Abstract:
A lighting standard, and a method for its use, that has incorporated into its top end a swivel means for the adjustment of a lighting fixture head in train and elevation. The swivel means also incorporates passages through which electrical conductors are passed to provide power for the lighting fixture. The elevating member can include a fixture body, or in the alternative, the fixture body and elevating member can be separate components. The lower end of the standard can be buried in the ground, with the wiring necessary to power the fixture entering through the lower end of the standard and wiring terminations being made through a covered opening on the side of the standard. In the alternative, the standard can be connected directly to a junction box. Applications may include, but are not limited to, landscape lighting, accent lighting, and the lighting of signs, driveways, and walkways.

Description:
BACKGROUND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/290,909, filed on May 15, 2001, by the same inventor for the same invention, and the inventor respectfully requests all benefit to which he is entitled from this provisional patent application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to outdoor fixtures for illuminating small areas, specifically to a lighting standard, and a method for its use, that has Incorporated into its top end a swivel means for the adjustment of a lighting fixture head in train and elevation. The swivel means also incorporates passages through which electrical conductors are passed to provide power for the lighting fixture. The elevating member can include a fixture body, or in the alternative, the fixture body and elevating member can be separate components. Further, the lower end of the standard can be buried in the ground, with the wiring necessary to power the fixture entering through the lower end of the standard and wiring terminations being made through a covered opening on the side of the standard. In the alternative, the standard can be connected directly to a junction box. When combined with fluorescent lamps, the present invention provides a clean, neat, compact, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-install lighting package for small areas that is energy efficient, has a low operating cost, has a heavy duty locking swivel for easy directional adjustment, and is made from corrosion proof and impact-resistant materials for rugged dependability. Applications may include, but are not limited to, landscape lighting, accent lighting, and the lighting of signs, driveways, and walkways. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Landscape, accent, and sign lighting at night is common in both residential and commercial applications. Typically, small areas and signs are illuminated through the use of high-pressure sodium floodlights, metal halide floodlights, incandescent PAR floodlights, and quartz fixtures. Fluorescent lighting can also be used. The selection of small-area lighting fixtures appropriate for a given use is based upon a variety of factors, including initial fixture cost, fixture design, ease of fixture installation, aesthetic appeal of fixtures after installation, fixture impact resistance and durability, lamp life and replacement cost, and resistance of fixtures and lamps to weathering elements. Other use considerations include the number of fixtures required for visibility of a target area, the amount and cost of labor required for lamp replacement and other fixture maintenance, and lamp power consumption. When power consumption, lamp replacement cost, and labor cost for lamp maintenance are compared, the costs for operating the commonly used types of small-area lighting vary widely. The annual operating cost for two 70 W high-pressure sodium floodlights for sign illumination or accent use is calculated to be approximately $70, while the annual operating cost of two 175 W metal halide floodlights is computed at approximately $160. The annual operating cost of two 150 W incandescent PAR floodlights is even greater at approximately $178, with two 250 W quartz fixtures having the highest annual operating cost of approximately $260. In contrast, when used with fluorescent lighting, the present invention can provide comparable nighttime visibility of small areas with an annual operating cost for two such lamps being calculated at approximately $32. When compared to the clean, neat, compact, aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-install, energy efficient, low operating cost, ease of directional adjustability, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and rugged dependability of the present invention, no known lighting package combination has all of the advantages of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     The primary object of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture primarily for outdoor use in illuminating small areas that has a combination of aesthetically pleasing design and rugged dependability. It is also an object of this invention to provide a lighting fixture that is easy to install. A further object of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture having a low operating cost. It is also an object of this invention to provide a lighting fixture that is low maintenance. A further object of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture that is compact in configuration with easy directional adjustment. It is also an object of this invention to provide a lighting fixture that can be adapted for use in providing overhead illumination, as well as illumination on a targeted object from below. A further object of this invention is to provide a lighting fixture that resists weathering elements for extended use. It is also an object of this invention to provide a lighting fixture that has a design easily allowing the position of the light head to become permanently fixed at any time during its use. 
     As described herein, properly manufactured and installed, the present invention would provide a lighting fixture that is rotatable through a wide arc to assist in the directional adjustment of emitted light within the area targeted for illumination. An opening in the side of the vertical post provides access to the wiring terminations after fixture installation without disturbing the initial aiming of the light or otherwise affecting its installation. One present invention lighting fixture set approximately three to five feet from a sign face, can illuminate areas on the sign face up to approximately ten feet wide and ten feet high. Additional present invention lighting fixtures evenly spaced apart from one another, and set approximately five to six feet from a sign face, can also illuminate areas on the sign face up to approximately ten feet high, with two such lighting fixtures being able to illuminate sign faces having a width dimension between approximately twelve and thirty feet, with four present invention lighting fixtures being preferred to illuminate sign faces having a width dimension between approximately thirty and forty feet. Embodiments having corrosion resistant fixtures and vertical posts made from stainless steel and aluminum are particularly suited for coastal environments. The fluorescent lamps optionally used as part of the present invention typically have a lamp life of approximately 10,000 hours, which reduces the labor required for lamp exchange. Ground installation of the present invention is easy. First, a vertical post having a length dimension appropriate to the intended use is selected, and the cover over its access opening is removed. The distal end of a power supply wire adapted for providing electricity for the present invention fixture is inserted upwardly through its vertical post, until the distal end of the wiring extends beyond the upper end of the vertical post. Preferably the remaining portion of the power supply wire is buried underground. Thereafter, the lower end of the vertical post is placed into the ground with its upper end at a pre-selected height dimension. The vertical post is then backfilled to secure it in a substantially upright position. Using quick-connect wire connectors, like wires in the power supply wire and lighting fixture are connected together. A light head with at least one fluorescent lamp is then pushed onto the upper end of the backfilled vertical post, and the light head oriented for optimum illumination of a targeted sign, object, or landscape feature. After the light head is properly aimed, a tool is placed through the access opening in the vertical post to tighten a draw bolt therein. Although not limited thereto, it is preferred for the draw bolt to comprise a socketed cap screw or a hex bolt. Tightening of the draw bolt would continue until movement of the light head is restricted, thereafter an additional one-fourth turn in the tightening direction would be added. When the access cover is replaced, installation is complete. A change in the directional adjustment of the light head can be easily accomplished at any time, by removing the access cover, loosening the draw bolt, placing the light head into a new orientation, tightening the draw bolt, and reattaching the access cover. However, any position of the light head can easily be made permanent through application of plastic pipe cement to the rotating members. When compact fluorescent lamps are used with the present invention, the light spread is more uniform as the compact fluorescent lamps are linear and not a point light source. The result is a more easily read or observed illuminated object. In the alternative, the present invention can be mounted in a conventional manner to any junction box. A junction box connection would be used to provide overhead sign illumination. The light head providing overhead illumination is aimed in the same easy manner, through use of a draw bolt, as those present invention lighting fixtures installed in the ground. A wedge with wiring passages therethrough can be used to provide safe passage of the power supply wires within the vertical post. Also, more than one vertical post can be used to support and aim larger lighting fixtures. Further, the vertical post can be lengthened or shortened so that the present invention lighting fixtures can be adapted to a wide variety of applications. The present invention includes a swivel means at the top end top end of a vertical post for the adjustment of a lighting fixture head in train and elevation. The elevating member can include a fixture body, or in the alternative, the fixture body and elevating member can be separate components. The vertical post also includes an area for the termination of wires for its fixture, and may also be configured to accommodate the termination of wires for an adjacent fixture. A split expansion sleeve and sealing ring can also be used within the vertical post for additional assistance and security in directional aiming of the lighting head. When combined with fluorescent lamps, the present invention provides a clean, neat, compact, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-install lighting package for small areas that is energy efficient, has a low operating cost, has a heavy duty locking swivel for easy directional adjustment, and is made from corrosion proof and impact-resistant materials for rugged dependability. Applications may include, but are not limited to, landscape lighting, accent lighting, and the lighting of signs, driveways, and walkways. No device is known with all of the advantages of the present invention. 
     The description herein provides the preferred embodiment of the present invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the lighting fixture invention. For example, variations in the length and wall thickness dimensions of the vertical post; the size dimension of the elevating member; the thickness dimension of the wedge; the length dimension of the draw bolt; the type of locking means used to secure the draw bolt to the elevating member, and the positioning of the wire passage through the wedge; other than those shown and described herein may be incorporated into the present invention. Thus the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than being limited to the examples given. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention having a lighting fixture body mounted on an elevating member that rotates in a vertical plane, with the elevating member being cradled on a rotating member that rotates the lighting fixture body and elevating member in a horizontal plane, a vertical post with an access opening positioned beneath the rotating member, a split expansion sleeve extending into the bores of the vertical post and the rotating member to hold the rotating member in line with the vertical post, a wedge with a wire passage and a draw bolt aperture positioned within the vertical post, a sealing ring positioned between the wedge and the vertical post under the split expansion sleeve, and a draw bolt extending through the wedge and the elevating member while being secured in place with a threaded locking nut. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention having an enlarged, elevating member that functions as a combined fixture body and elevating member. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention having the elevating member directly connected to a junction box oriented for overhead lighting use. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 and 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention having a lighting fixture body  1  mounted on an elevating member  2  that rotates in a vertical plane, elevating member  2  being cradled on a rotating member  3  that allows for rotation of lighting fixture body  1  and elevating member  2  in a horizontal plane. The size of elevating member is not critical as long as it is appropriate to the size and configuration of lighting fixture body  1  used. A vertical post or tube  8  supports rotating member  3  and has an access opening  4  positioned at a spaced-apart distance from rotating member  3  for operator access to wiring terminations without disturbing the pre-set orientation of lighting fixture body  1 . FIG. 1 also shows the first embodiment of the present invention having a split expansion sleeve  9  extending respectively into the central bores of vertical post or tube  8  and rotating member  3  to hold rotating member  3  in line with vertical post or tube  8 . FIG. 1 further shows the first embodiment of the present invention having a wedge  6  with a wire passage  12 , and draw bolt  5  extending through wedge  6  so that its threaded distal end can be secured by use of a threaded locking nut  11 , or other locking means, to elevating member  2 . Although not limited thereto, it is preferred for draw bolt  5  to comprise a socketed cap screw or a hex bolt. The length dimension of draw bolt  5  and thickness dimension of wedge  6  are not critical. However, draw bolt  5  must have sufficient length dimension in proportion to wedge  6  to extend through wedge  6 , rotating member  3  and elevating member  2 , and become secured with locking nut  11  without interfering with the mounting or operation of lighting fixture body  1 . Also, the configuration of lighting fixture body  1  may vary, and is not limited to that shown in FIG.  1 . An optional sealing ring  10  can also be positioned between wedge  6  and vertical post  8 , shown in FIG. 1 positioned below split expansion sleeve  9 . During use, lighting fixture body  1  can be rotated in train and elevation to a desired position, after which draw bolt  5  is tightened to lock lighting fixture body  1  temporarily into the selected position. Access to draw bolt  5  is provided through the access opening  4  in vertical post or tube  8 . Access opening  4  must be sufficiently large to accommodate the use of a wrench or other loosening and/or tightening tool (not shown). Access opening  4  also provides operator access to the wiring terminations after fixture installation without disturbing the initial aiming of the lighting fixture body  1  or otherwise affecting its installation. In most applications, although not limited thereto, it is contemplated for draw bolt  5  to extend centrally through wedge  6  with wire passage  12  positioned at a spaced-apart distance from draw bolt  5 . Although not shown in FIG. 1, after installation of the present invention and directional aiming of fixture body  1 , a cover plate secured by two screws is used to conceal access opening  4 . The configuration of and materials from which the cover plate is made, and the type and number of screws used to secure it to vertical post or tube  8 , are not critical as long as the cover plate and screws are corrosion-resistant and impact-resistant and otherwise configured to protect the interior of vertical post or tube  8  from weathering elements. Tightening of draw bolt  5  draws wedge  6  into the central bore of split expansion sleeve  9 , thereby enlarging the diameter of expansion sleeve  9  against the interior walls of rotating member  3  and vertical post or tube  8  to temporarily lock lighting fixture body  1  in a desired position of use. Locking nut  11  is threaded to receive the threaded distal end of draw bolt  5 , and as a result of its location draws elevating member  2  snugly against rotating member  3  when draw bolt  5  is tightened. At the same time draw bolt  5  drives tapered wedge  6  into split expansion sleeve  9 , which causes the diameter of split expansion sleeve  9  to increase within the bore of vertical post or tube  8 , thereby locking all members together. The configuration of locking nut  11  is not critical and can include any means of effectively tightening draw bolt  5 . FIG. 1 further shows mounting reinforcements  17  and threaded fasteners  16  being used as a means of facilitating the connection between elevating member  2  and lighting fixture body  1 , wiring  7  extending through the wire passage  12  in wedge  6 , and a double-headed arrow indicating the multidirectional movement possible for elevating member  2 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention having an enlarged elevating member  13 , which functions as a combined fixture body  1  and elevating member  2 . The size of enlarged elevating member  13  is not critical and would be determined by the intended application. Also, it is contemplated for enlarged elevating member  13  to have various configurations and not be limited to that shown in FIG.  2 . Although FIG. 2 shows two compact fluorescent lamps  18  positioned within enlarged elevating member  13 , it is contemplated for enlarged elevating member  13  to comprise sufficient interior space to accommodate one or more compact fluorescent lamps  18  and associated ballast assemblies (not shown). Since enlarged elevating member  13  combines the functions of both lighting fixture body  1  and elevating member  2 , one component of the assemblage in FIG. 1 is thereby eliminated and provides a cost savings. FIG. 2 also shows enlarged elevating member  13  being cradled on rotating member  3 , vertical post or tube  8  supporting rotating member  3 , an access opening  4  through vertical post or tube  8  at a spaced-apart distance from rotating member  3 , a split expansion sleeve  9  extending respectively into the central bores of vertical post or tube  8  and rotating member  3  to hold rotating member  3  in line with vertical post or tube  8  when draw bolt  5  is tightened. FIG. 2 further shows the second embodiment of the present invention having a wedge  6  with a wire passage  12 , and draw bolt  5  extending through wedge  6  so that its threaded distal end can be secured by use of a threaded locking nut  11 , or other locking means, to enlarged elevating member  2 . An optional sealing ring  10  can also be positioned between wedge  6  and vertical post  8 . During use, enlarged elevating member  13  can be rotated in train and elevation to a desired position, after which draw bolt  5  is tightened to temporarily lock enlarged elevating member  13  into the selected position. Should permanent positioning be required for an intended application of the present invention, cementing means, such as but not limited to plastic pipe cement, can be applied to the rotating members. Access to draw bolt  5  is provided through the access opening  4  in vertical post or tube  8 . Although not shown in FIG. 2, a cover plate secured by at least one screw would be used to conceal access opening  4 . FIG. 2 further shows wiring  7  extending through wedge  6  and a double-headed arrow indicating the multi-directional movement possible for enlarged elevating member  13 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention having elevating member  2 , rotating member  3 , and post or tube  8  connected to a conventional junction box  14  through the use of a cover  15  and two threaded fasteners  16 . The number and type of fasteners used for cover  15  are not critical. Since junction box  14  is in an inverted position, the third embodiment is configured for overhead lighting of a targeted object (not shown), such as a sign. The third preferred embodiment allows for rapid and economical, original or retrofit, installations. Mounting reinforcements  17  are provided for facilitating the connection between elevating member  2  and lighting fixture body  1 . The configuration of lighting fixture body  1  is not limited to that shown in FIG.  3 . Draw bolt  5  extends through cover  15 , post or tube  8 , rotating member  3 , elevating member  2 , and threaded locking nut  11 . FIG. 3 further shows a double-headed arrow indicating the multi-directional movement possible for elevating member  2 , however, wiring  7  is omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity and simplicity of illustration. 
     As examples of its use, but not limited thereto, one present invention lighting fixture set approximately three to five feet from a sign face (not shown), can illuminate areas on the sign face up to approximately ten feet wide and ten feet high. Additional present invention lighting fixtures evenly spaced apart from one another, and set approximately five to six feet from a sign face, can also illuminate areas on the sign face up to approximately ten feet high, with two such lighting fixtures being able to illuminate sign faces having a width dimension between approximately twelve and thirty feet, with four present invention lighting fixtures being preferred to illuminate sign faces having a width dimension between approximately thirty and forty feet. The compact fluorescent lamps  18  optionally used as light sources typically have a lamp life of approximately 10,000 hours, which reduces the labor required for lamp exchange. Further, ground installation of the present invention is easy, and one preferred method of ground installation follows. It should be noted that other methods and method variations not identified herein are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. First, a vertical post or tube  8  having a length dimension appropriate to the intended use is selected, and the cover (not shown) over its access opening  4  is removed. The distal end of a power supply wire  7  adapted for providing electricity for the present invention fixture is inserted upwardly through its vertical post or tube  8 , until the distal end of the wiring extends beyond the upper end of the vertical post or tube  8 . Preferably the remaining portion of the power supply wire  7  is buried underground. Thereafter, the lower end of the vertical post or tube  8  is placed into the ground with its upper end at a pre-selected height dimension. The vertical post would preferably be backfilled to secure it in a substantially upright position. Using quick connect wire connectors (not shown), like wires in the power supply wire  7  are connected to light source  18 . A lighting fixture body  1  with at least one compact fluorescent lamp  18  and associated ballast assembly (not shown) is then pushed onto the upper end of the backfilled vertical post or tube  8 , and the oriented for optimum illumination of a targeted sign, object, or landscape feature (not shown). After the lighting fixture body  1  is properly aimed, a tool (not shown) is placed through the access opening  4  in vertical post or tube  8  to tighten draw bolt  5  therein. Tightening of draw bolt  5  would continue until movement of the lighting fixture body  1  is restricted, thereafter an additional one-fourth turn in the tightening direction would be added. When the access cover (not shown) is replaced, installation is complete. A change in the directional adjustment of the lighting fixture body  1  can be easily accomplished at any time, by removing the access cover, loosening draw bolt  5 , placing the lighting fixture body  1  into a new orientation, tightening draw bolt  5 , and reattaching the access cover. However, any position of the lighting fixture body  1  can be made permanent through application of plastic pipe cement (not shown), or other cementing means, to the rotating members. When a compact fluorescent lamp  18  is used with the present invention light spread is more uniform, resulting in a more easily read or observed illuminated object, as compact fluorescent lamps  18  are linear and not a point light source. As an alternative to ground installation, the present invention can be mounted in a conventional manner to any junction box, one application of a junction box  14  connection would be to provide overhead sign illumination. A lighting fixture body  1  used to provide overhead illumination is aimed in the same easy manner as those present invention lighting fixtures installed in the ground, through use of one or more draw bolts  5 . A wedge  6  with is wiring passages  12  therethrough can be employed to provide safe passage of the power supply wires  7  extending through each vertical post or tube  8  used. It is contemplated for more than one vertical post or tube  8  to be used to support and aim larger lighting fixture bodies  1  or enlarged elevating members  13 . Further, vertical post or tube  8  can be lengthened or shortened so that the present invention lighting fixtures can be adapted to a wide variety of applications. Also, the wall thickness dimension of vertical post or tube  8  is not critical, as long as it is appropriate to the intended application without adding unnecessary cost. The present invention includes a swivel means at the top end of a vertical post or tube  8  for the adjustment of a lighting fixture body  1  in train and elevation. The elevating member  2  can include a combined lighting fixture body  1  and elevating member  2 , such as enlarged elevating member  13 , or in the alternative, the lighting fixture body  1  and elevating member  2  can be separate components. Each vertical post or tube  8  used can also include an area for the termination of wires for its lighting fixture body  1 , as well as an adjacent fixture. Further, a split sleeve  9  and sealing ring  10  can be used within the vertical post or tube  8  for additional assistance in directional aiming of lighting fixture body  1  or enlarged elevating member  13 . When combined with compact fluorescent lamps  18 , the present invention provides a clean, neat, compact, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-install lighting package for small areas that is energy efficient, has a low operating cost, has a heavy duty locking swivel for easy directional adjustment, and is made from corrosion proof and impact-resistant materials for rugged dependability. Applications may include, but are not limited to, original or retrofit installation for landscape lighting, accent lighting, and the lighting of signs, driveways, and walkways. Although not limited thereto, the preferred embodiments of lighting fixture body  1  would be made from injection molded ABS and vertical post or tube  8  from extruded PVC. For most preferred uses, lighting fixture body  1  and vertical post or tube  8  would be black, white or green, so as to be unobtrusive, however, color is not considered critical. The length and wall thickness dimensions of vertical post or tube  8  are not critical as long as it remains functional and cost effective. Although not shown, lighting fixture body  1  would require a lens cover, preferably made from injection molded clear polycarbonate, and could optionally comprise one or more colored lenses. Fluorescent lights  18  would preferably be 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps that draw one or two amps of current, and ballasts used would be 120-volt. Embodiments having corrosion resistant fixtures and vertical posts or tubes  8  made from stainless steel and aluminum are particularly suited for coastal environments.