Patent Publication Number: US-3878390-A

Title: Lamp adapter

Description:
United States Patent Feder 1 1 Apr. 15, 1975 15 LAMP ADAPTER 3,784,811 111974 Feder 240 3: u)  
 [76] Inventor: Abe Hyman Feder, 15 W. 38th St., I  
 New York NY- 0m 8 Primary ExammerR1chard A. Wmtercorn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David H. Semmes [22] Filed: July 3, 1974 [21] Appl. No.2 485,646 [57] ABSTRACT A lamp adapter for use with a conventional electric [52] US. Cl. 240/153; 339/176 L l p, h at enhanced indirect lighting capability is 511 int. Cl. F21v 11/00 Provided. The p adapter is characterized y a af- [58] Field of Search 240/81 R, 81 u), 153; fle which directs the ig p ly n rdly on 339/[76 R 176 L 273 L the shade and simultaneously downward through the sides of the shade. The lamp adapter has a threaded [56] References Cit d exterior male plug which is engageable with a conventional electric bulb socket in a table or floor lamp.  
 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures ATENTEEAPMSIQYS 873390 sum 1 Bf 5 LAMP ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention Indirect lighting lamps. A great deal of earlier amen tion has been given to lighting fixtures which provide both direct and indirect illumination. These fixtures for the most part have embodied elaborate electrical fitting and switching elements. Thus. the lamps have been costly to manufacture and of considerable bulk precluding their protability:  
 2. Description of the Prior Art Feder US. Pat. No. 1.369.778  
 Fcder L&#39;.S. Pat. No. 3.784.3ll  
  In Feder LS. Pat. No. 3.784.8ll indirect and direct lighting capability was provided by the combination of an especial baffle and a bracket supporting a reflector lamp and a pair ofelectric light bulbs. The unit was essentially a custom made and required fitting to a special lamp having three-way switching for the separate reflector lamp and electric light bulb units.  
 SLMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the prior art. the lamp adapter includes a base having at least one socket for support ofan electric lighting fixture together with electrical connections between said socket and a connector such as a conventional threaded male conductor. a reflector lamp supported in the socket and a bafflc supported above the base. so as to direct selectively light from the lighting fixture with respect to the base. The lamp adapter is characterized by its simplicity of construction and its universal adaptability to a conventional electric lamp assembly. The lamp shade may be removed from the conventional lamp assembly. together with the lamp shade supporting harp. Then the present assembly is titted into the female light bulb socket. An upper baffle is provided for selective direction of the light and includes a series of brackets for mounting the lamp shade without the necessity for a harp. Since the assembly screws into a conventional lamp light bulb socket. the lamp conventional light bulb switch may be used. Thus. the device does not require special switching elements.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is an enlarged. side elevation of the lamp adapter.  
 FIG. 3 is a top plan of the baffle.  
  FIG. 4 is a transverse section ofthc baffle taken along section line 4-l and showing one ofthe lamp supporting notches at the periphery.  
  FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken along section line 5-5. and showing the reflector lamp support socket:  
  FIG. 6 is a top plan of the base clement. illustrated in FIG. 5;  
  FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical. taken along section line 77 of FIG. 6. showing the strut support recesses:  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation. partially in phantom. showing the lamp support notch in the periphery of the baffle. as well as the top recess for the support strut: and  
  FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the lamp adapter. with the reflector lamp disassembled and supported in pack- (all ing or shipping mode intermediate the baffle on the lamp base.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. I a conventional lamp assembly I0 is illustrated. as including conventional electric outlet 12 which may have a rheostat 88. a light bulb female socket H and base 16. The lamp has been modified by the insertion of the lamp adapter. illustrated in FIG. 2. supporting lamp tinnel elements 25. converging at hub 23. As will be apparent the conventional lampshade support harp clemcnt has been removed. since the tinnel elements may be supported in appropriate notches 76 formed in the outer periphery of baffle frame 68.  
  As illustrated in FIG. 2. the lamp adapter includes a truncated base element 24. molded such that it provides lamp socket S6 and a lamp support should 58. As illustrated in FIGS. 2. 6. and 7 suitable strut support base apertures 64 may be included in the mold. Struts 68. 70 and the like extend upwardly to the baffle frame 68 for engagement in corresponding top recess element 70. 72. and 74.  
  The reflector lamp may be ofthe one piece lamp type as manufactured by North American Phillips with a magnifying surface 48. a silver dull reflecting surface 50. a base element 26 and a side prong fixture 28 conventionally engaging side prong socket 30; socket 30 in turn may be secured support shoulder 58 by means of thread screw 38 or the like. Suitable integral connecting elements 32. 34 may extend to the male threaded plug 46. mounted in holder 40. secured within base plate 60 by means of brct 48 and nut 44.  
  As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the baffle frame 68 includes a plurality of inclined louvers 78. aligned with the vertical axis of the reflector lamp at an approximate angle of An especial end baffle 82 includes a reflecting surface 84 which directs light downwardly through the sides of the lamp.  
  As will be appreciated. the baffle assembly may be rotated such that the indirect light luminating upwardly through the baflle is directed appropriately. according to the structure or furnishings of the room. For example. the baffle may be directed such that the light is directed at the center ceiling of the room. rather than at a side wall or corner.  
  Manifestly. the lamp need not necessarily be of the rheostat type and the lamp adapter may be controlled simply by means of a single transfer switching element 16.  
  As illustrated in FIG. 9. the reflector lamp may be removed from its side prong socket and inverted for shipment intermediate base 24 and baffle 22. for which purposes a swedge or cushionable material 86 may be employed.  
  Manifestly. various types of electric light bulbs. reflector lamps or fluorescent lights may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. The utilization of the lamp adapter permits the upgrading of lighting with the use of a conventional lamp and eliminates the need for costly custom manufacturing.  
 I claim:  
 1. A lamp adapter comprising:  
 A. A base including at least one base socket for support of an electric bulb fixture. together with an electrical connection extending from said socket:  
 B. An exterior male plug contacting said electrical connector and extending from said base so as to be cngageable with an electric lamp socket: C At least one electrical lighting fixture supported in said base socket; and D. A baffle supported abo e said base. so as to direct selectively light from said electric lighting fixture with respect to said base. 2. A lamp adapter as in claim I in combination with a threaded electric light bulb socket into which said connector to a source of electricity is fitted.  
  3. A lamp adapter as in claim I. wherein said electric lighting fixture is a incandescent light bulb.  
  4. A lamp adapter as in claim I wherein said electric lighting fixture is a fluorescent light.  
  5. A lamp adapter as in claim 1 wherein said lamp electric lighting fixture is a reflector lamp assembly.  
  6. A lamp adapter as in claim 1 said baffle further including:  
 i. A strut member. extending upwardly from said base; ii. A peripheral frame secured to said strut member;  
  and iii. A plurality of selectively directed baffles. 7. A lamp adaptor as in claim I. said baffle further including:  
 i. A strut member. extending upwardly from said bl J  4 base:  
 ii. A peripheral frame secured to said strut member;  
 iii. A plurality of selectively directed bat&#39;fles; and  
 i At least one downwardly directed baffle supporting said frame.  
  8. A lamp adaptor as in claim 2. further in combination with a lamp shade supported upon said baffle and struts. so as to encircle said base.  
  9. A lamp adapter in claim 6. said baffle further including at its upper periphery a plurality of lamp shade t&#39;innel supports.  
  10. A lamp adapter as in claim I. said electric lighting fixture being positioned so that its axis is at a 35 angle with respect to said base and said baffle being aligned parallel with the axis of said lamp.  
  l l. A lamp adapter as in claim I. said reflector lamp including a side prong connector engaging said socket.  
  12. A lamp adapter as in claim 1. said downwardly directed baffle directing light through the sides of said lamp shade.  
  13. A lamp adapter as in claim 2. wherein said exterior male connector is of the conrentional threaded type engageable with a light bulb socket.  
  H. A lamp adapter as in claim 2 said lamp including a rheostat dimming element.