Illumination – Light source and modifier – Tiltable or rotatable as a unit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-05-08
Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Tiltable or rotatable as a unit
C362S287000, C362S427000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227681
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to relamping a light fixture.
BACKGROUND
Floodlights may be used to illuminate a large area, such as a sports field. The floodlights typically are mounted in an array and attached to a cage that is then elevated and mounted on a pole or lighting stand. Each floodlight then is aimed at a position on the field to provide desired total illumination of the field. The cage has a walkway behind the floodlights for use by service personnel in accessing the lights.
To relamp a conventional floodlight from the walkway behind the array, a service person may reach around the array to access the lamp. This offers considerable risk of falling, or of dropping the lamp.
As an alternative, the service person may turn the floodlight away from the field to access the lamp, replace the lamp, and return the floodlight back to being aimed at the field. This procedure risks losing the desired aiming of the floodlight once it is returned to being aimed at the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,933 describes one attempt to solve this problem by using a flat positioning plate against which the floodlight abuts when in the aimed position. The plate has an arcuate slot through which a screw extends to secure the plate to a bracket. This screw is loosened when initially aiming the floodlight so that the plate can be moved to accommodate the desired aiming of the floodlight. Once the floodlight is properly aimed and bolted in place, the screw is tightened to secure the plate in place. Thereafter, the floodlight may be relamped by loosening the bolts and moving the floodlight to a relamping position. The floodlight is then returned to its aimed position by moving the floodlight until it contacts the positioning plate.
SUMMARY
In one general aspect, a floodlight fixture includes a base, a reflector assembly, an aiming mechanism coupled between the base and the reflector assembly, and a relamping mechanism coupled between the base and the reflector assembly. The aiming mechanism permits movement of the reflector assembly relative to the base to aim the reflector assembly and includes a locking mechanism used to fix a configuration of the aiming mechanism. The relamping mechanism permits movement of the reflector assembly between an aimed position and a relamping position without manipulating the locking mechanism to affect the configuration of the aiming mechanism.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the relamping mechanism of the floodlight fixture may include at least one hinge plate and at least one mounting guide that includes a plate having a stop ledge perpendicular to the plate, a first end of the hinge plate being rotatably connected to the mounting guide. A second end of the hinge plate may be rotatably connected to the reflector assembly by an aiming bolt.
The mounting guide may be connected to a first end of an arm with a second end of the arm connected to the base so that the position of the arm relative to the base is fixed. The relamping mechanism may further include a second hinge plate connected to a second mounting guide, with the second mounting guide being connected to a first end of a second arm and a second end of the second arm being connected to the base.
The mounting guide may further include a pair of brackets mounted perpendicularly to the plate and positioned on a side opposite from the stop ledge and the brackets may surround a portion of the arm. The mounting guide may be connected to the hinge plate and arm by a lamping bolt that is loosenable to permit moving the reflector assembly between the aimed position and the relamping position. The bracket may be configured to fix the position of the mounting guide relative to the arm.
The hinge plate may rest against the stop ledge in the aiming position. The relamping mechanism may be configured to permit the rotation of the hinge plate in one direction when the hinge plate rests against the stop ledge. The position of the reflector assembly relative to the hinge plate may be the same in the aiming position and the relamping position. The reflector assembly may include a reflector and the aiming mechanism, and the aiming mechanism may include at least one socket. The aiming mechanism may further include an aiming sight including a slot and a tab mounted on the socket. The locking mechanism may include at least one aiming bolt and the aiming bolt may pass from a second end of the hinge plate into the socket.
In another general aspect, a method of changing a lamp in a floodlight fixture includes providing a floodlight fixture, moving the reflector assembly from the aiming position to the relamping position, changing the lamp, and returning the reflector assembly to the aiming position. The floodlight fixture includes a base, a reflector assembly, an aiming mechanism coupled between the base and the reflector assembly, and a relamping mechanism coupled between the base and the reflector assembly. The aiming mechanism permits movement of the reflector assembly relative to the base to aim the reflector assembly and includes a locking mechanism to fix a configuration of the aiming mechanism. The relamping mechanism permits movement of the reflector assembly between an aimed position and a relamping position without manipulating the locking mechanism to affect the configuration of the aiming mechanism. The position of each hinge plate relative to the reflector assembly in the aiming position is the same after lamping as it was before lamping.
The floodlight fixture provides considerable advantages, such as the ability to relamp without losing the aiming of the floodlight fixture or reaching around the array of floodlights, thereby reducing the risk that the service person may drop the lamp or fall from the cage. In addition, relamping is accomplished without manipulating the fixture's aiming bolts, which eliminates any chance of affecting aiming as a result of relamping.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description, including the drawings, and from the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 349777 (1994-08-01), Kelly et al.
patent: 1882185 (1932-10-01), Graham
patent: 4323953 (1982-04-01), Hutchison
patent: 4410933 (1983-10-01), Blake et al.
patent: 4547841 (1985-10-01), Quiogue
patent: 5205645 (1993-04-01), Lee
patent: 5548500 (1996-08-01), MacKay
patent: 5690419 (1997-11-01), Siems
Musco Lighting Catalog; Light-Structure System; 1998.*
Sportsliter Solutions; Hubbel Lighting, Inc.; 1998.
Bryant Christopher Michael
Shoemaker David Charles
Cooper Technologies Company
Fish & Richardson PC
Quach Y.
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