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US6193397B1 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: 2001-02-27
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Expires: 2019-07-27
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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 2026-11-06 11:11
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0088; F21V33/0096; F21V17/00; F21V17/10; F21V17/16; F21V17/164

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture comprising in combination: a light fixture having a socket attached to a canopy; a shade; and an expandable clip having a portion attached about the socket and at least one end for abutting against both an interior portion of the shade and the socket, wherein the clip both secures the shade to the fixture and helps prevent the shade from falling off of the fixture while the socket is attached to the canopy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 85 words
A spring clip connector for attaching a shade to a light fixture comprising in combination: a light fixture having a socket attached to a canopy; a shade; and an expandable clip having a portion attached about the socket and at least one end for abutting against both an interior portion of the shade and the socket, wherein the clip both secures the shade to the fixture and helps prevent the shade from falling off of the fixture while the socket is attached to the canopy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The spring clip connector of claim 1 , wherein the clip further includes: a raised hook on the clip for preventing the accidental release of the shade from the fixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 69 words
A spring clip for attaching a shade to a light fixture, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade; and 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 third portion that can abut against the socket, wherein the third portion helps prevent accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 69 words
A spring clip for attaching a shade to a light fixture, comprising: a light fixture having a socket; a shade; and 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 third portion that can abut against the socket, wherein the third portion helps prevent accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The spring clip of claim 3 , wherein the third portion includes: a raised barb portion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 65 words
A method for preventing accidental release of lamps shades, comprising the steps of: positioning a neck of a shade over an end of an expandable clip that is attached to a socket; expanding the end of the clip within the shade; and abutting the end of the clip against both the shade and the socket to prevent accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 65 words
A method for preventing accidental release of lamps shades, comprising the steps of: positioning a neck of a shade over an end of an expandable clip that is attached to a socket; expanding the end of the clip within the shade; and abutting the end of the clip against both the shade and the socket to prevent accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the end of the clip includes: a raised barb portion.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-02-27 2004-08-28 2005-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-02-27 2008-08-28 2009-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-02-27 2012-08-28 2013-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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