IE85371B1

IE85371B1 - Lampshade

Info

Publication number: IE85371B1
Application number: IE2008/0164A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Mathew Cocksedge Paul; Albergaria Gomes Pinho Joana
Original assignee: Mathew Cocksedge Paul
Filing date: 2008-03-07
Publication date: 2009-10-28

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present invention relates to shading for lighting and in particular to a removable lampshade suitable for use with ceiling mounted, recessed light fixtures.

Description

Lampshade The present invention relates to shading for lighting and in particular to a removable lampshade suitable for use with ceiling mounted, recessed light fixtures.

Artiﬁcial lighting can be delivered in a variety of forms adapted to the particular needs of the user. Thus lighting used in a factory or supermarket where people and goods are moved around, maybe different from that in an ofﬁce, where reﬂective PC screens are used and people spend extended periods of time in close study at a desk. Similarly domestic needs differ from commercial needs.

Good quality lighting suited for the purpose does not necessarily require the brightest lighting available, and considerable thought has to be given to how the artiﬁcial light is to be provided to beneﬁt a user. Frequently, thought must be given to mounting of the light source and then to diffusion and shading of the light emitted.

Typically, lighting is provided in one of the following forms, (i) dependent or pendant lighting; (ii) surface mounted lighting; and (iii) recessed lighting.

Lighting of the third type is the most difﬁcult to access and modify after installation.

In particular it is notable that known recessed light fixtures are mounted in a mounting hole, generally in the ceiling or another elevated surface. The fixtures have means for securing to the perimeter of the hole in a manner intended to provide that the ﬁxture is hidden from view, i.e. substantially confined within the recess of the mounting hole. Such recessed ﬁxtures have a ﬂange to bridge the gap between the ﬁxture and mounting surface.

Recessed downlight ﬁxtures are a common replacement to traditional pendant light ﬁxtures.

Whereas traditional pendant light ﬁxtures are generally used in a domestic situation, recessed down light ﬁxtures are becoming of interest in modern homes. Whilst there are many reasons for change, one practical reason lies in the lower ceilings of modern homes as compared with more traditional style homes. A pendant light ﬁxture has an incandescent bulb located in a bulb holder socket, suspended from the ceiling by a cable including the electrical power supply wiring, which is secured to a surface mounted electrical terminal (so—called “rose”).

Pendant light ﬁxtures offer the advantage of ease of access and are normally adapted to receive a shade which both directs and diffuses the light emitted from the otherwise bare bulb, thereby providing a generally softer light. The pendant ﬁtting normally provides for attachment of a ring mounting between movable retaining rings attached to a threaded socket, and the ring mounting has limbs to which a shade is attached. The ease with which such shades can be attached, removed and changed has maintained their popularity for almost a century. Thus a variety of lampshades are used in conjunction with pendant ceiling light ﬁxtures, table lamps, desk lamps and free—standing (standard) lamps amongst other downlighter forms.

Whereas spotlights provide more efﬁcient lighting in that light therefrom is better directed in illuminating zones for reading at a desk for example, they have limited value in providing ambient lighting. Therefore, they tend to be used for providing lighting effects or pools of light in certain zones.

However, such lights are often viewed as efﬁcient and functional but normally unattractive lighting as typically a glaring bare lamp surface is visible.

This has been addressed in part by provision of modified spot lamp fittings. Individual and track mounted spot lights that can accommodate decorative shades are known in the art. The inherent disadvantage of such a system is that it requires a custom designed ﬁxture. This may involve use of a cylindrical lighting ﬁxture housing which has external grooves into which movable securing rings are located. The rim of a suitably sized shade is then secured between the plastic securing means.

Even though there is some improvement achieved thereby, the presence of the track mounting and visible ﬁxtures can detract from the appearance of the shaded spotlights.

Recessed light ﬁxtures provide the same efficient and directional lighting that spotlights provide, with the associated benefits of a recessed hidden fixture but like spotlights, the recessed lights can result in functional but often unattractive lighting, primarily due to the exposed light emitting surface which in most cases, but not exclusively so, is ﬂush with the mounting surface. The problem of glare associated with the exposed surface cannot be readily addressed due to the hidden nature of the ﬁxing.

Whilst it is possible to design diffusers for use with such lights, the resulting ﬁxing is inevitably of a complicated construction and frequently cannot be provided in an inexpensive form.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems associated with glare from such recessed lights.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a shade attachment apparatus for use with a recessed light ﬁtting, comprising a device having opposed surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is conﬁgured to be attached to a recessed light ﬁtting and the other of said surfaces is conﬁgured for mounting to a shade at discrete positions, the device comprising releasable contact ﬁxing means having a magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface on one of said surfaces and fixing means on the opposite of said surfaces, whereby the shade may be mounted using the device by presentation of said shade to said light ﬁtting, wherein the device further comprises limbs configured for mounting to the shade at the discrete positions, thus providing, in use, a space between the ﬁxing means and the shade, such that the shade is remotely mounted with respect to the light ﬁtting.

In the circumstance where the recessed light ﬁtting already includes a metal rim around the recess which metal is magnetically susceptible or attracted to magnets, then the device comprises a magnetic surface adapted to be presented to the metal rim, and on its opposite surface, there is ﬁxing means for attaching the device to a shade.

In the circumstance where the recessed light ﬁtting includes a rim around the recess which is not magnetically susceptible or attracted to magnets, then an additional securing means with opposed sides may be used, consisting of a magnetic, or magnetically susceptible surface and an opposing adhesive surface for attaching to the rim of the recess, then the aforesaid device may be used to contact that additional securing means, i.e. such that the magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface may be presented to the additional securing means, and thereby attached to the rim, with a shade attached by ﬁxing means on the opposite surface of the device.

Thus there is provided an assembly for attachment to a non-metallic or non—magnetica||y susceptible rim of a recessed light ﬁtting, comprising an additional securing means to serve as a magnetic or magnetically susceptible adaptor piece, and a device for mounting a shade as hereinbefore described. A spacer element may be optionally included, provided always that when a magnetic ﬁxing is required, at least one of the adaptor piece, spacer (if used) and the device has a magnetic component or composition, and the others are at least attracted to magnets sufﬁciently to form a releasable ﬁxing therebetween capable of supporting a shade.

A heat-resistant collar insertable into a recess for the light may be used to receive a shade, which may be then secured using suitable releasable fastening means such as a clamp, push—ﬁt clips, worm-drive clips of the type used for hoses, such as Jubi|ee® clips, lever-actuated clamp, spring clip or other suitable expanding clip etc.

Preferably, the releasable fixing means is an inexpensive and light weight mechanical ﬁxing such as fastening pads of the hook and loop type available under the trade mark VELCRO®, a magnetic fixing, or a combination thereof.

The opposite side of the device may have a chemical bonding agent such as an adhesive which may be permanent, pressure—sensitive or peelable to allow for subsequent removal.

It will be apparent to those in the ﬁeld that in choosing materials for the device, these will be selected to be ﬁt for purpose having regard to possible heat effects from the light, for example the use of heat resistant glue. There may also be provided a portion of heat insulating or heat reﬂecting material or a combination thereof, attached to the shade and capable of receiving the releasable contact fixing means.

The assembly including a device for securing the shade can be adapted to accommodate different shapes and sizes of shade. in this regard the magnet may be configured with a draft angle so as to improve the effectiveness of the ﬁxing.

The shade attachment device is secured to the shade at discrete positions, allowing for remote mounting of the shade with respect to the light fitting and providing a space between the fixing means and shade.

Optionally, the shade attachment device may be secured to the ﬁxing means using friction ﬁttings.

Optionally, the shade can be secured to the recessed surface of the light fitting by an expansion ﬁtting or other suitable means.

The size, shape and conﬁguration of the ﬁxing means may be dependant on the size and shape of the shade and composition of the recessed light fixture.

There is herein described a shade with a releasable contact ﬁxing means on a surface intended in use for peripheral surface contact around a recess in a mounting surface for a light, whereby the shade may be presented to the light and retained in place by the releasable contact ﬁxing means in one step.

The releasable contact ﬁxing means may comprise a device or assembly according to the ﬁrst aspect hereinbefore, and variants thereof as described above.

There is herein also described an apparatus for adapting the shade as described hereinbefore for use with a traditional pendant light ﬁxture, the apparatus consisting of arms configured to interconnect the shade attachment device with an existing shade attachment means for securing the lampshade to a traditional pendant light ﬁxture.

The light ﬁxture described may be a table or ﬂoor supported lamp.

The existing shade attachment means described may comprise a mechanism for rotating the bulb holder ring, or other means for securing the shade, to accommodate use with pendant light fixtures and table or floor lamps.

The bulb holder ring described, or other means for securing the shade, may be slidably mounted on the existing shade attachment device.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a representation of a shade and a shade attachment device outwith the scope of the present invention.; Figure 2 is a representation of a shade and an existing shade attachment device; Figure 3 is a representation of a shade, a shade attachment device and the method of attaching said shade using said attachment device to a ceiling mounted, recessed light ﬁxture outwith the scope of the present invenﬁon; Figure 4 is a representation of the shade attachment device and a magnetically susceptible light ﬁxture, outwith the scope of the present invenﬁon; Figure 5 is a representation of the shade attachment device, a non- magnetically susceptible light ﬁxture and means to adapt the surface of the ﬁxture to facilitate attachment of the shade outwith the scope of the present invention; Figure 6 is a representation of a shade attachment device with limbs; Figure 7 is a representation of a shade attachment device with friction fittings; Figure 8 is a representation of a shade, a shade attachment device with limbs, a non—magnetically susceptible light fixture and means to adapt the surface of the ﬁxture to facilitate attachment of the shade in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is a representation of a shade and shade attachment device with limbs, providing a space between the shade attachment device and shade; Figure 10 is a representation of a shade with heat insulating or heat reﬂecting material outwith the scope of the present invention; Figure 11 is a representation of a shade and shade attachment device with draft angle outwith the scope of the present invention; Figure 12 is a representation of apparatus for adapting the shade for use with a traditional pendant light ﬁxture outwith the scope of the present invenhon; Figure 13 is a representation an existing shade attachment device adapted for use outwith the scope of the present invention; Figure 14 is a representation of a shade designed for use with a traditional pendant light ﬁxture, adapted for use outwith the scope of the present invenﬁon; Figure 15 is a representation of a shade with a slidably mounted bulb holder, adapted for use outwith the scope of the present invention; Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a shade 1 and shade attachment device 2, with one surface 3 conﬁgured for securing the device to the shade and a mounting surface 4 conﬁgured for contact with the rim of a recessed light ﬁxture.

A shade 1 and an existing shade attachment device 5 are depicted in Figure 2. Modiﬁcation of the attachment device at connections 6 would permit the use of the attachment means in accordance with the present invention and subsequent mounting of the shade to a ceiling mounted, recessed light ﬁxture.

Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated a shade 1 and shade attachment device 2, recessed light ﬁxture 7 in a ceiling 8 and indication 9 of the presentation of said shade to said light ﬁxture.

Figure 4 depicts the circumstance where the recessed light ﬁxture already includes a metal rim 10 around the recess which metal is magnetic or magnetically susceptible. The shade attachment device 2, with one surface 3 conﬁgured for securing the device to the shade and a magnetic or magnetically susceptible mounting surface 4 conﬁgured for contact with the rim of a recessed light ﬁxture are also shown.

Referring to Figure 5 there is illustrated the circumstance where the recessed light ﬁxture includes a rim 11 which is not magnetically susceptible. The additional securing means (adaptor piece) 12 consists of a magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface 13 and surface 14 prepared for adhesion to the rim 11 around the recess of the light ﬁxture.

Figure 6 depicts limbs 15, used to secure a shade attachment device 2, to a shade. The shade attachment device 2 is therefore secured to the shade at discrete positions.

Figure 7 represents the process of securing a shade attachment device 2 to a ﬁxing means 16 using limbs 15 with friction fittings 17.

Figure 8 depicts the circumstance where a recess light ﬁxture includes a rim 11 which is not magnetically susceptible. An additional securing means 12 is adhered to a shade attachment device 2, which includes limbs 15 secured to shade 1.

Referring to Figure 9 there is illustrated a shade attachment device 2 secured to a shade 1 using the limbs 15, and providing a space 18 between the shade attachment device 2 and shade 1.

A shade 1 is depicted in Figure 10, provided with a portion of heat insulating or heat reﬂecting material 19 attached to which is a shade attachment device 2.

Figure 11 depicts a shade 1 with a shade attachment device 2, incorporating a draft angle 20 so as to improve the effectiveness of the fixing.

Referring to Figure 12 there is illustrated a shade 1 with shade attachment device 2 and apparatus 21 for adapting the shade for use with a traditional pendant light ﬁxture. The apparatus 21 consists of arms 22 attached to which is a surface 23 which can be adhered to surfaces of the shade attachment device 2. The arms 22 interconnect the surface 23 with an existing shade attachment means 24.

Figure 13 depicts the circumstance where an existing shade attachment means 24 comprise a mechanism 25 for rotating a bulb holder ring 26 in order to accommodate use with pendant light fixtures and table or ﬂoor lamps. The arms 22 interconnect surface 23 with the existing shade attachment means 24.

Referring to Figure 14 there is illustrated the circumstance where a shade is adapted for use with a recessed light ﬁtting using surface 23, when arms 22 are located inside a bulb holder ring 26 of an existing shade attachment means 24. The arms 22 are held in position by friction.

Figure 15 depicts the circumstance where the bulb holder ring 26 is slidably mounted on the existing shade attachment device 24. The existing shade attachment device 24 is secured to the shade attachment device 2 via arms 22.

In use of the aforesaid embodiments of Figs. 4 or 5, the shade with securing means or securing means with adaptor part is offered up to the recessed light ﬁtting, presented to the desired peripheral surface and attached by contact therewith.

The above example illustrates the ease with which a shade attachment device with releasable ﬁxing means and adapted for use with a recessed light fitting provides a means for simply presenting the shade to a light fixture to ensure an instant connection between the two articles.

Thus a shade modiﬁed with a releasable ﬁxing means of the invention, may be simply installed by a simple one step ﬁxing of the shade. The shade is readily changed by reversing the procedure. Other advantages of the present invention include affordability and the ease with which the shade can be installed and removed from the light fixture.

Claims

1. Claims Shade attachment apparatus for use with a recessed light ﬁtting comprising a device having opposed surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is conﬁgured to be attached to a recessed light ﬁtting and the other of said surfaces is conﬁgured for mounting to a shade at discrete positions, the device comprising releasable contact ﬁxing means having a magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface on one of said surfaces and ﬁxing means on the opposite of said surfaces, whereby the shade may be mounted using the device by presentation of said shade to said light ﬁtting, wherein the device further comprises limbs configured for mounting to the shade at the discrete positions, thus providing, in use, a space between the ﬁxing means and the shade, such that the shade is remotely mounted with respect to the light ﬁtting.

2. Shade attachment apparatus according to claim 1 where the releasable contact ﬁxing means is permanent, pressure-sensitive, peelable and/or heat resistant.

3. Shade attachment apparatus according to any of the previous claims wherein the recessed light ﬁtting includes a metal rim around the recess, which metal is magnetically susceptible or attracted to magnets.

4. Shade attachment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for use with a non-metallic or non-magnetically susceptible rim of the recessed light fitting, comprising an additional securing means to serve as a magnetic or magnetically susceptible adaptor piece, with opposed sides, consisting of a magnetic, or magnetically susceptible surface 14 for connection to the magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface of the device and an opposing adhesive surface for attaching to the rim of the recess.

5. Shade attachment apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the additional securing means comprise an interference ﬁt device being a compressible expansion ﬁtting including ﬂexible fingers adapted to engage the inner peripheral surface of the recess for the light ﬁtting.

6. Shade attachment apparatus according to any of the previous claims further comprising a heat—resistant collar, insertable into the recess of the light ﬁtting to receive the shade, secured using suitable releasable fastening means.

7. Shade attachment apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the releasable fastening means is selected from one or more of a clamp, a push-ﬁt clip, a worm-drive clip of the type used for hoses such as a Jubilee® clip, a |ever—actuated clamp, a spring clip or other suitable expanding clip.

8. Shade attachment apparatus according to any of the preceding claims including a portion of heat insulating or heat reflecting material or a combination thereof, attached to the shade and capable of receiving the releasable contact ﬁxing means.

9. Shade attachment apparatus according to any of the preceding claims where the device is adapted to accommodate different shapes and sizes of shade, making use of one or more draft angles so as to improve the effectiveness of the ﬁxing.

10. Shade attachment apparatus for use with a recessed light ﬁtting comprising a device having opposed surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is conﬁgured to be attached to a recessed light ﬁtting and the other of said surfaces is conﬁgured for mounting to a shade at discrete positions, the device comprising releasable contact ﬁxing means having a magnetic or magnetically susceptible surface on one of said surfaces and ﬁxing means on the opposite ofsaid surfaces, whereby the shade may be mounted using the device by presentation of said shade to said light ﬁtting and wherein limbs are provided on one or more of the shade and device, such that, in use, a space is provided between the ﬁxing means and the shade and the shade is remotely mounted with respect to the light ﬁtting.