Air supported lamp-shade structure

• US 5,683,167 A
• Filed: 08/09/1995
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth A. Tarlow
• Original Assignee: Kenneth A. Tarlow
• Inventors: Tarlow, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Basichas, Alfred
• Application Number:
  US08/512,927
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/253, 362/352, 362/373, 362/437, 362/438, 362/439, 362/450
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 1/06 foldable or collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons

Abstract

A collapsible lamp-shade structure for a decorative lamp having a light weight flexible material which is supported by a column of forced air emanating from a fan located in the lamp base. The lamp-shade material is held in place by spring clips located on the end of extension arms located at the top of the lamp base. Swivel joints connect the extension arms to the lamp base so that the arms may be folded in creating a pyramid shape in the non use mode or folded out causing the forced air to make the lamp-shade material billow like a parachute. A light bulb located in the lamp base shines up causing the lamp-shade to glow.

Claims

1. A collapsible lamp-shade structure, comprising:

a hollow lamp base having an open top;

a fan positioned within said hollow lamp base, said fan directing a column of air upwardly through said open top;

a plurality of extension arms each having an upper end and a lower end, said lower ends being attached around a perimeter of said lamp base at spaced locations; and

a lamp shade comprised of a light weight flexible material, said upper ends of said extension arms being attached to said lamp shade around a perimeter thereof at spaced locations, so that said lamp shade is positioned directly above said open top of said lamp base, and said lamp shade is supported and caused to billow by said column of air directed at an underside thereof.

2. The collapsible lamp-shade structure of claim 1, wherein said extension arms are removable from said lamp base for compact packing.

3. The collapsible lamp-shade structure of claim 1, further including a spring clip attached to said upper end of each of said extension arms for removably attaching said lamp shade.

4. The collapsible lamp-shade structure of claim 1, further including a bulb positioned within said lamp base.

5. The collapsible lamp-shade structure of claim 1, further including a swivel joint attaching said lower end of each of said extension arms to said lamp base.

6. The collapsible lamp-shade structure of claim 5, wherein said extension arms can swing inwardly when not in use and outwardly when in use, a friction fit in said swivel joint enabling said extension arms to remain in a selected position.