Mounting adapter for pole-mounted lights

An outside lighting arrangement comprises a vertical pole with upper and lower ends. A mounting member is coupled to the upper end of the pole, which mounting member has plural luminaire mounting positions located circumferentially about the pole and offset from the pole. Plural directional luminaires are provided. A mounting adaptor comprising a first portion that couples to the mounting at one of the light mounting positions, and a second portion that couples to one of the luminaires, is provided. The second portion is rotatively coupled to the first portion so as to direct light from the luminaire in the desired direction. The mounting adaptors can be used on existing selections, as well as new installations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pole-mounted lighting, such as can be found along roads, rest stops, parking lots and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High mast lighting is used to illuminate a relatively large area of ground from a small number of locations. The lights are located at the top of a tall mast or pole. The height of the tall mast allows light to travel relatively far from the base of the mast.

A typical application of high mast lighting is along roadways, such as highways. Interchanges in particular utilize high mast lighting. Due to the high speeds of vehicles on highways, an interchange involves use of long roads and/or widely curved roads or loops to enter and exit a particular highway. Consequently, an interchange may involve a relatively large area of the land.

Rest stops also use high mast lighting to illuminate buildings and parking areas.

Unfortunately, highway interchanges, rest stops and other places that use high mast lighting may abut residential neighborhoods. Residential inhabitants do not appreciate tall lights illuminating their houses and yards all night long.

In addition to high mast lighting, shorter pole-mounted lights may cause similar suffering for illuminating unwanted areas. For example in a parking lot, such as for retail stores, the parking lot is illuminated at night. But, a neighborhood may abut the parking lot. Also, biking and hiking trails may wind through neighborhoods, with such trails being illuminated at night for safety reasons. Just like along a highway, the neighborhood abutting the parking lot and hiking and biking trail may view the light as unwanted.

There is a need then to direct light from a pole-mounted lighting arrangement away from nearby areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An outside lighting arrangement, comprises a vertical pole having a lower end mounted to the ground and an upper end. A mounting member is coupled to the upper end of the pole, the mounting member having plural luminaire mounting positions, located circumferentially around the pole and offset from the pole. The arrangement has plural luminaires, each luminaire having a front and a rear, with each luminaire being directional. A mounting adaptor comprises a first portion that couples to the mounting member at one of the luminaire mounting positions, and a second portion that couples to one of the luminaires. The second portion is rotatably coupled to the first portion so as to direct light from the luminaire in the desired direction.

In one aspect, the luminaire mounting positions each comprises a tenon projecting from the mounting member.

In another aspect, the first portion comprises a first mounting tube having two ends, with one end of the first mounting tube coupled to one of the tenons. The first portion comprises a first extension tube that extends from the first mounting tube, the first extension tube rotatably coupled to the second portion.

In another aspect, the second portion comprises a second mounting tube and a second extension tube, the second mounting tube having two ends, with one end coupled to the respective luminaire, the second extension tube extending from the second mounting tube, the second extension tube being telescopically coupled to the first extension tube.

In another aspect, the other end of the first extension tube is closed and the other end of the second extension tube is closed.

In another aspect, the mounting member is horizontal.

In another aspect, the pole has a dark side and a light side, with at least one of the luminaire mounting positions being on the dark side, the luminaires oriented so as to direct light toward the light side and away from the dark side.

In another aspect, each of the luminaires directs its light toward the luminaire front.

In another aspect, at least one of the luminaires is oriented about the pole so that the respective front is away from the pole and another one of the luminaires is oriented about the pole so that respective front is toward the pole.

A method of modifying an outside lighting arrangement used to illuminate a lighted area and located adjacent to a dark area is provided. The outside lighting arrangement comprises a vertical pole, a mounting member and a plurality of directional luminaires. Luminaire mounting positions are located on the mounting member. Those luminaire mounting positions that are adjacent to the dark area are identified. Those identified luminaire mounting positions that are adjacent to the dark area are provided with mounting adaptors. The respective luminaires are mounted to the mounting member by the mounting adaptors. The luminaires on the mounting member are oriented so as to direct light away from the dark area and toward the light area.

In one aspect, the mounting member is lowered from an upper end of the vertical pole to near the ground level so as to provide mounting adaptors to the identified luminaire mounting positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention allows lights, or luminaires, to be mounted to a pole-mounted light arrangement, which luminaires can be positioned so as to direct light toward desirable areas (such as roadways, parking lots, hiking trails, bicycle trails, etc.) and away front undesirable areas (such as residential neighborhoods). The present invention utilizes a mounting adapter to mount the luminaires to a mounting member of the pole-mounted light arrangement. The mounting adapter allows the position or orientation of the luminaires to be adjusted so as to direct light away from undesirable areas. The mounting adapter can be used with regard to existing pole-mounted light arrangements as well as be equipped on newly installed pole-mounted light arrangements.

There are various types of pole-mounted light arrangements. One type utilizes a high mast, to elevate the luminaires well above the ground at heights of 50-160 feet or more. Conventional pole-mounted lights typically use poles less than 50 feet in height. The present invention can be used on both types of light arrangements.

FIG. 1shows a typical high mast light arrangement11. The light arrangement11has a pole13that extends vertically up from the ground15. The pole13, which is also referred to as a mast, extends dozens of feet into the air. At the top of the pole is a mounting member17. One such type of mounting member17is a ring, shown inFIG. 2. The present invention can be used on a variety of mounting members other than a ring. The ring17is designed to be lowered down the length of the pole13to near the ground15to allow maintenance.

The ring17ofFIG. 2is prior art and has an outer ring19. The ring has an inner ring21and spokes23radiating between the inner and outer rings. The pole13extends through the inner ring21. The mounting member17is generally horizontal in orientation. Various lifting arrangements (not shown), such as cables and pulleys, as well as latches, are provided to raise and lower the mounting ring17and latch it in place at the top of the pole. These are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,115,845; 4,237,530 and 5,975,726, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The ring has a number of luminaire mounting positions. In the preferred embodiment, these positions are designated by tenons25that extend radially out from the outer ring. Luminaires27are mounted to the tenons. With the prior art mounting ring17, the tenons25project radially from the pole in practically all directions. The ring17may mount a number of luminaires (for example ranging from 1-12 luminaires).

The luminaires27are conventional and commercially available. The lights27can be of the LED (light emitting diode) type. Each luminaire has a housing29(seeFIGS. 2A and 4). The luminaire, if of the LED type, has a light emitter, which is typically a circuit board of LED's, and a driver, that provides electrical power to the circuit board. The luminaire housing protects the components from the elements. The housing typically has a reflector that directs the emitted light31in the desired direction from the housing. The housing has a front29F, a rear29R, and sides29S. A typical pattern of the emitted light31is shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 2A, and 4where the emitted light31is projected downwardly and mostly out in front (29F) of the luminaire27, with some light projected rearwardly (29R). In addition, light is directed laterally, or on both sides (29S) of the luminaires. In general the luminaire and its reflector emits light in a downward and forward direction. The amount of light emitted on the sides is determined by the design of the particular reflector. The luminaire27is a directional light.

As shown inFIG. 4, the housing29has a fitting33for receiving a tenon25from the ring17. The fitting33is typically a sleeve or pipe that slides over and on to the tenon. One or more bolts (not shown) extend through the fitting and the tenon to secure the light in place.

In the prior art, as shown byFIG. 2, light31is emitted in 360 degrees about the pole, or in all horizontal directions. The luminaire mounting tenons25extend about the circumference of the pole13. Among other things, this circumferential arrangement prevents shadows of the pole on the ground. Each luminaire27is fixed in orientation so that the rear29R is closest to the ring17and the front29F is furthest away from the ring17. Each luminaire27extends radially out from the ring17.

Where the prior art light ring arrangement ofFIG. 2emits light in 360 degrees about the pole, the high mast light arrangement11of the present invention can be more selective.FIG. 3illustrates this. The high mast light arrangement11is located off to the side of a road way43, such as a highway. Although two lanes of the roadway are shown, the road way could have more lanes. Further, the road is shown as straight but could be curved. The road could be an interchange or portion of an interchange, which allows vehicular traffic to enter and exit from the road. Alongside the road is a buffer zone45. The buffer zone may have vegetation such as grass, bushes, etc. Furthermore, the buffer zone may have an auxiliary road. A boundary47extends along the buffer zone. The boundary may be a fence, wall, etc. Beyond the boundary is residential area such as a neighborhood49. The neighborhood contains homes, yards, etc. The boundary47separates the residential area from the road area.

The high mast light arrangement11is located in the buffer zone45adjacent to the road43. As a consequence, the high mast light arrangement is likely to be located adjacent to the neighborhood49.

With the present invention, the luminaires27are positioned on the mounting member17so that the emitted light31is directed away from the neighborhood49and towards the road43, as shown inFIG. 3. Thus, the neighborhood49is for the most part dark, while the road43is well-lit. (Of course the neighborhood could have other sources of light from houses, street lights, etc.)

This selectively is done by mounting the luminaires27to the mounting member17by way of mounting adapters51. Referring toFIGS. 4-6, the mounting adapter51includes first and second portions53,55. The first portion53(FIGS. 4 and 5) mounts to the tenon25projecting from the mounting ring17. The second portion55(FIGS. 4 and 6) mounts to the first portion53and to the light27. The second portion55can be moved or rotated relative to the first portion53to allow the light27to be oriented during installation.

The first portion53has a first mounting tube57and a first extension tube59. In the preferred embodiment, the two tubes57,59are lengths of pipe. The first mounting tube57is open on one end61and closed on the other end by a cap63. The first extension tube59extends perpendicularly out from the first mounting tube57. The first extension tube59is located closer to the capped63end than the open end61. An opening65in the first mounting tube allows communication between the interiors of the first mounting tube57and the first extension tube59. In the preferred embodiment the first mounting tube57is about twice as long as the first extension tube59. The first extension tube59has a fixed end67and a free end69. The fixed end67is coupled to, such as by welding, the outside of the first mounting tube57. Diametrically opposing holes71are formed in the first extension tube59near its free end61. In addition, diametrically opposing holes71are formed in the first mounting tube near its open end. Both sets of holes are supplemented with one or more pilot holes and set screws73.

The second portion55has a second mounting tube75and a second extension tube77, and is similar to the first portion53. The second mounting tube75has an open end79and a closed end81which is closed by way of a cap63. The second extension tube77is sized so as to be telescopically engaged with the first extension tube59. In the preferred embodiment, the second extension tube77fits inside of the first extension tube59; however, the reverse could be used as well. The free end79of the second mounting tube75couples to the light27. The second mounting tube75is sized so as to engage the light fitting33. In the preferred embodiment, the second mounting tube75telescopes inside of the fitting33. An opening85in the second mounting tube allows communication between the second mounting tube75and the second extension tube77.

The installation of a luminaire27will now be described. The ring17is positioned so as to be slightly elevated above the ground but still in reach by personnel. Cabling35to power to the light is extended from the ring17through the inside the first portion53, namely through the first mounting tube57, the opening65and the first extension tube59, out of the free end69thereof. The first portion53is then mounted to the respective tenon25by sliding the first mounting tube57onto the tenon (seeFIG. 4). The set screws73are used to temporary secure the first portion53to the tenon. The cabling is inserted through the second portion55, namely through the second extension tube77, the opening85and the second mounting tube75and out the free end79. Then the second extension tube77is inserted into the first extension tube59and rotated to the desired position or orientation. The second extension tube77rotates with respect to the first extension tube59. Thus, the second portion55and its second mounting tube75rotate about a longitudinal axis A that extends through the first and second extension tubes59,77. Once the desired orientation is obtained, the second extension tube is held in place by set screws73in the first extension tube59. The luminaire27is then mounted to the second portion55by sliding the fitting33onto the second mounting tube75. Set screws may be used to secure the light in place to the second mounting tube. The light is then wired to the cabling.

Any final adjustments to the rotational position of the luminaire can be made while the cabling35extends through the mounting adapter51.

As shown inFIG. 7, the rotational position of the luminaire27relative to the ring17can be adjusted as desired. The mounting adapter51allows the luminaire27to be rotated in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis A. If the luminaires is to be configured in the standard orientation, as provided by the prior art light arrangement, the second mounting tube is aligned with the first mounting tube and extends radially out from the ring, as shown by position B inFIG. 7. However, if the light is to be directed toward the pole rather than away the pole, the luminaire is in position C (seeFIG. 7) and the first and second mounting tubes are positioned as shown inFIG. 4. The luminaire can be positioned anywhere between these two positions B and C by rotating the second mounting tube relative to the first mounting tube (see dashed examples inFIG. 7).

As shown inFIG. 3, the luminaires are not all oriented radially out from the ring17. The luminaire or luminaires27A closest to the road43are oriented radially out from the ring, but other luminaires27B and27C are not. Lights27B are oriented with their respective fronts29F pointed toward the road43, with one side closest to the pole. As shown in plan view inFIG. 3, the luminaires27B may be located underneath the ring. Luminaire27C is oriented in position B shown inFIG. 7, with its front29F pointed to the pole and its rear29R pointed to the neighborhood49. Thus, the emitted light of all of the luminaires27A,27B,27C is directed to the road43and away from the neighborhood49. In many installations, the luminaires27A,27B,27C are oriented so as to be perpendicular to the road43.

The mounting adapter51converts an omni-directional (relative to the ground) pole-mounted light arrangement into a directional pole-mounted light arrangement. For convenience in the description herein, the light arrangement will be referenced as having a lit side and a dark side. Light is directed to the lit side and away from the dark side. The mounting member17is on both the lit side and the dark side. The mounting member portion17L on the lit side is between the pole and the illuminated area (the road and the buffer zone). The mounting member portion17D on the dark side is between the pole and the restricted or dark area49(shown with buildings, such as residences). The mounting adapter51allows luminaires to be located on the dark side of the mounting member, with the luminaires oriented to emit light to the lit area.

Note that the dark area49need not be absolutely dark. The dark area49may have its own lights in the form of street lights, yard lights, house lights, etc. Also, light from the light arrangement may find its way to the dark area. For example, on a humid night, the atmosphere may scatter or reflect light. With the present invention, however, the amount of light reaching the dark area from the light arrangement is severely reduced.

Once the luminaire is properly positioned as desired, the set screws in the first and second extension tubes are tightened to hold the position. Then, holes are drilled through the openings71. Respective bolts are then inserted into the openings and secured in place with nuts so as to permanently secure the first portion53to the tenon25, the second portion55to the first portion53, and the luminaire27to the second portion55. The caps63are installed onto the respective ends of the first and second mounting tubes; the caps have a friction fit. Alternatively, the caps can be threaded onto the first and second mounting tubes.

The same operation is repeated for the other luminaires on the ring. Once all the lights have been installed, the ring may be raised up the pole to its top operating position.

Note that the mounting adapter51can be used on new installations as well as existing installations. The mounting adapter is well suited for existing mounting rings with tenons and do not require a modification of the mounting rings.

In existing installations, the pole-mounted light arrangement can be retrofitted or modified so that the luminaires are directed away from dark areas. To retrofit, the mounting member is accessed. For a high mast light arrangement, the mounting member is lowered to the ground. The luminaires are removed from the mounting member and replaced with mounting adaptors51. Then, the luminaires are mounted to the mounting adaptors. Once the luminaires are mounted, they are oriented so as to direct light toward the desired light area or areas and away from the desired dark area or areas. The mounting member is then raised to its operational position.

Whether retrofitting an existing light arrangement, or configuring a new light arrangement, mounting adaptors need not be used on all the luminaires. For example, inFIG. 3, luminaires27A can be directly mounted to the tenons25and project radially out from the pole, while luminaires27B,27C which do not project in the direction of the tenons, can be mounted by way of the mounting adaptors51.

The advantage of using mounting adaptors is that the mounting member itself may not be modified. Thus, a single design and size of mounting member could be used for any pole, regardless of the pattern of light. The same design mounting member can be used for pole which has a 360 degree light pattern (FIG. 2), a 180 degree light pattern (FIG. 3) for some other light pattern.

In addition to high mast light arrangements, the present invention can be used with other pole-mounted light arrangements.FIG. 8shows such a pole-mounted light arrangement91. It has a pole93, a mounting member95and luminaires27. The pole93is shorter than the high mast13ofFIG. 1, and may extend between 15-50 feet tall.

Located at the top end of the pole93is the mounting member95. The mounting member95is fixed to the pole and cannot be raised or lowered. Maintenance is performed by way of an aerial bucket, which allows personnel to access the lights mounted to the mounting member.

FIG. 9shows an exemplary application of the pole-mounted light arrangements. Each light arrangement has luminaires27mounted to the mounting member95by way of mounting adapters. Spokes or supports97extend from the respective pole to the respective mounting member. The light arrangements are located in a parking lot99to illuminate parking spaces101and the lanes therebetween. One of the pole-mounted light arrangements91A is shown located well within the boundaries of the parking lot. The light arrangement91A provides light31360 degrees over the ground in a downward direction.

However, another light arrangement91B is located adjacent to a neighborhood or light restricted area49. Instead of providing light in all directions, light31is directed to the area to be illuminated (the parking lot99) and away from the neighborhood49.

The mounting member95of both light arrangements is rectangular or square in plan view. Each mounting member has four sides. The mounting member of the light arrangement91B has a dark side95D located between the pole93and the neighborhood49and three lit sides95L located between the pole and the area99to be illuminated. The mounting adapter51allows the luminaires27mounted to the dark side95D to be oriented so as to direct the light to the parking lot. Thus, even the dark side95D of the mounting member can be used to supply lights.

Alternative mounting members are shown inFIGS. 10A-10D. Each mounting member has a pole93, supports97and luminaires27mounted thereto.FIG. 10Ashows a mounting member103having a “U” shape. The dark side103D is shown at the top of the figure and includes the free ends of the mounting member. The luminaires27are shown oriented away from the dark side and toward the lit sides103L. The luminaires on the dark side103D are mounted to the free ends of the mounting member.

FIG. 10Bshows an “H” shaped mounting member105in plan view. Like the mounting member103ofFIG. 10B, the dark side is actually a gap between two mounting member portions. The luminaires are located on the ends of the “H” and are oriented toward the lit side105L.

FIG. 10Cshows a triangular shaped mounting member107. The dark side107D is one side of the triangle. The luminaires are oriented toward the opposite side or lit side107L.

FIG. 10Dshows a mounting member in accordance with another embodiment. This mounting member has two parallel bars mounted to the pole93. Each end of the bars has a luminaire27, which luminaires are oriented toward the lit side and away from the dark side109D.

With regard to the mounting members shown inFIGS. 10A-10D, they can be oriented so the dark side is another portion of the individual mounting members. For example, the “U” shaped mounting member ofFIG. 10Acan be oriented so as to have its dark side not along the gap as shown, but along one of the side portions.

Allowing adjustment of the position and orientation of individual luminaires on a high mast pole, the direction of light can be controlled so as to minimize lighting of sensitive areas such as neighborhoods.

The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.