WO1999002918A1

WO1999002918A1 - Lamp

Info

Publication number: WO1999002918A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Bakermans; Hugo Antonin Geurt Macek
Original assignee: Macek Technika B.V.
Priority date: 1997-06-11
Filing date: 1998-06-11
Publication date: 1999-01-21
Also published as: AU8131798A; NL1006288C1

Abstract

Lamp (1) provided with a lamp holder or fitting (4) which is arranged on a foot (2) and around which a cap (3) is arranged. The cap (3) consists of an elastomer, the stiffness of which is such that it retains its shape at room temperature. On the other hand, this material is sufficiently flexible for it to be possible to give the cap (3) different forms depending on the wishes of the user. Particularly if the wall of the cap (3) is folded over, it is advantageous to design the cap (3) in the form of a cone.

Description

The present invention relates to a lamp, comprising a lamp holder and a cap which is arranged around the latter. A lamp of th s kind is generally known in the prior art and is used for both decorative and illumination purposes. The caps used in such lamps may comprise material which is stretched over a frame or a self-supporting material. In the latter case, the cap may consist of glass, plastic and the like- There are numerous possible shapes for caps of this nature. Depending on the interior decor of the user, his/her personal taste and fashion trends, the consumer will purchase a lamp with a certain type of cap. If one of the abovementioned factors changes, the user is compelled to remove the lamp and replace it with a new lamp or to put up with a product which does not satisfy his/her requirements.

The object of the present invention is to provide a lamp which, on the one hand, is decorative and with which, on the other hand, t is possible to realize numerous different shapes. This means that the lamp, or more particularly the cap, according to the invention can be designed to be shorter or longer depending on the light pattern required and, if so desired, may be given a different appearance. This object is achieved m the lamp described above n that the cap comprises a flexible elastomeπc material, the stiffness of which is such that it retains its shape at room temperature.

The invention is based on the insight of designing the wall of the cap n such a manner that, on the one hand, it has a stable form at room temperature but, on the other hand, can be folded over, i.e. that part of the cap which is m the region of its free end can, m the position of use, be folded over downwards to a greater or lesser extent as desired. By using an elastomer having the properties described above, it is possible to undo such folding without obvious signs remaining. Naturally, this is not possible m the case of caps made of materials which are customary in the prior art, while cardboard or paper-like materials are not acceptable owing to the high fire risk.

It will be understood that the elastomer c material proposed here has fire-resistant properties. In order to maintain a minimum distance between the cap and the illumination element, such as a light bulb, arranged n the lamp holder at all times, such as for example if the lamp has fallen over, it is advantageous if a spacer, which prevents contact between the light bulb and the surrounding cap, is provided in the lamp holder. A spacer of this kind may take numerous forms. By way of example, consideration may be given to a collar or bush of sufficient stiffness, for example made of a transparent, hard plastic. By means of the present invention, it is possible to fold over the top edge in any desired way, i.e. m a straight line or at an angle.

It is indicated above that the flexible material comprises an elastomer. This preferably comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. This may be any type of thermoplastic elastomer which is known in the prior art, such as EPDM rubbers, SBR, acrylonitrile rubber grades, ABS rubber grades ( erpolymers ) , block copolymers (styrene-butadiene) , polybutadiene and polyisoprene . Depending on requirements, materials of this kind may be provided with fillers in order to impart sufficient stiffness, and dyes may be present to provide the decorative effect. Moreover, these materials may be present in a state which allows injection moulding to take place, with the result that large batches of a product of this kind can be produced in a particularly advantageous manner at low cost.

The above-described folding-over of the top edge of the cap is facilitated further, and in particular the folded-over position is stabilized further, if the internal circumference of the cap decreases towards the foot or arm to which the cap is attached. This is achieved, for example, if the cap is designed in the form of a cone. In such a case, folding over s possible in a particularly simple manner.

In order to impart sufficient stiffness to the cap, the wall of the cap has a thickness of preferably at least 1.0 mm.

The internal circumference of the cap is preferably continuous, i.e. the present application provides a continuous form, so that the external circumference essentially corresponds to the internal circumference of the cap. The foot which is used in the cap may comprise any structure which is known from the prior art and provides sufficient stability. The foot may be integral with the cap but may also be connected separately thereto. The foot may also be produced by injection moulding, optionally at the same time as the cap. Further stability of the wall of the cap is obtained if the wall thickness thereof increases from the free end towards the foot piece.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is depicted in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first design of the lamp according to the invention, in which the cap is not folded over;

Fig. 2 shows the design in accordance with Fig. 1, in which the cap is folded over; and

Fig. 3 shows a further design of the lamp according to the invention with the cap folded over.

In Fig. 1 , a lamp is denoted overall by . It comprises a foot 2 with a fitting 4 attached to it, m which fitting a bulb 5 is arranged. The electrical connections of the various components are not shown in detail here and are designed in accordance with those which are known from the prior art.

A cap 3 is arranged on the foot piece 2. In the design shown here, foot piece 2 is produced separately from cap 3 and these components are attached to one another after production. To this end, in this example foot 2 is provided with a holding piece 8 which is intended to receive the bottom end of the cap 3. Other coupling options are also conceivable. It is also possible to produce parts 2 and 3 as a single component, for example by injection moulding. On the top side, cap 3 delimits an opening 9 allowing light to emerge. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the cap has a slightly thickened part 10 in the region of its bottom end. This provides further stability and stiffness.

Fig. 1 furthermore shows a spacer 30. This ensures a minimum distance between the bulb 5 and the surrounding part of the cap 3, so that the bulb 5 can never come into contact with the cap 3.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the lamp in accordance with Fig. 1, with the top edge 6 as shown in Fig. 1 partially folded over onto that part of the cap 3 which lies beneath it. It should be understood that this top edge is not an accurately defined component. The height of the rim, which is denoted by 20, as well as its shape, can be varied in accordance with the wishes of the user.

Due to the fact that the cap comprises a thermoplastic material, the shape shown in both Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 is stable. The material used for the cap 3 consists of one continuous piece, which is free of joining seams and is elastic, flexible and rubbery. Moreover, the cap has a sufficient stiffness to retain its shape at room temperature. The material can be generally defined as a thermoplastic elastomer or plastomer. This material may optionally be transparent to the light emitted by bulb 5.

Fig. 3 shows a variant of the above-described design. The lamp shown in that figure is denoted overall by 1 and comprises a oot 2 and a cap 13- A fitting 14 and a bulb 15 are situated inside this cap 13- The folded-over part is indicated by 17, Fitting 1 and/or cap 13 are attached to foot 12 by means of arm 6. In the design shown here, this arm is a flexible component, so that the cap can be directed into a specific position depending on its use.

It will be understood from the above text that numerous variants to the structure described above are possible. For example, it is possible for the cap to extend downwards and may be connected to a foot piece or suspension point m any manner which is known in the prior art. These design variants will be immediately obvious to a person skilled in the art on reading the above description and lie within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Lamp ( 1 , J 1 ) , comprising a lamp holder ( , 14) and a cap ( 3 , 13) which is arranged around the latter, characterized in that the cap comprises a flexible ela╬╡tomeric material, the stiffness of which is such that it retains its shape at room temperature.

2. Lamp according to Claim 1, in which the elastomeric material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

3. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the internal circumference of the cap comprises an uninterrupted piece of flexible material.

4. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the thickness of the wall of the cap is at least 1.0 mm.

5. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, which is provided with a foot (2, 12) on which the cap is arranged, the internal circumference of the cap in the region of the free end (6) being greater than the internal circumference in the region of the oot ( 2 , 12).

6. Lamp according to Claim 5, in which the cap is in the form of a cone.

7. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the foot is a separate part which is connected to the cap.

8. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the wall thickness of the wall of the cap increases from the free end towards the foot piece.

9. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims , in which the cap and/or foot comprises a component which is produced by injection mouldin .

10. Lamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which a spacer is provided, which ensures a minimum distance between a lighting element accommodated in the lamp holder and the surrounding cap.