EP3749891A1

EP3749891A1 - A lighting device with a lamp stand and a lighting unit

Info

Publication number: EP3749891A1
Application number: EP19750715.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henrik PREUTZ
Original assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Current assignee: Inter Ikea Systems BV
Priority date: 2018-02-09
Filing date: 2019-02-05
Publication date: 2020-12-16
Also published as: EP3749891A4; SE1850145A1; SE542099C2; WO2019156615A1; CN111684203A

Abstract

A lighting device (1), comprises a lamp stand (2) and a lighting unit (3). The lighting unit (3) comprises a shade (4) and a socket (5), which is adapted to receive a lighting element, wherein the lighting unit (3) is adapted to be reversibly fixed to the lamp stand (2).

Description

A LIGHTING DEVICE WITH A LAMP STAND AND A LIGHTING UNIT

The invention concerns a lighting device, in particular a free-standing lamp, more particularly a desk lamp.

Such lamps are generally known in the art. They typically comprise a base, which consists of a lamp stand, one or more sockets into which light bulbs can be inserted, and a power element to supply power to the sockets. The base usually also comprises a power cord. These elements are typically structurally integrated into the base. Such lamps also usually comprise a shade, which is fixed to the base via screws or similar fastenings.

Usually, the shade and base are packaged in a disassembled state, that is, the shade is not mounted to the base. In this case, the sockets are exposed and liable to be damaged during transport.

Further, the packing of the bases and shades of these lamps is often inefficient with regards to space, as well as the amount of packaging material used. If they are packaged together, the different sizes and shapes of the bases and lamps either lead to a packaging which is irregularly shaped, making it difficult to transport and store it in a space-efficient manner. Alternatively, it leads to a packaging, which is large enough to contain both elements, but as a result wastes a lot of space inside the packaging. If they are packaged separately, package material is needed for both elements.

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a lighting device which can be packaged in an improved way.

This object is achieved with a lighting device according to claim 1 . Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the lighting device comprises a lamp stand and a lighting unit, which is reversibly fixed to the lamp stand, wherein the lighting unit comprises a shade and a socket, which is adapted to receive a lighting element. The lighting element may particularly comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Other types of lighting elements, however, are conceivable as well. For instance, the lighting element may correspond to or comprise an incandescent light bulb. The lighting element is adapted to be reversibly fixed to the socket. The socket may be fixed to the shade, particularly also in a state where the lighting unit is not fixed to or separated from the lamp stand, i.e. in a disassembled state. Particularly, the socket may be permanently fixed to the shade. In other words, it may not be possible to separate the socket separated from the shade without damaging or destroying one or both parts. By including both the shade and the socket into the lighting unit, which is separate from the lamp stand, the socket is inherently protected by the shade during transport. Therefore, less protective packaging material is needed. Furthermore, packaging space is saved, since the volume inside the shade, which is unused in the prior art lamps during transport, is occupied by the socket, and, consequently, no additional space for the sockets is needed inside the packaging. Especially in the case of lamps aimed at the mass market, which are produced and shipped in large quantities, even relatively small individual savings of material and space can have significant economic impacts.

In the following, the terms“top” and“bottom” of an element refer to the upper and lower parts of the respective element when the lighting device is in use. The term“horizontal” refers to a direction that lies in a plane which is parallel to the surface on which the lighting device is standing in use. The term“vertical” refers to a direction which is normal to a horizontal plane. “Height” denotes the largest vertical dimension of an element,“width” and“length” denote the dimensions, in particular the largest dimensions, of an element in two horizontal directions which are normal to each other.

The lamp stand may comprise a first recess adapted to receive the lighting unit when it is not fixed to the lamp stand. The expression“adapted to receive” is to be understood such that the shade can be placed at least partially inside the first recess. The first recess may comprise an indentation and/or a through-hole in the lamp stand. In particular, the shape of the first recess may correspond at least partially to the shape of the shade.

By providing such a recess, the lighting unit may, at least partially, be nested inside the lamp stand. In other words, the lamp stand and the lighting unit may fit compactly together, allowing a dense packaging of both elements. Consequently, packaging space and material may be saved. In addition, the lamp stand may provide protection against transport damages to the lamp shade.

The height of the first recess may be larger than the height of the lighting unit. The width of the first recess may be larger than the width of the lighting unit. The length of the first recess may be larger than the length of the lighting unit. In other words, the lighting unit may be, when it is received in the first recess, fully contained in horizontal and/or vertical directions within the lamp stand. This further improves the way in which the lighting device can be packaged, since the height and/or width and/or length of the packaging are determined solely by the corresponding dimensions of the lamp stand.

The lamp stand may comprise a base part located at the bottom of the lamp stand. It may further comprise a support part extending in an upward direction from the base part and connected thereto. The base part and the support part may be formed as separate parts. They may also be formed monolithically. The base part may comprise a through-hole. In particular, the first recess may comprise the through-hole.

The shade and the part of the lamp stand that comprises the first recess may have a conical shape. Here, the term“conical shape” is to be understood as encompassing any shape that is obtained by arranging elements on the lateral surface of a cone. In particular, the shade may have the form of a first partial conical shell based on a first cone, and the part of the lamp stand that comprises the first recess may have the shape of second partial conical shell based on a second cone.

The first and/or the second cone may be regular cones or oblique cones. In particular, the first cone and/or the second cone may be truncated cones. The base of the first cone and/or the second cone may be circular. It may also be elliptic. It may also be polygonal. The base of the first cone and the base of the second cone may have the same shape or they may have different shapes.

The first recess may have the same shape as the base of the first cone. In other words, if the shade has the form of a cone with a circular base, the first recess may have a circular shape. Alternatively, if the shade has the form of a cone with an elliptical or polygonal base, the first recess may have an elliptical or polygonal shape, respectively. Thus, the lighting unit can easily be placed inside the first recess.

The axis of the first cone may coincide with the axis of the second cone when the lighting unit is received in the first recess. Here, the term“axis of a cone” refers, in its usual meaning, to the line containing the apex of the cone and the geometrical center of its base area.

The difference of the opening angles of the shade and conical part of the lamp stand may be less than 10°, preferably less than 5°, preferably 0°. In this way, the fit of the lighting unit within the lamp stand is further improved, since the conical parts of both elements taper off in vertical direction in substantially the same manner.

The lighting unit may be reversibly fixed to the lamp stand with positive locking.

The lamp stand may comprise a second recess. The shade may comprise one or more protrusions which are adapted to be inserted into the second recess to reversibly fix the lighting unit to the lamp stand. Alternatively, the lamp stand may comprise the protrusion and the shade may comprise the second recess. Such an arrangement provides an easy and convenient way to reversibly fix the lighting unit to the lamp stand without having to use tools or additional fixing elements.

The second recess may be keyhole-shaped. Here, the term“keyhole-shaped” refers to a shape that is comprised of a circular or elliptical part and an elongated part protruding from the circular or elliptical part. In particular, the width of the elongated part may be smaller than the diameter of the circular part or one or both of the main axes of the elliptical part. Here, the width of the elongated part refers to the extension of the elongated part in a direction that is normal to the direction into which the elongated part protrudes from the circular or elliptical part. The protrusion may comprise a base part, which is connected to the shade. The base part may have cylindrical or conical shape. The protrusion may further comprise a head part attached to the base part. The head part may have the shape of a spheroid. It may also have a plate-like shape. The outer dimensions of the head part may be larger than the outer dimensions of the bottom part in at least a direction normal to the direction in which the protrusion extends from the shade. The protrusion may have the shape of a knob or pin. In particular, the head part may have outer dimensions that are smaller than those of the circular or elliptical part but larger than the width of the longitudinal part of the keyhole-shaped recess. In a state where the shade is fixed to the lamp stand, the head part of the protrusion may be located fully inside the keyhole shaped recess, while the elongated part of the keyhole-shaped recess is located between the head part of the protrusion and the outer surface of the shade.

Thus, the protrusion may be inserted into the circular or elliptical part of the keyhole-shaped second recess and then slid into the elongated part, locking the protrusion inside the second recess with positive locking.

Other shapes of the recess and the protrusion are also possible. For example, the recess may be formed as a depression which comprises, along its inner walls, one or more indentations and/or projections. Then, the protrusion may comprise matching indentations and/or protrusions along its outer walls, which fit into the respective indentations and/or projections located in the recess. An example of such a connector is a so-called“snap-in” connector.

The lighting unit may further comprise a power cord.

The lamp stand may further comprise a third recess. The third recess may be adapted to at least partially receive the power cord when the lighting unit is fixed to the lamp stand. In other words, the power cord may be concealed at least partially within the lamp stand. This has the advantage of reducing the risk that the power cord inadvertently becomes tangled or is pulled on by a user. The third recess may have the form of an elongated channel adapted for housing the power cord. The third recess may extend longitudinally from a top portion to a base portion of the lamp stand. Thereby, the third recess may receive the power cord adjacent to the lighting unit and the power cord may then be at least partially concealed inside the third recess until it reaches the base portion of the lamp stand.

The lamp stand and/or the shade may comprise a plastic. In particular, they may consist of a plastic. The lamp stand and/or the shade may be manufactured by injection molding.

The invention further provides a method for packaging a lighting device comprising placing a lighting unit into a first recess provided in a lamp stand, wherein the first recess is adapted to receive the lighting unit. The method further comprises packaging the lamp stand together with the lighting unit placed therein.

The lighting device can have one or more of the above-defined features.

Advantageous embodiments will now be described in combination with the enclosed figures.

Figure 1 schematically shows a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b schematically show a longitudinal cut of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention in an assembled and disassembled state, respectively;

Figure 3 schematically shows a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention in disassembled view;

Figures 4a and 4b schematically show a perspective view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention in an assembled state and in a disassembled state used for packaging, respectively; and

Figures 5a and 5b schematically show a perspective view and a longitudinal cut of a lamp stand according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively.

Figure 1 shows a lighting device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The lighting device 1 comprises a lamp stand 2 and a lighting unit 3. The lighting unit 3 comprises a shade 4 and a socket 5 (not shown in Figure 1 , see Figures 2a and 2b), which is located within the shade 4 and which can receive a lighting element, such as a light bulb. The shade 4 has a cylindrical shape. A power cord 9 is also shown being connected to the shade 4.

The illustrated lamp stand 2 has a circular base, from which an elongated support part extends upwards. The lamp stand comprises a first recess 8, which is formed as a circular depression in the base of the lamp stand 2. The first recess 8 could also be a through-hole in the base of the lamp stand 2.

Figures 2a and 2b show a vertical cut through the lighting device 1 shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that the socket 5 is located within the shade 4. Figure 2a shows a state in which the lighting unit 3 is reversibly fixed to the lamps stand 2. It is shown that the lighting unit 3 comprises a protrusion 7 which extends outward from the shade 4. The protrusion 7 is received in a second recess 6 in the lamp stand 2. The second recess 6 may comprise one or more indentations. The protrusion 7 may comprise a corresponding number of matching projections, such that, when the protrusion 7 is inserted into the second recess 6, the projections“slot” into the corresponding indentations. As illustrated, such an indentation may, for example, be a hole 1 1 in the top of the lamp stand 2, which a“nose” 12 arranged on the protrusion 7 can slot into. In order to disconnect the lighting unit 3 from the lamp stand 2, a user can then apply pressure through the hole 1 1 to the “nose” 12, pushing it out of the indentation, thus allowing the protrusion 7 to be pulled out of the second recess 6.

Figure 2b shows the lighting device 1 in a disassembled state, which, for example, can be used for packaging and shipping of the lighting device 1. It is shown that the lighting unit 3 is placed within the first recess 8 of the lamp stand 2. It can be seen that the outer diameter of the shade 4 is smaller than the diameter of the depression forming the first recess 8. It can also be seen that the protrusion 7 does not extend past the boundary of the lamp stand 2. Further, it is indicated that the power cord 9 can be coiled around the shade 4 while it is placed in the first recess 8. Thus, the lighting unit 3 is fully contained within the lamp stand 2, and can be efficiently packaged.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a lighting device 1 according to the invention in a disassembled view. In this embodiment, the lamp stand 2 is a monolithic piece having the shape of a partial conical shell. Here, the first recess 8 is formed as a cut-out in the conical shell and comprises a through-hole in the base part of the lamp stand 2, such that the base part has the shape of a circular ring. It can be seen that the top of the lamp stand 2 comprises the second, keyhole-shaped recess 6. In this embodiment, the shade 4 has the form of a truncated conical shell. It comprises the protrusion 7, which has the shape of a pin with a larger diameter on top. The protrusion 7 can be inserted into the keyhole-shaped recess 6. A socket 5 (not shown) for a lighting element, such as a light bulb, is located within the shade 4. A power cord 9 is connected to the shade 4, particularly to the socket.

It can be seen that the connection part 13 of the lamp stand 2 which comprises the keyhole shaped recess 6 is slightly slanted with respect to the vertical plane. This way, when the lighting unit 3 is connected to the lamp stand 2, the light emanating from the shade 4 will illuminate a wider area than if the shade was fixed in a vertical upright position.

The surface of the lamp stand 2 comprising the second recess 6 is further slightly concave. The radius of curvature of this surface corresponds to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the shade 4. Thus, the lamp stand 2 and the shade 4 fit together seamlessly in assembled state.

In order to fix the lighting unit 3 to the lamp stand 2, the disc-shaped protrusion 7 is inserted into the circular opening of the keyhole-shaped recess 6 and then the shade 4 is slid downwards along the length of the recess 6. In this state, the shade 4 is affixed to the lamp stand 2, since the diameter of the disc 7 is larger than the width of the lower part of the keyhole-shaped recess 6. In order to remove the lighting unit 3 from the lamp stand 2, the shade 4 is slid upwards, and then the protrusion 7 can be pulled out of the keyhole-shaped recess 6 through its circular part.

Figure 4a shows the lighting device 1 illustrated in Figure 3 in a state where the lighting unit 3 is fixed reversibly to the lamp stand 2. It is further illustrated that the lamp stand 2 comprises, at its outer side, a third recess 10. The third recess 10 is a slit provided along the back length of the support part of the lamp stand 2 and extending vertically from the top portion to the base portion of the lamp stand, and it can be seen that the power cord 9 can be inserted into the third recess 10. Thus, when the lighting device 1 is assembled, the power cord 9 is contained within the third recess 10, the recess 10 thus serving as strain relief for the power cord 9, as well as reducing clutter.

Figure 4b shows the lighting device 1 in a disassembled state, which can be used for packaging and shipping of the lighting device 1. It can be seen that the lighting unit 3 nests fully within the recess 8 in the lamp stand 2. It is also apparent from this figure that the opening angle of the cone which forms the base of the lamp stand 2 and the opening angle of the shade 4 are of similar size. As can be seen, this has the advantage that the available space within the recess 8 is used efficiently. Consequently, when the lighting device 1 is packaged in this state, the entire device can be accommodated within a packaging designed for the packaging of the lamp stand 2.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a conical lamp stand 2 having a recess 8, which is adapted to receive a conical lighting unit. The dashed lines in Figure 5 indicate the outline of the cone forming the base of the lamp stand 2. The solid lines indicate the outline of the lamp stand 2. Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the lamp stand 2. For the sake of clarity, only its outer surface is shown. It can be seen that the outer surface forms a part of the mantle of the cone. Figure 5b shows a longitudinal cut through the lamp stand 2, illustrating how the recess 8 is formed from the initial cone by removing the dashed parts. Figure 5b also shows the axis a of the cone.

Although the previously discussed embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described separately, it is to be understood that some or all of the above-described features can also be combined in different ways. The above discussed embodiments are particularly not intended as limitations, but serve as examples, illustrating features and advantages of the invention.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1), comprising

a lamp stand (2) and a lighting unit (3), wherein

the lighting unit (3) comprises

a shade (4); and

a socket (5), which is adapted to receive a lighting element; and

wherein the lighting unit (3) is reversibly fixed to the lamp stand (2).

2. Lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lamp stand (2) comprises a first recess (8), wherein the first recess (8) is adapted to receive the lighting unit (3) when the lighting unit (3) is not fixed to the lamp stand (2), preferably the lamp stand (2) has a ring-shaped base part enclosing the lighting unit (3), more preferably the ring-shaped base part has a circular shape.

3. Lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the shade (4) and the part of the lamp stand comprising the first recess (8) have a conical shape.

4. Lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the difference between the opening angles of the shade (4) and the conical part of the lamp stand is less than 10°, preferably less than 5°, preferably 0°.

5. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting unit (3) is reversibly fixed to the lamp stand (2) with positive locking.

6. Lighting device according to claim 5, wherein

the lamp stand (2) comprises a second recess (6); and

the shade (4) comprises a protrusion (7), wherein the protrusion (7) is adapted to be inserted into the second recess (6) to reversibly fix the lighting unit (3) to the lamp stand (2);

and/or wherein

the shade (4) comprises a second recess (6); and

the lamp stand (2) comprises a protrusion (7), wherein the protrusion (7) is adapted to be inserted into the second recess (6) to reversibly fix the lighting unit (3) to the lamp stand (2).

7. Lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the second recess (6) is keyhole-shaped.

8. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting unit (4) further comprises a power cord (9) connected to the socket (5).

9. Lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the lamp stand (2) further comprises a third recess (10) adapted to at least partially receive the power cord (9) when the lighting unit (3) is fixed to the lamp stand (2), preferably the third recess (10) extends longitudinally from a top portion to a base portion of the lamp stand (2).

10. Method of packaging a lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising:

placing the lighting unit (3) into a first recess (8) provided in the lamp stand (2), wherein the first recess (8) is adapted to receive the lighting unit (3); and

packaging the lamp stand (2) together with the lighting unit (3) placed therein.