Illumination – Light modifier – Translucent or opaque
Patent
1993-04-27
1994-12-20
Lazarus, Ira S.
Illumination
Light modifier
Translucent or opaque
362358, 362434, 362450, F21V 106
Patent
active
053750489
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to lampshades and in particular to a collapsible lampshade which can be shipped and stored in a substantially flat condition and which can be readily and quickly assembled by the consumer without the need for tools.
Generally, lampshades are manufactured in a preformed or assembled condition prior to being shipped to the consumer. As such, these lampshades require a considerable amount of storage and shipping space when compared to the weight of the component materials. This is particularly evident in the case of cylindrical or box shaped shades. While tapered or frusto-conical shaped lampshades may be nested or stacked, the resulting nest or stack still requires a considerable amount of space. Furthermore, assembled lampshades are invariably relatively fragile structures and are therefore subject to considerable wastage during the chain of distribution from manufacturer to consumer, for example, as a result of accidental breakage.
Modern merchandising practice requires that items such as lampshades be shipped or stored in individual packages for convenient delivery to the consumer. Preassembled lampshades cannot be cheaply stored or shipped in individual containers.
The present invention seeks to provide a collapsible lampshade which can be economically stored and shipped in a substantially flat condition but which can be readily and quickly assembled by the consumer without the need for tools.
According to the present invention there is provided a frame for a collapsible lampshade comprising upper and lower support members spaced in parallel planes; a plurality of peripherally spaced rib members extending between the support members, each rib member being pivotally mounted at one end to the upper support member and at the other end to the lower support member and having a hinge located intermediate said ends; and a spider member having a central hub and a plurality of radially extending struts, each strut being affixed at one-end to the hub, the other end being pivotally attached to a slide movably mounted on one of said rib members, the spider member being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to said parallel planes which movement renders the frame from a braced condition in which movement of each rib member about its respective hinge is prevented to a collapsible condition in which each rib member is free to pivot about its respective hinge to collapse the frame.
The lampshades of the invention may be formed in a wide variety of configurations, e.g., cylindrical, box, tapered and frusto-conical shaped lampshades, with the assembled lampshade having substantially the same aesthetic appeal as a conventional factory assembled lampshade.
Broadly, the .lampshades of the invention comprise a collapsible frame defined by a pair of upper and lower support members and a plurality of peripherally spaced rib members extending therebetween, around which a shade cover comprising a suitable fabric, e.g., silk, is secured to complete the lampshade.
Each support member is typically formed as an endless member, commonly a ring, although substantially any shape, e.g., oval, elliptical and hexagonal, may be adopted depending on the desired configuration of the shade. The support member may also comprise an arrangement of struts, e.g., a box-shaped lampshade may be formed from two cross-shaped support members, with the rib members extending between the outer-most end of corresponding struts or alternatively, a cylindrical lampshade may be formed from two support members comprising a plurality of spokes radiating from a central hub, the rib members again extending between the outermost end of corresponding spokes. Both support members may be of equal size, thereby forming a cylindrical or box shaped lampshade, or of unequal size forming a frusto-conical or tapered lampshade.
The rib members extend between the support members and can be straight or bowed, either inwardly or outwardly, to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the shade. The rib members may be preformed in the desired configurat
REFERENCES:
patent: 661036 (1900-11-01), Clark
patent: 856190 (1907-06-01), Baumer
patent: 1173665 (1916-02-01), Jakab
patent: 1381796 (1921-06-01), Casswell
patent: 1452773 (1923-04-01), Amores
patent: 4290099 (1981-09-01), Vicars-Harris
patent: 5058839 (1991-10-01), Stevens
Lazarus Ira S.
Liniak Thomas P.
Quach Y.
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