Patent Description:
Lighting fixtures used in public infrastructure (such as street lights) are increasingly top heavy. The lighting fixtures are typically mounted onto a light pole tenon using a slipfitter. This slipfitter is often secured to the light pole using one or more set screws. These set screws are threaded through the slipfitter and tightened to apply sufficient force to the light pole to prevent the slipfitter from loosening due to vibrations. However, heavier luminaires often lead to more significant vibrational forces, which places additional, highly concentrated stresses on the mechanical connections formed by the set screws and the light poles. These stresses can lead to set screw and/or light pole tenon deformation, causing the lighting fixture to loosen from the pole. Once loose, the heavy lighting fixtures pose a significant threat to nearby persons and property. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for systems providing improved stability of top-heavy luminaires used in public infrastructure. <CIT> discloses a slipfitter assembly.

The present disclosure is directed generally to a collar assembly used to secure a slipfitter assembly to a light pole tenon. Each collar assembly includes two set screws, a perpendicular set screw and an angled set screw, to drive a collar towards a light pole tenon. Using multiple collar assemblies allows the slipfitter assembly to securely attach to a light pole tenon, even when the slipfitter assembly supports a top-heavy luminaire, and the light pole tenon is inserted into the slipfitter assembly at a low insertion depth.

The collar assembly includes a collar, a perpendicular set screw, and an angled set screw. The collar is arranged within the slipfitter housing. The slipfitter housing forms a pole cavity to receive the light pole tenon. The collar is driven against the light pole tenon by two set screws. A perpendicular set screw is threaded through the slipfitter housing to apply a perpendicular mechanical force to a lower portion of the collar. This perpendicular mechanical force is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing and the pole cavity, and drives the lower portion of the collar towards the light pole tenon in a horizontal manner.

Further, an angled set screw is also threaded through the slipfitter housing to apply an angled mechanical force to an upper portion of the collar. This angled mechanical force is at an angle of less than or equal to <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing and the pole cavity. The angled mechanical force drives the upper portion of the collar towards the light pole tenon at an angle corresponding to the angle of the angled set screw. The angled mechanical force also drives the upper portion of the collar upwards towards the ceiling of the pole cavity.

Generally, in one aspect, a collar assembly is provided. The collar assembly includes a collar. The collar is configured to be arranged within a slipfitter housing. The collar includes an upper portion with a top edge. The collar further includes a lower portion with a bottom edge. According to an example, the bottom edge of the collar is longer than the top edge. According to a further example, both the bottom edge and the top edge are curved. According to a further example, the collar is spring steel.

According to an example, the collar further includes an interior member folded over an exterior member. According to a further example, the collar further includes a gap between the interior member and the exterior member.

The collar assembly further includes a perpendicular set screw. The perpendicular set screw is configured to apply a perpendicular mechanical force to the lower portion of the collar. The perpendicular mechanical force is applied relative to a longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing.

The collar assembly further includes an angled set screw. The angled set screw is configured to apply an angled mechanical force to the upper portion of the collar. The angled mechanical force is applied relative the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing. The angled mechanical force may drive the collar towards an ceiling of the slipfitter housing. According to an example, the angled set screw forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing less than or equal to <NUM> degrees.

According to an example, the upper portion of the collar includes an upper dimple. The upper dimple is configured to receive the angled set screw. According to a further example, the lower portion of the collar includes a lower dimple. The lower dimple is configured to receive the perpendicular set screw.

According to the invention a slipfitter assembly is provided. The slipfitter assembly includes a slipfitter housing. The slipfitter housing forms a tapered pole cavity. The tapered pole cavity is configured to receive a light pole tenon. The tapered pole cavity is formed around a longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing. According to an example, the slipfitter assembly is configured to support a load of approximately <NUM> pounds. According to a further example, the tapered pole cavity is configured to receive a light pole tenon with a diameter of approximately <NUM> inches. According to an even further example, the tapered pole cavity has an insertion depth of approximately <NUM> inches.

The slipfitter assembly includes a plurality of collars. The plurality of collars are arranged within the slipfitter housing. Each of the plurality of collars includes an upper portion with a top edge and a lower portion with a bottom edge. According to an example, the top edge and bottom edge of each of the plurality of collars are concentric with the tapered pole cavity of the slipfitter housing.

The slipfitter assembly further includes a plurality of perpendicular set screws. Each of the plurality of perpendicular set screws is configured to apply a perpendicular mechanical force to a lower portion of one of the plurality of collars. The perpendicular mechanical force is applied relative to a longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing.

The slipfitter assembly further includes a plurality of angled set screws. Each of the angled set screws is configured to apply an angled mechanical force to an upper portion of one of the plurality of collars. The angled mechanical force is applied relative to the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing.

These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

The collar assembly includes a collar, a perpendicular set screw, and an angled set screw. The collar is arranged within the slipfitter housing. The slipfitter housing forms a pole cavity to receive the light pole tenon.

The collar is configured to be driven by the set screws into contact with the light pole tenon inserted into the pole cavity. The collar includes a curved bottom edge and a curved top edge to enable the collar to snugly fit against the curved surface of the light pole tenon. Further, if the pole cavity is vertically tapered, such as by <NUM> degrees, the curved top edge of the collar may be narrower than the curved bottom edge to correspond to the taper, causing the collar to have a wedge-like shape.

Further, the collar can be made of an exterior member folded over an interior member. The exterior member receives the perpendicular and angled set screws, while the interior member interfaces with the light pole tenon inserted into the pole cavity. In this way, the mechanical forces applied by the set screws are conveyed from the exterior member to the interior member, before being applied to the light pole tenon. This arrangement distributes the forces throughout the interior member, reducing the concentration of mechanical force about the contact points of the set screws, and creating a more even application of forces on the curved surface of the light pole tenon. Additionally, a gap may exist between the interior and exterior members, and the collar may be made of spring steel, allowing the interior and exterior members to pinch together upon the application of the mechanical forces, and relax when the mechanical forces are reduced.

The collar is driven against the light pole tenon by two set screws. A perpendicular set screw is threaded through the slipfitter housing to apply a perpendicular mechanical force to a lower portion of the collar. This perpendicular mechanical force is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing and the pole cavity, and drives the lower portion of the collar towards the light pole tenon in a horizontal manner. The lower portion of the collar can have a lower dimple to receive the perpendicular set screw.

Further, an angled set screw is also threaded through the slipfitter housing. The angled set screw applies an angled mechanical force to an upper portion of the collar. This angled mechanical force is at an angle of less than or equal to <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter housing and the pole cavity. The angled mechanical force drives the upper portion of the collar towards the light pole tenon at an angle. The angled mechanical force also drives the upper portion of the collar upwards towards the ceiling of the pole cavity. The upper portion of the collar can have an upper dimple to receive the angled set screw.

The two set screws allow for two degrees of freedom per collar assembly. Accordingly, in a slipfitter assembly with three collar assemblies, the slipfitter assembly will have six degrees of freedom to secure the light pole tenon. Six degrees of freedom provides improved retention and resistance to vibration.

<FIG> shows a pair of example of top-heavy light fixtures constructed for use in public infrastructure. For example, these luminaires may be used to illuminate public streets or sidewalks. Each of these luminaires includes a slipfitter assembly <NUM> securing a load <NUM>, such as a luminaire, to a light pole. In some examples, the luminaires can be as heavy as <NUM> pounds. As will be described in more detail below, the slipfitter assembly <NUM> must be designed to withstand vibrations as high as <NUM> without loosening of the load <NUM>. <FIG> shows variations of the fixtures of <FIG>. where each fixture has a pair of slipfitter assemblies <NUM>, each assembly <NUM> corresponding to a load <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example slipfitter assembly <NUM> secured to a light pole tenon <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG>, the light pole tenon <NUM> is a narrower extension of a light pole. In some examples, the light pole tenon <NUM> has a diameter <NUM> of approximately <NUM> inches. The light pole tenon <NUM> is inserted into a tapered pole cavity <NUM> defined by the slipfitter housing <NUM>. The length of the light pole tenon <NUM> inserted into the tapered pole cavity <NUM> is dictated by the insertion depth <NUM> of the cavity <NUM>. In some cases, the insertion depth <NUM> of the tapered pole cavity <NUM> can be as low as <NUM> to <NUM> inches. Shallow insertion depths <NUM> place greater strain on the set screws used by the slipfitter assembly <NUM> to secure and retain the light pole tenon <NUM>. In some examples, the tapered pole cavity <NUM> has a taper of approximately <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> shows an example slipfitter assembly <NUM> supporting a load <NUM>, wherein the load <NUM> is a luminaire. The slipfitter assembly <NUM> includes three collar assemblies <NUM>, which are shown in greater detail in <FIG>. Each of the collar assemblies <NUM> includes a collar <NUM>, a perpendicular set screw <NUM>, and an angled set screw <NUM>. The perpendicular set screw <NUM> and the angled set screw <NUM> are threaded through the slipfitter housing <NUM>. The perpendicular set screw <NUM> and the angled set screw <NUM> are tightened to secure the collar <NUM> against the light pole tenon <NUM> (not shown) inserted into the tapered pole cavity <NUM> formed by the slipfitter housing <NUM>. Once tightened, each of the perpendicular set screws <NUM> may be secured by one or more lock nuts. The perpendicular set screws <NUM> and the angled set screws <NUM> are typically made of steel. The collars <NUM> are typically made of steel or aluminum, such as spring steel.

While three collar assemblies <NUM> may be optimal in many applications, additional collar assemblies <NUM> may be used depending on their implementation. The two set screws <NUM>, <NUM> allow for two degrees of freedom per collar <NUM>. Accordingly, the slipfitter assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> will have six degrees of freedom to secure the light pole tenon <NUM>. Six degrees of freedom provides improved retention and resistance to vibration.

<FIG> shows an example interior of a slipfitter assembly <NUM>. As described above, the slipfitter assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of collar assemblies <NUM>, and each collar assembly <NUM> includes a collar <NUM>, a perpendicular set screw <NUM>, and an angled set screw <NUM>.

The collars <NUM> are configured to be driven by the set screws <NUM>, <NUM> into the light pole tenon <NUM> (not shown) inserted into the tapered pole cavity <NUM> formed by the slipfitter housing <NUM>. The collars <NUM> may be defined by an upper portion <NUM> having a top edge <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM> having a bottom edge <NUM>. The top edge <NUM> and bottom edge <NUM> may be curved such that the collar <NUM> fits snugly against the curved surface of the light pole tenon <NUM>. Further, in the example of <FIG>, the top edge <NUM> of the collar <NUM> is narrower than the bottom edge <NUM> to correspond to the taper of the tapered pole cavity <NUM>, causing the collar <NUM> to have a wedge-like shape.

As shown in the example of <FIG>, the collars <NUM> includes an interior member <NUM> and an exterior member <NUM>. The interior member <NUM> is folded over the exterior member <NUM>, such that the exterior member <NUM> faces the slipfitter housing <NUM>, while the interior member <NUM> faces the light pole tenon <NUM> inserted into the tapered pole cavity <NUM>. The exterior member <NUM> receives set screws <NUM>, <NUM>, and transfers the forces <NUM>, <NUM> from these set screws <NUM>, <NUM> to interior member <NUM>, which is driven against the light pole tenon <NUM>. This arrangement distributes the forces throughout the interior member <NUM>. This distribution both reduces the concentration of mechanical force about the contact points of the set screws <NUM>, <NUM> and creates a more even application of force on the curved surface of the light pole tenon <NUM>.

Further, folding the interior member <NUM> over the exterior member <NUM> can form one or more gaps <NUM> between the members <NUM>, <NUM>. If the collar <NUM> is made of flexible material, such as spring steel, the members <NUM>, <NUM> may pinch together upon the application of forces <NUM>, <NUM> from the set screws <NUM>, <NUM>, and then relax upon reduction of these forces <NUM>, <NUM>.

As previously described, the collar <NUM> is driven against the light pole tenon <NUM> by two set screws <NUM>, <NUM>. A perpendicular set screw <NUM> is threaded through the slipfitter housing <NUM> to apply a perpendicular mechanical force <NUM> to a lower portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this perpendicular mechanical force <NUM> is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis <NUM> of both the slipfitter housing assembly <NUM> and the tapered pole cavity <NUM>. The perpendicular mechanical force <NUM> drives the lower portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> towards the light pole tenon <NUM> in a horizontal manner. As shown in <FIG>, the lower portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> can include a lower dimple <NUM> configured to receive the perpendicular set screw <NUM>.

Further, an angled set screw <NUM> is also threaded through the slipfitter housing <NUM>. This angled set screw <NUM> applies an angled mechanical force <NUM> to an upper portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. In some examples, the angled mechanical force <NUM> is at an angle <NUM> less than or equal to <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the slipfitter assembly <NUM> and the tapered pole cavity <NUM>. The angled mechanical force <NUM> drives the upper portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> towards the light pole tenon <NUM> according to the angle <NUM>. Further, the angled mechanical force <NUM> also drives the upper portion <NUM> of the collar <NUM> towards the ceiling <NUM> of the slipfitter assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper portion <NUM> of the collar can include an upper dimple <NUM> configured to receive the angled set screw <NUM>.

The above-described examples of the described subject matter can be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, some aspects may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof. When any aspect is implemented at least in part in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single device or computer or distributed among multiple devices/computers.

The present disclosure may be implemented as a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various examples of the present disclosure.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant may be entitled.

Claim 1:
A slipfitter assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a slipfitter housing (<NUM>) forming a tapered pole cavity (<NUM>) configured to receive a light pole tenon (<NUM>), wherein the tapered pole cavity (<NUM>) is formed around a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the slipfitter housing (<NUM>);
a plurality of collars (<NUM>) arranged within the slipfitter housing (<NUM>), wherein each of the plurality of collars (<NUM>) comprises an upper portion (<NUM>) with a top edge (<NUM>) and a lower portion (<NUM>) with a bottom edge (<NUM>);
a plurality of perpendicular set screws (<NUM>), wherein each of the plurality of perpendicular set screws (<NUM>) is configured to apply a perpendicular mechanical force (<NUM>), relative to a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the slipfitter housing (<NUM>), to a lower portion (<NUM>) of one of the plurality of collars (<NUM>); and
a plurality of angled set screws (<NUM>), wherein each of the angled set screws (<NUM>) is configured to apply an angled mechanical force (<NUM>), relative to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the slipfitter housing (<NUM>), to an upper portion (<NUM>) of one of the plurality of collars (<NUM>).