PHOTOCONTROL APPARATUS PARTICULARLY FOR OUTDOOR POLE LANTERN

• US 3,621,269 A
• Filed: 12/31/1969
• Issued: 11/16/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John J. Misencik
• Original Assignee: John J. Misencik
• Inventors: John, J. Misencik
• Primary Examiner(s): David Schonberg
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robert L. Sherman
• Application Number:
  US04/889,511
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227,239 315/156
• US Class Current: 250/227.21
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0425 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

For an electrical pole lantern or the like, a photocontrol adapter is provided having a base securable into the original lamp socket with a socket in the adapter for receiving a lamp to be photocontrolled. A photoelectrically responsive element within the adapter has a fiber optic light guide connected in optical relationship with it and extending from the adapter to receive exterior ambient light and conduct it to the responsive element. The fiber optic light guide permits use of the adapter with a variety of pole lantern configurations including those with decorative glass shields laterally enclosing the lamp while retaining good appearance and avoiding having electrical leads in any position where they are subject to damage or present an electrical hazard.

Claims

1. Photocontrol apparatus for an electric lamp within a lighttransmissive enclosure, said apparatus comprising:

photocontrol adapter means having a base for securing said adapter means in a lamp socket, a controlled socket for receiving a lamp to be photocontrolled, photoelectrically responsive means within said adapter to turn on and off an electric circuit to said controlled socket; and

a flexible light-conducting fiber extending from said adapter having one end in light coupling association with said photoelectrically responsive means and another end for location remote from said photoelectrically responsive means exposed to incident light.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein:

said photoelectrically responsive means comprises a photoresistor for control of a solid-state switching circuit.

3. An electric pole lantern comprising:

a housing including a protective wall of light-transmissive material;

a first lamp socket mounted within said housing and connected by conductors to an external power source;

photocontrol adapter means having a base secured within said first lamp socket and having a second lamp socket for receiving a lamp to be controlled by said photocontrol adapter means;

said photocontrol adapter means comprising a photoelectric element connected in an electrical circuit with said socket;

a flexible light-conducting fiber having one end in light coupling association with said photoelectric element and extending from said photoelectric element to another end to conduct light received from outside said housing to said photoelectric element.

4. Photocontrolled electrical illuminating apparatus comprising:

a housing including a light-transmissive wall;

a lamp within said housing;

conductive means entering said housing to electrically energize said lamp;

photocontrol means within said housing and electrically connected with said conductive means to control the energization of said lamp in accordance with light level external to said housing;

said photocontrol means including a photosensitive element; and

a flexible light-conducting fiber having one end in light coupling association with said photosensitive element within said housing and a second end located external to said housing to receive only light external to said housing.