Patent Abstract:
A spike for outdoor lighting fixture includes a receptacle portion integrated into the body of the spike with an open section and a removable transparent window that is configured to enclose the receptacle portion. The transparent window is attached to the receptacle portion using one or more screws or other fasteners. The spike can include an internally threaded upper portion for receiving a post upon which a lighting fixture is mounted and/or a lamp socket can be attached to the top of the spike and a protective housing fitted around the outer edges of the top of the spike. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is divided into multiple compartments, e.g., for storing excess cable or spare parts, or for securing connection points of a wiring installation. The transparent window permits visual examination of the connection within the receptacle without removing the transparent window.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/988,065, filed Nov. 14, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lighting fixtures for landscape and environmental lighting applications and, more particularly, to devices for securing lighting fixtures at or near the ground 
     BACKGROUND 
     Outdoor lighting fixtures have been widely adopted for illuminating buildings, gardens, pathways, and entrance ways as the nighttime play of light on the landscape and vegetation can aesthetically pleasing as well as providing sufficient light for safely navigating an otherwise dark walkway. Additionally, such lighting provides enhanced security by eliminating hiding places and unobserved entry points for intruders. The most widely used outdoor lighting systems include one or more low voltage lighting fixtures that are connected to a 12 V transformer that is, in turn, connected to a standard 120 VAC line. Other types of lighting that are gaining popularity are solar powered, where the fixtures are connected by a cable to a solar collector panel that is located at a sunny location during daylight hours. Each lighting fixture generally includes housing, a lamp assembly having a halogen or conventional incandescent bulb and a reflector, and a lens or window. Many configurations are known for providing a variety of different lighting effects. 
     Many outdoor lighting fixtures that are intended to be located at or slightly above ground level are provided with spikes that can be driven into the ground to provide an inexpensive and stable base for supporting the light. Electrical cables, typically containing copper wire, are employed to supply current to the fixtures. Cables that are placed away from a structure or pavement are preferably buried at a shallow depth, or they may lie directly on the ground. Connection of the fixture to the cable typically involves cutting the cable, stripping the cable insulation a short distance from the cut ends, and twisting together the ends of one wire from the fixture and one conductor from the cable within a twist-on wire connector for both sets of wires. Because this connection is vulnerable to moisture, dirt and/or corrosion that can cause the connection to fail, a recommended practice is to enclose the wire ends and wire connectors in a small plastic bag which can be sealed with a potting material (splice gel) to create a permanent watertight seal. The upper edges of the plastic bag can optionally be sealed around the wires above the junction with electrical tape, a rubber band or a cable tie. Because this seal is permanent, replacement of the fixture, or splicing of additional cables, requires that the existing wires be cut and new connections created. Therefore, it is important to make sure there are excess lengths of conductors to allow the new connections to be made. The extra cable length can lead to an additional point of vulnerability because it might extend away from the spike, making it vulnerable to damage by someone digging near the spike, for example, replacing plants, where the extended sections of wire would be. 
     Another problem encountered by currently existing methods is that a failure in the outdoor lighting fixture can be difficult to diagnose. In most cases where the failure is an incomplete connection, it can be difficult to pinpoint where the wires are actually connected to identify a potentially defective junction. If the connection at a particular fixture is suspected, it may be necessary to remove the spike from the ground and dig a radius around the spike&#39;s location because the excess cable may have caused the junction to be offset several inches from the spike. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device and method to facilitate creation of the connection and for providing protection of the junction to ensure the integrity of the connection. The present invention is directed to such an invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a ground spike for supporting a light fixture that has a built-in junction box for protecting the connection and excess cable and keeping them clean. 
     It is another advantage of the invention to provide a ground spike that allows the connection to be easily viewed to visually check the integrity of the connection. 
     Still another advantage of the invention is provide ready access to the connection for testing and replacement of fixtures or cables. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a spike for outdoor lighting fixture that includes a receptacle portion integrated into the body of the spike with an open section and a removable transparent window that is configured to enclose the receptacle portion. The transparent window is attached to the receptacle portion using one or more screws or other fasteners. An O-ring seat may be formed along either the edges of the receptacle or the perimeter of the window to retain an O-ring or resilient seal that produces a substantially watertight seal when the window is fastened to the receptacle portion. The spike can include an internally threaded upper portion for receiving a post upon which a lighting fixture is mounted and/or a lamp socket can be attached to the top of the spike and a protective housing fitted around the outer edges of the top of the spike. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is divided into multiple compartments, e.g., for storing excess cable or spare parts for the fixture, such as extra twist-on wire connectors or lamps, or for securing connection points of a wiring installation. The transparent window that seals the receptacle portion permits visual examination of the connection within the receptacle without removing the transparent window. The receptacle portion includes at least one slot through which the cable connected to a power supply is fed into the spike. If the lighting fixture is powered by batteries, for example, batteries recharged by a solar panel, the batteries and battery connections may be retained within the receptacle portion. 
     The spike is typically installed in an outdoor location by forcing it into the ground if the ground is sufficiently soft to do so without damaging the spike. In harder ground, a pilot hole can be dug with an auger or pick. Penetration of the ground is facilitated by the pointed end of the spike. Stability of the spike is enhanced by a barb at the bottom portion of the spike. In the preferred embodiment, for further stability the barb is formed from three parallel triangles which form a main central barb with two smaller triangles on either side of the center to form additional barbs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the spike according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first exemplary lighting fixture mounted on the spike. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second exemplary lighting fixture mounted on the spike. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the spike according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the spike according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation of a third exemplary lighting fixture incorporating the spike. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems and components, and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the spike  1000  for outdoor lighting fixtures, which includes a receptacle portion  1001  with a transparent window  1002 , an upper portion  1003  for supporting the fixture, and a lower portion  1009  which facilitates placement and enhances stability when installed. The spike  1000  provides a base for secure anchorage of a lighting fixture, examples of which are shown as  2001  and  3001  in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , respectively, and described more fully below. 
     The opening of the receptacle portion  1001  is enclosed by a transparent window  1002  forming at least one compartment in the body of the spike  1000 . The transparent window  1002  is removably attached to the receptacle portion  1001  by a screw  1004  to provide a seal resulting in a compartment in the receptacle portion  1001  that is well protected against mechanical damage and largely resistant to contaminant intrusion. An optional O-ring seat may be formed along either the edges of the receptacle opening or the perimeter of the window  1002  to retain an O-ring or resilient seal that produces a substantially watertight seal when the window is fastened to the receptacle portion. More than one screw, or alternative types of fasteners may also be used. The receptacle portion  1001  can be divided into multiple compartments for storing different materials. 
       FIG. 4  provides a more detailed view of the receptacle portion  1001  of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive spike. In the exemplary embodiment, the interior cavity of receptacle portion  1001  is partitioned into multiple compartments to enhance storage capability. As illustrated, compartments  4001 ,  4002  and  4003  are defined by dividers  4004  and  4005 . In this configuration, compartment  4001  can be used to hold coiled excess wire (sometimes referred to as the “service coil”) and to provide a feed-through opening  4020  (seen in  FIG. 5 ) at its top for connection to the fixture, while the wire connectors  4012  and  4013  and their corresponding conductors are retained within compartments  4002  and  4003 , respectively. The three compartments are exemplary only, and other configurations may be used. For example, for a solar fixture, the rechargeable batteries that store the voltage produced by the solar collector can be stored in a single compartment or one of multiple compartments. 
     Boss  4006  located at the lower end of divider  4005  has an internally threaded bore for receiving screw  1004  for firm attachment of transparent window  1002 . While only one attachment point is shown, it will be recognized that two or more threaded bores may be provided, each for receiving a screw or other fastener for secure attachment of the window  1002 . Located at the lower portion of the interior cavity is a pair of slots  4007  and  4008  through which conductors  1006  are fed into the interior. Generally, multiple slots positioned on opposite sides of the cavity are preferred since the conductors often enter from opposite directions, however, a single, larger slot can be used to insert both wires. The positioning of the slots  4007 ,  4008  may also be moved to a position higher on the sides of the receptacle portion, or multiple pairs of punch outs may be provided through the sidewall of the cavity to allow the installer to choose the most appropriate entry points for the particular installation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the transparent window  1002  has a tab  4014  extending from its upper edge which is inserted into a corresponding slot (not shown) in the plate  4015  that defines the top of receptacle portion  1001  and bottom of top portion  1003 . (Feed-through opening  4020  is located at the center of plate  4015 .) Referring to  FIG. 5 , the profile of tab  4014  can be seen as having a curved face that corresponds to the inner curvature of top portion  1003 . Tab  4014  extends though plate  4015  to firmly seat the upper part of window  1002  against receptacle portion  1001 . Screw  1004  is then inserted through reinforced bore  4010  through the window  1002  and screwed into the threaded bore in boss  4006 . Tabs  4019  project from the bottom of window  1002  at positions corresponding to slots  4007  and  4008  to further secure conductors  1006  as they exit from the interior cavity. While the slots  4007  and  4008  are not fully sealed, attachment of the window  1002  to receptacle portion  1001  produces a seal that will exclude most contaminants. To produce a substantially water resistant seal, O-rings or other washers may be fitted over the conductors  1006  at the entry point so that they are compressed against the edges of the slots  4007 ,  4008 . 
     The transparent window  1002 , formed from a hard, impact resistant plastic or polymer, such as clear polycarbonate, permits visual inspection allowing the installer to determine if a faulty connection point exists within the receptacle portion  1001  of the spike  1000  without removing the transparent window. 
     The upper portion  1003  of the spike can include a concentric threaded bore  1007 , which corresponds to feed-through opening  4020 , configured to receive a threaded post  2002  for supporting a lighting fixture, such as the path light  2003  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Typically, the threads in bore  1007  will be ½ NPS threads. Conductors for providing voltage to a lamp socket mounted at the top of the post  2002  are fed through feed-through opening  4020  and up through the post. Thus, all connections for the fixture other than the connection to the socket itself are securely contained within the receptacle portion  1001 . In this application, the spike  1000  will generally be inserted into the ground so that its top edge is approximately flush with the ground level. 
     In another application, the spike  1000  can be used in conjunction with a spot light fixture such as fixture  3001  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For this usage, the exterior surface of upper portion  1003  has one or more annular O-ring seats  1008  for retaining an O-ring (shown in  FIG. 6  as  6005 ). In the preferred embodiment, at least two O-rings  6005  are used to produce a watertight seal between the spike and the fixture in a manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,905, which is incorporated herein by reference. Fixture  3001  is mounted on a knuckle joint  3003  which has a base portion  3002  that is a hollow cap having an interior dimension that closely fits over upper portion  1003  so that the inner surface of the base  3002 , slightly compresses the O-ring(s) that are retained within O-ring seat(s)  1008 . The interference fit created by this compression of the O-ring holds the base  3002  over the top of the spike, but for additional security, a locking screw  3004  may be provided which, when engaged, presses against the outer surface of the top portion  1003 . In this configuration, it may be desirable to install the spike so that it protrudes above the ground level, so that the base  3002  is above ground level. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the spike itself can be the lighting fixture by attaching a socket mounting bracket  6001  directly to the top portion  1003 . The bracket can be a simple Z-shaped aluminum bracket that is attached via a screw  6002  inserted into one of threaded bores  4017  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Socket  6004  is affixed atop bracket  6001  with conductors  6003  extending down through the feed-through into the interior cavity of receptacle portion  1003 . A closed-top cylindrical diffuser (not shown) or other protective cover has interior dimensions to fit closely over the outer diameter of top portion  1003  in a similar manner to base  3002  in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . The O-ring(s)  6005  provide a water-tight seal to enclose the socket and lamp (not shown) when the cover is put in place. This type of application can be used for lighting very close to the ground. It may even be desirable to plunge the spike to a depth greater than its length, so that a portion of the cover is also below ground level to provide small “dots” of light within landscaping, for example, for subtle marking of a path across a lawn. 
     The body of the spike consisting of receptacle portion  1001 , the top portion  1003  and the bottom portion  1009  of the spike  1000  are typically injection molded. In particular the receptacle, upper and bottom portions can be formed of high density, high impact plastic or similar material. In the preferred embodiment, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a heat resistant, high impact resistant plastic resin is used. 
     The spike  1000  is installed in an outdoor location by forcing the spike  1000  into the ground. This process is enhanced by a bottom portion  1009  of the spike  1000  that is configured for initial ground penetration using pointed tip  1010 . The shaft  1011  has a ribbed construction with longitudinal ribs  1013  and  1017  extending radially from the primary axis of the shaft. The ribs add strength to the spike as well as assisting in penetration into the ground. Ribs  1017 , extending to the sides (as viewed from the front), terminate in a barb  1012 . Rib  1013  on the front of the spike and its counterpart on the back terminate in barb  1014 , which is perpendicular to and bisects barb  1012 . Additional strength and stability are provided by two smaller barbs  1016  positioned on opposite sides of barb  1014 . It will be readily apparent that different numbers of ribs may be used, with the ribs preferably being in pairs so that each opposing pair with terminate in a barb. 
     Near the upper portion of front rib  1013 , an additional barb  1015  serves to reduce any resistance that might be encountered during installation by effectively adding a taper to the lower front of the receptacle portion. Barb  1015  also acts to protect the conductors  1006  at the point that they enter the receptacle portion  1001  to reduce pressure on a potentially vulnerable portion of the conductors as the spike is inserted into the ground. The lower back side of the receptacle portion  1001  has a taper  1018  to further facilitate insertion into the ground. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5