Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture and methods of installing the same. In various embodiments, an LED lighting fixture may comprise: at least one socket comprising a socket opening; at least one LED positioned substantially within the socket opening; at least one shield member positioned adjacent the at least one socket such that the shield substantially encloses the socket opening; at least one decorative light shade; at least one cover comprising a neck portion having an internal surface, the internal surface defining a cover opening. The cover opening is configured to receive there-through at least a portion of a socket and substantially engage the socket. At least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially engage the decorative light shade. Also, at least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially enclose the LED and shield.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Incandescent bulbs are slowly being phased out in favor of more efficient lighting sources. This has led to an increased use of compact fluorescent bulbs which are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but which tend to contain dangerous gasses, such as mercury. Additionally, many people find the color temperature of light emitted by compact fluorescents to not be aesthetically pleasing for many applications, such as household lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms; some commercial applications; and the like. 
         [0002]    Recent advances in manufacturing light emitting diodes (LEDs) combined with the efficiency and long lifetime of LEDs have led to an increase in the availability and affordability of LED lamps. LED lamps offer advantages over compact fluorescent bulbs including longer lifetime and the absence of dangerous gasses. Also, LED lamps may be configured to emit light at a wide variety of color temperatures. 
         [0003]    Both incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs must be designed to maintain a specific environment within the bulb (e.g., a vacuum or a specific mix of gasses). LEDs, by contrast, can function under regular atmospheric conditions. However, because LEDs are small, solid state devices, LED lamps generally utilize board mounted LEDs. Therefore, the electrical components of an LED lamp may be exposed, providing a possible safety hazard. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need for LED lighting fixtures which are safe for household and commercial uses. Additionally, there is a need for aesthetically pleasing LED lighting fixtures. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a safe, simple, and aesthetically pleasing lighting fixture assembly that utilizes a plurality of LEDs as the light source. 
         [0006]    In various embodiments, the lighting fixture assembly comprises a fixture mounting which can be mounted on a wall or ceiling or other surface or can be configured to rest upon a desk or table or the floor, or the like. In other various embodiments, the lighting fixture may be configured to be held in a user&#39;s hand. In various embodiments, the fixture mounting may contain at least one socket that may have at least one LED mounted within the at least one socket. In various embodiments, a shield may enclose the at least one LED into the socket and may electrically and/or physically isolate the at least one LED from the user. In various embodiments, the lighting fixture assembly may further comprise at least one decorative light shade. The at least one decorative light shade may have an opening disposed within the decorative light shade that may be configured such that the light shade can be slid onto the socket. In other embodiments, the decorative light shade may be configured to workably connect to the socket by other mechanisms. In various embodiments, the lighting fixture may also comprise at least one cover member which may be configured to rotationally connect to the at least one socket; therefore locking the at least one decorative light shade onto the at least one socket. The at least one cover may also be configured to disperse the light emitted from the one or more LEDs mounted within the at least one socket. Thus, to a user viewing the lighting fixture, it may appear that the light source is suspended within the at least one decorative light shade rather than mounted within the at least one socket. 
         [0007]    In various embodiments, an LED lighting fixture is provided. In such embodiments, the LED lighting fixture may comprise: at least one socket comprising a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an external surface and an internal surface, the internal surface defining a socket opening; at least one LED positioned substantially within an interior of the socket opening; at least one shield member positioned adjacent the at least one socket such that a perimeter of the at least one shield member is positioned adjacent the peripheral wall so as to substantially enclose the socket opening; at least one decorative light shade; at least one cover comprising a neck portion having an external surface and an internal surface, the internal surface defining a cover opening, wherein: the cover opening is configured to receive there-through at least a portion of the at least one socket, such that the internal surface of the neck portion substantially engages the external surface of the peripheral wall; at least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially engage the decorative light shade; and at least a portion of the cover is configured to substantially enclose the at least one LED and the at least one shield member. 
         [0008]    In other embodiments, an LED lighting fixture is provided comprising: at least one socket comprising a socket opening defining an interior socket chamber of the at least one socket; at least one LED substantially positioned with the interior socket chamber; at least one shield substantially secured within the interior socket chamber such that the at least one LED is substantially enclosed within the interior socket chamber by the shield; and at least one cover comprising a cover opening, the cover opening defining an interior cover chamber of the at least one cover, the at least one cover being operatively mounted to the at least one socket such that at least one of the LEDs and at least one of the shields are positioned within at least a portion of the interior cover chamber opening. 
         [0009]    In still other embodiments, a vanity lighting fixture is provided, comprising: two or more sockets each comprising a first opening defining an interior chamber of each of the two or more sockets; two or more LEDs wherein at least one LED is positioned within the interior chamber of each of the two or more sockets; two or more shields wherein each shield is positioned within the interior chamber of one of the two or more sockets such that the at least one LED is enclosed within the first chamber by the shield; two or more covers each comprising a second opening defining an interior chamber of each of the two or more covers, the two or more covers each secured to one of the two or more sockets such that the at least one LED positioned within the one of two or more sockets is positioned within the second opening of one of the covers; and two or more decorative light shades wherein each decorative light shade is secured to one of the two or more sockets via one of the two or more covers. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing an LED lighting fixture is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing an LED lighting fixture comprising at least one socket comprising a first opening; mounting or placing the lighting fixture on an appropriate surface; sliding a light shade onto at least one of the at least one socket of the lighting fixture; operatively mounting a cover onto the at least one socket wherein mounting the cover secures the light shade to the at least one socket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0011]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an assembled lighting fixture, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of the lighting fixture illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a cover, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of a cover, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an assembled lighting fixture, according to various light embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an assembled lighting fixture, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the lighting fixture illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of part of a lighting fixture, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is perspective view of part of a lighting fixture, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a different perspective view of part of a lighting fixture, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cover secured to a socket, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a socket attached to a fixture mounting, according to various embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a cover, according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5  show various embodiments of assembled lighting fixtures  10 , according to various embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates at least one embodiment of a floor lamp style lighting fixture  10 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate various embodiments of a wall style lighting fixture  10 . In some embodiments, when the lighting fixture  10  is assembled, the visible components comprise at least one fixture mounting  11  and at least one decorative light shade  12 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2 ,  6 , and  7  show exploded views of various embodiments of a lighting fixture  10 .  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of various embodiments of the at least one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, a single socket  14  is affixed on top of the fixture mounting  11 . In various embodiments, at least one LED  16  may be mounted on a board  161 . In various embodiments the at least one LED  16  may be inserted into the socket  14 . In some such embodiments the at least one LED  16  may be workably connected to an electric power source. A shield  15  may be secured into the socket  14  on top of the at least one LED  16 . In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured such that the outer surface of shield  15  is flush with the opening in socket  14 . In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into socket  14  such that outer surface of the shield  15  is recessed into the socket  14 . In various embodiments, the outer or inner surface of socket  14  may be threaded. In these embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured with the mating threads and thus can be secured to the socket  14  via a proper mating of the threads. In other embodiments, the outer or inner surface of a socket  14  may have other means for securing cover  13 . In various embodiments, the cover  13  may act as a light extender to move the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  out into the decorative light shade  12  and thus providing an appearance that resembles an incandescent light bulb. Components of various embodiments of the lighting fixture  10  will now be discussed in detail. 
         [0028]    Structural Features of Various Embodiments 
         [0029]    1. Fixture Mounting  11   
         [0030]    Remaining with  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may provide the structural support for the lighting fixture  10 . In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may be configured to be placed on a desk, table, floor, or other surface, whether removably or otherwise. In certain embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may be configured to be permanently mounted on a wall, ceiling, or other surface. In other embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may be configured to be mounted in a selectively removable manner on a wall, ceiling, or other surface. Non-limiting examples of wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures according to various embodiments comprise vanity fixtures, wall sconces, and overhead lighting fixtures. In still other embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may be configured such that a user can choose whether to mount the lighting fixture  10  or to place the lighting fixture  10  on a surface. In yet other embodiments, the lighting fixture  10  may be configured to be held in the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may be made out of plastic. In other embodiments, the fixture mounting may be made out of metal or any other suitable material. 
         [0032]    In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may comprise the appropriate wiring for lighting fixture  10  to be operated via batteries or some other portable electric power source. In various such embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may comprise a compartment that may be concealed within the fixture mounting  11  in which the batteries may be mechanically mounted within the fixture mounting  11 . This compartment may also comprise a mechanism to electrically connect the batteries to the electrical components of the lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0033]    In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may include an electrical cord that is workably connected to the electrical components of the lighting fixture  10 . In various such embodiments, a plug configured for being plugged into an electrical socket may be disposed on one end of the electrical cord. In such embodiments, the electrical cord may be disposed in a base of the lighting fixture  10  or a different location on the lighting fixture  10 . In various embodiments, a set of electrical wires may be used rather than a single electrical cord. In other embodiments, the electrical cord or wires may be configured such that the lighting fixture  10  may be directly connected to line voltage. In various such embodiments, the electrical cord or wires may be disposed on the mounting surface of the fixture mounting  11 . 
         [0034]    In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  may further comprise a power switch workably connected to the lighting fixture  10 . A wide variety of power switches are commonly known and well understood in the art. A few non-limiting examples of power switches which may be employed in various embodiments comprise chain pull switches, touch activated switches, “clap-on” switches, rotationally activated switches, slide activated switches, and the like. In various embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  does not include a power switch. In some such embodiments, the flow of electrical power to the lighting fixture  10  may be controlled through a wall mounted power switch, by plugging and unplugging an electrical cord from an electrical socket, or by other mechanisms. 
         [0035]    Of course, it should be understood that, in various embodiments, fixture mounting  11  may have any of a variety of configurations, as such are commonly known and understood in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    2. Socket  14   
         [0037]    Still remaining with  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, lighting fixture  10  may further comprise at least one socket  14 . In various embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may provide structural and electrical support for at least one LED  16 . In such embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be mounted within a socket  14  as will be discussed below. A socket  14  may also provide a mechanism to secure a decorative light shade  12  and/or a cover  13  in various embodiments, as detailed below. 
         [0038]    In various embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be generally circular or elliptical in cross-section. In other embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be generally rectangular or alternatively shaped in cross-section. In various embodiments, the cross-section of the at least on socket  14  may not be the same at all points along the length of the at least one socket  14 . For example, in at least one embodiment, with a generally circular cross-section, the cross-section may have a different diameter at one point along the length of the at least one socket  14  than at another point along the length of the same socket  14 . 
         [0039]    In various embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be less than a quarter of an inch in diameter. In other embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be less than an inch in diameter. In some embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be one to three inches in diameter. In other embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be larger than three inches in diameter. In various embodiments, the opening in socket  14  may be less than a quarter of an inch deep. In other embodiments, the opening in socket  14  may be a quarter of an inch to half an inch deep. In still other embodiments, the opening in socket  14  may be half an inch to an inch deep. In yet other embodiments, the opening in socket  14  may be deeper than one inch. 
         [0040]    The at least one socket  14  may be mechanically connected to fixture mounting  11 , in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be molded out of the same material as the fixture mounting  11 . In some embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be co-molded with fixture mounting  11 . In other embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be made out of a material different from fixture mounting  11 . In various such embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be made out of aluminum or plastic. In other such embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be made out of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be made by a method which is not molding. 
         [0041]    In various embodiments, at least a portion of the outer and/or inner surface of the at least one socket  14  may be threaded. In these embodiments, the threads may be configured to engage with threads which may be present on the cover  13 . In other such embodiments, the threads may be configured to engage with threads on the decorative light shade  12 . In various embodiments, the outer and/or inner surface of the at least one socket  14  may not be threaded. In various such embodiments, the outer and/or inner surface of the at least one socket  14  may be smooth or include other mechanisms which may be used to secure the decorative light shade  12  and the cover  13  to the lighting fixture  10 . It should be appreciated that a variety of mechanisms are well known and understood in the art that may be used to operatively mount a cover  13  onto a socket  14  (or vice-versa) without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, it should also be understood that various alternatives to even incorporating a socket  14  at all may be employed in still other embodiments, as may be commonly known and used in the art. 
         [0042]    In various embodiments, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , the lighting fixture  10  may comprise more than one socket  14 . Various embodiments may comprise two, three, four or more sockets  14 . In various such embodiments, at least one LED  16  may be secured in each socket  14 , wherein the at least one LED  16  may be workably connected to an electric power source. In some such embodiments, a shield  15  may be mounted in each socket  14  to electrically isolate the user from the at least one LED  16  mounted within each socket  14 . A decorative light shade  12  may be secured to each socket  14 , in some embodiments. In other embodiments, one or more light shades  12  may be configured such that one decorative light shade  12  may correspond to more than one socket  14 . One non-limiting example of at least one such embodiment may be that a light shade  12  is configured to be secured to two sockets  14 . In various embodiments, a cover  13  is secured to each socket  14 . In other various embodiments, a cover  13  may be configured to be secured to more than one socket  14 . A non-limiting example may be if a light shade  12  is configured to be secured to two sockets  14 , a cover  13  may also be configured to be secured to two sockets  14 . 
         [0043]    3. Light Shade Seat  111   
         [0044]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , located at or near the base of the at least one socket  14 , in various embodiments, there may be a light shade seat  111 . In certain embodiments, the light shade  111  seat may be engaged by the decorative light shade  12 , as will be described in further detail elsewhere herein. Of course, in other embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may merely serve a decorative function, as may be desirable for particular applications. 
         [0045]    In various embodiments, the light shade seat  111  is generally circular or elliptical. In other embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may be generally rectangular or alternatively shaped. In certain embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may comprise one or more prongs. In at least one embodiment, the light shade seat  111  may comprise three prongs which are evenly spaced around the circumference of the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may be generally semi-circular or semi-elliptical. In various such embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may comprise a half or a third of a circle or ellipse. In other such embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may comprise two portions of a circle which are disposed at different points around a circumference of the socket  14 . As will be appreciated, a number of other shapes are possible for the light shade seat  111  in keeping with various embodiments of the lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0046]    In various embodiments, the diameter of a light shade seat  111  is only an eighth of an inch larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . In other embodiments, the diameter of the light shade seat  111  is an eighth to a quarter of an inch larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . In still other embodiments, the diameter of the light shade seat  111  is a quarter to three-quarters of an inch larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . In yet other embodiments, the diameter of the light shade seat  111  is three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . In certain embodiments, the diameter of the light shade seat  111  is an inch and a half to three inches larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . In certain other embodiments, the diameter of the light shade seat  111  maybe larger than three inches larger than the diameter of the at least one socket  14 . 
         [0047]    In various embodiments, the one or more light shade seats  111  are made out of the same material as the fixture mounting  11 . In various such embodiments, the one or more light shade seats  111  may be a different color or include a different finish than the fixture mounting  11 . In other such embodiments, the color or finish of the one or more light shade seats is the same as the fixture mounting  11 . In other embodiments, the one or more light shade seats  111  may be made of any appropriate material, including a material different from the fixture mounting  11 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, a light shade seat may be mounted at some point along the length of the at least one socket  14 . In certain embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may be mounted half way along the length of the at least one socket  14 . In other embodiments, the light shade seat  111  may be mounted on the fixture mounting  11  below the at least one socket  14 . In some embodiments, the at least one socket  14  may be mounted in the middle of the light shade seat  111 . Other embodiments may not include a light shade seat  111 . 
         [0049]    In various embodiments, decorative light shade  12  may rest upon or against light shade seat  111  when light shade  12  is slid or secured onto the socket  14 . In other embodiments, light shade seat  111  may not be used to mechanically hold the light shade  12  in an appropriate position and may be included for aesthetic purposes only. Some embodiments may not include a light shade seat  111 . 
         [0050]    In various embodiments, a light shade seat  111  may be planar in nature. In other embodiments, a light shade seat  111  may have a concave curvature. In still other embodiments, a light shade seat  111  may be convex in curvature. In certain embodiments, a light shade seat  111  may comprise portions which are convex, concave, and/or planar in curvature. In various embodiments, the curvature of the light shade seat  111  may be chosen as appropriate for various applications. 
         [0051]    As noted above and illustrated in  FIGS. 4-9 , in various embodiments, more than one socket  14  may be present. In various such embodiments, more than one light shade seat  111  may also be present. In some such embodiments, each light shade seat  111  may be associated with a single socket  14 . In other various such embodiments, one or more light shade seats  111  may be associated with more than one socket  14 . Of course, it should be understood that any of a variety of alternatives to a light shade seat  111  may be employed, as commonly known and understood in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0052]    4. Light Emitting Diode (LED)  16   
         [0053]    Again returning to  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, at least one LED  16  may be secured in the at least one socket  14 . Any circuitry necessary to operate the one or more LEDs  16  may be mounted within the fixture mounting  11  or socket  14  according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be an alternating current (AC) driven LED. In other embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be a direct current (DC) driven LED. In some embodiments, no driver circuitry is necessary to operate the one or more LEDs  16 . In other embodiments, one driver circuit may operate all the LEDs  16  present in lighting fixture  10 . In still other embodiments, multiple driver circuits may be used to operate the one or more LEDs  16 . In some such embodiments a driver circuit may be mounted in each socket  14 . 
         [0054]    In various embodiments, the driver circuit (not shown) may comprise a circuit portion configured to convert AC voltage into DC voltage. In some embodiments, the driver circuit may comprise a circuit portion configured to control the current flowing through the one or more LEDs  16 . In certain embodiments, the driver circuit may comprise a circuit portion configured to dim the lighting fixture  10 . In various embodiments, additional circuit components may be present in the driver circuitry. Similarly, in various embodiments, all or some of the circuit portions mentioned here may not be present in the driver circuit. In some embodiments, circuit portions listed herein as separate circuit portions may be combined into one circuit portion. As should be appreciated, a variety of driver circuitry configurations are generally known and understood in the art and any of such may be employed in various embodiments as suitable for the intended application, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    The at least one LED  16  may be of various color temperatures or various colors. In various embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be white LEDs. In other embodiments, at least one of the at least one LEDs  16  may be a colored LED, such as a red, blue, green, or other colored LED. In various embodiments, different LEDs  16  secured within the same socket  14  may have different color temperatures. In other embodiments, all LEDs  16  in the lighting fixture  10  are designed to have approximately the same color temperature. In still other embodiments, the at least one LED  16  mounted in one socket  14  may be a different color temperature than the at least one LED  16  mounted in a different socket  14 . For each embodiment, the color temperature of the one or more LEDs  16  may be chosen as appropriate for the expected use of lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0056]    In various embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be mounted on a board  161  by any suitable method commonly known and understood in the art. In some such embodiments, any driver circuitry present may also be mounted on the board  161 . In some embodiments, 21 or more LEDs may be mounted on a board  161 . In other embodiments, no more than 5 LEDs are mounted on a board  161 . In other embodiments, six to fifteen LEDs  16  may be mounted on a board  161 . In yet other embodiments, sixteen to twenty LEDs  16  may be mounted on a board  161 . 
         [0057]    In various embodiments, the board  161  may be made of a reflective material. In other embodiments, the board  161  may be coated with a reflective material. Therefore, at least some portion of the light emitted from the at least one LED  16  in the direction of the board  161  or light that has been reflected back at the board  161  will be reflected off of the board  161 . 
         [0058]    In various embodiments, a board  161  is secured into a socket  14 . In various such embodiments, at least one LED  16  is mounted on board  161 . In various embodiments, driver circuitry may also be mounted to the board  161 . In some such embodiments, the driver circuitry may be mounted on the opposite side of the board  161  than the side on which the at least one LED  16  is mounted. In various embodiments, the board  161  may be mounted into socket  14  via one or more set screws. In some embodiments, the board  161  may be closed into the socket  14  by securing a shield  15  on top of the at least one LED  16  and board  161  in the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the board  161  may be mounted into socket  14  via an appropriate adhesive. In yet other embodiments, the board  161  may be mounted into socket  14  by other suitable mechanisms. 
         [0059]    As discussed above and as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-9 , various embodiments may comprise two or more sockets  14 . In various such embodiments, a board  161  may be mounted into each socket  14 , at least one socket  14 , or none of the sockets  14 . In some such embodiments, at least one LED  16  is mounted on each board  161 . In various embodiments, at least one LED  16  may be operatively mounted in each socket  14 , as may be desirable for particular applications. 
         [0060]    5. Shield  15   
         [0061]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, a shield  15  may be secured within the socket  14  on top of the at least one LED  16  that may be secured into a socket  14 . In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be used to secure the at least one LED  16  into socket  14 . In some embodiments, the shield  15  may be used to electrically and/or physically isolate the user from the electrical components of the lighting fixture  10 . In various such embodiments, the shield  15  may be used to meet various safety standards such as UL Standards or other standards governing the lighting industry or otherwise, as may be necessary for particular applications. 
         [0062]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be planar, convex, or concave, as suitable for various applications. In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be generally circular or elliptical. In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be generally rectangular or alternatively shaped. In some embodiments, the shield  15  may have the same shape as the cross section of the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the shape of the shield  15  may be different than the cross-section of the socket  14 . 
         [0063]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may have a diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the shield  15  may have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the socket  14 . In various such embodiments, the diameter of the shield  15  may be small enough that the shield  15  does not prevent the decorative light shade  12  and/or the cover  13  from being secured to the socket  14 . In still other embodiments, the diameter of the shield  15  may be smaller than that of the socket  14 . In yet other embodiments, a lighting fixture  10  may not comprise a shield  15 . 
         [0064]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  is configured such that at least some portion of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  may pass through the shield  15 . In certain embodiments, the shield  15  may be configured such that at least 10% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  passes through the shield  15 . In some embodiments, the shield  15  is configured such that at least a significant fraction of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  passes through the shield  15 . In certain embodiments, the shield  15  may be configured such that at least 40%, 50%, or 60% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  pass through the shield  15 . In some embodiments, the shield  15  is configured such that nearly all of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  passes through the shield  15 . In certain embodiments, the shield  15  may be configured such that at least 80% or 90% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  passes through the shield  15 . In various embodiments the shield  15  may be configured such that a fraction of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  that is appropriate for the application passes through the shield  15 . 
         [0065]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be made from a polymerized material, as commonly known and understood in the art. In certain embodiments, the shield  15  may be made of plastic. In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be made out of any appropriate translucent or semi-translucent material. In certain embodiments, the shield  15  may be made out of an opaque material, if suitable for the application. 
         [0066]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  is an electrical insulator. In these embodiments, the shield  15  may be configured to electrically and/or physically isolate the at least one LED  16  such that a user cannot come into contact with the at least one LED  16  or other electrical components of lighting fixture  10  while the user is using the lighting fixture  10 . Thus, in these embodiments, the shield  15  may be used to meet various safety standards for consumer products, such as the UL Standards and other pertinent safety standards. In various such embodiments, the shield  15  may be made out of plastic or some other suitable electrically insulating material. In some such embodiments, the electrically insulating material used to make the shield  15  may be translucent or semi-translucent. 
         [0067]    In various embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . For example, in certain embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least 10% or 25% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . In various embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit a significant fraction of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . For example, in certain embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least 40%, 50%, or 60% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . In other various embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit substantially all of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . For example, in certain embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least 80% or 90% of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  to pass through the shield  15 . 
         [0068]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  via one or more set screws. In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  via a suitable adhesive. In still other embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  by other suitable mechanisms. 
         [0069]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  such that the shield  15  rests on top of socket  14 . In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  such that the outer surface of the shield  15  is substantially flush with the top of the socket  14 . In yet other embodiments, the shield  15  may be secured into or onto socket  14  such that the outer surface of shield  15  is recessed within socket  14 . 
         [0070]    In various embodiments, the shield  15  may be mounted into or onto socket  14  such that an inch or more of space exists between the shield  15  and the top of the at least one LED  16  secured in socket  14 . In other embodiments, the shield  15  may be mounted into or onto socket  14  such that a quarter of an inch to an inch of space exists between the bottom of the shield  15  and the top of the at least one LED  16  secured in socket  14 . In still other embodiments, the shield may be mounted into or onto socket  14  such that an eighth to a quarter of an inch of space separates the bottom of the shield  15  and the top of the at least one LED  16 . In yet other embodiments, less than an eighth of an inch separates the bottom of the shield  15  from the top of the at least one LED  16 . In certain embodiments, the shield  15  rests on top of the at least one LED  16 . 
         [0071]    As previously described herein and as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-9 , various embodiments of lighting fixture  10  may include more than one socket  14 . In various such embodiments, a shield  15  may be secured into or onto each socket  14 . In some embodiments, a shield  15  may be secured into or onto at least one socket  14 . In other embodiments, no shields  15  may be used. In various embodiments, a shield  15  may be configured to correspond to one socket  14 . In other embodiments, a shield  15  may be configured to correspond to more than one socket  14 . In some such embodiments, the shield  15  is configured such that the shield  15  that corresponds to more than one socket  14  does not prevent one or more decorative light shades  12  and/or covers  13  from being secured to the more than one socket  14 . 
         [0072]    6. Decorative Light Shade  12   
         [0073]    Again returning to  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, a lighting fixture  10  may further comprise a decorative light shade  12 . In various embodiments, the light shade  12  may be used to hide the socket  14  and cover  13  from view from at least some lines of sight. In various embodiments, the light shade  12  may be configured to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0074]    In various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may function to add a decorative appearance to the lighting fixture  10  and may hide the socket  14  and cover  13  from direct view at least along some lines of sight to the socket  14 . In some embodiments, the light shade  12  may hide the socket  14  and/or cover  13  from direct view along various lines of sight accounting for less than π/2 sr of the solid angle about the socket  14  and/or the cover  13 . In various embodiments, the light shade  12  may hide the socket  14  and/or cover from direct view along various lines of sight accounting for π/2 to π sr of the solid angle about the socket  14  and/or the cover  13 . In other embodiments, the light shade  12  may hide the socket  14  and/or cover from direct view along various lines of sight accounting for π to 2π sr of the solid angle about the socket  14  and/or the cover  13 . In yet other embodiments, the light shade  12  may hide the socket  14  and/or cover from direct view along various lines of sight accounting for 2π to 3π sr of the solid angle about the socket  14  and/or the cover  13 . In certain embodiments, the light shade  12  may hide the socket  14  and/or cover  13  from direct view along nearly every line of sight to the socket  14 . Thus, in various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be a variety of shapes. Also, in various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be a variety of sizes relative to the lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0075]    In various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be configured to permit at least some portion of the light incident upon the light shade  12  to pass through light shade  12 . In other embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be configured to not permit a portion of the light incident upon the light shade  12  to pass through light shade  12 , as may be appropriate for various applications. In some such embodiments, the inside surface of the decorative light shade may be made of a reflective material or coated with a reflective material such that at least a portion of the light incident upon the inside surface of the light shade  12  is reflected. In various such embodiments, the light reflected off the inside surface of light shade  12  may be reflected such that the light is directed toward one or both of the first and second opening of the light shade  12 , if one or both of such openings are present. 
         [0076]    In various embodiments the decorative light shade  12  may be made of glass, plastic, alabaster, fabric, metal, or any other appropriate material or combination of suitable materials. In various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be made out of more the one material. For example, in some embodiments, a light shade  12  may be constructed by covering a metal frame with fabric, as commonly known in the art. In other embodiments, decorative light shades  12  may be made out of a variety of appropriate materials. 
         [0077]    In various embodiments, the material of light shade  12  may be configured to not permit light incident upon the light shade to pass through the light shade  12 . In various such embodiments, the light emitted by the one or more LEDs  16  may be emitted by the lighting fixture through the solid angle about the cover  13  not blocked by the decorative light shade  12 . In certain such embodiments, the material of the light shade may be configured to permit less than 10% of the light incident upon the light shade  12  to pass through the light shade  12 . In other embodiments, the material of the light shade  12  may be configured to permit at least a portion of the light incident upon it to pass through the decorative light shade. In certain such embodiments, the material of light shade  12  is configured to permit at least 10% of the incident light to pass through light shade  12 . In various embodiments, the material of light shade  12  may be configured to permit a significant fraction of incident light to pass through decorative light shade  12 . In certain embodiments, the material of light shade  12  may be configured to allow at least 40%, 50%, or 60% of the incident light to pass through light shade  12 . In some embodiments, the material of light shade  12  is configured to permit nearly all of the incident light to pass through the light shade  12 . In certain embodiments, the material of light shade  12  is configured to permit at least 80% or 90% of the incident light to pass through light shade  12 . 
         [0078]    In various embodiments, a decorative light shade  12  may comprise a first opening. In various such embodiments, the light shade  12  may further comprise a second opening. However, in some embodiments, the light shade  12  may not comprise a second opening. In some embodiments, the light shade  12  may further comprise at least one door which may be used cover the first and/or second opening in the light shade  12 . In some embodiments, a door may be hingedly or selectively removably connected to light shade  12 . For example, in some embodiments, a door may be connected to light shade  12  by Velcro, snaps, zippers, magnets, selectively removable adhesive, or other suitable mechanisms. 
         [0079]    In various embodiments the light shade  12  may be slid onto a socket  14  via the first opening in light shade  12 . In various embodiments, the socket  14  may be accessed through a second opening in light shade  12 . In some embodiments, the socket  14  may be accessed via a door in light shade  12 . In various embodiments, the access to socket  14  may be used to operably mount a cover  13  to the socket  14 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to secure the light shade  12  to the socket  14 . 
         [0080]    In various embodiments, a decorative light shade  12  may be secured to the fixture mounting  11  by sliding light shade  12  onto the socket  14  and then operably mounting the cover  13  to the socket  14 . In other embodiments, light shade  12  may be secured to the fixture mounting  11  at least in part by cover  13  in addition to other appropriate mechanisms. In various embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be in part secured to the lighting fixture  10  by a light shade seat  111 . In other embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be in contact with a light shade seat  111 . In still other embodiments, when the light shade  12  is secured to the lighting fixture  10 , the light shade  12  may apply some pressure to a light shade seat  111 . In certain embodiments, light shade  12  may engage in some manner with light shade seat  111 . In other embodiments, the light shade  12  may not be in physical contact with a light shade seat  111 . 
         [0081]    As described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , various embodiments of the lighting fixture  10  may comprise more than one socket  14 . In various such embodiments, a decorative light shade  12  may be secured to each socket  14 . In some embodiments, a light shade  12  may be secured to at least one socket  14 . In other embodiments, no decorative light shades  12  may be used. In various embodiments, a light shade  12  may be configured to correspond to one socket  14 . In other embodiments, a light shade  12  may be configured to correspond to more than one socket  14 . In various embodiments, each light shade  12  is secured to one or more sockets  14  by a cover  13 . In some embodiments, each light shade  12  is secured to each socket  14  to which it corresponds by a cover  13 . Thus, in various embodiments in which a light shade  12  corresponds to a plurality of sockets  14 , a cover  13  which also corresponds to a plurality of sockets  14  may be used to secure light shade  12  to the plurality of sockets  14 . In other such embodiments, a plurality of covers  13  may be used to secure light shade  12  to each or at least one of the plurality of sockets  14 . In other embodiments, decorative light shade  12  may be secured to the more than one socket  14  by some other suitable mechanism. In certain embodiments, lighting fixture  10  does not comprise a decorative light shade  12 . Of course it should be understood that any of a variety of alternatives commonly known and understood in the art may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0082]    7. Cover  13   
         [0083]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , various embodiments of the lighting fixture  10  may comprise at least one cover  13 . In various embodiments, cover  13  may be configured to secure the cover  13  to a socket  14 . In some embodiments, cover  13  is configured to operatively mount the cover  13  and the decorative light shade  12  to a socket  14 . Also, in various embodiments, cover  13  may be configured to disperse the light emitted by the at least one LED  16 . 
         [0084]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to permit at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one LED  16  and incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover  13 . In various such examples, the cover  13  may be configured to permit at least 10% or 25% of the light incident upon it to pass through the cover  13 . In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to allow a significant portion of the light incident upon it to pass through the cover  13 . In certain embodiments, the cover may be configured to permit 10-30%, 30-50%, or 50-80% of the light incident upon it to pass through the cover  13 . In other certain embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to permit at least 50% or 60% of the light incident upon it to pass through the cover  13 . In still other embodiments, the cover may be configured to permit nearly all the light incident upon it to pass through the cover. In certain such embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to permit 80% or 90% of the light incident upon it through the cover  13 . 
         [0085]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be made of glass. In other embodiments, the cover  13  may be made from a polymerized material, as commonly known and understood in the art. In certain embodiments, the cover  13  may be made out of plastic. In still other embodiments, the cover  13  may be made of any other suitable material. In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be made of any suitable translucent or semi-translucent material. In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be made out of clear or frosted material. In certain embodiments, the cover  13  may be made out of smart glass or some other material that can transition from clear to frosted and/or vice versa. In certain embodiments, the cover may in part or in whole be made of an opaque material, if appropriate for the application. 
         [0086]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be made out of one material. In other embodiments, the cover  13  may, at least in part, part be made out of more than one material. In various such embodiments, one or more materials may be used for specific parts of the cover  13  to enhance the ability of the cover  13  to secure the cover  13  and/or the decorative light shade  12  to the socket  14 . In other embodiments, one or more materials may be used to enhance the ability of the cover  13  to disperse light emitted by the at least one LED  16  and incident upon the cover  13 . In still other embodiments, one or more materials may be used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the cover  13  or to achieve engineering goals such as weight of, cost of manufacturing of, or other engineering goals for the cover  13 . 
         [0087]    In various embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least a portion of the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. In some such embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least 10% or 20% of the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. In other embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit a significant fraction of the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. In certain embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configure to permit 10-30%, 30-50%, or 50-80% of the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. In still other embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit nearly all the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. In certain embodiments, the translucent or semi-translucent material may be configured to permit at least 80% or 90% of the light incident upon the cover  13  to pass through the cover. 
         [0088]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be generally circular or elliptical in cross-section. In other embodiments, the cover  13  may be generally rectangular or alternatively shaped in cross-section. In various embodiments, the shape of the cross-section of the cover  13  may be different at one point along the length of the cover  13  than at another point along the length of the cover  13 . 
         [0089]    In various embodiments, the inside diameter of at least a portion of the cover  13  is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the inside diameter of at least a portion of the cover  13  may be substantially different from the outer diameter of the socket  14 . In still other embodiments, the outer diameter of at least a portion of the cover  13  may be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the socket  14 . In yet still other embodiments, the outer diameter of at least a portion of the cover  13  may be substantially different from the inner diameter of the socket  14 . Of course, in some of these and still other embodiments, the diameter of the cover  13  may be different at various points along the length of the cover  13 . As may be desirable, in still other embodiments, the diameter of the cover  13  may be substantially the same at all points along the length of the cover  13 . 
         [0090]    In various embodiments, the length of the cover  13  may be chosen as appropriate for the application. In various embodiments, the cover  13  may be less than half an inch in length. In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be half an inch to an inch in length. In other embodiments, the cover  13  maybe one to three inches in length. In still other embodiments, the cover  13  may be three to six inches in length. In yet other embodiments, the cover  13  may be longer than six inches. 
         [0091]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A ,  6 - 7 ,  10 , and  12 , in various embodiments, the cover  13  may include a neck portion  132  and/or an enclosing portion  133 . In various embodiments, the neck portion  132  and the enclosing portion  133  may be made out of the same material. In other embodiments, the neck portion  132  and the enclosing portion  133  may be made of different materials. 
         [0092]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may comprise a neck portion  132  configured to engage the socket  14  and/or other elements of lighting fixture  10 . Thus, in some embodiments, the neck portion  132  may comprise threads disposed on the inside or outside surface of neck portion  132 . In other embodiments, the neck portion  132  may comprise one or more tabs disposed on the inside or outside surface of the neck portion  132 . In still other embodiments, the neck portion  132  may be configured such that the neck portion may expand and contract or stretch and be tightened. In yet other embodiments, neck portion  132  may comprise some other mechanism that may be configured to engage socket  14  and/or other elements of lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0093]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , in various embodiments, the neck portion  132  may further comprise an approximately flat lip  134  configured to engage the decorative light shade  12 . In some embodiments, the lip  134  may be used to operatively secure and/or retain and/or immobilize the light shade  12  onto and/or relative to the socket and/or the light shade seat  111 . In various embodiments, the lip  134  is about one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch wide. In other embodiments, the lip  134  is approximately one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch wide. In still other embodiments, the lip  134  is about one-quart to half of an inch wide. In still other embodiments, the lip  134  may be half an inch to one inch wide. 
         [0094]    In various embodiments, cover  13  may further comprise an enclosing portion  133 . The enclosing portion  133  may be globe-shaped, bulb-shaped, dome-shaped, or flame-shaped, in various embodiments. In other embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may be cylindrically or alternatively shaped. In various embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may fully enclose one end of the neck portion  132 . In other embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may comprise one or more holes disposed within the surface of the enclosing portion  133 . 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, the outer surface of the enclosing portion  133  may be smooth. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the enclosing portion  133  may have some texture. In various such embodiments, the interior surface of the enclosing portion  133  may be smooth, have a texture which corresponds with the exterior texture, or have a texture which does not correspond with an exterior texture. In various embodiments, the outer surface of enclosing portion  133  may be smooth while the interior surface of enclosing portion  133  is textured or vice versa. In other embodiments, the outer and interior surfaces of the enclosing portion  133  may both be smooth or both be textured. In the at least one embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-B ,  6 - 7 ,  10 , and  12 , the enclosing portion  133  includes one or more nodules  131 , as viewed from the outer surface. In various embodiments, the nodules  131  may protrude outward relative to the outer surface of the enclosing portion  133 . In some such embodiments, the one or more nodules  131  may appear as dimples when viewed from the inner surface of the enclosing portion  133 . 
         [0096]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , in various embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may include six nodules  131  arranged such that they are placed at equidistance from each other around the outer edge of the front surface of the enclosing portion  133 . In other embodiments, a different number of nodules  131  may be used, such as the non-limiting examples of four or eight nodules  131 . In various embodiments, the nodules  131  may have a generally circular or elliptical cross-section. In other embodiments, nodules  131  may have a generally rectangular or alternatively shaped cross-section. In various embodiments, the nodules  131  may not be evenly distributed around the outer edge of the enclosing portion  133  or about a perimeter of the enclosing portion. 
         [0097]    Still further, in some embodiments, one or more nodules  131  may be disposed in the central region of the surface of the enclosing portion  133 . Various embodiments wherein the cover  13  comprises one or more nodules  131  may also comprise additional texture on the surface of the cover  13 . In other embodiments wherein the cover  13  comprises one or more nodules  131  the surface of the cover  13  may be smooth other than the presence of the nodules  131 . In various embodiments, the surface of the cover  13  and the surface of the nodules  131  may be both be smooth or both be textured. In other embodiments, the surface of the cover  13  may be textured and the surface of the nodules  131  may be smooth or vice versa. In some embodiments, the nodules  131  may be made of the same material as the enclosing portion  133 . In other embodiments, the nodules  131  may be made of a different material than the enclosing portion  133 . 
         [0098]    In various embodiments wherein cover  13  comprises one or more nodules  131 , the one or more nodules  131  may be of various sizes. In various embodiments, nodules  131  have a diameter of approximately 1 mm. In other embodiments, the diameter of the one or more nodules  131  may be 1-5 mm or 5-10 mm. In still other embodiments, the diameter of the one or more nodules  131  may be 10-25 mm. In yet other embodiments, the diameter of the one or more nodules  131  may be 1 cm or less. In various embodiments, the nodules  131  may have a height of less than 2 mm. In other embodiments, the nodules  131  may have a height of 2-5 mm. In still other embodiments, the nodules  131  may have a height of 5-10 mm. In yet other embodiments, the nodules  131  may have a height of 1 cm or less. In some embodiments, the one or more nodules  131  of a given embodiment may be different sizes. In other embodiments, the one or more nodules  131  of a given embodiment may be substantially the same size. 
         [0099]    According to various embodiments, the nodules  131  may be configured as dimples, recesses, protrusions, or the like, as may be generally desirable for a particular application, without being limited to the specific nodular configuration described previously herein. In this regard, the nodules  131  may be alternatively configured in this fashion, however as may be desirable for particular applications. 
         [0100]    In various embodiments the at least one cover  13  may be secured to the at least one socket  14 . In some embodiments, the neck portion  132  of cover  13  may be used to engage a socket  14 . In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be used to operatively mount cover  13  onto socket  14 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may secure at least one decorative light shade  12  to the at least one socket  14 . In various embodiments, the cover  13  may disperse light emitted by the at least one LED  16 . In various such embodiments, it may appear that the light source of the lighting fixture  10  is located within the cover  13 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to make it appear that the decorative light shade  12  is being illuminated by a light source more centrally located within the decorative light shade  12  than the actual location of the at least one LED  16 . 
         [0101]    In various embodiments, the portion of the locking mechanism disposed on the cover  13  may be disposed on the neck portion  132 . In various embodiments, the neck portion  132  may be threaded on the inside or outside surface. The threads disposed on the neck portion  132  may be configured to engage threads that may be present on the outer or inner surface of socket  14 . Thus, in these embodiments, the cover  13  may be screwed onto the socket  14 . Therefore, in these embodiments, the threads disposed on the cover  13  and the socket  14  lock the cover into place with respect to the socket and allow for easy removal and replacement of the cover if needed or desired. 
         [0102]    In some such embodiments, the neck portion  132  may be configured to expand and contract such that the neck portion may be expanded to fit over socket  14  and then contracted or tightened about socket  14 , thus securing the cover  13  to socket  14 . In other embodiments, the neck portion  132  may comprise a tab that may rotationally engage a groove located on a surface of the socket  14  and thus securing the cover  13  to socket  14 . In other embodiments, other suitable mechanisms may be used to lock the cover  13  onto the socket  14 . In various embodiments, at least some portion of the neck portion  132  may be configured to engage the decorative light shade  12 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to operatively mount the light shade  12  onto socket  14 . In various such embodiments, the lip  134  may engage the light shade  12  in order to operatively secure and/or retain and/or immobilize the light shade  12  onto and/or relative to the socket  14  and/or the light shade seat  111 . In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to engage light shade seat  111 . 
         [0103]    In various embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  is configured to disperse light emitted by the at least one LED  16 . In various such embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may be configured to give the appearance that the light source of the lighting fixture  10  is located within the cover  13 . In some such embodiments, the enclosing portion  133  may be configured to give the appearance that the decorative light shade  12  is being illuminated by a light source more centrally located within the decorative light shade  12  than the actual location of the at least one LED  16 . 
         [0104]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  is configured to disperse the light emitted by the at least one LED  16 . In some embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be secured within socket  14  such that the top of the at least one LED  16  is recessed within socket  14 . In various such embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to make it appear that the light source of lighting fixture  10  is recessed within decorative light shade  12  but not recessed within socket  14 . Some users may find that this increases the aesthetic quality of lighting fixture  10 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to give an appearance that may be similar to that of a lighting fixture comprising an incandescent light bulb. 
         [0105]    In various embodiments, at least a portion of the outer and or inner surface of the cover  13  may be textured and/or be comprised of one or more nodules  131 . In various such embodiments, the aforementioned texture and/or nodules may affect the light dispersion qualities of the cover  13 . In some embodiments, the texture and/or nodules may increase the dispersion of light emitted by the at least one LED  16  and incident upon the cover  13 . In other embodiments, any texture and/or nodules on the cover may merely be present for aesthetic purposes. In still other embodiments, the surfaces of the cover  13  may not be textured and/or dimpled, but may still be configured to disperse light emitted by the at least one LED  16 . 
         [0106]    In various embodiments, the various other components of the light fixture  10  may be combined with the cover  13 . In some embodiments, one component may act as the cover  13  and the shield  15 . In other embodiments, one component may act as the cover  13  and the decorative light shade  12 . Thus, in various embodiments, other components of the lighting fixture  10  may be structurally incorporated into the cover  13 . In other embodiments, the cover  13  may be structurally distinct from the other components of lighting fixture  10 . 
         [0107]    As noted above, in various embodiments, the cover  13  may be secured to the socket  14 . In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to secure decorative light shade  12  to socket  14 . In other various embodiments, the cover  13  may be secured directly to the fixture mounting  11 . In other embodiments, the cover  13  may be secured to the light shade seat  111 . In some embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to secure the decorative light shade  12  directly to the fixture mounting  11 . In still other embodiments, the cover  13  may be used to secure the light shade  12  to the light shade seat  111 . 
         [0108]    In various embodiments, the cover  13  may not be comprised of a neck portion  132  and an enclosing portion  133 . In such embodiments, the cover may still be configured to operatively mount the cover  13  and/or the decorative light shade  12  to the socket  14  or other component of lighting fixture  10 . In various embodiments, the cover  13  may still be configured to give the appearance that the light source of the lighting fixture  10  is located within the cover  13 . In some such embodiments, the cover  13  may be configured to give the appearance that the decorative light shade  12  is being illuminated by a light source more centrally located within the decorative light shade  12  than the actual location of the at least one LED  16 . In some embodiments, the outer and/or inner surface of the cover  13  may be smooth, at least in part. In other embodiments, the outer and/or inner surface of the cover  13  may be textured and/or include one or more nodules  131 , at least on some portion thereof. 
         [0109]    As previously discussed herein and illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , various embodiments of the lighting fixture  10  may comprise more than one socket  14 . In various such embodiments, a cover  13  may be secured to each socket  14 . In various embodiments, a cover  13  may be configured to correspond to one socket  14 . In other embodiments, a cover  13  may be configured to correspond to more than one socket  14 . In various embodiments, each cover  13  is secured to one or more sockets  14 , either via threads disposed on the inner surface of the cover  13  that are configured to mate with threads on the outer surface of the socket  14  or by some other suitable mechanism. 
         [0110]    In various embodiments, a cover  13  may be used to secure a decorative light shade  12  to each socket  14 . In some embodiments, a cover  13  is configured to secure an independent light shade  12  to each socket  14 . In other embodiments, a cover  13  may be configured to secure a single light shade  12  to more than one socket  14 . In still other embodiments, more than one cover  13  may be used to secure a single light shade  12  to more than one socket  14 . 
         [0111]    Exemplary Methods of Installing Various Embodiments 
         [0112]    Methods of installing various embodiments light fixture  10  will now be discussed. First, an exemplary method of installing various embodiments of a “floor-style” lighting fixture, such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  shall be discussed. Second, an exemplary method of installing various embodiments of a “wall-style” light fixture, such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  will be detailed. Of course it should be understood that numerous variations to the described methods may be implemented, without departing from the scope and nature of the present invention. 
         [0113]    In various embodiments, a floor style lighting fixture, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may be provided. The fixture mounting  11  may be placed on an approximately horizontal surface, such as a floor, a patio, a deck, the ground, a table, or a similar surface. In various such embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be mounted on a board  161 . Any necessary or desired driver circuitry may also be mounted on the board  161 . Once the fixture mounting  11  is placed on an appropriate surface, the at least one LED  16  may be operatively mounted within the socket  14  of fixture mounting  11 . The board  161  may rest on a seat within the socket  14  and/or may be secured with set screws, an appropriate adhesive, or other suitable mechanism, in various embodiments, as has been described previously herein. The shield  15  may be placed in or on the socket  14  on top of the at least one LED  16 . The shield may also, in certain embodiments, be secured with set screws, an appropriate adhesive, or other suitable mechanism. 
         [0114]    In various embodiments, the at least one LED  16  and shield  15  may be mounted in socket  14  in a factory setting. In such embodiments, the user may not need to complete the steps of operatively mounting the at least one LED  16  in the socket  14  and securing the shield  15  into or onto the socket. In other embodiments, the at least one LED  16  may be pre-mounted in socket  14  but the user may complete the step of mounting the shield  15  into or onto the socket. 
         [0115]    In various embodiments, decorative light shade  12  may then be slid onto socket  14 . Then, in various embodiments, cover  13  may be mounted onto the socket, locking the light shade  12  onto the socket. In some embodiments, cover  13  may be screwed onto socket  14  such that threads disposed on a surface of the socket mate with threads on a surface of the cover. In some such embodiments, the threads of cover  13  may be located on an inside surface of the neck portion  132  of cover. 
         [0116]    In other embodiments, a wall style lighting fixture, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 6  is provided. In such embodiments, the fixture mounting  11  must be mounted to an appropriate surface, such as an interior or exterior wall. Other embodiments may be configured to be mounted on a ceiling. In some embodiments, at least one LED  16  may already be operatively mounted in each socket  14 . In other embodiments, the user may operatively mount at least one LED  16  in each socket  14  with set screws, an appropriate adhesive, or other mechanism, as may be commonly known and used in the art. In various embodiments, a shield  15  may already be secured in or on each socket  14 . In other embodiments, the user may secure a shield  15  in or on each socket  14  on top of the at least one LED  16  via set screws, an appropriate adhesive, or other mechanisms. 
         [0117]    In various embodiments, a decorative light shade  12  may be slid onto the first socket  14 . A cover  13  may then be mounted onto the first socket  14 , in various embodiments. In some such embodiments, mounting the cover  13  onto the socket  14  will likewise operatively secure and/or retain and/or immobilize the light shade  12  onto and/or relative to the socket  14 . In other embodiments, the decorative light shade  12  may be slid onto the first socket  14  and engaged in some manner with the light shade seat  111 . In various such embodiments, the cover  13  may be mounted onto the socket  14  to additionally operatively secure and/or retain and/or immobilize the light shade  12  onto and/or relative to the socket. In still other embodiments, mounting the cover  13  and engaging other mechanisms may operatively secure and/or retain and/or immobilize the light shade  12  onto and/or relative to the socket. 
         [0118]    According to various embodiments, for example those involving a wall-style or vanity mounted fixture, a second decorative light shade  12  may be slid onto a second socket  14 , upon installation of a first decorative light shade  12  onto a first socket  14 . A second cover  13  may then be likewise mounted on the second socket  14 , in various embodiments. In this manner, the second decorative light shade  12  may be secured to the second socket  14  via the second cover  13 . It should be understood from this disclosure that, according to various embodiments, the steps of sliding a light shade  12  onto a socket  14  and mounting a cover  13  onto the socket  14  may be repeated until all the sockets  14  of a particular fixture have decorative light shades  12  secured thereon, as may be desirable for particular applications. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0119]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.