Abstract:
An improvement in lightbulb housings which is the addition of a third baffle that extends beyond and behind the length of a standard baffle which generally ends at the tip or beginning of a socket. By adding a third baffle that goes beyond and behind the socket, a snapper assembly, which has been correspondingly elongated, may be affixed, bolted, riveted, or screwed onto this third baffle. That portion of the affixation, bolt, rivet, or screw that resides in the interior of the light housing is attached along the side of the socket and behind the face of the light bulb so that the affixation will not be seen when the housing is in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a lightbulb housing assembly in a ceiling fixture, and specifically relates to an improved lightbulb housing for ornamentation. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The present invention relates generally to a lightbulb housing affixed into a ceiling fixture. 
   A lightbulb is a well known apparatus for controlling the spread of light from a lightbulb to achieve a desired visual effect. One detraction from existing reflector assemblies is that it is possible to see certain means by which the reflector is attached to the ceiling fixture, which detracts from the visual appearance of the lightbulb assembly. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a conventional lightbulb reflector housing assembly  100   a  comprising a light bulb housing  10   a  and snapper connector assembly  8   a . The housing  10   a  is composed of an outer outside ring  1   a , an outer ring  2   a , an upper baffle  3   a , and a bottom baffle  5   a . The snapper connector assembly  8   a  consists of a right side snapper supporter  8   a   1  and a pair of snapper connector  8   a   2 , and a left side snapper supporter  8   a   3  and a pair of snapper connectors  8   a   4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the bottom baffle  5   a  is hollow and generally frustum shaped with a bottom circumference  5   a   1  which is smaller than its upper circumference  5   a   2 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  there is illustrated connection of the right side snapper supporter  8   a   1  to the housing. The connection is made through a right side rivet  6   a   1  which connects the right side snapper strip  8   a   1  to upper baffle  3   a  at a location adjacent the upper circumference  5   a   2  of the frustum shaped bottom baffle  5   a . The right side snapper strip  8   a   1  also has a hook  7   a   1  at its lowermost end which penetrates into the frustum shaped lower baffle  5   a  in a slot therein. The retention is therefore spring-like so that the connection is made through the penetrating hook  7   a   1  and the rivet  6   a   1 . Similarly, the left side snapper supporter  8   a   3  is connected to the housing. The connection is made through a left side rivet  6   a   2  which connects the left side snapper strip  8   a   3  to upper baffle  3   a  at a location adjacent the upper circumference  5   a   2  of the frustum shaped bottom baffle  5   a . The left side snapper strip  8   a   3  also has a hook  7   a   2  at its lowermost end which penetrates into the frustum shaped lower baffle  5   a  in a slot therein. The retention is therefore spring-like so that the connection is made through the penetrating hook  7   a   2  and the rivet  6   a   2 . 
   It will be appreciated that ends of the right side rivet  6   a   1  and hook  7   a   1  and the left side rivet  6   a   2  and the hook  7   a   2  are visible on an inner surface of the housing  10   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 1  from a front view of the reflector housing  10   a . Therefore, visibility of the ends of the rivets and hooks significantly detracts from the beauty of the reflector housing  10   a.    
   There is a significant need to significantly improve the visual appearance of the reflector housing  10   a  while still retaining the structure of the retaining means to retain the lightbulb reflector housing with a ceiling fixture. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improvement in lightbulb housings and in particular to reflectors which improvement provides a barrier so that the unsightly attachment by which the reflector is connected to the canister of a ceiling fixture is hidden from view by either the lightbulb or by an intermediate middle reflector. The improvement is to create an extension or bottom baffle into which the fixture attachment is attached. In the prior art, the attachment was connected to a lower portion of the upper baffle and to a second baffle positioned below the upper primary baffle. The connection was visible through both baffles. With the present invention, an additional extension is provided which extends from the second baffle so that the attachment means is affixed to the wall of the extension bottom baffle which lies in the area of the socket receiving the lightbulb. As a result, the lightbulb and or the middle baffle conceal the unsightly attachment while the lightbulb can be open for viewing and not concealed by a lens. 
   It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a conventional two section baffle reflector is improved through the addition of a third bottom baffle which extends from the previously second and now middle baffle, then the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture can be attached to the added bottom baffle which rests adjacent the socket receiving the lightbulb which extends into the reflector. As a result, the lightbulb, and/or the middle or second baffle will conceal the unsightly attachment. Therefore, the lightbulb can be viewed but the unsightly attachment is thereby hidden from view, thereby enhancing the beauty of the reflector. 
   It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that the improvement can be used with any type of reflector having an upper baffle that has a wall surface comprising grooves throughout, has a smooth surface throughout, or has a surface which has grooves in a portion and a smooth section in a remaining portion. 
   It has additionally been discovered, according to the present invention, that the conventional attachment which comprises a snapper retainer which retains a pair of snapper connectors thereon are received by receiving means in the ceiling fixture. The conventional connector means can be attached to the wall of the lower baffle by conventional rivets and a hook end extending into the baffle wall, and these attachments are concealed by the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a conventional two section baffle reflector through the addition of a third bottom baffle which extends from the previously second and now middle baffle so that the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture can be attached to the added bottom baffle which rests adjacent the socket receiving the lightbulb which extends into the reflector. As a result, the lightbulb, and/or the middle or second baffle will conceal the unsightly attachment. Therefore, the lightbulb can be viewed but the unsightly attachment is thereby hidden from view, thereby enhancing the beauty of the reflector. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvement which can be used with any type of reflector having an upper baffle that has a wall surface comprising grooves throughout, has a smooth surface throughout, or has a surface which has grooves in a portion and a smooth section in a remaining portion. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to utilize a conventional attachment which comprises a snapper retainer which retains a pair of snapper connectors thereon which are received by receiving means in the ceiling fixture. The conventional connectors can be attached to the wall of the lower baffle by conventional rivets and a hook end extending into the baffle wall, and these attachments are concealed by the present invention. 
   Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a conventional lightbulb housing assembly known in the prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of the conventional lightbulb housing assembly taken along line A-A of the housing depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention having grooves or baffles on the entire surface of the upper baffle of the reflector housing and including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture; 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention taken along line B-B of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 3C  is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention having a smooth surface on the entire surface of the upper baffle of the reflector housing and including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture; 
       FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention taken along line C-C of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention having a reflector surface where a portion of the surface of the upper baffle has grooves or baffles and the remaining portion of the surface is smooth, the reflector housing including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture; 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention taken along line D-D of  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a ceiling fixture including a canister to which the present invention improved lightbulb assembly is attached; 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view showing the third embodiment of the present invention reflector with the improvement of the present invention retaining the connecting means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture so that the connecting means is concealed; and 
       FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment of the present invention reflector with the improvement of the present invention retaining the connecting means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture so that the connecting means is concealed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
   The present invention is an improvement to eliminate the unsightly appearance of the hooks and rivets of the attaching means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture by providing a third extension baffle which retains the hooks and rivet and an intermediate rounded baffle which serves to conceal the hooks and rivets attached into the third extension baffle. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C there are respectively illustrated a perspective, cross-sectional and top plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention having grooves or baffles on the entire surface of the upper baffle section of the reflector housing and including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture. 
   The lightbulb  100  comprises a lightbulb housing or reflector  10  and a retaining means or snapper assembly  8 . The reflector  10  has an outer circumferential ornamental ring  1 , an optional upper circumferential ring  2 , and three wall or baffle sections which includes a standard upper baffle  3 , an added middle or rounded baffle  4  and a lower generally cylindrical bottom baffle  5 , all of which are connected together to form a one piece structure where the upper baffle  3  extends to and is connected to the middle or rounded baffle  4  and the middle or rounded baffle  4  extends to and is connected to the bottom baffle  5 . The middle or rounded baffle has an upper circumference  41  which is greater than its lower circumference  51  where it connects to the bottom extended baffle  5 . 
   The means by which the reflector is retained within a ceiling fixture comprises a pair of oppositely disposed snapper supporters which are respectively attached to a pair of spring-like snapper connectors. Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, right snapper supporter  81  is attached to a pair, of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  82  and left snapper supporter  83  is attached to a pair of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  84 . The right snapper supporter  81  is retained on reflector housing  10  by an attaching means which includes a rivet  61  and a penetrating hook  52  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  81 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  5  so that the rivet  61  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  4  and the penetrating hook  71  extends into an opening  52  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  5  at a location below the rivet  61 . 
   Similarly, the left snapper supporter  83  is retained on reflector housing  10  by an attaching means which includes a rivet  62  and a penetrating hook  72  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  81 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  5  so that the rivet  62  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  4  and the penetrating hook  72  extends into an opening  53  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  5  at a location below the rivet  62 . 
   As a result, the rivets  61  and  62  and the penetrating retaining hooks  71  and  72  which ordinarily would be seen in the prior art reflectors are concealed by the intermediate rounded baffle  4  and/or the lightbulb which extends into the reflector. 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the wall of the upper baffle  3  contains a multiplicity of circumferential grooves  32  also known as baffles which extend from an upper circumference  31  of the upper baffle  3  at a location adjacent the upper circumferential ring  2  to the bottom of the upper baffle where it joins the top circumference  41  of the middle baffle  4 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  there are respectively illustrated a perspective and cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention having a smooth surface on the entire surface of the upper baffle section of the reflector housing and including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture. 
   The lightbulb assembly  100 A comprises a lightbulb housing or reflector  10 A and a retaining means or snapper assembly  108 . The reflector  10 A has an outer circumferential ornamental ring  101 , an optional upper circumferential ring  102 , and three wall or baffle sections which includes a standard upper baffle  103 , an added middle or rounded baffle  104  and a lower generally cylindrical bottom baffle  105 , all of which are connected together to form a one piece structure where the upper baffle  103  extends to and is connected to the middle or rounded baffle  104  and the middle or rounded baffle  104  extends to and is connected to the bottom baffle  105 . The middle or rounded baffle has an upper circumference  141  which is greater than its lower circumference  151  where it connects to the bottom extended baffle  105 . 
   The means by which the reflector is retained within a ceiling fixture comprises a pair of oppositely disposed snapper supporters which are respectively attached to a pair of spring-like snapper connectors. Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , right snapper supporter  181  is attached to a pair of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  182  and left snapper supporter  183  is attached to a pair of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  184 . The right snapper supporter  181  is retained on reflector housing  10 A by an attaching means which includes a rivet  161  and a penetrating hook  171  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  181 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  105  so that the rivet  161  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  104  and the penetrating hook  171  extends into an opening  152  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  105  at a location below the rivet  161 . 
   Similarly, the left snapper supporter  183  is retained on reflector housing  10 A by an attaching means which includes a rivet  162  and a penetrating hook  172  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  181 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  105  so that the rivet  162  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  104  and the penetrating hook  172  extends into an opening  153  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  105  at a location below the rivet  162 . 
   As a result, the rivets  161  and  162  and the penetrating retaining hooks  171  and  172  which ordinarily would be seen in the prior art reflectors are concealed by the intermediate rounded baffle  104  and/or by the lightbulb which extends into the reflector. 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the wall of the upper baffle  103  is smooth for the entire area which extends from an upper circumference  131  of the upper baffle  103  at a location adjacent the upper circumferential ring  102  to the bottom of the upper baffle where it joins the top circumference  141  of the middle baffle  104 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  there are respectively illustrated a perspective and cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the present invention having a combination of a reflector surface which has grooves or baffles for a portion of the surface and is smooth for the remainder of the surface of the upper baffle, including the improvement of the present invention to conceal the means by which the reflector is attached to a ceiling fixture. 
   The lightbulb assembly  100 B comprises a lightbulb housing or reflector  10 B and a retaining means or snapper assembly  208 . The reflector  10 B has an outer circumferential ornamental ring  201 , an optional upper circumferential ring  202 , and three wall or baffle sections which includes a standard upper baffle  203 , an added middle or rounded baffle  204  and a lower generally cylindrical bottom baffle  205 , all of which are connected together to form a one piece structure where the upper baffle  203  extends to and is connected to the middle or rounded baffle  204  and the middle or rounded baffle  204  extends to and is connected to the bottom baffle  205 . The middle or rounded baffle has an upper circumference  241  which is greater than its lower circumference  251  where it connects to the bottom extended baffle  205 . 
   The means by which the reflector is retained within a ceiling fixture comprises a pair of oppositely disposed snapper supporters which are respectively attached to a pair of spring-like snapper retainers. Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , right snapper supporter  281  is attached to a pair of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  282  and left snapper supporter  283  is attached to a pair of oppositely disposed spring-like snapper connectors  284 . The right snapper supporter  281  is retained on reflector housing  10 B by an attaching means which includes a rivet  261  and a penetrating hook  271  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  281 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  205  so that the rivet  261  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  204  and the penetrating hook  271  extends into an opening  252  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  205  at a location below the rivet  261 . 
   Similarly, the left snapper supporter  283  is retained on reflector housing  10 B by an attaching means which includes a rivet  262  and a penetrating hook  272  at the end of the bottom of the right snapper supporter  281 . The innovation of the present invention is to create the lower extended bottom baffle  205  so that the rivet  262  extends into the wall of the bottom baffle at a location below the bottom of intermediate or middle rounded baffle  204  and the penetrating hook  272  extends into an opening  253  in the wall of the extended lower baffle  205  at a location below the rivet  262 . 
   As a result, the rivets  261  and  262  and the penetrating retaining hooks  271  and  272  which ordinarily would be seen in the prior art reflectors are concealed by the intermediate rounded baffle  204  and/or the lightbulb which extends into the reflector. 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the wall of the upper baffle  203  has grooves or baffles  232  for a portion of wall extending from the upper outer circumferential ring  202  to an interior location  233  on the wall and the wall portion  235  from location  233  to the bottom the upper baffle  203  where it connects to the top circumference  241  of middle or rounded baffle  204  is smooth. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated canister  91  which is transversely affixed into the ceiling plate  90  of a conventional ceiling fixture. The canister  91  is used to retain the reflector. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the canister  91  is transversely affixed into the ceiling plate  90 , wherein the cylindrical canister  91  at its top circumference  97  is inserted into a central hole of the ceiling plate, and affixed to the plate through four screws  93   a ,  93   b ,  93   c  and  93   d . The cylindrical canister further comprises a flatted bottom  92 , where an electric socket  96  is installed at a center location of the bottom  92 . The socket receives a lightbulb. Wires  98  from the socket can pass through at least one opening  6 ,  106  or  206  is a respective bottom baffle of each embodiment/ The interior  93  of the canister  91  further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed snapper retainer members  94  and  95  which are affixed to the interior wall of the canister  91  so that when the respective snapper connectors are respectively inserted into a snapper retainer, the reflector is retained within the canister so that the bottom of the bottom baffle lies flush against the flat bottom wall  92  of the canister. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the third embodiment  10 B of the reflector is illustrated which has a wall with grooves extending for a portion of the wall while the remainder of the surface is smooth. A lightbulb  99  is received within the socket  96  and is visible from the reflector  10 B. The lightbulb  99  illustrated is a plug in fluorescent lightbulb but it will be appreciated that any standard incandescent lightbulb including a spot or flood lightbulb can also be used with the present invention. The critical feature and innovation is that the connecting means which are the rivets and the hooks at the ends of the snapper supports are not visible in the interior surface of the reflector because they are located in the extended lower bottom baffle and are hidden from view by the lightbulb body and by a portion of the middle or rounded baffle. As a result, the lightbulb can be seen but the unattractive attaching means is hidden from view, thereby enhancing the beauty of the reflector. The bottom baffle can also have at least one opening to enable the wires  98  from the socket  96  to extend through the bottom baffle for an electrical connection. 
   For all of the embodiments, the upper, middle and bottom baffles are hollow and are aligned so that their respective center-lines are aligned and are symmetrical about the center-line. 
   Defined in detail, the present invention is an improved reflector for use with a ceiling fixture having a canister containing a socket assembly for a lightbulb, the canister having a pair of oppositely disposed snapper retainers, the improved reflector comprising: (a) an upper generally hollow baffle extending into a middle generally rounded hollow baffle which extends into an extended bottom hollow baffle having a wall with a bottom end, the baffles aligned so that their respective center-lines are aligned and are symmetrical about the center-line; (b) a pair of oppositely disposed snapper assemblies, each snapper assembly having a snapper retainer having a hook at one end, each snapper retainer attached at oppositely disposed locations on the bottom baffle wall by a rivet extending through the snapper retainer and into the wall of the bottom baffle and the hook extending through an opening in the bottom baffle wall at a location between the location of the rivet and the bottom end of the bottom baffle wall, each snapper retainer supporting a pair of snapper connectors; and (c) the reflector retained within the canister by a respective snapper connector received within a respective snapper retainer in the canister so that the lightbulb socket is positioned within the bottom baffle and a lightbulb is received within and retained within the lightbulb socket and extends into the reflector so that the lightbulb extends through the bottom baffle, the middle rounded baffle and at least a portion of the upper baffle so that the lightbulb is visible but the rivets and hooks are concealed by the lightbulb and a portion of the middle rounded baffle. 
   Defined more broadly, the present invention is an improved reflector for use with a ceiling fixture having a canister containing a socket assembly for a lightbulb, the canister having a pair of oppositely disposed snapper retainers, the improved reflector comprising: (a) a upper generally hollow baffle extending into a middle generally hollow baffle which extends into an extended bottom hollow baffle having a wall with a bottom end; (b) a pair of oppositely disposed snapper assemblies, each snapper assembly having a snapper retainer having attaching means by which the snapper retainer is affixed into the wall of the bottom baffle, each snapper retainer supporting a pair of snapper connectors; and (c) the reflector retained within the canister by a respective snapper connector received within a respective snapper retainer in the canister so that the lightbulb socket is positioned within the bottom baffle and a lightbulb is received within and retained within the lightbulb socket and extends into the reflector so that the lightbulb extends through the bottom baffle, the middle baffle and at least a portion of the upper baffle so that the lightbulb is visible but the means by which the snapper retainers are affixed to the wall of the bottom baffle are concealed by the lightbulb and a portion of the middle baffle. 
   Defined even more broadly, the present invention is an improved reflector for use with a ceiling fixture having a canister containing a socket assembly for a lightbulb, the canister having a pair of oppositely disposed retaining members, the improved reflector comprising: (a) a upper generally hollow baffle extending into a middle generally hollow baffle which extends into an extended bottom hollow baffle having a wall with a bottom end; (b) a pair of oppositely disposed connector assemblies, each connector assembly having a connector retainer having attaching means by which the connector retainer is affixed into the wall of the bottom baffle, each connector retainer supporting a connector; and (c) the reflector retained within the canister by a respective connector received within a respective connector retainer in the canister so that the lightbulb socket is positioned within the bottom baffle and a lightbulb is received within and retained within the lightbulb socket and extends into the reflector so that the lightbulb extends through the bottom baffle, the middle baffle and at least a portion of the upper baffle so that the lightbulb is visible but the means by which the snapper connector retainers are affixed to the wall of the bottom baffle are concealed by the lightbulb. 
   Defined most broadly, the present invention is, an improved reflector for use with a ceiling fixture having a canister containing a socket assembly for a lightbulb, the canister having at last one retaining member, the improved reflector comprising: (a) an upper generally hollow baffle extending into at least one second baffle assembly having an elongated bottom portion having a wall with a bottom end; (b) at least one connector assembly having a connector retainer having attaching means by which the connector retainer is affixed into the wall of the elongated bottom portion, the at least one connector retainer supporting a connector; and (c) the reflector retained within the canister by the connector received within said at last one connector retainer in the canister so that the lightbulb socket is positioned within the bottom baffle and a lightbulb is received within and retained within the lightbulb socket and extends into the reflector so that the lightbulb extends through the reflector to at least a portion of the upper baffle, so that the lightbulb is visible but the means by which the connector retainer is affixed to the wall of the elongated bottom portion is concealed by the lightbulb. 
   Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.