US6200008B1
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: 2001-03-13
•
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
2026-11-06 08:43
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0088; F21V33/0096; F21V17/00; F21V17/10; F21V17/16; F21V17/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of attaching and holding a shade to a light fixture comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of an expandable clip underneath a socket; maneuvering a mouth of a shade over a hook end of the clip while the socket is attached to a canopy; and expanding the hook end of the clip within the shade so that the shade is secured to the light fixture without having to separate the canopy from the socket, and the shade is prevented from falling off the light fixture by the hook end of the clip.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of attaching and holding a shade to a light fixture comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of an expandable clip underneath a socket; maneuvering a mouth of a shade over a hook end of the clip while the socket is attached to a canopy; and expanding the hook end of the clip within the shade so that the shade is secured to the light fixture without having to separate the canopy from the socket, and the shade is prevented from falling off the light fixture by the hook end of the clip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 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; and 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, the one end further having an angled hook portion, 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 wherein the angled hook portion end prevents the accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 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; and 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, the one end further having an angled hook portion, 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 wherein the angled hook portion end prevents the accidental release of the shade from the socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring clip connector of claim 2 , wherein the angled hook portion includes: an approximately 90 degree angled hook end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The spring clip connector of claim 2 , wherein the angled hook portion includes: a tip that abuts against an interior portion of the shade as the shade is slipping off the fixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 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 an angled hook portion on the one end that abuts against an interior portion of the shade as the shade is slipping off the fixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 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 an angled hook portion on the one end that abuts against an interior portion of the shade as the shade is slipping off the fixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spring clip connector of claim 5 , wherein the single longitudinal clip includes: a second end which expands against another portion of the shade for securing the shade to the fixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring clip connector of claim 5 , wherein the angled hook portion includes: an approximately 90 degree angled hook end.
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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) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |