Patent Application
20150146434
The present invention relates generally to a lamp frame with an insertable panel apparatus and a method thereof. More particularly, the invention encompasses a lamp frame having at least one frame, and wherein the frame has at least one means to securely and releaseably hold and retain at least one insert-able and removable panel therein. The inventive frame can be used in conjunction with any lamp, such as, a table lamp, a decorative lamp, a floor lamp, a customizable lamp. The insertable/removable panel can be a flat panel, or a panel with at least one opening, and on one or more face can have an indicia, writing, art work, etc., thereon.
Lamps, and lamp frames have been used in the lamp industry for a variety of reasons, and they come in many shapes, sizes, and other physical features and attributes. Various attempts have been made to further improve on the lamp and related technologies, and that have resulted in varying outcomes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,652 (David F. Nurre), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a lamp base comprising an external transparent sleeve and an interior, outwardlv tensioning rigid or semi-rigid thin flexible sleeve or sheet which bears upon the interior of the external transparent sleeve due to outward tension. The rigid or semi-rigid thin flexible sleeve or sheet is capable of securing decorative materials such as wall paper or upholstery or items of specialized sentimental value such as photos or any other pliable that materials of special interest to the owner. The decorative materials may be easily and repeatedly changed as desired by the owner of the lamp.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,122 (Castro L. Limardo), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a decorative lamp for displaying a back lit image thereon including a case having a hole therethrough with spaced apart and generally transparent front and back panes provided in the hole. A decorative design is provided on the front pane. A light source is extended from the case into the hole between the front and back panes. A power source is provided in the case and electrically connected to the light source. A suspension tab is coupled to the case. An elongate flexible member is coupled to the suspension tab for suspending the case from a structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,078 (I-Hwa Wang), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a combined table lamp and clock assembly which includes a lamp unit and a clock unit. The lamp unit includes a lamp stand base, a lamp stand, and a lamp bulb holder. The lamp stand base has a top side formed with a cavity, and a bottom side adapted to be placed on a table top. The lamp stand extends uprightly from the lamp stand base, and has an upper end portion and a lower end portion that is mounted on the top side of the lamp stand base. The lamp bulb holder is mounted on the upper end portion of the lamp stand, and is adapted for mounting a lamp bulb thereon. The clock unit includes a clock base, an upright clock panel, and a clock mechanism. The clock base is received in the cavity in the top side of the lamp stand base, and is formed with an insert slot therethrough. The upright clock panel has a lower end formed with an insert portion that is inserted removably into the insert slot. The clock mechanism is mounted on the clock panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,570 (Jean-Nan Tseng), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a decorative lamp that has a base having two ends wherefrom a first arcuate rod and a second arcuate rod integrally and respectively extend to interact to each other. A first post is connected between a first free end of the first arcuate rod and one end of the base. A second post is connected between a first free end of the second arcuate rod and the other end of the base. A plurality of bulbs is assembled on the base, the first arcuate rod and the second arcuate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,581 (Dairen Shelton, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a decorative lamp display panel assembly for attachment to out door wall/post lanterns, or like structure, such assembly having a removable display panel having a decorative picture and/or indicia thereon. A top frame member is releasably secured to the top edge of the display panel and a bottom frame member is releasably secured to the bottom edge of the display panel. A support arm assembly is connected to the top frame member at a front end, and to a clamp member at the rear end. The clamp member has finger members that can be bent outwardly so that they can be attached to different diameter structure on an outdoor lantern. The support arm assembly can he extended and retracted, and it can be adjusted to different vertical angles to vary the height of the top frame member with respect to the clamp member.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0210555 (Gregory C. Cicero, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a decorative lamp (10, 100) for producing a diffuse or scattered lighting. A container (12, 102, 116) includes a light transmissive portion (18). A light source (20, 104, 118, 120, 150) includes a housing (32, 122, 152) arranged inside the light transmissive container (12, 102). The housing (32, 122, 152) includes a battery compartment (52, 130, 162) electrically and mechanically adapted to receive at least one associated battery. At least one LED (36, 38, 126, 158) is disposed on a first side (34) of the housing (32, 122, 150) and cooperates with the container (12, 102) to emit diffuse or scattered light from the light transmissive portion (18). A fastening means (62, 134) is arranged on a second side (60) of the housing (32, 122). The fastening means (62, 134) is provided to fasten the housing (32, 122, 150) to an inner side (76) of the container (12, 102) wherein the at least one LED (36, 38, 126, 128, 158) illuminates the interior of the container (12, 102).
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0216658 (Michael T. Tuttle, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a customer-customizable lamp which includes a vertical support post mounted to a base plate. The customer selects from five different heights of decorative blocks to be mounted on the post. Each selected block may be provided in any one of five selectable colors or four selectable simulated wood grains. The selection of blocks and finishes are made on a web page with an interactive representation of the customizable lamp being displayed as the design is being created by the customer. The remaining height on the support post to be filled with decorative blocks is displayed. Once the post is filled and the customer has selected finishes for each selected block, the lamp design can be finalized for delivery to the customer. The customer selectable blocks and colors/finishes permit several million permutations so that the customer can create a highly individualized decorative lamp.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0211458 (Wen-Cheng LAI), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a candle stand with faux flame, including a lamp stand, power supply, support frame, holder, flame decorative element light-emitting body, motor, driving element, first resistive magnet body, and at least a second resistive magnet body. The support frame is fixedly standing upon lamp stand; the flame decorative element is suspended at top of holder; the light-emitting body emits light towards flame decorative element. The power supply and motor are inside lamp stand for driving the driving element. The first resistive magnet body is disposed at lower end of flame decorative element. The second resistive magnet body is disposed on the driving element. When the motor drives the driving element, the second resistive magnet body moves close to or away from first resistive magnet body so as to sway flame decorative element. With projected light, the swaying flame decorative element emulates a flame.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0268663 (Chin-Sheng Yang), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a rotational game decorative device, including: a aquatic lamp main body, a magnet-driven element, a buoy and a bottom base. The magnetic-driven element and the buoy are disposed inside the aquatic lamp main body. The top and the bottom of the buoy are disposed with a plurality of rotational plates disposed with interval. The bottom base is fixedly engaged to the aquatic lamp main body with a magnetic rotational axis for correspondingly attaching to the magnet, driven element, and driven by a driving element to rotate. When the magnetic rotational axis rotates, the magnet-driven element also rotates because of attachment to the magnetic rotational axis so as to wave the fluid inside the aquatic lamp main body, which leading to pushing to rotational plats to rotate the buoy.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0268814 (Chin-Sheng Yang), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a customized signature decorative lamp, mainly containing: a shell, a base and a projection film. The shell is a light-transmittable three-dimensional shape, and has a downward opening. The base is disposed correspondingly at the bottom of the shell to seal the opening, and includes a light-emitting element corresponding to the inside of the shell. The projection film is disposed inside the shell and surrounds the light-emitting element. The projection film has customized signature pattern able for light to pass through. As such, when the light-emitting element projects light onto the projection film, the customized signature pattern can be projected onto the shade so that the lamp of the present invention can display personalized decoration.
This invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an inventive lamp frame with a releaseably insertable panel apparatus and a method thereof.
The invention is a novel lamp frame with a releaseably insertable panel apparatus and a method thereof.
Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a lamp frame with a releaseably insertable panel apparatus and a method thereof.
Another purpose of this invention is to provide a lamp with a frame having at least one means to securely engage with at least one insertable and a removable panel.
Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a lamp with a frame, and where an insertable panel is releaseably and engageably secured inside the frame.
Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a lamp frame assembly apparatus, comprising;
(a) a lamp frame having a first leg, a second leg, a third leg, and a fourth leg, and wherein each leg is connected to other to substantially form a rectangular frame, said rectangular frame having a lower portion, an upper portion, an inner peripheral portion having at least one inner frame securing means, and an outer peripheral portion;
(b) a base having an upper base portion, a lower base portion, and a side base portion, and wherein a portion of said tipper base portion is securely connect to said lower portion of said rectangular frame;
(c) a lamp holder having lamp holder base and bulb holder portion, wherein said upper portion of said rectangular flame is securely connected to said lamp holder base; and
(d) at least one releaseably insertable panel having at least one peripheral engaging means, and wherein said at least one peripheral engaging means is releaseably and engageably secured to said at least one inner frame securing means.
In another aspect this invention comprises a lamp frame assembly apparatus, comprising;
(a) a lamp frame having a tubular structure having an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall, and wherein an opening is created by said inner peripheral wall, said inner peripheral wall having at least one frame engaging means;
(b) a base having an upper base portion, a lower base portion, and a side base portion;
(c) a lamp holder having a lamp holder base and a bulb holder portion;
(d) at least one lamp support, and wherein said lamp support is connected to one of said upper base portion of said base, a portion of said lamp frame, and a portion of said lamp holder; and
(e) at least one releaseably insertable panel having at least one peripheral engaging means, and wherein said at least one peripheral engaging means is releaseably and engageably secured to said at least one frame engaging means.
The inventive lamp frame with an insertable panel apparatus and a method thereof will now be discussed with reference to
The invention may best be further understood by reference to the ensuing detailed description when taken in conjunction with
Thus, the invention in one aspect is a lamp frame 20, 50, 70, with an insertable/removeable panel 30, and more specifically a lamp frame 20, 50, 70, that has at least one open area 27, 57, 77, for the insertion of at least one removeably engageable panel 30. The panel 30, is preferably a flat panel 30, having at least one means 31, 33, to removeably engageably be secured to an inner frame portion 21, 47, 51, 71, of the lamp frame 20, 50, 70. The lamp frame 20, 50, 70, has at least one opening 12, 14, for the entrance of at least one electrical wire 15, and at least one opening 12, 14, for the exit of said at least one electrical wire 15 The lamp frame 20, 50, 70, also has at least one light/bulb holder assembly 16, for the mounting of at least one light bulb 18, The lamp bulb 18, can be activated by at least one electronic means 17, 61, such as, an ON/OFF switch 61, a three-way control switch 61, a remote transmitting device 61, and combinations thereof, to name a few. An AC or DC current 17, can be used to activate the lamp bulb 18. The base 10, 40, 60, is secured to the lamp frame 20, 50, 70, by at least one securing means 11, such as, for example, a screw 11, a bolt 11, a weld 11, and combinations thereof, to name a few. It should he appreciated that the base 10, 40, 60,/frame 20, 50, 70, can have the same color or a different color combination, and which can be easily changed by the customer. For some applications it is preferred that the base 10, 40, 60,/frame 20, 50, 70, and other components are modular, so as to make it easier to store, and/or ship/transport, as it would take up much less space in either in storage or in a shipping container.
The releaseably insertable panel 30, has at least one engaging means 31, 33, to securely and releaseably engage with the engaging means 21, 47, 51, 71, of the lamp frame 20, 50, 70, and wherein the at least one engaging means 31, 33, is selected from a group comprising of a tab, a tongue, a male portion, a female portion, a blind hole, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The lamp frame 20, 50, 70, also has at least one engaging means 21, 47, 51, 71, to securely and releaseably engage with the engaging means 31, 33, of the at least one releaseably insertable panel 30, and wherein the at least one engaging means 21, 47, 51, 71, is selected from a group comprising of a tab, a tongue, a male portion, a female portion, a blind hole, a channel lock, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The at least one releaseably insertable panel 30, could be selected from a group comprising, a flat panel 30, an embossed panel 30, a raised panel 30, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The releaseably insertable panel 30, could have at least one feature 35, and wherein the feature 35, could be selected from a group comprising, a statement 35, an image 35, a raised feature 35, a relief feature 35, a scenery 35, a logo 35, an abstract art 35, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The cross-sectional area for the inventive member 22, 24, 26, 28, 52, 54, 56, 72, 74, 78, can be selected from a group comprising a triangle., a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, a polygonal shape, a cylindrical shape, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The substantial shape of the face of the engageably insertable and removeable panel 30, can be selected from a group comprising a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, a polygonal shape, a cylindrical shape, an odd shape, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
The material for the engageably insertable and removeable panel 30, and/or the lamp frame 20, 50, 70, can be selected from a group comprising, glass, fiberglass, polymeric material, metal, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, a composite material, and combinations thereof, to name a few.
Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and the constituent elements of the invention can be modified in various manners without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various aspects of the invention can also be extracted from any appropriate combination of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. Some constituent elements may be deleted in all of the constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. The constituent elements described in different embodiments may be combined arbitrarily.
Still further, while certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and apparatus described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and apparatus described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions.
It should be further understood that throughout the specification and claims several terms have been used and they take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Additionally, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention,
While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
The instant patent application claims priority to and the benefit of pending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/909,975, filed on Nov. 27, 2013, titled “Lamp Frame With An Insertable Panel,” the entire disclosure of which provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61909975 | Nov 2013 | US |
