Patent Abstract:
A lampshade includes a frame having a shape that forms a plurality of windows. A shade fits within the frame mounted on projections extending from the frame. Apertures in the shade receive the projections, and covers are resiliently affixed to the projections to capture the shade on the projections. A spider mounts the frame to an electric lamp. The spider includes a hub that attaches to an electric lamp and a plurality of arms that are attached to the inside of the lampshade frame. In this configuration the covers, the spider and the shade are easily removed and replaced. Images are formed on the shade and are positioned to be displayed in the windows of the frame such that the windows act as picture frames.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to provisional application No. 62/115,181, filed Feb. 12, 2015, entitled Frame and Removable Lampshade, naming the inventor as: Mark A. Kimmet 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of lampshades and particularly relates to a lampshade having a frame and an easily removable shade. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Lampshades are typically constructed on a wire frame with a cloth shade. In general, the shade is not intended to be separated from the frame. Of course, it is possible to separate the shade and replace the shade, but it is generally difficult and not frequently done. Even in lampshades that have been designed for easy removal of the shade, the process remains cumbersome. In the embodiments described herein the deficiencies of prior lampshades have been overcome by providing a lampshade that has a sturdy attractive frame and the shade itself is designed for easy convenient attachment and removal. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the lampshade includes a frame and a shade. The frame has a generally cylindrical shape and includes upper and lower cylindrical flanges. A plurality of middle flanges extend between the upper and lower cylindrical flanges, and the plurality of windows are formed by the flanges. A plurality of projections extend inwardly from the lamp shade frame for holding the shade. The shade is dimensioned to fit within the generally cylindrical shape of the frame. The shade includes apertures that are dimensioned to snuggly receive or fit over each of the plurality of projections on the interior of the frame. The apertures on the shade are positioned such that the shade will fit completely within the lampshade frame and cover the plurality of windows. Thus, the apertures in the shade are mounted on the projections to securely hold the shade within the frame. A plurality of covers are configured for releasably attaching to the plurality of projections after the shade is mounted thereon. Thus, the covers may be used to hold or capture the shade on the projections within the frame and thereby secure the shade within the frame. 
         [0005]    To mount the lampshade on an electric lamp, a spider is provided. The spider is preferably constructed with arms made of a resilient flexible material such as a metal wire, and the arms extend outwardly from a central hub. The configuration of the hub is designed to fit on an electric lamp and it will vary from this configuration depending upon the type of electric lamp on which the lampshade is being mounted. In most configurations, the hub is constructed of stamped metal, but any material of suitable strength and heat resistance may be used for the hub. The spider is held in position within the frame by the resiliency of the frame and the resiliency of the spider itself. Preferably, hoops are formed on the outside ends of the arms distal from the hub. The hoops are dimensioned to fit relatively snuggly over the covers on the projections. To mount the spider within the frame, the arms of the spider must be flexed inwardly so that they fit over the covers. At the same time that the spider arms are flexed, the frame itself may be flexed to allow the hoops to be positioned over the covers. Once the hoops are properly positioned, the arms and the frame will return to a non-flexed position to the extent possible with the hoops sliding over the covers in an outward direction. The resiliency of both the arms and the frame hold the spiders in place on the lampshade. 
         [0006]    In this configuration, the spider may be easily attached and removed from the lampshade and similarly the covers may be quickly removed from the projections so that the shade can be removed and replaced with another shade of the same dimensions and configuration. Thus, the lampshade will accommodate numerous different shades and the shades may be easily replaced if desired. In one embodiment, a plurality of images are printed or otherwise formed on the shade. The number of images is equal to the number of windows in the lampshade frame, and the images are disposed on the shade so that each image will be positioned at least partially within a window when the shade is mounted in the frame. Thus, the lampshade frame may function as a plurality of picture frames displaying a plurality of images. In alternate embodiments at least one image may be formed on the shade and the image may be positioned at least partially in at least one window when the shade is mounted the frame. In this embodiment an image may overlap the windows and appear in more than one window. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the FIGS., which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sheet metal blank used to construct a lampshade frame for holding replaceable shades; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  Is a perspective view of the sheet metal blank after processing to create curvature in the blank; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a lamp shade held by the lampshade frame; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a shade showing multiple images on the shade for being displayed and held by the lampshade frame; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lampshade frame after it has been assembled into its final configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of a screw and cylindrical nut holding the opposite ends of the lampshade frame together to form a frame having a cylindrical configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a disassembled view of the screw and nut shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rubber cover that is mounted on the nut within the assembled lampshade frame; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a is a perspective illustration of a shade being manually inserted into an assembled lampshade frame; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a shade mounted within the lampshade frame and held on the cylindrical nuts; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a spider that is mounted within the assembled frame; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the shade and lampshade frame assembled with a spider mounted thereon held in place by the spring force of the frame and spider; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the assembled lampshade and frame; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  a back perspective view of the lampshade and frame; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 15, 16 and 17  are top, side and front views of a spider that may be used in the assembled lampshade frame; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 18, 19 and 20  are top, side and front views of another spider that may be used in the assembled lampshade and frame; 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of a metal blank for use in making a lampshade frame; 
           [0025]      FIG. 22  is a plan view of another metal blank for use in making a lampshade frame; 
           [0026]      FIG. 23  is a perspective of a tall slender lamp shade frame having rectangular panels; 
           [0027]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a short lamp shade frame having square panels; 
           [0028]      FIG. 25  is a plan view of a blank  98  used to construct the lampshade frame of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 26  is a plan view of a blank  100  used to construct the lampshade frame of  FIG. 24   
           [0030]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a frustro-conically shaped lamp shade frame having a circular cross-section; 
           [0031]      FIG. 28  is a plan view of a blank used to construct the lamp shade frame of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a frustro-conically shaped lamp shade frame having a square cross-section; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 30  is a plan view of a blank used to construct a frame of  FIG. 29 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a metal blank  32  that is used to construct a frame  52  for holding a lampshade  44 , both of which are best shown in  FIG. 12 . The blank  32  is originally constructed with a flat or planar configuration and may be stamped from a metal sheet such as an aluminum sheet. Alternatively, it could be constructed from a resilient strong polymer, such as nylon, PVC or polypropylene; or a cellulose based material, such as bamboo, wood or paper; or a resin based product such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. The blank  32  includes a lower horizontal flange  34  and an upper horizontal flange  36 . Extending between the upper and lower flanges  34  and  36  are two vertical middle flanges  38  and two vertical and flanges  40 . In this configuration the blank  32  forms a thin-walled beam structure suitable for assembly into the lampshade frame  52  ( FIG. 12 ). The blank further includes a plurality of apertures  42  that are spaced apart along the lower flange  34  and the upper flange  36 . The apertures  34  are dimensioned to receive hardware for holding the blank  32  in the shape of the frame  52  and for holding the shade  44  in the frame as will hereinafter be described. 
         [0035]    As a first step in forming the lampshade, the metal blank  32  may be cold rolled to place a slight continuous bend into the blank  32  such that it adopts the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . In this configuration, the outer surface of the blank  32  stretched or tensioned and the inner surface is relatively compressed. Thus, the blank is predisposed to adopt a cylindrical shape during later assembly. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a shade  44  that has a rectangular configuration that will precisely match the shape of the blank  32 . The shade  44  may have slightly smaller exterior dimensions such that it will fit within the overall dimensions of the blank  32 . Apertures  43  formed in the shade  44  spaced apart along the upper and lower edges of the state  44 . The apertures  43  are positioned in the shade  44  such that they will precisely align with the apertures  42  in the blank  32  when the blank is curved into a cylindrical shape. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the opposite side of the shade  44  is shown, which is normally the exterior side of the shade. In this view, it is seen that the shade  44  includes three images  46 ,  48  and  50  that are dimensioned to be viewed when the shade  44  is mounted in the frame  52 . In  FIG. 5  a top perspective view of an assembled lampshade frame  52  is shown. To form a generally cylindrical lampshade frame  52  the upper and lower horizontal Flanges  34  and  36  have been curved and placed into tension until they form a cylinder shape. The two end flanges  40  precisely overlap each other, and the apertures  42  are aligned to such that the two end flanges  40  may be secured together by screws  54  and nuts  56  that are positioned and secured through the apertures  42 . The two end flanges  40  are secured together by two screws  54  and nuts  56 . In this cylindrical configuration, three windows  60 ,  62  and  64  are created within the lampshade frame  52 . The vertical margins of the windows are defined by the two middle vertical flanges  38  and by the two end flanges  40 . The horizontal margins of the windows  60 ,  62  and  64  are defined by the upper and lower horizontal flanges  36  and  38 . The images  46 ,  48  and  50  are dimensioned and positioned to be framed by the windows  60 ,  62  and  64 , and the apertures  43  and  44  are configured to ensure that the images are properly positioned within the windows. 
         [0038]    While  FIG. 4  displays three identical images  46 ,  48  and  50 , it will be understood that the images may be different if desired. For example, the lampshade  44  may be constructed with personal images printed on the shade. Or example, different wedding pictures or engagement pictures could be printed on the shade and displayed at a wedding reception. Every lamp at the reception could have three different pictures such that tens or even hundreds of pictures could be displayed. When the lampshade  44  is used at home, the lampshade could be replaced periodically to change the appearance of a lamp. For example, the pictures  46 ,  48  and  50  could be different seasonal pictures and the lampshade  44  could be changed with the four seasons. 
         [0039]    The lampshade  44  may be constructed of a white translucent material such as a polymer sheet or cloth. The material is chosen such that it may be printed on easily to create a substantially permanent set of images  46 ,  48  and  50 . The material may also be heat resistant and flame resistant. In alternate embodiments the material may be laminated. For example, the interior laminate may be a paper or cloth specifically designed for printing images. The interior and exterior laminates may be transparent films designed to protect the image from abrasion, heat and oxygen. If desired, a transparent material may be used for the lampshade  44 , such as a transparent film. With both transparent and translucent lampshades  44  the image may be printed with an image (including graphics and designs) to completely cover or partially cover the windows  60 ,  62  and  64 . 
         [0040]    Detailed views of the hardware used in constructing the frame  52  are shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the threaded nut  56  has a cylindrical exterior as does the head of screw  54 . The screw  54  is inserted through the apertures  42  and the nut  56  is used to secure the screws  54  in the apertures  42 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , two screws  54  are used to secure the end flanges  40  together and four additional screws  54  and nuts  56  are secured in the lampshade in positions immediately above and below the middle vertical flanges  38 . The diameter of the cylindrical nut  56  is slightly smaller than the diameter of the apertures  43  such that the six nuts  56  on the interior of the frame may be snuggly positioned within the apertures  43  when the shade  44  is mounted within the frame  52 . 
         [0041]    The assembly of the shade  44  within the frame  52  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . To install the shade  44 , it is first coiled into a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than the frame  52 , and the shade  44  is inserted into the frame  52  is shown in  FIG. 9 . Then, the apertures  43  are aligned with and positioned on the nuts  56 . In this embodiment the shade has a stiffness and a resiliency that will tend to hold the shade  44  on the nuts  56 . In other words, the resiliency of the shade  44  will cause it to uncoil and expand outwardly such that it captures itself on the nuts  56 . To further secure the shade  44  in place, rubber covers  66  are positioned on the exposed nuts  56 . The rubber covers  66  are resilient, slightly tacky and dimensioned to snuggly fit on the outside of the nuts  56 . When the covers  66  are placed on the nuts  56 , the shade  44  is captured in a desired position within the frame  42  on the nuts  56 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a spider  70  is illustrated. The spider  70  is used to mount the lampshade onto a conventional electric lamp. Numerous different types of spider configurations are used in the lamp industry, and all of the configurations can be adapted for use in combination with the lampshade of the present invention. The spider  70  includes a central hub  72  that is used to mount the spider  72  and electric lamp. Three arms  74  extend outwardly from the hub  72  and are spaced apart by a 120°. Hoops  76  are formed on the outside ends the arms  74  and the hoops  76  are dimensioned to snuggly fit over the rubber covers  66 . To install the spider  70 , two of the hoops  76  are inserted over the rubber covers  66  mounted on the nuts  56 . The first two hoops  76  may be properly positioned over the covers  66  with only a slight bending or flexing of the arms  74 . However, the spider  70  is dimensioned such that the positioning of the third hoop  76  requires significant flexing of both the arm  74  and the frame  52 . Both are designed of resilient materials that will flex to allow proper positioning of the hoop. Once the third hoop  76  is assembled over the nut  56 , the spider is held in position by the spring resiliency of both the spider  70  and the frame  52 . 
         [0043]    A perspective view of an assembled frame  52  and shade  44  is shown in  FIG. 12 . In this view, the shade  44  has been mounted inside-out, meaning the images on the lampshade  44  are facing in when they would normally face out. This assembly was chosen to increase contrast for illustration purposes. Also, by viewing the images  46 ,  48  and  50  inside the frame  52 , it is clear that the images (when facing outwardly) will be positioned to fit over and cover the windows  60 ,  62  and  64 . In this view, the rubber covers  66  are positioned on the nuts  56  to hold the shade  44  in position on the frame  52 . In  FIG. 12 , a spider  78  is mounted within the frame  52  in the manner described above. This particular spider  78  differs slightly from the spider  70  described above in that a different type of hub  80  is used. This different hub  80  is designed to fit a different type of conventional electrical lamp. However, otherwise the spider is configured similarly with flexible resilient arms  74  extending outwardly from the hub  80 . The arms  74  extend outwardly and terminate at hoops similar to hoops  76  disclosed in  FIG. 11 . Such hoops are positioned over the rubber covers  66  to mount the spider  78  within the frame  52 . 
         [0044]    A front view of the assembled frame  52  and shade  44  is shown in  FIG. 13  and a back view of the frame  52  and shade  44  is shown in  FIG. 14 . In these two views, it may be appreciated that the frame  52  creates three windows  60 ,  62  and  64  that appear almost as picture frames surrounding a portion of the shade  44 . In these FIGS., the shade  44  is shown inside out and thus only a translucent white shade material is visible through the three windows. However, it will be appreciated that any three images could be printed on the lampshade so that the images appear in the windows  60 ,  62  and  64 . Thus, when the lampshade is mounted on an electric lamp, the images would be illuminated from within and would appear as back lighted picture images. Even when placed in the shade inside out, the images would be partially visible through a translucent shade, and it may be desirable to place certain images on the interior of the frame  52  to create an effect on the appearance of the images. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 15, 16 and 17  illustrate top, side and loop front views of the spider  78  shown in  FIG. 12 . Likewise,  FIGS. 18, 19 and 20  illustrate top, side and loop front views of spider  70  shown in  FIG. 11 . By comparing these various views, it will be appreciated that the spiders differ slightly so as to accommodate different types of conventional electric lamps. However, they function similarly in that they are held in place by hoops  76  that are mounted on the rubber covers  66  within the lampshade frame  52 . The resiliency of the spiders  70  and  78  create spring force that will hold the spiders  70  and  78  in place within the frame  52 . Thus, a spider of this general construction may be modified in minor ways to fit any conventional lamp. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate lamp shade blanks  90  and  92  similar to the blank  32  shown in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated by the blanks  90  and  92 , the lampshade frame  52  may have many different dimensions such that the windows created by the frames may appear to be square, landscape rectangles, or portrait rectangles. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate lamp shade frames  94  and  96  having circular cross-sections and rectangular openings or panels. These figures illustrate that the circular diameters and height of the lampshade may assume various dimensions.  FIGS. 25 and 26  illustrate blanks  98  and  100  that are used to construct the frames  94  and  96  respectively. 
         [0048]      FIG. 27  illustrates a lamp shade frame  102  having a frustoconical shape and a circular cross-section. In this particular embodiment, the frame  102  is constructed with three openings or panels through which the lamp shade is viewable. 
         [0049]      FIG. 29  illustrates a lamp shade frame  106  having a frustoconical shape and a square cross-section. This particular embodiment illustrates that the lamp shade frame of the present invention may not have a circular cross-section. In this particular embodiment, the cross-section is square, but the cross-section could also be in the shape of any polygon, such as a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc. This particular embodiment also illustrates that the apertures  108  in the frame  106  may be placed in the mid region of the horizontal flanges and need not be placed above and below the vertical flanges. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 30 , a plan view of a blank  110  used to construct the frame  106  is shown. In this view, it may be appreciated that the apertures  108  are formed in the mid regions of lower horizontal flanges  118 ,  120  and  122 . Likewise, apertures  108  are formed in the mid regions of the upper horizontal flanges  112 ,  114  and  116 . These apertures are designed to receive hardware, such as the bolts described above, that in turn secure a lampshade to the frame  106 . 
         [0051]    Apertures  108  are also formed adjacent the ends of lower horizontal flanges  126  and  130 . Likewise, apertures  108  are formed adjacent the ends of upper horizontal flanges  124  and  128 . When the blank  110  is assembled into the frame  106 , the vertical flanges of the blank  110  are bent approximately 90° along crease lines  132  forming the frustoconical shape shown in  FIG. 29 . In that configuration, flange  124  overlaps flange  128  and flange  126  overlaps flange  130  with the apertures  108  in the ends of the flanges being aligned. Thus, a nut and bolt may be used to secure flange  124  to flange  128  and flange  126  to flange  130 . When secured together, flanges  126  and  130  form a single horizontal flange in the frame  106 . Likewise flanges  124  and  128  form a single upper horizontal flange in the frame  106 . 
         [0052]    From the above discussion of different embodiments and variations, it will be appreciated that the invention is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and and substitutions of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The embodiments described herein are intended as examples and should not be construed as limitations.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5