Supports – Suspended supports – Fittings
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-16
2001-03-13
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
Fittings
C248S342000, C248S344000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199813
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to ceiling fixtures and, in particular, to a ceiling fixture decoration assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ceiling fixtures can quickly change the appearance of a room, often providing a space-saving combination of beauty and utility. Ceiling-mounted paddle fans, for example, help keep a room cool or warm by increasing air circulation. Ceiling fan use can also save space and increase safety by eliminating the need for floor fans. Suspended light sources, such as chandeliers and pendant lights, provide room lighting that supplements or replaces lamps and other light sources.
Broadly speaking, ceiling-mounted fixtures typically include three components: a fixture main assembly, a ceiling canopy that covers the mounting hardware and electrical junction box, and a suspension member that extends between the main assembly and the ceiling canopy. The three components are often sold as a complete set.
This multi-component design is easy to ship and produce. However, the ceiling canopy and suspension member provided with a given fixture does not always suit the fixture main assembly.
In many cases, an individual will purchase a ceiling fan or light based upon the appearance of the fixture main assembly, without the ability to select the accompanying ceiling canopy and suspension member. As a result, it is quite possible that a purchased fixture will include mounting components that do not match a chosen fan or light. At other times, otherwise-acceptable mounting components may simply not match the decor of a given room. For these and other reasons, it is often desirable to change the appearance of the mounting components included with a given ceiling fixture.
Unfortunately, changing the appearance of ceiling fixture mounting components can be difficult. Replacement components may, for example, not be available for antique or one-of-a-kind fixtures. And even where suitable replacement components are available, actually replacing the components may often prove difficult or costly. As an alternative to component replacement, several devices have been developed to allow an individual to cover selected mounting hardware.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,352, for example, discloses a decorative casing device for a ceiling fan. The '352 device includes a main body and a decorative casing member. Support arms on the main body engage the casing member and hold the casing member in place with respect to an existing ceiling fan.
Although the casing member covers the selected fan motor, the '352 device does not modify the appearance of the remaining fixture components.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,740 discloses an outer casing for mounting around a ceiling fixture suspension rod. The '740 device includes cooperating side, top, and bottom panels that are assembled to form a sealing vessel that surrounds a fixture suspension rod . Each of the panels has teeth that engage corresponding notches in the adjacent panels. While the '740 casing covers some suspension members, the device has a fixed size and is, therefore, suitable only in limited situations. Additionally, the '740 device does not change the appearance of ceiling canopies or ceiling mounting hardware.
Thus, what is needed is a decoration device for ceiling-mounted fixtures that includes advantages of the known devices, while addressing the shortcomings they exhibit. The device should change the appearance of suspension members as well as ceiling canopies, if desired. The device should also be modifiable to fit fixture support components of various lengths. Additionally, the device should be installed and removed without tools. The device should also positively engage components that are to be covered, thereby preventing unwanted relative shifting between the device and concealed components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is a ceiling fixture decoration assembly for changing the appearance of the ceiling canopy and suspension member associated with ceiling-mounted fixtures, such as lights and fans. The present invention includes elongated sleeve portions that cooperate to form a cylindrical cover sized and shaped to selectively enclose the suspension member and ceiling canopy of a given ceiling fixture.
Each included sleeve portion is characterized by a contoured exterior surface and has a flared first end spaced apart from a second end by a middle region. The contoured exterior of each sleeve includes integrated guides that facilitate cutting the sleeves to one of several standard lengths, if desired. The guides are incorporated into the design of the contoured exterior and do not detract from the appearance of the device if unused. As a result, the guides provide an unobtrusive means by which the device may be customized for use in a variety of settings.
A series of resiliently-compressible fastening posts extends from contact edges of the first sleeve portion to releasably engage corresponding fastening post apertures disposed along the contact edges of the second sleeve portion. In this manner, the sleeve portions may be selectively secured together in a use orientation and separated apart, for storage, without the need for tools.
A collection of bracing panels extends orthogonally from the exterior surface of the sleeve portions. During use, the bracing panels prevent unwanted relative shifting between the sleeve portions and the surrounded suspension member. The present invention may be used with flexible suspension members, such as cables and chains. When used to conceal a flexible suspension member, compressible material is used to supplement the bracing panels, thereby increasing the amount of contact between the present invention and the suspension member.
Thus an objective of the instant invention is to provide a decoration device for ceiling-mounted fixtures that changes the appearance of suspension members as well as ceiling canopies, if desired.
An additional objective of the instant invention is to provide a decoration device for ceiling-mounted fixtures that is modifiable to fit fixture suspension members of various lengths.
Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide a decoration device for ceiling-mounted fixtures that can be installed and removed without tools.
A further objective of the instant invention is to provide a decoration device for ceiling-mounted fixtures that positively engages components that are to be concealed, thereby preventing unwanted relative shifting between the device and covered components.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34147 (1992-12-01), Rezek
patent: 1042881 (1912-10-01), Bowen
patent: 1687166 (1928-10-01), Little
patent: 5151011 (1992-09-01), Rezek
patent: 5439352 (1995-08-01), Line
patent: 5836740 (1998-11-01), Wang
Braun Leslie A.
McHale & Slavin
Wujciak A. Joseph
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