Abstract:
A lamp shade is provided for covering a light source. The lamp shade has a hoodlike base body which is open at least at the bottom and at least partly transparent, which is placed over the light source and covers it. The base body can have on its outer surface at least one encircling indentation, in which a decorative ring is adapted to be fitted and braced there.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention concerns a lamp shade for covering a light source, having a hoodlike base body which is open at least at the bottom and at least partly transparent, which is placed over the light source and covers it. 
         [0002]    Light or lamp shades are known in the most diverse of embodiments. They serve in particular to cover the light source in order to avoid glare effects. The lamp so covered also becomes an optically attractive spatial object. Lamp shades are often made from a transparent, translucent textile material or a flexible plastic material and held by a supporting frame over the light source so that a direct visual contact with the light source is prevented. It is also known how to make the lamp shades from rigid plastic, ceramic, or glass. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, lamp shades are often provided with ornamentation or painting, so that they can be regarded sometimes as objects of art. There is always only one graphic painting or ornament present on one lamp shade. If another design is desired, it is then necessary to replace the entire lamp shade. This is relatively costly and requires an increased storage requirement for the keeping of the unused lamp shades, since these are bulky and delicate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to configure a lamp shade of the kind described above so that a different design can be accomplished with simple means. 
         [0005]    The problem is solved according to the invention in that the base body has on its outer surface at least one encircling indentation, in which a decorative ring is fitted and supported there. The decorative ring can consist of an at least partly transparent material. As a result, the outer appearance of the lamp shade can be changed by replacing only the decorative ring. No tool is needed for this, since the ring is easily placed in the indentation and held there securely. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, it can be provided that the base body has on its outer surface at least one at least partly encircling projection, on which a decorative ring is fitted and braced there. The base body can then be easily fabricated. The decorative ring has an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface, so that it is held on the base body free of play and without clamping. 
         [0007]    Specifically, the arrangement is such that the base body has a contour tapering upward at least in the region of the indentation, whose outer section is adapted to the inner side surface of the decorative ring. The decorative ring can then be placed easily over the base body from above until it lies in the indentation. Thanks to the downward widening section of the base body, the decorative ring remains in this position and cannot slip out. 
         [0008]    It can furthermore be provided that the indentation has at least one encircling shoulder, against which a corresponding inwardly pointing projection or the lower end face of the decorative ring abuts. The shoulder and the projection preferably run substantially horizontal or at an acute angle with the horizontal. In this way, the decorative ring is held securely and without clamping on the base body in the indentation. 
         [0009]    It can furthermore be provided that the indentation has at least one encircling side surface segment which runs at an acute angle in the direction of or parallel to the lengthwise axis of the base body and in the mounted condition lies against the one corresponding encircling inner surface segment of the decorative ring. It is then advisable for the projection to be arranged at the lower end and the inner surface segment at the upper end of the decorative ring and for the shoulder to be arranged at a lower region and the side surface segment at an upper region of the indentation of the base body. Thanks to this arrangement, the decorative ring has no thin or pointed margin regions and therefore is relatively stable and can be easily handled. 
         [0010]    According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensions and especially the wall thickness variation of the decorative ring are chosen such that the outer surface of the decorative ring in the mounted state merges at least approximately flush with the outer surface of the base body. Furthermore, looking in the longitudinal section, the encircling upper and lower outer edges of the indentation can be joined together by the decorative ring, forming a segment of a circular arc. The lamp shade thus has a substantially smooth surface in the mounted condition of use and is thus especially optically appealing. In particular, the removable decorative ring cannot readily be recognized as such, so that the lamp shade appears to be a single piece. 
         [0011]    According to a further modification of the invention, the decorative ring is composed of at least two partial rings, which fit one onto the other in the indentation of the base body. The indentation can be configured correspondingly larger for this. The lower end face of the lowermost partial ring then lies against the projection or shoulder of the base body. The lower end face of the next partial ring rests against the upper end face of the partial ring underneath. The upper end face of a lower partial ring runs preferably substantially horizontal or at an acute angle to the horizontal. The lower end face of an upper partial ring is fashioned accordingly. 
         [0012]    Thus, any desired number of partial rings can be inserted one on top of another in the indentation. A lower partial ring thus forms the support for the next partial ring. The uppermost partial ring has at its upper edge an encircling inner surface segment, which runs at an acute angle in the direction of or parallel to the lengthwise axis of the base body and thus lies against the associated upper side surface segment of the indentation of the base body. 
         [0013]    In this way, for example, three partial rings can be placed one on top of the other in the indentation. The partial rings form the decorative ring, which is joined flush in the indentation. Thus, by different colorations of the individual partial rings, optically appealing patterns can be created. 
         [0014]    The base body or the decorative ring or its partial rings can be fashioned individually in any desired manner. It is only necessary for a secure supporting of the decorative ring that the base body widens downwardly. The decorative ring is then held firmly on the base body. Thanks to the indentation, furthermore, a flush merging of the outer surface of the decorative ring with the outer surface of the base body is achieved. In particular, the decorative ring can be held on the base body without self clamping, so that it can be easily removed once again. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the base body and the decorative ring are circular ring shaped, oval, elliptical or polygonal in cross section. This forms a closed contour, looking in transverse section. In particular, the circular round shape is preferred, since then any desired rotation of the decorative ring relative to the base body is possible. 
         [0016]    The base body and/or the decorative ring can consist of glass or ceramic or plastic. This material has a sufficient strength and transparency, so that attractive lighting effects can be accomplished. Thanks to the choice of the decorative ring, the most diverse lighting effects can be achieved when the lamp shade is illuminated from the inside. It is also possible, instead of a closed decorative ring surface, to provide a wire mesh or an interrupted ring, so that interesting shadow effects can likewise be achieved. 
         [0017]    In the position of use, the base body with the decorative ring stands over at least one light source. The dimensions of the base body are chosen so that it fits over a light source without touching it. The base body can be closed at the top. This constitutes no problem, for example, when using a LED light source, since this produces no exhaust gases at all. The resulting warmth is dissipated via the surface of the base body. 
         [0018]    For an especially inviting illumination, however, it can be provided that the lamp shade is placed over a candle and especially over a tea light. It is then favorable for the base body to have an upper opening. The candle is then supplied with enough oxygen, and the combustion gases can escape. Also, with a central upper opening, there is no danger of the base body becoming blackened at the bottom. 
         [0019]    According to a further modification of the invention, a support frame is provided, which is braced against the margin of the opening in the base body and on which is mounted a propeller with propeller blades able to turn about a vertical axis, and on at least one propeller blade there is supported a decorative element by a bracket, so that the decorative element is situated at the height of the decorative ring at a distance from its outer surface. The ascending heat of the light source places the propeller in rotary motion, so that the decorative elements move relative to the lamp shade. 
         [0020]    The support frame comprises at least three outwardly pointing support arms, which meet at the center of the support frame and whose free ends lie at the margin of the opening in the base body. Thus, the support frame can be quickly removed when not in use. The propeller can be mounted on a tip extending vertically to the center of the support frame. Such a mounting is sufficient for these purposes. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, the base body can stand on a mat on which the light source is arranged and whose outer dimensions are larger than or equal to those of the outer lower margin of the base body. This forms a compact structure of the lamp, which can also be easily moved. 
         [0022]    The decorative ring preferably has a height corresponding to around 25% to 60% of the height of the base body. Thus, an optically attractive motif can be depicted on the decorative ring. It is also possible to arrange several decorative rings one on top of another on the base body. For this, the base body has several indentations or projections lying one about another, in which or on which appropriately dimensioned decorative rings can be held. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention will be explained more closely below with the help of the schematic drawing. There are shown: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1 , the side view of a lamp with a lamp shade according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2 , the lamp of  FIG. 1  in an exploded view, taken-apart representation; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3 , the lamp shade in partly assembled condition, in longitudinal section; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  the lamp shade in the assembled condition in longitudinal section; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  the support frame in perspective representation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a lamp with a lamp shade  11 , having a round circular shape in cross section and being fashioned as a hood. The longitudinal section of the lamp shade can be fashioned as a bell, an ellipse, or a partial circle in longitudinal section. It forms a downwardly open hood or shell, which can be placed over a light source  12 , such as a tea light. The light beams out through the partly transparent or milky lamp shade  11  and produces a pleasant illumination. 
         [0030]    The lamp shade  11  stands on a dish-shaped mat  13 , whose outer diameter is larger than or equal to the outer diameter of the lower margin  14  of the lamp shade. The light source  12  stands on the mat  13 . Above this is the lamp shade  11 , which thus prevents a direct visual contact with the light source  12 . 
         [0031]    The hood-shaped lamp shade  11  has a base body  15 , which possesses an encircling indentation  17  on its outer surface  16 , in which a decorative ring  18  is received. Specifically, the arrangement is such that the indentation  17  is braced by its inwardly pointing substantially horizontal lower shoulder  19  against the outer surface  16  of the base body  15 . At its upper boundary, the indentation  17  has an approximately vertically encircling side surface segment  20 , which emerges into the outer surface  16  of the base body. 
         [0032]    The outer surface  16  of the base body  15  and also the outer surface  21  of the indentation  17  have a downwardly widening section, looking in longitudinal section. In this way, it is possible to insert the decorative ring  18  from above in the indentation  17 . In this position, the decorative ring is securely held in the indentation. 
         [0033]    For this, the decorative ring  18  has an inner surface  22  which corresponds to the outer surface  21  of the indentation  17  turned toward it and which is slightly larger. Furthermore, the decorative ring  18  has a horizontal surface  23  at its lower margin, which in the mounted state lies against the horizontal shoulder  19  of the indentation  17 . The horizontal support surface can also be fashioned as an inwardly pointing projection of the ring. At its upper margin, the decorative ring  18  has a vertical encircling inner surface segment  24 , which in the mounted state lies against the side surface segment  20  of the indentation  17  of the base body  15 , which then faces it. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, the dimensions and especially the thickness variation of the decorative ring  18  in the longitudinal section are chosen so that the outer surface of the decorative ring  18  in the mounted state merges flush with the outer surface  16  of the base body  15 . Thus, the decorative ring  18  is form fitted without shoulders and forming a smooth surface in the indentation  17  of the base body  15 , so that an attractive exterior results. 
         [0035]    Basically it is also possible to provide an encircling projection instead of an indentation on the top side, which is fitted to a correspondingly dimensioned decorative ring. However, the decorative ring then always forms a shoulder for the outer surface of the base body. 
         [0036]    For different decoration purposes, different decorative rings  18  can be placed on the base body  15  in this way. The decorative rings when not in use can be kept in flat boxes in space-saving manner. 
         [0037]    As is shown on the right side in  FIG. 4 , the decorative ring  18  can also be composed of several partial rings  37 ,  38 ,  39 , which are placed one on top of another to fill the indentation  17 . The lowermost partial ring  37  is braced by its lower end face against the shoulder  19  of the base body  15 . The upper end face  40  of the lowermost partial ring  37  is fashioned according to the shoulder  19  of the base body and thus forms the support for the partial ring  38  situated above it, whose upper end face  41  is likewise fashioned as the shoulder  19  of the base body and thus forms a support for the uppermost partial ring  39 . Its upper margin has a vertical encircling inner surface segment  42 , which in the mounted condition lies against the side surface segment  20  of the indentation  17  of the base body  15 , which then faces it. Thanks to the conical shape of the base body, the partial rings  37 ,  38 ,  39  each have different diameters, so that they cannot get mixed up. In this way, a variety of decorations can be produced. 
         [0038]    If the light source  12  is a candle, it is necessary to supply sufficient oxygen or air to the cavity bounded off by the lamp shade  11 , where the candle is located in the position of use. Furthermore, it is necessary to carry away the combustion gases formed. For this, the lamp shade  11  has in its upper region a central opening  25 , beneath which the candle stands and through which air can enter, on the one hand, and the hot combustion gases can escape, on the other hand. When using an electric light, the lamp shade can also be designed closed at the top. 
         [0039]    For further decorative purposes, a propeller  26  can be arranged above the opening  25 , being held on a support frame  27  and able to turn about a vertical axis above the opening  25 . The support frame  27  in the sample embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  has four outwardly directed support arms  28 , which are braced against the margin  30  of the central opening  25  by downwardly directed indentations  29  in end position. The support arms  28  meet at a center  31 , which have an upwardly directed vertical needle  32  on which the propeller  26  is mounted so that it can turn. The propeller  26  is turned by the warm air rising from the light source  12 . 
         [0040]    The propeller  26  has several propeller blades  33 . Brackets  34  are attached to the propeller blades, arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation, on which decorative elements  35  are held. The brackets  34  extend downward in an arc and run, like the decorative elements  35 , at a distance from the outer surface  16  of the base body and the outer ring surface of the decorative ring  18 . In particular, it is provided that the decorative elements  35  are held by the brackets  34  at the level of the decorative ring  18 . 
         [0041]    Thanks to the ascending warm air of the light source  12  the propeller  26  and thus the decorative elements  35  along the decorative ring  18  rotate. In this way, pleasing optical effects can be produced. 
         [0042]    As is especially evident in  FIG. 2 , the individual elements of the lamp so formed are arranged along the vertical lengthwise axis  36 , and the assembly is done accordingly. Such a lamp consisting of base body, decorative ring, mat, support frame and propeller can be offered as a set. The decorative ring or the propeller with the decorative elements can later be exchanged for other decorative rings or propellers, so that a collection of different lamps can be provided.