GB2284044A - Improvements relating to lamp shade fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A shade for light fittings typically of the multiple ceiling light or single or multiple wall mounted type, low energy type light bulbs comprises at least one illumination tube, but typically a plurality of illumination tubes vertically disposed in the bulb base. The shade is provided with engagement means to allow the shade to be mounted on the light bulb base to maintain the shade in an axially and laterally secure position relative to the light bulb. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements Relating to Lamp Shade Fitting This patent application relates to an invention for the fitting of lamp shades to light fittings and in particular to bulbs mounted in said light fittings such that the lamp shade, when in position, serves to mask the light bulb so that a proportion of light passes through the lamp shade to illuminate the surroundings but the intensity of the light emitted from the bulb is reduced and, on occasion, further dissipated by the use of the lamp shade.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, related to the provision of fitting means on the interior of the lamp shade such that the lamp shade can be mounted for use on what are commonly known as low energy bulbs or energy saving bulbs. These low energy bulbs or compact discharge bulbs such as, for example, the Philips LC range of bulbs, are a relatively recent development. Specifically they are of advantage in that they provide illumination on a par with conventional light bulbs but use substantially less energy to do so and therefore represent substantial cost savings in the energy required to light these bulbs. Due to these cost savings the bulbs have become increasingly attractive for use in residential and in commercial properties.The bulbs are of particular use in environments where the bulbs are illuminated for a prolonged period of time such as for example in hotel foyers or company reception areas. It has been found in these areas that the savings produced by the use of low energy bulbs are considerable.

Typically, conventional bulbs are used with lamp shades provided with clip means and said clip means, when opened pass over the widest circumference of the conventional light bulb and then return to a relaxed state to serve to mount the lamp shade on the bulb and hence the light fitting. This form of fitment means has been used for a substantial number of years and continues to be used with conventional light bulbs.

However, the increasing use of low energy bulbs, which typically comprise a plurality of vertically mounted illumination tubes from a base, each having a uniform circumference along the length thereof, means that the conventional light shade fitment means cannot be used as there is not provided a bulbous or increased diameter section against which the spring clips can act to maintain the lamp shade in the fitted position.

Thus it has become apparent that while many users of light bulbs find it desirable to switch to using low energy bulbs they cannot do so because the lamp shades which they use cannot be fitted to the low energy bulbs, and there is no alternative available.

The aim of this invention is to provide lamp shade fitment means which allow the said lamp shades to be fitted to the low energy bulb in such a manner that the lamp shade is properly mounted in relation to the portion of the low energy bulb which is illuminated.

According to the present invention there is provided a lamp shade for use in conjunction with an electric light fitting including a low energy type or compact discharge light bulb including a base and at least one light illumination tube depending upwardly therefrom wherein said shade includes means as part of the shade for location of the shade on the light bulb base and/or illumination tube of the bulb to maintain the shade in an axially and laterally secure position relative to the light bulb.

In a first embodiment the shade is used in conjunction with at least one or a plurality of illumination tubes of substantially constant cross section wherein the fitment means includes a first portion to prevent downward axial movement of the shade and a second portion to prevent lateral movement of the shade relative to the bulb illumination tubes.

Typically the first and second portions of the shade fitment means are integral parts of the frame of the shade and in one embodiment are in the form of interconnected hoops of a diameter to pass over the light bulb illumination tubes and said first portion rests on the base of the bulb and said second portion lies around said illumination tubes.

Alternatively the first portion of the fitment means is a hoop of a diameter to pass over the light bulb illumination tubes and the second portion is a bar which, in position passes between at least two of the illumination tubes.

In a second embodiment the shade is used in conjunction with a plurality of light illumination tubes depending from the light bulb base wherein said fitment means comprises at least one rod extending downwardly from the shade to pass between at least two of the light bulb illumination tubes.

Typically the shade is provided with fitment means incorporating two rods extending downwardly from the shade to pass between the illumination tubes of the bulb.

Typically the shade is used for attachment to a low energy light bulb in an electric light fitting of a type forming a multiple armed ceiling light or single or multiple armed wall light.

Typically the first and second portions of the fitment means will be provided as integral parts of a framework internally of the lamp shade. Preferably the fitment means will depend from the top of the lamp shade towards the bottom thereof such that the first and second portions are provided to lie along the longitudinal axis of the lamp shade.

Typically the frame of the fitment means will be provided of a material such that when the said frame means are in contact with the illuminated part of the bulb, no burning will occur.

Typically the low energy bulb will consist of a plurality of illumination tubes depending vertically from a bulb base and the said base will include therein either a bayonet cap or Edison screw fitting so that the light bulb can be electrically connected to a standard light fitting. The light fitting typically will be either multiple armed ceiling lights or single or multiple armed wall lights.

In the second embodiment the bar includes a tip of a rod which contacts the base of the bulb and hence prevents further downward vertical movement of the lamp shade when fitted.

It is envisaged that the fitment means of this invention is capable of use with any form of lamp shade whether it be made from cloth, plastic or any other typical material. Use of this fitment means allows any conventional lamp shade to be used in relation to a low energy bulb without the need for any subsequent adjustment of the light fittings.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein : Figure 1 shows an elevation of the lamp shade of the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the lamp shade of Figure 1 in one embodiment; Figure 3 shows a sectional elevation along line A-A of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a detailed elevation of the lamp shade fitment means of the first embodiment in engagement with low a energy bulb; Figure 5 shows an elevation of the lampshade fitment means in a second embodiment; Figure 6 shows a detailed plan view of the fitment means of the second embodiment; Figure 7 shows an elevation of the lamp shade fitment means in a third embodiment; Figure 8 illustrates an elevation of a fourth embodiment; and Figure 9 illustrates a plan view of Figure 8.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a lamp shade 2 of the invention which is provided with light fitment means to allow the lamp shade to be fitted over and onto a low energy bulb. The lamp shade shown is constructed from a wire frame shaped to provide the desired shape of shade and the wire frame is then provided with walls of fabric 3 which are stretched between and attached to the wire frame members 4 to form the lamp shade.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate that in addition to providing a frame for the shaping of the walls of the lampshade the frame includes fitment means 6 provided to allow the lampshade to be fitted onto a low energy bulb mounted in multiple armed ceiling lights or single or multiple armed wall lights.

The fitment means 6 of Figure 3 typically comprises a first portion 8 and second portion 10. In this embodiment the first portion 8 and second portion 10 comprise hoops of wire which are mounted to lie along the vertical longitudinal axis 12 of the lampshade.

The first and second portions, as shown in Figure 4, are provided to pass over and around a low energy bulb 14 and to provide location for the lamp shade thereon. The type of bulb, known as a low energy or compact discharge bulb, typically comprises an illuminating part 16, a base 18 and electrical connection means 20. The illuminating part 16 typically comprises a plurality of illumination tubes 22 arranged vertically from the base 18. In this case four illumination tubes 22 are provided but equally two, three or more tubes or two, three of four inverted U-shaped tubes could be used. Typically each of the illumination tubes 22 is provided with a substantially constant cross section.The first and second portion hoops 8 and 10 are provided of sufficient diameter to allow same to pass over the tubes 22 such that the first portion 8 will come into contact with the upper wall of the base 18 to prevent any further downward vertical movement and the second portion 10 fits around the upper part of the tubes 22. The second portion hoop 10 is of such a size that any substantial movement of the shade 2 in the horizontal or lateral plane will be prevented by the hoop coming into contact with at least one of the tubes 22 and hence acting to prevent any such movement. Thus the lamp shade is securely fitted onto the low energy bulb.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the fitment means 6 again comprises first and second portions 8 and 10 which act in conjunction with the illuminating part 16 of the low energy bulb 14 to allow the lamp shade to be fitted in position. The first and second portions 8, 10 are connected and include bars 26.

Either the second portion 10 or the first and second portions 8,10 can be in the form of bars as shown but if only the second portion is a bar the first portion can remain in the form of a hoop. The bars 26 are provided to pass between the tubes 22 of the illuminating part 16 as shown in Figure 6.

The bars again prevent any movement of the lamp shade in substantially horizontal and vertical planes in relation to the tubes 22.

Referring now to Figure 7 and there is shown a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the fitment means comprises connecting rods 27 from the shade frame for the prevention of further downward vertical movement when in position and a rod 28 which passes down the longitudinal passage provided between the tubes 22 to prevent substantial horizontal or lateral movement of the lamp shade in relation to the tubes 22. By dimensioning the rod to fit correctly the lampshade 2 is prevented from undergoing any substantial movement either laterally or vertically in relation to the bulb.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment wherein a plurality of rods 30 can be provided to run down to the base 18 of the bulb and hence prevent further downward movement of the lamp shade 2. The rods 30 are spaced to lie in the external indents 32 formed between and along the lengths of the tubes 22 to prevent lateral movement of the lamp shade 2.

The present invention therefore provides lamp shades of conventional external designs with fitment means which allow the lamp shades to be fitted onto the illuminating tubes of low energy bulbs and to be securely held in place thereby.

Thus the benefits of using low energy bulbs can be exploited while at the same time providing lamp shades which can be fitted securely to these bulbs to ensure that the pleasing effect provided by lamp shades is obtained.

Claims (9)

CLAINS

1. A shade for use in conjunction with an electric light fitting including a low energy type or compact discharge light bulb including a base and at least one light illumination tube depending upwardly therefrom wherein said shade includes means as part of the shade for location of the shade on the light bulb base and/or illumination tube of the bulb to maintain the shade in an axially and laterally secure position relative to the light bulb.

2. A shade as in Claim 1 used in conjunction with at least one illumination tube of substantially constant cross section wherein the fitment means includes a first portion to prevent downward axial movement of the shade and a second portion to prevent lateral movement of the shade relative to the bulb illumination tubes.

3. A shade as in Claim 2 wherein the first and second portions are integral parts of the frame of the shade.

4. A shade as in Claim 2 or 3 wherein the first and second portions are interconnected hoops of a diameter to pass over the light bulb illumination tubes and said first portion rests on the base of the bulb and said second portion lies around said illumination tubes.

5. A shade as in Claims 2 or 3 wherein the first portion of the fitment means is a hoop of a diameter to pass over the light bulb illumination tubes and the second portion is a bar which, in position passes between at least two of the illumination tubes.

6. A shade as in Claim 1 used in conjunction with a plurality of light illumination tubes depending from the light bulb base wherein said fitment means comprises at least one rod extending downwardly from the shade to pass between at least two of the light bulb illumination tubes.

7. A shade as in Claim 6 wherein there is provided two rods in the fitment means extending downwardly from the shade to pass between the illumination tubes of the bulb.

8. A shade as in any of the preceding claims wherein the shade is for attachment to a low energy light bulb in an electric light fitting of a type forming a multiple armed ceiling light or single or multiple armed wall light.

9. A shade as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.