US1916755A - Stacking fixture - Google Patents

Description

Jul'y RJE. DOWDELL 1,916,755

STACKING FIXTURE Filed Sept. 2, 1931 H REDowdell WWWW- mom,

Patented July 4, 1933 UNITED STATES RUTH E. DOWDELL, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO s'rAoKING F XTURE I Application filed September 2, 1 931. SerialNo. 560368 2. l s- This invention relates to improvements in stacking f fixtures and has for its primary object the provision of simple yet efficient means for eifectingthe stacking or nesting of lamp shades whereby said shades may be compactly assembled for transportation, storage or display purposes in such a. manner as to occupy but a minimum of space and be spaced relatively in order to minimize the possibility of damage thereto.

' It is the common practice in the merchandising-of lamp sh ades used in connection with floor and othertypes of lamps to place such shades, when the same are of approximately the same dimensions, in a grouped or nested relationship, in order that a large number of the shades may be retained in but a minimum of storage spacef Such, nesting of the'shades frequently results in scratching, creasing or L otherwise marrin g or injuring-the same with consequent economic lossto the, merchant handling the same and,'therefore, in accordg ance with the present invention, I provide a stacking or spacing fixture by which said lamp shades may be assembled one on the otherand yet maintained in such spaced re1a Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section of a shade v stacking fixture formed n accordance w th the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof;

4 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through several nested lamp shades and disclosing the operating positions of the fixtures in the assembly; p

Fig.4 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line H of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form offixture. 7

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates my'improved I shade stacking fixture in its entirety. Pref er-ably, this fixture comprises a substantially cylindrical body 2 formed from any desired material such as metal, wood, or molded com position." The body 2 has provided therein longitudinally extending socket -3 which 50 opens to the upper end 4 of said body. Intermediately of its length, the body has integrally formed therewith an annular laterally projecting flange 5, while the lower end of the body terminates in an extension 6 of lesser diameter than the diameter of the body 2 in order that the'extension may be received within the socket of a lower complemental fixture.

In the use of the invention, as shown in Fig. 1 3, the lamp shades a, b and c are assembled in nested relationship with the spacing fixtures arranged between them to prevent contact between adjoining portions or surfaces of the grouped shades. Each shade com 7 prises the usual standard receiving ring 7 located in the upper axial portion'offeach shade, and connected with the ring are radially ex tending supporting wires 8, which have their outer ends connected with circular wires 9' towhich the upper edge portions of the shade coverings-are connected; A fixture 1 is positioned in the ring 7 of the lowermost shade a, so that the bottom portion of its flange 5 rests uponthe upper surface of the ring 7. 1

The bottom fixture of the assembly is indicated by the letter (Z. The next fixture, indicated at e, is then positioned with its extension 6 received in the socket 3 of thefixture;

Y The shade'bis then positioned over the shade at until the lowermost surface of the ring 7 of the'shade 6 contacts with the upper surfaces of the flange 5 of the fixture e, the body 2 of the fixture serving to prevent any lateral shifting of the shade on the fixture assembly;

A third fixture f isthen positioned in the fixturee and the shade c is positioned thereon as described inrelation to the positioning of the shade b on the fixture e. In this manner, one

shade maybe placed on the other in any desired number and yet each shade will be effectively spaced from adjoining shades to avoid marring, scratching or in any way injuring the decorative surfaces of the shades by reason of handling when in such grouped order. The group of nested shades may be separated where desired to permit of the selected withdrawal of any one shade. For example, if the shade b were to be removed from a dozen or more nested shades, it will be ob served that by elevating the group of shades from 0 and above, the shade 6 could readily be removed from its connection with the fixture 6 without disturbing the grouped order of the removed shades.-

The present invention is especially advantageous in establishments where large quantities of lamp shades are being displayed for It is well known ly in'price, are of fragile construction and in many instances are quite costly. Great care has usually been exercised in the past by sales clerks or others having them'in charge, to prevent injury to individual shades in order to avoid loss in their predetermined sales value. However, in spite of such precautions, many of such fragile shades have been ruined or injured especially by handling when in nested relationship or by the mere weight of the shades pressing on. one another. I have found that by usingthe fixture comprising the present invention, these losses have been greatly reduced, shade injuries minimized and in addition considerable con- ,venience is afforded in the facility with which the nested or 'rou Jed shades ma be handled.

In lug. '5, a form of the fixture has been illustrated wherein the flange 5 has been omitted and the body 2a is of uniform di-i ameter throughout its length. In this form of the invention, the shade ring 7 rests upon the upper surface of the body 2a, and the eX- tension 6a is used as a centering means for the shade. It is also obvious thatthe fixture is subject to further modification and therefore I do not desire to be limited to thesp'ecific disclosures above set forth and illustrated but reserve the right to employ such variations of my invention that may be said to fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

\Vhat is claimed is t 1. As a new article of manufacture, a lamp shade spacing fixture comprising a cylindrical bodyhaving a longitudinally extending axially disposed socket formed therein opening to one end of said body, a positioning flange extending peripherally and laterally from said body at a point intermediate of ts ends, and an extension of reduced diameter formed at one end. with said body l. receivable within the socket of an adjoining nxtureu 2. As a new article shade spacing fixture comprising a body havng a longitudinally extending axially disposed socket formed therein opening to one end of said body, a positlonlng flange extending periphe ally and laterally from said body at a point intermediate of its ends,.and an extension of reduced diameter formed at one Q11(,l"W1l}ll said body and receivable within or manufacture, a lamp.

the socket of an adjoining similar fixture,

said flange serving as a seat for the center ring of a lamp shade frame.

in testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RuTi-i n. DOWDELL.

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