Patent Publication Number: US-9835324-B2

Title: Musical self-lit lamp finial

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of the Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/916,299, entitled “Self-Lit Lamp Finial,” filed on Jun. 12, 2013. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates generally to lighting. More specifically, this application relates to light and/or sound generating ornamental finials for lamps. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A large number of lamps utilize a lamp shade support carried by the lamp and extending around the light bulb, referred to as “Harp.” The upper end of a harp supports the lamp shade. The lamp shade is conventionally fastened to the upper end of the harp by a threaded member on the harp, called “Finial Stud,” over which the lampshade washer is placed and held in position by a lamp “Finial.”  FIG. 1  shows different standard parts of a traditional table lamp. Finials are ornamental objects whose primary known use is to beautify table lamps. Finials include a decorative portion, which varies in design, and may include a bore having an internal thread for mating the finial with the finial stud of a table lamp. Though the threaded finial base usually serves a utilitarian purpose, finials are typically very decorative items, and are selected to complement the appearance of the lamps. The finial thus helps secure the lamp shade to the lamp base while at the same time beautifying the top of the lamp. Because of the decorating nature of finials for lamps, finials have become very desirable. 
     Traditional finials do not generate or emit their own light or sound. It is desirable to have light emitting and/or sound producing finials that can be used as night lamps and/or music players while decorating the table lamps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
         FIG. 1  shows different parts of a traditional table lamp; 
         FIG. 2  shows an example screwable light and/or sound emitting finial; and 
         FIG. 3  shows an example non-screwable light and/or sound producing finial; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is described with reference to several illustrative embodiments described herein, it should be clear that the present disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments provided herein is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not limit the scope of the disclosure as claimed. In addition, while the following description references LED lighting, it will be appreciated that the disclosure may be applicable to other types of lights, such as incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, and the like. 
     Briefly described, self-lit and sound-producing finials are disclosed for utility and decorative purposes. These finials may be used for dim lighting of a room as a night lamp or for romantic occasions and be changed based on seasonal traditions or holiday customs. For example the finial can be in the shape of a Christmas Santa during Christmas Holidays or a turkey during Thanksgiving Holidays. 
     In various embodiments the finials may produce sounds such as music or song. The means for sound generation may vary in different embodiments. In some embodiments the finials may include a radio or a CD player. In other embodiments the sound may be generated by a programmable or a non-programmable electronic chip. In yet other embodiments the sound generating signals may be transmitted wirelessly from any device, such as a Smartphone, to the finials such as by RF (Radio Frequency, radio waves), IR (Infrared light) or technologies such as Bluetooth. For example the above mentioned Santa finial may include a programmable or a non-programmable electronic chip that produces Christmas songs or may include a radio which can be tuned to a station that broadcasts Christmas music. In yet other embodiments multiple finials on multiple lams may be employed to play music in “stereo.” Some embodiments may include a voice recorder with playback capability. 
     In some other embodiments the light emitted from the finials may be choreographed for the sound produced by the finials or may be controlled by the sound producing signals or by the sound produced by the finials. Still in other embodiments the light emitted from the finials may be controlled by the ambient sound. 
     In some embodiments the finial has its own battery and LED light(s) and in other embodiments the finial rechargeable batteries may be charged by the light emitting from the lamp on which the finial is attached and/or ambient light, or are charged by other conventional methods and means. Various embodiments may use other electrical energy generating or storing components. In some embodiments the finials may be screwed to the finial stud and in some other embodiments the finials may merely be placed on a substantially horizontal plate screwed or affixed to the top of the harp, as will be described below. 
     In various embodiments the finials may be plugged into the wall outlets and have their own ON-OFF switches or be electrically connected to their host lamps. In yet other embodiments the finials may have multiple lights of various colors arranged to light up randomly or in a specific order. In some embodiments when a particular finial is used for a special occasion such as for Christmas, a matching lamp-cover of appropriate design and material may also be used to cover the lamp. 
     In preferred embodiments LEDs are the light generating source of the finials. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are generally more energy efficient light sources than standard incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent lights. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example screwable light and/or sound emitting finial  230  in the shape of a turkey for Thanksgiving holidays. In this example embodiment finial  230  can be screwed to the finial stud  210 , which is on top of harp  220 , using a matching tapped-hole at the bottom of finial  230 . Finial  230  may be screwed after lamp shade  200  is mounted on harp  220 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Finial  230  has a sound emitting component and/or LEDs or other kind of lights, along with any type of appropriate rechargeable or regular battery and an ON-OFF, light activated, or sound activated switch. The sound emitting component and/or the lights of finial  230  may also be controlled by an electrical/electronic circuit or a microprocessor. In some embodiments light-sensing switches that are focused on the light bulb of host lamp  240  may cause the sound emitting component and/or the light source of finial  230  to be dependent on lamp  240  and only operate whenever lamp  240  is ON, or stop operating whenever lamp  240  is OFF. 
       FIG. 3  show an example non-screwable light emitting and/or sound producing finial  330  in the shape of a Santa Claus for use during Christmas holidays. In this example after lamp shade  300  is mounted on harp  320 , support plate  350  can be screwed on to the finial stud  310  via a tapped-hole in the support plate  350 . Support plate  350  may merely have an untapped-hole and be kept on top of harp  320  by nut  360 . Support plate  350  can be manufactured from any materials such as metals, plastic, resin, wood, and the like. After support plate  350  is fixed on top of harp  320 , finial  330  may be simply placed on the support plate  350 , as if placing it on a small table. 
     In some embodiments support plate  350  may be made of iron-based materials and finial  330  may have magnets mounted at its bottom, or vise versa, so that finial  330  can temporarily stick to support plate  350 . In some embodiments finial  330  may temporarily stick to support plate  350  by Velcro or the like. 
     In some embodiments finial  330  has sound generating devices and LEDs or other kind of lights, along with any type of appropriate rechargeable or regular battery and an ON-OFF, light activated, or sound activated switch. The lights and/or sound generating devices of finial  330  may also be controlled by an electrical/electronic circuit or a microprocessor. In other embodiments light-sensing switches that are focused on the light bulb of lamp  340  may cause the light source and/or sound source of finial  330 , to be dependent of host lamp  340  and only operate whenever lamp  340  is ON or stop operating whenever lamp  340  is OFF. 
     Embodiments which use support plate  350  make it easier for a user to frequently change finials  330 . It should be noted that while it may be redundant, a screwable finial  230 , shown in  FIG. 2 , may also be used with embodiments which use support plate  350 . Support plate  350  can be large enough to accommodate multiple finials on it, such as the snowman family. 
     In some embodiments support plate  350  may be wireless charging pads, such as inductive charging pads. These kinds of charging pad support plates may be fed from any component of the host lamp circuit, such as the host lamp socket or directly from the wall outlet. In these embodiments finials  330  may be charged at the same time that they are lit. In various embodiments support plate  350  may physically mate with the finials to provide electricity to the finials. 
     Changes can be made to the claimed invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the claimed invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the claimed invention disclosed herein. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the claimed invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claimed invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed invention. 
     The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. It is further understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.