Patent Publication Number: US-6655821-B1

Title: Quick engaging device for connecting lamp shade to connection port of ceiling fan

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a lamp connection port of a ceiling fan and a lamp shade wherein the connection port has flexible inward protrusions which are able to be quickly engaged with a groove defined in an outer periphery of the lamp shade. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional ceiling fan assembly generally includes a motor casing with a motor received therein and a shaft driven by the motor extends from the bottom of the motor casing so as to connect the blades of the ceiling fan. In order to provide illumination feature, several lamp connection ports extend outward from the motor casing so that each lamp connection port is connected to a lamp shade. In order to fix the lamp shades to the lamp connection ports, screws are used to extend through the lamp connection ports and to securely position the lamp shades. However, each connection port requires at least three screws so as to effectively position the lamp shade and this takes a lot of time to install the screws one by one. Furthermore, vibration and shaking of the ceiling fan may loosen the screws and result in noise due to the impact between the lamp connection ports and the lamp shades. 
     The present invention intends to provide a quick engaging device that needs no screws and can be assemble the lamp shades to the lamp connection ports easily and quickly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly of a lamp connection port and a lamp shade The lamp connection port comprises an open end which is enclosed by a skirt portion and a plurality of flexible protrusions extend inward from an inside of the skirt portion. The lamp shade has a flange on a first end thereof and a groove is defined in an outer periphery of the lamp shade. The first end of the lamp shade is engaged with the open end of the lamp connection port and the flexible protrusions are engaged with the groove of the lamp shade. 
    
    
     The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the lamp connection port of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view to show the lamp connection port of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view to show the lamp shade of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows that the lamp connection port is to be engaged with the lamp shade of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 shows that the lamp connection port is rotated an angle when the lamp shade is engaged with the lamp: connection port, and 
     FIG. 6 shows a noise absorbing bend engaged with the groove in the lamp shade. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lamp connection port  1  of the present invention is connected to a ceiling fan assembly (not shown) and comprises a close end through which a hole  12  is defined for electric wires extending therethrough, and an open end which is enclosed by a skirt portion  10 . A plurality of flexible protrusions  11  are formed by punching the material of the skirt portion  10  so as to form the flexible protrusions  11  extending inward from an inside of the skirt portion  10 . Two welding reinforcements  110  are located at the folding portion of each of the flexible protrusions  11  so as to prevent the flexible protrusions  11  from being broken when in use. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp shade  2  has a flange  21  on a first end thereof and a groove  22  is defined in an outer periphery of the lamp shade  2  and located below the flange  21 . A plurality of positioning notches  24  are defined in the flange  21  and communicate with the groove  22 . The first end of the lamp shade  2  is engaged with the open end of the lamp connection port  1  and the flexible protrusions  11  are then engaged with the groove  22  of the lamp shade  2  as shown in FIG.  4 . The flexible protrusions  11  are engaged with the positioning notches  24  so as to ensure that the connection of the lamp shade  2  and the lamp connection port  1  is secured. By this way, no screws are needed and the lamp shade  2  can be easily and quickly connected to the lamp connection port  1 . 
     A notch  23  is defined in the flange  21  and communicates with the groove  22 . The notch  23  has an enlarged opening defined in an outer periphery of the flange  21 . When installing the lamp shade  2  in the lamp connection port  1 , two protrusions  11  are firstly engaged with the groove  22  and the third protrusion  11  can be easily engaged with the groove  22  via the notch  23 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, after the flexible protrusions  11  are engaged with the groove  22 , the flexible protrusions  11  are rotated an angle to shift the third flexible protrusions  11  not to be located in alignment with the notch  23 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, a noise absorbing bend  25  is received in the groove  22  and located between the protrusions  11  and the lamp shade  2 . The noise absorbing bend  25  absorbs the impact between the lamp shade  2  and the flexible protrusions  11  to reduce the noise when the ceiling fan is in operation. Three holes are defined through the skirt portion  10  of the lamp connection port  1  due to the punching of the protrusions  11  are advantageous for releasing heat of the lamp shade  2 . 
     While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.