Abstract:
Stabilizer apparatus for a landscape light post includes a collar securable to a cyndrical landscape light post and stabilizer element secured to the collar. The stabilizer elements include vertically oriented elements and horizontally disposed elements. Several different embodiments are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application of Ser. No. 09/444,663, filed Nov. 22, 1999, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/103,245, filed Apr. 12, 1999, now patent Des. 417,293, which issued Nov. 30, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to stabilizer elements and, more particularly, to stabilizer elements securable to a cylindrical landscape light post.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,877 (Carter) the inventor of which is the inventor of the present invention, discloses a landscape light post having a non-conductive cylindrical post portion and a non-conductive cap with elements in the cap for grounding a two-wire light fixture. Included in the patent are stabilizers securable to the cylindrical post. The stabilizers comprise four interlocked plates which are appropriately secured, as by a screw, to the post.  
           [0006]    In the current application referred to above, applicant discloses collars for a cylindrical light post with stabilizer elements extending horizontally outwardly therefrom. The collar is appropriately secured to the post.  
           [0007]    The purpose of the stabilizers is to help stabilize the landscape light post of which is under ground, as shown in the &#39;877 (Carter) Patent. The stabilization of the light post may be advantageous when the landscape light post is disposed in loose or sandy soil.  
           [0008]    The landscape light post stabilizer elements illustrated in the parent application are relatively easily assembled to a cylindrical landscape light post and secured thereto.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention described and claimed herein comprises a collar and stabilizer fin secured to the collar. The collar is adapted to be secured to a cylindrical landscape light post. Different embodiments of stabilizers are illustrated, including stabilizers extending horizontally outward from the collar and stabilizers which are disposed vertically with respect to the collar.  
           [0010]    Among the objects of the present invention are the following:  
           [0011]    To provide new and useful stabilizer apparatus for a landscape light post;  
           [0012]    To provide new and useful stabilizer elements for a landscape light post including a collar and stabilizer elements secured to the collar;  
           [0013]    To provide new and useful stabilizer apparatus for a landscape light post including a collar and stabilizer fins secured to the collar;  
           [0014]    To provide new and useful landscape light post stabilizer elements including vertically oriented stabilizer fins secured to a collar; and  
           [0015]    To provide new and useful stabilizer apparatus for a light post including a collar and stabilizer fins disposed horizontally with respect to the collar. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 comprises a view of the apparatus of the present invention in the use environment.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 3, 4,  5 , and  6  are, respectively right side elevation, front elevation, rear elevation, and left side elevational views of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in its use environment.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in its use environment.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in its use environment.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in its use environment.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in its use environment.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 13. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of landscape light post apparatus including stabilizer assembly  20  of the present invention. The landscape apparatus  10  includes a generally cylindrical post  12  and a cap  16 . The post  12  may have a slant cut  14  at the bottom end thereof, if desired. The cap  16  includes a bushing  18  for receiving a light fixture. The bushing  18  is internally threaded to receive the fixture (not shown).  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus  10  of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3, 4,  5 , and  6  are respective right side, front, rear, and left side views of landscape light post apparatus  10 . FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. For the following discussion, reference will be made to FIGS.  1 - 7 .  
         [0029]    Appropriately secured to the post  12  is stabilizer apparatus  20 . The apparatus  20  includes a collar  22  and horizontally extending outwardly from the collar  22  is an octagonal shaped stabilizer plate  24 . The stabilizer plate  24  includes an outer rim  26 . The outer rim  26  is essentially an enlarged bead. The outer rim  26  is octagonally configured. That is, the outer rim has eight sides. Extending radially outwardly from the collar  22  to the rim  26  are ribs  28 . The purpose of the ribs  28  and the bead or enlarged portion defining the rim  26  is to strengthen the stabilizer plate  24 . The ribs  28  extend from the collar  22  to the junctures of the eight sides of the rim  26 .  
         [0030]    Ground level  2  is indicated in FIG. 3 slightly below the bottom of the cap  16 . Most of the apparatus  10  is disposed in the ground, or below the ground level  2 , with essentially only the cap  16 , to which is secured a landscape light fixture or lamp (not shown) The fixture or lamp is secured to the internally threaded bushing  18 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 comprises a top view of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, namely stabilizer assembly  40  secured to the post  12  (See FIGS.  1 - 7 ). In FIG. 8, the cap  16  and its bushing  18  are illustrated. The stabilizer assembly  40  again is a horizontally outwardly extending stabilizer unit, similar to the stabilizer assembly  20  of FIGS.  1 - 7 .  
         [0032]    The stabilizer assembly  40  comprises a generally rectangular, and specifically, a square, configuration. The stabilizer assembly  40  includes a stabilizer plate  44  with an outer rim  46 . Four ribs  48  extend outwardly to the rim  46  and extend to the rim  46  at the four corners of the stabilizer plate  44 . The rim  46  is an enlarged bead, as with the rim  26  of the stabilizer assembly  20 . Again, the rim  46  and the ribs  48  provide stability and strength for the stabilizer plate  44 . While the configuration illustrated is square, any rectangular configuration may be adapted.  
         [0033]    A pentagonally configured stabilizer  54  is illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 comprises a top view of a stabilizer assembly  50  secured to a post (not shown, but see FIGS.  1 - 7 ). The stabilizer plate  54  in FIG. 9 is of a generally of pentagonal configuration, with a rim  56  extending about the five outer sides of the stabilizer plate  54 . The rim  56  comprises an enlarged bead.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is similarly a top view of a stabilizer assembly  60  secured to a post (See FIGS.  1 - 7 ). Again, only the cap  16  and its bushing  18  are shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0035]    The stabilizer assembly  60  is a hexagonally configured assembly, with a hexagonally configured plate  64  bounded by an enlarged bead peripheral rim  66 . Six ribs  68  extend outwardly from a collar (not shown, but see FIGS.  1 - 7 ) to the six corners of the plate  64 , or to the junctures of the six sides of the rim  66 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a top view of a stabilizer assembly  70  which extends radially outwardly from a post (not shown, but see FIGS. 1 and 3- 7 ) of a landscape light post assembly. Only the cap  16  and its bushing  18  is illustrated in FIG. 11, along with the generally flat or planar stabilizer assembly  70 .  
         [0037]    The stabilizer assembly  70  includes a collar (not shown) and a generally circular stabilizer plate  74 . The stabilizer plate  74  may or may not require a reinforced or beaded rim, as illustrated above, and may or may not include strengthening ribs, as illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 8  and  10 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 comprises a top view of another stabilizer assembly, namely a triangularly configured stabilizer assembly  80 . The stabilizer assembly  80  is again secured to and extends radially outwardly from a post. Again, only the cap  16  and its bushing  18  are illustrated in FIG. 12.  
         [0039]    The stabilizer assembly  80  includes a triangularly shaped stabilizer plate  84  which extends outwardly from the post (not shown, but see FIGS. 1 and 3- 7 ).  
         [0040]    The triangularly shaped stabilizer plate  84  is bounded by a rim  86 . Three ribs  88  extend outwardly from a collar (not shown) to the three points or side junctures of the triangular plate  84 .  
         [0041]    In the above embodiments, the stabilizer plates extend generally horizontally from their collar and from the post  12  to which they are appropriately secured. In the following embodiments, the stabilizer plates extend vertically relative to their collar.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment  90  of stabilizer apparatus of the present invention. The alternate embodiment stabilizer apparatus  90  includes a collar  92  which is generally of a cylindrical configuration to fit over, or to receive, a post, such as the post  12  illustrated above in FIGS. 1, 3,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 .  
         [0043]    Extending radially outwardly from the collar  92  are four vertically or axially extending gussets to which are secured stabilizer plates. The gussets include a gusset  94  to which is secured a stabilizer plate  96 . A second gusset  98  extends radially outwardly from the collar  92 , and a stabilizer plate  100  is secured to the gusset  98 . A third gusset  102  extends radially outwardly from a collar  92  generally aligned with the gusset  94 . A stabilizer plate  104  is secured to the gusset  102 . Finally, a fourth gusset  106  extends radially outwardly from the collar  92  diametrically aligned with the collar  98 . A stabilizer plate  108  is secured to the gusset  106 .  
         [0044]    The stabilizer plates  96 ,  100 ,  104 , and  108  are generally of a rectangular configuration and they are appropriately secured to each other at their outer ends. Thus, the four stabilizer plates define a closed rectangular box open at the top and at the bottom, with the collar  92  centrally located within the box defined by the four stabilizer plates. The “box” is secured to the post by the four radially extending gussets  94 ,  98 ,  102 , and  106 .  
         [0045]    The stabilizer plates  96 ,  100 ,  104 , and  108  extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar  92 , and accordingly generally parallel to the vertical or longitudinal axis of the post to which they are secured through their collar  92 .  
         [0046]    For structural integrity, four corner braces  95 ,  97 ,  103 , and  107  are shown at the junctures of the respective stabilizer plates  96  and  100 ,  100  and  104 ,  104  and  108 , and  108  and  96 . The corner braces may or may not be necessary, depending on the thickness of the material out of which the apparatus is made. Preferably, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be used in the fabrication of the apparatus of the present invention. PVC is very durable, and will not degrade in the ground. PVC also has substantial strength. Assuming substantial thickness, the ribs of the stabilizer assemblies  10 ,  40 ,  60 , and  80  may not be needed for reinforcing strength, and the beaded outer rims of the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 12  may also not be needed for reinforcing strength. Moreover, the reinforcing corner braces of the stabilizer assembly  90  of FIGS. 13 and 14 may not be needed.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of stabilizer assembly  130  which comprises an alternate embodiment of the stabilizer apparatus  90 . The stabilizer apparatus  130  includes scalloped portions at the tops and bottoms of the four stabilizer plates. The apparatus  130  includes a collar  132  with four gussets extending vertically on the outer periphery of the collar  132 . The gussets a gusset  134 , a gusset  142 , a gusset  150 , and a gusset  158 . The gussets  134  and  150  are diametrically opposite to each other and the gussets  142  and  158  are diametrically opposite to each other.  
         [0048]    A stabilizer plate  136  is secured to the gusset  134 , a stabilizer plate  144  is secured to the gusset  142 , a stabilizer plate  152  is secured to the gusset  150 , and a stabilizer plate  160  is secured to the gusset  158 . The four stabilizer plates are secured to each other at their corners. This is also substantially the same general design as the stabilizer assembly  90  of FIG. 13. However, a decorative touch has been applied to the stabilizer apparatus  130 .  
         [0049]    The stabilizer plate  136  includes a pair of upper or top scallops  138  and a pair of bottom or lower scallops  140 . The stabilizer plate  144  includes a pair of upper scallops  146  and a pair of lower scallops  148 . It will be noted that only a single scallop  140  and  148  are shown for the stabilizer plates  136  and  144 . However, the stabilizer plates  152  and  160  clearly show two pair of scallops. For the stabilizer plate  152 , there are two upper scallops  154  and two lower scallops  156 , and the stabilizer plate  160  includes two upper scallops  162  and two lower scallops  164 . Again, corner braces are shown for the stabilizer assembly  130  just as for the stabilizer assembly  90 .  
         [0050]    It will be noted that the decorative scallops in the assembly  130  simply provide an aesthetic appeal as compared to the rather drab generally rectangular stabilizer assembly  90 . However, the function is obviously substantially identical.  
         [0051]    It will be noted that the length or height of a collar may vary, as illustrated for the various embodiments. The horizontal stabilizer plates generally require the shortest collars, while the vertical stabilizer plates generally require the longest collars.  
         [0052]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.