LIGHT- OR LAMPSHADE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: A lightshade or lampshade (1) has an outer surface shaped and configured to represent a sporting article (typically a ball (2)) and is provided with at least one distinct receiving zone (9) shaped and dimensioned to receive a corresponding image element (11) adhering thereto. The surface of the article may be provided with relief features corresponding to relief features of the corresponding sporting article (for example stitching on a football).

Description: Light or Lamp Shade Arrangement The present invention relates to a light or lamp shade arrangement. According to a first aspect the invention provides a light or lamp shade arrangement comprising a shade element having a general outer surface profile shaped and configured to represent a sporting article and having at least one distinct receiving zone of the outer surface shaped and dimensioned to receive thereon a corresponding discrete image element placed in register with and adhering to the outer surface of the shade. It is preferred that the outer surface profile of the shade element is provided with one or more relief features corresponding to associated relief features of the respective sporting article. The sporting article represented is preferably a ball and may for example comprise a football, tennis ball, rugby ball, or the like. The relief features may comprise raised relief features such as ribs, ridges or pimpled zones. Alternatively, the relief features may comprise recessed relief features such as recessed lines, trenches or dimpled zones. The one or more relief features of the ball are preferably representative of, for example, stitching or bonding lines commonly joining adjacent surface panels on sporting balls of the kinds referred to above. Desirably therefore, the one or more relief features define a predetermined surface pattern on the outer surface of the shade. Advantageously, the receiving zone is substantially free from relief features, preferably being entirely devoid thereof. The extent of the one or more relief features may therefore define the limit or boundaries of respective receiving zones. In such an embodiment where the shade element is representative of a ball, the shade element is preferably generally spherical in configuration. The shade element is preferably disposed about a central axis, desirably being substantially symmetrically disposed about the central axis. Advantageously, the shade element is substantially circular in section transverse to the central axis. The shade element preferably comprises a relatively thin walled structure, advantageously of plastics material (preferably moulded plastics material) . Advantageously, the shade element is provided with an opening permitting a light bulb to be fitted within the shade element. The degree of curvature of the receiving zone preferably differs from the general degree of curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. Advantageously the degree of curvature of the receiving zone is less than the degree of curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. The curvature of the receiving zone preferably approximates more to a substantially flat or planar zone than does the curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. Desirably the surface of the receiving zone is substantially smooth. The image element is preferably arranged to be bonded to the receiving zone. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising: i) a shade element having a general outer surface profile shaped and configured to represent a sporting article and having at least one distinct receiving zone of the outer surface; and, ii) at least one discrete image element shaped and dimensioned to fit within the receiving zone when placed in register therewith. It is preferred that bonding means is provided enabling the image element to be securely bonded in register with the outer surface of the shade element in the receiving zone. In a preferred embodiment, the image element is provided with a backing of bonding means, preferably an adhesive and or tacky backing layer arranged to stick the image element to the shade element surface. The adhesive or tacky layer may be permanently adhesive or tacky (in which a peelable backing cover layer is provided) . Alternatively, the backing may only become adhesive or tacky when activated by a suitable agent (for example by wetting for a dry gummed layer) . As a further alternative the image element may comprise a delcalcomania or transfer. It is preferred that the image element has an outer boundary contour shaped to correspond to the outer boundary contour of the receiving zone. Preferably the outer boundary contour of the image element is dimensioned so as to be positioned in register with the receiving zone and wholly received within the boundary contour of the receiving zone. In one embodiment a margin may be present between the respective outer boundary contours of the image element and receiving zone. Desirably a plurality of distinct receiving zones are provided on the outer surface of the shade element; in one embodiment the distinct receiving zones may have respectively different shapes and configurations. A corresponding plurality of image elements are preferably provided shaped and configured to correspond to respective receiving zones. The image elements preferably depict sporting articles or players and are preferably coloured. Desirably the image elements are translucent (thereby transmitting light in an appealing manner) and preferably of photographic image quality. The invention will now be further described in specific embodiments by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la is a perspective side view of a shade arrangement according to the invention; Figure lb is a plan view of a series of stickers comprising a kit in accordance with the invention; Figure lc is a plan view of the shade arrangement of Figure la; Figure 2a is a plan view of a second embodiment of shade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 2b is a side view of the shade arrangement of Figure 2a; and Figure 3 is a side view of the shade arrangement showing suspension means for the shade arrangement. Referring to the drawing and initially Figures la-lc, there is shown a shade arrangement generally designated 1, comprising a translucent plastics thin walled ball 2 shaped and configured to be representative of a football. Ball 2 has a pentagonal uppermost opening 3, spanned by suspension means 4, arranged to be secured to a length of electrical flex 5 is such that a light bulb (not shown) is received within the interior of the ball shade 2. The outer surface of the ball shade 2 is provided with raised relief lines 6, defining a series of edge linked hexagons and pentagons corresponding to the edge linked hexagonal and pentagonal pattern of stitching on a football. (Alternatively, relief lines 6 may be recessed, such as for example, elongate depression lines) . A discrete receiving zone 9, has an outer peripheral boundary 10, within which relief lines 6 do not extend. Receiving zone 9 is therefore devoid of relief features, and provides a smooth surface zone for adhering in register therewith, an adhesive backed image element (sticker 11) , depicting a football player in kit. It can be seen from Figure la that receiving zone 9 interrupts a plurality of the relief lines 6 defining the relief line pattern on the surface of ball shade 2, and that zone 9 (defined by boundary 10) is of greater area than the sticker 11. Alternatively, boundary 10 may be substantially identical in shape, configuration and size to the boundary of sticker 11 such that substantially no marginal zone 9 is defined. The ball shade 2 is preferably provided with a plurality of spaced receiving zones 9 (such as ball receiving zone 8) each arranged to receive a respective image element 11. Image elements 11 are preferably coloured, translucent and of photographic image quality. They are supplied adhesive backed and presented on peelable backing 12 as shown in Figure lb. The purchaser buys a kit or set comprising the ball shade arrangement 1 and one or more image element stickers 11. The purchaser may therefore select stickers representing favourite players/clubs as desired and position them on the relevant respective receiving zone 9 of the ball shade surface 2. Referring to Figures 2 and 2a, a further embodiment is shown in which the relief line in pattern 6 conforms to a different pattern. The receiving zone 9 is also of differing degree of curvature to the general degree of curvature of the outer surface of the ball shade 2 (typically the receiving zone 9 is substantially planar, or at least of a lesser degree of curvature) . Sticker 11 is adhered in register with receiving zone 9 in the same manner as for the first embodiment described. Referring to Figures 3a and 4b there is shown, in detail, suspension arrangement 4 for use in suspending light shade 2 from a length of electrical flex 5. The electrical flex 5 extends downwardly through aperture 3 such that a light bulb (not shown) is positioned in the interior of the shade 2. The suspension arrangement 4, comprises a pair of elongate bow elements 16,17 each pivotally mounted relative to one another at respective opposed ends and to the shade 1 so as to the span the aperture 3. Bow elements 16,17 are pivotally movable from a relatively spaced (open) configuration in which the light bulb and flex can pass therebetween to position the bulb in the interior of the shade, and a "clamped" position (shown in Figure 3) in which the flex is securely clamped between the bow elements 16,17. Each bow element 16,17 also carries a fastener element 20 arranged to engage with a necked (reduced dimension) portion 18 of the other respective bow element so as to secure gripping tabs 19 in gripping engagement with the flex in the clamping position.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A light or lamp shade arrangement comprising a shade element having a general outer surface profile shaped and configured to represent a sporting article and having at least one distinct receiving zone of the outer surface shaped and dimensioned to receive thereon a corresponding discrete image element placed in register with and adhering to the outer surface of the shade. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the shade element is provided with one or more relief features corresponding to associated relief features of the respective sporting article. 3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more relief features define a predetermined surface pattern on the outer surface of the shade. 4. An arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3 , wherein the receiving zone is substantially free from relief features. 5. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 4 , wherein the extent of the one or more relief features defines the limit or boundary of a respective receiving zone. 6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the sporting article represented is a ball, the outer surface of the shade element is provided with one or more relief features corresponding to associated relief features of the respective sporting article, the one or more relief features of the ball are representative of stitching or bonding lines commonly joining adjacent surface panels on the sporting ball represented. 7. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the shade element is substantially symmetrically disposed about a central axis. 8. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, comprising a thin walled structure of plastics material. 9. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the degree of curvature of the receiving zone differs from the degree of curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the degree of curvature of the receiving zone is less than the degree of curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. 11. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the curvature of the receiving zone approximates more to a substantially flat or planar zone than does the curvature of the surface of the shade element adjacent the receiving zone. 12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface of the receiving zone is substantially smooth. 13. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the image element has an outer boundary contour shaped to correspond to the outer boundary contour of the receiving zone. 14. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer boundary contour of the image element is dimensioned so as to be positioned in register with the receiving zone and wholly received within the boundary contour of the receiving zone. 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein a margin is present between the respective outer boundary contours of the image element and receiving zone. 16. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of distinct receiving zones are provided on the outer surface of the shade element, a corresponding plurality of image elements being provided shaped and configured to correspond to respective receiving zones. 17. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the image elements depict sporting articles or players. 18. An arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 17 , wherein the one or more relief features terminate in the region of the boundary of the receiving zone. 19. A kit comprising: i) a shade element having a general outer surface profile shaped and configured to represent a sporting article and having at least one distinct receiving zone of the outer surface; and ii) at least one discrete image element shaped and dimensioned to fit within the receiving zone when placed in register therewith. 20. A kit according to claim 19, wherein bonding means is provided enabling the image element to be securely bonded in register with the outer surface of the shade element in the receiving zone. 21. A kit according to claim 20, wherein the image element is provided with a backing of bonding means. 22. A kit according to claim 21, wherein the backing of bonding means comprises an adhesive and/or tacky backing layer arranged to stick the image element to the shade element surface. 23. A kit according to claim 22, wherein the adhesive or tacky layer is permanently adhesive or tacky, a peelable backing cover layer being provided. 24. A kit according to claim 22, wherein the backing is arranged to become adhesive or tacky when activated by a suitable agent. 25. A kit according to claim 22, wherein the image element comprises a delcalcomania or transfer. 26. A kit according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein the image element has an outer boundary contour shaped to correspond to the outer boundary contour of the receiving zone. 27. A kit according to any of claims 19 to 26, wherein the outer boundary contour of the image element is dimensioned so as to be positioned in register with the receiving zone and wholly received within the boundary contour of the receiving zone. 28. A kit according to claim 27, wherein a margin is present between the respective outer boundary contours of the image element and receiving zone. 29. A kit according to any of claims 19 to 28, wherein a plurality of distinct receiving zones are provided on the outer surface of the shade element, a corresponding plurality of image elements being provided shaped and configured to correspond to respective receiving zones. 30. A kit according to any of claims 18 to 28, wherein the image elements depict sporting articles or players.

Inventors: MCHUGH MALCOLM ERIC, MCHUGH, MALCOLM, ERIC
Applicants: MCHUGH MALCOLM ERIC, MCHUGH, MALCOLM, ERIC
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F21V3
IPC codes: F21S8, F21V1, F21V3, F21V21