Mast lighting system

Abstract

An improved mast lighting system of the type including at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to a foundation that has at least a portion extending into the ground, an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through an electrical connector, and a power source connected to the distribution component assembly. The foundation has a chamber therein of sufficient dimensions to receive the distribution component assembly. The distribution component assembly is disposed within the chamber. The mast defines an opening therein adjacent the proximate end, in communication with the chamber. Thus, the distribution component assembly is protected from collision damage by the foundation, but is accessible to the user through the opening in the mast.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . An improved mast lighting system including at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to a foundation that has at least a portion extending into the ground, an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through an electrical connector, and a power source connected to the distribution component assembly, the improvement comprising: 
 a. the foundation having a chamber therein of sufficient dimensions to receive the distribution component assembly therein;    b. the distribution component assembly being disposed within the chamber; and    c. the mast defining an opening therein adjacent the proximate end, the opening being in communication with the chamber whereby the distribution component assembly is accessible by the user through the opening.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of    claim 1   , the electrical connector comprising a breakaway connector having a male plug and a female socket, wherein the tensile force required to disengage the connector is less than the tensile force necessary to damage the electrical cable, the breakaway connector or electrical connections thereto.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of    claim 2   , further comprising a casing defining a space therein containing the distribution component assembly.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of    claim 3    wherein a selected one of the plug or socket of the breakaway connector is on the casing and electrically connected to the distribution component assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 4   , wherein the casing is located within the foundation.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 4   , the casing having at least one fuse port on the casing, the fuse port capable of receiving a complementary fuse cap containing a fuse therein and electrically connected to the distribution component assembly.  
     
     
         7 . An improved mast lighting system including at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to a foundation that has at least a portion extending into the ground, an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through a breakaway connector comprised of a first connection and a second connection, and a power source connected to the distribution component assembly, the improvement comprising: 
 a. the foundation having a chamber therein of sufficient dimensions to receive the distribution component assembly therein; and    b. a casing defining a space therein capable of receiving therein the distribution component assembly and having a selected one of the first or second connection disposed on the casing.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of    claim 7   , the casing defining an aperture therein and a closure member capable of selectively engaging the aperture in a sealing, watertight manner.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of    claim 8   , wherein the casing comprises a pot defining the aperture therein, and wherein the closure member comprises a cap which covers the aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of    claim 9   , the pot comprising a substantially cylindrical body having a closed end and an opposite open end defining the aperture, the distribution component assembly being disposed within the pot and accessible through the aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , the cap comprising a generally round member having a continuous shoulder extending around the circumference thereof, complementarily sized to be capable of sealingly receiving the open end of the cylindrical body therein.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 11   , wherein the cap further comprises a resilient material.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 8   , the casing defining a plurality of ports therethrough, each capable of sealingly engaging an insulated wire passing therethrough.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , wherein the cap defines a plurality of ports therethrough, each capable of sealingly engaging an insulated wire passing therethrough.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of    claim 14   , the each port comprising a resilient sleeve and further comprising at least one clamp disposed on the sleeve to selectively constrict the port to sealingly engage the insulated wire.  
     
     
         16 . An improved mast lighting system including at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to a foundation that has at least a portion extending into the ground, an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through an electrical connector, and a power source connected to the distribution component assembly, the improvement comprising: 
 a. a casing, defining a space therein capable of receiving the distribution component assembly, the casing including at least one fuse port on the casing, the fuse port capable of receiving a fuse therein and being electrically connected to the distribution component assembly, a top for the fuse port, and means for sealingly engaging the top to the fuse port.    
     
     
         17 . A mast lighting system, comprising: 
 a. a foundation, at least a portion of which extends into the ground;    b. at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to the foundation;    c. an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through a breakaway connector;    d. a power source connected to the distribution component assembly; and    e. a casing, defining a space therein capable of receiving the distribution component assembly, contained within the foundation.    
     
     
         18 . A method of constructing a mast lighting system of the type including at least one mast having a proximate end and an opposite distal end, the distal end capable of supporting an electrical component and the proximate end mounted to a foundation that has at least a portion extending into the ground, an electrical cable within the mast connecting the electrical component to a distribution component assembly through an electrical connector, and a power source connected to the distribution component assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 a. forming a chamber within the foundation of sufficient dimensions to receive the distribution component assembly therein;    b. disposing the distribution component assembly within the chamber;    c. electrically connecting the power source to the distribution component assembly; and    d. electrically connecting the distribution component assembly to the electrical cable.