Illumination – Light modifier – Translucent or opaque
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-10-16
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light modifier
Translucent or opaque
C362S355000, C362S360000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302566
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an arrangement for and a method of covering a shade of an electrical lamp with a drape and, more particularly, to substituting one decorative drape for another to create a desired, decorative appearance for the lamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lampshades are made of many different materials supported by a frame and, in the case of a fabric lampshade, the fabric is stretched about a metal frame that can be made in all different shapes and sizes, including cylindrical, conical, box-like and like geometrical configurations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 524,825 and 548,373. The fabric may be neutral in color to match any room decor, or may be patterned and colored to coordinate the appearance of the lampshade with other room furnishings. Over time, the lampshade may become discolored or outdated so that replacement is desirable.
Although purchasing a new lampshade is a prevalent option, the art contains examples of kits or covers that permit a user to change the appearance of an existing lampshade. Such removable covers are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,731,715, 5,662,412 and 5,746,506 in which elastic bands, drawstrings and Velcro™-type fasteners are used to tightly secure at least part of the cover to the existing lampshade material. The areas of contact between the cover and the lampshade material become dark when the bulb is turned on, and create undesirable shadows that are objectionable for a lampshade whose purpose is to uniformly diffuse the light. Such shadow effects have not led to the widespread adoption of the known lampshade covers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the Invention
Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to cover a lampshade with a drape without producing objectionable shadows.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to easily replace one lampshade drape with another to coordinate the drape to any room decor.
Still another object of the present invention is to create a decorative, optical effect on any lamp.
It is yet another object of the present invention to easily change the ornamentation of any lampshade without having to purchase a new lampshade.
Features of the Invention
In keeping with the above objects and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in an arrangement for, and a method of, covering an exterior surface of a shade of an electrical lamp. A support is supported by the shade and/or the lamp. The support has an extension that extends beyond the exterior surface of the shade to be covered. A drape is suspended from the extension and is maintained at a distance from, and out of contact with, the exterior surface of the shade.
Hence, in accordance with this invention, by maintaining the drape out of contact with the exterior surface of the shade to be covered, no undesirable shadows or dark zones are produced on the shade. Light emitted from a bulb passes through the shade, which is typically made of a thin, light-transmissive material, and then through a spacing between the shade and the drape, before passing through the drape which is likewise preferably constituted of a thin, light-transmissive material. Some of the light is reflected off an inner surface of the drape. This reflected light is reflected a number of times between the exterior surface of the shade and the inner surface of the drape, and creates a soft, diffuse optical effect devoid of shadow and a uniform backlighting for any ornamentation on the drape.
In a preferred embodiment, especially for use with a shade having a four-sided cross-section, the extension has a first pair of arms spaced apart of each other along a first longitudinal axis, and a first rod extending along the first longitudinal axis between the first pair of arms. The drape has a first hanging drape portion constituted of a sheet material draped over the first rod and maintained at the distance from a first side of the exterior surface of the shade. The extension also has a second pair of arms spaced apart of each other along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and a second rod extending along the second longitudinal axis between the second pair of arms. The drape has a second hanging drape portion constituted of a sheet material draped over the second rod and maintained at the distance from a second side, opposite to the first side, of the exterior surface of the shade.
The drape further has a top drape portion constituted of a sheet material and extending between the first and second hanging drape portions. The top drape portion is supported in a generally horizontal plane between the first and second rods. A central aperture is preferably formed in the top drape portion to allow the escape of heat and rising air currents.
The drape is a sheet material, preferably a soft fabric that is capable of hanging in a manner resembling a curtain. Any pattern or like ornamentation may be on the fabric. Replacing one patterned fabric for another is as simple as removing one drape from the support and placing another drape thereon.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Kirschstein et al.
Neils Peggy A
O'Shea Sandra
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