Lighting Fixture Concealed Fastener Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bollard lights have exposed screws that are susceptible to tampering, aesthetically unpleasing, and prone to deterioration from environmental elements, compromising their stability and security.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an elongate housing with internal fasteners, a cover fastener that is hidden from view, and elongate locking screws to secure the housing, reducing visible fasteners and protecting them from the elements, while maintaining accessibility only through a concealed cover screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exposed screws are used to assemble and secure the lighting fixture, then the fixture can be easily assembled and secured, but the screws become accessible and susceptible to tampering and environmental deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional exposed screw fasteners from the exterior of the lighting fixture and relocates them to the interior. The housing includes internal recesses that receive and secure fasteners, making them inaccessible from the outside while maintaining their structural function. This extraction of the fastening mechanism from public view eliminates tampering risks while preserving assembly capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If exposed screws are used to secure the light fixture, then the assembly is simple, but the exposed screws are unsightly and reduce aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are extracted from the exterior surface and relocated to internal recesses within the housing. This allows the exterior surface to maintain a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic appearance while the fastening function is preserved internally. The housing design incorporates hidden compartments that accommodate the fasteners without compromising the sleek external design.
3Ease of repair
If screws are exposed to the environment, then they are accessible for maintenance, but they deteriorate from rain, irrigation water, dust, and dirt causing rust formation
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are extracted from the external environment and positioned within protected internal recesses of the housing. This shields them from rain, irrigation water, dust, and dirt, preventing rust formation and deterioration. The internal positioning maintains fastener functionality while eliminating environmental exposure risks.
4Strength
If multiple fasteners are exposed on the housing, then the structural security is strong, but the lighting fixture becomes susceptible to tampering and loses aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners are extracted from the exterior and relocated to internal recesses within the housing. This maintains the structural security provided by multiple fastening points while eliminating the tampering vulnerability associated with exposed fasteners. The internal positioning preserves both structural integrity and security against unauthorized access.
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting fixtures can have installation and mounting features that reduce the number of mounting screws that are readily visible or accessible from outside the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture can have an elongate housing, one or more light modules, first and second installation brackets, a plurality of J-bolts, and a cover. The only fastener(s) accessible from outside the housing of the lighting fixture can be one or more cover screws for securing the cover to the housing. The cover screw(s) can be positioned in inconspicuous locations and are not visible in plain view.