阅读说明：本技术 在不需要工具的情况下将照明设备连接到杆 (Connecting a lighting device to a pole without the need for tools ) 是由 兰·罗兰·科恩 于 2018-05-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种路灯,该路灯具有至少为6英尺长的杆,并且具有连接到杆一端的电气插座。该插座包括具有内部的本体和定位于本体上以覆盖本体的内部的盖。盖具有环形开口,该环形开口提供进入本体内部的通道。弹性安装的电接触器分别位于本体的内部中并靠近所述盖中的环形开口之一。中心孔延伸穿过本体,并且凸缘位于孔的端部以径向向外延伸。插座可连接到配合的插头,以将路灯或其他设备机械地且电气地连接到杆。路灯可以包括可使用类似的插座和插头来连接的传感器。(A street light having a pole at least 6 feet long and having an electrical socket connected to one end of the pole. The socket includes a body having an interior and a cover positioned over the body to cover the interior of the body. The cover has an annular opening that provides access to the interior of the body. Resiliently mounted electrical contacts are each located in the interior of the body and adjacent one of the annular openings in the cover. A central bore extends through the body and a flange is located at an end of the bore to extend radially outward. The socket is connectable to a mating plug to mechanically and electrically connect a street light or other device to the pole. Street lights may include sensors that may be connected using similar sockets and plugs.)

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a pole at least 6 feet long;

an electrical socket attached to one end of the rod, the socket comprising:

a body having an interior;

a cover positioned on the body to cover the interior of the body, the cover having a plurality of annular openings therethrough providing access to the interior of the body;

a plurality of resiliently mounted electrical contacts, each electrical contact positioned in the interior of the body and positioned adjacent to one of the plurality of annular openings in the cover;

a central bore extending through the body along an axis about which the plurality of annular openings of the cap surround; and

a flange extending radially outward from the central bore at a side of the body opposite the side at which the cover is positioned on the body.

2. The device of claim 1, the device being a mount directly connectable with a street light.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a street light directly connected to the socket.

4. The device according to claim 1, a socket of this type being configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a plug having:

a series of concentric conductive rings positioned to provide one concentric ring in each annular opening of the cover when the plug and the receptacle are mated;

a post insertable into the central bore of the socket, the post having a central bore and at least one transverse bore therethrough, the transverse bore being transverse to the central bore of the post;

a spherical bearing positioned within the at least one transverse bore; and

a bar having a recessed radial groove formed therein, the bar being insertable into the central bore of the post, the bar being slidable within the central bore of the post to align the groove with the transverse bore in an unlocked position and move the groove out of alignment with the transverse bore in an unlocked position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the socket comprises a peripheral gear formed around an outer surface of the body adjacent the cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the socket and the plug each include a peripheral gear formed around an outer surface of the body adjacent the cover, and the gear of the socket is cooperable with the gear of the plug to maintain a radial orientation of the plug relative to the socket.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a device comprising at least one of said plugs, the device thereby being mechanically and electrically connectable to said socket, the device thereby being mechanically and electrically connectable to said rod.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is a lighthead comprising at least one electrically activated lighting device source.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the electrically activated lighting device is selected from the group consisting of: LEDs, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, HID, metal halide lamps, mercury vapor lamps, and low pressure or high pressure sodium lamps.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a connectable device to which a plug is attached, the plug having:

a series of concentric conductive rings positioned to provide one concentric ring in each annular opening of the cover when the plug and the receptacle are mated;

a post insertable into the central bore of the socket, the post having a central bore and at least one transverse bore therethrough, the transverse bore being transverse to the central bore of the post;

a spherical bearing positioned within the at least one transverse bore; and

a bar having a recessed radial groove formed therein, the bar being insertable into the central bore of the post, the bar being slidable within the central bore of the post such that in an unlocked position the groove is aligned with the transverse bore and in an unlocked position the groove is moved out of alignment with the transverse bore.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one sensor for sensing and signaling an environmental parameter of the pole when the device is connected to the pole using a plug and socket.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of: microphones, speakers, light sensors, visible or invisible light detection cameras, chemical sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, wind sensors.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an electronic processor.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a lamp for emitting visible light.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the connectable device comprises a light.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light further comprises a socket of the type connected to the pole.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein the connectable device comprises one or more sensors that emit electrical signals that are transmitted through the plug and the receptacle.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the connectable device is a traffic light.

19. The device of claim 10, further comprising a collar attached to the connectable device, the collar sized to conformably surround the rod to provide support for mechanical connection of the rod and the connectable device when the plug is connected to the socket.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an access port formed in at least one of the collar and the stem to allow passage of a hand or tool proximate the socket and the plug to facilitate release of the plug from the socket by movement of the wand.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole extends at least 12 feet above a mounting surface when the pole is mounted on the mounting surface.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for connecting lighting fixtures and other electrical equipment to a lamp or a common pole, and more particularly to a system and method for forming such mechanical and electrical connections without the use of tools.

Background

The technology of mounting electrical appliances and appliances such as lighting appliances and fans on walls or ceilings generally requires the assistance of qualified electricians and the use of various tools and specialized hardware. Even the process of installing or uninstalling such appliances by experienced installers can be time consuming and can be dangerous. In addition to requiring manual wiring of the necessary electrical connections between the appliance and the power cord, the installer must also make a separate mechanical connection to support or suspend the appliance in place. This is particularly difficult, for example, when such devices are mounted to the ends of elevated poles or suspended above a traffic corridor.

There are many commercial systems known as "smart home environment" systems that may include one or more sensors and networked devices. These smart home devices may sometimes communicate with each other and be integrated together in a smart home environment. Smart home devices may also communicate with cloud-based smart home control and/or data processing systems to distribute control functions, to access higher capacity and more reliable computing facilities, and to integrate specific smart homes into a larger, multi-home or geo-smart home device based aggregation.

Street lights (also known as light poles, street lights, lighting standards or street light standards) are elevated light sources that typically extend at the edge of or above a road or sidewalk. Modern street lights may also have a photo-sensitive cell that automatically activates when light is needed or not needed, such as in dusk, dawn or rainy weather. Street light systems are typically connected to a power source by wires running through the ground, rather than by wires running from one common lighting column to another.

In some cases, a hard-wired connection to the street lamps is not necessary, as some street lamps have photovoltaic cells and can collect and store the electrical energy required by the street lamps during the daytime. In addition, the street light may have a radio transmitter and/or receiver to wirelessly send and/or receive information (e.g., command signals to turn on/off).

The street lamps use high intensity discharge lamps, typically HPS (high pressure sodium lamp) or metal halide lamps. New street light technologies such as LED or induction lamps have also been introduced because the white light they emit can provide a high level of lumens for scotopic vision, allowing street lights of lower wattage and lower lumens for photopic vision to be used in place of existing street lights.

Disclosure of Invention

The apparatus of the present disclosure includes a pole at least 6 feet long and an electrical socket attached to one end of the pole; the socket includes: a body having an interior; a cover positioned on the body to cover the interior of the body, the cover having a plurality of annular openings therethrough providing access to the interior of the body; a plurality of resiliently mounted electrical contacts, each electrical contact positioned in the interior of the body and positioned adjacent to one of the plurality of annular openings in the cover; a central bore extending through the body along an axis about which the plurality of annular openings of the cap surround; and a flange extending radially outward from the central bore at a side of the body opposite the side at which the cap is positioned on the body.

In a variation of the disclosed device, the device is a mount that is directly connected to a street light; and/or the device further comprises a street lamp directly connected to the socket.

In another variation of the disclosed device, the receptacle is of a type configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a plug having: a series of concentric conductive rings positioned to provide one concentric ring in each annular opening of the cover when the plug and the receptacle are mated; a post insertable into the central bore of the socket, the post having a central bore and at least one transverse bore therethrough, the transverse bore being transverse to the central bore of the post; a spherical bearing positioned within the at least one transverse bore; and a bar having a recessed radial groove formed therein, the bar being insertable into the central bore of the post, the bar being slidable within the central bore of the post to align the groove with the transverse bore in an unlocked position and move the groove out of alignment with the transverse bore in an unlocked position.

In a further variation of the disclosed apparatus, the socket includes a peripheral gear formed around an outer surface of the body adjacent the cover; the socket and the plug each include a peripheral gear formed around an outer surface of the body adjacent the cover, and the gear of the socket cooperates with the gear of the plug to maintain a radial orientation of the plug relative to the socket; the apparatus further comprises: a device comprising at least one of said plugs, said device thereby being mechanically and electrically connectable to said socket, said device thereby being mechanically and electrically connectable to said stem; and/or the device is a lamp head comprising at least one electrically activated lighting device source.

In a further variant of the device of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a connectable device to which a plug is fixed, the plug having: a series of concentric conductive rings positioned such that when the plug and receptacle are mated, one concentric ring will be disposed in each annular opening of the cover; a post insertable into the central bore of the socket, the post having a central bore and at least one transverse bore therethrough, the transverse bore being transverse to the central bore of the post; a spherical bearing positioned within the at least one transverse bore; and a bar having a recessed radial groove formed therein, the bar being insertable into the central bore of the post, the bar being slidable within the central bore of the post to align the groove with the transverse bore in an unlocked position and move the groove out of alignment with the transverse bore in an unlocked position.

In a further variation of the disclosed apparatus, the apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing and signaling an environmental parameter of the pole when the apparatus is connected to the pole using the plug and socket; the sensor is selected from: a microphone, a speaker, a light sensor, a visible or invisible light detection camera, a chemical sensor, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind sensor; the apparatus also includes an electronic processor; the apparatus further comprises a lamp for emitting visible light; the connectable device comprises a light; the lamp further comprises a socket of the type connected to the rod; the connectable device includes one or more sensors that emit electrical signals that can be transmitted through the plug and receptacle.

In other variations of the disclosed device, the connectable device is a traffic light; the device further comprises a collar attached to the connectable device, the collar sized to conformably surround the stem to provide support for mechanical connection of the stem and the connectable device when the plug is connected to the receptacle; the apparatus further comprises an access port formed in at least one of the collar and the stem, the access port allowing passage of a hand or tool proximate to the socket and plug, thereby facilitating release of the plug from the socket by movement of the wand; and/or the pole extends at least 12 feet above the mounting surface when the pole is mounted on the mounting surface.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, as well as the attendant advantages and features of the present disclosure, will be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a pole, a light head and a connection of the present disclosure, wherein the light head is disconnected from the pole;

FIG. 2 depicts a closer perspective view of a lamp head, stem and socket connector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts the lamp head and connection of FIG. 1, showing a plug mateable with the socket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the light head and socket of FIG. 1, and further illustrates additional devices that may be associated with the light head, such as a solar panel, a battery, a sensor, and/or a transmitter;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the stem, base and connection of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the connection of FIG. 1 showing an alternative mating gear connection for setting and maintaining the radial orientation of the lamp head;

FIG. 7 depicts the lighthead of FIG. 1, further including an extra outlet of the type shown in FIG. 2, and additionally showing a device that may be connected to the extra outlet, such as a device including a sensor;

FIG. 8 depicts the lighthead of FIG. 7 with an additional light and sensor device connected to an additional socket;

FIG. 9 depicts a traffic signal mounted to a vertically extending rod and connector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a traffic signal mounted to a horizontally extending rod and connector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11A depicts the lamp head, stem and connector assembly of FIG. 1 further including a collar surrounding the plug according to the present disclosure, and further including an access port in the stem;

FIG. 11B depicts the assembly of FIG. 11A in a connected orientation;

FIG. 12A depicts the assembly of FIG. 11A with the release bar extended into the lamp head;

FIG. 12B depicts the assembly of FIG. 12A with the light head turned on to provide access to the release bar;

FIG. 13 depicts a detailed perspective view of a receptacle having gear teeth oriented along an axis transverse to the axis of the central bore of the receptacle;

FIG. 14 depicts a detailed perspective view of a plug having gear teeth that can mate with the gear teeth of FIG. 13 to maintain the relative radial orientation of the mated plug and receptacle;

fig. 15 depicts an exploded view of the body of a receptacle including contacts and resilient contact supports.

FIG. 16 depicts a cross-section through the middle of the receptacle and plug;

FIG. 17 depicts the receptacle and plug of FIG. 16 mated;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the plug;

FIG. 19 depicts a detailed perspective view of a mated plug and receptacle with an elongated release bar and support;

FIG. 20 depicts a modular sensor device having a plug of the type of FIG. 19 mounted on a central hub that is electrically connected to a plurality of modules, each module providing a feature for the assembly of the hub and the module, the feature including sensors, such as detectors, transmitters, and transducers;

FIG. 21 depicts an alternative release mechanism separating a mated receptacle and plug;

FIG. 22 depicts a detailed view of a support sleeve and cover for a receptacle or plug; and

figure 23 depicts a cover comprising a plug of the type shown in figure 3 or figure 18, optionally comprising one or more sensors, and optionally comprising a socket of the type shown in figure 6 or figure 13.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosed subject matter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the concept.

The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more. The term "plurality", as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having," as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open-ended). The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, and not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

All types of street lamps usually comprise a pole that supports the burner and holds it in the desired position. Therefore, whether it is desired to convert an existing street light into an LED (or other new technology) or simply repair/replace a defective cap, it is necessary to separate the cap from the post and reconnect the cap to the post.

Conventional techniques for mounting street light heads to poles typically require the assistance of a qualified electrical team and the use of various tools and specialized hardware. Even the process of installing or uninstalling such lightheads may be time consuming to perform by an experienced team. In addition to requiring manual wiring of the required electrical connections between the lamp head and the power cord, the installer must also make a separate mechanical connection to support or suspend the lamp head in place. During this time, teams and other personnel may be accidentally injured by the passage of various types of traffic, and the traffic may be blocked.

According to the present disclosure, the lighthead and related equipment can be removed very quickly without tools, at least for the mechanical and electrical connections provided by the socket 24 and plug 22, thereby allowing the technician to block traffic for only a very short period of time. The lighthead can be quickly swapped out and the technician can immediately leave without returning, thereby minimizing exposure to traffic or traffic jams. The replaced lighthead can be tested, repaired or replaced on a surface remote from traffic, and then another fixture can be swapped out in a similar manner.

The inventor's patent publication discloses a solution for connecting lighting fixtures and other electric and electronic appliances without using tools. These related patents and applications disclose various embodiments of plug 22 and receptacle 24 combinations that allow for quick connection of electrical appliances or applications at an electrical junction box on a wall or ceiling. For example, the receptacle is fixed to a wall or ceiling adjacent to the power cord and includes a female receptacle that receives a male pin for electrical use carried on the plug. The electrical appliance is secured to the plug using any of a variety of known methods. In addition to the quick and secure electrical connection provided by this plug and socket combination, the mechanical connection between the plug and socket also bears the mechanical load of the electrical appliance.

More specifically, the sockets and plugs referred to herein are of the type described in the following documents: U.S. patent application serial No.62/467,176 filed on 3/5/2017; PCT International patent application PCT/US2016/032170 (published as WO2016/183354A1), filed on 5, 12, 2016; U.S. patent No.7,462,066 filed 3, 20, 2007; no.7,192,303 filed on 2.12.2004; and No.6,962,498 filed 12/2001; and U.S. patent application publication No.2009/0280673 filed on 2.12.2005; and U.S. provisional application No.62/160,585 filed on 12/5/2015; no.62/308,718 filed on 2016, 3, 15; no.62/467,176 filed on 3/5/2017; no.62,470,170 filed on 3, month, 10, 2017; patent application publication No.62/515,464 filed on 6/5/2017. The socket and plug are described in detail in the published document, to which reference is made for further details not provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the contents of each of the foregoing documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The inventor's previous disclosure, some of which are cited above, describes a socket 24 that allows the plug 22 to conduct electrical power to the lamp 14, fan, or other suspended appliance. The plug mechanically supports the weight of the appliance in a desired orientation so that the appliance can also receive power from the plug. A central releasable latching mechanism allows partial or full withdrawal of the plug. Partial withdrawal may be used to support the weight of the implement while the rotational orientation of the implement is being changed. The full exit may be used to transfer the implement to another location.

As applied to the present disclosure, the term "fixture" or "electrical fixture" refers to the light head 814 of the street light 810, the light head 814 being powered by the power provided by the electrical wires and requiring a mechanical connection to support or suspend the light head relative to the pole of the street light 810. The structure, function and operation of the plug 22 and mating receptacle 24 are described in detail herein and, for example, in the patents and applications incorporated by reference, and reference may be made to its general additional details regarding quick release devices, as well as all variations of quick release devices that may be used in conjunction with the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is equally applicable to a light head 814 that includes an integrated power source such as a solar panel or a wind generator. In some cases, the generated electricity may be transferred to an external storage device through the receptacle 24 and plug 22. Alternatively, the generated electricity may be stored within the lamp head, and the socket 24 and plug 22 may merely pass on control signals. Finally, the lighthead 814 is typically autonomous, including, for example, power generation, storage, and a timer or light sensor for controlling operation; however, override signals or power and signal lines for individual devices connected to the lamp head 814 may pass through the receptacle 24 and plug 22.

As shown in fig. 1, the street light 810 includes a pole 812 and a light head 814. The street light 810 may also include one or more solar cells 830, a wireless transmitter/receiver 840 or any other device associated with street lighting technology, or devices disclosed herein, including, for example, the devices described with reference to fig. 7-8. The present disclosure further contemplates that stem 812 may have any suitable shape and/or size, including an elliptical or polygonal cross-section, or uniform or tapered in length.

Although the base 814 is shown in the figures as an LED array 832, by way of example, the base 814 may use any suitable light source, including LEDs, fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, high-pressure gas discharge lamps (HID), metal halide lamps, mercury vapor lamps, and low or high pressure sodium lamps. In one embodiment, to reduce the weight of the lamp head 814 or for any other reason, any required ballast may be stored in or on the pole 812, on the base of the pole 812, or in any other location, connected to the lamp head 814 by wires interconnected by the socket 24 and plug 22. In this case, the socket 24 and plug 22 should be adapted to the applicable voltage and current used.

As shown in fig. 2-6, the mechanical and electrical connection 800 (indicated by braces in fig. 3) between the stem 812 and the light head 814 is made up of a quick-connect device that includes a combination of the plug 22 and the mating receptacle 24. As shown, the plug 22 is fixedly secured to the light head 814 and the receptacle 24 is secured to the stem 812. However, the present disclosure contemplates: the plug 22 may be located on the stem 812 and the receptacle 24 may be located on the lamp head 814.

As can be seen in fig. 1-4, the stem 812 is elongated and extends to a height such that the free end 816 is located a distance above the ground, which is typically higher than most people can reach without assistance. The height may be at least 6 feet, but may be at least 12 feet to enable a car to pass under it, and may be at least 14 feet to allow a tractor trailer to pass under it. The regulations of the U.S. department of transportation indicate that the height of the pole 812 and light head 814 should be at least 16 feet in rural areas and at least 14 feet in urban areas when located near interstate highways and extending on a roadway. However, in accordance with the present disclosure, the height is at least 6 feet and can be as high as at least 100 feet or more. The rod 812 may be mounted to another structure, placing the free end 816 at an extreme height of hundreds of feet. Installing, servicing and removing the light head 814 at a high height can increase the risk to the technician. The present disclosure makes this high exposure as short as possible. Furthermore, because of the ease of operation of the connection 800, a mechanical or robotic device may be used to connect and make the connection 800, thereby avoiding the need to place a human in a potentially dangerous location.

In the drawings, and in particular in fig. 6, it can be seen that the socket 24 includes a radial gear 436 formed on a surface of the socket 24. A mating peripheral gear 536 is provided on the plug 22 whereby the gears 436, 536 mate to maintain the radial orientation of the lighthead 814 relative to the free end 816 of the stem 812 when the plug 22 and receptacle 24 are mated. More specifically, the desired angular orientation of the lighthead 814 is established before the receptacle 24 and the plug 22 are sufficiently connected to engage the gear 436 and the gear 536. After the desired angle is established, the receptacle 24 and plug 22 are fully mated such that the gear 436 and the gear 536 intermesh. In this manner, light from the lamp head 814 may be directed at a desired angle, and that angle is optimally effective for a particular task. The post 524 may be partially inserted into the channel 410 to bear at least a portion of the weight of the light head 814 when the light head 814 is rotated to a desired angle.

Turning now to fig. 7-8. It can be seen that the light head 814 can be provided with further sockets 24 (here 24A, 24B) which enable mechanical and electrical connections 800 (here 800A, 800B) of additional electrical devices, each with a plug 22 (not shown in fig. 7 and 8, but elsewhere herein and in incorporated references). Any number of such additional sockets 24/plugs 22 may be provided on the base 814.

In particular, in the examples of fig. 7-8, a smart device 600 (here 600A, 600B) as described in the incorporated references and elsewhere herein includes a plug 22, which plug 22 is connectable to a socket 24 (here 24A) mounted on a lamp head 814 (here 814A). Fig. 8 depicts a smart device 600A mounted on a light head 814A. Wires may thus be run from the smart device 600A into the lamp head 814A to obtain power available in the lamp head 814A, or connected to a transmitter or other device within the lamp head 814A. Additionally or alternatively, power or signals may be passed from the smart device 600 through the receptacle 24A/plug 22, and the wires connected to the receptacle 24A may in turn be connected to the receptacle 24 of the light head 814. As a result, the electrical connection 100 may transfer power and/or signals from both the light head 814 and the device connected to the light head 814 via the receptacle 24/plug 22.

The advantage of providing a smart device 600 is that various sensors 26 or sensing modules 626 can be incorporated and quickly replaced as needed or desired and can provide useful information about the environment of the lighthead 814. For example, the sensors 26 or sensing units 626 are provided for providing any combination of the following functions in an area where one or more lightheads 814 are deployed (e.g., an entire parking lot or city):

sensing temperature, humidity, wind or other environmental parameters to address climate control issues or to report weather;

monitoring a sound, such as a glass break sound, a gunshot sound, or a distress sound, to summon a first responder;

monitor ambient light, such as light to turn the lighthead 814 on or off;

broadcasting sounds, such as emergency alerts, safety warnings or instructions;

detecting motion, for safety, for opening doorways or small roads, or for otherwise sensing and controlling traffic or traffic lights;

recording activity in the environment surrounding the pole 814 using a camera that detects visible or invisible light (including, for example, infrared energy);

monitoring the release of chemical substances, or monitoring the presence of toxic or hazardous substances, such as explosives or radioactive substances; and/or

Other functions that may be performed by the sensing unit 26 as defined herein and in the incorporated references include, for example, receiver/transmitter 58/50.

In fig. 8, a further lamp cap 814C is connected to the socket 24B by means of the plug 22 (not visible in fig. 8), showing: multiple lightheads 814 of similar or dissimilar configuration may be connected to each other or the lightheads may be daisy chained. In the example shown, light head 814C is a spotlight that may be used to illuminate areas where ambient light is low and dim, but light head 814A cannot illuminate. For example, additional light can be provided to the waiting area in this way, thereby increasing safety. Although such an additional socket 24B is shown on the upper surface (when the light head 814A is mounted), the socket 24 may be provided in any orientation on the light head 814.

In fig. 9-10, the light head 814 (here 814A/814B) has a highly specific structure and purpose, which is not relevant for general illumination for visibility. In this example, traffic lights are depicted, which may include various color-coded lights for controlling vehicular traffic, such as red, yellow, and green lights in the United states and other countries. Other types of signal lights may be deployed in this manner, such as lighted signs containing text or other indications that may control traffic, or otherwise issue warning signals or other conditions. In fig. 9, the light head 814B is mounted in a vertical orientation relative to the ground, with the stem 812 also having a vertical orientation. In fig. 10, the rod 812 has a horizontal orientation, while the light head 814C again has a vertical orientation. These and other relative orientations between the light head 814 and the stem 812 can be obtained by altering the orientation (including non-orthogonal directions) of the stem 812 and altering the mounting location of the receptacle 24/plug 22 on the light head 814.

Referring to fig. 11-12A, a collar 820 is secured to the lamp head 814 so as to surround the plug 22 (the plug is shown in an enlarged manner in an adjacent circle and not hatched for clarity). The stem 812 may be inserted into the collar 820 to connect the receptacle 24 and the plug 22 as otherwise described herein. In this manner, the collar 820 provides additional strength to the connection 100, preventing the stem 812 from over-bending, or preventing excessive forces from being applied to the mechanical connection between the receptacle 24 and the plug 22. This helps to prevent damage due to, for example, high winds, bird perching, or vandalism. The collar 820 may be used in other configurations of the receptacle 24 and plug 22 as described herein or in the incorporated references. Additionally shown in fig. 12-12A is an annular seal 826, such as an O-ring, disposed between the collar 820 and the stem 812 when the collar 820 and stem 812 are assembled with one another. The seal 826 may be secured to the collar 820 or stem 812, for example, by being resiliently retained within a groove (not shown). Seal 826 reduces the ingress of water or other contaminants or insects.

Alternatively, the collar 820 may be connected to the stem 812 and the connectable device may include a plug 22 or receptacle 24 mounted on a sleeve extending into the collar 820. Alternatively, other mechanical connectors and connectable devices associated with the stem 812 may supplement the mechanical connection provided by the plug 22 and receptacle 24 to provide additional mechanical support as needed.

With additional reference to fig. 9-12A, an access port 822, which may be covered by a plug or door (not shown), provides access within the lever 812 to actuate a release push bar 16, or other release mechanism described herein or in incorporated references. Actuation of the push bar 16, such as pushing the push bar 16 against a biasing force, can disengage the receptacle 24 and plug 22. Alternatively or additionally, access ports 822 are provided in the collar 820 to provide closer access to the plug 22/receptacle 24.

In fig. 12 to 12A. The bar 16 extends in the opposite direction to the inside of the lamp head 814. Thus, access to the bar 16 is through the interior of the light head 814, for example by opening the lens or cover 824, as shown in FIG. 12A. This may be advantageous, for example, to deter theft or vandalism.

Here, it should be understood that the relative position of the receptacle 24 may be interchanged with the plug 22. That is, where a receptacle 24 is depicted, a plug 22 may be provided, with the plug 22 being replaced with the receptacle 24 on the mating device accordingly. Typically, however, power is applied to the socket to prevent electrical contact of the electrical signal with a grounded object or person or animal when the connection 100 is not made and the socket/plug is exposed. However, for low power signals this may not be a serious problem, so there is more design latitude in which device has the receptacle 24 and which device has the plug 22.

The socket 24 or plug 22 may be secured to the lamp cap 814 or stem 812 by any known or later developed means or method, including, for example, mounting brackets, screws, clamps, threads, adhesives, crimping, welding, or soldering. Any gaps or openings through the socket 24 or plug 22 into the interior of the stem 812 or lamp head 814 may be sealed by suitable caulking, adhesive, gaskets, paint, or other means. When not connected to each other, a cap or cover (fig. 22, 23) may be applied to the receptacle 24 or plug 22 to prevent the ingress of contaminants or to reduce the occurrence of corrosion, tampering or damage.

Referring to fig. 13, 15 and the left side portions of fig. 16 and 17, an embodiment of the receptacle 24 is described in detail. In fig. 15, it can be seen that the receptacle 24 includes a non-conductive body 400 that houses a plurality of resilient contact supports 402, the resilient contact supports 402 including contact members 416 at the ends of an extension 418. A spring 420 (fig. 16) may be located behind each contact 416 to bias the contact into position within the channel 406, as will be described further below. The cover 404 surrounds the support 402 supported within the body 400 and includes a series of concentric channels 406 that expose the support 402 within each channel 406. The support member 402 may be conductive and may include threaded holes (not depicted) or other fasteners through which electrical wires may be electrically connected to the support member 402 and thus to the contacts 416. The mounting bracket 408 may be mounted to the receptacle 24 to facilitate mounting the receptacle 24 in or on the pole 812 or in or on the lamp head 814. Alternatively, the cover 404 is formed integrally with the body 400, and an opening for inserting the conductor 402 may be provided in the body. In another alternative, receptacle 24 is digitally printed with a closed body containing conductors 402 and other components described herein, and a channel 406 formed in the body.

As can be seen in fig. 16, the socket body 400 comprises a bore 410, which bore 410 leads to a bore 412 of larger diameter, the two bores 410, 412 thereby forming a flange 414 with each other. As described elsewhere herein, when the aperture 410 and the aperture 412 form a closed-ended aperture, the aperture 410 may pass completely through the body 400 to allow the release push bar 16 to pass through. The flange 414 may alternatively be formed on a surface of the body 400 opposite the side having the cover 404, with the aperture 410 extending completely through the body 400.

Referring to fig. 18 and 19 and the right-hand portion of fig. 16 and 17, the plug 22 includes a base 500 having a central bore 510, the central bore 510 housing a series of concentric annular conductors 502, the series of concentric annular conductors 502 being positioned coaxially with the central bore 510. The conductors 502 include an extension 518 that terminates in a terminal 522 through which a wire may be electrically connected to each conductor 502.

A cylindrical post 524 passes through the central bore 510 and is secured to the base 500. The post 524 includes a central bore 526 and one or more lateral bores 528, the lateral bores 528 being disposed at a lateral axis relative to the central bore 526. The aperture 528 is shaped to retain the ball-bearing 530 in the aperture 528, while allowing the ball-bearing 530 to pass at least partially through the exterior of the aperture 528 to protrude from the exterior of the post 524. The retaining bar 532 is sized to slidably pass through the central bore 510, and the retaining bar 532 includes one or more peripherally recessed annular channels 534 formed in a surface of the retaining bar. When the bar 532 is arranged to move to the released position within the bore 510, the annular channel 534 is aligned with the transverse bore 528 and the support 530 is allowed to enter the annular channel 534, so no part of the support 530 protrudes from the exterior of the post 524. When the bar 532 is moved to the locked position, the annular channel 534 is positioned out of alignment with the transverse bore 528, wherein the support 530 is pushed by the bar 532 such that a portion of the support 530 must protrude from the exterior of the post 524 and not fully enter the transverse bore 528. A spring 538 biases the bar 532 to a locked position.

As can be seen in fig. 17 and 19, when the receptacle 24 and plug 22 are mated, the annular conductor 502 of the plug 22 is inserted into the passage 406 of the receptacle 24, making contact with each contact and making electrical connection with the conductor 402. The diameter of the post 524 is such that it fits snugly within the bore 410, and therefore the bar 532 must be moved to the release position so that all of the support 530 can move into the transverse bore 528 without extending from the post 524. When the receptacle 24 and plug 22 are fully mated and in contact, the bar 532 may be released to a locked position where a portion of the support 530 may enter the aperture 412. In the locked position, the bar 532 prevents the support 530 from being withdrawn from a partially outwardly positioned position and thus the support contacts the flange 414 to prevent withdrawal of the post 524, thereby locking the receptacle 24 and the post 22 together. Likewise, the bar 532 may again be moved to the release position to disengage the receptacle 24 and the plug 22.

Turning now to fig. 20, an embodiment of a smart device 600 is shown in more detail. Here, the sensor 26 is an electronic device for receiving/inputting or transmitting/outputting electrical signals (including receiving or transmitting any type of electromagnetic signals or wave energy). The sensing unit 626 forms a module including one or more sensors 26, or in addition to this, the module includes circuitry, and the module may be separate from the central hub 602. The central hub 602 itself may contain the sensors 26 or circuitry. The circuit particularly comprises an electronic processor. It can also be seen that the sensing unit 626 includes an electrical connector 606 that interfaces with a mating connector 608 on the hub 602. In this manner, signals from the sensing units may be forwarded through the plug 22/receptacle 24 associated with the hub 602, or may be processed in the hub 602 for transmission in another form.

The sensing module 626 may include a data connector 608 whereby data may be uploaded or downloaded to the smart device 600 or transmitted or received from the light head 814. Further, sensors that are wireless transmitters and/or receivers may be used to send or receive data. Such data may include electrical signals that may be analyzed to determine a fault of one or more lamp heads, or energy consumption, usage, or other parameters of one or more lamp heads 814.

When the sensing modules 626 are interchangeable, for example, as shown in fig. 20, the central hub 602 is manufactured with the lightheads, and the sensing modules 626 may be added in the field or at any point to correspond to the set of features required for a particular lighthead 814 and/or location. For example, it may be determined that, for example, one light sensor is needed for every 20 lightheads, only one wireless transmitter is needed for every 50 lightheads or only certain locations, and one camera is needed for every 10 lightheads or poles 812. In this way, a network of lightheads 814 with distributed and targeted functionality is created, reducing costs and enabling improved functionality in the interconnection network.

As described with respect to the light head 814, since the smart device itself is connected to the light head 814 or the pole 812 through the receptacle 24/plug 22, the device can be quickly removed and replaced with minimal or minimal impact on traffic. Although the embodiment of fig. 20 is modular in structure and function, it should be understood that the smart device 600 may be comprised of a single unitary device having a single primary function or any number of functions.

Fig. 21 depicts another release configuration that enables the release bar to be offset relative to the central axis of the plug 22. The bar 540 extends through the push bar 16 or the hold bar 532 and is fixed at one end with respect to the plug base 500 and movable at the opposite end. The biased push bar 16A may be pushed to move the bar 540, thereby pushing the retaining bar 532 to cause release of the plug 22 relative to the receptacle 24. This structure may be used inside the stem 812 or the light head 814 and positioned at a location convenient to the user, such as near the access port 822.

In fig. 22, the receptacle 24 is mounted within a rigid housing, showing one way of constructing and arranging the collar 820. As shown in fig. 22, the mounting bracket 426 is secured to the collar 820, and the receptacle 24 is secured to the mounting bracket 426 via the mounting bracket 408. Alternatively, the receptacle 24 may be secured directly to the mounting bracket 426. Fig. 22 also shows a cover 428, which cover 428 includes a post sized to be inserted into aperture 410, and cover 428 may include a tab (not shown) that is resiliently movable when engaging flange 414.

In fig. 23, the cover 430A includes one or more sensors 26 that are electrically connected to the plug 22 to which the cover 430A is mounted. Alternatively, the plate 430A may be a surface without the sensor 26, so that a simple cover with the same fastening mechanism as described for the plug 22 may be formed. Fig. 23 also depicts how a plug may be configured to include a receptacle 24A so that alternative devices including either the plug 22 or the receptacle 24 may be interconnected.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. There are many different features of the present disclosure, and it is contemplated that these features can be used together or separately. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited to any specific combination of features or to a specific application of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure may occur to those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be included as further embodiments of the present disclosure.