GB2375900A

GB2375900A - Decorative covering means

Info

Publication number: GB2375900A
Application number: GB0211819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colette Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-26
Filing date: 2002-05-23
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Also published as: GB0211819D0

Abstract

A decorative cover (1) for a component of a light fitting, such as a ceiling rose. The cover may be comprised of two parts (2, 3) that have attachment means (9) for securing each part to the component and means for connecting each part to each other. The cover (1) may be made from a resiliently deformable material and its two parts (2,3) may be connected together by hinged means (17). The two parts (2,3) of the cover (1) may also be interlocked together by use of co-operating formations such as a hook and lip (40) or a tongue and groove formation. The cover (1) may also be in the shape of an inverted cone, with the cord of the light fitting passing through a hole formed at the apex of the cone.

Description

Title : Decorative Covering Means DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a decorative covering means, and in particular a decorative attachment for components of a light fitting. It is particularly directed to a component such as a ceiling rose, but is not limited to same.

As a means of providing artificial light in a room, it is known to provide a light fitting in the ceiling of the room, having a ceiling rose to cover the internal lighting circuitry, with a cord hanging from a hole in the centre of the ceiling rose, which is connected to the internal lighting circuitry. At the end of the cord, there is generally a socket means, into which a light bulb is generally screwed. A light shade may be attached to the light fitting by a means appropriate to the shape of the shade.

However, the ceiling rose is in general made from plain plastics material, with little or no decorative features thereon. If it is desired to add some form of decoration to the light fitting, then a plaster/foam decorative plate is generally mounted directly on the ceiling, with the ceiling rose itself having to be completely removed to allow installation of the decorative plate. Such a decorative plate is normally intended to be quite a permanent feature, being plastered or glued directly to the ceiling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative cover for a component of a light fitting, such as a ceiling rose, which overcomes, or at least

alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a decorative cover for a component of a light fitting, the cover comprising an attachment means for securing the cover to the component.

Preferably, the decorative cover is made from a resiliently deformable material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative cover comprises at least two parts for placing over the component.

It is preferred that the component of the light fitting to which the decorative cover is to be attached is a ceiling rose. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the component may be the casing that fits over the electrical components of a light switch, in particular being of the type that is pulled on or off by means of a length of cord or rope extending downwardly from the component. Preferably, the decorative cover is comprised of two decorative parts, which are connectable together by a hinged means, for example a living hinge. Alternatively, the decorative parts may be discrete.

It is further preferable that each of the two decorative parts comprises a semi circular base having an upstanding side following the curved part of the base. More preferably still, each of the two decorative parts has a notch mid way along the straight side of the base thereof, to allow a cord of the light fitting to pass therethrough, when the two parts of the decorative cover are in situ on the ceiling rose.

It is preferred that the means of attaching the cover to the existing ceiling

rose is a substantially horizontally configured lip, following the curve of the upstanding side of each decorative part. Alternatively, the means of attachment may comprise a hooked edge, again following the curve of the upstanding side of each decorative part. Additionally or alternatively, spaced apart tabs may be provided that extend inwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the upstanding side of each decorative part.

Preferably, the decorative cover comprises a locking means, whereby when the decorative parts are in situ on the ceiling rose, the parts may be interlocked for securing purposes. It is preferred that the two decorative parts comprise co-operating formations,. on the upstanding sides thereof, for example a hook and lip formation or a tongue and groove formation, which may be engaged when the cover is in situ.

It is envisaged that the decorative parts of the cover may form any convenient shape when in situ, for example, an inverted cone or a cylinder, the decorative parts being shaped to give such a result. In the case where the cover forms the shape of an inverted cone, the cord of the light fitting passes through a hole formed at the apex of the cone, by the notches in each decorative part forming the cone.

Preferably, the cover has decorative features moulded thereon.

Alternatively, the decorative features may be painted or glued to the cover.

The cover may also be formed as part of a light shade, i. e. being formed integrally therewith.

In an alternative embodiment of the decorative cover, each decorative

part comprises at least one hook means, whereby a lampshade or the like may be suspended from the cover by, for example, a chain or strip of suitable material.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a decorative cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a decorative cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a decorative cover, in-situ, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a decorative cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a decorative cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a decorative cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a decorative cover, in situ, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8a shows a top plan view of one part of a decorative cover according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8b shows an underside plan view of the part shown in Figure 8a; Figure 8c shows a perspective view of the part shown in Figure 8a;

Figure 9 shows the part of Figures 8a to 8c attached to another part to form the assembled cover; and Figure 10 shows a side view of the cover shown in Figure 9.

With reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a decorative cover 1 comprises two parts 2 and 3. Each part comprises a semicircular base 4 and an upstanding side 5, which is disposed around a curved edge 6 of the base 4. The base 4 of each part has a notch 8 formed midway along a straight edge 7 thereof. Further, each part has a horizontally configured lip 9 disposed around a top edge 5a of the upstanding side 5. In order to fit the decorative cover 1 over a ceiling rose, it is intended that the ceiling rose first be slightly loosened from the ceiling, and then each part is fitted around the ceiling rose, with the lip 9 of each locating between the ceiling rose and the ceiling. The notch 8 on each part allows the cord of the light fitting, which hangs from the ceiling rose, to pass through the cover 1, when the cover 1 is in place.

The embodiment of the decorative cover 1 a shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings is the same as that shown in Figure 1, but for the provision of a hook 10 on the upstanding side 5 of each part of the cover 1 a. It is intended that this embodiment of the cover 1 a be used in conjunction with a lampshade 11, whereby the lampshade 11 is suspended from the hooks 10 via chains 12.

The embodiment of the decorative cover 1 b shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings is the same as that shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, but for the provision of locking means 13 and 14, which is provided for use when

the parts of the cover 1 b have been put in place over the ceiling rose. The locking means 13 and 14 each comprise a hook and peg arrangement, thereby acting as a further means of securing the parts of the decorative cover 1 b in place on the ceiling rose. However, it is to be appreciated that alternative means for securing the parts of the decorative cover may be provided, such as a tongue and groove type arrangement that snap-fit together.

Turning now to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, the embodiment of the decorative cover 1 c shown therein is, again, similar to that shown in Figure 1, but for the provision of a hinge 17, connecting the edges 18 of the upstanding side 5 together. This embodiment makes it easier for a user to place the parts of the decorative cover 1 c over the ceiling rose, allowing the requisite amount of freedom of movement to facilitate this.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6 shows a one piece decorative cover 1 d, which may be used to cover a ceiling rose. The cover 1 d is made from a resiliently deformable material, which allows a user to manoevre the cover 1d over a ceiling rose. The cover 1d comprises a circular base 19 and an upstanding side 20, which is disposed around the curved edge 21 of the base 19. The base 19 has an enlarged aperture 22 formed therein, to allow a user to slot the cover 1 d over the light bulb socket 27 of the light fitting, without having to remove the light bulb socket 27 from the cord of the light fitting to do so.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7 shows an alternative shape of decorative cover 1 e, having two parts 23 and 24, which fit over a ceiling rose in a similar way to that of the cover shown in Figure 1. However, the

shape of the parts 23 and 24 is such that, when in situ, a conical shape is formed. As with the embodiment of Figure 1, a notch is formed in each part, which allows a cord 26 of the light fitting to pass therethrough, when the parts are in situ on the ceiling rose.

Figures 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a further embodiment of a decorative cover according to the present invention. The cover is again comprised of two parts 32,33 and features in common with the cover shown in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals and only the differences will be discussed in detail. The upstanding side 5 of each part 32,33 is provided with three tabs 35,. 36,37 that extend inwardly substantially perpendicularly-from the side. These can be located between the ceiling rose and the ceiling in a similar manner to the lip 9 present in the embodiment of Figure 1. Additionally, one half of the straight side 37 of one part 32 of the cover is provided with a lip 40 extending therefrom and a complimentary slot or recess 2 is provided in the other part 33 to receive the lip, thereby assisting to secure the two parts together and retain the cover on the ceiling rose.

In this way, when the two decorative parts are attached to the ceiling rose, the appearance of the cover to a user is similar to that of the ceiling rose itself, but with decorative features thereon, the straight side of the base of each decorative part lying adjacent to each other, giving a continuous appearance.

Furthermore, in using the cover of the invention, a user may easily change the appearance of their ceiling rose to suit their mood. For example, a cover having a particular pattern thereon may be used one day, whereas a

different patterned cover may be used the next, the user easily being able to change covers simply by slightly loosening off the existing ceiling rose from the ceiling, then slotting the two decorative parts over the existing ceiling rose, such that the lip, or hook, whichever is the case, of each decorative part locates between the existing ceiling rose and the ceiling, and then screwing the existing ceiling rose with the cover thereon, back to the ceiling, such that they lie substantially flush with the ceiling. Conveniently, the existing ceiling rose need not be completely removed in the process, which saves a considerable amount of time and effort.

In addition, the cover may be used to attach a lampshade or the like to the light fitting, which, again, alleviates the need to remove components of the light fitting, which is time consuming and inconvenient.

Importantly, the decorative cover, and indeed the lampshade attachable thereto, may be attached to the light fitting without interrupting the flow of electricity through the light fitting.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A decorative cover for a component of a light fitting, the cover comprising an attachment means for securing the cover to the component.
2. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is made from a resiliently deformable material.
3. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover comprises at least two parts for placing over the component.
4. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two parts are connected together by a hinged means.
5. A decorative-cover as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two parts are discrete.
6. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 3,4 or 5, wherein each of the two parts comprises a semi-circular base having an upstanding side following the curved part of the base.
7. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the two parts has a notch mid-way along the straight side of the base thereof to allow a cord of the light fitting to pass therethrough when the two parts of the cover are in situ.
8. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the means for attaching the cover to the light fitting is a substantially horizontally configured lip following the curve of the upstanding side of each part.
9. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the means for attachment comprises a hooked edge following the curve of the upstanding side

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>

of each part.
10. A decorative cover as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the means for attachment include spaced apart tabs that extend inwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the upstanding side of each part.
11. A decorative cover as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10 wherein the cover includes locking means whereby the two parts may be interlocked for securing purposes.
12. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 11 wherein the two parts comprise co-operating formations that may engage when the cover is in situ.
13. A decorative cover as claimed in claim 12 wherein the co-operating formations comprise a hook and lip or a tongue and groove formation.
14. A decorative cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is in the shape of an inverted cone, a cord of the light fitting passing through a hole formed at the apex of the cone.
15. A decorative cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the light fitting is a ceiling rose.
16. A decorative cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is formed integrally as part of a light shade.
17. A decorative cover as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 15 wherein each part includes at least one hook means whereby a lampshade or the like may be suspended from the cover.
18. A decorative cover substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, 7 or 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.