Patent Application
20200011492
The present invention is directed to a simulated rock for use in landscape lighting installations. More particularly, the inventive simulated rock has a plurality of pre-installed lighting cans to allow for the hidden installation of landscape lighting.
Simulated rocks have been used in landscape lighting for decoration. Lights are often installed around or behind such simulated rocks to mask their presence. In such instances, the lights may be visible from certain views depending upon the person's position around the perimeter of the landscape lighting area.
Sometimes, the simulated rocks are hollow and may have a hole therein to allow the passage of illumination from a light installed under the simulated rock. In such instances, the light must be installed in the ground (as by a ground stake) and the simulated rock positioned over the light. With such an installation, the direction of the illumination from the light must very closely match the hole in the simulated rock or a portion of the illumination will be blocked by the simulated rock. In addition, such installations are subject to movement and settling over time such that the light and hole may become out of alignment.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simulated rock for landscape lighting that more readily lends itself to the covering of light fixtures and more reliably allows for the passage of light through openings in the simulated rock. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention is directed to a simulated landscape rock for installing light fixtures. The simulated landscape rock generally includes a shell having an exterior surface configured so as to resemble a natural rock surface and a generally hollow interior defining a bottom edge and an interior surface. A lighting can being a generally hollow cylinder having a first end and a second end is disposed in the hollow interior. The hollow cylinder is configured to receive a light fixture. The first end of the hollow cylinder is attached to the interior surface of the shell.
The lighting can preferably comprises a plurality of lighting cans, each of which are oriented at different angles with respect to the exterior surface. The shell is preferably made from a durable material such as polyurea or polyurethane. The simulated landscape rock further includes a connection plug installed in the lighting can and electrically connected to an electrical source, wherein the connection plug is configured for electrical connection to the light fixture received in the lighting can.
The electrical source is preferably a transformer installed in the hollow interior of the shell. The hollow interior is preferably filled with an electrical potting material that encases the transformer.
The present invention is also directed to a method for using the simulated landscape rock of the type described herein. The method begins with providing a simulate landscape rock as described. A hole is then cut through the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the hole is in-line with the lighting can. A light fixture is installed in the lighting can proximate to the hole drilled through the exterior surface. The light fixture is connected to an electrical source, such as a transformer, by wires passed into the lighting can. The bottom edge of the shell is placed on a ground surface and the light fixture is positioned to illuminate a landscape feature.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
The present invention is directed to simulated rock for use in landscape lighting installations. In the following detailed description, the inventive simulated rock will be generally referred to by reference numeral 10.
The simulated rock 10 has a hollow interior 10a and has an open bottom surrounded by a bottom edge 12 such that it can rest on the ground or other generally flat surface. The rock 10 includes at least one pre-installed lighting can 14, but preferably includes a plurality of pre-installed lighting cans 14 within the hollow interior 10a. Such lighting cans 14 are common in the landscape lighting industry and consist of a length of ABS or PVC (or similar) pipe. The broken lines in
The lighting cans 14 have a first end 14a and a second end 14b. The first end 14a of the hollow cans 14 are attached to an interior wall 10b of the simulated rock 10 as by cement or similar bonding material. Each of the plurality of lighting cans 14 extend away from the interior wall 10b, preferably at different angles. The second end 14b of the lighting cans 14 is unattached to any surface and extends into the hollow interior 10a, preferably ending or terminating at a point within the hollow interior 10a so as not to protrude beyond the bottom edge 12 of the simulated rock 10.
As shown in
The electrical potting material 30 surrounds at least one pre-installed lighting can 14 and an embedded transformer 34. The transformer 34 includes a homerun wire 36 that passes through the sealing barrier 32 and is configured for connection to an external power source (not shown). Electrical wires 38 extend from the transformer 34, into the pre-installed can 14 (as through a port or other passage), and connect to a connection plug 22 configured for connection to a light fixture 18.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62694234 | Jul 2018 | US |
