Abstract:
A helmet display device for supporting and displaying a helmet on a light fixture is provided. The device has a helmet supporting area configured to contact an inside surface of the helmet and hold the helmet in a fixed position around a light bulb of the light fixture; and a ventilation opening adjacent the helmet supporting area configured to dissipate heat generated by the light bulb.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments 
         [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate to a structure that supports and displays a helmet such as, for example, a sports helmet. 
         [0003]    2. Introduction 
         [0004]    Many people have helmets of one type or another, for example sports helmets, that represent memories or other significant things in their lives. These helmets are often displayed as a reminder of significant events or interests. But often such helmets are simply stored away due to a lack of an acceptable display method. As a result, there is a need for a simple and attractive way to display these important helmets. 
         [0005]    Many people also have table lamps, or other lamps, that have shades that are outdated or otherwise do not satisfy current decoration needs. 
         [0006]    The invention provides a simple, inexpensive and attractive way to display a helmet using a basic table lamp or other light fixture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a helmet display device for supporting and displaying a helmet on a light fixture. The device includes a helmet supporting area configured to contact an inside surface of the helmet and hold the helmet in a fixed position around a light bulb of the light fixture; and a ventilation opening adjacent the helmet supporting area configured to dissipate heat generated by the light bulb. 
         [0008]    Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a helmet display device for supporting and displaying a helmet on a light fixture. The device includes a helmet supporting area configured to contact an inside surface of the helmet and hold the helmet in a fixed position around a light bulb of the light fixture; a ventilation opening adjacent the helmet supporting area configured to dissipate heat generated by the light bulb; and the light fixture. The light fixture includes a base for supporting the device on a support surface; and a support post attached to the base at a first end and the helmet supporting area at a second end opposite the first end such that the helmet supporting area is positioned above the base. 
         [0009]    An appropriate light fixture with the shade, and if necessary any shade support structure, removed and an appropriate light bulb is all that is needed in addition to the invention to provide a simple and attractive helmet display device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of particular embodiments of the invention with a helmet in place; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  with a helmet in place; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a particular light bulb for use with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of particular embodiments of the invention using the light bulb of  FIG. 7  with a helmet in place; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  with a helmet in place; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
         [0024]    Various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may be discussed in detail below. While specific implementations may be discussed, it should be understood that this be may be done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art may recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0025]    The disclosed embodiments comprise a variety of embodiments, such as a method and apparatus and other embodiments that relate to the basic concepts of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0026]    As explained above, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive and attractive way to display sports, or other, helmets. Described herein are two examples of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a device  10  that can be attached to a light bulb  200  to securely support a helmet for displaying. Device  10  has a helmet supporting area  100  that can include one or more ventilation openings  120  and a bulb holding area  140 . Bulb holding area  140  is sized and configured in order to securely grip the top, and/or other areas, of a particular commonly available light bulb. Particular embodiments of the invention include adapter pieces that attached to bulb holding area  140  and are sized and shaped to securely grip other commonly available light bulbs. 
         [0028]    Many common desk lamps have a wire or other frame that extends around the light bulb and supports the lamp shade. With this type of lamp, the shade and the shade support structure are removed such that no part of the lamp exists above the light bulb. In some cases, a new light bulb may be needed so that device  10  is properly supported by the light bulb. In addition, the operating temperature of the light bulb must be considered so that no part of device  10  is subjected to temperatures above those that can be tolerated by device  10 . Light bulbs that have either low surface temperatures and/or have protective structures are particularly well suited for use with device  10 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a particular embodiment of the invention that includes one or more shells  170  that attach to helmet supporting area  100  and are sized and shaped to conform to the inside of particular sized helmets. A great number of memorabilia helmets are one of a few standard sizes. A set of just a few shells  170  can provide secure mounting of most memorabilia helmets, and also a great number of actual sports helmets. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows another example of a device  10 ′ that has open ended ventilation openings  120 ′ instead of the slot-like ventilation openings  120  shown in  FIG. 1 . Ventilation openings  120 ′ are the result of a bulb holding area  140 ′ that includes a number of fingers  160  that grip light bulb  200 . The adapter pieces described above and shells  170  shown in  FIG. 2  can also be used with the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an example of a helmet  300  in place on device  10  attached to a light fixture  400 . Light fixture  400 , in this example, has a post  410  and a base  420 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , device  10  conforms to the inside shape of helmet  300  and transfers the weight of helmet  300  to light fixture  400  through light bulb  200 . It is noted that even though football helmets are shown and described, other types of helmets such as, for example, lacrosse helmets, hockey helmets, baseball batting helmets, softball helmets, fireman helmets, motorcycle helmets, aircraft helmets and military helmets can also be used with the invention. This list is exemplary only and is not limiting. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show an embodiment of the invention in which a helmet supporting area  530  is attached to, and in some cases integrally formed with, a post  510  of a lamp or other light fixture  500 . In this example, lamp  500  has a base  520  and helmet supporting area  530  has a solid area  540  and one or more ventilation openings  550 . This embodiment of the invention can be provided as a complete unit, whereas the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4  can be provided for use with a separately provided light fixture. This embodiment can be a floor lamp, a table lamp, or many other types of lamps. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a light bulb  200 ′ that is suitable for use with embodiments of the invention. Light bulb  200 ′ emits light only, or at least predominantly, in one general direction. As shown in  FIG. 8 , this type of light bulb is particularly well suited with embodiments of the invention because the light is directed out of the face area of the helmet. This not only produces more direct light, but it also can reduce the amount of heat to which the helmet is subjected. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show an example of an embodiment of the invention that uses a wire, or other material, frame  20  to support a helmet on a light bulb. Frame  20  has a helmet supporting area  30  and a bulb holding area  40 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  shows an example of the invention that is embodied in a wall sconce  600  and  FIG. 12  shows an example of the invention that is embodied in a chandelier  700 . The various structures described above can be implemented in these embodiments. 
         [0036]    Although the above description may contain specific details, they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other configurations of the described embodiments of the disclosed embodiments may be part of the scope of the disclosed embodiments. For example, the principles of the disclosed embodiments may be applied to each individual user where each user may individually deploy such a system. This be enables each user to utilize the benefits of the disclosed embodiments even if any one of the large number of possible applications do not need the functionality described herein. In other words, there may be multiple instances of the disclosed system each processing the content in various possible ways. It does not necessarily need to be one system used by all end users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their legal equivalents should only define the disclosed embodiments, rather than any specific examples given.