Flush runway inset top assembly for airport guidance light apparatus and guidance light apparatus comprising a top assembly of this type

Claim 2

A runway inset top assembly for use with a cylindrical airport light base so as to be set flush with the pavement, comprising: a cover assembly having a circular shape with a flat top surface and having apertures for securement on top of the light base, said cover assembly having at least one window fitted with optical prism or lens means for the passage of each output light beam from an optical system, said cover assembly further having a draining aperture in front of each said window; and at least one light channel plate to be mounted adjacent the cover assembly in coaxial alignment with the optical axis of the apparatus, said channel plate having an elongated shape with circular arcuate end sides, the curvature of a first of said end sides mating with the curvature of the peripheral edge of the cover assembly so as to be placed adjacent said peripheral edge, said channel plate being formed with a longitudinal channel to be in coaxial alignment with said at least one window in the cover assembly for guiding the output light beam passing through said window, with the longitudinal edges and the outer end side of said plate being flush with the flat top surface of the cover assembly, and said channel plate further having apertures for securement in the runway.

Claim 3

A top assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel plate is formed with a pair of longitudinal channels for guiding the light output beam, with the inner edges of said channels being connected by at least one rib having a flat top surface even with the longitudinal edges of the plate and the top surface of the cover assembly.

Claim 4

A top assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting arrangement for the optical prism or lens means in a window of the cover assembly comprises a peripheral groove formed in said optical prism or lens means in a plane transversal to the optical axis, and a sealing ring of a compressible material housed in said groove, the sealing ring having a radial width greater than the space between the bottom of said groove and the window wall thereby to seal the optical prism or lens in the window by a permanent radial force and whereby the said optical prism or lens is secured by mechanical means only.

Claim 5

A top assembly according to either of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover assembly has an optical system suspended to the underside of it, and cover inner means secured to the underside of the cover assembly so as to form with the cover assembly a water-tight enclosure for the optical system.

Claim 6

A top assembly according to either of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover assembly has a mounting bracket secured to the underside of it, said mounting bracket supporting an optical system, and cover inner means secured to the underside of the cover assembly so as to form a water-tight enclosure for the optical system.

Claim 7

A flush runway guidance light apparatus comprising: a cylindrical steel base embedded in the runway, said base having a flange ring for supporting a top cover flush with the pavement, and a runway inset top assembly comprising a cover assembly having a circular shape with a flat top surface and being secured on said flange ring of the base, said cover assembly having an optical system suspended to the underside of it with cover inner means secured to the underside of the cover assembly to form a water-tight enclosure for said optical system, said cover assembly having at least one window with optical prism or lens means sealed therein for the passage of each output light beam from the optical system, said cover assembly further having a draining aperture in front of each said window; and at least one channel plate mounted coaxial with the optical axis adjacent the cover assembly, said channel plate having an elongated shape with circular arcuate end sides, the curvature of a first of said end sides mating with the curvature of the peripheral edge of the cover assembly so as to be adjacent thereto, said channel plate being formed with a longitudinal channel in alignment with said at least one window in the cover assembly for guiding the output light beam passing through said window, with the longitudinal edges and the outer end side of said plate being flush with the flat top surface of the cover assembly and the runway pavement, said channel plate being secured in the runway.

Claim 8

A flush runway guidance light apparatus comprising: a cylindrical steel base embedded in the runway, said base having a flange ring for supporting a top cover flush with the pavement, and a runway inset top assembly comprising a cover assembly having a circular shape with a flat top surface and being secured on said flange ring of the base, said cover assembly having an optical system suspended to the underside of it with cover inner means secured to the underside of the cover assembly to form a water-tight enclosure for said optical system, said cover assembly having at least one window with optical prism or lens means sealed therein for the passage of each output light beam from the optical system, said cover assembly further having a draining aperture in front of each said window; and at least one channel plate mounted coaxial with the optical axis adjacent the cover assembly, said channel plate having an elongated shape with circular arcuate end sides, the curvature of a first of said end sides mating with the curvature of the peripheral edge of the cover assembly so as to be adjacent thereto, said channel plate being formed with a longitudinal channel in alignment with said at least one window in the cover assembly for guiding the output light beam passing through said window, with the longitudinal edges and the outer end side of said plate being flush with the flat top surface of the cover assembly and the runway pavement, said channel plate being secured in the runway.

Claim 9

A guidance light apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one channel plate is formed with a pair of longitudinal channels for guiding the light output beam, with the inner edges of said channels being connected by at least one rib having a flat top surface even with the longitudinal edges of the plate and the top surface of the cover assembly.

Claim 10

A guidance light apparatus according to either of claims 6 and 7, wherein the at least one channel plate is secured in the runway with interposition of a sealing fitting.

Claim 11

A guidance light apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mounting arrangement for the optical prism or lens means in a window of the cover assembly comprises a peripheral groove formed in the optical prism or lens means in a plane transversal to the optical axis, and a sealing ring of a compressible material housed in said groove, the sealing ring having a radial width greater than the space between the bottom of said groove and the window wall thereby to seal the optical prism or lens means in the window by a radial force and whereby said optical prism or lens means is secured by mechanical means only.