Light fixture

• US 4,814,961 A
• Filed: 12/21/1987
• Issued: 03/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Kakuk, Jay J., O'Brien, Steven T., Beachy, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/116,997
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 362/290, 362/291, 362/325, 362/319, 362/342, 362/354
• US Class Current: 362/319
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/083 of bollard type, i.e. with lighting fixture integrated into the standard or mounted on top of it and having substantially the same diameter
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/02 using parallel laminae or strips, e.g. of Venetian-blind type F21V11/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/04 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting

Abstract

A light fixture (10) including a bulb/lens assembly (12), a hollow post (14) and a ground stake (16). An assembly ring (18) having inner and outer "fingers" (104 and 106, respectively) securely connects the bulb/lens assembly (12) to the post (14). Bulb/lens assembly (12) includes a lens (28) which carries a plurality of louvers (40, 42 and 44). Some of the louvers include legs (46, 50) and slots (60, 62) so that the distance between the louvers can be adjusted to vary the appearance of light fixture (10) and the amount of light produced thereby.

Claims

1. A light fixture comprising:

(a) a light source; and

(b) a plurality of louvers operatively disposed relative to the light source, wherein each louver comprises;

(i) a skirt; and

(ii) a plurality of legs extending from the skirt suitable for engaging an adjacent louver, wherein the skirt forms a plurality of slots suitable for receiving the legs of the adjacent louver, some of the slots being shallow and some deep, wherein when the shallow slots are used adjacent louvers are in their most spaced state, and when the deep slots are used adjacent louvers are in their least spaced state, whereby the number of louvers and spacing therebetween can be adjusted depending on the desired appearance and light output.

2. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the legs and slots are substantially T-shaped.

3. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the deep and shallow slots overlap such that when the legs are in the shallow slots a portion of each of the legs extends into the adjoining deep slot.

4. A louver assembly suitable for use with a light fixture comprising a plurality of louvers, wherein each louver comprises:

(a) a skirt; and

(b) a plurality of legs extending from the skirt suitable for engaging an adjacent louver, wherein the skirt forms a plurality of slots suitable for receiving the legs of the adjacent louvers, some of the slots being shallow and some deep, wherein when the shallow slots are used adjacent louvers are in their most spaced state, and when the deep slots are used adjacent louvers are in their least spaced state, whereby the number of louvers and spacing therebetween can be adjusted depending on the desired appearance and light output.

5. A light fixture comprising:

(a) a lower louver assembly comprising a cup-like base supporting a plurality of upwardly extending bosses;

(b) a plurality of middle louver assemblies;

(c) a lens comprising a sidewall;

a circular flange extending radially outward from the top of the sidewall; and

a bottom, wherein the bottom forms a plurality of apertures suitable for selectively receiving the lower louver assembly bosses; and

(d) an upper louver assembly, wherein;

(i) each louver assembly comprises a skirt;

(ii) the middle and lower louver assemblies form deep and shallow slots;

(iii) the upper and middle louver assemblies comprise downwardly extending legs suitable for selectively engaging the slots; and

(iv) the upper louver assembly comprises upwardly extending legs suitable for selectively engaging slots in the lens flange, wherein when the shallow slots are used the louver assemblies can be placed in their most spaced state, and when the deep slots are used the louver assemblies can be placed in their least spaced state, whereby the spacing between the louver assemblies can be adjusted depending on the desired appearance and light output.

6. The light fixture of claim 5, wherein when it is desirable to use a relatively small number of louver assemblies relatively close together the lens is adjusted relative to the lower louver assembly so that the lens apertures receive the bosses;

and when it is desirable to use a relatively large number of louver assemblies relatively far apart the lens is adjusted relative to the lower louver assembly so that the lens apertures do not receive the bosses, but instead the lower louver assembly base rests atop the bosses.

7. A light fixture comprising:

(a) a bulb/lens assembly comprising a light source and a plurality of louvers operatively disposed relative to the light source, wherein each louver comprises;

(i) a skirt; and

(ii) a plurality of legs extending from the skirt suitable for engaging an adjacent louver, wherein the skirt forms a plurality of slots suitable for receiving the legs of the adjacent louver, some of the slots being shallow and some deep, wherein when the shallow slots are used adjacent louvers are in their most spaced state, and when the deep slots are used adjacent louvers are in their least spaced state, whereby the number of louvers and spacing therebetween can be adjusted depending on the desired appearance and light output;

(b) a hollow post suitable for receiving at one end thereof the bulb/lens assembly; and

(c) assembly ring means operatively connected to the bulb/lens assembly for connecting the bulb/lens assembly to the post, wherein the assembly ring means comprises a plurality of fingers suitable for engaging the post.

8. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the bulb/lens assembly fits within the post and the assembly ring means comprises a band and a plurality of inner and outer fingers suitable for engaging the bulb/lens assembly and the post, respectively.

9. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the bulb/lens assembly is injection molded and the post is extruded.

10. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the assembly ring is metal.

11. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the assembly ring inner fingers extend radially inward and downward and the assembly ring outer fingers extend radially outward and upward.

12. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the inner fingers are symmetrical, thereby resisting turning in either direction in the same manner, and the outer fingers are asymmetrical, thereby permitting easier turning in one direction than the other.