GB2224294A

GB2224294A - A support arrangement for an electrical device

Info

Publication number: GB2224294A
Application number: GB8923889A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Gilbert Jobbins
Original assignee: Linolite Ltd
Current assignee: Linolite Ltd
Priority date: 1988-10-29
Filing date: 1989-10-24
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: GB8923889D0; GB8825374D0

Abstract

A support arrangement for an electrical device mounted on a post (10) comprises a support member (16) which is adapted to be fixed to the ground (12) or other supporting surface, a base member (14) secured to the support member (16) and on which the post (10) is mounted, with a curved bearing surface (26, 34) formed between the support member (16) and the base member (14) and means (28, 36) to releasably clamp the support member (16) and the base member (14) together at a desired relative angle within a range of angles defined by the bearing surface (26, 34). Electrical wiring (44, 46) may extend to connector 48 supported by web (32). The post (10) includes wiring 50 terminating in connector (52). <IMAGE>

Description

A support Arrangement for an Electrical Device This invention relates to an upstanding support for an electrical device and is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to a support for a luminaire for outdoor use.

It is usual to mount an outdoor luminaire on a steel post connected to a fixing set into the ground. The fixing is normally about 600 mm long and set in concrete. No provision is made for adjustment between the fixing and the post, and thus the correct verticality of the post is dependent on accurate vertical placement of the fixing, which is difficult to achieve. It is also necessary to thread the supply cables through the post and connect them to the luminaire at the top of the post after the post has been erected, which is awkward. It is also known to use a post set directly into the ground, which suffers from the same disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved support in which the foregoing disadvantages are overcome or mitigated.

Accordingly, the invention provides a support arrangement for an electrical device mounted on a post, comprising a support member adapted to be fixed to the ground or other supporting surface, a base member for securement to the support member and adapted to mount said post, a curved bearing surface formed between the support member and the base member, and means releasably clamping the support member and the base member together at a desired relative angle within a range of angles defined by said bearing surface.

Preferably, the support member comprises a substantially planar top portion and a ground-engaging portion depending therefrom, and the base member includes a substantially planar portion, said bearing surface comprising a central convex part-spherical surface formed on one of said planar portions and a corresponding part-spherical concavity on the other. Suitably, the clamping means comprises a plurality of threaded members equispaced about the centre of one of said planar portions and projecting through apertures, which may be circular or arcuate slots, in the other for engagement by nuts bearing on said other planar portion.

In an important preferred aspect of the invention, the base member mounts a plug or socket connector for cooperation with a corresponding socket or plug which forms a lower termination to wiring within the post.

From another aspect, the invention resides in an electrical apparatus comprising a post carrying an electrical device (preferably a luminaire) and a support for the post, the support being adapted to be fixed to the ground or other supporting surface, and in which the support includes an electrical plug or socket connector and the post is prewired with wires terminating at the lower end of the post in a mating electrical socket or plug.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view, somewhat schematic and partly in cross-section of a support arrangement embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a support member forming part of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the support member of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an underneath view of a first example of a base member forming another part of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the base member shown in Fig.

4; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a second example of a base member; and, Fig. 8 is a side view of the base member shown in Fig.

7.

Referring to Fig. 1, a luminaire (not shown) is supported on the upper end of a tubular post 10 which is secured relative to the ground 12 by the support arrangement of the present embodiment. The post 10 is secured to a base member 14 which in turn is secured to a support member 16 fixed into the ground, for example by concrete 18.

The support member 16, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a cruciform lower part 20 the limbs of which are preferably apertured as at 22 for better engagement with the concrete 18. A generally planar upper part 24 has a central, part-spherical, convex bearing surface 26 around which are equally spaced upwardly projecting bolts 28.

A first example of the base member 14, shown in Figs. 4 and 6, comprises a lower circular flange 30 and an upstanding arm 32. The underside of the flange 30 has a central concave bearing surface 34 having the same radius of curvature as the bearing surface 26 but of lesser area.

Thus, as seen in Fig. 1, the bearing surfaces 26, 34 can be mated to mount the flange 30 in spaced relation to the planar part 24, and the base member 14 secured to the support member 16 by nuts 36 engaged with the bolts 28.

By adjusting the nuts 36, the axis of the base member 14 can be tilted relative to the axis of the support member 16, thus allowing the post 10 to be set up vertical even if the support member 16 is somewhat out of true.

The bolts 28 pass through arcuate slots 38 in the flange 30, thus allowing rotational as well as axial adjustment.

The upper part 24 of the support member 16 is provided with apertures 40 through which cables can pass, the flange 30 of the base member 14 having corresponding arcuate slots 42.

In normal use, the supply cables 46 will be routed through an underground conduit 44 which can suitably be engaged with one of the apertures 40.

The arm 32 of the base member 14 is formed at its upper end to provide a seating 46 (see Figs. 5 and 6) for a socket 48 (Fig. 1) to which the supply cables are connected. The post 10 is supplied with internal cables 50 terminating in a plug 52 for supplying the luminaire.

The luminaire can therefore be set up as follows. The conduit 44 and supply cables 46 are first laid, and a hole dug at the post position. The support member 16 is then offered up to the conduit 44, the cables 46 fed through the aperture 40, and the support member 16 concreted in position. The base member 14 is then positioned on the support member 16, the nuts 36 run up and adjusted, and the supply cables 46 connected to the socket 48. Finally, the plug 50 is mated with the socket 48, and the post 10 positioned on the base member 14 and secured there by any suitable means (not shown), such as bolts engaging the arm 32, or a spring clip arrangement.

A second example of the base member 14 is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In this second example, the base member 14 operates in substantially the same manner as the base member shown in Figs. 4 to 6. However, in this example the cables pass through circular apertures 60 in the base member and the post 32 is engaged with a post support 62.

The invention thus provides a support arrangement which is easy to install and simple to adjust.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A support arrangement for an electrical device mounted on a post, the support arrangement comprising a support member adapted to be fixed to the ground or other supporting surface, a base member for securement to the support member and adapted to mount said post, a curved bearing surface formed between the support member and the base member, and means releasably clamping the support member and the base member together at a desired relative angle within a range of angles defined by said bearing surface.

2. A support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a substantially planer top portion, and a ground engaging portion depending therefrom, and the base member includes a substantially planer portion.

3. A support arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bearing surface comprises a convex partspherical surface formed on one of the support member of base member and a concave part-spherical surface formed on the other of the base member or the support member.

4. A support arangement according to claim 3, when dependant on claim 2, wherein the part-spherical surfaces are positioned substantially centrally on the planer portions of the support member and the base member.

5. A support arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping means comprises a number of threaded members on one of the support member or the base member so that they locate in corresponding apertures in the other of the support member of the base member.-

6. A support arrangement according to claim 5 when dependant on claim 2 or claim 4, wherein the threaded members are spaced about the centre of one of the planar portions.

7. A support arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.