Abstract:
A luminaire including a light source mounted on a base having a plug-in style connector attached to the internal wires of the luminaire for supplying AC power to the light source. The connector is adapted to mate with a plug-in style connector connected to wires of a J-box. The luminaire may include a second connector for connecting to a conditional actuation device. If the conditional actuation device is not used, a continuous actuation device may be connected to the luminaire. A method of installing a luminaire includes connecting an electrical connector to the wires for connection to a J-box, connecting the luminaire connector to the electrical connector, and mounting the luminaire onto the J-box. A method of selling includes providing a choice from among different style luminaires, providing a choice from among different actuation devices to connect with the selected luminaire, and optionally selling the selected luminaire and actuation device. Methods of replacing and repairing an actuation device are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/640,109, filed on Dec. 28, 2004, and entitled “Outdoor Luminaire Having Plug-in Style Electrical Connector, Self-Aligning Mounting Base, and Separately Mountable Motion or Other Type Sensor,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures (“luminaires”), and in particular, to a luminaire having a plug-in style electrical connector, and an optional separately mountable motion detector, sensor or other type of actuation device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a conventional luminaire  100 . The luminaire  100  is typically used in outdoor security and non-security applications. In particular, the conventional luminaire  100  consists of a light source  102 , a base  104 , and a neck member  106  connecting the light source  102  to the base  104 . It shall be understood that some luminaire design integrate the base  104  with the light source  102  in a manner that the neck member  106  is not required. The conventional luminaire  100  further includes three (3) wires  110   a - c  for connecting respectively to the line, common and ground wires  154   a - c  of an alternating current (AC) power source, by way of respective wire nuts  156   a - c . The base  104  is typically secured to a mount  150  using one or more screws  108  threaded into corresponding holes  152  of the mount  150 .  
         [0004]     It is recognized in the relevant art that the installation of the conventional luminaire  100  can be challenging, time consuming, and expensive. First, an installer has the difficult task of simultaneously supporting the luminaire  100  while connecting the luminaire wires  110   a - c  to the AC power source wires  154   a - c  using the wire nuts  156   a - c . Second, the space between the base  104  of the luminaire  100  and the mount  150  is typically relatively small, further making it difficult to properly connect the luminaire wires  110   a - c  to the AC power source wires  154   a - c . Third, because the base  104  hampers the installer&#39;s view of the mount  150 , it is often difficult for the installer to properly align the mounting screws  108  of the luminaire  100  to the corresponding threaded holes  152  of the mount  150 . Such difficulties add to the challenge, time, and labor costs associated with the installation of the conventional luminaire  100 .  
         [0005]     With regard to conventional luminaires that have a single mounting screw at the center of the base, there is a tendency for such luminaires to rotate easily. This may result in the luminaire not having the most desirable orientation on the mount. For Halogen tubular lamp styles, the lamp may move away from the required horizontal position. Such lamps typically are required to operate in a horizontal position (e.g., within 2 degrees from true horizontal) in order to obtain normal operating life.  
         [0006]     Finally, with regard to the flexibility in customizing conventional luminaires, consumers are typically limited to a particular style of luminaire connected to a particular style of actuation device (e.g., motion sensor, ambient light sensor, timer, etc.). Generally, there is not much flexibility in allowing a consumer to select a particular style of lighting fixture in combination with a desired actuation device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An aspect of the invention relates to a luminaire which is configured to facilitate the installation thereof. In particular, the luminaire comprises a light source having a connector attached to wires for supplying alternating current (AC) power to the light source. The luminaire connector is adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical connector. The electrical connector, in turn, is attached to the AC power source wires, such as the line, common, and ground wires, emanating from, for example, a junction box. In this configuration, the installation of the luminaire is relatively simple. First, the electrical connector is connected to the AC power source wires (line, common, and ground). Second, the luminaire connector is then connected (e.g., plugged in) to the electrical connector. Third, the luminaire is mounted onto an appropriate mount (e.g., a junction box or junction box bracket). The connection of the luminaire connector to the electrical connector facilitates the installation of the luminaire; which would otherwise be a relatively difficult task for a single person, who has to make the appropriate connections with wire nuts while, at the same time, support the luminaire.  
         [0008]     A more specific exemplary embodiment of the luminaire includes a base, a light source mounted to the base, and a connector mounted on the base. As discussed above, the connector is attached to the luminaire internal wires for supplying AC power (e.g., line, common, and ground) to the light source, and is adapted to mate with an electrical connector attached to the AC power source wires (line, common, and ground) emanating from, for example, a junction box. The base may include one or more openings to receive one or more threaded screws or bolts for securing the luminaire to a mount (e.g., a junction box or junction box bracket). Such one or more openings are configured to align with corresponding one or more threaded openings of the mount. Additionally, the base includes one or more alignment members (e.g., posts) for facilitating the alignment of the luminaire to the mount, and maintaining the luminaire at proper orientation. The base may further include a connector holder to secure the connector to the base, and remove the connector from the base to facilitate the connection of the connector to the electrical connector. Further, the light source may be pivotally mounted to a neck member extending outwardly from the base. A pivot adjust may be provided for adjusting the orientation of the light source. The luminaire may have several variations including an embodiment with a plurality of light sources.  
         [0009]     The luminaire may further include a second connector to which an actuation device may be connected. The actuation device, for example, may include a continuous actuation device, motion detector, ambient light sensor, timer, transmitter, receiver, transceiver or others. The actuation device causes the activation of the luminaire (i.e., turns ON the light source). For example, if the motion detector senses motion in its proximate area, then the motion detector causes the luminaire to turn ON. Or, if the ambient light sensor senses that the ambient light falls below a threshold level, then the ambient light sensor causes the luminaire to turn ON. Similarly, if the timer generates a current time that falls within a predetermined time window, the timer causes the luminaire to turn ON. Also, the transmitter generates and transmits a signal to cause a remote luminaire to turn ON. Additionally, the receiver receives a signal which causes the attached luminaire to turn ON. Further, the transceiver generates and transmits a signal to cause a remote luminaire to turn ON, and receives a signal which causes the attached luminaire to turn ON.  
         [0010]     As discussed above, the actuation device may include a continuous actuation device. In such a case, the continuous actuation device (e.g., in the form of a socket cap) is connected to the luminaire, which allows the luminaire to operate normally. In order words, the continuous actuation device completes the luminaire circuit either directly by providing the electrical connection or indirectly by mechanically urging against an internal switch that, in turn, completes the luminaire circuit. In any case, the continuous actuation device causes the luminaire to operate as a conventional luminaire, and may be activated simply by a conventional ON/OFF switch.  
         [0011]     It shall be understood that be understood that the actuation device interface connector and associated circuitry of the luminaire may be normally-closed; that is, the circuit is normally complete allowing the luminaire to operate as a conventional luminaire. In such a case, the continuous actuation device is not required. The connection of the conditional actuation device to the luminaire would break the normally-closed circuitry until the conditional actuation device activates the light source upon detecting or sensing one or more predetermined conditions.  
         [0012]     As discussed above, the luminaire in accordance with the invention is configured to facilitate the installation thereof. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention relates to a method of installing a luminaire. The method comprises connecting a first connector to AC power source wires (line, common, and ground) emanating from a mount (e.g., a junction box). Then, the first connector is connected to a second connector of the luminaire. The second connector is attached to the luminaire internal wires (line, common, and ground) for supplying AC power to the light source of the luminaire. Then, the luminaire is mounted on the mount (e.g., the junction box).  
         [0013]     The luminaires, according to the various embodiments of the invention, are configured to provide consumers the flexibility to custom design their own lighting and security systems. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention relates to a method of selling luminaires and related products to consumers. The method comprises providing a consumer a choice of a luminaire from among a plurality of different luminaires having different style light sources, providing the consumer a choice of an actuation device from among a plurality of different actuation devices to connect with the selected luminaire, and optionally selling the selected luminaire with the selected actuation device to the consumer.  
         [0014]     Anther aspect of the invention relates to the ease of removing the actuation device from the luminaire to, for example, change the existing actuation device for another type of actuation device or a new actuation device of the same type, or to repair the existing actuation device. In this regard, disclosed is a method of replacing a first actuation device including a first connector connected to a second connector of a luminaire. The method comprises disconnecting the first actuation device from the luminaire by removing the first connector from the second connector; and connecting a second actuation device to the luminaire by connecting a third connector of the second actuation device to the second connector of the luminaire.  
         [0015]     Additionally, a method is disclosed for repairing an actuation device including a first connector connected to a second connector of a luminaire. The method comprises disconnecting the actuation device from the luminaire by removing the first connector from the second connector; repairing the actuation device; and connecting the repaired actuation device to the luminaire by connecting the first connector to the second connector.  
         [0016]     Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a conventional luminaire;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary luminaire in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplary luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary luminaire being mounted to a mount in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a rear plan view of the exemplary luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a front view of an exemplary mount in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2F-1  illustrates a plan view of the rear side of the base with a connector holder securely attaching the connector to the base in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2F-2  illustrates a perspective of the rear side of the base with the connector holder removed, thereby releasing the connector from the base in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2G  illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary luminaire with a continuous actuation device removed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2H  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary actuation device interface connector of the exemplary luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2I  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary motion detector in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 2J  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary connector of the exemplary motion detector in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary dual head luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplary dual head luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a rear plan view of an exemplary dual head luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an exemplary ceiling-mountable luminaire and attached motion detector in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a front plan view of an exemplary triple head luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a rear plan view of the exemplary triple head luminaire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary security system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0036]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary alarm in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary luminaire  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  200  comprises a light source  202 , a base  204 , and a neck member  206 . The base  204  further includes a screw cap  208  and a continuous actuation device  210  (e.g., in the form of a socket cap). In this example, the light source  202  is pivotally mounted on the neck member  206  in order to allow a user to change the direction of the light emanating from the light source  202 . The neck member  206 , in turn, extends outwardly from the base  204 . As discussed in more detail below, the screw cap  208  covers a threaded screw or bolt for securing the luminaire  200  to a mount.  
         [0038]     Also, as discussed in more detail below, the continuous actuation device  210  mates with a connector used to receive an actuation device which causes the light source  202  to turn ON. In addition to the continuous actuation device, such actuation devices, for example, include motion detectors, ambient light sensors, timers, transmitters, receivers, transceivers and others. These are examples of conditional actuation devices that activate the luminaire in response to certain conditions, such as detecting motion, sensing the ambient light fall below a threshold, detecting that the current time falls within a predetermined time period, transmitting a signal to activate another luminaire, receiving a signal which causes the activation of the attached luminaire, and both transmitting a signal to activate another luminaire and receiving a signal which causes the activation of the attached luminaire. If the continuous actuation device is used instead of a conditional actuation device, the continuous actuation directly or indirectly completes the circuit allowing the light source  202  to be operated as a typical light fixture.  
         [0039]     As previously discussed, the actuation device interface connector and associated circuitry of the luminaire may be normally-closed; that is, the circuit is normally complete allowing the luminaire to operate as a conventional luminaire. In such a case, the continuous actuation device is not required. The cap  210  may be a dummy cap to cover the connector when no actuation device is connected to the luminaire. The connection of the conditional actuation device to the luminaire would break the normally-closed circuitry until the conditional actuation device activates the light source upon detecting or sensing one or more predetermined conditions.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplary luminaire  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  200  further includes a gasket  212  for interfacing the peripheral portion of the base  204  to a mount for water-resistant purposes. Additionally, the luminaire  200  includes a connector  214  connected to the internal wires (line, common, and ground) of the luminaire  200 . The connector  214  may be in the form of a socket or other type of connector. The connector  214  is mounted on the rear side of the base  204 . A corresponding connector  250  is connected to the alternating current (AC) power source wires  252   a - c  (line, common, and ground). As with the luminaire connector  214 , the electrical connector  250  may be in the form of a socket or other type of connector. The luminaire connector  214  is configured to mate with the electrical connector  250 .  
         [0041]     The installation of the luminaire  200  is made relatively easy as compared to that of the conventional luminaire  100 . First, wires  252   a - c  are securely connected to the electrical connector  250 . These wires  252   a - c  are, for example, connected to the junction box wires by way of conventional means, for example, wire nuts. Second, the luminaire connector  214  is then securely mated to the electrical connector  250 . Third, as discussed in more detail below, the luminaire  200  is mounted on a mount. In contrast to the conventional luminaire  100 , there is no need to perform the difficult task of connecting the AC power source wires directly to the luminaire wires with wire nuts, in a view-restricted and confined space, while at the same time supporting the luminaire.  
         [0042]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary luminaire  200  being mounted to a mount  260  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. After the luminaire connector  214  has been easily mated with the electrical connector  250 , the luminaire  200  is then mounted to the mount  260  via the bracket  264  (e.g., a junction box mounting bracket). In this regard, the base  204  includes a centralized opening  218  adapted to receive a screw or bolt  216  from the front of the luminaire  200 . With reference to  FIGS. 2D and 2E , which respectively illustrate the rear view of the luminaire  200  and the front view of the mount  260 , the mount  260  further includes a threaded hole  265  to receive the screw or bolt  216  in order to secure the luminaire  200  to the mount  260 . The base  204  may include one or more alignment members  220  (e.g., posts) to assist in the alignment of the luminaire  200  to the mount  260 . In particular, when the luminaire  200  is properly aligned to the mount  260 , the alignment members  220  abut the upper edge of the bracket  264  of the mount  260 . The alignment members  220  also serve as positive mechanical means, which in combination with the mounting bracket, ensure that the mechanical orientation of the luminaire is maintained (e.g., maintained in a vertical orientation or maintained in a horizontal orientation). In other words, the alignment members  220  prevent the luminaire from rotating or moving out of its target orientation.  
         [0043]     With reference back to  FIG. 2C , once the screw or bolt  216  is securely mated with the corresponding threaded hole  265  of the mount  260 , the cap  208  is placed over the opening  218  to hide the screw or bolt  216  for aesthetic reasons. The centralized opening  218  may be configured to securely receive the cap  208 , and allow the cap  208  to be flushed with the surface of the base  204  for aesthetic and water-resistant purposes.  
         [0044]     As discussed above, a conditional actuation device, such as a motion detector, ambient light sensor, timer, transmitter, receiver, transceiver or others, may be connected to the luminaire  200  in order to activate the luminaire  200  under one or more certain conditions. Also, as previously discussed, if no conditional actuation device is connected to the luminaire  200 , the continuous actuation device  210  connects to the luminaire  200  in place of the conditional actuation device in order for the luminaire to operate as a typical light fixture. Accordingly, when a conditional actuation device is to be connected to the luminaire  200 , the continuous actuation device  210  may be removed from the luminaire  200 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 2F-1  illustrates a perspective of the rear side of the base  204  with a removable connector holder  221  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The removable connector holder  221  securely attaches the connector  214  to the base  204 . However, as the name suggests, the removable connector holder  221  may be removed to release the connector  214  from the base  204  as shown in  FIG. 2F-2 . This may facilitate the connection of the connector  214  to the corresponding electrical connector  250  in situations where the position and/or orientation of the electrical connector  250  is not conducive for mating with the secured luminaire connector  214 . The removable connector holder  221  includes one or more tabs  221   a - b  to assist in the removal thereof.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2G  illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary luminaire  200  with the continuous actuation device  210  removed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  200  includes an actuation device interface connector  222  adapted to connect with a corresponding connector of an actuation device. Unlike the continuous actuation device  210  which completes or causes the completion of the circuit in order for the luminaire  200  to function as a typical light fixture, the conditional actuation device completes the circuit on the basis of one or more predetermined conditions. For example, the predetermined condition may be that the actuation device detects motion, or that the ambient light is below a predetermined threshold, or that the current time is within a predetermined time window, or that it has received a transmitted signal, or others. As discussed above, in the case that the actuation device interface connector  220  and associated luminaire is normally-closed, the cap  210  may serve merely as a dummy cap to cover the connector  222  when no actuation device is connected to the luminaire  200 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 2H  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary actuation device interface connector  222  of the exemplary luminaire  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As discussed above, the actuation device interface connector  222  mates with a corresponding connector of an actuation device. In particular, the connector  222  comprises three (3) female terminals  224   a - c  that are electrically connected to the luminaire line, common, and ground. The connector  222  also comprises an alignment slot  226  to assist in the proper alignment of the connector of the actuation device to the actuation device interface connector  222 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 2I  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary motion detector  230  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The exemplary motion detector  230  is an example of an actuation device that can interface with the luminaire  200 . The motion detector  230  comprises a motion sensing head  232  pivotally mounted on a connector shaft including a connector  234 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 2J  illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary connector  234  of the exemplary motion sensor  230  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The connector  234  comprises three (3) male terminals  236   a - c  adapted to mate with the female terminals  224   a - c  (line, common, and ground) of the actuation device interface connector  222  of the luminaire  200 . The connector  234  further comprises an alignment tab  238  adapted to register with the alignment slot  226  of the actuation device interface connector  224 . This ensures that the male terminals  236   a - c  of the motion detector  230  mate with the proper female terminals  224   a - c  of the luminaire  200 . Once the motion detector  230  is connected to the luminaire  200 , the detector  230  activates the luminaire  200  upon detecting motion.  
         [0050]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of a dual head luminaire  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  300  is similar to luminaire  200 , except that luminaire  300  includes two light sources. In particular, the luminaire  300  comprises a first light source  302   a , a second light source  302   b , a base  304 , a first neck member  306   a , and a second neck member  306   b . The first and second neck members  306   a  and  306   b  are securely attached to and extend outwardly from the base  304 . The first and second light sources  302   a - b  are pivotally mounted to the first and second neck members  306   a - b , respectively. The luminaire  300  may further include a first pivot adjust  307   a  to adjust the pivot orientation of the first light source  302   a , and to secure the first light source  302   a  at the desired orientation. Similarly, the luminaire  300  may further include a second pivot adjust  307   b  to adjust the pivot orientation of the second light source  302   b , and to secure the second light source  302   b  at the desired orientation. The luminaire  300  further includes a centralized opening  318  adapted to receive a screw or bolt  316  for mounting the luminaire  300  to a mount  360 . The opening  318  may be adapted to receive a cap  308  in a manner that the cap  308  is flushed with the surface of the base  304  for aesthetic and water-resistant purposes.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a rear perspective view of the dual head luminaire  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  300  further includes a connector  314  mounted on the rear side of the base  304 . The connector  314  is connected to the internal line, common, and ground wires of the luminaire  300 . The connector  314  is adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical connector  350 . The electrical connector  350  is connected to wires which may, in turn, be connected to the AC power source line, common, and ground wires  352   a - c  emanating from a junction box by conventional means, such as wire nuts. As previously discussed with reference to luminaire  200 , the luminaire connector  314  being adapted to mate with the electrical connector  350  facilitates the installation of the luminaire  350 . The luminaire  300  may further include a gasket  312  for interfacing the base  304  to the mount  360 , and one or more alignment members (not shown) to facilitate the alignment of the luminaire  300  to the mount  360 , and ensure that the proper orientation of the luminaire  300  is maintained. Additionally, the luminaire  300  may further include an actuation device interface connector (not shown) for connecting to an actuation device, such as a continuous actuation device, and a conditional actuation device such as a motion detector, ambient light sensor, timer, transmitter, receiver, transceiver or other device.  
         [0052]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a rear plan view of an exemplary dual head luminaire  300 ′ in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The dual head luminaire  300 ′ is a variation of the dual head luminaire  300  previously discussed. The difference is that luminaire  300 ′ includes a different style light source  302   a ′- b ′. Other than that, the luminaires  300  and  300 ′ are substantially the same. As illustrated in this view, the base  304  of the luminaire  300 ′ includes a connector  314  for mating with a corresponding electrical connector as previously discussed. The base  304  further includes a centralized opening for receiving a screw or bolt for securing the luminaire  300 ′ to a mount. Additionally, the base  304  further includes one or more alignment members  320  for facilitating the alignment of the luminaire  300 ′ to the mount.  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an exemplary ceiling-mountable luminaire  400  and attached motion detector  430  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the luminaire  400  is mounted on junction box in the ceiling  460 . Similar to the previously-discussed luminaires  200 - 300 , the luminaire  400  comprises a light source  402  pivotally mounted on a neck member  406  that extends from a base  404 . The base  404  may include a connector (not shown) connected to the internal wires (line, common, and ground) of the luminaire  400 , for connection to a corresponding electrical connector connected to the AC power source wires (line, common, and ground), as previously discussed. The luminaire  400  also includes a connector for connecting to an actuation device, such as the motion detector  430 . The motion detector  430  includes a motion sensing head  432  pivotally mounted to a shaft  434  having a connector  436  for mating with a corresponding connector of the luminaire  400 . The shaft  434  is also rotatable so that the sensing head  432  may be rotated to a desired orientation. In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot orientation of both the light source  402  and the motion sensor  430  may be adjusted as desired.  
         [0054]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary triple head luminaire  500  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The luminaire  500  is similar to the previously-discussed luminaires  200  and  300 , except that luminaire  500  includes three (3) light sources. In particular, the luminaire  500  comprises a first light source  502   a , a second light source  502   b , a third light source  502   c , a base  504 , a first neck member  506   a , a second neck member (not shown), and a third neck member  506   c . The first, second, and third neck members are securely attached to and extend outwardly from the base  504 . The first, second, and third light sources  502   a - c  are pivotally mounted to the first, second, and third neck members, respectively. The luminaire  500  may further include first, second, and third pivot adjusts (only  507   a  and  c  are shown) to respectively adjust the pivot orientations of the first, second, and third light source  502   a - c . The luminaire  500  further includes a centralized opening  518  adapted to receive a screw or bolt  516  for mounting the luminaire  500  to a mount. The opening  518  may be adapted to receive a cap  508  in a manner that the cap  508  is flushed with the surface of the base  504  for aesthetic and water-resistant purposes. The luminaire  500  further includes a continuous actuation device  510  connected to a corresponding connector of the luminaire  500 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a rear plan view of the exemplary triple head luminaire  500  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Similar to the previously-discussed luminaires  200  and  300 , the base  504  of the luminaire  500  includes a connector  514  for mating with a corresponding electrical connector as previously discussed. The base  504  further includes the centralized opening  518  for receiving a screw or bolt for securing the luminaire  500  to a mount. Additionally, the base  504  further includes one or more alignment members  520  for facilitating the alignment of the luminaire  500  to the mount, and ensuring that the proper orientation of the luminaire  500  is maintained.  
         [0056]     Another advantage of the various embodiments described above is that if the actuation device fails for any particular reason, or if the user merely wants to change the existing actuation device for another actuation device (same or different type), the user merely detaches the existing actuation device from the luminaire, and attaches a new actuation device or the repaired existing actuation device to the luminaire. Thus, the luminaires described herein facilitate the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the luminaires.  
         [0057]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary security system  600  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The security system  600  comprises a motion detector  602  (or other type of actuation device, such as a photo beam detector), one or more luminaires  604  and  608 , and an alarm  606 . The security system  600  may be used to secure any predetermined location, such as a residence, commercial building, or restricted outdoor area. The motion detector  602  is coupled to the luminaires  604  and/or  608 , and the alarm  606  via a wired connection, wireless connection, or combination thereof. In operation, when the motion detector  602  senses motion in its proximate area, the motion detector  602  causes the activation of the luminaires  604  and/or  608 , and/or the alarm  606 . This may be accomplished by the motion detector  602  sending an activation signal by way of the wired and/or wireless connection to the luminaires  604  and/or  608 , and/or the alarm  606 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary alarm  650  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The alarm  650  may be an exemplary detailed version of the alarm  606  of the security system  600 , as discussed above. The alarm  650  may comprise an AC power plug  652 , a speaker  654 , an ON/OFF and volume control  656 , and an AC power outlet  660 . Although not shown, the alarm  650  may include a tone selector for selecting the desired tone for the alarm, and a manual/automatic mode switch which allows for the manual operation of an appliance (e.g., a light source) plugged into the AC power outlet  660 . As discussed above, the alarm  650  may be wired or wirelessly coupled to the motion detector  602  or other actuation device.  
         [0059]     An advantage of the luminaires, actuation devices, and security system discussed above is that they provide consumers the flexibility to configure a security and/or lighting system as desired. Therefore, a supplier, for example, a wholesale or retail store, may offer luminaires with different styles of light sources; different types of actuation devices, such as motion detectors, ambient light sensors, timers, transmitters, receivers, transceivers and others; and optional alarms. A consumer may make the appropriate selection of these devices in any combination thereof to custom design a security and/or lighting system.  
         [0060]     For example, a particular consumer may only desire to use a luminaire for continuous lighting purposes responsive to an ON/OFF switch. Such consumer may select a luminaire with a particular style of light source, and connect a continuous actuation device to it so that the luminaire operates as a typical light fixture. Another consumer may desire to use the luminaire for night time applications. In such a case, the consumer may select a luminaire with a particular style of light source, and connect an ambient light sensor or timer so that the luminaire turns ON and OFF when it gets dark and light, respectively. Yet another consumer may desire to use the luminaire for security purposes. In such a case, the consumer may select a luminaire with a particular style of light source, and connect a motion detector to it so that the luminaire turns ON when motion is detected in a particular area. Still, the consumer may want additional security, and further connect an alarm to the luminaire and motion detector as per security system  600  discussed above.  
         [0061]     While the invention has been described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptation of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.