Abstract:
Devices, systems and methods of converting the necks on lamp shades into threadable couplers that allow the shades with the couplers to be screwed onto the exterior threads on light sockets, such as those types of sockets found on wall mounted and ceiling mounted candelabras and ceiling fans. The couplers can include plate members that are fastened in a sandwich configuration on both the inside and outside of the neck portion of the shade with the sandwiched plate members having an interior threaded surfaces. Modified lamp shades can be screwed to exterior threaded light sockets on candelabra lights, pendant lights, ceiling fan lights, and any other type of lamp sockets that have removable lamp shades.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to light shade, in particular to devices, systems and methods of converting the necks on lamp shades into threadable couplers that allow the shades with the couplers to be screwed onto the exterior threads on light sockets, such as those types of sockets found on wall mounted and ceiling mounted candelabras and ceiling fans. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
       FIG. 1A  is an exterior view of a prior art base  1  for a candelabra light fixture.  FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the base  1  of  FIG. 1A  along arrows  1 B.  FIG. 2A  is an exterior view of a prior art lamp shade  10  that can be used with the candelabra light fixture of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the shade  10  of  FIG. 2B  along arrows  2 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2B , a lamp shade  10  having an outwardly flaring out glass  12  with narrow neck  14  are often attached to a candelabra type base  1  by orienting the neck portion  14  over exterior threaded sides  4  of the electrical sockets  6 . Next, a nut  20  is positioned into the wide opening of the shade  12  above a step edge  16 . Threading the nut  20  onto the outer threads  4  of the socket  6  results in pushing the nut  20  against the step edge  16  in side of the shade  10 , while a surface portion of the outer glass  12  abuts against an upper edge  3  of the base  1 . However, these types of popular attachment techniques have several problems. 
     One problem is the narrow part of the inside of the lamp shade near the narrow neck space makes it difficult to reach with one&#39;s fingers. Holding a nut can be difficult in this narrow space, especially when an installer is reaching upward to remove or install shades onto light socket that are above their heads. 
     The use of a spanner wrench or spanner tool has been used for tightening these hard to reach nuts. However, the spanner wrench adds an additional cost and expense to the installation. 
     Other types of fastening techniques have uses thumb screws that pass through the outer surfaces  2  of the base  1 , which are then tightened to abut against surface portions on the outside of the shade neck  14 . However, these small screws are also hard to manipulate with one&#39;s fingers. Additionally, the screws can easily become dropped and lost during installation. Still furthermore, with candelabras type lights mounted to ceiling fans, vibrations have caused these small screws to become loose and fall out. A falling glass shade can be easily broken and also be a danger to persons underneath the light fixture. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of converting the necks on lamp shades into threadable couplers that allow the shades with the couplers to be screwed onto the exterior threads on light sockets, such as those types of sockets found on wall mounted and ceiling mounted candelabras and ceiling fans. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods of providing adapters for light shades for screwing the shades onto exterior threads of light sockets. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods for mounting lamp shades onto exterior threaded light sockets without having to position a nut into a shade being held up to a socket. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods for mounting lamp shades onto exterior threaded light sockets without using a spanner wrench or spanner tool. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods for mounting lamp shades onto exterior threaded light sockets without using small thumb screws. 
     A screwable lamp shade can include a lamp shade having an enlarged wide end and a narrow neck end, an insert ring having a threaded interior surface for being positioned into the wide end of the lamp shade, an exterior ring having an internal threaded surface for being positioned on the outside of the bottom of the neck end of the shade, and a connector for attaching the insert ring to the exterior ring to form a hollow coupler having an internal threaded surface that allows for the lamp shade to screw onto exterior threads of a lamp socket. 
     The connector can include mounting screws for attaching the insert ring to the exterior ring. 
     The screwable lamp shade can further include a washer located between the insert ring and the exterior ring. 
     The insert ring can include an elongated base protruding from the ring, the base having internal threaded surface and an exterior threaded surface, wherein the exterior ring is a locking ring has internal threads for tightening about the exterior threaded surface of the base on the insert ring. 
     The screwable lamp shade can further include at least one washer between the locking ring and the insert ring. 
     A method for converting a lamp shade into a screwable lamp shade for attachment to light fixtures having threaded surfaces about sockets, can include the steps of providing a lamp shade having a narrow neck and enlarged shade end, providing a lamp socket having exterior threads about the socket, providing an insert ring having an outer diameter larger than the neck of the shade, the insert ring having an internal threaded surface, providing an exterior ring having an outer diameter larger than the neck of the shade, the exterior ring having an internal threaded surface, positioning the insert ring into the lamp shade to rest adjacent to the neck; positioning the exterior ring to rest against the outer end of the neck; attaching the interior ring to the exterior ring so that the neck is sandwiched therebetween to form a coupler on the lamp shade with an internal threaded surface, and screwing the coupler with attached lamp shade onto the exterior threads of the socket. 
     The method can include the step of attaching the insert ring to the exterior ring with mounting screws. 
     The method can include the step of positioning a washer between the insert ring and the exterior ring. 
     The method can include the steps of protruding an elongated base from the ring, the base having internal threaded surface and an exterior threaded surface, and providing internal threads for the exterior ring to form a locking ring for tightening about the exterior threaded surface of the base on the insert ring. 
     The method can include the step of providing at least one washer between the locking ring and the insert ring. 
     A coupler adapter for converting a lamp shade into a screwable lamp shade for attachment to light fixtures having threaded surfaces about sockets, can include a first ring member adapted to be inserted into a wide opening of a lamp shade to rest adjacent to a neck portion inside the lamp shade, a second ring member adapted to rest against an exterior opening to the neck portion of the lamp shade, attachment members to attach the first ring member and the second member in a sandwich configuration through the neck portion of the lamp shade, and an interior threaded surface between the first ring member and the second ring member, the interior threaded surface adapted to be able to screw the lamp shade onto exterior threaded surface of a light fixture socket. 
     The first ring member can include a raised rim having female sockets therein. The second ring member includes: plural holes. 
     The coupler adapter can include plural fasteners for attaching the first ring member to the second ring member. The coupler adapter can include a washer positioned between the first ring member and the second ring member. 
     The first ring member can include an elongated base protruding from the first ring member, the base having internal threaded surface and an exterior threaded surface, wherein the second ring member has internal threads for tightening about the exterior threaded surface of the base on the first ring member. The coupler adapter can include at least one washer between the first ring member and the second ring member. 
     The coupler parts can also be switched as follows. The second ring member can have an elongated base protruding from the second ring member, the base having internal threaded surface and an exterior threaded surface, wherein the first ring member has internal threads for tightening about the exterior threaded surface of the base on the second ring member. The coupler adapter can also include at least one washer between the first ring member and the second ring member. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is an exterior view of a prior art base for a candelabra light fixture. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the base of  FIG. 1A  along arrows  1 B. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exterior view of a prior art lamp shade that can be used with the candelabra light fixture of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the shade of  FIG. 2A  along arrows  2 B. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the coupler components of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the threaded coupler components of  FIG. 3  positioned and oriented with the lamp shade and base of  FIGS. 1A-2B . 
         FIG. 5  is another exploded view of the coupler components of  FIG. 3  positioned and oriented differently with the lamp shade and base of  FIGS. 1A-2B . 
         FIG. 6A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade of  FIGS. 2A-2B  installed with the coupler components of  FIG. 3  oriented as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade with installed coupler of  FIG. 6A  along arrows  6 B. 
         FIG. 7A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade with installed coupler of  FIGS. 6A-6B  with attached to a candelabra base of  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade with coupler attached to the candelabra base of  FIG. 7A  along arrows  7 B. 
         FIG. 8A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade with coupler attached to the base of  FIGS. 7A-7B  with a bulb in the socket. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade with coupler attached to base and bulb of  FIG. 8A  along arrows  8 B. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of threading adapter coupler components for lamp shades. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the adapter components of  FIG. 9  with a lamp shade. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the threaded adapter components of  FIGS. 9-10  mounted to a lamp shade. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the threaded adapter components mounted to a lamp shade of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A listing of the components will now be described.
       1 . Candelabra base     2 . outer wall of base forms cup fixture     3 . upper edges of base     4 . exterior threads on socket     6 . electrical socket that accepts male end of bulb.     10 . shade     12 . flaring out(expanding) portion of shade     14 . narrow neck     16 . interior step edge     20 . nut     30 . bulb     100 . threaded coupler     110 . threaded insert     112 . ring base of insert     114 . cylindrical protrusion with exterior threaded surface     115 . internal threaded surface     120 . washer/O-ring     130 . washer/O-ring     140 . locking ring     142 . ring base     144 . gripable cylindrical protruding end     145 . internal threaded surface     200 . Second Embodiment coupler     210 . Adapter ring plate     212 . base of plate     214 . raised ring from base     215  female sockets with threaded openings for receiving screws     220 . washer/O-ring     230 . flat adapter ring washer     235  holes for screws     240 . mounting screws     300 . other lamp shade     302 . narrow short neck     306 . interior step edge     310 . flaring out end   

     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the threaded coupler components  100  of the invention. The threaded coupler components  100  can include a threaded insert  110  having an enlarged ring base  112  having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the lamp shade diameter at step edge  16 . The threaded insert  110  can have a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion  114  with exterior threaded surface on one side of the ring base  112 , having an internal threaded surface  115 . A pair of washers/O-rings  120 ,  130  such as elastomeric or rubber type washers, can each have a central opening slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical protrusion  114 . A locking ring  140  can include an enlarged ring base  142  and a narrower diameter gripable cylindrical protruding end  144  to one side with an internal threaded surface  145 . The threaded insert  110  and the locking ring  140  can be formed from plastic, rubber, composites, metal and the like. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the threaded coupler components  100  of  FIG. 3  positioned and oriented with the lamp shade  10  and candelabra base  1  of  FIGS. 1A-2B . Here, the threaded insert  110  can be positioned so that the protruding end  114  passes through washer/O-ring  120  and is placed into the wide end of lamp shade  10  so that the ring base  112  with washer/O-ring  120  abuts against interior step  16  inside of shade  10 . The locking ring  140  with washer/O-ring  130  can be screwed against the outer end of threaded insert protruding end  114 . The shade  10  can be screwed to socket  6  by the interior threaded surface  115  of the threaded insert  110 . 
       FIG. 5  is another exploded view of the coupler components  100  of  FIG. 3  positioned and oriented differently with the lamp shade  10  and candelabra base  1  of  FIGS. 1A-2B . 
       FIG. 6A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade  10  of  FIGS. 2A-2B  installed with the coupler components  100  of  FIG. 3  oriented as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade  10  with installed coupler components  100  of  FIG. 6A  along arrows  6 B. 
       FIG. 7A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade  10  with installed coupler  100  of  FIGS. 6A-6B  with attached to a candelabra base  1  of  FIGS. 1A-1B .  FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade  10  with coupler  100  attached to the candelabra base  1  of  FIG. 7A  along arrows  7 B. 
       FIG. 8A  is an exterior view of the lamp shade  10  with coupler  100  attached to the base  1  of  FIGS. 7A-7B  with a bulb  30  in the socket  6 .  FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the lamp shade  10  with coupler  100  attached to base  1  and bulb  30  of  FIG. 8A  along arrows  8 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-3  and  5 - 8 B, the novel coupler components  100  can be assembled with the protruding end  114  of the threaded insert  110  with washer  120  inserted into the top open end of the narrow neck  14  of the shade  10 . Next, washer  130  can be inserted into the wide open end of the shade  10  to pass around the protruding end  114  of the threaded insert. Next, the internal threads of the locking ring  140  can be screwed about the external threads on the protruding end  114  of the threaded insert  110  until the ring base  142  abuts against the inside step edge  16  in the lamp shade  10 . Tightening the locking ring causes a tight and sealing fit between the coupler components  100  and results in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The lamp shade with threaded coupler  100  can then be screwed onto the external threads  4  on the socket  6  in the candelabra base  1 , until an outer surface portion of the shade  12  contacts the upper edge  3  of the candelabra base  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B ,  4 ,  5  and  7 A- 7 B. Finally, a bulb  30  can be screwed or pushed into the electrical socket  6  as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B . 
     While the threaded coupler  100  is shown with the threaded insert  110  inside the lamp shade  10  and the locking ring  140  located outside the lamp shade  10 , the parts can be reversed with the threaded insert  110  located outside the lamp shade  10  and the locking ring  140  located inside the lamp shade  300 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of threading adapter coupler components  200  for a lamp shade  300 .  FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the adapter coupler components  200  of  FIG. 9  with a lamp shade  300 .  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the threaded adapter coupler components  200  of  FIGS. 9-10  mounted to a lamp shade  300 .  FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the threaded adapter coupler components  200  mounted to the lamp shade  300  of  FIG. 11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , an adapter ring plate  210  has an enlarged base type ring  212  is positioned into the open flared end  310  of lamp shade  300  with edges of the base ring  212  to rest against interior step edge  306  so that narrower diameter raised ring  214  with plural female fastener sockets  215  protrudes through the lamp shade neck  302 . Next, the washer/O-ring  220  is positioned against the outside of the narrow lamp shade neck  302 . The washer/O-ring  220  can have an outer diameter similar to the outer diameter of the adapter ring washer  230  and have an opening with a diameter larger than the opening diameter of the adapter ring washer  230 . 
     The flat adapter ring washer  230  is positioned against the washer/O-ring  220  so that the holes  235  in the adapter ring  230  can line up with the fastener sockets  215  in the adapter ring plate. Finally, mounting screws  240  are screwed through each of the ring washer holes  235  and screwed into the threaded openings of the female sockets  215  of the adapter ring plate. 
     The interior edge  238  of the adapter ring washer  230  with or without the washer/O-ring  220  can form a threaded interior surface. With the coupling components  200  fit into place in and around both ends of the narrow neck  302 , of the lamp shade  300 , the modified lamp shade  300  is ready to be screwed about external threaded surfaces of an electrical socket as described in the previous embodiment. 
     The washer/O-ring  220  can be similar in material to the previous embodiment washers/O-rings. The adapter ring washer  230  and adapter ring plate can be formed form materials, such as but not limited to plastic, rubber, composites, metal and the like. 
     Although the adapter ring plate  210  is shown inside the lamp shade  300  and the adapter ring washer  230  is outside the lamp shade  300 , the location of the parts can reversed with the adapter ring plate  210  outside the lamp shade  300  and the adapter ring washer  230  located inside the lamp shade  300 . If reversed, the screw type fasteners can pass through holes in the adapter ring plate to thread into female receiving holes in the adapter ring washer. 
     The novel invention coupler adapters can be placed on the narrow neck portions of lamp shades in factories and prepackaged with the lamp shades, candelabras, ceiling fans, etc., so that the installer only needs to thread the glass type lamp shade onto the externally threaded light fixture sockets. 
     Additionally, the novel coupler adapters can be manufactured and sold in kit forms so that existing lamp shades can be retrofitted to be able to screw the lamp shades on the externally threaded light fixture sockets 
     Although screw type fasteners are shown in the embodiments other types of fasteners, such as but not limited to bolts, rivets, resilient bendable fasteners, and the like, can be used. 
     The invention can be used with any types of threaded sockets for wall and ceiling mounted fixtures, such as but not limited to candelabras, canopy lights, as well as pendant lights (hanging lights, and the like) as well as with lights on ceiling fans, and the like. Additionally, electrical sockets with non threaded surfaces can be modified to have threaded surfaces so as to use the novel invention. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.