The present invention generally relates to the design of a joint which provides adjustability of an object relative to a structure, the joint being part of an adjustable armature which affixes the object to the structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods whereby a lighting fixture may be affixed to a structure via an armature which includes a knuckle joint such that the lighting fixture may be adjusted and aimed relative to the structure.
The use of knuckle joints to provide a pivot axis for lighting fixtures relative to a structure (typically a cross-arm of a pole) is well known in the art of lighting; see, for example, the knuckle device (reference number 50) disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2006/0176708 incorporated by reference herein. Typically, said knuckle joints are designed so to permit pivoting of the lighting fixture about an axis extending through the joint; this is usually facilitated by some form of connective device (e.g., nut and bolt combination) which can be loosened to permit pivoting and then tightened once a preferred orientation (sometimes referred to as an aiming angle) of the lighting fixture is achieved. Some state-of-the-art armatures are further designed to restrict pivoting about the pivot axis to a certain range, though this is not always the case.
In the current state of the art, some designs for armatures which adjustably affix a lighting fixture or other object to a structure suffer from a variety of deficiencies. On the one hand it is not uncommon for a lighting fixture to be bolted or otherwise affixed to a simple armature which is further bolted or otherwise affixed to the structure (sometimes completely omitting the ability to pivot via a knuckle); this uncomplicated design, while functional for some applications, fails to address the needs of outdoor lighting fixtures (e.g., corrosion protection, preventing moisture from adversely affecting the fixtures or components thereof, robustness of design to withstand wind loading, internal channels for routing wiring, etc.). On the other hand it is not uncommon for a lighting fixture to be affixed to a cross-arm or other structure via a highly complex armature which requires extensive machining and/or special processing steps (e.g., broaching, sand blasting, etc.); this is usually necessary when the fixture is large and/or heavy (e.g., metal halide sports lighting fixtures).
To continue to advance the art, there is always a need for lighting fixtures with ever increasing luminous output. In the art of lighting, it is well known that the cost of a pole or other elevating structure—particularly in wide area lighting applications—can meet or exceed the cost of a lighting fixture; therefore, there is also a need to mount as many fixtures as possible on a single pole. Herein lies competing design considerations; for example, if a fixture is made larger so to accommodate larger and/or additional light sources (to achieve more luminous output), then the fixture becomes heavier and the armature must also increase in size and/or include more robust materials so to accommodate the greater loading. However, if an armature becomes too large and/or exotic, it reduces the carrying capacity of the pole and/or becomes too costly to produce. Thus, there is room for improvement in the art.
As stated, the design of armatures for adjustably affixing an object to a structure is limited by size, weight, and cost considerations, particularly for outdoor lighting fixtures intended to illuminate large areas. The art may benefit from an armature design (also referred to as a knuckle design) which permits adjustability of the object relative to the structure about at least one pivot axis and in a manner that does not significantly increase the size, weight, or cost of the armature as the object becomes larger and/or heavier. Envisioned is an armature including a knuckle comprising simple parts which do not require special processing, the armature being compact in size (relative to the object), adaptable to objects of different sizes and weights, and adapted for outdoor use.
It is therefore a principle object, feature, advantage, or aspect of the present invention to improve over the state of the art and/or address problems, issues, or deficiencies in the art.
An apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of stacked discs (also referred to as friction discs or clutch plates) compressed between two armature halves. Said armature halves are brought into operative connection so to provide a pivot axis extending transversely though the assembled armature and through the center of the stacked discs. The armature half in operative connection with a support structure (e.g., pole) is adapted so to provide a second pivot axis extending longitudinally though said armature half and transversely through said pole. The resulting apparatus is one whereby a lighting fixture (or other object) may be affixed to a pole (or other structure), adjusted about either or both pivot axes, and secured in its preferred orientation once adjusted.
A method according to one aspect of the present invention comprises distributing the weight of the object (i.e., directing the loading path) through the stacked clutch plates—the combination of which is designed for a particular coefficient of friction—such that a defined torque on the device connecting the two armature halves (e.g., nut and bolt combination) produces a defined resistance of the armature to movement, the resistance to movement being defined in accordance with anticipated wind loading and size/shape of the object.
These and other objects, features, advantages, or aspects of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims.
From time-to-time in this description reference will be taken to the drawings which are identified by figure number and are summarized below.
To further an understanding of the present invention, specific exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail. Frequent mention will be made in this description to the drawings. Reference numbers will be used to indicate certain parts in the drawings. The same reference numbers will be used to indicate the same parts throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated.
The general concept of securing a lighting fixture to a cross-arm or other structure via an armature is well known; adapting the armature to provide some degree of adjustability so to facilitate aiming of the lighting fixture is also well known. Of course, it is possible to provide adjustability about a pivot axis according to a variety of apparatus and methods, but if adjustability is to be at will and in situ, often frictional forces are relied upon to hold the lighting fixture in a particular orientation after adjusting.
While the use of friction to establish a defined relationship between two or more surfaces is well known in a variety of arts (e.g., the sport of curling revolves around the frictional forces involved between an object and ice), in the present invention friction is manifested primarily in the interaction between friction discs—though frictional forces exist between any two bodies in contact—for the purposes of joining parts and providing a path for transmitting forces.
Friction, on the whole, is a vague concept unless qualified by a term indicating a particular form of friction (e.g., dry, kinetic, etc.); it is assumed that one of skill in the art is aware of the basic concepts involved with calculating frictional forces and the general role it plays in an adjustable armature which includes a knuckle. Likewise, it is assumed that one of skill in the art is aware of the forces that act on a lighting fixture elevated and mounted to a structure; therefore, discussion of wind loading, form factor, torsion, and the like are omitted from this text.
Simply put, when a lighting fixture is elevated and secured to a cross-arm by an armature designed to be pivotable, there are competing forces. Gravity will attempt to draw the fixture downward whereas wind will attempt to push the fixture in any number of directions; the effects of these forces are directly related to the size, shape, and mass of the fixture. Therefore, to ensure a lighting fixture will remain in a desired position (i.e., at a desired aiming angle) the armature must demonstrate a certain resistance to these forces; this is manifested in everything from the selection of materials to the thickness of parts to how the weight of the fixture is distributed throughout the armature. Further, if the fixture is intended to be adjustable via the armature, the armature must have means or components for providing said adjustability in a manner that does not diminish its resistance to said forces.
According to the present invention, an envisioned exemplary armature comprises two halves; one which is secured to the structure and one which is secured to the fixture. A series of clutch plates are compressed between the two halves and secured by a connective device. In practice, the connective device is loosened and the fixture oriented as desired; according to the present exemplary embodiment the fixture may be oriented via two pivot axes, though this is by way of example and not by way of limitation. After the fixture is oriented as desired the connective device is tightened. When the connective device is tightened a specific amount, the armature demonstrates a specific resistance to movement; this resistance ensures that a fixture of a specific weight and/or form factor (also referred to as a drag coefficient) will sufficiently oppose the aforementioned forces acting upon it and maintain its position. A specific example is given, but it can be appreciated that exemplary apparatus, methods, and systems described herein could be adapted for a variety of objects, anticipated forces, etc.
A more specific exemplary embodiment, utilizing aspects of the generalized example described above, will now be described.
1. System Assembly and Operation—Generally
Wiring (not shown) from lighting fixture 1 may be fed through an aperture in housing 1B into a complementary aperture in fixture knuckle half 3, and further into the body of fixture knuckle half 3. From there, wiring may travel through the body of structure knuckle half 2, out an aperture in structure knuckle half 2, and into a complementary aperture in the structure. A series of sealing members (see reference nos. 10, 11, and 14) ensure wiring and the internal components of knuckle halves 2 and 3 are not exposed to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., moisture). Connective device 5 is isolated from the wiring via integrally formed portions of knuckle halves 2 and 3 so to prevent adverse electrical conditions (e.g., shorting). However, to ensure proper electrical grounding between fixture 1 and the structure, both halves 2 and 3 are designed to include grounding springs 13.
Fixture knuckle half 3 pivots relative to structure knuckle half 2 about an axis extending through the length of connective device 5 (i.e., usually a horizontal axis when installed in operating position). Likewise, structure knuckle half 2 pivots about an axis extending along the length of structure knuckle half 2 (i.e., usually a vertical axis) via its connection to the structure. In this manner, fixture 1 may be aimed relative to the target area in two axes.
A series of friction discs 8 having radially inward extending tabs formed to fit in structure knuckle half 2 are alternated with a series of friction discs 9 having radially outwardly extending tabs formed to fit in fixture knuckle half 3 to provide multiple interfaces to resist pivoting and provide frictional forces. It is of note that when fully assembled, complementary surfaces of knuckle halves 2 and 3 are not flush (see the slight separation in
In practice, when a desired position (i.e., aiming angle) is achieved via pivoting about either or both axes, connective device 5 may be tightened a specified amount which produces in the armature a specific resistance to pivoting of half 3 relative to half 2. In this manner, the number of friction discs 8 and 9 and torque on connective device 5 may be adjusted as needed to provide the frictional forces necessary to hold an object in place relative to a structure. If necessary, the size of and/or material comprising the exemplary armature (or some subset of the components therein) could also be adjusted.
2. System Assembly and Operation—Specifically
Knuckle half 2 further comprises an internal channel which runs from aperture 2B (see
Knuckle half 2 further comprises a formed section 2D which bounds aperture 2B and extends into a complementary aperture in the structure such that surface 2C sits flush with at least a portion of the outer surface of the structure, thus compressing sealing member 11 (
Connective devices (not illustrated, but may be similar in nature to connective device 5) through apertures 21 and into the structure may positionally affix structure knuckle half 2 to the structure. Said connective devices could be loosened—but not fully removed—such that knuckle half 2 may be pivoted about an axis along the length of the connective devices and knuckle half 2 (i.e., a vertical axis) while still affixed to the structure; in this manner, formed section 2D helps define the center of rotation of knuckle half 2 relative to the structure. The degree to which the armature may pivot about a vertical axis is defined by the size of apertures 2I (e.g., the longitudinal length of their arc shapes); in this example, the armature may pivot about a vertical axis on the order of 90°, though this is not by way of limitation. The amount of pivot is generally indicated by markings 2K (distributed along outer surfaces of half 2 generally correlated to different positions along apertures 21 or to rotational positions between halves 2 and 3) which help to track both the position of structure knuckle half 2 relative to the structure and halves 2 and 3 relative to each other (see also markings 3K on knuckle half 3).
Fixture knuckle half 3 is designed to be complementary to structure knuckle half 2. As can be seen from
Knuckle half 3 further comprises an internal channel running from aperture 3B to groove 3E for the passing of wiring or other objects. As can be seen, groove 3E is taken in surface 3H and is bounded by formed and slightly tapered sections 3G and 3L; the radially outward projecting tabs 9A of rings 9 (see
One difference between knuckle halves 2 and 3 is that fixture knuckle half 3 does not have a formed section projecting from surface 3C as does structure knuckle half 2 (see reference no. 2D), though a member 15 similar in function to disc 12 (see
In practice, connective device portions 5A and B could be loosened—but not fully removed—such that knuckle half 3 may be pivoted about an axis along the length of the connective device 5 (i.e., generally a horizontal axis) while still affixed to knuckle half 2. The degree to which knuckle half 3 may pivot about a horizontal axis is defined by the size/shape of the fixture affixed to knuckle half 3 and the size/shape of the structure affixed to knuckle half 2; in practice, it is not likely one would need more than approximately 180° of rotation about a horizontal axis to adequately aim a lighting fixture.
So it can be seen from Table 1 that it is can be beneficial to use tumbled friction discs in the envisioned armature because it does not add cost to the system (since parts produced in this manner are tumbled as a course of action) and increases the resistance of the armature to pivot (compared to the finished friction discs). However, it is of note that either finished or tumbled discs (or some combination thereof) could be used in the envisioned armature; namely, because adding discs of either kind to the envisioned armature is a non-complex and low cost way to increase the load capacity of the armature without adding significant bulk to the overall system. Additionally, either finished clutch plates or tumbled clutch plates could be anodized to aid in corrosion resistance, as it has been found that this process does not dramatically alter the coefficient of friction.
The invention may take many forms and embodiments. The foregoing examples are but a few of those. To give some sense of some options and alternatives, a few examples are given below.
A variety of connective devices, sealing members, and positioning members are described and illustrated herein. Though specific examples are given (e.g., a silicone tube) the present invention is not limited to such. For example, instead of a threaded bolt and nut combination, a connective device could comprise a clamp, dowel/hole, or latch-type device. As another example, instead of an o-ring, a sealing member could be omitted and parts welded together. Any number of devices which aid in adjustably affixing an object to a structure via a pivotable armature could be used and not depart from at least some aspects of the present invention.
Further, the object need not be a lighting fixture and the structure need not be a cross-arm; the size of the armature and the number of friction discs (and/or the materials comprising the friction discs) could be altered in accordance.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 61/289,239, filed Dec. 22, 2009, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61289239 | Dec 2009 | US |