GB2341670A

GB2341670A - Street lighting column with rail and runner for lamp maintenance

Info

Publication number: GB2341670A
Application number: GB9820043A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Dixon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-16
Filing date: 1998-09-16
Publication date: 2000-03-22
Also published as: GB9820043D0

Abstract

To assist with maintenance of existing street lighting column 2.3 for globe and bulb replacement, a rail 2.2 and runner, with the existing globe and any associated sensors attached to the runner, are installed on the column. Strap connectors are used to fix the rail to the column and its head. Raising and lowering of the globe is with a continuous belt pulley system; for vandal protection at the bottom of the column and rail, there is a security sheath 2.4.

Description

2341670 RAIL AND RUNNER (ADDED TO A LIGHTING COLUMN TO ASSIST WITH GLOBE

MAINTENANCE) This invention relates to the use of a rail and runner added to existing lighting columns.

Street lighting columns are located on large number of streets, roads, and motorways. They, comprise of a vertical column member with a globe enclosing a bulb attached at the column head; ofien this is suspended on a curved or other protruding arm from the vertical column.

1 There is an electricity supply cable normally located in the centre of protruding head member and down to the control box inset in the bottom section of the vertical column. To assist with control of the bulb, there is often a light sensor located on the globe.

There are high numbers of street lighting columns installed and these have a high asset value. The bulb within the globe has to be periodically replaced and the globe cleaned to ensure the lighting column continues to perform sail sfactori ly. For cleaning and bulb replacement, a tower hoist with a man on top is used to attain access.

According to the present invention, existing lighting columns are retained and provided with a means of maintaining the bulb and globe with out the need for a tower hoist and traffic disruption associated with the tower hoist. For this invention, the existing globe is placed on a runner which is located on a rail installed along the side of the column to enable the globe to be lowered and raised to facilitate the bulb and globe maintenance. The rail is installed on the existing lighting column using strap connectors. Raising and lowering of the globe is with a continuous belt pulley, system installed on the rail and attached to the runner.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a typical lighting column elevation with:- Location of the existing globe (marked 1. 1); inset are alternative column heads with globe positions shown.

Figure 2 shows a typical modified lighting column elevation with:Location of the relocated globe (marked 2. 1); inset are alternative relocated column beads with globe positions shown.

A rail added (marked 2.2). The rail need not follow the centre line of the column but can be shaped/modilfied to accommodate the runner (marked 2.2A and 2.213).

Existing lighting column (marked 2.3).

(Optional) security, sheath (marked 2.4) - see Figure 6 for cross section.

2 Figure 3 shows how the completed adaption functions:Pull globe from socket (marked 3. 1). Lower globe (marked 3.2). Replace bulb and clean globe and sensor (marked 3.3).

Z) Start to raise globe (marked 3.4). Raise globe (marked).5). Pull globe into socket (marked -3.6).

Figure 4 shows typical rail,lrunner detail and fixing to column head with:Existing globe (marked 4. 1) fixed to runner. Runner (marked 4.2). Rail (marked 4.3) attached to side of existing column. Continuous belt (marked 4.4). Existing column with cable retained (marked 4.5). Banding (marked 4.6), Connector (marked 4.7).

Figure 5 shows a strap connector -,vith.Bolt on/no drill adapter (marked 5. 1) to fasten rail to strap connector. Banding (marked 5.2); this is shown for a circular column but will adapt to square (steel or concrete). Hole in connector (marked 5.3) for banding. Connector (marked 5.4) from rail to column with hole for banding to pass through; length from column to rail fixed or use connectors with various lengths Alternatively, this can be formed in two parts with eve bolt holes and clamped together with nut and bolt.

Figure 6 shows security sheath at low level on the column with:Hinge between band & sheath (marked 6. 1).

1 Removable security sheath around bottom section of rail (marked 6.2). Lock (marked 6.3).

3

Claims

1 For the rail and runner added to existing lighting columns, an existing lighting column is adapted by removing the existing globe, installing a rail on the column, installing the existing globe and associated sensor on a runner and placing the runner on the rail. There is a continuous belt pulley system which is used to lower and raise the globe; at the bottom of the rail there is a security sheath fixed to the column around the rail. There is a push fit electrical socket at the head of the column if the power cable is to be retainedwithin the column; alternatl-,,,-ely,. If the cable is not within the column, a socket is installed within the security sheath so that the cable is raised and lowered with the globe the cable in this case would be located within the upper surface of the rail.

2. For the rail and runner added to existing lighting columns as claimed in Claim 1 wherein guide means are provided for the runner (ref. Figure 4, Item 4.2) by the rail (ref Figure 4, item 4.3).

1

3. For the rail and runner added to existing lighting columns as claimed in Claim 1 Z:> t 0 wherein raising and lifting is provided by the continuous belt pulley system (ref Figure 4, items 4.4) on the rail.

4. For the rail and r-unner added to existing lighting columns as claimed in Claim 1 the C 1 t> security, with reference to vandal attack, of the continuous belt pulley system i's provided by the security,' sheath (ref Figure 2, item 2.4 and ref Figure 6, items 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3).

5. For the rail and runner added to existing lighting columns as claimed in Claim 1 the 'I 's attached to the column usine a strap connector (ref Figure 5, items 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4).

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6. For the rail and runner added to existing lighting columns substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

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