US2895041A - Lamp harp - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1959 H. SH GLO 2,895,041

LAMRHARP Y Filed Dec; :5, 195a I INVENTOR. fiAeeY ,531054 0w United S tates Patent DAMP .HARP

Harry Shoglow, Chicago, Ill., assignor of one-half to Carl Wildey, Chicago, 111.

Application December '3, 1956, Serial No. 625,730

1 Claim. (Cl. 240-148) The present invention relates to-irnprovements in lamp fixtures and more particularly to certain hardware accessories utilized in floor and-table lamps for adjustably supporting lamp shades and similar coverings.

The class of accessories 'to which'thisinvention relates is generally known as lamp shade harps. Such articles have been known to possess features of adjustability but it is now proposed to teach a new construction of harp which will enable the user to grasp the lamp elements by their external and easily accessible portions, and by simply exerting a suflicient force to overcome a stable frictional retaining arrangement, to achieve abundant ranges of shade level variations in infinite degrees or increments. This is accomplished by certain novel harp mechanism which utilizes inversely divergent interfitting components which may be made of low cost sheet and wire stock material without need of tempering, heat treatment or hardening. In addition, this new design possesses esthetic advantages of compactness and freedom from functional obstructions and protuberances, characteristic in known devices of this class.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a harp fixture of the type suitable for use in all forms of home decorative lamps which will aiford shade level adjustability with greatest of ease and facility without requiring special knowledge or training to manipulate.

Another object of such invention is to provide a fixture of this class which may be produced at so small of cost considerations as to be competitive with harps lacking in the advantages of shade level adjustability.

Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a lamp harp with features of shade level adjustability achieved through frictional interengagetment of relatively movable parts which parts are abundantly sturdy to sustain considerable weight in shade styles without suflering degeneration from frequent or repeated use and adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in such an adjustable level lamp harp maximum movement limits by means of economic cost methods so that the achievement of safety against accidental separation of the shade from its lamp elements involves but insignificant cost factors.

The foregoing and other objects and purposes of this invention will be more evident from the following specification and description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout, and in which;

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view through the upper extremity of a table or floor lamp with portions broken away, featuring various details of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a grouped side elevational view of the principal elements which embody the invention,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged scale perspective view of the elements shown in Fig. 2, but in interrelated condition,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken along the section line designation 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

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Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail view as represented byline 55 of Fig. 4.

The reference designation 11 inFig. 1 indicates the top of a lamp pedestal from which a threaded pipe or ferrule 12 customarily projects with suflicient length to accommodate a bottom nut 13, washer or thin nut 14 as well as the threaded collar portion 15 of a conventional lamp receiving socket 16. As -with'other types of harps, the present article is adapted to be held clampingly between the just described threaded elements 13 and 14, or between elements 13 and "15, where no other intervening clamp means is used. Thus, installation may be made by placing the ferrule 12 through the'hole 16, Fig. 3, provided in the symmetricalcenter of the base'member generally indicated 17.

From the center of the base member 17 there'extend in opposite directions the wings 18 and 19 in both of which are formed reinforcingembossments or ribs 21 for the purpose of imparting to this member an additional quality of stiffness in the region of its curvatures 2'2. Angling upwardly and outwardly from the horizontal center part 23 which is comprised of the wings 18 and 19 are the opposed tubate columns 24- and 25, formed by rolling the same sheet stock from which the center part 23 is made, into cylindrical pillars which should assume a suitable balanced flare to afford spacing for the electric light bulb 26, as illustrated. Ordinarily, the thickness of stock from which the base member is made should afford suflicient rigidity to the tubate columns to resist any tendency of spreading at the vertical seams 27, but where desired, secure stability in this regard may be had by spot welding at one or two points along this scam.

The width of the stock, particularly in the region of the columns 24 and 25, should be controlled so that when rolled into the described cylindrical columns, the internal diameter should be such as to snugly receive the downwardly extending legs 28 and 29 of bail member 31. This member is constructed of wire stock, bent around generous arcs from a center horizontal portion or lintel 32, provided with the central stud threaded element 33 to which the shade spider is conventionally secured.

The legs 28 and 29 should flare outwardly to an extent as shown in Fig. 2, so that by constricting them to insert their ends into the holes of the tubate columns 24 and 25, there is established a latent tension which will exert a surprisingly constant frictional pressure upon the columns so that for any degree of insertion of the legs into the columns, this friction will serve to hold the relationship against shifting even when subjected to heavy shade loads. This phenomenon of constancy is believed to be attributable to the reciprocal qualities of surface friction which increases as the legs are inserted farther into the columns and the localization of spring tension which increases as the legs are withdrawn.

The outermost surfaces of the legs 28 and 29 are preferably flattened, by rolling or milling as at 34, Figs. 3 to 5, for a limited extent only, terminating significantly at their lowermost extremities with shoulders 35, Fig. 4, and the tubulations 24 and 25 are provided with indentations 36, near their uppermost ends. By means of the just described low cost additional features, the bail member 31 may be constrained against total withdrawal in the event that a user should inadvertently seek to pull the shade above the contemplated limit provided for.

It is to be noted that in contradistinction with other media heretofore directed to this purpose, the user no longer is required to have advance knowledge of the mechanical workings of concealed levers, detents or screws which have to be pressed, loosened or regulated in order to efiect shade level adjustment. Also, there is no neces- 2,895,041 a t a sity of stooping or reaching into blind lamp heated regions in order to make level adjustments. To use this device one need but grasp any suitable part of the lamp shade frame, such as the finial or spider and pull or push with respect to the'lamp pedestal. The adjustment may be made as incrementally as is desired, without regard to pre-established notches, holes or other such limitations.

While the invention has been explained and described with reference to certain examples of embodiment, it isto be understood that no restriction of scope is thereby intended, but that changes and variations falling within this invention shall be construed solely in the light of the appended claim.

The invention claimed is:

An adjustable lamp shade harp comprising a base mem- 15 said shaft sections and said tubate columns being springablet convergently to align the shaft sections with and be received within the tubatecolumns under substantially constant frictional engagementfor varying positions of insertion, a projection on the interior of each tubate column closely adjacent to its free end, and an indentation on a surface of each shaft section substantially coextensive with its length and in registration with the projection but stopping short of its free end to provide a shoulder to coact with the projection for restraining separation of the bail member from the base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,382 Handlan Mar. 31, 1896 1,946,959 Auerbach Feb. 13, 1934 2,408,522 Leef Oct. 1, 1946 2,420,471 Engel May 13, 1947 2,435,954 Berger Feb. 17, 1948 2,593,704 Smurik Apr. 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 673,850 Great Britain June 11, 1952

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