GB2266766A - A method of forming a lampshade - Google Patents

Abstract

A lampshade is formed by bending a preformed plastics sheet (10) about multiple axes (A-J) to form a lampshade of a desired configuration. The lampshade includes an integral attachment (14) for attachment of the lampshade to a lamp holder or ceiling pendant. The lampshade is held in its assembled configuration either by way of adhesives or by a releasable attachment, e.g. Velcro (TM). <IMAGE>

Description

A METHOD OF FORMING A LAMP SHADE This invention relates to a method of forming a lampshade and more particularly to a method of forming a lampshade from a single piece of material.

Conventionally lampshades are formed by securing panels or a length of material of suitable shape to a rigid framework and securing an attachment to the frame to attach the shade to a lamp holder or ceiling pendant or the like. Commonly the attachment is also made from a metallic material. The problem with these types of lampshades is that they can be relatively expensive to manufacture due to the necessity for a separate framework, attachment and panels and cannot readily be sold in disassembled (e.g. flat pack) form for assembly by a purchaser due to difficulty in assembling the component parts correctly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a lampshade from a single piece of material without the necessity for a framework or attachment.

Thus and in accordance with the present invention therefore there is provided a method of forming a lampshade comprising forming a piece of material of a predetermined shape, deforming said piece of material into a lampshade of a desired configuration and fixing said lampshade in said desired configuration.

With this method it is possible to provide a method of forming a lampshade in which it is very simple to achieve a good finished lampshade and in which the number of component parts is reduced to a minimum and accordingly the manufacture is much simplified and reduced in cost.

Preferably said method includes the step of forming an integral attachment from said piece of material for attachment of said lampshade to a lamp holder or ceiling pendant or the like. The attachment may have apertures therein which act as air holes to allow the flow of air around a light when in use to prevent build up of heat.

Preferably said material comprises polypropylene, however any desired plastics material may be used as desired or as appropriate.

Preferably said material is of a semi-rigid type and in this case said deformation of the material may be achieved by folding, bending, twisting or otherwise.

Preferably said lampshade is fixed in the desired configuration by way of adhesives, welding or any other suitable means.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a suitably shaped piece of material for use with the method the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of lampshade assembled in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a shaped piece of a semi-rigid plastics material 10, preferably polypropylene, for use with the method of the present invention.

The piece of material is folded inwardly (out of the paper) along axes A-H to bring ends 11, 12 of the piece to a position adjacent each other. In order to aid the folding, if desired, the piece of material can be scored along each of the axes of folding. End 12 of the material is then brought into a position overlapping portion 13 of the end and the two ends 11, 12 are secured together by means of suitable adhesives or welding or any other means as desired or as appropriate.

Attachment part 14 is bent about axis J and is pushed downwardly so as to extend across the open top 16 of the lampshade, as shown in Fig. 2, in such a manner that an aperture 17 therein forms an attachment suitable for securing the lampshade to a lamp holder or ceiling pendant. If desired, the attachment part 14 can also have air holes (not shown) provided therein to allow passage of air around a light to dissipate the heat radiating therefrom when in use. Attachment part 14 is secured in position by folding securing flap 18 downwardly and engaging tongue 19 provided in the end thereof with slit 21 provided in the attachment part 14.

This cooperating tongue and slit securing arrangement acts to provide a very secure but readily releasable securing of the attachment part in place in the shade.

The lampshade 22, when assembled, is shown in Fig. 2 and it will be appreciated that with the method of the present invention it is possible to provide the lampshade in disassembled form for assembly at home by a purchaser, such assembly being very easy and convenient as described above. Furthermore, manufacturing costs are reduced to a minimum since all that is required is a sheet of plastics material of a predetermined shape.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

For example, the securing of the lampshade in the desired configuration may be achieved releasably by way of hook and pile (VELCRO - TM) fasteners or any other releasable securing means as desired or as appropriate.

It will be appreciated that in this way the lampshade can be readily assembled and disassembled, if necessary or desired.

Claims (12)

1. A method of forming a lampshade comprising forming a piece of material of predetermined shape, deforming said material into a lampshade of a desired configuration and fixing said lampshade in said desired configuration.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method includes the step of forming from said material an integral attachment for attachment of said lampshade to a lamp holder or ceiling pendant or the like.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said attachment includes apertures therein which act as air holes to allow free flow of air and a light to which said lampshade is attached.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said material comprises a plastics material.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said material comprises polypropylene.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said material is at least semi-rigid.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said deformation of the material is achieved by folding, bending or twisting.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said fixing of said lampshade is achieved by way of an adhesive.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said fixing of said lampshade is releasable fixing.

10. A lampshade formed according to the method of claim 1.

11. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A lampshade formed according to the method of claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.