Abstract:
The apparatus disclosed and claimed herein comprises an outdoor lighting fixture having a post extending down into the ground, with a short length of the post extending up above the ground. A lighting fixture, which receives a lamp, is disposed on the upper rim of the ground post. An upper post or lens diffuser is in turn disposed on the fixture, and an outer post housing is disposed over or about the ground post, the fixture, and the upper post or lens diffuser. A lens is appropriately secured to the upper post and lens diffuser and to the outer post housing. If desired, the ground post may be disposed on the surface of the ground or on a hard surface, such as a deck, or the like. Moreover, a weed guard and stabilizer cylindrical element may be disposed about the housing and on the ground to help prevent inadvertent damage from lawn care equipment, inadvertent bumping, and the like. The fixture, of course, may use a compact fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or any other desired light emitting element. Different types of lens diffuser configurations may also be included for the appropriate direction of light from the lamp element.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to landscape light apparatus and, more particularly, to a light post which may extend partially into the ground, an external post, and internal lamp within the two posts and a lens at the top of the posts. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Outdoor lighting fixtures have been used for many decades. Typically, prior to the late 1980&#39;s, an outdoor lighting fixture typically comprised a lighting fixture secured to a metal box which was in turn secured to a conduit extending upwardly from the ground. There were different types of lighting fixtures, two of which were most typically used were the so called pagoda type and the bullet type. The terms were descriptive of the general configuration of the light fixtures. 
     An improvement over the prior art described in the preceding paragraph is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,877 (Carter) which discloses a nonconductive post and cap with a metal bushing on the cap to which a two-wire fixture may be secured. The conductive (metal) bushing includes a ground wire for appropriately grounding the fixture. 
     With the advent of three-wire fixtures, the metal bushing on the cap of the ′877 apparatus was replaced by a unitary plastic bushing to which a three-wire fixture was then connected. The ′877 apparatus, and its sequels, required a light fixture to be secured to the post. Most of the post was disposed in the ground, typically with only the cap above ground and perhaps a relatively short length of the post. The posts were (and are) made of nonconductive material, typically PVC, which is impervious to moisture and ultraviolet radiation damage from the sun. 
     A limitation of the ′877 apparatus is that it is only a post, and does require a light fixture to be secured to it. Thus, there is still a potential problem of the light fixture itself being damaged by vandals, inadvertently bumped by yard equipment, etc. 
     There are numerous unitary light fixtures or bollards in the prior art which both predate and anti-date the apparatus of the ′877 patent. Examples of such are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,916 (Sauer), which discloses a marine flagpole light and socket. U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,252 (Bergenstein) discloses an outdoor lighting fixture which includes a transformer within a post type housing and a lamp fixture secured to the upper portion of the post. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,738 (Beachley) discloses an outdoor light fixture with a double hinged piece for securing a post to the base. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,372 (Chochran) discloses a lighting standard having an ornamental exterior and a central pole within the ornamental outer element or shell. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,899 (Sanner) discloses an outdoor electrical luminare structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,484 (Winden) discloses another type of outdoor lighting bollard, a primary feature of which is its vandal resistant structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,768 (Gebelius) discloses a support member for a lighting fixture which is secured to a base by a locking member. Two types of locking members are illustrated. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,233 (Poyer) discloses an outdoor marine lighting fixture, the structure of which is made of nonconductive material(PVC plastic), and within which is disposed a fluorescent lamp. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,999,749 and 5,075,833 (Dormand) disclose two embodiments of vandal resistant bollard lights. The ′749 apparatus uses concentric tubular members while the ′833 apparatus uses only a single steel tubular element. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,347 (Ruud et al) discloses a bollard luminare with specific configurations of reflectors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,454 (White) discloses an outdoor lighting fixture disposed in the ground with only a lens cap extending above the ground level. The structure is primarily made of polymer substances, such as PVC and ABS. A lamp is secured with the structure, which includes a pair of cylindrical elements. 
     The apparatus of the present invention improves over the designs suggested by the above discussed patents by providing tamper-proof lighting fixture with a lens configuration for directing light in a desired direction. The apparatus is primarily made of impervious material, such as PVC, with preferably a polycarbonate lens for directing the light as desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described and claimed herein comprises outdoor lighting apparatus which includes a ground post which may either be disposed on the ground or a portion in the ground and a portion above the ground, a lighting fixtures disposed on the ground post, a lens diffuser disposed on the lighting fixture, with a lens secured to the upper portion of the lens diffuser, and an outer post housing disposed about the ground post, the fixture, and the upper post lens diffuser. Different embodiments are illustrated. The ground post and the outer post housing are preferably made of PVC material which is impervious to moisture and ultraviolet light, and, depending on the thickness, is very resistant to damage. The PVC material is also nonconductive. 
     Among the objects of the present invention are the following: 
     To provide new and useful outdoor lighting apparatus; 
     To provide new and useful outdoor lighting apparatus including post elements and a lamp within the post elements; 
     To provide new and useful outdoor lighting apparatus including a ground post, a lighting fixture disposed on the ground post, an upper post or lens diffuser disposed on the fixture, and an outer post housing disposed over the ground post, the fixture and the lens diffuser; 
     To provide new and useful lighting apparatus including a lighting fixture and a lens for diffusing light provided by a lamp in the fixture in a desired direction; 
     To provide new and useful outdoor lighting apparatus having a weed guard and stabilizer disposed about a ground post; and 
     To provide new and useful outdoor lighting apparatus including a flush mount post for mounting on a surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a side view in partial section of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A is an enlarged view in partial section taken generally from circle  1 A of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of apparatus usable with the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a view in partial section of an alternate adapter of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D and  5 E are side views of alternate embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D are side views of other alternate embodiments of the present apparatus. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a side view in partial section of outdoor lighting apparatus  10  of the present invention. FIG. 1A is an enlarged view in partial section taken generally from circle  1 A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus  10  of FIG.  1 . For the following discussion, reference will be made to FIGS. 1,  1 A, and  2 . 
     In FIG. 1, the outdoor lighting apparatus  10  is shown disposed partially in the ground and partially disposed on and above ground level  2 . The outdoor lighting apparatus  10  includes a ground post  12 , a fixture  20 , an upper post or lens diffuser  30 , and a cylindrical outer post or housing  40 . The ground post  12  is preferably of circular configuration and made of nonconductive material, such as PVC. PVC has advantages in that it is not only nonconductive, but is also virtually impervious to deterioration by weather, sun, etc. 
     The ground post  12  includes a top rim  14  which is disposed a relatively short distance above the surface  2  of the soil or ground  4 . The post  12  also includes a bottom rim  16 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom rim  16  comprises a slant cut. However, this slant cut is an optional feature and the bottom rim may be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ground post, if desired. 
     The top rim  14  is preferably generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ground post  12 . The fixture  20  is disposed on the top rim  14 . The fixture  20  includes a base  22  with a radially outwardly extending flange  24 . The flange  24  extends radially outwardly from the base and is disposed on the rim  14 . The outer diameter of the flange  24  is preferably about the same as the outer diameter of the post  12  and the diffuser  30 . 
     Extending upwardly from the base  22  is a lamp  26 . The lamp  26  is illustrated as a flourescent fixture, and is well known and understood in the art. A fluorescent fixture has advantages, such as low power consumption for the amount of light output. However, an incandescent bulb, or any other type of lamp may also be used. 
     Extending from the base  22  are electrical conductors  28 . 
     Extending upwardly from the base and disposed on the flange  24 , is the upper post or lens diffuser  30 . The upper post or lens diffuser  30  includes a lower rim  32  which is disposed on the flange  24 . The upper post or lens diffuser  30  may include a slanted upper rim  34 , as illustrated. Secured to the slanted upper rim  34  is a lens cover  50 . 
     If the diffuser  30  is located entirely within the outer housing  40 , the diffuser need only be reflective is, however, the diffuser  30  will be seen through the outer housing  40 , as illustrated and discussed below for FIGS. 5A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D, and  5 E, and FIGS. 6A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D, then the diffuser is preferably translucent. 
     Disposed about the post or lens diffuser  30  is an outer post or housing  40 . The outer post or housing  40  includes a bottom rim  42  which is disposed on the surface or ground level  2 . The housing  40  also includes a slanted upper rim  44  which is aligned with the slanted upper rim  34  of the upper post or lens diffuser  30 . The outer post or housing  40  may be appropriately secured to the ground post  12  by appropriate fasteners, such as screws (not shown). The outer post  40  may also be appropriately secured to the upper post or lens diffuser by similar, appropriate, fastening elements (not shown). The lens and cover  50  may also be appropriately secured to the upper post or lens diffuser  30  and to the outer post housing  40  by appropriate fastening elements or means. 
     The outer post or housing  40  is also preferably made out of a nonconductive material, such as PVC, for the same reasons as discussed above for the ground post  12 . The upper post or lens diffuser  30  and the lens cover  50  are preferably made of polycarbonate, or the like, to provide for the desired properties or qualities with respect to the lamp  26  and also for strength purposes. 
     The angles of the slant cuts on the upper post or lens diffuser  30  in the outer post or housing  40  may be as desired with respect to the direction of the light propagation. The configuration of the lens  50  is also in accordance with the desired direction of the light propagation. Thus, if desired, the slant cut may be essentially zero, or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective posts, if it is desired to direct the light substantially upwardly, and perhaps outwardly. In such case, the lens  50  may have a concave outer configuration to diffuse the light both upwardly and outwardly. 
     A pair of conduits  60  and  64  are shown in FIG. 1 in the ground  2  and extending upwardly into the bore of the post  12 . Electrical supply conductors  62  and  66  extend from the conduits to connect with fixture electrical conductors  28 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view in partial section of an optional weed guard or stabilizer  80  illustrated as disposed about the ground post  12 . The surface of the ground  2  is indicated in FIG.  3 . 
     The weed guard or stabilizer  80  includes a base  82 . The base  82  may include apertures, such as an aperture  84 , for receiving a peg or anchor for securing the weed guard and stabilizer  80  to the ground. In the alternative, the base may be appropriately secured directly to the post  12 . 
     A boss  86  extends upwardly from the base  82 . The boss  86  includes a top rim  88 . A bore  90  extends through both the base  82  and the boss  86 . The ground post  12  extends through the bore  90 . If the apparatus  80  is secured to the post  12 , typically a screw will extend through the boss  86  into the post. 
     In usage, the rim  88  receives the outer post or housing  40  (see FIGS. 1 and 2) rather than having the bottom of the outer post or housing  40  disposed on the surface  2  of the ground  4 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     The purpose of the weed guard or stabilizer  80  is simply to provide extra stability and protection for the apparatus  10 . The weed guard and stabilizer  80  thus prevents a lawn mower, etc., from directly bumping or hitting the apparatus  10  and provides an extra degree of protection and stability for the apparatus  10 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . FIG. 4 is a view, partially broken away, of a flush mount apparatus  100 . The flush mount apparatus  100  includes a base  102  with a generally flat bottom  104  adapted to be disposed on the surface  2  of the ground or on any appropriate relatively flat surface, such as a deck, etc. 
     Extending through the base is shown a pair of apertures  106 . The apertures are shown in dash/dot line. The apertures receive appropriate pegs, or anchor pins, or the like, for securing the apparatus  100  to the surface on which it is disposed. 
     Extending upwardly from the base  102  is a relatively short boss  108 . Extending upwardly from the boss  108  is a post  110 . The post  110  terminates in a top rim  112 . 
     Extending through the base  102 , the boss  108 , and the post  110  is a bore  114 . The bore  114  receives the conductors, and perhaps the upper portion of the conduits, such as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     The top rim  112  receives the flange  24  of the fixture  20 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The diffuser is then disposed on the top of the flange  24 , as indicated above and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     The outer diameter of the boss  108  is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer post or housing  40 , and accordingly the outer post housing  40  is disposed on a top surface  109  of the boss  108 . 
     For convenience of illustration, a portion of the flush mount apparatus  100  is shown cut away and the cut away portion is cross hatched for plastic material. Thus, the apparatus  100  is, like the apparatus  100 , the apparatus  80 , etc., preferably made out of PVC, or the like, so as to be resistant to damage by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and relatively impervious to water damage, as well as being nonconductive. 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D, and  5 E comprise alternate embodiments of the outer post or housing  40  of FIGS. 1 and 2. They illustrate different lighting effects which may be achieved by varying the configuration of the outer post  40 . These figures may be contrasted with the apparatus  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that only the above ground portions of the respective lighting apparatuses are shown in FIGS. 5A-5E and also in FIGS. 6A-6D. 
     In FIG. 5A, an outer post  130  is shown disposed about the lower portion of a diffuser  132 . The diffuser  132  is translucent. The diffuser  132  includes a slanted top rim which receives a lens, as discussed above in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     It will be noted that all of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5E include slanted top rims. 
     In FIG. 5B, an outer post is shown divided into two portions, a lower portion  140  and an upper portion  142 . The two portions  140  and  142  are spaced apart so that a portion of a translucent diffuser  144  is exposed between them. 
     In FIG. 5C, the outer post is divided into a lower portion  150  and an upper portion  158 . Between the top portion  150  and  158  are three spaced apart ring segments  152 ,  154 , and  156 . A translucent diffuser  160  allows light to shine outwardly from between the respective outer portions. 
     In FIG. 5D, an outer post  170  includes a slant cut rim  172 , with a diffuser  174  extending upwardly from the outer post  170 . The diffuser  174  includes a slat cut rim  176  at which is located a lens. 
     In FIG. 5E, a longer outer post  180  is shown, again with a slant cut rim  182 , as compared with the outer post  170  of FIG.  5 D. Thus, a relatively shorter length of translucent diffuser  184  is exposed. The diffuser  184  also includes a slant cut upper rim  186 , as does the diffuser  174 . 
     While the outdoor light fixtures of FIGS. 1,  2 , and  5 A- 5 E are shown with slant cut upper rims, the light fixtures of FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate flat topped appearing fixtures but with different configurations of outer posts to produce different visual effects. 
     FIG. 6A shows a relatively short outer post  200  with a rim  202  which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post  200 . A diffuser  204  extends upwardly from the post  200  and terminates in a rim  206  which is also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post  200  and the diffuser  204 . A lens (not shown) is disposed on the diffuser generally perpendicular to the noted longitudinal axis. 
     In FIG. 6B, an outer post is divided into two spaced apart portions  210  and  214 , with a diffuser  218  showing between the two portions. The rims of the outer post portions are square cut, or generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the cylinder portions  210  and  214  and the diffuser  218 . The rims include rim  212  on the lower cylinder  210  and a top rim  216  and a bottom rim  217  on the upper cylinder portion  214 . The three rims are thus parallel to each other. 
     In FIG. 6C, an outer post is divided into two major portions, spaced apart from each other, with three rings disposed between the two major portions. The rings are also spaced apart from each other and from their respective adjacent major portions. 
     A lower major outer post portion  230  includes a square cut upper rim  232 . An upper major outer post  234  includes a square cut upper rim  236  and a square cut lower rim  238 . A translucent diffuser  240  is shown between the rims  232  and  238 , spaced apart from each other and the rims  232  and  238  are three rings  242 , 244 , and  246 . The rings  242 ,  244 , and  246  are also oriented “squarely” or generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the respective post portions  230  and  234  and of the diffuser  240 . 
     In FIG. 6D, an outer post  250  includes a slant cut rim  252 . The maximum height of the outer post  250  is less than the height of a diffuser  254 . The diffuser  254  includes a “square” rim  256 . The effect of the two different geometric angles is different from any of the other illustrated embodiments. 
     While the drawing Figures show circular cylindrical posts and diffusers, it is obvious that other configurations may also be used. Square, rectangular, triangular, and other shapes may provide different lighting effects. Moreover, while PVC has been described as a preferred material for the post elements, other materials may also be used, such as aluminum, other plastics, etc. 
     While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.