Abstract:
A gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire, the gasket is constructed to be disposed between an electrical component housing and a lens wherein the lens is held to the electrical component housing with a front trim ring surrounding an outer portion thereof. The gasket is designed to form a seal between the lens and electrical component housing and absorb physical shock placed on the lens and/or the electrical component housing.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to luminaires or more specifically a sealing and physical shock absorbing gasket for a vandal-resistant luminarie. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many existing public locations, both indoor and outdoor, have luminaires installed. Even though these luminaires are intended to benefit the public they are often times an annoyance for a would be vandal or thief. Therefore, luminaires have long have been targeted for disablement or destruction by vandals, thieves, and others seeking to reduce the amount of light present in a given locale. Luminaire electrical component housings and lamps contained within the electrical component housings of such luminaires are typically fragile in construction. Physical impact or even mere jarring can disable a luminaire or even destroy a portion thereof. The damage can occur to the electrical component housing, lamp, lens, or other component thereby extinguishing the light emitted by the luminaire. Attempts have been made to address this problem for those seeking to maintain the functional status of a luminaire in a public place. This has been addressed by constructing armored luminaires which have an armored electrical component housing or by placing the luminaire out of reach to the public. However, the armor has tended to make the luminaire less aesthetic than desired and the locating of the luminaires out of reach often times decreases the ability of the luminaire to light a desired area. The armor and location of the luminaires has also tended to increase maintenance costs associated with keeping the luminaires operational. More recently, vandal resistant luminaires have been constructed of plastics. However, these luminaires have lacked the capability to resist tampering and to provide an aesthetic luminaire as is desired. 
   Thus a need continues to exist for luminaires to resist the attempts of vandals, would-be thieves, and the like from destroying the luminaire or extinguishing the light emitted thereby while providing adequate light, protection from environmental elements, and a means for maintaining the luminaire without excessive maintenance costs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a gasket for use in a vandal resistant luminaire intended for use in a public area and designed to resist physical damage from impact while providing adequate light, an aesthetic luminaire, and an economic means for maintenance. The luminaire gasket is designed to absorb physical shock placed on the luminaire lens, seal the lens with the electrical component housing and protect the lamp and other internal components from environmental elements. 
   Preferably the gasket is comprised of extra thick extruded silicon rubber and has a cross-sectional configuration that absorbs physical shock from lens impact while sealing against dust, moisture, and water. The cross-sectional configuration is such that when in a sealing configuration it is expanded providing a seal and when a shock is placed about the lens the gasket compresses wherein it absorbs the shock improving the luminaires resistance to tampering. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vandal resistant luminaire showing external components thereof; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a vandal resistant luminaire showing the placement of a gasket therein; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a electrical component housing for a vandal resistant luminaire having a gasket placed about a front rim; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire in an expanded configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the gasket of  FIG. 4  in a compressed configuration; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire in an expanded configuration; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire in an expanded configuration; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternative embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire in an expanded configuration; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire having an open configuration; and 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire having a solid configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention relates to a gasket for use in a vandal resistant luminaire intended for use in a public area and designed to resist physical damage from impact while providing adequate light, an aesthetic luminaire, and an economic means for maintenance. The luminaire gaskets depicted in the various figures are selected solely for the purpose of illustrating the invention. Other and different gaskets may utilize the inventive features described herein. Reference to the Figures showing embodiments are made only for descriptive purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims and disclosure herein. 
     FIG. 1  shows the external components of vandal resistant luminaire  10 . Rear trim ring  12  covers electrical component housing  14  providing an aesthetically pleasing rear side of luminaire  10  while increasing security of luminaire  10  by providing a smooth outer side surface mounting flush against a wall or ceiling reducing pry and hold points. Electrical component housing  14  has an outer lip  24  visible in fully assembled luminaire  10  between rear trim ring  12  and front trim ring  16 . Front trim ring  16  locks onto electrical component housing  14  and is held in a locked position with locking fastener  19  extending through locking fastener receptacle  21  in front trim ring  16 . Front trim ring  16  holds lens  18  to electrical component housing  14  providing a smooth outer surface for vandal resistant luminaire  10 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the internal components of vandal resistant luminaire  10  and the placement of gasket  17  therein. Rear trim ring  12  is removed from electrical component housing  14  showing the outer configuration of electrical component housing  14  and cooperation between rear trim ring  12  and outer lip  24  of electrical component housing  14 . Lamp holder assembly  15  attaches within electrical component housing  14  and has lamp socket  20  on a front surface. The front surface of lamp holder  15  is preferably comprised of a reflective material. Front trim ring  16  holds lens  18  to electrical component housing  14  with gasket  17  there between providing a smooth outer surface for vandal resistant luminaire  10 . Gasket  17  is placed about gasket ring  28 , both of which are shown having a continuously round configuration, on electrical component housing  14 . Front trim ring  16  has locking lugs  26  for securing about electrical component housing  14  and locked thereto with locking fastener  19  depending into locking fastener receptacle  21  in front trim ring  16 . Lens  18  has outer lip  22  that cooperates with front trim ring  16  on an outer surface and gasket  17  in an inner surface. 
     FIG. 3  shows electrical component housing  14  having gasket  17  attached to gasket ring  28 . Within electrical component housing  14  is lamp holder assembly  15  having lamp socket  20 . Preferably, the outer surface of lamp holder assembly  15  is comprised of a reflective material and is attached to electrical component housing  14  with bracket and fastener combinations  23 . The electrical wiring, ballast(s), if needed, and other associated electrical components of luminaire  10  are contained within electrical component housing  14  behind lamp holder assembly  15 . On the outer rim of electrical component housing  14  above outer lip  24  are lug receptacles  34  for receiving locking lugs  26  on front trim ring  16 . Locking fastener  19  is also in the outer rim of electrical component housing  14  within a notch  36  for locking front trim ring  16  onto electrical component housing  14 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a gasket  17  taken along  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  for vandal resistant luminaire  10  in an expanded configuration. Gasket  17  has hollow interior  17   a  and is placed on gasket ring  28  by having gasket ring receiving notch  42  receiving gasket ring  28 . Lower wall  46  of gasket  17  has a raised portion for absorbing physical shock. Inner wall  44  is convex or depends slightly outward to top wall  49 . Top wall  49  is shown as being angled upward toward outer wall  48  providing a sealing surface toward an outer portion of luminaire  10  for sealing with lens  18 . Top wall  49  also has a thickened shock absorbing region  49   a . Outer wall  48  is convex or depends inward so that when a force is placed on top wall  49  outer wall  48  folds inward providing shock absorbing material  48   a  and  48   b  between electrical component housing  14  and lens  18 .  FIG. 5  shows the gasket of  FIG. 4  in a compressed configuration. In this configuration outer wall  48  is folded inward providing two additional layers of gasket material  48   a  and  48   b  between electrical component housing  14  and lens  18 . This inward collapsing wall provides gasket  17  with additional shock absorbing capacity when a physical shock is placed on top wall  49 . 
     FIG. 6  shows gasket  60  for a vandal resistant luminaire  10  in an expanded configuration. Gasket  60  has a cross-sectional configuration being substantially a mirror image of gasket  17 . Gasket  60  is placed on gasket ring  28  by having gasket ring receiving notch  62  receiving gasket ring  28 . Lower wall  66  of gasket  60  has raised area for absorbing physical shock. Outer wall  64  is convex and depends slightly outward to top wall  69 . Top wall  69  is shown as being angled upward toward inner wall  68  providing a sealing surface toward an inner portion for sealing with lens  18 . Top wall  69  also has a thickened shock absorbing region  69   a . Inner wall  68  is concave and depends inward so that when a force is placed on top wall  69  inner wall  68  folds inward providing shock absorbing material between electrical component housing  14  and lens  18 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  show cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of a sealing shock absorbing gasket in an expanded configuration for vandal resistant luminaire  10 .  FIG. 7  shows gasket  70  placed on gasket ring  28  by having gasket ring receiving notch  72  receiving gasket ring  28 . Lower wall  76  of gasket  70  has raised area for absorbing physical shock. Outer wall  74  and inner wall  78  are both concave and depend inward so that when a force is placed on top wall  79  both outer wall  74  and inner wall  78  fold inward providing shock absorbing material between electrical component housing  14  and lens  18 . Top wall  79  is shown as being substantially flat providing a sealing surface for sealing with lens  18 . Top wall  79  may optionally have a thickened shock absorbing region. Gasket  80 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , is placed on gasket ring  28  by having gasket ring receiving notch  82  receiving gasket ring  28 . Lower wall  86  of gasket  80  has raised area with a void space  85  for absorbing physical shock. Outer wall  84  depends slightly inward to top wall  89  and folds inward when gasket  80  is compressed with a force placed on top wall  89 . Top wall  89  is shown as being angled upward toward outer wall  84  providing a sealing surface toward an outer portion for sealing with lens  18 . Top wall  89  has a thickened shock absorbing region. Inner wall  88  is convex and depends outwardly. 
     FIG. 9  shows gasket  90  for a vandal resistant luminaire  10  in an expanded configuration. Gasket  90  has an open cross-sectional configuration. Gasket  90  is placed on gasket ring  28  of electrical component housing  14  by having gasket ring receiving notch  92  receiving gasket ring  28 . Lower wall  96  of gasket  90  is substantially flat. Side wall  94  depends slightly outward to top wall  99 . Top wall  99  is shown as being curved providing a sealing surface for sealing with lens  18 . 
     FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of a gasket  100  for vandal resistant luminaire  10  in an expanded configuration. Gasket  100  is placed on gasket ring  28  by having gasket ring receiving notch  142  receiving gasket ring  28 . Inner wall  144  depends slightly outward to top wall  149 . Top wall  149  is shown as being angled upward toward outer wall  148  providing a sealing surface toward an outer portion of luminaire  10  for sealing with lens  18 . Outer wall  148  depends inward so that when a force is placed on top wall  149  outer wall  148  folds inward. Inward collapsing wall  148  provides gasket  100  with additional shock absorbing capacity when a physical shock is placed on top wall  149 . 
   Preferably the vandal resistant luminaire gasket is comprised of a silicon rubber material. However, other materials having flexing, shock absorbing and sealing properties may be used to construct the gasket. Preferably the gasket is extruded and may have a thickened or even solid cross-sectional configuration providing additional shock absorbing capacity. In an expanded configuration the gasket seals dust, moisture, and water in the environment from the internal components of the luminaire. The sealing shock absorbing gasket can have a multitude of configurations, several of which have been shown.