GB2489444A

GB2489444A - Lighting arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2489444A
Application number: GB1105135.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gavin John Galligan; Dominic Anthony Hackett; Joseph Patrick Hackett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-28
Filing date: 2011-03-28
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Also published as: GB201105135D0

Abstract

A lighting arrangement has a device 21 that may be releasably coupled to a light source 41 or onto an electrical cable 25 of the light source, and a lampshade 3 supported on the device 21. A motor 28 is provided for causing relative movement between the lampshade 3 (or a mobile decoration attached to the lampshade) and the releasable coupling device 21. The motor 28 has a transducer 5 for converting solar energy to electrical energy.

Description

A LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to a lighting arrangement and in particular to a lighting arrangement with a lampshade having movable parts.

Lighting arrangements of all types are well known in the art from pendant type lighting arrangements to floor lighting arrangements and table mounted lighting arrangements. A number of novelty lighting arrangements have incorporated movable lam pshades which move as a result of convection currents and still other lighting arrangements have incorporated an additional power source such as a motor to cause rotation of the lampshade relative to the remainder of the lighting arrangement. The convection current technology requires careful design in relation to weight and material selection to accommodate the relevant physical principles at work between the air and the lam pshade. The additional motor type lamps provide greater control for the rotation of the lampshade than the convection current styled lighting arrangements. However, the additional motor adds an extra load on the domestic or commercial electricity supply and adds to the overall operating costs of the lighting arrangement which is a major deterrent to eco friendly users.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novelty lighting arrangement with a lampshade having rotatable components obviating or mitigating the design complexity problems of the convection current type of lighting arrangements and obviating or mitigating the additional power consumption requirements of the extra motor type of lighting arrangements.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a lighting arrangement having a means for releasably coupling the lighting arrangement onto a light fitting or onto an electrical cable of a light source and a lampshade supported on the releasable coupling means, the lighting arrangement having means for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade and the releasable coupling means, the movement causing means comprising a transducer for converting solar energy to electrical energy.

Advantageously, the transducer is capable of converting a portion of the existing light energy from a light source mountable in a light fitting into useful electrical energy which is otherwise unused dissipating into the atmosphere.

Ideally, the movement causing means further comprises actuator means powered by the electrical energy generated by the transducer.

Preferably, the actuator means is a motor.

In a first embodiment of releasable coupling means, the releasable coupling means comprises a support frame.

Preferably, the support frame is separate to the Iampshade support frame.

Alternatively, the support frame comprises at least part of the lampshade support frame.

Ideally, the movement causing means is mounted on the support frame.

Preferably, the support frame comprises a coupling member. Advantageously, the coupling member is connectable to the electrical cable or mountable on the light fitting.

Preferably, the support frame is a wire frame. Alternatively, the support frame is a plastics frame.

Ideally, the support frame comprises a platform having an aperture for engaging the motor on the platform and for receiving a driveshaft of the motor through the aperture.

Preferably, the platform and aperture are provided by a ring member on the support frame, preferably integrally formed with the support frame.

Ideally, the coupling member for connecting the support frame to the electrical cable is a C-shaped member having a first central part attached to a first part of the support frame with the opening of the C-shaped member overlying a second part of the support frame.

Preferably, the main plane of the coupling member is coplanar with the main plane of the frame.

Ideally, the frame has a protruding section proximal to the opening of the C-shaped section for retaining the electrical cable in the coupling member.

In a second embodiment of releasable coupling means, the lampshade has a Iampshade support frame and the releasable coupling means is a part of the Iampshade support frame.

Ideally, the releasable coupling means is provided by a hub coupled to the support frame of the lampshade.

Preferably, the hub is formed for resting on a part of the light fitting such as a bulb holder.

Ideally, the hub has a slot for allowing the electrical cable to pass through so that the Iampshade can be readily placed on and removed from the light fitting.

Ideally, the actuator means is operably engaged between the transducer and a portion of the Iampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the Iampshade for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the Iampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the Iampshade and the releasable coupling means.

Preferably, the motor has a driveshaft operably engaged with a rotatable portion of at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the Iampshade.

Ideally, the drive shaft of the motor is operably engaged with a rotatable portion of the Iampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the Iampshade.

Ideally, a diffuser lid is coupled to the Iampshade support frame and the movement causing means is mounted on the diffuser lid.

In an alternative arrangement, a single Iampshade member is provided with a movement causing means mounted on the side wall member of the lam pshade.

In this alternative arrangement, the actuator of the movement causing means passes through the wall of the lampshade and is coupled to a rotatable decorative mobile.

Ideally, the Iampshade has an outer lam pshade member releasably couplable to a light fitting or onto an electrical cable of a light source via the releasable coupling means and an inner Iampshade member movably mounted on the outer Iampshade member via the movement causing means.

Ideally, the inner lam pshade is a screen carrying images projectable onto the outer lampshade.

Preferably, the second outer Iampshade member having at least one aperture.

Ideally, the inner lampshade member and the outer lampshade member are of similar shape and are concentric.

Preferably, the movement causing means having the motor and transducer mounted on the support frame of the outer lampshade member.

Ideally, the support frame of the inner lampshade member has a recess for receiving the motor and a connector for engaging the drive shaft of the motor.

Preferably, the lampshade has a number of mobiles attached thereto.

Ideally, the lighting arrangement is attachable to a pendant type light fitting, a pendant centre light, a recessed light, a table lamp or a floor lamp.

Ideally, the transducer is provided by at least one photo voltaic solar cell for converting solar to electrical energy.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator means is a fan blowing a stream of air onto a rotatable portion of the lampshade.

In this alternative embodiment, the rotatable portion of the lampshade and/or at least one decorative mobile has turbine means.

Ideally, the transducer is located for collecting at least a portion of the light from a powered light source mountable in the lighting arrangement.

Preferably, the transducer is capable of collecting at least some of the light from the sun and converting a portion of the existing sunlight energy into useful electrical energy which is otherwise unused.

Preferably, the light source is a bulb.

Ideally, the inner lam pshade member and the outer lamp shade member have a generally cylindrical support frame covered in a partially transparent material for partially transmitting light from the light source. Although the shape of the support frame is described as generally cylindrical, it will of course be appreciated that any well known shape of lamp shade can be used with the present invention such as hemispherical orfrusto-conical.

Ideally, a centre light fitting is provided having a plurality of lighting arrangements each having a releasable coupling means and a lampshade, the lighting arrangement having means for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade and the coupling means, the movement causing means comprising a transducer for converting solar energy to electrical energy.

Preferably, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear motion. Ideally, at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade can be moved in a straight line relative to the releasable coupling means and the remainder of the lampshade. Advantageously, the linear motion can be applied to mobiles on the lampshade to provide the effect of characters moving up and down on the lampshade, internally or externally.

Ideally, sound generating means are electrically or electronically couplable to the transducer. Advantageously, the sound generating means can generate music through a loudspeaker for example to play musical sounds and/or songs such as childrens' lullaby using solar energy normally wasted.

is The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only two embodiments of a lighting arrangement in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement according to the present invention: Figure 2 is a detail view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the first embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement in an in use position; Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of lighting arrangement; Figure 6 is a second perspective view of the first embodiment of lighting arrangement with a transparent shade for clarity of illustration; Figure 7 is an exploded elevation view of the first embodiment of lighting arrangement of Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a top plan view of Figure 5 and 6: Figure 9 is a section view of Figure 8 taken along A-A; Figure 10 is a exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of lighting arrangement of Figures 5 to 9; Figure 11 is a second exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of lighting arrangement of Figures 5 to 10; Figure 12 is an perspective view of a second embodiment of lighting arrangement in accordance with the invention; Figure 13 is a second perspective view of the second embodiment of lighting arrangement with a transparent shade for clarity of illustration; Figure 14 is an exploded elevation view of the second embodiment of lighting arrangement of Figures 12 and 12; Figure 15 is a top plan view of Figure 12 and 13: Figure 16 is a section view of Figure 15 taken along A-A; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement according to the present invention: Figure 18 is a detail view of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a second perspective view of the first embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement in an in use position; Figure 20 is a detail view of Figure 19; In the drawings generally, there is shown a lighting arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The lighting arrangement 1 has an arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade 3 and/or at least one mobile decoration 10 appended to the lampshade and the releasable coupling arrangement 14, 15, see especially Figures ito 4 and 12 to 14. In the first embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement 14, the releasable coupling arrangement has a support frame 21 separate to the lam pshade support frame 22. The movement causing arrangement 2 is mounted on the support frame 21.

The support frame 21 has a coupling member 24. Advantageously, the coupling member 24 is releasably connected to the electrical cable 25 in use. The support frame 21 is a wire frame although of course it will be appreciated that any material of sufficient strength to support the weight of the lampshade 3 and appendages can be used such as a plastic frame.

The support frame 21 has a quadrangular shape and has a platform 26, see Figures 10 and 11 having an aperture 27 for engaging the motor 28 on the platform 26 and for receiving the driveshaft 29 of the motor 28 through the aperture 27. The platform 26 and aperture 27 are provided by a ring member 31 on the support frame 21 integrally formed with the support frame 21.

The coupling member 24 for connecting the support frame 21 to the electrical cable 25 is a C-shaped member 33 see Figures 2 and 4 having a first central part 34 attached to a first part 35 of the support frame 21 with an opening 36 of the C-shaped member 33 overlying and being in substantial alignment with a second part 37 of the support frame 21. The main plane of the coupling member 24 is coplanar with the main plane of the frame 21.

The second part 37 of the support frame 21 is a protruding section 37 protruding into the space defined by the C-shaped member 33 proximal to the opening 36 of the C-shaped member 33 for retaining the electrical cable 25 in the coupling member 24.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 11, the movable lampshade 3 has the arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 for causing relative movement between the lampshade 3 and the coupling arrangement 14. The arrangement 2 for causing movement has a transducer 5 for converting solar energy to electrical energy. Advantageously, the transducer 5 is capable of converting a portion of the existing light energy from a light source such as bulb 41 mounted in the light fitting 42 into useful electrical energy which is otherwise unused dissipating into the atmosphere. The arrangement 2 for causing movement also has an actuator 28 powered by the electrical energy generated by the transducer 5 and in the

S

embodiments shown in the drawings is a motor 28. The motor 28 has a driveshaft 29 operably engageable with a rotatable component 43 of the lampshade 3.

The motor 28 is operable between the transducer 5 and the rotatable component 43 of the lampshade 3 for causing relative movement between the lampshade 3, the support frame 21 and the light fitting 2.

The specific configuration of the lam pshade 3 shown in Figures 5 to 11 has a single lamp shade 3 with a spherical shape and a separate support frame 22, the spherical shaped body of the lampshade being covered in a partially transparent material for partially transmitting light from the bulb 41. Although the shape of the lamp shade 3 is described as spherical, it will of course be appreciated that any well known shape of lamp shade can be used with the present invention such as cylindrical, hemispherical or frusto-conical. The bottom end of the separate support frame 22 carries the rotatable component 43 which is coupled to the drive shaft 29 of the motor 28. The coupling arrangement 14 is provided by a substantially rectangular wire mounting frame 107 mounted on the electrical cable 25 and the motor 28 and transducer 5 are mounted on the rectangular frame 107 on the end opposite to the coupling member 24. The transducer 5 is provided by photo voltaic solar cells for converting solar to electrical energy. In use, the bulb 41 is switched on and the transducer 5 converts some of the solar energy into electrical energy to power the motor 28 and rotate the drive shaft 29. The rotatable component 43 is free to rotate as the drive shaft 29 turns thereby rotating the lampshade 3. Mobiles 108 can be suspended from the lampshade 3 and rotate therewith.

In a second embodiment of releasable coupling arrangement, not shown, the lam pshade has a lampshade support frame and the releasable coupling arrangement is a part of the lampshade support frame. The releasable coupling arrangement is provided by a hub coupled to the support frame of the lampshade. The hub is formed for resting on a part of the light fitting such as a bulb holder. The hub has a slot for allowing the electrical cable to pass through so that the lampshade can be readily placed on and removed from the light fitting.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 20, there is shown a second embodiment of lighting arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 51. The lighting arrangement 51 has an arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 52 for releasably coupling the lighting arrangement 51 onto an electrical cable 57 of a light source 58 and a lampshade 54 supported on the releasable coupling arrangement 52. The lighting arrangement 51 having an arrangement 53 for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade 54 and/or at least one mobile decoration 10 appended to the lampshade 54 and the releasable coupling arrangement 52. The arrangement 53 for causing movement has a transducer 59 for converting solar energy to electrical energy.

Advantageously, the transducer 59 is capable of converting a portion of the existing light energy from a light source such as bulb 58 mountable in the light fitting 61 into useful electrical energy which is otherwise unused dissipating into the atmosphere.

The arrangement 52 for causing movement also has an actuator 66 powered by the electrical energy generated by the transducer 59 and in the embodiments shown in the drawings is a motor 66. The motor 66 has a driveshaft 67 operably engageable with a rotatable component 69 of the lampshade 54. A tripod arrangement 68 connects the rotatable component 69 of the lam pshade 54 to the upper portion of a wire support frame 71 of the lampshade 54.

The motor 66 is operable between the transducer 59 and the rotatable component 69 of the lampshade 54 for causing relative movement between the lampshade 54 and the light fitting 61.

The lampshade 54 has a wire support frame 71 with a partially transparent covering material 72 creating a cylindrical side wall. An aperture 73 is formed in two opposing locations of the side wall of the lam pshade 54 and a motor 66 is mounted on the inside of the lampshade 54 with the drive shaft 67 extending through each aperture 73 and coupled to a rotatable display member 10. A transducer 59 in the form of a photovoltaic cell is mounted on the side of the motor housing facing the light source. In use, solar energy from the light source 58 causes the motor 66 to rotate the display member 10 creating an attractive display on the outside surface of the Iampshade 54.

The specific configuration of the lampshade 54 shown in Figures 12 to 16 has a single lamp shade 54 with a generally cylindrical wire support frame 71 covered in a partially transparent material 72 for partially transmitting light from the light source. Although the shape of the wire support frame 71 is described as generally cylindrical, it will of course be appreciated that any well known shape of lamp shade can be used with the present invention such as hemispherical, conical or frusto-conical. The bottom end of the wire support frame 71 has the rotatable member 69 which is coupled to the drive shaft 67. A coupling member 77 is provided by a substantially rectangular wire mounting frame 78 mounted on the electrical cable 57. The motor 66 and transducer 59 are mounted on a platform 74 with an aperture 75 for receiving the driveshaft 67 of the motor 66 on the end opposite a coupling member 24. The transducer 59 is provided by photo voltaic solar cells for converting solar to electrical energy. In use, the bulb 80 is switched on and the transducer 59 converts some of the solar energy into electrical energy to power the motor 66 and rotate the drive shaft 67.

The rotatable member 69 is free to rotate as the drive shaft 67 turns thereby rotating the lampshade 54. Mobiles not shown can be freely suspended from the lampshade 54 and rotate therewith. Figures 17 to 20 show the exact same coupling member 24 as Figures Ito 4 for use with the second embodiment of lighting arrangement 51.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the actuator is provided by a fan blowing a stream of air onto a rotatable portion of the lampshade which has turbines for receiving the stream of air from the fan causing the lampshade to rotate.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lighting arrangement having a means for releasably coupling the lighting arrangement onto a light fitting or onto an electrical cable of a light source and a S lampshade supported on the releasable coupling means, the lighting arrangement having means for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade and the releasable coupling means, the movement causing means comprising a transducer for converting solar energy to electrical energy.
2. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means comprises a support frame.
3. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support frame is separate to a lampshade support frame.
4. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support frame comprises at -15 least part of the lampshade support frame.

CO
5. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support frame comprises a coupling member connectable to the electrical cable or mountable CO on the light fitting. c\J
6. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the support frame is a wire frame or a plastics frame.
7. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the coupling member for connecting the support frame to the electrical cable is a C-shaped member having a first central part attached to a first part of the support frame with the opening of the C-shaped member overlying a second part of the support frame.
8. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the main plane of the coupling member is coplanar with the main plane of the frame.
9. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the frame has a protruding section proximal to the opening of the C-shaped section for retaining the electrical cable in the coupling member.
10. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the releasable coupling means is provided by a hub coupled to the support frame of the lampshade.
11. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hub is formed for resting on a part of the light fitting such as a bulb holder.
12. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the hub has a slot for allowing the electrical cable to pass through so that the lampshade can be readily placed on and removed from the light fitting.
13. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement causing means further comprises actuator means powered by the electrical energy generated by the transducer.
14. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the actuator means is a motor.
15. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the (\J movement causing means is mounted on the support frame.
16. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 when dependent on claim CO 14, wherein the support frame comprises a platform having an aperture for engaging the motor on the platform and for receiving a driveshaft of the motor through the CO aperture. c\J
17. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the platform and aperture are provided by a ring member on the support frame, preferably integrally formed with the support frame.
18. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator means is operably engaged between the transducer and a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade for causing relative movement between at least a portion of the lampshade and/or at least one mobile decoration appended to the lampshade and the releasable coupling means.
19. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein a diffuser lid is coupled to the lampshade support frame and the movement causing means is mounted on the diffuser lid.
20. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lam pshade has an outer lampshade member releasably couplable to a light fitting or onto an electrical cable of a light source via the releasable coupling means and an inner lampshade member movably mounted on the outer lampshade member via the S movement causing means.
21. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the inner lampshade is a screen carrying images projectable onto the outer lampshade.
22. A lighting arrangement as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the movement causing means having the motor and transducer mounted on the support frame of the outer lam pshade member.
23. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the support frame of the inner ampshade member has a recess for receiving the motor and a connector for engaging the drive shaft of the motor.
24. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the C\i 15 lighting arrangement is attachable to a pendant type light fitting, a pendant centre light, a recessed light, a table lamp or a floor lamp. C1)
25. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transducer is provided by at least one photo voltaic solar cell for converting solar to c\i electrical energy.
26. A lighting arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein sound generating means are electrically or electronically couplable to the transducer.