Abstract:
Spring clips for holding lamp shades such as but not limited to fragile globe and funnel shapes, onto lamp fixtures include elongated types clips that connect to the stem beneath the socket of the lamp fixture. The longitudinal clips springably expand within the neck and lower interior expanding portion of the globe shade, securely holding the latter in place to the lamp fixture. The spring clips have great applicability to the light fixtures on ceiling fans offering a secure fastening system that prevents accidental dislodging of the fragile shade when vibrations from the spinning fan occur. The spring clips allow the shades to be more easily put in place over the overhead type light fixtures as compared to the traditional method of using side screws to support and secure the shades. The clips can have hook or barb ends which prevent the accidental release of the shade from the fixture. A safety sleeve can be included which slips over the socket so that the sleeve and the clip together help prevent the shades from being accidentally dislodged from the socket.

Description:
This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 08/861,946 filed May 24, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,573. 
    
    
     This invention relates to light fixtures, and in particular to longitudinal spring clips for securing lamp shades to light fixtures. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     The traditional means for securing a lamp shade to a light fixture is usually a plurality of screws spaced around the rim of the receptacle that are tightened to engage in a recess within the neck of the lamp shade. See for example U.S. Pat. No. Des. 259,060 to Hansen; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 303,435 to Mason; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 311,247 to Sonneman; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 315,946 to Hollbrook; U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,179 to Baker; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,855 to Fretz, III et al. 
     While these screws serve the purpose of attaching the lamp shade to the fixture, using the screws presents numerous problems. Manipulating these small attachment screws can be difficult by itself and is worsened by the location of the light fixture which is usually secured to a ceiling location. Furthermore, when the fixture is attached to a vibrating structure, such as a ceiling fan, the screws can loosen, causing the shade to create a vibrating noise or even worse, resulting in the shade fixture falling from the fixture Still furthermore, the unsightly appearance of the screws detracts from the light fixtures overall appearance. 
     Other types of lamp shade fasteners have relied on retaining collars in the shades which generally screwably attach the bases of the shades to the sockets. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,690 to Horn; U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,193 to Ching-Hui; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,942 to Lee. These types of fasteners also have similar problems to the side screws described above. They can be difficult to install and may loosen in a vibrating environment. 
     Other attempts have focussed on using side slots in the base of the shade that must be aligned to protruding prongs on the socket See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,313 to Lupien which shows additional problems of manipulating the prongs to the slots on an overhead fixture, where vibrations can also dislodge the prongs from the slots. Additionally, this fastener requires the lamp shade to be of a unique shape and is not adaptable to the existing lamp shade designs. 
     A resilient clip was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,032 to Workman which claims to adequately secure a shade to an overhead light fixture. However, the Workman clip requires four extending prongs which must grip about the exterior of the base rim of the lamp shade. The Worknan clip would not work with all the different lamp shades made by various manufacturers since there exists a relatively large deviation in the size and shape of the rims in those different lamp shades. Because there is limited movement of the prongs in the Workman clip, it would be difficult to insure a secure fit for the majority of these lamp shades. Furthermore, manipulating the lamp shade base adequately to fit within the space of the four prongs in an overhead fixture would not be easy, and it requires that an exterior canopy be fitted over the prongs to insure a secure fit and to prevent the accidental release of the lamp shade. 
     Thus, the need exists for a solution to the above presented problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The first objective of the present invention is to provide a longitudinal spring clip for securing a shade to a lamp socket and a lamp fixture. 
     The second object of this invention is to provide a clip that is insertable into the base of a lamp shade to secure the shade to a lamp socket. 
     The third object of this invention is provide a clip for holding a lamp shade to a lamp socket and fixture that prevents the accidental release of the shade due to vibrations, someone accidentally hitting the fixture, earthquakes and the like. 
     A preferred embodiment of the spring clip connector is used for attaching a shade having an expanding portion and a narrow neck portion to a socket of a light fixture. The novel single longitudinal clip has a first concave bend between a midportion of the clip and one end, and a second concave bend between the midportion of the clip and an opposite end, wherein a midportion of the clip is located beneath the socket so that the ends of the clip insert within the shade neck and springably expand out into the interior of the expanded portion of the shade. The lamp shades can be fragile shades such as but not limited to global, funnel shapes and the like Preferably the first bend and the second bend in the clip are each approximately one hundred twenty degrees from the midportion of the clip. 
     Another embodiment of the novel spring clip is similar but with a through-hole in the mid-portion of the clip for allowing the protruding stem of the fixture to extend therethrough. 
     A still another embodiment includes a bent hook end with novel spring clip having the through-hole. 
     Another embodiment of the novel spring clip has a first coil spring adjacent to the first bend for forming a first leaf wing, and a second coil spring adjacent to the second bend for forming a second leaf wing, wherein the first spring and the second spring springably expand the first leaf wing and the second leaf wing outward within the neck and interior of the shade. 
     Another embodiment includes a bent tab portion adjacent one interior end of the novel spring clip. The tab has a horizontal base with a first raised portion approximately 45 degrees attached to the base, and a second raised portion tip approximately 75 degrees to the first raised portion, wherein the tab prevents accidental release of the shade. 
     A still another further embodiment includes a sleeve having a base for slipping over the socket, the sleeve and the longitudinal clip preventing accidental release of the shade from the socket. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the novel spring clip. 
     FIG. 1B is a side view of FIG. 1A along arrow A of the novel spring clip. 
     FIG. 1C is a top view of the novel spring clip of FIG. 1B along arrow B. 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view of using the novel clip of FIG. 1A-1C to attach shades to lamp fixtures having sockets that are part of a ceiling fan. 
     FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of a single fixture of FIG.  2 A and the spring clip of FIG.  1 B. 
     FIG. 2C is a view of FIG. 2B with a shade assembled and held in place to the fixture. 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the novel spring clip. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the spring clip of FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of the spring clip of FIG. 3A along arrow C. 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the novel spring clip. 
     FIG. 4B is a top view of the spring clip of FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 4C is a side view of the spring clip of FIG. 4B along arrow E. 
     FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the spring clip of FIGS. 4A-4C assembled in a light fixture. 
     FIG. 4E is a side cross-sectional view of initiating attaching a lamp shade to the assembled spring clip and light socket and fixture of FIG.  4 D. 
     FIG. 4F is a side cross-sectional view of the lamp shade and socket and fixture of FIG. 4D in a fully attached position. 
     FIG. 4G is a view of the shade drooping from the socket and fixture of FIG.  4 F. 
     FIG. 5A is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the novel spring clip in an expanded position. 
     FIG. 5B is a top view of the novel spring clip of FIG. 5A along arrow F. 
     FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the novel spring clip of FIG. 5A in a closed position about a lamp fixture socket. 
     FIG. 5D is a top view of the spring clip and socket of FIG. 5C along arrow G. 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the novel spring clip. 
     FIG. 6B is a top view of novel spring clip of FIG.  6 A. 
     FIG. 6C is a side view of the spring clip of FIG. 6B along arrow H. 
     FIG. 6D is an exploded view of the spring clip of FIGS. 5A-5C being positioned beneath a light socket of a light fixture. 
     FIG. 6E is a side cross-sectional view of initiating attaching a lamp shade to the assembled spring clip and light socket and fixture of FIG.  6 D. 
     FIG. 6F is a side cross-sectional view of the lamp shade and socket and fixture of FIG. 6D in a fully attached position. 
     FIG. 6G is a side cross-sectional view of the shade being accidentally removed from the socket and fixture of FIG.  6 F. 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a safety sleeve shield. 
     FIG. 7B is a side view of the safety sleeve shield of FIG. 7A with an assembled novel spring clip and fixture of the preceding embodiments. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment  100  of the novel spring clip. FIG. 1B is a side view of FIG. 1A along arrow A of the novel spring clip  100 . FIG. 1C is a top view of the novel spring clip  100  of FIG. 1B along arrow B. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, novel spring clip  100  includes a longitudinal rectangular band having rounded ends  112  and  127  and a thickness of approximately of 0.015 inches. Longitudinal band  100  is preferably stamped from spring steel and formed to produce the shape shown in the Figures. Alternatively, other suitable materials with similar resistance can be used such as but not limited to steel, sinless steel, galvanized steel, brass, and the like. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, spring clip  100  has a slight upward planar sloping end  112  from point  116  having a slight concave bend, a slightly downward angled portion between  116  and  118 , and a downward angled convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at point  118 . Clip  100  further includes a concave bend at  119  of approximately 120 degrees to the flat center portion between  119  and  121 , and a mid-portion  120  between  119  and  121 . At  121  there is a concave bend of approximately 120 degrees similar to bend  119 . A slight convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at  123  gives way to a straight portion between  123  and  125 , and a slight concave upward bend at  125  forms a tab end between  125  and  127 . 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view  50  of using the novel clip  100  of FIGS. 1A-1C to attach shade(s)  20  to lamp fixture(s)  30  having socket(s)  32  that are part of a ceiling fan attached to a ceiling  54  by a canopy  52 . FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the fixture  30  of FIG. 2A using the spring clip  100  of FIG.  1 B. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, shade  20  includes mouth opening end  22 , rounded sidewalls  24 , indented edge  27 , narrow neck  28 , and neck base rim  29 . Lamp fixture  30  includes cylindrical socket  32  having interior threads(not shown) for holding a conventional light bulb(not shown). A cylindrical dome rim  36  with a rounded dome type canopy  38  is spaced apart and around about the socket  32 . Beneath socket  32  is a socket mounting bracket  42  within the canopy  38  and a outer stem portion  44  exterior to the canopy  38  which is connected a mount structure such as a conventional type ceiling fan mount  50 . 
     FIG. 2C is a view of FIG. 2B with the shade  20  of FIG. 2A held in place by the spring clip  100  to the fixture  30 . Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, midportion  120  of clip  100  can can be generally positioned beneath the socket  32  so that points  119  and  121  of the clip are adjacent to outer bottom edges  35  of the socket  32 . To mount the shade  20 , tab ends  112  and  127  are depressed towards socket  32  so that the neck base rim  29  can fit over the tab ends  112  and  127 . Next, the neck base rim  29  is inserted within the dome rim  36 , so that the clip bend  118  abuts against the interior surface of indented edge  27  of shade  20 , and that a mid portion between clip section  123 - 125  abuts against an opposite interior surface of indented edge  27  of shade  20 . When fully mounted, the mid-portion between clip sections  123 - 125  and  116 - 118  springably expand to abut against opposite interior surfaces of shade  20 , securely holding it to fixture  30 . 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment  200  of the novel spring clip. FIG. 3B is a top view of the novel spring clip  200  of FIG.  3 A. FIG. 3C is a side view of the novel spring clip  200  of FIG. 3A along arrow C. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, spring clip  200  has a straight portion between points  214  and  216 , the latter having a slight concave bend, and a slightly downward angled portion between  216  and  218 . Spring clip  200  further includes a downward angled convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at point  218 , a concave bend at  219  that is approximately 120 degrees to concave rounded center portion between  219  and  221 .  220  refers to the mid-portion between  219  and  221 . At  221  there is a concave upward bend of approximately 120 degrees similar to bend  219 . A slight convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at  223  gives way to a straight portion between  223  and  225 , and a slight concave upward bend at  225  forms a tab end between  225  and  227 . 
     The main difference between embodiment  200  of FIGS. 3A-3D than the previous embodiment is a center-through hole  230  in the midportion  222  that allows for stem  44  of the lamp fixture  30 (of FIGS. 2A-2C) to pass therethrough and be fixed under socket mounting bracket  42 . 
     Midportion area  220  has an enlarged width portion  234  in the clip  200  about the center through-hole  230 . The rest of embodiment  200  is used similarly to that of the previous embodiment described above. 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment  300  of the novel spring clip. FIG. 4B is a top view of the spring clip  300  of FIG.  4 A. FIG. 4C is a side view of the spring clip  300  of FIG. 4B along arrow E. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, spring clip  300  has a downward approximately 90 degree angled hook end  312 , a straight portion between points  314  and  316 , the latter having a slight concave bend, and a slightly downward angled portion between  316  and  318 . Spring clip  300  further includes a downward angled convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at point  318 , a concave bend at  319  that is approximately 120 degrees to concave rounded center portion between  319  and  321 .  330  refers to a through-hole in round base  332 . At  321  there is a concave upward bend of approximately 120 degrees similar to bend  319 . A slight convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at  323  gives way to a straight portion between  323  and  325 , and a slight concave upward bend at  325  forms a tab end between  325  and  327 . 
     FIG. 4D is an exploded view of the spring clip  300  of FIGS. 4A-4C assembled in a light fixture. Beneath a traditional socket  340  is a socket mounting bracket  342  underwhich the through-hole  330  of the spring clip  300  is positioned. These components are inserted within a cylindrical dome rim  346  of a rounded dome canopy  348 . A protrusion end  359  above a raised lip  355  of a stem passes into canopy base opening  349  and into spring clip through-hole  330  to the socket mounting bracket  342  the latter of which is normally fastened to socket  340 . The protrusion end  359  is press fit into socket mounting bracket  342 , thereby securing the assembly. 
     FIG. 4E is a side cross-sectional view of initiating attaching a lamp shade  350  to the assembled spring clip  300  and light socket  340  and fixture  346  of FIG.  4 D. Shade  350  generally includes expanded end  351 , narrow circular neck  352 ,  352 ′, an interior rounded interior edge  353 ,  353 ′ and bottom opening  354 . To attach the shade  350 , one side  352  is angled downward so that interior edge  356  pushes hook end  312  back to socket  340  so that hook end  312  can fit inside opening  355  first Then opposite shade side  352 ′ is moved down in the direction of arrow E 2  to slip over upright inwardly bent clip end  327  by opposite end  352  pivots within ring  346 . A user can help assemble the components by manually pushing clip area  325  toward socket  340  with their fingers. 
     FIG. 4F is a side cross-sectional view of the lamp shade  350  and socket  340  and fixture  346  of FIG. 4D in a fully attached position, with the orientation of North, N shown. Here, portions  316  and  318  of spring clip  300  springably expand and abut against interior rounded edge  353  of shade  350 . Also portions  323 - 325  of spring clip  300  springably expand and abut against opposite interior rounded edge  353 ′. Removal of the shade  350  is simply done by repeating the assembly steps in reverse order. 
     FIG. 4G is a view of the shade  350  drooping from the socket  340  and fixture  346  of FIG.  4 F. Hook end  312  further acts as a catch to prevent accidental release of the lamp shade  350  especially in situations where the shade  350  is being violently shaken, when someone accidentally knocks the shade  350  during vibrations from attached fan(shown in FIG. 2A, or during an earthquake or the like. As the shade  350  droops down, hook end  312  abuts against interior of shade  350 , clip portion  316  abuts against interior of narrow circular neck  352  of shade  350 , which prevents the accidental release of the shade  350 . 
     FIG. 5A is a side view of a fourth embodiment  400  of the novel spring clip in an expanded position. FIG. 5B is a top view of the novel spring clip  400  of FIG. 5A along arrow F. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, spring clip  400  has left wing portion  411  and right wing portion  421  that each can be formed from wire material such as the metal type materials described previously. Left wing  411  includes downward approximately 90 degree angled hook ends  412 , 412 ′ connected to bends  414 ,  414 ′, a straight portion between points  414  and  416 , and respectively  414 ′and  416 ′, the latter having a slight concave bend, a slightly downward angled portion between  416  and  418 , and respectively  416 ′ and  418 ′. A downward angled convex bend of approximately minus 45 degrees at point  418  and respectively  418 ′. A first spring  445  and  445 ′ is formed between  418  and  419  and respectively  418 ′ and  419 ′. A flat midportion is between  419  and  421  and respectively  419 ′ and  421 ′ having a through-hole  430  whose use which will be described later. At  421  and  421 ′ there is a concave upward bend of approximately 135 degrees similar to bends  419  and  419 ′. A second spring  455  and  455 ′ is formed between  421  and  423  and respectively  421  and  423 ′. A slight convex bend of approximately minus 45 degrees at  423  and  423 ′ gives way to a slightly downward bend to points  425  and respectively  425 ′. A slight concave upward bend at  425 ,  425 ′ forms a tab end to  427  and respectively  427 ′. The rest of embodiment  200  is used similarly to that of the previous embodiment described above. 
     FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the novel spring clip  400  of FIG. 5A in a folded position with ends  412  and  427  abutting to the sides of a lamp fixture socket  32 . FIG. 5D is a top view of the spring clip  400  and socket  32  of FIG. 5C along arrow G. The novel shape allows the wings  411 ,  421  to surround the socket  32  to allow the neck of the light shade(not shown) to fit over the socket  32  and wings  411   421 . Hook end  412  further acts as a catch to prevent accidental release of an attached lamp shade, especially in situations where a shade is being violently shaken, when someone accidentally knocks the shade, during vibrations from attached fan, or during an earthquake or the like. 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment  500  of the novel spring clip. FIG. 6B is a top view of novel spring clip  500  of FIG.  6 A. FIG. 6C is a side view of the spring clip  500  of FIG. 6B along arrow R Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, spring clip  500  includes a left raised planar tab end  512  from point  514 , which is approximately 30 degrees from point  514  with a slightly downward angled portion between  514  and  516 . Spring clip  500  further includes a downward angled convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at point  516 , a concave bend at  519  that is approximately 120 degrees to concave rounded center portion between  519  and  521 .  530  refers to a through-hole in round base  532 . At  521  there is a concave upward bend of approximately 120 degrees similar to bend  519 . A slight convex bend of approximately 50 degrees at  523  gives way to a straight portion between  523  and  525 , and a slight concave upward bend at  525  forms a right planar tab end between  525  and  527 . Outer ends  512  and  527  have rounded exteriors. A raised barb portion is cut-out of area  508  where a horizontal base  502  has a first raised angle portion  504  at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to it, and a second raised portion  506  forming a tip which is approximately 75 degrees to first portion  504 . 
     FIG. 6D is an exploded view of the spring clip  500  of FIGS. 5A-5C being positioned beneath a light socket  540  of a light fixture. Beneath a traditional socket  540  is a socket mounting bracket  542  underwhich the through-hole  530  of the spring clip  500  is positioned. These components are inserted within a cylindrical dome rim  546  of a rounded dome canopy  548 . A protrusion end  559  above a raised lip  555  of a stem passes into canopy base opening  549  and into spring clip through-hole  530  to socket mounting bracket  542  the later of which is normally fastened to socket  540 . The protusion end  559  is press fit into socket mounting bracket  542 , thereby securing the assembly. 
     FIG. 6E is a side cross-sectional view of initiating attaching a lamp shade  550  to the assembled spring clip  500  and light socket  540  and fixture  557  of FIG.  6 D. Shade  550  generally includes expanded end  551 , narrow circular neck  552 ,  552 ′, an interior rounded interior edge  553 ,  553 ′ and bottom opening  554 . To attach the shade  550 , bottom opening  554  is positioned so that ends  512 ,  527  of spring clip  500  can be fitted inside and shade  550  is moved downward in the direction of arrow H. A user can help assemble the components by manually pushing clip areas  502  and  530  in toward socket  540  with their fingers. 
     FIG. 6F is a side cross-sectional view of the lamp shade  550  and socket  540  and fixture  527  of FIG. 6D in a fully attached position. Here, portions between  514  and  516  of spring clip  500  springably expand and abut against interior rounded edge  553  of shade  550 . Also portions between  523  and  525  of spring clip  500  springably expand and abut against opposite interior rounded edge  553 ′ of shade  550 . In this position tip  506  is extended toward socket  540 . 
     FIG. 6G is a side cross-sectional view of pulling the shade  550  off the socket  540  and fixture  557  of FIG. 6F in the direction of arrow I. Here it can be seen that barb tip  506  abuts against socket  540  and clip end  512  and barb base  502  abut against interior rounded edge  553  of shade  550 . The position of the barb tip  506  and clip portions  512  and  502  act to prevent release of the lamp shade  550  especially in situations where the shade  550  is being violently shaken, when someone accidentally knocks the shade  550 , during vibrations from attached fans, or during an earthquake or the like. The shade  550  can be ultimately detached by manually pushing tab end  512  in toward socket  540  in the direction of arrow J 1 . This simultaneously causes barb end  506  to move in the direction of arrow J 2  allowing shade  550  to be removed from fixture  557  in the direction of arrow I. 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment  600  of a safety sleeve shield. Shield  600  which can be formed from steel, aluminum and the like, and includes a cylindrical top  610  having at least one bent in side tab  612 . Attached to cylindrical top  610  is a perpendicular base ledge  620 . FIG. 7B is a side view of the safety sleeve shield  600  of FIG. 7A pushed down over a socket  640  which can correspond to similar sockets shown in the preceding figures. The shield  600  can further be used with a novel spring clip  660  and lamp shade  650  also similar to those described previously. Shield  600  acts to prevent release of the lamp shade  650  especially in situations where the shade  650  is being violently shaken, when someone accidentally knocks the shade  650 , during vibrations from attached fans, or during an earthquake or the like. 
     While the embodiments described above refer to a lamp shade, various shapes of lamp shades such as but not limited to global shaped and funnel shape shades can be used. 
     Although the preferred embodiments are described for use with light fixtures on ceiling fans, the invention can be applied to any light fixtures where expandable fragile shades such as globes and funnels need to be fastened to fixtures having sockets. 
     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.