US2595275A - Lamp shade adjustably mounted directly on an elongated tube - Google Patents

Description

May 6, 1952 Filed Aug. 27, 1947 J. c. LONG 2,595,275

LAMP SHADE ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED DIRECTLY ON AN ELONGATED TUBE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Fig.

INVENTOR. John 6. Long Attorneys J. C. LONG May 6, 1952 LAMP SHADE ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED DIRECTLY ON AN ELONGATED TUBE Filed Au 27, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 p I I 5 I I I 1 e I I I u 5 R INVENTOR. John 6. Long BY M 9? Attorneys Patented May 6, 1952 LAMP SHADE ADJ USTABLY MOUNTED DIRECTLY ON AN ELONGATED TUBE John 0. Long, Charleston, S. 0.

Application August 27, 1947, Serial No. 770,781

8 Claims.

This invention relates to lamp shades and is particularly directed to fluorescent lamp tube shades capable of being mounted directly on the tube and adjustable for selectively directing the light from the tube in a desired direction for illuminating an object or area in the vicinity.

Because of their uniform brightness, high efficiency and low operating costs, fluorescent lamps have come into wide use both in home and commercial lighting. The lamp itself is a long cylindrical light source all points on the surface of which are substantially of equal brightness, and it presents different problems of shading and light distribution and direction than the hitherto used filamentary lamps which were more in the nature of point sources of light, so that the shades and fixtures hitherto used on filament lamps are not adaptable for these fluorescent tubes.

It is particularly desirable, for example, in window showcase lighting and similar commercial fields where it is necessary to concentrate light upon a particular object or area to the exclusion of others to provide a suitable shade which will both directand confine the light in a particular direction. The problem is encountered, also, for example, in bed lamps, as where the occupant of part of a double bed or an adjacent single bed wishes to confine the light from the lamp to the pages of a book that he happens to be reading without disturbing the other occupant.

Fluorescent lamp shades for confining and directing light have been suggested, but most of them are rather expensive and complicated affairs which require alteration of the fixture itself 'or are mounted on the lamp socket in such a way as to require a special fitting.

It is, therefore, a major object of my present invention to provide a novel lamp shade for-a fluorescent lamp tube which is readily attachable and mounted on the tube itself and capable of being adjusted to and maintained in adjusted angular position for selectively directing the light from the tube toward a given area or object.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a fluorescent lamp shade which is angularly adjustably mounted directly on the tube and which is of novel construction, being made from a single blank of sheet material bent and folded to suitable shape and provided with suitable fittings for mounting on the tube.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel lamp shade construction embodying a narrow light directing body open at one end and having the side Walls pierced for projection therethrough of a fluorescent tube, with bands adjacent the opposite side wall openings for securing the shade in any desired position about and along the tube.

Further objects of the invention will presently appear as the description proceeds in connection with the appended claims and the annexed drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the fluorescent lamp assembly of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the shade of the invention, illustrating also the lamp securing clips at opposite ends;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the lamp shade of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a pre-cut blank from which the shade of Figures 1-3 may be constructed in a series of suitable bending and folding operations;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of a further embodiment of the invention wherein a friction ring is provided between each end of the shade and the lamp tube;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section further illustrating the rubber ring of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of still a further embodiment of the invention wherein the opening of the shade is variable;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevation illustrating the adjustment of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary section of a detail of Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 1, a bed lamp fixture H having a plurality of loop-like fastening means it for mounting it upon a head stand of the bed or the adjacent wall is provided with opposite end sockets l3 adapted to receive a fluorescent lamp tube M having metal bases l5 at opposite ends equipped with prongs adapted to fit within sockets 13 for mounting the lamp tube on the fixture H and making the necessary electrical contacts for energizing the tube 14. The lamp fixture H, sockets l3 and lamp [4 are all of conventional construction, and it is not necessary to further describe them.

This invention is concerned primarily with the demountable shade indicated at I6 in Figure 1 and illustrated in detail in-Figures 2 and 3.

Shade assembly Hi comprises along tubular member having fiat parallel front and rear side walls i? and I8 inter-connected at one end by a rounded intermediate wall it which is preferably of substantially the same curvature as the exterior of lamp [4 over an angle of so as to coact with the lamp in the assembly. At opposite ends, shade I8 is formed with fllat parallel walls 2| and 22, and it has a light emitting opening opposite wall I9. Walls 2i and 22 are formed with 'aligned circular apertures 23 and 24 respectively,

which apertures are large enough to permit free passage of the fluorescent tube I l.

Just within each aperture are provided clamps 25 and 26 for mounting the shade directly on fluorescent lamp tube l4 and for adjusting and holding it in any angular position on the tube. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each clamp comprises a sheet metal cylindrical band which is secured within the shade just inside each aperture 23 and 24, with about 180 of its periphery in full surface contact with curved wall is. Bands 25 and 26 are preferably attached to wall l9 by soldering or welding where the shade is made of sheet metal,. to hold them securely against rotation or any movement with respect to the shade. Preferably clamps 25 and 2B are similarly secured within the shade and are not visible externally except possibly from the sides. Only two of these clamps are illustrated and such are all that are necessary for conventional purposes, but if desired more clamps may be similarly secured to wall 19 at any desired intermediate position along the entire length of the shade.

Each clamp 25 and 25 is provided on its inner periphery with resilient means for frictionally gripping the surface of the fluorescent lamp tube. In the illustrated example, there are provided three inwardly bent leaf springs 28, each riveted at one end to the band as at 29. It will be understood that any equivalent resilient means adapted to be interposed between the inner periphery of each band and the outer periphery of the fluorescent tube may be provided. It will also be understood that any desired number of these springs may be provided.

At one point in its periphery band 25 is apertured as at 3| and in alignment with the aperture is soldered, welded or otherwise rigidly secured to threaded boss 32. Boss 32 is disposed in concentric relation with a similar aperture in the shade and provides a, holder for an adjustment screw 33 rotatably mounted in the boss 32 and projecting through the boss and the apertures in the shade and clamp band into engagement' with the outer surface of the fluorescent tube. Preferably the inner end of screw 33 is provided with a loosely held relatively rotatable friction button 34 of rubber or the like for reducing slippage between the screw and the surface of the tube. If necessary a similar locking screw can be mounted on clamp 25.

For use, therefore, it will be seen that it is only necessary to slip the shade over the tube and then mount the tube in sockets l3. Then the user may rotate the shade about the tube until it directs the light to the desired area. Springs 28 are usually strong enough to grip the tube tightly and hold the shade in adjusted position, but to insure against accidental rotation or weakening springs I may secure the shade in adjusted position by then tightening screw 33 to lock the shade to the lamp.

It will be understood that any equivalent clamping and locking arrangement for locking the shade it in the desired angular position on tube 34 may be employed in place of screw 33 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Ordinarily I prefer to make my shade from a single precut blank 35 of opaque material such as that illustrated in Figure 4, blank 35 being formed with opposite side flaps 3 6 and 37, 38 and 39 spaced by recessed portions 41 and Q2. Flaps 35 and 31 are more narrow than flaps 3B and 39 and fold thereover as illustrated in Figure 3.

Each of recesses M and 42, as illustrated in Figure 4, is formed with a straight inner edge 43 equal in length to one-half the circumference of tube [4, and arcuate end surfaces i 3 and :5 which are preferably of the same curvature as the outer periphery of lamp tube 14. Blank 35 is curled about the center line illustrated in Figure 4 so that the edge 43 assumes a semi-circular position defining halves of the circular apertures 23 and 24. The remainder of these apertures is defined by the arcuate flap surfaces 44 and 55 when flaps 36-39 are bent on the score lines indicated in flange 35. Preferably flaps 36 and 31 are welded or soldered together to retain the illustrated shape of the shade.

In order to prevent the user from injuring his hands on sharp edges, narrow terminal flanges 46 and 'll of blank 35 are bent inwardly as illustrated in Figure 3. The outer ends of flaps 38 and 39 are cut away at 63 and 43 to provide the illustrated beveled and shade structure. If desired flange 4? could be curved rearwardly and upwardly to avoid presenting a sharp edge at the front of the lamp shade.

Shade blank 35 may be made of a light weight bendable metal such as aluminum which has good reflecting properties and provides a light weight easily made inexpensive shade readily mounted on and carried by the lamp tube. If desired shade it; could be made of any other suitable sheet material capable of retaining the given shape, or could even be preformed of light rigid non-metallic plastic material with molded clamp inserts at 25 and 26. By making rear wall l8 shorter than front wall H a wider light beam issues from the shade than if both were the same length.

Figures 5-? illustrate a different manner of mounting the shade IS on lamp tube l4 which is of particular value where the shade I5 is a molded lightweight opaque plastic member. Formed as by molding in the rounded wall of the shade near each lamp tube receiving opening in this embodiment is an indented channel or groove 48 which in crosssection may be partly circular as illustrated, rectangular or any desired shape. This channel preferably extends for more than about the lamp tube and provides a seat for a resilient and elastic circular ring 49 of rubber or like high friction material which is preferably circular in section and the inner diameter of which is slightly less than the outer diameter of tube M. Preferably ring 49 is secured within groove 38 as by an adhesive where the shade is plastic, or additionally by crimping or vulcanizing where the shade is of light metal.

When the tube I4 is forced through the rings 48 at opposite ends of the shade, the latter are expanded and grip the tube surface so as to frictionally maintain the shade on the tube in a given angular position.

Referring to Figures 8-10, the shade of Figures 1-4 is made adjustable by splitting it along opposite side walls 2l and 22 as indicated at line so and overlapping the side wall regions on opposite sides of line 50. Preferably the lower wall section 5| (Figure 10) lies within the upper wall section 52 and is provided with an internal lug 53 having a threaded aperture. A screw 54 passing through a slot 55 in front wall If! has a knurled head 56 and is threaded in lug 53. When screw 54 is rotated, the angle between the front and rear walls is changed to vary the width of the light emitting aperture of the shade l6. Slot 55 permits the necessary relative angular movement of the parts.

The resiliency of the friction bands permits a certain degree of adjustment, and the material of the shade blank may be further cut away to suit where greater adjustment is needed. This adjustment is of value as in show windows where an isolated narrow light beam may be desired.

Only one shade is illustrated on lamp [4. If desired, particularly in show windows where long tubes are provided, a series of two, three or more spaced shades of the invention may be provided along the length of the tube each turned at the same or different angles for desired illumination.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the

scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A light directing shade for av fluorescent lamp assembly wherein a tubular lamp is mounted in suitable end sockets on an energizing fixture, said shade consisting of means adapted to be mounted directly on the lamp tube for controlling the direction of emitted light and comprising a light weight box-like member having an arcuate intermediate wall curved about the periphery of the lamp tube and two spaced generally parallel walls projecting from the opposite sides of the intermediate wall away from the lamp so as to define therebetween a light directing and restricting passage, end walls interconnecting adjacent ends of said spaced walls and apertured to permit passage of said lamp tube, and resilient means on the intermediate wall of said shade gripping the surface of said lamp tube and permitting angular adjustment of the shade about the tube for mounting the shade on the tube in adjusted angular position, said resilient means comprising spaced annular devices surrounding and frictionally gripping said tubular lamp.

2. In the shade defined in claim 1, said shade being formed of a single pre-cut blank of sheet material with said resilient means secured internally thereof.

3. An opaque box-like shade for an elongated lamp tube comprising an intermediate wall; internal lamp tube gripping means on said intermediate wall comprising at least two spaced annular devices surrounding and frictionally gripping said lamp tube, two spaced walls projecting from the opposite sides of said intermediate wall and defining a light restricting and directing passage open only at the end remote from the lamp, and end walls connecting the opposite ends of said spaced walls apertured to permit passage'of a lamp tube.

4. A shade for an elongated fluorescent lamp tube comprising a shallow box-like member having a long narrow wall adapted to be disposed adjacent and along said lamp tube and spaced side walls and end walls projecting from said narrow wall for defining a narrow light directing passage extending away from said. narrow wall, said member being open at the end of said passage opposite said narrow wall, aligned lamp tube passing apertures in the end walls of said member adjacent the closed narrow wall, and; means within the shade on said narrow wall for frictionally gripping said lamp tube and maintaining the shade in adjusted angular position comprising spaced annular resilient means for surrounding and gripping said tube. I 1

5. A shade for a fluorescent lamp assembly wherein a long lamp tube is supported at opposite ends by sockets of a suitable energizing fixture, comprising an opaque box-like member having an arcuate portion adapted to be curved about the periphery of said tube and substantially parallel side and end walls projecting from said arcuate portion to define a light directing and restricting passage closed except for an elongated outlet extending along said tube, friction bands secured to the interior of said arcuate portion for surrounding and frictionally gripping said lamp tube but permitting rotation of the shade about the lamp tube, and means for locking the shade in adjusted angular position.

6. A shade for an elongated lamp tube comprising an arcuate member positioned along and intermediate the'ends of said lamp, a pair'of spaced side wall members forming a continuation of opposite sides of said arcuate member, a pair of end walls extending from said arcuate member between adjacent ends of said spaced side wall members and forming therewith a light restricting and directing passage, said end walls each being apertured to permit the passage of the lamp therethrough, a plurality of transverse ridges in said arcuate member, and resilient means internally mounted in said ridges and 'frictionally engaging said lamp.

7. In the shade defined in claim 6, said side walls being substantially parallel and said end walls being substantially parallel.

8. In the shade defined in claim 7, said resilient means being in engagement with the :i-lal'np around its entire periphery. f

JOHN C.- LQNG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 565,203 Espersen Aug. 4, .1896 1,868,776 Tate July 26, 1932 1,976,836 Cudney Oct. 16, 1934 2,078,370 Corbett Apr. 27, 1937 2,277,433 Guth Mar. 24, 1942 2,290,282 Herr July 21, 1942 2,300,925 Hurst Nov. 3, 1942 2,308,986 Livers Jan. 19, 1943 2,374,640 Paul Apr. 24, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 342,788 Germany Apr. 27, 1923

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