Light directing assembly for preventing light pollution

1. A light-directing assembly adapted to be coupled to a light-emitting lamp, the combination comprising:

a substantially opaque light shield having a top wall with a first opening therein and a side wall coupled to the top wall and defining a second opening at a bottom thereof; and

a substantially heat-resistant, resilient washer having a central aperture and an outer dimension smaller than an inner dimension of said side wall,

said washer central aperture adapted to receive and be coupled to a portion of the light-emitting lamp in an interference fit therein,

said light shield first opening adapted to receive a second portion of the light-emitting lamp therein, and

said light shield top wall being supported by said washer and substantially surrounding the light-emitting lamp, thereby directing light from the light-emitting lamp substantially only out of said light shield through said second opening at the bottom thereof.

2. A light-directing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said light shield has a substantially frustoconical side wall.

3. A light-directing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said light shield top wall is substantially planar.

4. A light-directing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said first opening is smaller than the outer dimension of said washer, and said washer is not received in said first opening.

5. A light-directing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said washer is made from rubber.

6. A light-directing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

said light shield has a substantially frustoconical side wall, said top wall is substantially planar, and said washer is made from rubber.

7. A light-directing assembly adapted to be coupled to a light-emitting lamp, the combination comprising:

a mounting electrical fixture having a lamp socket therein;

a substantially opaque light shield having a top wall with a first opening therein and a side wall coupled to the top wall and defining a second opening at a bottom thereof; and

a substantially heat-resistant, resilient washer having a central aperture and an outer dimension smaller than an inner dimension of said side wall,

said washer central aperture adapted to receive and be coupled to a portion of the light-emitting lamp in an interference fit therein,

said light shield first opening adapted to receive a second portion of the light-emitting lamp therein,

said lamp socket adapted to receive the lamp therein, and

said light shield top wall being supported by said washer and substantially surrounding the light-emitting lamp, thereby directing light from the light-emitting lamp substantially only out of said light shield through said second opening at the bottom thereof.

8. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said light shield has a substantially frustoconical side wall.

9. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said light shield top wall is substantially planar.

10. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said top wall of said shield engages said mounting electrical fixture.

11. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said first opening is smaller than the outer dimension of said washer, and said washer is not received in said first opening.

12. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said washer is made from rubber.

13. A light-directing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein

said light shield has a substantially frustoconical side wall, said top wall is substantially planar, and said washer is made from rubber.

14. A light-directing assembly, comprising:

a mounting electrical fixture;

an electrical socket having a recess for receiving a light-emitting lamp and being connected to said fixture, the light-emitting lamp having a neck portion and a bulb portion, said neck portion adapted for insertion into said recess;

a substantially opaque light shield including a top wall with a lower engagement surface, a side wall, and a receiving end having a bottom edge, said top wall having a first opening, and said bottom edge defining a second opening;

a washer having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a central aperture for engaging the neck portion of the light-emitting lamp;

a lamp-receiving enclosure having a bottom wall defining an opening for transmitting light therethrough and a substantially horizontal plane; and

said top surface of said washer supports said lower engagement surface of said top wall for positioning said light shield relative to said neck portion of said light-emitting lamp for substantially preventing light from being emitted above said horizontal plane of said lamp-receiving enclosure.

15. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

a diameter of the light-emitting lamp adjacent said neck portion is slightly smaller than a diameter of said lamp-receiving aperture, and said diameter of said lamp-receiving aperture is smaller than said top wall first opening, and

said washer is not received in said first opening.

16. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said washer is resilient.

17. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said washer is made from rubber.

18. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said washer is made from neoprene.

19. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said washer is adapted to withstand temperatures of about 180° Celsius.

20. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said light shield is made from aluminum.

21. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said light shield side wall has an inner surface having a reflective surface coating thereon.

22. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said shield side wall is continuous.

23. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said lamp-receiving enclosure is translucent.

24. A light assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

said recess has internal threads for threadedly engaging threads on said neck portion of said lamp.