US2792491A - Collapsible lamps - Google Patents

Description

May 14, 1957 P. RAND COLLAPSIBLE vLAMPS lFiled Feb. 24, 1955 INVENToR. .Pm/z. Pfr/vo www di 9770/2 /vfys ers'- nited States Fatent CGLLAPSIBLE LAMPS Paul Rand, Westport, Application February 24, 1955, Serial No. 496,207

3 Claims. (Cl. 24d- 4) This invention relates to lamps and more particularly to free standing lamps which are collapsible for purposes of shipping and storage and in which the shade assembly is fully integrated in the supporting frame.

Packaging, shipping, and storing contribute heavily to the cost of lamps, particularly free standing floor lamps. Also costly and in many cases troublesome to the consumer are the lamp shades, which are essential to the control of the light source as well as to the appearance of the lamp. Conventional shade designs are inherently expensive, are often dithcult to work into the decorating scheme of a room, and are relatively perishable.

One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a novel design for a free standing lamp which enables the framework of the lamp to be flattened for purposes of storage and shipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a standing lamp construction in which the shade assembly is fully integrated in basic framework of the lamp.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a standing lamp, the shade of which can be readily removed or replaced by the consumer with another shade which the consumer can himself make with minimum diliculty and which can, therefore, be easily harmonized with any interior decorating scheme.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a standing lamp framework comprising a plurality of uprighfts bridged by cross braces radiating outwardly from a central axis about which the uprights may be swung from their normal supporting attitude toward a common plane to present a ilattened unit for storage or shipment. The upper ends of the uprights can be formed with suitable means such for example as longitudinal slots into which a shade in the form of an endless band of fabric or other flexible sheet material can be fitted, with the spacing of the uprights drawing the sheet material into a taut polygon circumscribing the central axis of the lamp. An upper set of cross braces can carry along the axis of the lamp, a socket for receiving a bulb and on a lower set at a convenient height from the oor there can be mounted a removable shelf. if desired, the shelf can be notched at its corners to receive and thereby hold the uprights in their open position.

If desired, the lengths of the uprights can be arranged at table height so that a glass or other sheet-like top can be supported thereby to form -a combination table and light source for more or less indirectly illuminating a room and creating a decorative effect.

Representative embodiments of the invention from which the above and other features and objects thereof will be readily apparent are described in detail below having reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a standing, oortype lamp formed in accordance with the present invention:

Figure 2 is atop view of the lamp of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the lamp ice of Figures 1 and 2 taken on the lines 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a top view of the lamp corresponding to Figure 2 but showing the lamp in its collapsed or folded position; and

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation showing a modification of the lamp structure of Figure l in which a combination table and lamp is provided.

Referring to Figures l and 2, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a lamp 10 which is in the nature of a free standing floor lamp comprised of four uprights or legs 11, 12, 13 and 14. The basic frame is completed by several sets of axially spaced cross braces joined to the legs. The cross braces can take the form of a first and upper set of articulated diagonal braces 15 and 16 pivotally connected at their crossover point, which is on the vertical central axis of the lamp, by a pin or dowel 17, the brace 15 being joined to the diagonally opposed legs 11 and 13, as by end nailing, doweling or the like, and the brace 16 similarly joined to the legs 12 and 14, all as best seen in Figure 2. A second set of diagonal braces 18 and 19, pivotally connected at their crossover point by a pin 20, join diagonally opposed legs 11, 13 and 12, 14, respectively, intermediate their ends, and a third set 21 and 22, pivotally connected at their crossover point by a pin 23, join the legs similarly near the ioor.

The legs 11, 12, 13 and 14 are formed at their upper ends with longitudinal slots 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a, respectively, the slots preferably being at right angles to the adjacent or corresponding diagnoal braces of the frame. Fitted in the slots 11a, 12a, 13a and 14a is a shade 24 which can take the form of an endless exible band formed, for example, of fabric or other suitable material. The shade 24 is mounted on the frame simply by slipping it into the slots of the legs from which it can be readily removed for purposes of cleaning or replacement. Also, the shade being itself of simple, frameless construction, interchangeable shades can be readily fashioned by the owner.

The intermediate cross braces 18 and 19 support a shelf 25 which, as best seen in Figure 3, is formed at its four corners with shallow rounded notches 26 to receive the legs, the edges of which are preferably slightly rounded. So that the shelf 25 might rest squarely on the superimposed braces 1S and 19, spacer blocks 27 and 28 can be aihxed either to the lowermost brace 19 or to the underside of the shelf 25 adjacent the slotted corners. It will be seen that when the shelf 25 is dropped into position with the four legs entering the four corresponding corner slots the frame is fully stabilized against collapsing. Alternatively, one or several sets of cross braces can be releasably clamped at their pivot points or the shade can be clamped in its slots by pinching, with screw means for example, the slotted upper ends of the several legs together, all to hold the frame in position.

Referring now to Figure 4, with the shelf 2S removed and preferably with the flexible shade 24 removed, the frame can be folded about the pivot pins 17, 26 and 23 into a relatively iiat unit for shipping or storing. In this connection, each of the pivot pins is preferably secured as by gluing to one of the cross braces, entering the complementary brace in a sliding and freely turning fit.

The lamp is completed by means of a suitable light socket assembly 29 supported by the brace 16 at its pivot point. The socket assembly 29 preferably consists of a decorative exterior cup of wood, for example, housing an inner porcelain socket. The dowel or pin 17 can be used to mount the socket assembly 29 by passing loosely through the lower brace 16 to be secured as by gluing to the brace 15 above and to the socket assembly below. This arrangement also serves to hold the entire frame against axial separation. The electric cord 30 is brought out along one brace and then down the corresponding leg, such as the leg il, which can be formed with holes 31 and 32through which the cord can be laced. A suitable switch control, such as a pull chain, iinger switch or the like can be provided at the socket assembly 29, or alternatively a switch can be provided'on the cord at a point beneath the shade 2d or itcan be mounted on a leg.

If desired, the general frame structure of Figures 1 4 can be adapted as best seen in Figure to form a combination lamp and table. To this end legs 33 and 34, the only two of the total ot four which are visible in Figure 5, are shortened to table length and two sets of diagonal braces 35, 3o and 37, 3S pivotally connected at their crossover points by pins 39 and di), respectively, are provided near the top and the bottoni to complete the basic frame. As in the foregoing arrangement, the legs are slotted, as represented by longitudinalslots 33a and 34a, to receive a exiblecndless band type shade 41 needing no individual framework. A rigidsheet-like table top 42 of wood, translucent plastic, pressed board, or the like, can be mounted above the upper set of braces 35, 36 on the level, for example, of the top edge of the shade 4l as by dowel supports d3 projecting inwardly from each of the four legs. he shape of the top 42 can be similar to that of the shelf .25ct Figures l and 3. Altternatively, the top ends of the legs can beutilized to upport an enlarged top (not shown) overhanging the egs.

The upper set of diagonal braces 35 and 35 of the frame carry an electric light socket assembly 4S, similar tothe socket assembly 29 of'Figure l, and the cord 46 of which is preferably brought out along one of the braces and laced through holes 47 and 43 (in the leg 34). A suitable switch control can be provided as a convenient location such as on one of the legs or on the free cord.

Under normal circumstances the top 42 which is removable for storage, shipment, cleaning and the like, will serve to stabilize the frame against inadvertent folding although if desired other suitable anchoring means can be provided similar to those described above having reference to Figure l.

In order to block a possible line of sight view of the bare bulb between the upper edge of shade 41 and the top 42 in the lamp of Figure 5, a depending iiange or strip 72a can be afixed to the underside of top 42 inside the perimeter of shade and extending downwardly well below the upper edge of the shade. In the lamp of Figure 1, in the event it is desired to block a possible `direct view of the bare bulb through 'die top, a diduser member (not shown) which can take the form, for example, of a perforated or semi-transparent plate, can be supported by th'eupper cross braces l5 and lo.

It will be understood that the lamp arrangement of all figures can be opened partially to create a generally elongated rectangular rather than perfectly square shape. In such cases, the shade el should be slightly shorter in its total length if it is to be pulled taut. ln general, it is possiblerto release the tension ou the shades, whether the ultimate configuration be square or elongated by partly folding the frame parts together.

It will be understood that the shades, being readily removable, represent a useful device for carrying advertising or other legendsfor purposes of illuminated display. The lamp-table of Figure 5 is particularly adapted for display purposes by utilizing the single light source both to illuminate from below a merchandise displaysupported on the table and to illuminate explanatory words on the shade. Y

It will be understood, moreover, that certain details of the lamps can be varied within the scope of the invention. The lamps can be formed, for example, of any one of several basic materials, such as, wood, metal or plastic and, if desired, horizontal or radial braces can be formed integrally with the legs. Furthermore, the dimensions of the lamp of Figure 5 can be reduced to form a lamp to rest on a table. The invention should not, therefore, be regarded as limited except as defined by the following claims.

-I claim:

l. A collapsible, free standing lamp compri-sing a frame including a plurality of vertical legs normally arrayed about the central axis of the lamp, brace vmeans radiating outwardly from the central axis to engage the legs, said brace means including a plurality of vertically spaced sets of cross-braces, each set including one brace crossing at least one other brace on the axis of the lamp, pivot pin means on the center axis to mount the brace means and legs for relative swinging movement about said axis, said pivot pin means joining crossed braces, whereby the frame can be folded into a attened shape, electric light socket means carried by the frame, said electric light socket means being carriedjbeneath one .set of cross-braces, `said pivot pin means for the latter set of braces also supporting the socket assembly, the pivot pin means being aixed to both the uppermost brace and to the socket assembly beneath, but passing freely through the intermediate braces, whereby the collapsible frame is secured against axialV separa-tion, means to hold the frame in its open position, complementary shade mounting means on said vertical legs `surrounding said electric light socket means and spaced laterally therefrom, and a shade comprising a flexible band joined to said legs by said mounting means.

2. A lamp as set forth in claim l wherein the means to hold the frame in its open position comprises a shelf carried by one of said sets of cross-braces, said shelf being formed with notches at its edges to receive sa-id legs, whereby the shelf serves to hold the lamp frame iu its assembled operating position.

3. A collapsible, free-standing lamp comprising a plurality of at least four uprights normally arrayed about the central axis of the lamp, a plurality of vertically spaced sets of cross-braces joining the uprights, each set comprising a pair of diagonal braces each joining a different pair of diagonally opposed uprights, said braces intersecting at a cross-over point on the lamp axis, and a vertical axis pivotal connection joining the braces at said point, whereby the frame can be folded into .a attenedshape, electric lamp socket means carried by at least one set .of cross-braces, each of said uprights being formed at its upper end with an elongated vertical slot extending above and below said socket, Aa shade in the form of an endless band of flexible material received in the slots and stretched taut between 'the uprights when the lamp frame is opened, said uprghts being of substantially table height, a rigid sheet-like table surface supported by the uprights above the lamp socket means, and a depending flange on the underside of the table surface circumscribing the area of the lamps socket and extending downwardly below the upper edge of the shade, thereby to block a direct line of sight view to the socket between the table surface and the shade.

References Cited in the tile ofths'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 369,737 Ray Sept. 13, 1887 1,120,024 Carney Dec. 8, 1914 1,998,519 Odenwald Apr. 23, 1935` 2,092,690 Baldwin Sept. 7, .1937'

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