WO2011095817A1

WO2011095817A1 - A shade attachment device for a pendant light fitting

Info

Publication number: WO2011095817A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Rafael Arocha Chacin
Original assignee: Luis Rafael Arocha Chacin
Priority date: 2010-02-04
Filing date: 2011-02-04
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: GB2477511B; GB2477511A; GB201001755D0

Abstract

The device includes a support (12) having means (16) for attachment to a pendant light fitting and at least one connecting element having a downwardly facing contact surface (22). A frame (14) has means (28) to support a shade (19) and at least one connecting element having an upwardly facing contact surface (26). The connecting elements (20, 24) cooperate in a releasable manner whereby the frame is capable of being releasably connected to the support. A kit may be provided, including the support (12), a number of shades (19) of different shape and/or ornament and one or more frames (14). The arrangement enables a shade on a light fitting to be quickly, reliably and easily changed.

Description

A SHADE ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR A PENDANT LIGHT FITTING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shade attachment device for a pendant light fitting.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shading for lighting and in particular to a removable lampshade suitable for use with pendant light fittings.

Typically, lighting is provided in one of the following forms, (i) dependent or pendant lighting; (ii) surface mounted lighting; and (iii) recessed lighting. Traditional pendant light fittings are generally used in a domestic situation. A pendant light fitting 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 fittings 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 secured between a threaded portion of the socket and a threaded sleeve, and the ring mounting has limbs to which a shade is attached.

It may be desirable to change the shade on a light fitting. For example, where the decorations, such as the colour scheme, of a room are changed it may be desirable to replace the shade with one of a different colour. Also, fashions change from time to time and a shade design which is chosen at one time may become outdated. This is especially so, when the light fitting is in a young person's room and the interests of that young person change simply as a result of growing up.

With light fittings and shades of prior art construction, it is necessary to unscrew the threaded sleeve from the socket. To do this, the light must be switched off, so that the bulb is not too hot to the touch. This may require the operation to be carried out in poor light conditions or even in the dark. Furthermore, after long periods of use of the light fitting, the sleeve may be difficult to unscrew, perhaps because the material of which the sleeve is formed becomes hardened over time tightening the threaded connection to the socket making it difficult to unscrew and/or because the sleeve is cross-threaded on the socket.

British Patent publication GB 2450569A (Cocksedge et al.) describes a shade attachment device for a light fitting having opposed surfaces. There is a releasable contact fixing on one of said surfaces allowing a shade to be mounted by presenting it to the light fitting. The releasable contact fixing may be magnetic, by hook and loop pads, by adhesive or by friction fittings. While the claimed invention concerns recessed light fittings only, one described embodiment is apparatus for adapting a shade for use with a traditional pendant light fitting, but in this embodiment, the light shade cannot be changed with the light bulb in place.

In general, many people do not wish to dismantle the electrical fitting, or even remove the light bulb, due to safety or other concerns.

The present invention seeks to provide a system which enables the shade on a light fitting to be quickly, reliably and easily changed without requiring the removal of the light bulb or parts of the electrical fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a shade attachment device for a light fitting extending from a building surface, comprising: (i) a support having attachment means for attachment to the light fitting and at least one support connecting element; and (ii)a frame having support means to support a shade that extends in a direction away from the support and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the at least one support connecting element cooperates with the at least one frame connecting element in a releasable manner such that the frame is releasable from the support by movement in the direction away from the support. This is particular suitable for pendant light fittings where the building surface is a ceiling. The direction away from the support is then downwards.

A second aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for shading a pendant light fitting, the kit comprising: (i)a support having attachment means for attachment to a light fitting and at least one support connecting element; (ii)at least one shade; and (iii)a frame having support means to support a shade and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the at least one support connecting element cooperates with the at least one frame connecting element in a releasable manner such that the frame is releasable from the support by movement in the direction away from the support. This is particular suitable for pendant light fittings where the building surface is a ceiling. The direction away from the support is then downwards.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for shading a pendant light fitting, the kit comprising: (i) a shade; and (ii) a frame comprising support means to support the shade and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the shade extends in a direction away from one side of the support means when supported thereon, and the at least one frame connecting element is on the opposite side of the support means.

The support preferably comprises a ring for attachment to a pendant light fitting and a plurality of arms extending away from the ring. The support connecting elements are then preferably provided at the distal end of each of the arms. The arms preferably lie in a common horizontal plane. The arms may be equally spaced from each other. It is desirable that in use neither the support nor the frame in anyway surround the lightbulb as this would effect the light that is generated and is not aesthetically appealing. It is also preferred that the elements that may be touched by a user when dismantling the shade attachment device are not in close proximity to the lightbulb so that they are not substantially heated thereby.

The frame may have a circular or more preferably a polygonal configuration, the frame connecting elements are then preferably provided one at each corner of the polygon. The means to support a shade preferably comprises a downwardly opening slot formed on the frame. Portions of at least one wall of the slot may protrude into the slot to act as retaining elements for retaining an upper edge portion of a shade in the slot.

The cooperating releasable connecting elements may comprise magnets provided on the support and on the frame. The magnets may be orientated in such a manner that the downwardly facing contact surfaces of the support are all of one magnetic pole while the upwardly facing contact surfaces of the frame are all of the opposite magnetic pole. Alternatively, the orientations of the magnets are nonsymmetrical so that the frame can only be connected to the support in one orientation. This arrangement could be of benefit where the shape or ornament of the shade is non-symmetrical and it is desired for the shade to occupy a specific orientation. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a shade attachment device according to the invention, with a pendant light fitting and shade;

Figure 2 is a view of the support of the device shown in Figure 1 , from underneath; and

Figure 3 is a view of the frame of the device shown in Figure 1 , from underneath.

Referring to the drawings, a pendant light fitting 10 has an incandescent bulb 11 located in a bulb holder socket 13, suspended from the ceiling by a cable 15 including the electrical power supply wiring, which is secured to a surface mounted electrical terminal (not shown). A shade attachment device for the pendant light fitting 10 includes a support 12 and a frame 14, both formed of a plastics material in the illustrated embodiment.

The support 12 includes a ring 16 through the aperture 23 of which a screw threaded lower portion 21 of the socket 13 passes. The ring 16 is secured between the socket 13 and a screw threaded sleeve 17. The support 12 has six arms 18 integral with and extending away from the ring 16. The six arms 18 lie in a common horizontal plane and are equally spaced from each other. As shown in Figure 2, at the distal end of each of the arms, a magnet 20 is embedded in the under surface of the arm, the magnet 20 having a downwardly facing contact surface 22.

The frame 14 has a regular hexagonal configuration. At each corner of the frame 14 a magnet 24 is embedded in the upper surface of frame, the magnet 24 having an upwardly facing contact surface 26.

Alternatively, frame 14 may be made out of metallic material (not shown). Instead of using magnets using guides on frame 14 to attach to magnets 20 on frame 12. This can make production more economical.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 20, 24 are orientated in such a manner that the downwardly facing contact surfaces 22 of the support magnets 20 are all of a north magnetic pole while the upwardly facing contact surfaces 26 of the frame magnets 24 are all of a south magnetic pole. The magnets serve to enable the frame 14 to be releasably connected to the support 12.

As shown in Figure 3, the frame 14 has a downwardly opening slot 28 defined by walls 30, 32. This slot serves to receive an upper edge portion 34 of a shade 19. Portions 36 of one wall 30 of the slot 28 protrude into the slot 28 to act as retaining elements for retaining the upper edge portion 34 of a shade 19. Shade 19 is provided with holes 35 near upper edge portion 34 for insertion of portions 36. Each portion 36 having a corresponding hole 35.

In use, the upper edge portion 34 of a shade 19 is inserted in the slot 28 of the frame 14. The frame with its shade attached is lifted towards the light fitting until the upper surface 26 of the frame magnets 24 contact the downwardly facing surfaces 22 of the support magnets 20. Thereby the frame 14 is held against the support 12.

When it is desired to change the sleeve, the frame 14 is pulled downwards out of engagement with the support 12. A replacement shade, already engaged in a downwardly facing slot of another frame, similar to frame 14, is then lifted towards the light fitting until the upper surface of the magnets of the replacement frame contact the downwardly facing surfaces 22 of the support magnets 20. Thereby the replacement frame and its attached shade are held against the support 12. This change is achieved without the need to remove the threaded sleeve 17 from the socket 13, even without having to turn off power to the light fitting, as would be the case with prior art arrangements.

Alternatively, when it is desired to change the sleeve, the frame 14 is pulled downwards out of engagement with the support 12 and the shade 19 is removed from the frame 14. A replacement shade is then engaged in the slot 28 of the frame 14, and the frame 14, with its new shade attached, is then lifted towards the light fitting until the upper surface 26 of the frame magnets 24 contact the downwardly facing surfaces 22 of the support magnets 20 again. Thereby the frame 14 and its attached replacement shade are held against the support 12. Again, this change is achieved without the need to remove the threaded sleeve 17 from the socket 13, even without having to turn off power to the light fitting, as would be the case with prior art arrangements.

The product may be in the form of a kit including the support 12, a number of shades 19 of different shape and/or ornament and one or more frames 14. Where just one frame 14 is provided, the user can remove one shade 19 from the frame and replace it with another, according to choice. Alternatively, the kit may provide a frame 14 for each shade, so that removing a shade from its frame becomes unnecessary.

References to upwards, downwards and the like, in this document particular refer to the orientation of a pendent light fitting depending from a ceiling, but it should be appreciated that the invention will work for any light fitting where the bulb is fitted in to a connecter which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a surface regardless or the orientation of the surface. The invention will still provide the advantage that the shade can be changed without requiring the removal of the lightbulb. The invention is also suitable for use with lamps where the light bulb is fitted in to a connector on a base.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shade attachment device for a light fitting extending from a building surface, comprising:

(i) a support having attachment means for attachment to the light fitting and at least one support connecting element; and

(ii) a frame having support means to support a shade that extends in a direction away from the support and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the at least one support connecting element cooperates with the at least one frame connecting element in a releasable manner such that the frame is releasable from the support by movement in the direction away from the support.

2. A shade attachment device according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a ring for attachment to the light fitting and a plurality of arms extending away from the ring.

3. A shade attachment device according to claim 2, wherein a support connecting element is provided at the distal end of each of the arms.

4. A shade attachment device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the arms lie in a common plane.

5. A shade attachment device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the arms are equally spaced from each other.

6. A shade attachment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame has a polygonal configuration and a support connecting element is provided at each corner of the polygon.

7. A shade attachment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means comprises a downwardly opening slot formed on the frame.

8. A shade attachment device according to claim 7, wherein portions of at least one wall of the slot protrude into the slot to act as retaining elements for retaining an upper edge portion of a shade in the slot.

9. A shade attachment device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooperating releasable connecting elements comprise magnets provided on the support and on the frame.

10. A shade attachment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is only releasably connected to the support in a particular orientation.

1 1. A shade attachment device according to claim 9 or claim 9 and 10, wherein the magnets are of more than one strength.

12. A shade attachment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame and the support are releasably connected together in an area between the building surface and a lightbulb in the light fitting.

13. A shade attachment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the direction is downwards.

14. A shade attachment device according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged for attachment to a pendant light fitting.

15. A kit of parts for shading a pendant light fitting, the kit comprising:

(i) a support having attachment means for attachment to a light fitting and at least one support connecting element;

(ii) at least one shade; and

(iii) a frame having support means to support a shade and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the at least one support connecting element cooperates with the at least one frame connecting element in a releasable manner such that the frame is releasable from the support by movement in the direction away from the support.

16. A kit of parts according to claim 15, wherein the support comprises a ring for attachment to a pendant light fitting and a plurality of arms extending away from the ring.

17. A kit of parts according to claim 16, wherein a support connecting element is provided at the distal end of each of the arms.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the arms lie in a common plane.

19. A kit of parts according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the arms are equally spaced from each other.

20. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the frame has a polygonal configuration, and a frame connecting element is provided at each corner of the polygon.

21. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the means to support a shade comprises a downwardly opening slot formed on the frame.

22. A kit of parts according to claim 21 , wherein portions of at least one wall of the slot protrude into the slot to act as retaining elements for retaining an upper edge portion of one of the shades in the slot.

23. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein

the cooperating releasable connecting elements comprise magnets provided on the support and on the frame.

24. A kit of parts for shading a pendant light fitting, the kit comprising:

(i) a shade; and

(ii) a frame comprising support means to support the shade and at least one frame connecting element, wherein the shade extends in a direction away from one side of the support means when supported thereon, and the at least one frame connecting element is on the opposite side of the support means.

25. A kit according to claim 24, wherein the frame connecting element comprises at least one magnet.

26. A shade attachment device for a pendant light fitting, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A kit of parts for shading a pendant light fitting, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.