Abstract:
A mounting device or post for supporting an electrical fixture or box-mounted electrical device in an outdoor setting. The post provides an internal electrical box that may be configured by the installer as a standard size electrical box or a large electrical box capable of accepting several electrical devices. The top of the electrical box is integral with the top of the post and includes a mounting assembly for an electrical fixture, thereby allowing an electrical fixture to be mounted on the post with all wiring connections contained within the box. An opening in the side wall of the post provides access to the electrical box and is typically provided with a removable cover that is secured thereto. Electrical receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupters or similar devices can be mounted in the box opening. The bottom of the post includes integral projections to anchor the post securely in the ground and a large cable entryway to allow lead in of electrical cables into the post and the electrical box within.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/253,185 entitled “Garden Post”, filed Sep. 24, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,221 and still pending, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,563 entitled “Outdoor Garden Post”, filed Mar. 28, 2002 and still pending, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/860,064 entitled “Landscape Fixture Support Post”, filed May 17, 2001 and still pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of outdoor ground-level fixtures and electrical devices, and more particularly to a support post that provides a large electrical box to enable easy installation of a plurality of electrical devices, such as receptacles or switches, in an outdoor setting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many prior art mounting devices have been proposed for the installation of light fixtures in outdoor residential areas, such as along walkways or driveways, or around structures such as decks, swimming pools, or patios. Typically the prior art mounting devices are limited in functionality as they provide only for the mounting of light fixtures and contain no provision for mounting additional electrical devices. For example, it may be desirable for a homeowner to mount light fixtures along a walkway and to also include electrical service outlets along the same walkway. Or the homeowner may wish to mount a light fixture along with several electrical devices, such as a duplex receptacle for providing power, a photocell for sensing ambient light conditions to turn the light fixtures on and off automatically, and a switch to override the photocell. Additionally, it would be advantageous for the mounting device to be able to accept standard wall-mounted electrical devices to widen the range of possible electrical devices available to be mounted and to make it easy for a homeowner to obtain a desired device. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/860,064, entitled “Landscape Fixture Support Post”, filed May 17, 2001 by the inventor of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclosed a mounting device for mounting a lighting fixture in an outdoor setting. The mounting device included a hollow cylindrical post. The lower portion of the post included integral projections to enable easy anchoring in the ground and a wide entryway for electrical supply cable. The radial projections, being integral with the post body, were less likely to separate from the post than stabilizer devices held by fasteners, as is typical of prior art posts. The post provided a top fitting for mounting a light fixture and a side port to provide access to the interior of the post for completing wiring connections. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,563, entitled “Outdoor Garden Post”, filed Mar. 28, 2002 by the inventor of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, improved upon the design of an outdoor mounting device by providing an electrical junction box having a top wall and four side walls integral with the post. The mounting device provided a secure junction box for mounting an electrical device, such as an outlet receptacle in addition to a lighting fixture. Wiring connections to both the electrical device and the lighting fixture could therefore be completed within a secure electrical junction box. By isolating the internal wiring connections to both the device and fixture within a secure junction box, the wiring connections were thus better protected from ground moisture and other environmental hazards. The mounting device also enabled the junction box to accept all standard wall-mounted electrical devices, increasing its functionality. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/253,185, entitled “Garden Post”, filed Sep. 24, 2002 by the inventor of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, improved upon the functionality of the outdoor garden post by disclosing a mounting device for mounting a fixture at a user-selectable height in an outdoor setting. The mounting device was modular in nature, with the installer able to add various modules to raise the height of a light fixture and electrical device to a desired level. The mounting device also included a secure electrical junction box for enclosing and protecting wiring connections. 
     Although the aforementioned disclosures improved upon prior art mounting devices by providing an electrical box for mounting one standard wall-mounted electrical device, the electrical box was limited in size and typically could accommodate only one electrical device. The devices provided by these disclosures were therefore inadequate in those situations in which the user wished to install several electrical services in one mounting device. 
     For example, Although U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,563 provides a secure electrical junction box for enclosing wiring connections, the electrical box is located in the top of the mounting device and can accommodate at most one electrical device. A user may want to install several electrical devices within one mounting device. What is needed therefore, is a mounting device that provides a large electrical box capable of accommodating several electrical devices. Additionally, the mounting device should provide the improved features of the aforementioned disclosures, including a secure electrical junction box for isolating wiring connections from environmental hazards, integral projections to improve anchoring to the ground, and a wide lower cable entryway to allow easy access for underground cables. The mounting device should also be stable, durable, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, and easy to maintain. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A first advantage of the present invention is that it provides a mounting device with a large electrical box for supporting one or more electrical devices in an outdoor setting. The box is an Underwriters Labs (UL) listed box that is weatherproof and provides ample space for easy mounting of electrical devices such as electrical receptacles and switches. The electrical box can be configured to a standard or large size as desired by the user. 
     An additional advantage is that the mounting device provides an arrangement for easily mounting a light fixture. Either low voltage or line voltage fixtures may be used. 
     Additionally, the fixture-mounting device is stable, durable, easily maintained and accessed after installation, and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another advantage exhibited by the mounting device of the present invention is that it is easily installed and adapted to different heights by a homeowner. 
     These, and other objects, will become readily apparent to one of skill in the art having regard for this disclosure. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a mounting device that is modular in nature and provides a means of supporting a fixture or box-mounted electrical device above the ground. The device includes a top member for accepting a fixture, a box-mounted electrical device, or a combination of each. A base member includes a large entryway to allow lead in of electrical cables into the device and integral projections for secure anchoring to the ground. One or more extenders may be included to increase the height of the device. 
     The mounting device, or garden post, may be used for mounting devices that are typically used in a landscape surrounding such as lights, cameras, photocells to control lighting, and other similar devices. An UL-listed electrical box is provided within the top member for housing electrical receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupters (“GFCI&#39;s”) or similar devices that typically are secured within an UL-listed box. The mounting device can be configured to provide a standard-sized or a large electrical box, depending on the number of electrical devices that will be installed therein. 
     In a preferred embodiment a top member and base member may be secured together to form a mounting device or garden post. Thus secured, the members comprise an elongated body of rectangular cross section having a top and a bottom end. The top end protrudes from the ground and includes an opening through which various devices may be mounted or connected. The bottom end is tapered so that, when buried in the ground, it provides a large entryway for leading electrical cables into the enclosure. The assembled garden post is essentially hollow but with a portion closed off to provide an UL-listed electrical junction box. The installer can adapt the size of the electrical box by selecting a position for closing off the interior of the hollow members. An opening in the side wall provides access to the electrical box from one side of the post and is typically provided with a removable cover that is secured thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the base member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a closure member according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the closure member taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the closure member taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the base member taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the base member taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the mounting device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the mounting device of FIG. 1 with a portion of the side wall of the top member broken away. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of an extender according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the top member of the present invention configured to provide a standard size electrical box. 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the top member of the present invention configured to provide a large size electrical box. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE SPECIFICATION AND DRAWINGS 
       20 —mounting device or garden post 
       22 —top member 
       24 —base member 
       26 —side walls of top member 
       28 —closed top 
       30 —open bottom of top member 
       32 —side walls of base member 
       32 A—front side wall of base member 
       34 —open top of base member 
       36 —open bottom of base member 
       38 —bottom edge of base member 
       40 —cable entryway 
       42 —integral projections 
       44 —aperture in projection 
       46 —stiffening rib 
       48 —fillet 
       50 —lower edge of projection 
       52 —aperture in closed top 
       54 —electrically conductive bushing 
       56 —closure arrangement 
       58 —closure panel 
       60 —slot 
       62 —breakaway section 
       64 —boss on closure panel 
       66 —aperture 
       68 —fastener 
       70 —fastening arrangement 
       72 —collar on top member 
       74 —inner wall of collar 
       76 —adhesive 
       78 —joint area 
       80 —extender 
       81 —bottom end of extender 
       82 —collar on extender 
       84 —electrically conductive nut 
       86 —grounding lug 
       88 —grounding wire 
       90 —opening 
       92 —standard size electrical junction box 
       94 —duplex receptacle 
       96 —fastener 
       98 —boss on top member 
       100 —gasket 
       102 —faceplate 
       104 —large electrical junction box 
       106 —distal end of integral projection 
       108 —electrical cable 
       110 —ground level 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As this invention may be more easily explained by reference to the attached drawings, it should be noted that the figures are representative and exemplary of the invention only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. 
     The present invention consists of a mounting device for providing electrical services in a landscape setting. The garden post is suitable for mounting a wide range of fixtures and electrical devices that are typically mounted in a landscape. Such fixtures and electrical devices include, but are not limited to, lighting fixtures, sensors such as rain gauges, light sensors, motion sensors, and infrared sensors, cameras, microphones, receptacles, switches, ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) receptacles, and vibration detectors. The mounting device is modular in nature, consisting of at least a top member and a base member, and may include one or more extenders to increase the height of the fixture or electrical device above the landscape. The mounting device includes a closure arrangement that can be secured within either the top or bottom members to provide a secure, weatherproof electrical box. The user can select the position for the closure arrangement, thereby providing either a standard-sized or a large electrical box. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a mounting device or garden post  20  according to the present invention is shown. The preferred embodiment of the mounting device is comprised of a top member  22  and a base member  24 . The top member  22  and base member  24  are typically rigid, hollow, and formed in an injection molding process with a sufficient wall thickness to support the combined fixture and make it sturdy enough to resist lawn mowers or similar equipment when mounted in the ground. The top member  22  includes side walls  26 , a closed top  28  and an open bottom  30 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the base member  24  includes side walls  32 , an open top  34 , and an open bottom  36 . The base member  24  includes a bottom edge  38  that is at a sharp angle (θ) with respect to the side wall  32  thereby creating a wide cable entryway  40  on the front side  32 A of the base member  24 . One or more integral projections  42  extend outwardly from the side walls  32  and may include apertures  44  therein. Stiffening ribs  46  are integral with and oriented at a 90° angle to the projections  42 . Fillets  48  are provided around the periphery of the integral projections  42  and stiffening ribs  46  to increase the strength of the projections  42 . The lower edges  50  of the integral projections  42  are sharpened to enhance soil penetration. Typically, as shown in FIG. 4, the base member  24  is of a rectangular or approximately square cross section. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the top member  22  includes side walls  26 , a closed top  28 , and an open bottom  30 . The closed top  28  typically includes an aperture  52  and an electrically conductive bushing  54  secured within the aperture. The bushing  54  is typically threaded interiorly for screw on attachment of an electrical fixture, such as a light (not shown). 
     As shown in FIGS. 5-7, a closure arrangement  56  typically consists of a closure panel  58  that is shaped and sized such that it may be secured within the interior of the top member (not shown) or base member  24  (see FIG. 4) in such a manner that it substantially spans between the interior walls of those members. One or more slots  60  and breakaway sections  62  may be formed in the closure panel  58  as shown. Bosses  64  and apertures  66  are provided on the closure panel  58 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the closure panel  58  may be used as a closure arrangement  56  to close off and seal the hollow interior of the base member  24 , as shown, or the top member (not shown). The closure panel  58  is secured within the hollow top or base member  24  by fasteners  68  as shown. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a fastening arrangement  70  for securing the top member  22  to the base member  24  includes a collar  72  at the open bottom  30  of the top member  22 . The collar  72  is an integral portion of the side walls  26  of the top member  22  that is flared out to include inner walls  74 . The dimension across the inner walls  74  of the collar  72  is slightly larger than the dimension across the outer walls  32  of the base member  24 . Adhesive  76  may be applied to the inner walls  74  of the collar  72  and the outer walls  32  of the base  24  in the joint area  78  depicted in FIG.  9 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, the mounting device of the present invention may include one or more extenders  80  for extending the length of the mounting device (not shown). The extender  80  also includes a collar  82  to enable the extender to be joined to a second extender (not shown) or to a base member (not shown) by the same fastening arrangement described above. 
     As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, the electrically conductive bushing  54  is typically threaded on its interior and its exterior and is secured to the closed top  28  of the top member  22  by a correspondingly threaded and electrically conductive nut  84 . The bushing  54  typically includes a grounding lug  86  and a grounding wire  88 . The top member  22  typically includes one or more openings  90  in one of the side walls  26  as shown. Securing the closure panel  58  within the top member  22  as shown creates a standard size electrical junction box  92 . Wiring connections may then be completed within the junction box  92  and a wall-mounted electrical device, such as the duplex receptacle  94  depicted in FIG. 11, may be secured by fasteners  96  into integral bosses  98  on each end of the opening  90 . A gasket  100  and the complementary face plate  102  can then be secured over the opening  90  to seal the electrical box  92  and the connections within against rain and moisture. 
     Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 12, the closure panel  58  can be secured within the base member  24  as shown to create a large electrical junction box  104 . A large junction box may be preferred in those situations in which a user wishes to install more than one electrical device in the post  20 . 
     A presently preferred material for forming the top member, bottom member, and extender is plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), or polyethylene. Other materials may be used for construction of the various members as well, such as metal. Preferably, the side walls of the top member  22  and the base member  24  are from 0.1 to 0.5 inch thick. A preferred embodiment formed of polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride is more preferably 0.15 to 0.25 inch thick. It is desired to keep the wall thickness as thin as possible while still providing the proper strength and rigidity for the assembled garden post, as the device will be less expensive to produce. By providing a top member  22 , extender  80 , base member  24 , and a cover formed by injection molding of a pigmented plastic, the elongated body does not exhibit discoloration from chipping. Therefore, the body and cover have the advantage of not showing chips and dents from accidental bumps by lawn mowers, yard tools, and the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the top member  22  and base member  24  are assembled and secured together, typically with a solvent cement, to form a secure bond between the various pieces. If the various members are molded of PVC, a PVC solvent cement would typically perform a weld much like the weld on metal pipes. When the solvent cement is applied to each adjacent piece, the plastic surfaces are softened and meld together. Once the joint is assembled, the solvent evaporates leaving behind a hardened resin and a joint that is more durable than the plastic pieces themselves. One suitable PVC cement is that provided by Hercules Chemical Co., Inc., in Passaic, N.J. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 2 to  4 , the base member  24  includes several integral projections  42  extending outwardly from the side walls  32 . One or more of the integral projections  42  may include apertures  44 . The apertures  44  are available to accept growing roots or insertion of rebar or similar reinforcing members to provide additional ground anchoring strength. The apertures  44  also reduce the amount of polymer required in the molding operation, thereby reducing production cost of the base member  24 . A stiffening rib  46  is provided on the top edge of the integral projections  42  to increase strength and rigidity. Fillets  48  are provided at all edges of the junction of each integral projection  42  with the side walls  32  of the base member  24  to further increase the strength of the integral projections. A sharpened lower edge  50  is provided on the bottom edge of each integral projection  42  to enhance soil penetration ability. The length of each integral projection extending from the side wall  32  of the base member  24  to their distal ends  106  is typically at least 70% of the width of the base member  24 . Therefore, for a typical embodiment in which the outer width of the base member is 3.25 inches, each integral projection  42  is at least 2.28 inches in length from the side wall  32  of the base member  24  to the distal end  106  of the integral projection  42 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, since the base member  24  is hollow, the sloped bottom edge  38  creates a large entryway  40  for running cable into the garden post. The base member is typically 12 inches in length, although longer lengths would be acceptable. The bottom  36  of the base member  24  is planar and at a sharp angle to the side wall  32 . The preferred angle of the plane with respect to the side wall  32  is approximately 25 degrees, but may acceptably be between 20 and 40 degrees. This forms a large entryway  40  for the passage of cables (not shown) into the post. This large cable entryway  40  makes it very convenient to lead an underground electrical feed into the garden post, as the large opening is typically 3.0 inches wide by 7.5 inches long. If the post is buried a foot in the ground, cables buried from 5 inches to 12 inches deep will line up with the opening, making it easy and convenient to lead cables (not shown) into the entryway  40 . As shown in the top view of FIG. 4, the base member  24  preferably includes four integral projections  42 , with one extending from each side wall  32 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bottom end  81  of the extender  80  and the bottom end of the top member  22  are flared to a size slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the non-flared portions of the extender  80  and base member  24 . The non-flared portions of the top member  22 , extender  80 , and base member  24  are all preferably equal in dimension and are typically 4.000 inches wide across the outer walls. The dimension across the inner walls of the flared portion or collar  82  of the extender  80  and the inner walls  74  of the collar  72  on the top member  22  are equal and typically 4.062 inches. Therefore, when fitting the top member  22  on top of the base member  24  or on top of an extender  80 , or the extender  80  on top of the base member  24  or on top of another extender  80 , typically 0.031 inch of clearance is available between the inner walls of the flared section and the outer walls of the non-flared section of the pieces being joined. If the members are constructed of PVC, the PVC cement is typically spread on the inner walls of the flared portion and the outer walls of the top of the member it will be joined to. With the vertical overlap between the flared portion and the non-flared portion measuring typically 2.0 inches, a great deal of surface area is available between the two pieces for bonding. The flared portion is located on the bottom portion of the top piece to enable rainwater to run off the flared portion and away from the joint. 
     To operate the mounting device  20  of the present invention, an installer would typically secure the top member  22  to the base member  24  with PVC cement. Typically the mounting device is assembled at the installation site. The installer first decides whether a standard sized or large sized electrical box is desired. The closure panel  58  can then be secured either to the top member  22  (see FIG. 11) to create a standard sized electrical box  92 , or to the base member  24  (see FIG. 9) to create a large electrical box  104 . The closure panel  58  is typically secured with fasteners  68  to either the top  22  or base member  24 . The top and bottom members, and any extenders there between, if so desired, may then be secured together with adhesive. After the adhesive dries, a sturdy mounting platform is thereby created for mounting electrical fixtures and devices in the ground. A hole is then dug in the ground at the desired location and the mounting device  20  placed therein. As shown in FIG. 1, cable  108  is then typically run through the post  20  starting at the open bottom  36  of the base portion  24 , through a slot  60  or knockout  62  in the closure panel  58 , into the electrical box  92  and then out the opening  90  in the side wall  26  of the top member  22 . The bottom end  36  of the garden post  20  is then covered with soil and the soil packed to hold the post securely. The ground level  110  typically covers the integral projections  42  as shown. A fixture, such as a light fixture, can then be screwed into the bushing  54  on top of the assembled and anchored post  20 . Wiring connections can then be completed to the fixture and, if desired, to one or more electrical devices, such as a duplex receptacle, switch, or photocell. The electrical device, such as a duplex receptacle  94 , is then secured with fasteners  96 . A gasket  100  and a faceplate  102  are then secured over the electrical device with fasteners to create a sealed and watertight junction box and thereby complete the installation. The resultant junction box can be a standard size or large size as determined by the installers needs. 
     As described herein, a garden post according to this disclosure can be constructed of many different heights, such as short, intermediate, or tall, by installing additional extenders between the top member and base member. Therefore, additional stability may be required to anchor the garden post into the ground as the height is increased. The length of the integral projections extending from the side wall of the base member to their distal ends is typically at least 70% of the width of the base member. Typically, taller embodiments of the garden post would include integral projections that extend even further from the side walls of the base member to provide additional stability and a better ground anchor. 
     The garden post is designed and constructed to accept line voltage, or 120-volt power, and devices and fixtures requiring line voltage. However, it also may easily be used for low-voltage lights and fixtures if preferred. 
     Suitable gasket materials may be any of the commonly available flexible waterproof materials, such as rubber (natural or synthetic), Neoprene™, Santoprene™, or other flexible and deformable polymeric materials. 
     While the invention has been described by reference to the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the invention is subject to considerable modification and may be tailored to fit the needs of many suitable mounting needs without departing from the scope or spirit of the claims which are appended hereto.