Patent Publication Number: US-6712489-B2

Title: Portable outdoor lighting fixture

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a portable outdoor lighting fixture, and more particularly to a fixture of the low voltage switchable type, that has the electric connections on the base of the fixture, and a low voltage supply remote from the fixture. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various lighting fixtures have been proposed for outdoor use. These fixtures must be water resistant and not affected by sunlight. In addition, the fixture must be non corrosive, and must be safe, i.e. the consumer must be protected from electric shock regardless of the weather and other conditions under which the fixture is used, which is difficult to obtain with a conventional high voltage fixture, or a fixture which contains a low voltage transformer. 
     Various lighting fixtures have been proposed, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 480,749; 1,129,908; 2,732,487; 5,091,834; 5,649,760; 6,082,877; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,0645 B1, but none of them is wholly satisfactory. 
     This invention is directed to a portable low voltage outdoor lighting fixture, which is safe, is constructed of non corrosive materials, and is supplied with low voltage from a transformer remote from the fixture, with the low voltage connections in the base of the fixture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a portable outdoor lighting fixture, of the low voltage type, constructed of non corrosive materials, and with the low voltage transformer remote from the fixture, and the electrical connections in the base of the fixture. 
     The principal object of the invention is to provide a portable low voltage outdoor lighting fixture. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which has a shade that is capable of being fixed or flexible. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture that can have a weighted base, a spike for ground mounting, or can be attached directly to a deck, post or appliance. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which is switchable. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture that is constructed of non-corrosive materials, and enjoys a long service life. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which has a low voltage transformer remote from the fixture with the electrical connections in the base of the fixture. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which has an adjustable arm, providing a variety of lamp shade fixture adjustments. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture which is adjustable for height. 
     Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable outdoor lighting fixture of the invention, 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, in partial section, of a portion of the base of the fixture showing one embodiment of electrical connection used with the fixture of the invention, 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a terminal block used with the fixture of the invention, 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of another connector block used with the fixture of the invention, 
     FIG. 5 is another embodiment of connector block used with the fixture of the invention, and 
     FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a shade used with the fixture of the invention. 
    
    
     It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result. 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS. 1-3, and  6  thereof, the portable lighting fixture  10  is therein illustrated. The fixture  10  includes a base  11 , which has a center plate  12 , with three curved leg portions  14  extending therefrom, and which may rest on the ground or other supporting surface (not shown). The plate  12  and legs  14  may be formed of any corrosion resistant metal, with stainless steel being preferred. If desired, a centrally located spike (not shown) may be substituted for the legs  14 , which spike can be stuck into the ground. In addition, the plate  12  can be fastened to an appliance such as a gas grill (not shown) by brackets (not shown) or other well known fastening means. 
     A hollow pole  15  is provided, fastened to plate  12  and extending upwardly, with a compression nut  16  of well known type thereon, a hollow tube  17  is provided inside of pole  15  which can move upwardly or downwardly and is locked in position by a clutch or compression nut  16 . 
     A hollow flexible arm  20  is provided, connected to tube  17  by fitting  21 , with a shade assembly  22  connected thereto. The shade assembly  22 , which is shown in more detail in FIG. 6, includes a switch  23  of well known type, which may be a push button, rotary, or toggle switch as desired, and which is water resistant. A bulb holder (not shown) and a low voltage bulb (not shown) are also carried in the shade assembly  22  with a wire  24  connected thereto, and extending in arm  20  through tube  17  and pole  15  to a terminal block  25  on the bottom of plate  12 . 
     The terminal block  25  which is shown in FIG. 2 is a “Euro” style, which has a locking screw (not shown) engaged therewith and with a wire  30  attached thereto. The wire  30  extends to a low voltage transformer  31  of well known type, which is engaged in a 110 volt receptacle (not shown) on the wall of a house or other location, which receptacle is connected to a source of electrical energy (not shown). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 alternate electrical connector blocks  125  and  225  are illustrated respectively of the “vampire” and wire nut type, which are connected to the wire  30  and to the wire  24  which extends to shade assembly  22 . 
     It will thus be seen that structure has been provided with which the objects of the invention are achieved.