US1867821A - Lighting unit - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1932. H. J. GRAHAM LIGHTING UNIT Filed NOV. 6, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mentor-.-

.6 ha .fliZ-orne rbert -2 y 1932. H. J. GRAHAM 1,867,821

LIGHTING UNIT Filed Nov. 6. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mara 6'02":

July 19', 1932. H. J. GRAHAM LIGHTING UNIT Filed Nov. 6, 1929 4 Sheets Sheet 3 lFu/ezdbr Erberhf 0117726717 July 19, 1932. J, GRAHAM 1,867,821

LIGHTING UNI T Filed Nov. *6, 1929 4 Sweats-Sheet 4 ,l'iufenio r .Zi'b erZJFr-akdn Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT J. GRAHAM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC SERVICE SUPPLIES COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA LIGHTING UNIT Application filed November 6, 1929. Serial No. 405,086.

This invention relates to light distributing units and more particularly to lighting units especially adapted for the purposes of highway and flood lighting.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide an adapter for pivotally mounting a flood-lighting unit within the enclosing globe of a highway illuminating unit, the adapter being arranged to support a reflector and a lamp in such manner that the latter bear a constant fixed relation to each other irrespective of the adjusted position of the flood-lighting unit as a whole, the result being that the lamp is at all times in proper focus with respect to its reflector whereby to most efficiently and efiectively distribute the light.

Heretofore and prior to this invention, various arrangements and devices have been employed for supporting a flood-lighting reflector and associated lamp within a lighting unit, all of which necessitated changes and modifications in the structure of the unit itself. These structural changes were not only more or less complicated and expensive, but they also introduced considerable shadow effects which interfered seriously with the operating efficiency of the flood-lighting unit. Furthermore, the devices heretofore employed for supporting the reflector and its associated lamp were not adapted for use with light enclosures or globes constructed entirely of glass or other such translucent or transparent material, it being understood, of course, that while such enclosures or globes are among the most satisfactory for use in highway and flood lighting, it has been difficult if not impossible to structurally change the same to satisfactorily accommodate a flood-lighting reflector.

It is accordingly a further object of this invention to provide an adapter for supporting a flood-lighting reflector and its associated lamp within the ordinary type of highway lighting unit employing a glass or similar enclosure for the light source, said adapter being so arranged as to obviate the use of any special tools or securing elements for mounting the same in position at the same time that it eliminates the necessity for making any stiipctural changes in the light enclosure itse r A still further object of the invention is the provlslon of an adapter or support for a reflector and associated lamp of an arrangement and construction such that the shadow effects are reduced to a veritable minimum at the same time that the general efliciency thereof is considerably increased.

Still another and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a quick-detachable adapter or support for a flood-lighting reflectorand associated lamp assembly which is not only strong and durable in use and extremely simple to manufacture and install but which is also capable of permitting a greater degree of angular adjustment of said assembly within the glass enclosure therefor than has been possible heretofore.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means for supporting a flood-lighting reflector and associated lamp assembly within a standard form of highway lighting unit, said means including an annulus which is so mounted upon the lighting unit that it is revoluble about its axis relatively to said lighting unit whereby to adjust the position of the said assembly and its supporting means as a whole without disturbing their relative adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a quick-detachable adapter or support for a flood-lighting reflector and associated lamp assembly, the said lamp assembly being characterized by the provision of a pair of light sources respectively arranged at opposite sides of the reflector. With the light sources arranged as contemplated in this invention the shadow effects are reduced to an absolute minimum, ifnot altogether eliminated.

Further ob ects and objects relating to details of construction and economies in operation will appear more fully hereinafter.

This application is a continuation in part of a copending application filed January 31, 1929, bearing serial No. 336,382, issued as Patent No. 1,781,544.

The invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings showing certain preferred forms of the invention are intended to be merely illustrative of the principles thereof, it being understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the essential features of the invention. In said accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an adapter constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a partial vertical section through a highway and flood-lighting unit employing the adapter shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a partial vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, the reflector be ing shown in adjusted positions;

Figure 4 is ahorizontal section taken on the line 14 of Figure 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views of a modified form of adapter mounted within a diflerent type of lighting unit; and

Figures 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views showing the use of an adapter embodying the principles of this invention in combination wth a modfied arrangement of a lamp assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 to l, it will be seen that the invention has been embodied in a highway li hting unit comprising an enclosing globe 11 of glass or other such translucent or transparent material and a top hood or enclosure 12. In this form of unit, the upper edge of the globe 11 is provided with an internal annular groove 13 upon the outer surface of which rests the hood 12. In this particular instance the hood 12 and the globe 11 are secured together against displacement by an annular band 14L overlapping the joint therebetween, the free ends of this band being locked together by a suitable bayonet and slot connection 15. (See Figure 4.) Ordinarily, this type of highway lighting unit is not readily adaptable for flood-lighting purposes because of the diiiiculties encountered prior to this invention in mounting a floodlighting reflector and associated lamp therewithin. As has already been pointed out this invention consists in the provision of an adapter for this purpose comprising an annular split ring 16, the opposed extremities of which are inturned laterallyto provide a pair of finger gripping elements or extensions 17. Preferably, this ring 16 is constructed of resilient material, such as spring steel wire, so that when the elements 1'? are pressed together the ring is contracted to a diameter less than its normal diameter, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

Depending from diametrically opposed sides of the annular ring 16 are a pair of substantially Y-shaped supporting members 13, the free upper ends of the diverging arms thereof being secured, as at 19, to the ring, preferably by welding or brazing. The arms of each of these depending side members 18 converge downwardly to form an eye or loop 20 within which an interiorly threaded bushing or ferrule 21 is suitably fixed against rotation. As is best shown in Figures 2 and 3 the split annular ring 16 sits in the annular groove 13 of the globe 11, it being a simple expedient to remove the said ring from its seat by merely pressing the finger gripping elements 17 thereof together whereby to contract the ring to a diameter less than that of the annular groove 13.

it will be observed that the diametrically opposed bushings 21 have a common horizontal axis, which latter serves as the axis of angular adjustment of the flood-lighting re flector and lamp assembly 22. As clearly appears in the drawings, this assembly comprises a substantially U-shaped strap 23 to which is secured, preferably by welding, a second substantially L-shaped strap 2%, these straps being arranged substantially at right angles to one another with one end of the strap 24 secured to the intermediate portion of the strap 23 and in overlapping relation therewith. The side branches 25 of the strap 23 are each angularly slotted, as at 23,..(see Figure 3) to facilitate the mounting of the strap assembly upon suitable supporting studs 27 threadedly received within the bushings or ferrules 21. 7

It will be observed that the base of the U- shaped strap 23 is longitudinally curved, as is the branch 28 of the strap 24%, to correspond to the transverse external curvature of a reflector 29. This reflector is secured in posi tion by means of a suitable bolt 30 passing centrally through the reflector and through the overlapping portions of the straps and 24-. Preferably, a strip of felt padding or similar cushioning material 31 is interposed between the base of the U-shaped strap 23 and the reflector 29. Thebranch 28 of the strap 24 terminates in an angular extension 32 arranged to one side of and parallelingthe axis of the reflector and to which is secured a suitable lamp socket 33. By reason of the fact that the socket 33 and the reflector 29 are both mounted upon a common support, the focus of the flood-lighting lamp 34c bears a constant and fixed relation to the reflector 29. Once the proper focal relation be determined it need never, and in the present instance cannot, be disturbed irrespective of the position to which the flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly may be shifted.

, The construction just described permits of an extremely wide angular adj ustment of the reflector and lamp assembly. By merely loosening the winged studs 27 the strap assembly, together with the reflector 29 and the lamp 34 carried thereby, may be rotated into any desired adjusted position for the purpose of directing the reflected rays of light either upwardly, downwardly or laterally as the case may be. Or if it be desired to remove the reflector and lamp assembly without disturbing the adapter or support therefor this may be readily accomplished by loosening the studs 27 whereupon said assembly may be lifted bodily therefrom. Obviously, whenever necessity requires it, the complete assembly including the supporting ring 16, the reflector 29 and the lamp 34 may be removed from the globe ll without the use of any tools and merely by contracting the ring in the manner explained above to thereby effeet the disengagement thereof from the seat 13 formed in the upper edge of the globe 11.

Not only do the constructions hereinbefore described permit of an extremely wide angular adjustment of the reflector and lamp assembly about the horizontal axis of the supporting studs 27, but they also permit an angular adjustment to be had between the split annulus and the upper edge of the lighting unit adjacent which said annulus is supported. It will thus appear that having once determined the angle which the reflected rays of light is to make with the horizontal, this being accomplished by suitably adjusting the reflector and lamp assembly upon its supporting studs 27, the assembly may be rotated about the vertical axis of the lighting unit by merely shifting the annulus angularly with respect to and in the plane of its seat whereby to direct the light rays in any desired lateral direction, in consequence of which it never becomes necessary to shift the position of the lighting unit itself to obtain the most desirable flood-lighting effects.

The arrangement hereinbefore described is best adapted for use in lighting units of the type wherein the globe is supported upon a pedestal or standard and in which the usual street-lighting lamp is mounted independently of the flood-lighting lamp 34. In many instances, however, it is desirable to suspend the lighting unit from a lateral or overhead support and in which case provision must be made for supporting the usual street-lighting lamp. Figures 5 to 8 show preferred arrangements for this purpose. In these figures it will be observed that the lightin unit comprises an upper enclosure 40 from which suspended, by means of a ring 41 or the like, a lower enclosure 42. The upper enclosure is suitably apertured, as at 4-3, for receiving a stud or nipple, (not shown) for suspending the unit in a manner well understoed in the art.

The flood-lighting adapter or support, which is substantially similar in construction to that shown in Figures 1 to 3, is suespended from the upper enclosure 40 or from the ring 41 in such manner that the lamp and reflector assembly is housed within and independently of the bottom enclosure 42 when the latter is mounted in place by means of the screws 43. The adapter as shown in Figures 5 and 6, differs from those heretofore described in that the diametrically opposed arms 44 thereof are extended downwardly to provide a substantially U-shaped yoke or saddle 45, the transverse branch 46 of which constitutes a support for the socket 47 of the usual street-lighting lamp 48. As best appears in Figure 6 this saddle is formed by twisting together the diverging branches of each arm 44, as at 49, to provide thelooped portions within which are receivable the stud-receiving bushings 50, the said branches being continued downwardly in close parallel relation, it being understood that the saddle is preferably formed as an integral extension of the side arms 44. socket 47 is secured to the transverse branch 46 of the saddle through the interposition of a plate 47 which is rigidly secured, as by welding or the like, to said branch.

In the arrangements shown in Figures 5 and 6 it will be observed that'the'usual streetlighting lamp 48 is supported by the adapter in such manner that it remains stationary and that the flood-lighting assembly, comprising the reflector 29 and its associated lamp 34, is angularly shiftable with respect thereto about the common axis of the studs 27. WVhile this arrangement satisfactorily reduces all objectionable shadow effects, it may be desirable in some instances to employ that arrangement which is shown in Figures 7 and 8 and wherein the objectionable shadow effects experienced prior to this invention are reduced to a veritable minimum, if not entirely obviated. In the arrangement shown in these Figures 7 and 8, the lamp assembly, designated generally by the reference numeral 51, is rotatably supported by an adapter which is similar in all respects to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. Referring more particularly to Figure 7, it will be observed that in place of the L-shaped strap 24 of Figure lthere is employed a strap 52' of generally Z-shape having the oppositely ext-ending branches '53 and 54. The intermediate branch 55 of this strap 52 is longitudinally curved to correspond to the external curvature of a reflector 56, said Preferably, the

intermediate branch '55 being secured crosswise to the base of a U-shaped strap 57 correspon ding in all respects to the similarly shaped strap 23 of Figurel. Mounted upon the branch 53 of'the Z-shaped strap '52 is a flood-lighting lamp socket 58. Said socket 60 which is adapted to receive the usual street-lighting lampfil. It is preferable to so arrange the socket 60 that the lamp 61 received therein bears a fixed relation to the rear surface of the reflector 56. It will be apparent that in the arrangement shown in Figure 7 the lamp 61 is shiftable with the lamp 59 so that irrespective of the position assumed by the latter the lamp 61 will at all times be in position to eliminate the shadow effects produced immediately to the rear of the reflector 56.. The dark or black spot which is ordinarily present in the usual combined street and flood-lighting units is thus obviated in the arrangement shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is a modification of the arrange ment shown in Figure 7. In this modified arrangement the lamp assembly 51 is also rotatably supported within the globe 42 by means of a wire adapter similar in all respects to that shown in Figure 3. However, instead of employing the Z-shaped strap 52, the L-shaped strap 62 is employed corresponding to the strap 24E of Figure l. The sole difference between the arrangement shown in Figure 8 and that shown in Figure 1 is that in this modified arrangement the street-lighting lamp socket 63 is secured to the L-shaped strap 62 in such manner that the axis thereof is substantially coincident with that of the reflector 64; and with the open end thereof presenting away from the rear surface of said reflector. In this arrangement, as in that of Figure 7, the street-lighting lamp 64: bears a fixed rela tion to the flood-lighting lamp 65 and is rotatable therewith about the common of the supporting studs 27 of the wire adapter. Irrespective of the adjusted position into which the combined street and flood-lighting lamp assembly is moved, the rays of light emanating from the lamps 64 and 65 are such that no shadow effects are visible in the lighting unit.

It will be seen that this invention has provided a very simple and yet most efiicient arrangement for adapting the ordinary type of highway lighting unit to serve as a floodlighting unit as well, all without involving any structural changes in the lighting unit per 'se and without necessitating resort to any special tools or devices to facilitate its installation or removal. In one case the adapter serves admirably to adjustably support a flood-lighting lamp within the standard type of highway lighting unit having a fixed light source. In another case, the adapter or support for the flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly is provided with means for supporting a relatively stationary source of light for highway lighting purpose, this latter source of lighting being supported independently of the adjustably mounted floodlighting reflector and lamp assembly: And

in still another case the same type of adapter is employed for supporting a combined high way and flood-lighting assembly havingtwo sources of light which bear a fixed relation to each other and which are adjustable about a common axis: In eachinstance the invention provides an adapter or support for a re- Hector and lamp assembly which not only permits of a wider range of adjustment of the flood-lighting assembly than has been possible heretofore but which also reduces to a veritable minimum all objectionable shadow effects. The arrangement by which all of the foregoing is possible is not only simple and inexpensive to manufacture but is also exceedingly efiicient and durable in use. It will be understood, of course, that various changes may be made in the invention from time to time without departing from the principles or spirit of the invention and it is intended, therefore, to claim the invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In combination, an open-topped enclosure for a light source, said enclosure being provided with an internal annular groove surrounding the upper edge thereof, an inherently expansible ring adapted to be seated within said groove, means for contracting said ring for effecting its removal from said groove, a pair of opposed supporting members each having upwardly diverging arms secured to said ring, the convergent ends of said members terminating below the plane of said ring, and a flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly adjustably supported between said supporting members.

2. In combination, an open-topped enclosure for a light source, said enclosure being provided with an internal annular groove adjacent the upper edge thereof, a split ring adapted to be seated in said groove, the opposed ends of said ring being laterally bent to provide finger gripping elements whereby to contract the ring for removal from said groove, means integrally secured to and depending from opposite sides of said ring for supporting a flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly therebetween and within said enclosure, and a hood for said enclosure arranged thereabove and supported thereby.

3. In a lighting unit, the combination with a glass globe of a contractible annulus quickdetachably secured adjacent the upper edge of said globe, means secured to said annulus for supporting a flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly below the plane of said an nulus, a flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly supported by said means for rotation about an axis paralleling said plane, and an auxiliary lamp also supported by said means in fixed relation with respect thereto and independently of said assembly.

4. In a lighting unit, the combination with a glass globe of a flood-lighting lamp reflector mounted therewithin, a contractible annulus detachably supported in position adjacent the rim of said globe, means associated with said annulus for supporting said reflector for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said globe, and further means associated with said annulus and constituting a support for an auxiliary lamp operable to illuminate the lower portion of said globe, said annulus being angularly shiftable in the plane thereof whereby to direct the light rays reflected from said reflector in any given lateral direction.

5. In combination, a glass enclosure for a light source, said enclosure being provided with an annular seat, an annular member detachably received by said seat and angularly shiftable therewithin, a flood-lighting assembly supported by said member for angular adjustment about an axis extending trans- Versely of said enclosure, and an auxiliary street-lighting lamp suspended within said enclosure and removable therefrom together with said annular member, said latter lamp serving not only as an additional source of illumination but also to dissipate the shadow effects produced by said flood-lighting assembly.

6. In a lighting unit including a glass globe, an adapter for facilitating the mounting of a flood-lighting assembly therein comprising a split annulus arranged to be quickdetachably secured to the upper edge of 85 said globe, and means secured to said annulus in depending relation therewith, said means serving conjointly as a lateral support for an angularly adjustable flood-lighting assembly and as a support for a street- 40 lighting lamp, said assembly and said lamp being arranged for removal from said globe together with said annulus.

7 In combination, an enclosure for a light source, a contractible annulus quick-detachably secured adjacent the upper edge of said enclosure, a member extending downwardly from said annulus into the interior of said enclosure for supporting at the lower extremity thereof a street-lighting lamp, and

a flood-lighting reflector and lamp assembly supported by said member at a point located intermediate the lower extremity thereof and said annulus, said assembly being arranged for angular adjustment about an axis extending transversely of said enclosure and intersecting said point.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

HERBERT J. GRAHAM.

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