Abstract:
A light fixture having at least one candle assembly and a supporting base (such as a radial arm of the light fixture) that carries the candle assembly. A coupling arrangement is adapted to permit the candle assembly to be rigidly connected to the supporting base for use. In addition, the coupling arrangement allows the candle assembly to be knocked down for packaging without disconnecting the electrical wires provided for connecting the candle assembly to a source of power.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the art of light fixtures.  
           [0002]    Due to the irregular shapes of light fixtures, efficient packaging for shipment presents difficulties. Light fixtures often contain candle assemblies and other elongated members that increase their overall height. A relatively large package must be used to accommodate these elongated members for shipment. Since shipping costs generally increase with the size of the package, larger packages lead to increases in both packaging and shipping costs.  
           [0003]    A need exists for a novel light fixture that is adapted for shipment in a relatively compact package.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention recognizes and addresses various drawbacks of prior art constructions and methods. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a light fixture that may be configured for use with a lower profile package for shipment.  
           [0005]    According to one aspect, the present invention provides a light fixture having a supporting base and at least one candle assembly adapted to carry an electric light source. A coupling arrangement is adapted to permit the candle assembly to be rigidly connected to the supporting base for use. The coupling arrangement also advantageously permits the candle assembly to be knocked down for packaging without disconnecting electrical wires to the candle assembly. Preferably, the coupling arrangement is adapted to permit the candle assembly to move freely to any radial position when knocked down for shipping.  
           [0006]    Often, the candle assembly may include an elongated support member, such as a tube. Where a tube is provided, the electrical wires can advantageously extend through the tube. In addition, the coupling assembly can desirably be adapted to allow connection of the elongated support member to the supporting base without substantial rotation of the elongated support member about its longitudinal axis.  
           [0007]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a candle assembly for a light fixture. The candle assembly includes an elongated support member having a first end and a second end. A light source socket is located at the first end of the elongated support member. A base for supporting the elongated support member is also provided. A coupling arrangement detachably connects the second end of the elongated support member to the base. The coupling arrangement includes a threaded collar engaging a retaining element.  
           [0008]    In some exemplary embodiments, the threaded collar may have internal threads which mate with the external threads of a fixed receiver located on the base. The retaining element may comprise a bead located on the elongated support member proximate to the second end thereof.  
           [0009]    In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of packaging a light fixture having at least one candle assembly. First, a light fixture is placed into a shipping package. The candle assembly(s) are then detached from rigid connection with the housing of the light fixture. Next, the detached candle assembly(s) are moved to a knocked down position that lowers the overall height of the light fixture for shipping. The shipping package is then closed.  
           [0010]    Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are achieved by various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, which are discussed in greater detail below. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a light fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light fixture of FIG. 1 packaged for shipping, with the candle assemblies in an upright position;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2, with the candle assemblies in a lowered position to reduce the overall height of the light fixture for shipping;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the candle assemblies of FIG. 3;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a candle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5A is a detailed cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 in an assembled state; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side view of the candle assembly of FIG. 5 in an assembled state. 
     
    
       [0019]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention.  
         [0021]    The present invention provides a light fixture having candle assemblies that may be lowered to reduce the overall height of the light fixture. With a lower profile, a smaller package can be used, thereby reducing both packaging and shipping costs. While the present invention will be discussed with respect to candle assemblies of a chandelier, it should be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention could be applied to a wide variety of light fixture styles.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary light fixture  10  according to the present invention. Light fixture  10  includes a frame  11  having a central portion  12  from which a plurality of radial arms  13  extend. The distal end of each radial arm  13  serves as a “base” on which a respective candle assembly  14  is mounted. In this example, candle assemblies  14  extend vertically above central portion  12  by a distance A. The candle assemblies are fixed to the frame in prior art light fixtures, therefore requiring a larger package to provide headroom sufficient to accommodate A.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 , candle assemblies  14  of the present invention may be “knocked down” (i.e., lowered) to reduce the overall height of light fixture  10  for packaging and shipment. In this regard, FIG. 2 shows light fixture  10  placed in a package  16  but with candle assemblies  14  in an upright position. In FIG. 3, however, candle assemblies  14  have been lowered to the knocked down position. As a result, the required height of package  16  may be reduced by the distance Δ.  
         [0024]    Referring to FIG. 5, candle assembly  14  includes a socket  18  for a light bulb (or other such light source) attached via a stand  20  to a first end of an elongated support member  22 . In this case, for example, elongated support member  22  is configured as a tube. As a result, the wires  24  that connect socket  18  to a source of electrical power may advantageously extend through elongated support member  22 .  
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling arrangement  25  includes a collar  26  carried by elongated support member  22 . Preferably, collar  26  defines knurls (as shown) or other suitable features on its outer surface to facilitate tightening. A retaining element  28  located near the second end of elongated support member  22  is engaged by collar  26  when candle assembly  14  is in its upright, rigidly connected position. In this case, retaining element  28  is integrally formed as an annular bead extending about the circumference of member  22 . Due to the location of retaining element  28 , member  22  defines an insertion portion  29  between retaining element  28  and its end, as shown.  
         [0026]    Coupling arrangement  25  includes a base coupling  30  fixed with respect to supporting base  32 . In this case, base coupling  30  defines internal threads  34  which mate which external threads  36  of a rod  38 . It should be appreciated, however, that base coupling  30  could be integrally formed as part of base  32 .  
         [0027]    Base coupling  30  includes a receiver portion defining external threads  40 . A recess  42  is dimensioned to receive insertion portion  29  of elongated support member  22 . Collar  26  has internal threads  27  (FIG. 5A) that mate with external threads  40  of base coupling  30 . A decorative sheath  44  may be placed over elongated support member  22  in accordance with conventional practice to simulate the appearance of a candle. FIG. 6 illustrates candle assembly  14  with elongated support member  22  rigidly connected to base  32 .  
         [0028]    In order to secure elongated support member  22  to base  32  in an upright position, insertion portion  29  is inserted into the recess  42  of base coupling  30 . Collar  26  is then moved into position such that its internal threads begin to mate with the external threads of base coupling  30 . After further tightening (by hand in the illustrated embodiment), candle assembly  14  will be rigidly secured to base  32 . Retaining element  28  then prevents movement of elongated support member  22  in the axial direction.  
         [0029]    As one skilled in the art will appreciate, this technique allows candle assembly  14  to be rigidly connected with, at most, only inadvertent and insubstantial rotation of elongate support member  22  about its longitudinal axis. This prevents undesirable twisting of wires  24  as the candle assembly is connected.  
         [0030]    To package light fixture  10 , collar  26  would be unscrewed from base coupling  30  to detach elongated support member  22  from base  32 . As a result, elongated support member  22  may be lowered to any radial position around base  32 . This gives flexibility to the worker who is packaging the light fixture to move candle assembly  14  to the best position for the particular package. Due to wires  24 , candle assembly  14  advantageously remains loosely connected to the remainder of the light fixture. This prevents separation of parts which could otherwise cause them to become lost.  
         [0031]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications and variations may be made thereto by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention as further described in the appended claims.