GB2210443A - Fitting for a lampshade - Google Patents

Abstract

A fitting (20) for a lampshade (10) which comprises a wire framework (11) covered with a suitable covering material such as a fabric, and a connector part (15) to enable the lampshade (10) to be suspended from a lighting fixture, connecting the lampshade (10) for use with a lamp, the fitting (20) comprising a connector part (21) for engagement with a lighting fixture (e.g. of a lamp), and a support structure (24) fixed to the connector part (21) and adapted to be releasably connected to the framework (11) of the lampshade (10). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Fitting for a lampshade" Description of Invention This invention relates to a fitting for a lampshade.

Presently, lampshades are produced which comprise a wire framework covered with a suitable covering material such as a fabric. The framework includes a connector part to enable the lampshade to be suspended from a lighting fixture such a bayonet receptor which receives a liqht hulh, or supported on a lighting fixture such as a bayonet receptor of a lamp.

The connector part is either provided in a first position where the lighting fixture can engage the connector part so that the lampshade is suspended, or in a second position where the liqhtinq fixture can enqage the connector part so that the lampshade is supported from below.

Arrangements are known in which a connector part can he moved between the first and second positions due to a Divotal connection between the connector part and the remainder of the frame.

For a stockholder to stock both types of lampshade with the connector parts in the first and second positions requires costlY investment and unnecessary over stockinq. The arrangement in which the connector part is movable to provide the connector part in either the first or second position increases the cost of the lampshade by an amount which is not insignificant compared with at least cheaper lampshades.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved fitting for a lampshade.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a fittinq for a lampshade which comprises a framework, the fitting comprising a connector part for engagement with a lighting fixture and a support structure fixed to the connector part and adapted to be releasably connected to the framework of the lampshade.

Thus a lampshade which has no connector part, or a connector part provided in a first position only, may be provided with a connector part in a second position. Thus the need for a stockholder to stock two different types of lampshade, or the more expensive type of lampshade in which the connector part is movable, is alleviated. It is simply necessary to stock one type of lampshade which may have a connector part of the framework in the first position, and fittings for the lampshade.

In one arrangement, the support structure may comprise a D(urality of arms each of which has a connecting means for connecting the arm to the framework of the lampshade.

For example, the connecting means may comprise a hook formation provided integrally with the arm and a clip which closes the opening of the hook formation to retain a portion of the framework in the hook formation.

The clip may comprise an element pivoted to the arm and the element may be elongate and may retain the portion of the framework when aligned with the respective armto which it is pivoted.

Alternatively, the connectinq means may comprise a clip attached to the arm, the clip beinq engaged with the framework of the lampshade, hy resilient means.

In a preferred arrangement, three arms are provided, although two or more than three may be provided if required. I However sufficient space needs to be provided to enable a liqht bulb to be inserted into a lightinq fixture engaged with the connector part.

Accordinq to a second aspect of the invention we provide in combination a lampshade and a fitting according to the first aspect of the invention.

The lampshade may comprise a framework having a continuous frame member as a generally circular framework member, at each end, the members being inter-connected by struts, and the connecting means of the fitting may be engaged with the continuous framework member at the, in use, upper end so that the connector part depends from the framework member.

The framework may include a connector part in a first position so that the lampshade may be suspended from a lighting fixture, and the connector part of the fitting may, when in use, be in a second position so that the lampshade may be supported by a lighting fixture such as a lamp.

Of course, if required, the connector part of the framework in the first position may he removed when the lampshade has a fitting for engagement with a liqhting fixture such as a lamp.

In an alternative arrangement, a lampshade may be provided with no connector part other than that provided by the fitting, which may be arranged to present the connector part in either the first or second position as required.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which FIG(JRE I is a perspective view of a lampshade havinq a fitting in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 2 is an enlarqed side view of part of the fitting of Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but showing a modification.

Referrinq to figures 1 and? of the drawings a lampshade 10 comprises a framework 11 comprising a generally circular upper continuous framework member 12, and a generally circular lower continuous framework member 13, the member 13 being of larger diameter than the member 12.

Between the members 12 and 13 extend struts 14, in the present example six struts, which are spaced at 60 intervals around the members 12 and 13. The struts 14 are tack welded or otherwise secured to the members 12, 13.

The framework II further comprises a connector part 15 which includes a generally circular member 16 and a pair of arms 17, 18, the arms 17, 18 each being fixed at their outermost ends to the generally circular upper frame member 12, and at their innermost ends to the member 16, so that the centres of the members 12 and 16 are generally coincident.

As is well known in the art, the connector part 15 enables the lampshade 10 to be suspended from a lighting fixture such a bayonet receptor for a light bulb. The connector part 1 5 is thus in a first position of the framework II.

(tonventionally, if the lampshade 10 were to be used in coniunction with for example a table lamp, the connector part 1 5 instead of being in the position shown, would be provided in a second position whereby the lampshade 10 can be supported on the lamp or other lighting fixture. Thus it has been necessary to provided two alternative types of lampshade covered with the same material so that coordinated suspended and supported lampshades can he provided if required.

The present invention avoids the need to provide two different types of lampshade for these two different applications by providing a fitting 20 which comprises a connector part 21 which, liI < e connector part 15 has a generally circular member 22 to receive the liqhting fixture, and arms ?3, three in the present example, which extend from the member 22 to a support structure 24. In this example the support structure 24 comprises three arms 25, 26 and 27 each of which are integral with a respective arm )3. At their upper ends as seen in the drawings, the arms 25 to 27 each provide a connectinq means for connecting the fitting 20 to the framework 11 of the lampshade 10.

The connecting means each comprise a hook formation 28, again provided integrally with the respective arm 25 to 27, and a clip member 29 which is elonqate and is pivoted to the respective arm 25 to 27 as shown at 30, by a rivet for example.

The clip member 29 when misaligned with the respective arm 25 to 27 enables a portion 12a of the framework 11 to be received in the hook formation 28, and when the clip member ?9 is moved so that the clip member 29 is aligned with the respective arm, (as seen in Figures 1 and 95 the clip member 29 closes the openinq of the hook formation 28 fo retain the framework portion 12a in hook formation 28.

As can be seen in the drawings, each clip member 29 has an outwardly extending tail 32 to facilitate rotation of the clip member 29 about the pivot 30.

In the example described, the connecting means are each connected to the upper generally circular member 17 of the framework 11. It has been found that even with very tightly fitting lampshade coverinqs, there is adequate space for the connecting means to be thus enaaqed. However in another arrangement, one or all of the connecting means could be connected for example, to the struts 14, or even to the generally circular lower member 13.

In each case, the connector part 21 is provided in a second position to enable the lampshade 10 to be used in conjunction with for example, a table lamp.

If desired, where the lampshade 10 is to be used with a table lamp, the connector part 15 can be removed by the user if required.

In a further arrangement, not shown, a lampshade having no connector part 15 may be provided and either a fitting such as fitting 20 described may be provided to enable the lampshade to be used with a table lamp for example, or a fitting of an alternative configuration may be provided in which the connector part ?l is provided in the position of the connector part 15 of the lampshade shown in the drawings. In each case, a fitting is provided which has a connector part 21 and a support structure 14 to enable the fitting to be connected to the framework 11 of the lampshade 10.

Various modifications are possible without departinq from the scope of the invention.

Of course, the configuration of lampshade 10 shown in the drawings is entirely illustrative, there being many alternative types and shapes of Iampshades with which a fitting such as fitting 20 can be used.

The lampshade 10 need not even be generally circular as shown, but could be of another shape altogether as required.

The gauge of the wire of the framework 11 of the lampshade in the drawings is not shown accurately but preferably, the hook formations 28 of the connecting means of the fitting 20 are adapted to accommodate a wide range of different gauges of wire framework.

As shown, the fitting 20 comprises three arms 75, 26 and ?7 although in another example, a fitting 20 having a different numher of arms may he provided.

Any suitahle clternative connecting means to the hook formation 28 and clip 29 can be used, to engage with the framework 11 of the lampshade 10 for example, as shown in figure 3.

In this example, instead of a hook formation 28, the arms 25a each have a plain end which is received in a socket of a plastic clip member 29a which has a pair of resilient sprung limbs 28a.

The part 12a of the framework member 12 is received between the limbs 28a which can be urged apart to permit the part 12a to be inserted, and spring back to grip the part 12a.

Any other means for connecting the fitting 20 to the lampshade framework 11, could be provided.

As shown the member 22 of the connector part 21 of the fitting ?0 is a pressing, which is connected to arms 23 by welding; In an alternative version, the arms-23 are provided integrally with the member 22, and the arms 25, 26, 27 may be secured to the arms 23, instead of being integrally formed, as shown, or integrally formed with the arms 23 and the member 27.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description in the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performinq the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (15)

1. A fitting for a lampshade which comprises a framework, the fitting comprising a connector part for engagement with a lighting fixture and a support structure fixed to the connector part and adapted to be releasably connected to the framework of the lampshade.

2. A fitting according to claim I wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of arms each of which has a connecting means for releasably connected the arm to the framework of the lampshade.

3. A fitting according to claim 2 wherein the connecting means comprises a hook formation provided integrally with the arm and a clip which closes a mouth of the hook formation to retain a portion of the framework of the lampshade in the hook formation.

4. A fitting according to claim 3 wherein the clip comprises an element pivoted to the arm.

5. A fitting according to claim 4 wherein the element is elonqate and in use, retains the portion of the framework when aligned with the respective arm to which it is pivoted.

6. A fitting according to claim I or claim 9 wherein the connecting means comprises a clip attached to one of the two arms which is engaged with the framework of the lampshade by resilient means.

7. A fitting according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein three arms are provided.

8. A fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. In combination a lampshade and a fitting according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A combination according to claim 9 wherein the lampshade comprises a framework having a generally circular continuous framework member at each end, the member being inter-connected by struts, and the connecting means of the fitting being releasably engaged with one of the continuous framework members.

II. A combination according to claim 10 wherein the framework includes a connector part in a first position to enable the lampshade to be suspended from a lighting fixture, and the connector part of the fitting being in a second position to enable the lampshade to be supported by a lighting fixture such as a lamp.

12. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the connecting means of the fitting is engaged at the, in use, upper end of the lampshade such that the connector part depends from the upper continuous framework member at the second position.

13. A combination according to claim 9 wherein the lampshade is Provided with no connector part other than that provided bv the fitting, which is arranged to present the connector part in either of the first or second positions.

14. A combination of the lampshade and a fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanyinq drawings.

15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.