Solar powered exterior lighting system

• US 5,149,188 A
• Filed: 04/01/1991
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Solar Outdoor Lighting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solar Outdoor Lighting Incorporated
• Inventors: Robbins, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hagarman, Sue
• Application Number:
  US07/678,759
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/249, 362/431, 362/432, 362/802, 362/396, 362/370
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/035 the solar unit being integrated within the support for the lighting unit, e.g. within or on a pole
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A self-contained solar powered light having a battery system where the battery container is mounted between two cantilevered arms on an upright vertical support. The light element is mounted at the distal end of one of the cantilevered arms. The photovoltaic panels are mounted on the upper cantilevered arm and point upward toward the sun. A computer is operably connected between the battery and the photovoltaic panels and the light element to determine when the light element should be actuated and deactuated based upon amperage produced by the photovoltaic panels. The vertical support has a U-shaped cross member which can engage poles with circular cross section or poles with external side flats. Threaded fasteners fix the vertical support onto the pole member.

Claims

1. A lighting system characterized by:

a substantially vertical support member configured to fit upon a pole and to be mounted against a wall;

an upper cantilevered support arm extending from said vertical support member at a first vertical point;

a lower cantilevered support arm extending from said vertical support at a second vertical point and connected to the upper arm at a position spaced away from said vertical support to form a frame assembly;

a lighting element connected at a distal end of one of said support arms;

a photovoltaic panel mounted to the upper cantilevered support arm;

an electrical storage battery mounted to said frame assembly within a perimeter of said frame assembly defined by said vertical support and said upper and lower cantilevered support arms;

means for operably interconnecting said electrical storage battery, said photovoltaic panel, and said lighting element such that said photovoltaic panel delivers electrical power to said battery, and said battery selectively delivers electrical power to said lighting element; and

control means for actuating and deactuating said lighting element in response to the ambient light condition about said lighting system.

2. A lighting system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by:

said photovoltaic panel being mounted to said upper cantilevered support arm at a plurality of pivotably adjusted positions about the axis of said upper cantilevered support arm.

3. A lighting system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by:

said vertical support member having a U-shaped cross-section with a spanning wall and two side walls forming a vertically oriented channel sized to receive a pole laterally within said channel with side walls and spanning wall and of the U-shaped channel abutting the pole; and

fastener means for fastening said vertical support onto said pole when said pole is received in said channel.

4. A lighting system as defined in claim 3 further characterized by:

said battery stored in a container having two vertically spaced tabs constructed to abut the vertical support member; and

engaging means for engaging said tabs onto said vertical support member and affixing said battery box against said vertical support member.

5. A lighting system as defined in claim 3 further characterized by:

said cantilevered arms being tubular and having a mounted end cut to flushly abut the vertical support member and being welded thereto.

6. A lighting system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by:

said vertical support member having a U-shaped cross section with side walls spaced apart to abut a flat of a pole having a polygonal shaped periphery; and

fastener means for fastening said vertical support member onto said pole.

7. A lighting system as defined in claim 1 further characterized by:

said photovoltaic panel having a channel member with an opening facing said upper cantilevered arm to which it is mounted;

said channel extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said upper cantilevered arm;

said channel having at least one clamping surface therein;

at least a first fastening bracket extending in said channel and constructed to apply a clamping force on said clamping surface to secure said panel against said upper cantilevered arm.

8. A lighting system as defined in claim 7 further characterized by:

a second fastening bracket extending in said channel to apply a clamping force on said clamping surface;

said first and second fastening brackets extending on opposite lateral sides of said upper cantilevered arm;

a fastener means for drawing said first and second fastening brackets toward each other and urging said first and second fastening brackets to apply a clamping force on said clamping surface to secure said panel against said upper cantilevered arm.

9. A lighting system characterized by:

a substantially vertical support member having two side walls with a channel defined therebetween, said channel being open to receive a support pole therein;

a cantilevered support arm attached at its mounted end to said substantially vertical support member and having a light element attached to its distal end;

a photovoltaic panel mounted to said cantilevered support arm, said photovoltaic panel including a channel extending transverse to the length of the cantilevered support arm and including at least one clamping surface therein;

at least a first fastener bracket extending in said channel and having clamping means for applying a clamping force on said clamping surface toward said cantilevered arm to secure said panel against said one cantilevered arm;

an electrical battery operably connected to said photovoltaic panel, to receive electrical power therefrom, and to said light element to deliver electrical power thereto; and

control means for actuating and deactuating said light element in response to one of the ambient light conditions.

10. A lighting system as defined in claim 9 further characterized by:

said battery stored in a container having two tabs vertically spaced to abut the outer surfaces of said substantially vertical support member;

engaging means for engaging said tabs onto said vertical support member;

fastening means for affixing said tabs in place onto said engaging means.

11. A lighting system as defined in claim 9 further characterized by:

a second fastening bracket extending in said channel to apply a clamping form on said clamping surface;

said first and second fastening bracket extending on opposite lateral sides of said one cantilevered arm;

a fastener means for drawing said first and second fastening brackets toward each other and urging said first and second fastening brackets to apply a clamping force on said clamping surface to secure said panel against said one cantilevered arm.