Exterior lighting system

A lighting system provides a lighting fixture elevationally adjustable from an energized configuration to a bulb-replacement configuration wherein the bulbs can be replaced, such as without using a ladder. The lighting fixture is retained by a slide to a slot. When a user releases the slide, it can be directed toward the user until the user can access the light fixture, replace one or more bulbs, and then return the fixture to its predetermined elevation for normal use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to an exterior lighting system, and more particularly to an exterior lighting system having an ability to lower a fixture to change light bulbs thereon and then return the fixture to an elevated position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many electrical fixtures available on the marketplace today. Some fixtures are configured for outdoor use and are believed to be often permanently mounted at corners of buildings below the roof to provide spot or floodlights around the building. In order to change these lights, an individual typically climbs a ladder and unscrews spent light bulbs and then screws new light bulbs in their place. While many services provide lifts or ladders which can reach these locations, many individuals don't have easy access to expensive lifts and other individuals may view ladders as risky activity which is best left to others, thereby potentially resulting in additional expense or risk to change light bulbs.

Accordingly, there is believed to be a need for improved outdoor exterior fixtures elevated out of the reach of individuals which provide alternate methods of bulb replacement other than relying on lifts and tall ladders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved exterior lighting system whereby exterior fixtures may be lowered for changing bulbs and then returned to an operational configuration, and in many situations, without the operator leaving the ground.

It is another object of the present invention to provide improved exterior lighting alternatives.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a simple and effective series of components which work together to lower and raise light fixtures relative to a building, such as at the outside of buildings.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more exterior trim pieces is provided which provides a slot which receives a slide preferably constructed in sections therein. The slide connects at a top portion to a bracket which connects to an electrical fixture while also may preferably providing a plug which preferably cooperates with an outlet whereby when the fixture is in an uppermost position, the plug connects with the outlet thereby providing electricity to the fixture.

Upon moving of the slide downward, the plug disengages from the outlet thereby removing electricity to the fixture and thereby providing a safe and effective means for then being able to lower the fixture to a convenient location for the operator to facilitate bulb replacement in an unenergized light fixture. The slides may be preferably provided in sections so that one section may be removed from another after lowering a predetermined distance. Then, after providing a new light bulb on the fixture, the slide sections can be pushed upwardly and connected together as needed. The plug can then be reattached to the outlet thereby restoring the electrical connections necessary to power the light bulbs when so desired. By disengaging the plug from the outlet during bulb replacement, safety is provided. Safety measures can include an ability to lock the slide in an up position as well as a safety catch which can catch slide portions in the event of the slides start sliding downwardly unexpectedly. Furthermore, an outlet at an upper portion of the structure is preferred and may be connected to an existing box such as with a cover and underlying wire channel coupled thereto and/or through a slot provided in the trim piece or pieces which therefore provides an ability to run wire from below the outlet if necessary and/or desirable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1shows a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, specifically a corner of a building10as illustrated as can be interpreted from shingles12on a roof. Roof could terminate at gutters14and/or fascia overhanging a soffit. First and second sidewalls16,18meet at corner20. Although corner20is illustrated, this could also be a part of a wall such as a flat wall or still any other configurations in other embodiments. For example, seeFIG. 8and discussion below for one such embodiment. It is envisioned that the corner20could be an exterior right angled corner. This can be seen with reference toFIG. 2but could also be at an internal right angle corner or could be some other angle corner whether inner or outer or flat as discussed above and below. The building10could be a new construction, a renovation, and/or add on to an existing structure.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sections22,24, etc., are preferably connected together along the side of the building10or other structure. A top section26is connected to the top and a bottom section28is connected to the bottom. Intermediate sections22,24may be somewhat similar or dissimilar to each other as well as similar or dissimilar to the top section26and bottom section28. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate sections22,24are identical to one another and are provided in specific lengths such as four foot lengths. The sections may be plastic injected vinyl, plastic or other material that can be provided with a cross section such as cross section30as shown inFIG. 2which will be discussed in detail below. Sections20,22,24and/or28could also be integrally provided as a single or multiple pieces.

Top section26can have a somewhat similar cross section at least along a portion of its length or its height as sections22,24as can bottom section28. Furthermore, the sections22,24,26,28could each be constructed of more than one part such as right and left sides spaced by slot34, etc.

As can be seen in reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the sections allow for the ability for slide segment32to move linearly up and down relative to slot34such as with retainer36being located in slot34. Ears38and40may assist in defining the slot34which may assist in keeping the retainer36inside the slot34. Facer42may be useful in providing a somewhat uniform exposed surface at the front of the respective sections22,24by providing an appearance of being relatively continuous across the section22as well as the slide32with facer being continuous with surfaces23,25.

FIG. 1shows the lighting system44in an operational configuration. Specifically, lighting fixtures46with one or more bulbs48,50are plugged electrically into an electrical source as will be described below. Over time, when initially installed the bulbs48,50need to be replaced, or other time, instead of putting a ladder on the side of building10and climbing up a tall ladder or obtaining a lift mechanism which would be particularly expensive, the applicant has determined that it would be preferable to lower the fixture46to a location where the bulbs48,50and/or others can be replaced by an individual on a significantly lower ladder or none at all, rather than being up at the level of the fixture46when installed.

Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, slide members32connect together to the top slide52such as is illustrated. Locking tab or pin54, if utilized, can be removed which may otherwise at least assist in preventing the slide members32and52from being downwardly extended. Locking tab56, if employed, can also be positioned to ensure that it does not grab a slide member32as is shown inFIG. 6in a safety configuration. With these preparations performed, if necessary, the bottom-most slide member32or other slide member can then be directed downwardly thereby disengaging the uppermost slide member52from the outlet57as is shown inFIG. 3.

Specifically, in an installed configuration, pins58,60,62of plug63engage respective connections in outlet positions of outlet57as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Specifically, the pins58,60,62provide a plug63which is a male plug which is preferably received within a female outlet57which provides the electrical power when in the installed position ofFIG. 1. Other electrical connections could be provided in other embodiments.

By disengaging the slide members by directing the top slide52away from the outlet57, the box64which has the fixture46connected thereto can begin downward momentum to be accessible by an individual to change the light bulbs. In the preferred embodiment, electrical connection is broken and plug63disengages outlet52. Electrical communications are shown inFIG. 2, specifically wires66,68,70extending through the box64and into the slide member52and they then will connect to respective pins58,60,62as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art while the other end of the wires66,68,70are connected to the appropriate wire connections of fixtures46. The box64may be preferably positionably rotatably mounted relative to the facing42. Specifically, base72may be received in the slide of facing42to allow it to move such as to be parallel with first panel74parallel to second panel76upwardly or downwardly as would be understood by those of skill in the art such as by having a locking ball post type arrangement received in a socket in the slide section52although other mechanisms as are well known in the art could be employed as well to connect box64to facing42. The fixture46may be provided with or as a part of the box64, or box64could be provided with exposed wire ends66,68,70for connection such as with wire nuts or otherwise to fixture46which could be provided by the user or by other parties such as the electrician. Other provisions could also be made to connect the fixture46to a power source. Cross bar78is useful to assist in mounting the fixture46thereto.

Fixture46is shown with two lamps with two light bulbs48,50extending therefrom, but it would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that one bulb48,50, more and/or other bulbs or lamps may be provided by any particular fixture46or fixtures46as are well known in the art. The box64may also be integrally formed with the top slide member52through a variety of fabricating, forming and/or molding techniques or otherwise connected thereto.

Panel74and76are illustrated at a 90 degree angle relative to one another such as can be found at a corner20. In other embodiments such as the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the panels80,82may be collinear such as against a planar wall. Other angle relationships could also exist. First and second slots84,86shown inFIG. 2as well as first and second slots88,90shown inFIG. 8are useful such as could be utilized to provide a conduit for Romex or other wiring to be directed to the outlet56shown inFIGS. 1 and 3. Slots88,90may, or may not, extend the height of the sections22,24,26,28.

It is anticipated that first and second panels74,76may take on the appearance of trim and could be paintable in some embodiments. The facing42of the slide members32,52could match design features of the panels74,76or not. In one embodiment, the components could be of a vinyl siding type material and cooperate with vinyl siding to virtually disappear such as to be provided before or when the vinyl siding is put on possibly leaving a portion of the facing42exposed. In other embodiments, the panel74,76will be under, over or beside other siding options on the building10. The sections22,24,26,28may be vinyl, other plastic material and/or other materials as would be known in the art.

The panels22,24,26,28may connect together to one another in various manners as is known in the art. Slide members32may connect such as with puzzle extension92and puzzle receiver94such that puzzle extension92could be placed into puzzle receiver94such as from front to back. Feet96,98could prevent the puzzle extension92from being pulled downwardly therefrom the receiver94once installed.

Cut corner100is useful in some embodiments to cooperate with automatic locking pin56as is shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 5so that should slide member52become downwardly displaced inadvertently the locking pin56may grab on a bottom such as at foot96through corner100to prevent further unintentional downward movement. Other connection mechanisms or integral formation of slide members32as a slide could be provided.

Finally,FIG. 7shows an outlet cover102connected to extension104which receives duct106which electrically connects a top108of the top section26to a nearby electrical box (obscured from view by cover102) to provide a conduit for electrical wiring shown in phantom as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to provide power to outlet57. Duct106may connect to top section26in some embodiments. Rotatable housing110with extension112and duct114may be useful in other embodiments to assist in providing electricity to outlet57. Ducts106and114are preferably extendably received in extensions104,112to provide adjustable lengths. Of course, in other embodiments, the fixture46could be wired without pins58,60,62and/or outlet57. By having the extension104received over the duct106, a variable length can be provided to account for a distance from an existing electrical box which would be opposite the outlet cover102and located proximate to the top108of the upper or top section106. Rotatable housing110may be useful to assist in reaching the top108as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Other embodiments of top108may mount directly to an exposed electrical box or otherwise connected thereto as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.