Abstract:
The present invention provides a light fixture that is sealed against the entry of water and can therefore be readily employed in outdoor locations. The inventive light fixture, which incorporates a halogen lamp, can be readily opened without the use of tools for replacement of the lamp.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/369,516, filed Apr. 1, 2002. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to light fixtures that include a halogen lamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to light fixtures for outdoor use. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Outdoor lighting is frequently employed in commercial, public and residential locations in order to enhance the safety and appearance of outdoor locations and to provide improved security. For example, outdoor light fixtures are used to illuminate walkways and stairs thereby increasing the safety of persons using the walkways and stairs in the dark. Such light fixtures are frequently placed in locations where they are exposed to the weather. It is thus important that the fixtures be completely sealed in order to prevent the entry of moisture into the fixtures. 
   Many light fixtures currently employed outdoors are vulnerable to corrosion due to seepage of water into the fixtures. In addition, maintenance of such fixtures, i.e. changing of burnt-out lamps, frequently requires the use of tools and can compromise the water resistance of the features. There thus remains a need in the art for light fixtures for outdoor use that are robust, reliable, resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a light fixture that is sealed against the entry of water and can therefore be readily employed in outdoor locations. The inventive light fixture incorporates a halogen lamp and can be easily opened and closed without the use of tools for replacement of the halogen lamp. 
   In one embodiment, the inventive light fixture comprises a hollow light body, or housing, which is preferably cylindrical shape. A halogen lamp is placed within the light housing, with a lip provided around the upper circumference of the lamp resting on a ledge provided around the inner circumference of the light housing, in proximity to its upper end. A lens contacts, and covers, the upper surface of the halogen lamp, with a gasket of approximately the same outer circumference as the lens being placed on the upper surface of the lens. A lens ring, which is sized to fit over the upper edge of the light housing, is provided with a thread which matches and threadably engages a thread provided on the outer surface of the light housing at its upper end. When the lens ring is screwed onto the light housing, it pushes down and outwards on the gasket, which in turn presses down on the lens, thereby sealing the light fixture and preventing the entry of moisture into the light housing. 
   The inventive light fixture may be mounted within a structure, such as a wall or pathway, or may be mounted externally, such as on the surface of a wall or on a pole for insertion in the ground, such as in a flower bed. The light fixture of the present invention may thus be usefully employed for illuminating walkways, stairs, decks, driveways, trees, shrubs and other landscaping or architectural features. 
   The light fixtures disclosed herein are more robust, reliable and resistant to corrosion that most other fixtures currently employed for outside locations. The sealing feature of the inventive fixtures enables easy replacement of lamps while ensuring that the seal is not compromised during standard maintenance procedures. Furthermore, no tools are required for performing standard maintenance. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a light fixture of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a light fixture of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an upper portion of a light fixture of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a reflector employed in one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a light fixture of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of a light fixture of the present invention. Light housing  2  which is generally cylindrical in shape, is constructed of a rigid material, such as stainless steel, aluminum or copper, and is sealed at its base by means of end cap  4 . End cap  4  screws onto light housing  2  and is provided with an opening (not shown) for entry of electrical wires  6 . Light housing  2  may, alternatively, be provided with a base that is an integral part of the light housing. In the illustrated embodiment, light housing  2  is mounted on support base  8  which may be attached to a surface, such as a deck or walkway. 
   Halogen lamp  10 , which has a generally conical shape, is placed within light housing  2  and is supported by lamp holder  12 . Lamp  10  may be securely held in contact with holder  12  by means of two pins (not shown) which protrude from the base of lamp  10  and into corresponding holes provided in the top of holder  12 . At it&#39;s upper edge, lamp  10  rests on ledge  14  provided around the circumference of light housing  2  in proximity to its upper end  16  which is distal to end cap  4 . Halogen lamp  10 , which comprises a bulb sealed within a halogen filled housing, is preferably an MR16 lamp which can be readily purchased from, for example, General Electric Lighting, and are available in a variety of wattages, such as 20 watt and 50 watt, with several different beam angles. Other halogen lamps which may be employed in the inventive light fixture include MR11 lamps. Lamp holder  12  is preferably ceramic, and may be of any design well known to those of skill in the art for use with halogen lamps. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , circular lens  18  rests on, and covers, the upper surface of halogen lamp  10 , and is essentially flat. Lens  18  is preferably constructed of glass, most preferably of tempered glass, which can be either clear or frosted to reduce glare. Gasket  20 , which is preferably made of high temperature silicon, is positioned on top of outer circumference of lens  18 . At upper end  16 , the outer surface of light housing  2  is provided with a thread  22  which threadably engages lens ring  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Lens ring  24 , which is preferably constructed of stainless steel, aluminum or copper is provided with lip  26 . When lens ring  24  is screwed onto thread  22  on light housing  2 , it pushes down and outwards on gasket  20  which in turns pushes down on lens  18 , thereby pressing the lower surface of lens  18  onto the upper surface of halogen lamp  10  and sealing the upper end of light housing  2 . 
   In one embodiment, the inventive light fixture is provided with a reflector  28  (illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) which has a generally conical shape and which rests on notch  30  provided around the circumference of light body  2 . Reflector  28  covers at least a portion of the outer surface of halogen lamp  10  and serves to reflect heat generated by halogen lamp  10  outwards towards lens  18 . 
   In order to replace halogen lamp  10 , lens ring  24  is unscrewed from upper end  16  of light body  2 , gasket  20  and lens  18  are removed, and lamp  10  is simply pulled out of holder  12 . A replacement lamp can then be placed in holder  12 , lens  18  and gasket  20  placed back on top of the lamp, and lens ring  24  screwed back into place. Replacement of burnt-out lamps in the inventive light fixtures can thus be accomplished quickly and easily without the use of tools. 
   While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.