US3557362A

US3557362A - Easily-assembled lampshade

Info

Publication number: US3557362A
Application number: US738568A
Authority: US
Inventors: Barrie Edmund White; Christopher Jarvis Edmun White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-01-18
Filing date: 1968-06-20
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19
Also published as: DE1902341A1; CH490638A; MTP596B; NL6900920A; GB1240671A

Abstract

A lampshade includes two hoops, each snapping into a channel in one of a pair of resilient strips, the strips being clipped onto the top and bottom edges of a frustoconical piece of shade material. The upper strip may have any of several forms and may include two channels, one for the hoop and one for a shadesupporting cross piece.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Barrie Edmund White; [56] References Cited Christopher Jarvis Edmund White, The UNITED STATES PATENTS g zl' f? E peersfield 2,1 17,890 5/1938 Johnson ..240/108B(UX) amps 2,252,582 8/1941 Schwarz 240 108 [21] Appl. No. 738,568

22 d J 20 1968 2,302,266 11/1942 Sher 240/108 g 2,483,354 9/1949 Stiffel.. 240/108 [32] Priority Jan. 18, 1968 2,677,756 5/1954 Pnester 240/108 [3 3] Great Britain Primary Examiner-lohn M. Horan [3 1 No. 2830/68 Assistant ExaminerKenneth C. Hutchison 1 Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind and Ponack [54] LAMPSHADE ABSTRACT: A lampshade includes two hoops, each snapping alms rawmg into a channel in one of a pair of resilient strips, the strips [52] US. Cl 240/108 being clipped onto the top and bottom edges of a frustoconical [51] Int. Cl F2lv 1/00 piece of shade material. The upper strip may have any of [50] Field of Search 240/108, several forms and may include two channels, one for the hoop and one for a shade-supporting cross piece.

' BARME Emunu wmrs mu CHRISTOPHER JARVIS EMMJM WH mvl l5 ,EASILY-ASSEMBLED LAMPSIIADE The invention relates to lampshades and more particularly but not solely to a new and improved lampshade assembly kit.

It is an object of the invention to provide a kit for making a lampshade which may be easily made up from parts, and dismantled again.

A further object is to provide a kit for forming a lampshade comprising at least one hoop, a piece of flexible covering material, and a resilient preformed flexible strip which is at least as long as the circumference of the hoop, the strip having a constant cross section providing a portion attached to one edge of the material and a portion shaped to provide a channel with a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of the hoop into which channel the hoop may be sprung so that the strip and hence the,covering material may be attached resiliently to the hoop to form a lampshade.

A still further object is to provide a lampshade comprising a hoop, a resilient preformed flexible strip having a constant cross section providing two portions and frustoconical lampshade cover attached to the strip, wherein the first portion of the strip is attached to one edge of the frustoconical cover, and the second portion is shaped to provide a channel with a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of the hoop into which the hoop is sprung.

Some specific embodiments of a lampshade according to the invention and a method of assembling the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional side view of a partly assembled lampshade;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top circled portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fastening device or flexible strip used in the construction of the lampshade;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of analternative form of the flexible strip with the hoop and the crossmember in the channels; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative form of the flexible strip.

In FIG. 1 a lampshade comprises a covering material 11 attached at its ends to upper and lower

resilient strips

12 and 13 respectively, the lower end of the lampshade being of larger dimensions than the upper end.

Each strip l2, I3 is of extruded or rolled resilient plastics or metal material and has in cross section the shape of an inverted letter S with a flap portion 14 extending from one end of the S, as may be more clearly seen'froni FIGS. 2 and 3. The S shape forms two

channels

15 and 22. The lampshade material is attached to the flap portion 14 and a hoop 16 and legs 17 of a crossmember 19 having a loop 18 for attachment to a holder are fitted into the

channels

15 and 22 respectively. The hoop 16 is a loose fit in its channel 15 and the legs 17 are sprung in to the channel 22.

Decorative trimming material is shown attached to the outer surface of the flap portion of the strip 14.

The lower strip 13 would retain a strengthening hoop but of course there would be no crossmember.

In the manufacture of a lampshade the covering material is first attached to the upper and lower strips by stapling, stitching, sticking or welding. The shade is dispatched to a customer in the form of a kit having the assembled covering material and strips stored flat and packed up with two wire hoops of appropriate sizes and a crossmember. To erect the shade the wire hoops are first sprung into the channels 15 in the strips and at the same time the covering material will be curved around the hoops. The legs of the crossmembers are then sprung into the channel 22 of the upper strip. The two ends of the covering material are finally joined by stitching, stapling, welding or sticking, the last mentioned method being preferred when ideally a heat resistant preapplied pressuresensitive adhesive would be used.

In an alternative embodiment of the flexible strip shown in FIG. 4 the shape of the flexible strip is modified in that it forms two channels 6, 27 each arcuate in cross sectionforming an inwardly facing W, the one channel for locating the hoop 28 and the other for locating a crossmember 29.

In a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the flexible strip is modified in that it forms only one channel 30 having the shape of an inwardly facing C. In this case the crossmember 31 may be attached to the hoop 32 (preferably by welding) and the hoop located in the channel. The legs of the crossmember may be omitted.

We claim:

I. A kit for forming a lampshade comprising a hoop, a piece of flexible covering material, a resilient preformed flexible strip which is substantially as long as the circumference of said hoop, said strip having a constant cross section, a first portion of said strip being attached to one edge of said material and a second portion of said strip being shaped to provide a channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said hoop whereby said hoop may be sprung into said channel so that said strip and said covering material may be attached resiliently to said hoop to form a lampshade.

2. A kit as claimed in claim I wherein a second hoop and a second resilient preformed flexible strip is provided attached to said material, said second strip being substantially as long as said second hoop and having a portion shaped to provide a second channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said second hoop into which second channel said second hoop may be sprung.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a crossmember for attachment of the shade to a light fitting and engagement means for attaching said crossmember to said strip.

4. A lampshade comprising a hoop, a resilient preformed flexible strip having a constant cross section, a first portion and a second portion of said strip, a frustoconical lampshade cover attached to said strip, said first portion of said strip being attached to one edge of said frustoconical cover, and said second portion forming a channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said hoop into which said hoop is sprung.

5. A lampshade as claimed in claim 4 having a second hoop, a second strip of resilient preformed flexible material having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of said second strip being attached to the other edge of said frustoconical cover, and said second portion of said second strip forming a channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said second hoop, into which said second hoop is sprung.

6. A lampshade as claimed in claim 4 comprising a crossmember having means for attachment to a light fitting, said first strip having a cross section having a third portion shaped to receive the ends of said crossmember, said crossmember extending across said first hoop and having its ends engaged with said third portion.

Claims

1. A kit for forming a lampshade comprising a hoop, a piece of flexible covering material, a resilient preformed flexible strip which is substantially as long as the circumference of said hoop, said strip having a constant cross section, a first portion of said strip being attached to one edge of said material and a second portion of said strip being shaped to provide a channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said hoop whereby said hoop may be sprung into said channel so that said strip and said covering material may be attached resiliently to said hoop to form a lampshade.

2. A kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second hoop and a second resilient preformed flexible strip is provided attached to said material, said second strip being substantially as long as said second hoop and having a portion shaped to provide a second channel having a mouth of lesser width than the thickness of said second hoop into which second channel said second hoop may be sprung.