The Toro Company

Robert W Beachy

Jay J Kakuk

Bart T Ellson

Steven T O'Brien

Gerald E Peterson

Anthony N Pink

Richard H Jacobs

Ronald T Keagle

A compost bin (20) including a plurality of substantially horizontal aeration/mixing slots (42). Slots (42), preferably 'L-shaped,' permit mixing and aeration of the composting material. A mixing tool, e.g., garden fork, can be inserted substantially vertically into the mixing/aeration slots (42), and pivoted to a substantially horizontal position to achieve thorough mixing of the compost material. Compost bin (20) also preferably includes a cover (26) having one or more rain collection ramps (74) which collect rainwater and divert it to one or more rain slots (76) and into the interior of compost bin (20).

Method and apparatus for aerobic composting

A light fixture (10) adjustable in focus and/or beam direction. Light fixture (10) is of the 'vertical' or 'downlighting' type, and preferably includes a bulb/lens assembly (16) mounted atop a relatively short post (14). Bulb/lens assembly (16) includes a lens (30) which rotatably carries a cap (72). Inside lens (30) and beneath cap (72) is a bulb (42) and a reflector assembly (48). Reflector assembly (48) includes a reflector holder (50) having a plurality of outwardly-extending posts (70) which are first received by vertical slots (46) in lens (30) and finally by cam grooves (80) in cap (72). Rotation of cap (72) relative to lens (30) causes cam grooves (80) to act upon posts (70) to move reflector assembly (48) relative to bulb (42). Reflector assembly (48) can be moved vertically relative to bulb (42) to adjust the width or focus of the light beam; and/or tilted vis-a-vis bulb (42) to adjust the direction of the light beam.

Adjustable light fixture

A deck light (20) including a post (22), cap (24) and lamp/lens assembly (26). Lamp/lens assembly (26) independently attaches to post (22) and cap (24) so that lamp/lens assembly (26) can be removed and separately attached to a deck member; or, alternatively, either post (22) or cap (24), or both, can be attached to lamp/lens assembly (26) and the combination can be attached in a variety of ways to the deck. Preferably, lamp/lens assembly (26) is about 31/2 inches wide and about 11/2 inches deep so that it (either alone or in combination with post (22) and/or cap (24) can be flush mounted to various deck members in a variety of ways. In a preferred embodiment, a stake (100) can be attached to the bottom of post (22) so that fixture (20) can even be used as a stake light.

Versatile light fixture

Mini-spotlight

Outdoor lighting fixture

A convertible light fixture (10) capable of selectively functioning as a spotlight or floodlight. A preferred light fixture (10) includes a ground stake (12) supporting a bulb/lens assembly (14). An electrical cable (16), protected by the preferred S-shaped ground stake (12), makes contact with the bulb/lens assembly (14) at the rear thereof. More specifically, a pair of prongs (60), which also support a bulb (62), protrude from the rear of bulb/lens assembly (14) and make contact with electrical cable (16). Preferred bulb/lens assembly (14) includes a stationary housing (40) and a rotatable focus ring (70) wherein rotation of the latter relative to the former causes axial movement of a reflector (80) relative to bulb (62) to change the degree of focus of the light beam produced by fixture (10). Another feature of preferred bulb/lens assembly (14) is a lens (90) which produces a rectangular light beam adjustable in orientation.

Convertible light fixture

A light fixture (10) including a bulb/lens assembly (12), a hollow post (14) and a ground stake (16). An assembly ring (18) having inner and outer 'fingers' (104 and 106, respectively) securely connects the bulb/lens assembly (12) to the post (14). Bulb/lens assembly (12) includes a lens (28) which carries a plurality of louvers (40, 42 and 44). Some of the louvers include legs (46, 50) and slots (60, 62) so that the distance between the louvers can be adjusted to vary the appearance of light fixture (10) and the amount of light produced thereby.

Light fixture

A low voltage light fixture (10) including a bulb/lens assembly (12) mounted atop an integral post/stake assembly (14). Post/stake assembly (14) includes a hollow tubular portion (20) and a ground stake portion (22). A preferred post/stake assembly (14) is formed from a single piece of plastic, and consists of a pair of elongate legs (94, 96) which are joined to a female adapter (90) through the use of a pair of 'living hinges' (100). To assemble post/stake assembly (14), it is merely necessary to draw legs (94, 96) together until a pair of locking fingers (104) extending from leg (94) engage a pair of slots (110) formed in the other leg (96). Light fixture (10) also preferably includes a unique internally ribbed lens which includes a large plurality of internal side ridges (114) and a smaller plurality of top ridges (116). An improved light fixture (10) also preferably includes a pair of integral bulb contact/prong elements ( 84) and provides for aesthetic customization by allowing the selective removal of one of the louvres (32).

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Robert W Beachy