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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    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 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the luminaire mounted on the top of a post showing the external components thereof; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a view of the luminaire of  FIG. 1  having a door in the capital being open showing the internal components thereof; 
           [0006]      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; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a view of the relamping module of the luminaire of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      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; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of a post-top luminaire showing the interrelationship between the relamping module and upper portion of the luminaire; 
           [0010]      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; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a capital door with electrical components mounted therein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the capital of  FIG. 7  having the capital door of  FIG. 8  mounted thereon; 
           [0013]      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 
       [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    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 . 
         [0020]      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 . 
         [0021]      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. 
         [0022]      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. 
         [0023]      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 . 
         [0024]      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. 
         [0025]      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 . 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    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.