# Patent

## Title
Traditional style post-top luminaire with relamping module and method

## Abstract

A luminaire adapted to being mounted at the top of a post having a design reducing maintenance costs. The luminaire has a capital with a globe mounted thereon forming an optical chamber, the capital has a front access area with a front access door hingedly attached thereto and optionally has a tool-less latch capable of holding the front access door over the front access area. The capital has an opening in a top portion thereof into the optical chamber, optionally, a relamping module extends from the inside of the capital, through the opening and up into a central portion of the optical chamber and has a lamp socket thereon. The relamping module may be removed without manipulation of the globe or globe roof. The luminaire may also have electrical gear within the capital attached to a tray wherein the tray is removably attached to an internal portion of the capital. The globe and globe roof may remain stationary during typical maintenance processes such as relamping or maintenance of electrical gear.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This continuation application under 35 USC § 120 claims priority to, and benefit from, U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/424,935, filed on Jun. 16, 2006, entitled “Traditional Style Post-Top Luminaire with Relamping Module and Method,” which will issue under U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,720 on Jan. 29, 2008, naming the above-referenced individual as the sole inventor.


STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a luminaire adapted to be mounted at the top of a post. More particularly, this invention is directed to a luminaire having a new and improved design reducing maintenance costs.



DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the luminaire mounted on the top of a post showing the external components thereof;
FIG. 2 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a door in the capital being open showing the internal components thereof;
FIG. 3 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a partial cutaway of the capital showing a gasket and the partial removal of a relamping module;
FIG. 4 is a view of the relamping module of the luminaire of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 having a door in the capital being open showing the capital with internal components removed therefrom;
FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a post-top luminaire showing the interrelationship between the relamping module and upper portion of the luminaire;
FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of a post-top luminaire showing a capital having a door removed and installed on a base for mounting atop a post;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a capital door with electrical components mounted therein;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the capital of FIG. 7 having the capital door of FIG. 8 mounted thereon;
FIGS. 10A and 10B is a partial cut-away view of a post top luminaire showing the dual radial sealing method and cooperation between the upper components of the luminaire.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
To present a better understanding of the invention, particular embodiments thereof will now be described and illustrated in the Figures. Reference to the Figures showing embodiments of the presently claimed invention are made simply to describe the presently claimed invention and not to limit the scope of the claims herein.
A traditional style post-top luminaire is provided having a design reducing maintenance costs. Optionally, the luminaire has a substantially isolated water and dust tight optical chamber and may incorporate a unique design of tool-less access to a re-lamping module and/or a removable electrical gear tray. Incorporating each of these options provides access to substantially all internal components through a hinged door on a bottom luminaire capital without the need for tools.
A sealed optical chamber is achieved by gasketing between the roof, globe, and bottom luminaire capital. Preferably, a dual radial sealed removable socket casting allows for tool-less removal of a lamp and relamping via access to a relamping module. The dual radial sealing method for a re-lamping module is preferably a submersible rated gasketing method. The relamping module has a relamping post extending upward from a base cooperating with a central portion of a radial sealed socket casting and has a lamp socket thereon. Electrical gear is preferably attached to a removable tray mounted in the capital which is removable and replaceable in a tool-less manner.
A user has access to the lamp for replacement and servicing of the electrical gear at the same time via an optional tool-less latch through a bottom capital. Thus, a post-top luminaire may have totally tool-less access and the capability to service most all of the components that require typical maintenance in a tool-less manner.
With reference to FIG. 1, luminaire 10 is illustrated in one position mounted at the top of a post 12. The external structure of the luminaire 10 is substantially symmetrical about a central vertical axis, and thus FIG. 1 illustrates the exterior of the luminaire 10 as perceptively viewed from substantially any side thereof. From an external perspective, luminaire 10 generally comprises a luminaire base 14 supporting a capital 16. Capital 16 has an opening in the top thereof wherein globe 18 is sealably retained forming an optical chamber within. Atop globe 18 is roof 20 which sealed to globe 18 forming an optical chamber substantially sealed off from the exterior environment. Roof 20 is optional as globe 18 could have a top without an opening therein. Preferably, globe 18 is an acorn globe.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, luminaire 10 has capital 16 attached to base 14 with cast top 32 there between. Base 14 resides atop post 12. Capital 16 has door 22 open showing the internal components therein. Electrical assembly 24 is removably retained within capital 16 with retainer 37, being retained on door 22, providing easy access and removability. Door 22 is attached to capital 16 via hinge 26. Tab 29 is attached near an edge of door 22 and is oriented to cooperate with tool-less latch 28 on capital 16 providing tool-less access to electrical gear assembly 24, relamping module 40, and other internal components thereof. FIG. 2 shows relamping module 40 in a sealed position within capital 16 about dual radial sealed socket casting 39 with relamping module sealing base 30. Relamping module sealing base 30 seals about dual radial sealed socket casketing 39 with a twisting action or vertical placement thereon. Optionally, threads are about an outer portion of dual radial sealed socket casting 39 which cooperate with optional threads on an inner surface of relamping module sealing base 30. FIG. 3 shows relamping module sealing base 30 released and removed from dual radial sealed socket casting 39 as is done when relamping. Relamping module 40 is shown partially removed exposing relamping post 36, socket 38, and lamp 42. Lamp electrical connection 34 is removed from electrical assembly 24 and optional retaining bracket 33 is rotatingly removed from retainers 31. Terminal block 25 resides within capital 16 and serves as a connector to an external power supply via wires extending through luminaire base 14 and post 12. Electrical connector 27 is in electrical communication with terminal block 25 and removed from electrical assembly 24. Outer globe ring 17 is shown having a decorative outer surface sealingly holding globe 18 on capital 16.
FIG. 4 shows a relamping module 40. Relamping module 40 has at its base a relamping module sealing base 30 that has an inner circumferential surface which optionally seals to a an optional single or dual radial sealed socket casting. Optionally, relamping module sealing base 30 has an internal thread to cooperate with optional external threads on a dual radial sealed socket casting. Alternatively, relamping module sealing base 30 has a smooth inner surface enabling a vertical placement about a dual radial sealed socket casting. Extending upward from relamping module sealing base 30 is relamping post 36 which contains wiring for lamp 42 terminating at connector 27. Relamping post 38 has a length necessary to position lamp 42 within a central portion of globe 18 when relamping module sealing base 30 is sealed onto a dual radial sealed socket casting. Atop relamping post 36 is lamp socket 38 having lamp 42 installed therein. Depending from relamping module sealing base 30 is optional retaining bracket 33 that has slots in an upper portion for twistingly engaging fasteners downwardly depending from outer globe ring 17, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 shows a post top luminaire 10 having door 22 in capital 16 being open showing the internal components removed for maintenance. Capital 16 is attached to base 14 having cast top 32 and has globe 18 sealably retained thereon forming an optical chamber within. Base 14 resides atop post 12. Capital 16 has door 22 open showing electrical assembly 24 removed therefrom showing mounts 88. Mounts 88 and retainer 37 enables for a tool-less removal and replacement of electrical assembly 24. Door 22 is attached via hinge 26. Tab 29 is attached near an edge of door 22 and is oriented to cooperate with tool-less latch 28 on capital 16 providing tool-less access to electrical assembly 24 and relamping module 40. Atop capital 16 is outer globe ring 17 holding globe 18 thereon. Terminal block 25 is shown attached an inner wall of capital 16 having all electrical wires removed therefrom.
FIG. 6 shows post-top luminaire 600 having relamping module 640, outer globe ring 661, and inner globe ring 663 in an exploded view showing the interrelationship between these component parts. Relamping module 640 has retaining bracket 633 extending radially from relamping module sealing base 630. Retaining bracket 633 has notches proximate each end for twistingly engaging fasteners extending downward from outer globe ring 661. Depending upward from relamping module sealing base 630 is relamping post 666 having socket 665 mounted atop. Lamp 662 is threadingly engaged within lamp socket 665. Retainer receivers 668 preferably have an internal thread for receiving a fastener holding inner globe ring 663 to outer globe ring 661. Globe posts 667 extend upward from inner globe ring 663 supporting globe 664 thereon.
FIG. 7 shows post-top luminaire 700 having capital 770 with a door removed therefrom. Capital 770 is mounted on luminaire base 771 for mounting atop a post. Tool-less latch 774 is near an edge of capital 770 proving tool-less access to the inner portion of capital 770 by holding a door, shown in FIG. 8, in a closed position. On an opposite edge of capital 770 is hinge component 778 for hingedly holding the door. Internal components shown within capital 770 are optional photo control 775 and terminal block 776. FIG. 8 shows capital door 881 with electrical assembly 885 removeably mounted therein. Capital door 881 has latch 879 on a lower inner portion thereof cooperating with electrical assembly 885 providing for the tool-less removable of electrical assembly 885. Electrical assembly 885 has handle 887 extending from an upper portion for tool-less removal. Lower and upper hinge components 878 cooperate with hinge components 778 on capital 700, shown in FIG. 7. Tab 880 cooperates with tool-less latch 774 providing tool-less access to the internal components of luminaire 700 having door 881.
FIG. 9 shows post-top luminaire 900 having capital 970 with capital door 980 hingedly attached thereto. Capital 970 is mounted on luminaire base 971 for mounting atop a post. Tool-less latch 974 is near an edge of capital 970 proving tool-less access to the inner portion of capital 970 and capital door 980. Hinge components 978 and 979 cooperate to hingedly hold capital door 980 to capital 970. Internal components shown within capital 970 are optional photo control 975 and terminal block 976. Capital door 980 has an electrical assembly removed therefrom exposing mounting blocks 988 and latch 937 which cooperate with the electrical assembly providing tool-less removal.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show a partial cut-away view of post top luminaire 1000 detailing the dual radial sealing method and cooperation between the capital 1072, outer globe ring 1061, inner globe ring 1063, relamping module 1144, and globe 1064. FIG. 10A shows luminaire 1000 having an upper sectional cut-away detailed in FIG. 10B. Luminaire 1000 has capital 1072 attached to base 1071 for mounting atop a post. Capital 1072 has hingedly attached door 1081 open showing the internal components therein. Electrical assembly 1085 is removably retained on door 1081 with retainer 1037 providing easy access and removability. Electrical assembly 1085 has handle 1087 extending from an upper portion for tool-less removal. Tab 1029 is attached near an edge of door 1081 and is oriented to cooperate with tool-less latch 1028 on capital 1072 providing tool-less access to electrical gear assembly 1085, relamping module 1044, optional photo control 1075, terminal block 1076, and other components therein. FIG. 10B shows an enlarged view of the cut-away portion shown in FIG. 10A detailing the cooperation between capital 1072, dual radial sealing method having seals 1101, outer globe ring 1061, inner globe ring 1063, relamping module 1144, and globe 1064. Relamping module 1144 is shown in a sealed position within capital 1072 with a dual radial sealed socket casting, having dual radial seals 1101, section of inner globe ring 1063. Radial seals 1101 are optional as it is not required to have an air tight seal about relamping module 1144. Optionally, inner globe ring 1063 may have a single radial seal 1101. Relamping module sealing base 1030 has relamping post 1036 depending upward from a central portion and has an outer cylindrical section sealed about dual radial seals 1101. The sealing of relamping module 1144 within inner globe ring 1063 can be done with a twisting action or vertical placement of sealing relamping module base 1030 about dual radial seals 1101 environmentally sealing a lamp atop relamping post 1036 within a central portion of globe 1064. Optionally, threads are about an outer portion of the dual radial sealed socket casting section of inner globe ring 1063 which cooperate with optional threads on an inner surface of relamping module base 1030. Optional retaining bracket 1033 has a central portion engaged with relamping module base 1030 and slots in outwardly and upwardly depending flanges cooperating with retainers 1038 holding relamping module 1044 in a sealed position about dual radial seals 1101. Retainers 1038 threadingly engage and depend downwardly from outer globe ring 1061 having a head separated from outer globe ring 1061 a distance of at least the thickness of retaining bracket 1033 enabling rotating engagement of 1033 with retainers 1038. Also shown here is gasket 1012 cooperating with a lower edge of globe 1064 and located within a recess in inner globe ring 1063. The seal formed between globe 1064 and inner globe ring 1063 with gasket 1012 and the seal formed between relamping module 1144 and inner globe ring 1063 with radial seals 1101 provides tool-less access to a lamp mounted atop relamping post 1036 while providing an environmentally sealed globe 1064.
Relamping of embodiments of the post-top luminaire can be accomplished in a completely tool-less manner. For example, in this embodiment capital door 1081 is opened by releasing tab 1029 from latch 1028. Relamping module base 1030 is then released from a globe ring 1063 in a tool-less manner. In this embodiment base 1030 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction releasing retaining bracket 1033 from retainers 1038. Relamping module 1144 is then lowered from globe 1064 exposing a lamp mounted atop relamping post 1036 allowing removal and replacement of the lamp. The lamp is then placed within the aperture in globe ring 1063 and relamping module 1144 is raised up into globe 1064 and base 1030 is secured to globe ring 1063 with a clockwise rotation. Capital door 1081 is then closed completing the relamping process.
While embodiments have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit of the disclosure.

## Claims

1. An acorn style luminaire with a relamping module removable from a capital, comprising:
a capital affixed to a globe ring and positioned atop a pole, said globe ring having a globe sealingly affixed to said globe ring;
said globe ring supporting said globe and having a base and an open aperture formed in said base, said globe ring base having a lower surface facing said capital;
said capital having a front access door allowing entry into an interior electronic component area;
a relamping module removably affixed to said lower surface of said globe ring base, said relamping module having a lamp stem and a lamp such that when installed on said lower surface of said globe ring base, said step extends upwards into said capital positioning a lamp within said globe;
said relamping module removable downward through an opening formed in said capital coverable by said front access door;
wherein said relamping module sealingly installs said lamp into said globe.

2. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein said luminaire has at least one radial seal between said globe ring and said relamping module.

3. The luminaire of claim 2 wherein said globe ring has an outer globe ring and an inner globe ring, said inner globe ring sealingly engageable against said globe.

4. The luminaire of claim 1 wherein relamping module has a first and a second wing shaped retaining bracket for remobably engaging against said lower surface of said globe ring base.

5. The luminaire of claim 4 wherein each of said wing shaped brackets have notches for engaging structures on said lower surface of said globe ring base.

6. An acorn style luminaire having a relamping module removable through a capital, comprising:
a post supporting the capital, said capital having an opening leading into an interior area;
a globe ring affixed to said capital and sealingly supporting a globe;
wherein said interior area of said capital forms an electronic storage area containing an electrical supply in electronic connection with a lamp;
said lamp supported on a lamp stem, said lamp stem extending upwards from a relamping module base;

wherein said relamping module base is removably positionable against a lower surface of said globe ring within said interior area of said capital in order to place said lamp and lamp stem into said globe;
said relamping module removable from said capital interior area downward through said opening in said capital;
said capital opening coverable by a capital door, said door openable to allow access into said interior area of said capital to remove said electrical supply and said lamp.

7. The luminaire of claim 6 wherein said capital and said globe ring are integral sealingly retaining said globe and forming an optical chamber therein.

8. An acorn style luminaire which allows a relamping module to be removed without removal of a globe, the relamping module removable downward through a door in the capital, comprising:
a support pole positioning a globe in the air;
wherein said globe is sealed and held in place against a support ring, said support ring having an upper surface and a lower surface;
a capital interposed between said support ring and a top end of said support pole, said support ring lower surface facing said capital;
wherein said capital may be opened allowing access into an interior area thereof, said interior area forming an electronic component area containing a lamp power supply and electrical wiring extending upward through said pole and to said lamp power supply;
further wherein said relamping module supports a lamp stem and a lamp on said stem, said lamp electrically connected to said lamp power supply;
said relamping module removably positionable within said electronic component area and against said lower surface of said support ring within said electronic component area so as to position said lamp within said globe supported on said support pole;
further wherein said opening in said capital provides access to said electronic component area and allows said relamping module and said lamp power supply to be removed without removal of said globe.