US6174077B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring clip light fixture connector
Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Co Ltd Inc
•
Filing: 1999-07-27
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Granted: 2001-01-16
•
Expires: 2019-07-27
Abstract
Abstract Spring clips for holding lamp shades such as but not limited to fragile globe and funnel shapes, onto lamp fixtures include elongated types clips that connect to the stem beneath the socket of the lamp fixture. The longitudinal clips springably expand within the neck and lower interior expanding portion of the globe shade, securely holding the latter in place to the lamp fixture. The spring clips have great applicability to the light fixtures on ceiling fans offering a secure fastening system that prevents accidental dislodging of the fragile shade when vibrations from the spinning fan occur. The spring clips allow the shades to be more easily put in place over the overhead type light fixtures as compared to the traditional method of using side screws to support and secure the shades. The clips can have hook or barb ends which prevent the accidental release of the shade from the fixture. A safety sleeve can be included which slips over the socket so that the sleeve and the clip together help prevent the shades from being accidentally dislodged from the socket.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Bucher
- 👤 John C. Bucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:16
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0088; F21V33/0096; F21V17/00; F21V17/10; F21V17/16; F21V17/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture having a socket comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade having a neck for being positioned over the socket; a single longitudinal clip having a portion beneath the socket, and having at least one end which expands against a portion of the shade for securing the shade to the fixture; and a sleeve for slipping over the socket, the sleeve and the longitudinal clip preventing accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture having a socket comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade having a neck for being positioned over the socket; a single longitudinal clip having a portion beneath the socket, and having at least one end which expands against a portion of the shade for securing the shade to the fixture; and a sleeve for slipping over the socket, the sleeve and the longitudinal clip preventing accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spring clip connector of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes: a cylindrical shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring clip connector of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes: a bent side tab for abutting against the socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spring clip connector of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes: a exterior base ledge around a top portion of the sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture having a socket, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade having an expanded portion with a first diameter and a neck with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the neck being positioned over the socket; a single longitudinal clip having a first bend between a midportion of the clip and one end, and a second bend between the midportion of the clip and an opposite end, wherein the midportion of the clip is located beneath the socket so that the ends of the clip insert within the shade neck and springably expand out into the interior of the expanded portion of the shade; and a sleeve for slipping over the socket, the sleeve and the longitudinal clip preventing accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture having a socket, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade having an expanded portion with a first diameter and a neck with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the neck being positioned over the socket; a single longitudinal clip having a first bend between a midportion of the clip and one end, and a second bend between the midportion of the clip and an opposite end, wherein the midportion of the clip is located beneath the socket so that the ends of the clip insert within the shade neck and springably expand out into the interior of the expanded portion of the shade; and a sleeve for slipping over the socket, the sleeve and the longitudinal clip preventing accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spring clip connector of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes: a cylindrical shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring clip connector of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes: a bent side tab for abutting against the socket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spring clip connector of claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes: a exterior base ledge around a top portion of the sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A spring clip for attaching a shade to a light fixture, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade; an expandable clip having a first portion attached about the socket, and a second portion for abutting against an interior portion of the shade; and a sleeve for fitting over the socket, wherein the clip and the sleeve prevent the accidental release of the shade from the light fixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A spring clip for attaching a shade to a light fixture, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade; an expandable clip having a first portion attached about the socket, and a second portion for abutting against an interior portion of the shade; and a sleeve for fitting over the socket, wherein the clip and the sleeve prevent the accidental release of the shade from the light fixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spring clip of claim 9 , wherein the sleeve includes: a cylindrical shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The spring clip of claim 9 , wherein the sleeve includes: a bent side tab for abutting against the socket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring clip of claim 9 , wherein the sleeve includes: a exterior base ledge around a top of the sleeve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-16 | 2004-07-17 | 2005-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-16 | 2008-07-17 | 2009-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-16 | 2012-07-17 | 2013-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |