Collapsible Lampshade Kit
First Claim
1. A lampshade that comprises:
- a support hoop; and
a lamp cover made of a flexible material that forms a continuous, open-ended configuration having an edge that is secured to the support hoop by magnetic means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lampshade structure is fabricated from a collapsible, semi-flexible sheet material onto which pre-fastened magnetic strips are attached. One or more collapsible spring steel strip hoop(s) is magnetically adhered to the magnetic strips to thereby create a semi-rigid tubular structure. As part of a kit in the collapsed configuration, each spring steel strip hoop is folded upon itself and the flexible sheet material with a pre-fastened magnetic strip is rolled into a small diameter. In the expanded configuration, the spring steel strip hoop(s) is unfolded and expanded, whereupon the sheet material with pre-fastened magnetic strip is wrapped around the circumference of the spring steel strip hoop(s) relying solely on magnetic attraction as a fastening system in creating a semi-rigid hollow structure. This resultant collapsed assembly is 1/9th the volume of the fully expanded structure, thereby saving considerable shipping costs, both in the labor required for packaging materials and actual transportation costs. Furthermore, insofar as the components of the lamps shade are pliable, the risk of deformation of the packaged lampshade is greatly diminished even if the container is damaged in the shipping process. As well a container 1/9 the volume of a full size container has proportionately greater strength and is less apt to suffer shipping damage.
16 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A lampshade that comprises:
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a support hoop; and a lamp cover made of a flexible material that forms a continuous, open-ended configuration having an edge that is secured to the support hoop by magnetic means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A lampshade that comprises:
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an upper support hoop; a lower support hoop; a lamp cover formed of flexible material and having a tubular-shaped structure with upper and lower perimeters, wherein the upper perimeter is secured to the upper support hoop by first magnetic means and the lower perimeter is secured to the lower support hoop by second magnetic means, wherein the lamp cover is self-supporting; and a mounting hub connected to the upper support hoop by a plurality of support members. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A kit for forming a collapsible lampshade that comprises:
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a lamp cover formed of a sufficiently rigid material that is stable on a longitudinal axis and has an expanded configuration in the form of a continuous, open-ended structure having an edge; and a support hoop that is formed of a collapsible metal strip wherein the support hoop is dimensioned to be secured to the edge of the lamp cover by magnetic means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification