Patent Publication Number: US-6663259-B2

Title: Decorative lighting frame

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional Appl. No. 60/282,836, filed Apr. 10, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1 . Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to lighting fixtures, and, more particularly, to a decorative lighting frame designed to fit over an existing light fixture such as a bar-type lighting fixture typically found in bathrooms and adapted to support a decorative element or fabric on the exterior thereof so as to create a varied lighting effect, thereby enhancing the appearance of the lighting fixture. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The prior art fails to specifically address either the problem or the solution arrived upon by applicant. 
     Decorative lighting elements have long been known and used for enhancing the appearance of lighting frames. Many of these decorative lighting elements take the form of lampshades and the like which are affixed above or around a lighting element so as to shade or color the light. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,716, which issued to Chang on Mar. 15, 1988 for a “Collapsible lamp-shade structure”discloses a lamp-shade structure for a decorative lamp having inner and an outer lamp-shades, the inner lamp-shade including annular members and a flexible material stretched therebetween, while the outer lamp-shade is composed of a number of frame members which are abutted one upon another at their sides to assume a polygonal shade around the inner lamp-shade. 
     Another example of a decorative lampshade is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,566, which issued to Cohon on Oct. 16, 2001 for a “Removable lampshade drape,” which discloses a drape mounted on a support which is mounted on a lampshade or lamp, which drape is suspended from extensions that extend from the exterior surface of the support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,912, which issued to Bendit on Jul. 2, 1996 for a “Clampshade” discloses a lamp shade dressing kit that secures decorative material to a manufactured lamp shade in a non-destructive, visually non-obvious manner, permitting the subsequent removal or exchange of the material. 
     The prior art also includes a variety of devices that are designed to redirect or diffuse the light generated by a lighting frame. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,175, which issued to Cotton on Feb. 20, 1990 for a “Illumination module” discloses an illumination module comprising a housing having one or more cavities, each containing a source of illumination, and a movable mask containing one or more apertures to configure and position the light as it leaves the housing through a window so that one or more segregated targets can be illuminated by means of the single mask positioning of the apertures relative to the open end of the individual cavities. 
     A diffuser apparatus is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,737, which issued to Szymanek on Jan. 2, 1990 for a “Quick fit diffuser lens apparatus,” which discloses a quick fit lens including a lens body having a transparent face wall and formed with a channel disposed in confronting relationship with respect thereto for sliding receipt of a planar diffuser light panel. Another example of a diffuser device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,665, which issued to Williams, et al. on Aug. 30, 1977 for a “Diffuser attachment for a fluorescent lamp fixture” and discloses a light diffuser attachment adapted for use with a self contained fluorescent lamp fixture, said attachment including beads laterally spaced apart from each other to define a flange or rim receiving channel therebetween which receives a diffuser receiving flange or rim of the fixture body cover therein. 
     Similar devices are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,904,121, which issued to Stetner on Apr. 18, 1933; U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,370, which issued to Corbett on Apr. 27, 1937; U.S. Pat. No. 1,440,301, which issued to Klein on Dec. 26, 1922; U.S. Pat. No. 2,397,466, which issued to Bryant on Apr. 2, 1946; U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,651, which issued to MacFadden on Feb. 16, 1954; U.S. Pat. No. 1,786,787, which issued to Steinmeyer on Dec. 30, 1930; U.S. Pat. No. 2,332,138, which issued to Epstein on Oct. 19, 1943; U.S. Pat. No. 2,274,612, which issued to Johnston on Feb. 24, 1942; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,216, which issued to Lieberman on Apr. 3, 1956. 
     As will be appreciated, none of these prior patents even address the problem faced by applicant let alone offer the solution proposed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Against the foregoing background, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a decorative lighting frame for covering and aesthetically enhancing an existing lighting fixture. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame that may be easily mounted to an existing lighting fixture. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame upon which may be interchangeably attached a variety of decorative elements. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame that may be attached to a variety of fixtures of different shapes and sizes. 
     It is but another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame that is safe to mount to an existing lighting fixture. 
     It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide such a decorative frame that may be used to decorate lighting fixtures in both residential and commercial spaces. 
     To the accomplishments of the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention, in brief summary, comprises a rigid support structure composed of a plurality of elongated members that define a frame upon which may be mounted a variety of different decorative elements, including decorative fabrics, metal, glass and plastic, which elements may be configured in an ornamental pattern, such as a floral or abstract design. Other decorative elements, such as beading and fringe can also be added to the decorative elements to further enhance the aesthetic appeal. In addition to the means for attaching the decorative elements to the front of the frame, means for attaching the frame to a lighting fixture, such as a bar-type lighting fixture typically found in bathrooms, are also provided, said means being generally disposed on the rear of the frame. Examples of such means include clasps, clamps and even magnetic attachment devices. While in the preferred embodiment the shape of the decorative frame is generally rectangular, a variety of other shapes are similarly contemplated, such as arcuate, circular, toroidal, pyramidal or trapezoidal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the decorative lighting frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the decorative element component of the decorative lighting frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the lighting fixture upon which the decorative lighting frame of the present invention is to be mounted. 
     FIG. 4 is front view of the decorative element mounted on the decorative frame of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 5 through 11 are front views of alternative embodiments of the decorative element component of the decorative lighting fixture of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG.  1  and FIG. 4 thereof, the decorative frame of the present invention, referred to generally by reference numeral  10 , is illustrated. The decorative frame  10  consists of a support structure  12  having a plurality of interlocking elongated members  14  joined at connection points  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the arrangement of the elongated members  14  is such that the support structure  12  resembles a cage. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the support structure  12  is composed of a rigid material, such as eight gauge steel wire, so as to prevent deformation of the frame  10  and to support the weight of any decorative pieces placed and mounted thereon. In such embodiment, the wire is tack welded at the connection points  16  of the elongated members  14 . The wire may also be wrapped with binding. However, it should be appreciated that the structure  12  may also be composed of a slightly malleable material so as to allow the shape of the structure  12  to be altered while still providing the requisite support to hold all the decorative structures. 
     Mounted on the support structure  12  is at least one attachment means  18  adapted to releasably retain a decorative element  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the attachment means  18  consists of at least one hook  22  and at least one corresponding loop  24  or similar protrusion, said hook  22  extending from the rear surface  26  of the decorative element  20  and said loop  24  disposed on said support structure. Alternatively, the location of the hook  22  and loop  24  may switched. It should be appreciated, however, that other means for attaching the decorative element  20  to the support structure  12  are contemplated, including snaps, clamps, clasps and even magnetic elements. Furthermore, while in the preferred embodiment the decorative element  20  is designed to be releasably attached to the support structure  12 , the attachment may be made permanent by welding, screwing or otherwise permanently mounting the decorative element  20  to the support structure  12 . 
     The size and shape of the support structure  12  is limited only by the size and shape of the lighting fixture  28  to which the decorative frame  10  is to be attached. In the preferred embodiment, the decorative frame  10  is designed to be affixed to a bar-type lighting fixture  28  of the type typically found in a bathroom. In such embodiment, the support structure is at least approximately 36 inches long, inasmuch as such fixtures are typically 36 inches in length. Furthermore, the depth of the support structure  12  for such embodiment would be at least 12 inches deep, which depth would ensure that the support structure  12  and decorative element  20  do not come into contact with any light bulbs  30  that are placed in the sockets  31  of the lighting fixture  28 . 
     The support structure  12  itself may be mounted to the lighting fixture  28  by a variety of means, although in the preferred embodiment, the support structure  12  is attached by means of a compression fitting between the support structure  12  and the lighting fixture  28 . In such embodiment, the support structure  12  is shaped so as to create a hollow cavity  32 , which cavity  32  has approximately the same cross-sectional shape as the lighting fixture  28 . Access to the cavity is made through an opening  34 , which opening is also defined by the elongated members  14  of the support structure  12 , and which opening also has approximately the same cross-sectional shape as the lighting fixture  28  so as to allow the support structure to mounted slidably about the lighting fixture  28 . The cavity  32  in such embodiment is large enough to accommodate the entire lighting fixture  28 , including the light bulbs  30  attached thereto, while providing enough spacing between the light bulbs  30  and the support structure  12  so as to prevent the heat generated by the light bulbs  30  from potentially igniting the support structure  12  or decorative element  20 . The frame  10  is slidably attached to the lighting fixture  28  and is held in place by means of the frictional contact between the support structure  12  and the surface of the lighting fixture  28 . In the event that the elongated members  14  are composed of a malleable material, said members  14  may be deformed somewhat so as to increase the frictional contact with the lighting fixture  28 . Alternatively, the support structure  12  may be mounted directly to the wall, using screw, nails, clasps or similar fasteners. 
     In order to improve the compression fit between the support structure  12  and the lighting fixture  28 , clamping members  36  may be disposed at either end, or at the top and bottom, of the support structure  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the clamping members  36  are movable or flexible extensions of the support structure  12  that serve to increase the frictional pressure against the lighting fixture  28  by being bent or biased against the lighting fixture  28 . In order to further increase this frictional pressure, the clamping members  36  may be composed of, or be partially covered by, a material with a relatively high coefficient of friction, such as rubber. 
     While in the preferred embodiment the support structure  12  is attached to the lighting fixture  28  by means of a compression fit, other attachment means are contemplated. For example, clasps or clamping means may be utilized, as may magnetic attachment means. It should be appreciated, however, that whatever attachment means is implemented, the support structure  12  must be removable from the lighting fixture  28  so as to allow for changing of the light bulbs  30 . 
     The decorative element  20  is shaped as sized in the preferred embodiment so as to cover the support structure  12 , although it is certainly conceivable that the decorative element  20  may be made smaller, particularly if the elongated members  14  making up the support structure  12  are disposed in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. In its simplest form, the decorative element  20  may consist merely of a fabric or other material that serves to diffuse and color the light emitted by the light bulbs  30 . Similarly, a frame  38  made of a rigid material such as metal or plastic may be used to provide shape to the fabric or other material. However, much more complex structures are also contemplated, said structures being formed of metal, plastic, glass, fabric or other materials so as to create fanciful or ornamental designs such as floral patterns or collages, as shown in FIGS. 5 through 11. 
     Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.