is removably secured'thereto by one or more set screws 6a or the like.

Slipfitter 6 has four lateral projections 6b (see FIG. 3) at its upper portion to which are respectively secured four elongated angle members 7 extending upwardly along the central axis of the fixture and serving as a central support means therein. Each angle member 7 is formed of an intermediate main portion 7a having wings or

flanges

7b and 7c projecting angularly there-' from as shown. The arrangement is such that the wings of adjacent angle members 7 are spaced from each other in a plane defining one of the four sides of the central support structure. Holding the four support members 7 in assembly at their top is a cross-bracket 8 having depending flanges 8a at the ends of the four arms thereof secured in overlapping relation to the top portions of angle members 7. Housing canopy 3 is se cured to the central support structure by means of four arms 9 extending radially at the top of the assembly of angle members 7. Angle brackets 10 secured intermediate the ends of arms 9 and extending upwardly therefrom serve to support cover 4 spaced somewhat above canopy 3.

As seen in FIG. 2, which is a bottom view of the interior of the luminaire (with parts omitted for clarity), a generally annular optical compartment or chamber 11 is defined by cylindrical housing 2 on the outside and a reflector assembly 12 on the inside, the latter assembly being formed by four similar reflector members 120 arranged surrounding the central axis of the luminaire and connected together at their adjoining ends by rivets or other suitable means. Reflector members 12a are each attached by tabs 12b at their top edges to the inside of housing canopy 3. As seen in FIG. 1, each reflector member 12a is outwardly concave in vertical section and has a reflecting surface facing optical compartment 11. Four lamps 13, typically of gaseous discharge type such as mercury vapor lamps, are mounted in optical compartment ,11 at from each other by means of socket brackets 14 attached to the inside of housing canopy 3. The annular opening at the bottom of optical compartment 11 is closed by a light transmitting annular window 15, such as a clear plastic panel, which is supported at its periphery on inwardly projecting lips at the bottom of housing 2.

Openings on opposite sides of cylindrical housing 2 which are closed by doors 16 provide access to the interior of optical compartment 11 to enable removal and replacement of lamps 13. The arrangement of lamps 13 a substantial distance above the bottom of housing 2 and adjacent reflector 12 results in the light beams from the lamps being directed downwardly through panel 15 and radially outwardly relative to the central axis of the luminaire, so that the main beams emanating from the respective lamps l3 and reflected by reflector 12 do not cross one another. Also, the arrangement provides for a shielding light cut-off at a vertical angle of not more than about 65, thus producing light distribution where needed in the vicinity of the luminaire while avoiding undesired illumination of surrounding buildings or residences.

The joints at the top and bottom edges of reflector assembly 12 and at the periphery of transparent panel 15 are provided with suitable gaskets so as to seal optical compartment 11 against entry of contaminating particles and objects, thereby keeping transparent panel 15 free of dirt over a prolonged operating period.

Mounted on different sides of the lower portion of central support structure 7 are ballast assemblies 20 which, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a mounting plate 21 having suitably secured to one side thereof ballast transformer 22, capacitor 23, and terminal board 24. Mounting plate 21 has a pair of spaced keyhole slots 25, and angle support members 7 are provided at corresponding points with retaining means comprising spring-loaded washers 26 on which mounting plate 21 may be detachably secured at its keyhole slots. As seen in FIG. 5, cup-shaped washer 26 is secured to angle member 7 by bolt 27 formed with a shoulder portion 27a holding a spiral spring 28 in compression against the bottom of washer 26. Lock member 29 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) secured at its upper end to angle member 7 by bolt 27 has a bottom flange 29a extending through an aperture in angle member 7 and the lower portion of keyhole slot 25, it being understood that a lock member is provided for each keyhole slot. In the installed position as shown, ballast assembly 20 cannot be removed simply by upward slidable movement along angle member 7 since the bottom flange of lock 29 prevents sufficient upward movement of mounting plate 21 to allow the enlarged bottom portion of keyhole slot 25 to clear washer 26. To remove the ballast unit, the bottom of mounting plate 21 is pulled outwardly about l,to clear lock flange 29a and mounting plate 21 is then slid upwardly to allow passage of the keyhole slots therein over washers 26. To replace the ballast unit, the reverse procedure is used.

The lower central portion of the luminaire is closed by a cup-shaped collar 30 (see FIG. 4) having a central opening for passage of pole and secured to the bottom of mounting plates 21 by suitable angle brackets 31. A mesh screen 32 secured to collar 30 aids in preventing entry of insects into the luminaire. Collar 30 serves to cover the external slipfitter portion and to hide the ballast components, while enhancing the decorative appearance of the luminaire.

The described arrangement is such that cooling air flows upwardly into the luminaire through the collar and along the ballast components as indicated by arrows in FIG. 4, and the heated air passes out of the luminaire through the top of the housing as previously mentioned. Since the light beams from the respective lamps do not cross and the ballast assemblies are therefore out of the path of the light rays, the ballast components operate under lower temperatures than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, the mounting of the heavy ballast assemblies on the central support structure as shown minimizes loading stress on the luminaire parts.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A luminaire comprising, in combination, a base member adapted to be mounted on top of a post, elongated central support means extending upwardly along a central axis from said base member, an opaque housing having a bottom opening secured to and surrounding said central support means, reflector means arranged within said housing surrounding said central support means and having a reflecting surface facing away from said central axis, said opaque housing having an opaque side wall surrounding said reflector means and extending downwardly to a plane below the bottom of said reflecting surface, said reflector means and said opaque housing defining therebetween a generallyannular optical chamber, lamp supporting means in said annular optical chamber for mounting a plurality of lamps circumferentially spaced in said chamber adjacent said reflector means substantially in the plane of the top of said opaque side wall, whereby light rays emanating from the respective lamps are directed downwardly through said bottom opening radially outwardly relative to said central axis, and electrical ballast means for operating the lamps attached to said central support means.

2. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said reflecting surface being concave outwardly, said lamp supporting means being arranged in said optical chamber relative to the bottom of said housing such that the light beams from the lamps are cut off at a vertical angle from said central axis of not more than about 65.

3. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said bottom opening being closed by a light transmitting cover, and means sealing said optical chamber enclosed by said reflector means, said housing, and said light transmitting cover.

4. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said bottom opening being closed by a light transmitting cover, and access door means on said housing for enabling access to the lamps in said optical chamber for removal and replacement thereof.

5. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said central support means having a plurality of sides defining a central axially extending passage, each side of said central support means at the lower portion thereof having fastener means for detachably connecting said electrical ballast means to said central support means.

6. A luminaire as defined in claim 5, said ballast means comprising a mounting plate having keyhole slot means formed therein, said fastener means comprising spring-loaded retaining means projecting from said side of said central support means for receiving said keyhole slot means and detachably holding said mounting plate in assembly on said central support means.

7. A luminaire as defined in claim 6, said retaining means comprising a cup-shaped washer, a compression spring, and a bolt member securing said washer to said side of said central support means and urging said spring in compression against said cup-shaped washer, said mounting plate being yieldably held in assembly against said central support means by said spring-urged washer.

8. A luminaire as defined in claim 6, and locking means secured to said central support means for restraining sliding of said mounting plate on said central support means for preventing detachment thereby of said mounting plate.

9. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said ballast means having a portion projecting downwardly below said central support means, and collar means surrounding said base member and detachably secured to said ballast means covering said projecting portion thereof and said base member.

Claims

1. A luminaire comprising, in combination, a base member adapted to be mounted on top of a post, elongated central support means extending upwardly along a central axis from said base member, an opaque housing having a bottom opening secured to anD surrounding said central support means, reflector means arranged within said housing surrounding said central support means and having a reflecting surface facing away from said central axis, said opaque housing having an opaque side wall surrounding said reflector means and extending downwardly to a plane below the bottom of said reflecting surface, said reflector means and said opaque housing defining therebetween a generally annular optical chamber, lamp supporting means in said annular optical chamber for mounting a plurality of lamps circumferentially spaced in said chamber adjacent said reflector means substantially in the plane of the top of said opaque side wall, whereby light rays emanating from the respective lamps are directed downwardly through said bottom opening radially outwardly relative to said central axis, and electrical ballast means for operating the lamps attached to said central support means.

2. A luminaire as defined in claim 1, said reflecting surface being concave outwardly, said lamp supporting means being arranged in said optical chamber relative to the bottom of said housing such that the light beams from the lamps are cut off at a vertical angle from said central axis of not more than about 65*.