GB2393240A - A Lampshade - Google Patents

Abstract

A lampshade which is made of a plurality of separately formed flat panels (28) that are made of a self-supporting material which determine the shape of the lampshade and provide the lampshade with longitudinal rigidity, and the lampshade being such that the shape of the lampshade is more complicated than a parallel sided or conical shape, the panels (28) are secured together without rigid longitudinal support by flexible securing means, and the lampshade has a decorative inner lining (39, fig 10) The lampshade may have a rigid lateral support (22, fig 3) which may secure the shade to a light bulb holder (24, fig 3).

Description

A LAMPSHADE

This invention relates to a lampshade.

There are many different types of known lampshades. The known lampshades fall into two general classes known as silk lampshades and hard-back lampshades.

Silk lampshades are also known as soft lampshades. The silk lampshades are made of a soft material which is stretched over and sewn onto a metal frame. The soft material may be silk or another material The silk lampshade may have a lining, which Is stretched and sewn to the inside of the lampshade. The frame is usually of a complex construction having longitudinally extending members and transversely extending members. The shape of the lampshade is determined by the shape of the frame and the frame is a necessity in order to support the soft material. The manufacture of silk lampshades is time consuming and expensive since the soft material needs to be hand stitched to the frame by skilled personnel. A simple silk lampshade may take up to four hours to produce. Because of the problems in manufacture, silk lampshades do not lend themselves to mass production, and they are often only made to order.

Hard-back lampshades are more usually found than silk lampshades because the hard-back lampshades are easier to manufacture. The hard-

back lampshades may themselves be divided into two types, namely those hard-back lampshades that are constructed on full frames similar to the

frames used for silk lampshades, and those hard-back lampshades that are constructed using a ring-set for providing the horizontal rigidity, where the vertical rigidity is derived from the hard material of the lampshade. The hard material may be, for example, polyvinyl chloride, parchment or card.

With hard-back lampshades that have a full frame, then the shape of the frame determines the shape of the lampshade. The material for the lampshade Is cut into shapes such that the perimeter of the shapes can be adhered at all points to the frame. Problems often occur with the shapes not sticking properly to the frame, especially where the frame curves sharply.

Expensive trimmings need to be employed to conceal the joints between the venous shaped parts of the material. Usually the interior of the lampshade is such that the frame is visible on the inside of the lampshade, which may not be aesthetically pleasing. This type of hard- back lampshade is generally produced to a lower standard than a silk lampshade, but this type of lampshade is often preferred because it can be automated in manufacture and it does not require the use of skilled personnel. Thus this type of hard-

back lampshade is cheaper to manufacture than silk lampshades.

With hard-back lampshades that only have a ring-set to provide horizontal rigidity, the material of the lampshade is cut into a single, part circular piece with a smaller part circular arc cut centrally at its radial centre.

The material is cut in a straight line, from the end of the larger part circular arc to the same end of the smaller arc, at each end of the arcs. The material is appropriately folded and the two straight edges are brought together and adhered such that one edge lies on top of the other. This forms a seam

along the longitude of the lampshade. Horizontal support is provided by one ring, which is glued to the interior of the lampshade, at its base, and a gimbal and ring, which is glued to the top of the lampshade. An adhesive backed tape is additionally employed to secure the ring-set in position. This type of lampshade is not provided with a lining. A major advantage of this type of lampshade is that it is easily automatically manufactured, requiring little skill. Thus, it is the cheapest known type of lampshade to manufacture.

This type of lampshade does not require a frame in order to give it longitudinal rigidity and/or shape. However, this second type of known hard-

back lampshade is only able to be provided in shapes which are parallel sided or part conical.

There is a need for a lampshade which is able to be produced without the above mentioned frame required by silk lampshades and the first above mentioned type of hard-back lampshade, and which can also be produced in more complex shapes than those simple shapes achieved by the above mentioned second type of hard-back lampshade. it is the aim of the present invention to provide such a lampshade.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a lampshade which is made of a plurality of separately formed flat panels that are made of a self-supporting material which determine the shape of the lampshade and provide the lampshade with longitudinal rigidity, and the lampshade being such that the shape of the lampshade is more complicated than a parallel sided or conical shape, the

panels are secured together without rigid longitudinal support by flexible securing means, and the lampshade has a decorative inner lining.

The lampshade of the present invention is able to be produced in complex designs. The lampshade lends itself to being automatically manufactured, and without the requirement of skilled personnel.

The lampshade may be one that retains its shape without a frame or rigid longitudinal support.

The lampshade may be one in which each panel has an upper waisted neck portion and a lower waisted base portion.

The lampshade may be one in which a plurality of panels, that are made of a self-supporting material, and have, to at least one longitudinal edge, a securing means that is a waisted portion folded over and adhered to the reverse faces of the panel and its adjoining panel, and in which the adjoining panels are overlapped and secured together by the waisted portion. The lampshade may be one in which the securing means are formations on the panel, the formations being integrally formed with the panels, and the formations being such that they interlock. Preferably, the formations are generally in the shape of a triangle, but other shaped formations may be employed if desired.

The lampshade may be one in which the securing means are a waisted portion to each longitudinal edge of a flexible longitudinally extending strip of a self-supporting material that is enclosed by a soft material that is adhered or stitched to it.

s Alternatively, the lampshade may be one in which the securing means are waisted portions to the longitudinal edges of the panels and the panels are secured by stitching or adhering together adjacent longitudinal edges of the panel which may have formations along the adhered edges to assist in the correct alignment of the panel with another and which may also serve as a decoration to the outer visible face of the lampshade In all embodiments of the invention, the lampshade may have at least one rigid lateral support. The rigid lateral support may be a means of securing the lampshade to a light bulb or a light bulb holder.

The self-supporting material may be a laminate material. The laminate material may be a substrate, and a soft material secured to the substrate. The waisted portion may be made of a soft material or a woven material. The waisted portion may conceal the substrate from the outer visible face of the lampshade.

The soft material may be secured to the substrate by an adhesive or by stitching.

Preferably, the substrate is cardboard or a heat resistant plastics material A presently preferred heat resistant plastics material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The lampshade may have a decorative lining applied to the inside face of the panels. The decorative inner lining may be a coating. The

coating may be a polyurethane resin. The lining may alternatively be a soft material secured to the inside face of the panels.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show two different types of frames which are used for known silk lampshades or known hard-back lampshades that employ a full frame; Figure 3 show simple frame parts, also known as a ring-set, that are employed for a known hard-back lampshade of the type that does not require a full frame for determining the shape of the lampshade or its longitudinal rigidity; Figures 4 - 11 show different parts and steps in the formation of a first type of lampshade of the present invention; Figures 12 - 18 show different parts and steps in the formation of a second type of lampshade of the present invention; Figures 19 - 27 show different parts and steps in the formation of a third type of lampshade of the present invention; and Figures 28 - 38 show different parts and steps in the formation of a fourth type of lampshade of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a frame for use in forming a known silk lampshade or a known hard-back lampshade of the type utilising such a frame. It can be seen that the frame 2 comprises a top ring 4, a bottom ring 6 and a plurality of longitudinally extending members 8 which extend between the top ring 4 and the bottom ring 6. The shape of the

lampshade is determined by the shape of the frame 2. Material on the frame 2 can be soft material which is sewn in position as described above for silk lampshades, or can be material which is cut into sections and stuck in position as described above for the known first type of hard- back lampshade. Either way, the production of the lampshade does not lend itself to mass production and skilled personnel are required. Manufacturing costs are therefore relatively high.

Figure 2 shows an alternative frame 10 to frame 2. The frame 10 has a top ring 12, a bottom ring 14 and longitudinally extending members 16 extending between the top ring 12 and the bottom ring 14. The top ring 12 is also shown supporting a mounting 18 for a bulb holder (not shown). As will be appreciated from the shape of the frame 10, any material provided around the frame 10, will cause the lampshade so formed to have a generally conical shape in the form of a pyramid.

Figure 3 shows frame parts that are used with a known second type of hardback lampshade which does not require a frame of the type shown in Figure 1 and 2 in order to obtain its shape or in order to provide longitudinal rigidity. More specifically, Figure 3 shows a top ring and gimbal 20 which comprises a top ring 22 and a gimbal 24 for receiving a bulb holder (not shown). Figure 3 also shows a bottom ring 26. As described above, a known hard-back lampshade is able to be produced using just the upper frame part 20 and the bottom ring 26, this being because the material from which the hard-back lampshade is formed is cut into a section, and its opposite lateral or longitudinal edges are overlapped and glued together to

form a seam. The section is placed such that the seam lies vertically along the section and top ring 22 and bottom ring 26 are glued to the openings at the vertical ends of the glued section.

Referring now to Figure 4 -10, there is illustrated the production of a first lampshade of the present invention. The lampshade is a hard-back lampshade with a substrate material which may be card or a plastics material A preferred plastics material is PET because it has a working temperature of 150 C. The PET also has good tensile strength and good tolerance to exposure to ultraviolet rays. A presently preferred type of PET is that sold under the trademark MYLAR and manufactured by DuPont. The PET may be used in clear, pigmented or translucent forms as may be required. Figure 5 shows a panel 28 in detail.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 show how adjacent panels 28 are secured together in order to produce a completed lampshade as shown in Figures 9 and 10 (in section), and Figure 11 (in perspective).

The panel 28 comprises three pieces of self-supporting backing 33, 34, 35 as shown in Figure 5. The backing 34 is a replicate of the area N of the backing 33. The backing 35 is a replicate of the area M of the backing 33. The panel 28 also comprises material 36 to which the backing 33 is laminated. A gap X is allowed above the area N. The backing 34 is laminated such as to mirror area N of the backing 33. This is repeated at the other longitudinal end of the backing 33, with backing 35 being laminated to mirror area M. A gap G. of sufficient size to allow the material 36 to be

folded over the backing pieces 33, 34, 35, is provided along the longitude of the laminated backing pieces 33, 34, 35. The material 36 is cut along the outer edge of gap G. The panel 28 is thus composed of material 36 which is laminated to the three backing pieces 33, 34, 35, with a gap X present between each backing piece, and an excess of material 36 along the longitude of the three backing pieces 33, 34, 35 as shown in Figure 5.

The lampshade has an outer eye composed of nineteen of the panels 28, sewn or held together along the excess G of material 36. Each panel 28 is attached to its adjacent one such that the right side of one panel 28 is attached to the left side of the next panel 28 as shown in Figure 6. The best result is achieved by laying two of the panels 28 side by side horizontally, with the excess G of material being pulled vertically as shown in Figure 6. All of the nineteen panels 28 are secured in a chain, with the left side of one panel 28 being sewn to the right side of the next panel 28 along their longitude, and the stitches or securing point being kept as close as possible to unlaminated faces of backing pieces 33, 34, 35. When the gaps X are encountered the panels 28 should be secured together in a straight line T shown in Figure 5. The first panel 28is connected to the nineteenth and last panel 28 in order to create an enclosed structure 31 as shown in Figures 9 in which the material 36 of each panel 28 faces to the outside.

The excess G of the material 36 on each panel 28 may be stuck down to the unlaminated face of the backings 33, 34, 35, such that each backing 33, 34, 35 is partially enclosed by the material 36 as shown in

Figures 7 and 8. This prevents the weave of the material 36 from working loose. As can be seen from Figures 9 and 10, the formed lampshade uses the known frame parts shown in Figure 3. Thus referring to Figures 8 and 9 it will be seen that the lampshade comprises a ring and gimbal 20 and a ring 26, looped to the interior of the lampshade. As with prior art, the ring 22 of

the ring and gimbal 20 is glued to the smaller diameter at the longitudinal top of the lampshade. The ring 26 is glued to the larger diameter at the longitudinal base of the lampshade, as shown in Figure 9. With the ring 22 of the part 20 glued internally to the backing 33, the overlap of material 36, above backing 34, is wrapped around backing 34 and glued to it. The backing 34 is turned inwardly to the centre of the outer facing 31 such that the ring 22 of the part 20 is firmly secured within gap X, and the backing 34 is glued to the backing 33. The same process is repeated for the ring 26 and the backing 35.

The lampshade includes a lining 39. The lining 39 is composed of nineteen panels 40. Each panel 40 has along its longitude lateral measurements smaller than those of each panel 28, such that when the panels 40 are connected together they form a lining 39 of similar shape to the outer face 31 but of smaller dimension such that the lining 39 will fit into the outer face 31 as shown in Figure 10. The panel 40 is composed of a backing 41 that is of the same shape as the backing 33 shown in Figure 5 except of marginally smaller dimensions and laminated onto a material 42.

The completed panel 40 is thus a backing 41 laminated to a material 42 with

an excess G of material 42 present around its perimeter. Nineteen of the panels 40 are secured together in the same manner described above for the panels 28. Excess material G around each panel 40 is adhered in the manner described earlier for panel 28 with one exception which is that, in this instance, the material 42 face of each laminated panel 40 lies to the interior of the completed lining 39 as shown in Figure 10. The lining 39 is received internally by the outer structure 31 and the lining 39 and outer face 31 are bonded together as shown in Figure 10. Figure 11 shows the lampshade in perspective. As can be seen the lampshade is complex shaped and composed of a multiple of longitudinally extending panels.

Referring now to Figures 12 - 18, there is shown the production of a second lampshade of the present invention. In this second lampshade, the lampshade is composed of a plurality of panels which lock to one another, and to which is applied an inner conformal lining.

The second lampshade produced in accordance with Figures 12 - 18 is composed of twelve laminated panels 54. Each panel 54 is composed of a backing 55 of a shape F as shown in figure 12. A smaller shape H is marked centrally on the backing 55. A number of cuts 56, alternately diverging and converging, are made to the backing 55, perpendicular to its length. Each cut extends from the edge of the profile F inwardly to H as shown in Figure 13. The cuts 56 along one side of the backing 55 are made in diverging pairs D. Converging cuts C, in pairs, equally numbered to diverging pairs, are made to the opposite side of the backing 55. Each matched pair of diverging cuts D and converging cuts C intersect the profile H at the same

longitudinal distance, such that the lower of the diverging cuts D meets the profile H at the same longitudinal distance as the lower of the converging cuts C and the upper converging cut C and diverging cut D meet the profile H at the same longitudinal distance.

A material 57 of similar shape to, and greater dimension than, the backing 55 is provided such as to allow an excess of material W. equal to the distance between S and H at every side along its longitude. This allows the material 57 to be folded back over the backing 55, as far as the profile H. The fabric 57 is provided with cuts Z along the profile H between each pair of converging lines C as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Further provided to the fabric 57 are cuts E which extend outwardly from the profile H to the edge of the fabric 57. Each cut E is on the outside of, and parallel to, each pair of diverging cuts, shown in Figures 14 and 15, and with the allowance of an excess of material L sufficient to allow it to be adhered to the opposite face of the backing 55 as shown in Figure 16.

The material 57 is laminated to the backing 55 such that cuts Z lie on the profile H of the backing 55, and cuts E are parallel to the cuts 56 and lie outside D, as shown in Figure 15. The excess material E is pushed through the cut 56 and adhered to the reverse face of the backing 55. The remaining excess material L is also folded back and glued to the reverse face of the backing 55, again shown in Figure 16.

There are twelve of the panels 54, attached one to another by inter-

locking them together. The inter-locking is such that the diverging sections D shown in Figure 16 of one panel 54 lie on the fully laminated face of the next

panel 54, and the converging sections C lie on the opposite face, with both panels locked tightly together such that the left side of profile H of one panel 54 is inter-woven with the right side of profile H of the next panel 54 shown in Figure 17. This achieves a weave of the two panels 54 as shown in Figure 17. Twelve of the panels 54 are inter-woven together in a chain. The first panel 54 is attached to the last and twelfth panel 54 to provide a structure 61 with the material 57 covered face and diverging sections D of each panel 54 being to the exterior of the construction as shown in Figure 17.

A ring-set composed of a top ring and gimbal 20 and a bottom ring 26. The top ring 22 is adhered to the interior of the smaller opening at the vertical top of the structure 61 composed of the attached panels 54 and the bottom ring 26 is adhered, in the same manner, to the larger opening at the vertical base of the structure 61. An adhesive backed tape 60 is adhered around the external perimeter of each longitudinal end of the structure 61, such that the longitude of the tape 60 is adhered to the perimeter of the structure 61. The tape 60 is folded into the interior of the structure 61 such that the ring 22 is enclosed by an adhesive-backed tape 60 at the vertical top of the structure 61 and a tape 60 at the vertical base of the structure 61 similarly encloses the ring 26. Each length of tape 60 is adhered to the un-

lamnated face of the backing 55 as shown in Figure 18.

The lampshade is then further treated by the application of a spray-

applied or a brush-applied coating 59 to the interior of the lampshade. This is for the purposes of further securing the panels 54 together and decorates

the interior of the lampshade by concealing the joins between the panels 54 as shown in Figure 18. Such a coating may also add to the structural rigidity of the lampshade. A radiation-cured coating is preferred since, after application to the interior of the lampshade, it may be removed from any unwanted areas with a damp cloth prior to curing. However, a two- part polyester casting resin may also be used as a cheaper alternative.

Referring now to Figures 19 - 27, there is shown the production of a third lampshade of the present invention. This third lampshade is for mass production, where ease of handling is required and flapping material cannot be tolerated. A panel is shown which incorporates a guide. The production method illustrated in Figures 19 - 27 facilitates automation, not only in stamping out of panels but also, by incorporating a rigid edge to each side of the panels, there is enabled the use of suitably adapted machines, thus reducing production time.

The lampshade comprises thirteen off panels 72. The panels 72 may be produced by first laminating a desired soft material 76 onto a substrate such as PET. A dye 71 as used in the printing industry may be provided.

The dye 71, as shown in Figure 19, comprising blades, represented by all internal lines, which are set to the same height. The blades represented the outer perimeter lines are set to a greater height. The dye 71 is placed on the plastic face of the laminate and pressure is applied. This results in the dye cutting through the plastic, but not the soft material, except on the perimeter blades which are intended to cut through both the plastic and the soft material. This process is known as kiss cutting. The resultant panel 72 is

similar to the die profile shown in Figure 19. The two plastic strips 81 can then be peeled away to expose the material 76 as shown in Figures 19 and 20. The resultant panel 72 is shown in Figure 20 in which the soft material 76 Is exposed in the areas 81. It will be seen that the backing 74 is a mirror of area N of the backing 75. Backing 78 is a mirror of the area M of backing 75. The lampshade comprises a member 82 which is hereinafter referred to as a rib. The rib is intended to provide additional support along the longitude of the lampshade, as well as serving as a decorative trimming.

The rib is composed of three lengths of plastic or self-supporting material 83, 84, 85, laminated to a material 86 side by side. There is a space Y between each laminated length as shown in Figure 21. The rib 82 may also be produced by the process of kiss-cutting a pre-laminated substrate and peeling away the unwanted material between the backings 83, 84 and the backings 84, 85.

Where it is intended to connect the panels 72 by sewing them together, it may be desirable to use a sewing machine manufactured to use a semicircular needle 88, such that the needle 88 swings through an arc.

Sewing machines designed for felling are usually designed to use such needles. For the purpose of assembling a prototype, a Lewis 170 x 2 felling machine was employed, modified by the removal of its feed arm and replaced with a rotary feed wheel. A material guide 92 was also used.

Provided in the guide 92 is a clamp within which is wound a tunnel, passing through both halves of the clamp in a continuous arc such that the

needle 88 is able to pass from one side to the other as shown in Figure 23.

The panels 72 are held so as to form a "U" wherein one backing 77 and backings 74, 79, 75, 80 and 78 form the uprights of the "U", and the backing free area 81 forms the base of the "U". The panel 72, held in the "U" is turned on its side and passed between the clamps such that the backings 83, 85 rests on top of the clamp, the backings 74, 79, 75, 80 and 78 lie underneath the clamp. The rib 82 is folded to form a "T", shown in Figure 22, such that the backing 84 is enclosed within the soft material 86. The rib 82 is held in the clamp between the panels 72, such that the backings 83 and 85 lie above the clamp and rest on the backings 77, with the soft material 86 face of the rib 82 against the soft material 76 face of the panels 72 as illustrated in Figure 23. The panels 72 are thus sewn together, along their lengths with a rib 82 between any two panels 72.

The lampshade comprises thirteen of the panels 72 and thirteen of the ribs 82, held together in a chain such that a rib 82 is present between any two panels 72. The thirteenth panel 72 is sewn to the first panel 72 with the thirteenth rib 82 between them, such that the soft material face of all the panels 72 and ribs 82 lie to the exterior of the lampshade. All the backings 79 and 80 may be removed from each of the attached panels 72. The soft material 76 of each panel 72, now contained within the interior of the lampshade, is adhered to the backing 74, 75 and 78 such that each of these backings is partially enclosed by the material 76. The soft material 86 of each rib 82 is similarly adhered to material 76 such that backing 85 lies on one panel 72 and backing 83 lies on the next panel 72 as shown in Figure

24. The materials 76 and 86 adhered to the internal part of the lampshade may now be cut along the length of each panel 72 at a point Q. Laminated backings 77, 85 and 83 may be removed and discarded to produce attached panels 72 and ribs 82 as shown in Figure 25.

The lampshade uses a two part upper ring and gimbal as shown in Figure 26. The two part ring and gimbal comprises a ring 87 with fixing holes 89 axially located to it, and a separate lamp attachment 88 composed of a circular disc with a hole located centrally, of suitable dimension to accommodate a bulb holder. Extending from the disc are two lengths of metal at 180 to each other, and each with a fixing hole 90, which are of larger radius than the holes 89, at its end. Each extended length of metal is bent to an angle sufficient to enable an alignment of each hole 90 with each hole 89. The parts 87 and 88 are held together by capped rivets 91 which are of an equal radius with the holes 89 in order to ensure a press-fit of the rivets 91 into the holes 89.

The lampshade is such that adhesion of the ring 87 to the interior of the lampshade outer face 81 is achieved by bonding it to backing 75 at the upper longitude of the lampshade 81. The backing 74 is adhered to the backing 75 below the ring 87 such that the ring 87 is covered by the material 76 between the backings 74 and 75. A ring 26 shown in Figure 3 is adhered to the backing 75 at the lower longitude of the lampshade, and backing 78 is adhered to the backing 75 above the ring such that the ring 26 is enclosed by the material 76 between the backings 75 and 78. A conformal coating is applied o the interior of the lampshade, to the area between rings 26 and 87.

The lamp attachment 88 is fixed to the upper ring 87 by aligning the holes 89 and 90 and securing together parts 87 and 88 with the rivets 91. Figure 27 illustrates the lampshade in perspective.

Referring now to Figures 28 - 38, there is illustrated a fourth hard-

back lampshade constructed from a self-supporting substrate laminated with a fabric or other soft material. This lampshade is composed of multiple panels of three different shapes. The panels are not of symmetrical shape and produce a complex shaped lampshade that is shown in Figures 36 and 38.The lampshade is composed of sixteen panels of three different shapes, adhered one to another.

The sixteen panels are comprised eight off panel 100 shown in Figures 28 and 29. In Figure 28 is shown a top elevation of panel 100 which, as can be seen, is not symmetrical. Panel 100 is composed of a fabric 102 adhered to a self-supporting backing 101. A space K is provided along each longitudinal edge of backing 101. Two strips of self supporting material 103 are provided longitudinally at each lateral end of backing 101 ensuring that a constant gap K is maintained between backing 101 and each backing 103.

Panel 100, shown in Figure 29, may be produced by the process of kiss cutting earlier described for panel 72.

The second panel shape, shown in Figure 30, is also provided in the construction of this lampshade. Panel 104 is shown in figures 30 and 31.

Provided, in this embodiment are four off panel 104. Panel 104 is composed of a self-supporting backing 105 adhered to a fabric 106 as illustrated in Figure 31.

l9 Also provided are four off panel 106 which is of a third panel shape, illustrated in Figures 32 and 33. Panel 106 is of similar construction to panel 104 It is made of a self-supporting backing 107 adhered to a fabric 108 as shown In Figure 33.

Also provided is the preparation of each panel 100 such that it can be adhered to panels 104 and 106. This is achieved by folding the fabric 102 over the longitudinal edge of the backing 101 and adhering the fabric 102 at the gap K onto the un-laminated face of the backing 101. Thus the gap K becomes a fabric-covered edge along the longitude of each latitudinal end of the backing 101, as illustrated in Figure 34, care being taken not to adhere the backing strips 103 to backing 101.

Provided is the assembly of the lampshade, in the manner shown in Figure 35, by adhering one off panel 106 onto one edge of panel 100 such that it rests on the fabric 102 face of the now adhered gap K, ensuring the edge along the longitude of panel 106 is against the upturned fabric 102 face of the backing 103. The backing 103 is then folded flat and its fabric 102 face adhered to backing 107. The backing 103 may be removed to expose fabric 102 which will remain bonded to backing 107. Panel 104 is bonded to the opposite latitudinal edge of panel 100 and adhered to its fabric face 102 at the opposite gap K in the manner already described for panel 106 and shown in Figure 35. In this lampshade, the panels 100, 104 and 106 are attached in a sequence such that the panels 104 and 106 are always separated by a panel 100. In Figure 36 is shown the lampshade with the panels 100, 104 and 106 connected in sequence.

A ring-set shown in Figure 37, comprising a top ring 109 and gimbal 112 and a bottom ring 110 are adhered to the lampshade. The top ring 109, shown in figure 37 is of similar shape to the smaller opening at the vertical top of the lampshade and is made to fit internally into the lampshade. The ring 109 is held in place with an adhesive-backed fabric tape 111. The bottom ring 110, also of similar shape to the larger opening at the vertical base of the lampshade, is held to the internal vertical base of the lampshade with an adhesive-backed fabric tape 111.

A conformal coating may be applied to the interior of the lampshade for the purpose of decoration. The lampshade is shown in Figure 38.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of examples only and that modifications may be effected.

Claims (1)

1. A lampshade which is made of a plurality of separately formed flat panels that are made of a self-supporting material which determine the shape of the lampshade and provide the lampshade with longitudinal rigidity, and the lampshade being such that the shape of the lampshade is more complicated than a parallel sided or conical shape, the panels are secured together without rigid longitudinal support by flexible securing means, and the lampshade has a decorative inner lining.

2. A lampshade according to claim 1 that retains its shape without a frame or rigid longitudinal support.

3. A lampshade according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which each panel has an upper waisted neck portion and a lower waisted base portion.

4. A lampshade according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 in which a plurality of panels, that are made of a self supporting material, and have, to at least one longitudinal edge, a securing means that is a waisted portion folded over and adhered to the reverse faces of the panel and its adjoining panel, and in which the adjoining panels may be overlapped and secured together by the waisted portion.

5. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 3 in which the securing means are formations on the panel, the formations being integrally formed with the panels, and the formations being such that they interlock.

6. A lampshade according to claim 5 in which the formations are generally in the shape of a triangle.

7. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 3 in which the securing means are a waisted portion to each longitudinal edge of a flexible longitudinally extending strip of a self-supporting material that is enclosed by a soft material that is adhered or stitched to it.

8. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 3 in which the securing means are waisted portion to the longitudinal edges of the panels and the panels are secured together by stitching or adhering together adjacent longitudinal edges of the panels.

9. A lampshade according to any one of the preceding claims that has at least one rigid lateral support.

10. A lampshade according to claim 9 in which the rigid lateral support is a means of securing the lampshade to a light bulb or a light bulb holder.

11. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 8 in which the self-

supporting material is a laminate material.

12. A lampshade according to claim 11 in which the laminate material is a substrate and a soft material secured to the substrate.

13. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 8 in which the waisted portion is a soft material or a woven material.

14. A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 8 in which the waisted portion conceals the substrate from the outer visible face of the lampshade. 15. A lampshade according to claim 11 in which the soft material is secured to the substrate by an adhesive or stitching.

16. A lampshade according to claim 11 or claim 12 or claim 15 in which the substrate is cardboard or a heat resistant plastics material.

17. A lampshade according to claim 16 in which the heat resistant plastics material is PET.

18 A lampshade according to any one of claims 1 - 8 that has a decorative inner lining applied to the inside face of the panels.

19. A lampshade according to claim 18 in which the inner decorative lining is a coating.

20. A lampshade according to claim 19 in which the coating is a polyurethane resin.

21. A lampshade according to claim 18 in which the lining is a soft material secured to the inside face of the panels.

22. A lampshade substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 -11 or Figures 12 - 18 or Figures 19 - 27 or Figures 28 - 38 of the accompanying drawings.

God Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A lampshade comprising a panel that is formed of a laminate comprising a relatively stiff substrate material and an overlying relatively flexible decorative layer and wherein, the flexible layer of the panel extends beyond the 10 edge of the substrate material to form a loose flap that serves to conceal the edge of the substrate.

2. A lampshade according to claim 1, that is comprised of a panel, wherein sections of the substrate material are overlaid with a decorative layer and a loose flap of the decorative layer is present between adjacent pieces of the substrate material.

À... 3. A lampshade according to according to any of the...

20 preceding claims that is comprised of a plurality of panels and wherein, at each join between adjacent panels, the À..

flexible layer of at least one of the panels extends beyond...:.

the edge of the substrate to form a loose flap that serves À.e to conceal the edge of the substrate material. À.

25... 4. A lampshade as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is formed of a material selected from card, parchment and a plastics material.

30 5. A lampshade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the substrate is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

6. A lampshade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the decorative material is made of a woven fabric.

- \ 7. A lampshade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each loose flap serves exclusively for the purpose of covering the edge of the substrate material at the join.

5 8. A lampshade as claimed in claim 7, wherein the panels are joined to one another by an adhesive tape applied to the inner sides of the panels.

9. A lampshade as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the loose flaps serve as part of means securing adjacent panels to one another.

15 10. A lampshade as claimed in claim 9, wherein adjacent panel edges are butt jointed to one another.

11. A lampshade as claimed in claim 10, wherein each.. e À... panel has a loose flap that is folded over the edge of the....

20 substrate of the same panel and the two loose flaps of the adjacent panels are secured to one another. A.

12. A lampshade as claimed in claim 9, wherein the edge of one panel at a join overlaps the edge of the....CLME: 25 adjacent panel..

:. 13. A lampshade as claimed in claim 12, wherein only the upper of the two panels is provided with a loose flap, the flap being folded twice to cover the edges of the 30 substrates of both panels, and being adhered to the lower panel. 14. A lampshade as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a loose flap of the decorative material is provided 35 along the upper and lower edge of a panel.

\\ 15. A lampshade as claimed in claim 14, wherein a loose flap along the upper and lower edge of the panel is means to secure a frame to the lampshade.

5 16. A lampshade according to claim 15, wherein the frame is a wire loop or other fixing that serves to strengthen the lampshade.

17. A lampshade according to any of claims 15 - 16, 10 wherein the wire loop, frame or fixing is means of mounting the lampshade on a lamp or light socket.

18. A lampshade comprising a panel, that is formed of a relatively stiff substrate material and wherein, the panel 15 has formations along an edge that are shaped to interlock mechanically with formations to an adjacent edge, whereby the formations serve as means of securing together adjacent panel edges to one another....

.e 20 19. A lampshade according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is overlaid with a relatively flexible decorative A, layer.. :' À À'

20. A lampshade according to claims 18 - 19, wherein..

25 the substrate is formed of a material selected from card,..

parchment and a plastics material.

21. A lampshade as claimed in claim 20, wherein the substrate is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

22. A lampshade as claimed in claim 19, wherein the decorative layer is made of a woven fabric.

23. A lampshade according to claims 18 - 22, wherein 35 the interlocking formations along an edge alternately overlie and underlie formations to the adjacent joined panel edge.

24. A lampshade according to claims 18 - 23, wherein the formations are incisions along the edge of a panel.

5 25. A lampshade according to claims 18 - 24, wherein the formations are generally in the shape of dovetails.

26. A lampshade comprising a plurality of panels joined to one another, wherein each panel is formed of a 10 relatively stiff substrate material and wherein, a conformal coating is applied to the interior of the lampshade.

27. A lampshade as claimed in claim 26, wherein the conformal coating is a radiation cured coating.

28. A lampshade according to claim 26, wherein the conformal coating is a polyurethane casting resin.

. À À Àe e. 29. A lampshade according to claims 26 - 28, wherein....

20 in the conformal coating serves to decorate the interior of the lampshade...

a A 30. A lampshade according to claims 26 - 29, wherein the conformal coating serves as means of securing the panels..

À À. 25 together...

31. A lampshade according to claims 26 - 30, wherein the nonformal coating serves to provide structural rigidity to the lampshade.