초록 ▼

An improved outdoor lighting system is provided that comprises a light assembly formed from at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to an under

An improved outdoor lighting system is provided that comprises a light assembly formed from at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to an underground power source. The improved system includes an electrical connector assembly in the cable located in the vicinity of the ground-mounted distal end of the tubular mast. The electrical connector assembly spontaneously disconnects in response to an application of an tensile force indicative of an automobile collision with the mast, thereby preventing damaging tensile forces from being transmitted along the underground portion of the cable to the circuit breaker. The system further comprises an underground fuse assembly and lightning arrestor, both of which are mounted in an underground box electrically connected between the circuit breaker, and the underground portion of the cable that terminates in the aforementioned connector assembly. The remote, underground location of the fuse assembly and lightning arrestor provides easy and safe access to these components by maintenance personnel while discouraging vandals from tampering with or stealing these components.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: id="DEL-S-00001" date="20060509" 1. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting t

I claim: id="DEL-S-00001" date="20060509" 1. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source.id="DEL-S-00001" 2. id="DEL-S-00002" date="20060509" The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1,id="DEL-S-00002" id="INS-S-00002" date="20060509" An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, and id="INS-S-00002" wherein said electrical connector assembly means is located in the interior of said mast near the proximal end thereof, and spontaneously disconnects upon the application of a tensile force between about 20 and 30 pounds. id="DEL-S-00003" date="20060509" 3. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein said electrical connector assembly means includes first and second detachably matable connectors, and means for preventing ambient water from entering said assembly when said connectors are mated.id="DEL-S-00003" id="DEL-S-00004" date="20060509" 4. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1, wherein said improvement further comprises means for securing said first portion of said cable to said tubular mast to isolate the connection between said light source and said cable from tensile forces applied to the first portion of said cable. id="DEL-S-00004" 5. id="DEL-S-00005" date="20060509" The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1,id="DEL-S-00005" id="INS-S-00003" date="20060509" An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, and id="INS-S-00003" wherein the improvement further comprises an underground fuse assembly interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said electrical connector assembly means with a second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in a circuit breaker whereby the need for a fuse assembly in electrical contact with the first cable portion in the interior of the mast is obviated. 6. id="DEL-S-00006" date="20060509" The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 1,id="DEL-S-00006" id="INS-S-00004" date="20060509" An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, and id="INS-S-00004" wherein the improvement further comprises an underground lightning arrestor interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said electrical connector assembly means with a second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in a circuit breaker whereby the need for a lightning suppressor in electrical contact with the first cable portion in the interior of the mast is obviated. 7. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 5, wherein said underground fuse assembly includes id="DEL-S-00007" date="20060509" aid="DEL-S-00007" first and second matable connectors, one of which includes at least one fuse, and an underground box for containing said fuse assembly. 8. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 6, wherein said underground lightning arrestor includes a junction connector and a surge arrestor circuit including a ground rod and an underground box, wherein said junction connector functions to interconnect one end of said first segment of said second cable portion with both one end of said second segment of said second cable portion and said surge arrestor circuit, and said underground box contains said junction connector, surge arrestor circuit id="DEL-S-00008" date="20060509" antiid="DEL-S-00008" id="INS-S-00005" date="20060509" and id="INS-S-00005" cable segment ends. 9. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 8, wherein said underground lightning arrestor further includes an electrical connector assembly for detachably connecting the surge arrestor circuit to the junction connector to facilitate replacement of the surge arrestor circuit. 10. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 7, further comprising a second electrical cable connected at one end to said second segment of said second cable portion, and at the other end to a second light source of a second light assembly whose second electrical cable includes the improvement of the first electrical cable. 11. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including a light assembly formed id="DEL-S-00009" date="20060509" frontid="DEL-S-00009" id="INS-S-00006" date="20060509" from id="INS-S-00006" at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a circuit breaker, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said circuit breaker, wherein the improvement comprises: an underground fuse assembly interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said first cable portion with a second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said circuit breaker whereby the need for a fuse assembly in electrical contact with said first cable portion in the interior of the mast is obviated. 12. The improved outdoor light system of claim 11, wherein the improvement further comprises an underground lightning arrestor connected to said second cable portion that terminates in id="DEL-S-00010" date="20060509" saidid="DEL-S-00010" id="INS-S-00007" date="20060509" an id="INS-S-00007" underground circuit breaker whereby the need for a lightning arrestor in electrical contact with the first cable portion in the interior of the mast is obviated. 13. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to an underground circuit breaker, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said circuit breaker, wherein the improvement comprises: an underground lightning arrestor having a surge arrestor circuit contained in an underground box for interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion with a second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said circuit breaker whereby the need for a lightning suppressor in the interior of the mast is obviated. 14. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 11, wherein said underground fuse assembly includes a first and second matable connectors, one of which includes at least one fuse, and an underground box for containing said fuse assembly. 15. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 14, wherein said first and second matable connectors will spontaneously disconnect in response to the application of a tensile force that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage connections between said first segment and said second segment. 16. id="DEL-S-00011" date="20060509" The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 15,id="DEL-S-00011" id="INS-S-00008" date="20060509" An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including a light assembly formed from at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a circuit breaker, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said circuit breaker, wherein the improvement comprises: an underground fuse assembly interconnecting a first segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said first cable portion with a second segment of said second cable portion that terminates in said circuit breaker whereby the need for a fuse assembly in electrical contact with said first cable portion in the interior of the mast is obviated; wherein said underground fuse assembly includes a first and second matable connectors, one of which includes at least one fuse, and an underground box for containing said fuse assembly; wherein said first and second matable connectors will spontaneously disconnect in response to the application of a tensile force that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage connections between said first segment and said second segment; andid="INS-S-00008" wherein said first and second matable connectors spontaneously disconnect upon the application of a tensile force of between about 20 to 30 pounds. 17. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 13, wherein said underground lightning arrestor further includes a junction connector in said underground box, wherein said junction connector functions to interconnect one end of said first segment of said second cable portion with both one end of said second segment of said cable portion and said surge arrestor circuit, and said underground box contains said cable segment ends. 18. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 17, wherein said underground lightning arrestor further includes an electrical connector assembly for detachably connecting the surge arrestor circuit to the junction connector to facilitate replacement of the surge arrestor circuit. 19. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 17, wherein said surge arrestor circuit is connected to a ground rod that electrically contacts the surrounding ground. 20. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 15, wherein said first and second matable connectors include electrically conductive pins and barrels, and means for forming a waterproof seal when mated to prevent ambient water from coming into contact with said pins and barrels. 21. A method for improving an outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable disposed partially within said mast and partially underground for connecting the light source to a circuit breaker, and a fuse assembly for a lightning arrestor disposed within said mast and connected by splices to the electrical cable, comprising the steps of: removing said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor from the interior of the mast; replacing said cable disposed in said mast at least in part with a second cable that terminates in an electrical connector near the id="DEL-S-00012" date="20060509" distalid="DEL-S-00012" id="INS-S-00009" date="20060509" proximal id="INS-S-00009" end of the mast; providing a fuse assembly and a lightning arrestor in an underground location; electrically connecting an input of said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor to said circuit breaker, and electrically connecting an output of said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor to said second cable with an underground third cable that terminates in an electrical connector by mating said third cable connector with said second cable connector. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said mating connectors spontaneously disconnect said second and third cable in response to the application of a tensile force on said connectors that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage a connection between said third cable and said fuse assembly and lightning arrestor. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said mating connectors spontaneously disconnect upon the application of a tensile force of between about 20 and 30 pounds. id="INS-S-00010" date="20060509" 24. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting a light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said portion and said power source, and means for securing said first portion of said cable to said tubular mast to isolate the connection between said light source and said cable from tensile forces applied to the first portion of the cable. id="INS-S-00010" id="INS-S-00011" date="20060509" 25. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 5, wherein said fuse assembly includes at least one fuse, and a box for containing said fuse assembly. id="INS-S-00011" id="INS-S-00012" date="20060509" 26. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 6, wherein said underground lightning arrestor includes a surge arrestor circuit contained in a box. id="INS-S-00012" id="INS-S-00013" date="20060509" 27. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 25, wherein said box is underground.id="INS-S-00013" id="INS-S-00014" date="20060509" 28. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 26, wherein said box is underground.id="INS-S-00014" id="INS-S-00015" date="20060509" 29. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 27, wherein said box is positioned below and beside said electrical connector assembly means. id="INS-S-00015" id="INS-S-00016" date="20060509" 30. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 28, wherein said box is positioned below and beside said electrical connector assembly means. id="INS-S-00016" id="INS-S-00017" date="20060509" 31. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 27, wherein said fuse of said fuse assembly is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground.id="INS-S-00017" id="INS-S-00018" date="20060509" 32. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 28, wherein said surge arrestor circuit of said lightning arrestor is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground.id="INS-S-00018" id="INS-S-00019" date="20060509" 33. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 25, wherein said box is waterproof.id="INS-S-00019" id="INS-S-00020" date="20060509" 34. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 26, wherein said box is waterproof.id="INS-S-00020" id="INS-S-00021" date="20060509" 35. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 11, wherein the fuse assembly includes at least one fuse, and a box for containing said fuse assembly. id="INS-S-00021" id="INS-S-00022" date="20060509" 36. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 12, wherein the lightning arrestor includes a surge arrestor circuit contained in a box.id="INS-S-00022" id="INS-S-00023" date="20060509" 37. The improved outdoor lighting system of claims 35 or 36, wherein said box is underground and positioned below and beside said proximal end of said mast.id="INS-S-00023" id="INS-S-00024" date="20060509" 38. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 35, wherein said fuse is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground. id="INS-S-00024" id="INS-S-00025" date="20060509" 39. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 36, wherein said surge arrestor circuit is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground.id="INS-S-00025" id="INS-S-00026" date="20060509" 40. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24, further comprising an underground fuse assembly including a fuse electrically connected to said second portion of said cable, and a box for containing said fuse assembly. id="INS-S-00026" id="INS-S-00027" date="20060509" 41. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 40, wherein said box is underground.id="INS-S-00027" id="INS-S-00028" date="20060509" 42. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 24, further comprising an underground lightning arrestor including a surge arrestor circuit contained within a box and electrically connected to said second cable portion.id="INS-S-00028" id="INS-S-00029" date="20060509" 43. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 42, wherein said box is underground.id="INS-S-00029" id="INS-S-00030" date="20060509" 44. The improved outdoor lighting system of claims 41 or 43, wherein said underground box is positioned below and beside said electrical connector assembly means.id="INS-S-00030" id="INS-S-00031" date="20060509" 45. The improved outdoor lighting system of claims 41 or 43, wherein said underground box is waterproof.id="INS-S-00031" id="INS-S-00032" date="20060509" 46. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 40, wherein said second portion of said cable includes a segment that electrically connects said connector assembly means with said fuse assembly.id="INS-S-00032" id="INS-S-00033" date="20060509" 47. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 42, wherein said second portion of said cable includes a segment that electrically connects said connector assembly means with said lightning arrestor.id="INS-S-00033" id="INS-S-00034" date="20060509" 48. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 41, wherein said fuse of said fuse assembly is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground.id="INS-S-00034" id="INS-S-00035" date="20060509" 49. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 43, wherein said surge arrestor circuit of said lighting arrestor is positioned in a portion of said box that is completely underground.id="INS-S-00035" id="INS-S-00036" date="20060509" 50. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly one-piece tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted directly onto a substantially underground base, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, wherein said electrical connector assembly means is located in the interior of the mast near the proximal end thereof, a fuse assembly electrically connected to said second cable portion between said electrical connector assembly means and said power source wherein the need for a fuse assembly in contact with said first cable portion is obviated, and a lightning arrestor electrically connected to said second cable portion between said electrical connector assembly means and said power source, wherein said fuse assembly and said lightning arrestor are contained in a box located beneath said electrical connector assembly means.id="INS-S-00036" id="INS-S-00037" date="20060509" 51. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 50, wherein said first cable portion is integrally formed without splice connections, and terminates in a male connector that forms part of said electrical connector assembly means.id="INS-S-00037" id="INS-S-00038" date="20060509" 52. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 51, wherein said male connector is integrally connected to an end of said first cable portion.id="INS-S-00038" id="INS-S-00039" date="20060509" 53. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 50, wherein said box is separate from said electrical connector assembly means.id="INS-S-00039" id="INS-S-00040" date="20060509" 54. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end mounted in the ground, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, wherein said electrical connector assembly means is located in the interior of the mast near the proximal end thereof, and a lightning arrestor electrically connected to said second cable portion between said electrical connector assembly means and said power source; a box containing said lightning arrestor, wherein said first cable portion is integrally formed without splice connections, and terminates in a male connector that forms part of said electrical connector assembly means.id="INS-S-00040" id="INS-S-00041" date="20060509" 55. An improved outdoor lighting system of the type including at least one light assembly, one-piece tubular mast having a distal end for supporting an electrically powered light source, and a proximal end directly mounted to an underground base, and an electrical cable for connecting the light source to a power source, said cable having a first portion disposed within an interior of said mast and connected to said light source, and a second portion disposed underground and connected to said power source, wherein the improvement comprises: an electrical connector assembly means for detachably connecting said first and second portions of said cable and for spontaneously disconnecting said portions in response to an application of a tensile force on said electrical connector assembly means that is less than a tensile force necessary to damage the connection between said second portion and said power source, and a lightning arrestor electrically connected to said second cable portion between said electrical connector assembly means and said power source, wherein said lightning arrestor is spaced apart from said electrical connector assembly means by a length of said cable and is located outside of said mast interior.id="INS-S-00041" id="INS-S-00042" date="20060509" 56. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 55, wherein said lightning arrestor is contained within a box.id="INS-S-00042" id="INS-S-00043" date="20060509" 57. The improved outdoor lighting system of claim 56, wherein said lightning arrestor is contained with a portion of said box located completely underground.id="INS-S-00043"