Lamp display system

This is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/437,287, filed Nov. 10, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,066 B1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the display of lamps in large retail outlets and more particularly to the securement of such lamps on overhead tilted shelves for optimum display of the lamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lamps such as floor lamps and table lamps are commonly purchased for decorative as well as lighting purposes. There are thousands of different lamp designs that are available to a purchaser. A purchaser understands that different lamps will satisfy his or her lighting requirements and it is the decorative appeal that determines selection.

A table lamp is typically placed on a table of some sort and often a wood table. The table places the lamp at a height that is about at eye level when seated but is quite visible from a standing position. Such is also true for floor lamps. The purchaser wants to examine the lamp design as visualized for example on such a table when making his purchase.

Large retail stores or outlets in particular want to maximize the use of display space and overhead shelving is common for displaying items such as lamps. The overhead shelving also places the display out of the reach of customers and avoids the disruption that occurs from customer handling. To enable purchasers to ideally examine merchandise displayed on overhead shelves, the shelves may be tilted. Such is not feasible for table lamps or floor lamps as such lamps are top heavy and tilting of the shelf can result in tipping the lamp off the shelf. Thus, lamps when displayed on overhead shelving are commonly displayed on non-tilted shelves and such is unsatisfactory for examining the lamp's decorative appeal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The provision of visually exposed brackets to secure a lamp to a tilting shelf is generally not considered satisfactory. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure of the lamp itself is utilized for securement to a tilted shelf. Almost all lamps are structured to have a decorative body portion with a socket provided at the top (over which a lamp shade is mounted) and a base portion at the bottom either as part of the body or as a separate component. A tube extends from the base through the body to the socket and it performs a dual function. The tube is threaded at the top and bottom. It is secured at its top to the socket, inserted down through the body and base and then a nut is threaded onto the bottom of the tube to secure the base (if separate), body and socket together. The tube also functions as a conduit for extending an electrical cord from the base to the socket. The cord often projects from within the base out through a hole in the base, the projecting cord end being fitted with an electrical plug that can be connected to an electrical outlet. The bottom of the base is often covered with a felt or similar covering to avoid scratching a table top.

Once the nut is threaded onto the bottom end of the tube, only a short stub of the tube end is exposed. However, it is the stub end of the tube that provides for the mounting of the lamp. The felt cover is removed and the plug is removed from the cord end (e.g., as by cutting). The cord is pulled back into the base and inserted through a coupler and a tube extension (the combination referred to as a coupling). The coupler is provided with female threads to fit the threads of the stub shaft and the tube extension is then threadably secured to the other end of the coupler. A tilted shelf is provided with a hole that receives the tube extension. The inserted end of. the tube extension is then fitted with a fastener, e.g., a nut, that threadably fits the end of the extension. The cord end is inserted down through the coupler, tube extension and nut and fitted with a plug and connected to an electrical outlet under the shelf. A viewer is able to examine the lamp from a side view even though the lamp is sitting on an overhead but tilted shelf and without the distractions of brackets or the like. It will be understood that the under side of the shelf can be covered as desired.

Further to the above, it will be appreciated that the degree of tilt that is desired for the display of the lamps is dependent on the height of the shelf. Large lamp retailers often use high racking in their stores. In most categories of products that they carry in their stores they display the items above the boxed stock directly underneath the displayed items allowing a customer to easily identify and load onto their shopping cart. By displaying the items above and the product underneath, the retailer is best utilizing its high racking and increasing their sales per square foot.

Many such large retailers are using this same display concept for table lamps, floor lamps, desk lamps, novelty lamps and other types of portable lamps. This has worked with mixed results. They gain valuable space but because the lamps are on a standard shelf and the lamps are mounted above eye level, it is nearly impossible to see the lamp base on most types of lamps, not only because it is mounted so high up, you. look straight up into the glare of the light bulb.

Other retailers of lamps sell the lamp bases separately from their lamp shades often referred to as mix/match. Often times they do not light up or display the lamps other than the base by itself. This saves shelf space but does not satisfy many customers because they want to see the lamp lighted up. Also, many customers don't have a good feel for what type of shade looks best. There are many different types of fabrics used in lamp shades and they can look quite different when lighted.

Until now retailers have had two choices. Display lamps overhead inadequately or save space by just setting lamp bases on a shelf without a shade to save space.

With the angled lamp display of the present invention, a customer can look above and by having the lamps tilted at an angle that allows customers to view lamps on the display above straight on as if they were sitting on their couch looking at the lamp. They can see the whole lamp including the base and they are not looking up into the lamp shade. The lamps on display may vary from approximately 30-60 degrees, the higher they are the steeper the angle that they would be displayed at.

For such a large display of lamps it may be desirable to display the lamps on different tiers of shelves. A viewer looking upwardly at one lamp and then looking at a lamp on a higher or lower shelf will be seeing the two lamps at a different angle if the shelves (and thus the lamps) are similarly tilted.

Accordingly, a further feature of the invention is the provision of a support base for the lamp which is devised to have a desired angle when rested on a flat shelf at a particular height. A second support base will have a different angle for a different height so as to achieve the same view of a lamp positioned at the different tier heights. There may be third and fourth or more different support bases so that a plurality of shelves at different heights can all be provided with the same viewing angle.

A still further feature is the provision of a pre-prepared lamp display that is readily secured to a shelf or display bracket without having to cut off the plug end. During assembly of the lamp and prior to threading the elastic cord through the lamp base, a wing nut, oblong washer and a coupler are threaded onto the cord. Thus, the lamp when shipped to the retailer includes the nut, coupler and washer. The coupler may or may not be screwed onto the threaded tube portion projected below the lamp base. An angled bracket or shelf is provided with a hole that is configured to allow the plug in, wing nut and washer to be inserted through the hole. The coupler being threaded to the tube is extended down through the hole, the washer is positioned to abut the shelf bottom and the nut is tightened against the washer.

The several facets of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a view of a lamp assembly;

FIG. 2

is a partial exploded view of the lamp assembly of

FIG. 1 and a

portion of a tilting shelf;

FIG. 3

is a sectional view showing the lamp assembly of

FIG. 1

mounted to a tilted shelf;

FIG. 4

is another view of the lamp assembly of

FIG. 1

mounted to a shelf;

FIG. 5

is a view illustrating another mounting arrangement for a lamp;

FIG.

6

. is a view of a mounting block for mounting a lamp in a tilted attitude on a horizontal shelf;

FIG. 7

is a view of a mounting bracket for mounting a lamp to a tilted shelf;

FIG. 8

is a view of another mounting arrangement for mounting the lamp in a tilted attitude;

FIG. 9

is a view of another mounting arrangement for mounting the lamp in a tilted attitude;

FIG. 10

is a view of a still further embodiment where specialty shelving is provided to display lamps at different heights having correspondingly different angles of display;

FIG. 11

is an enlarged side view of shelving as illustrated in

FIG. 10

; and

FIG. 12

is a perspective view of the shelving of

FIGS. 10 and 11

illustrating a lamp being affixed thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1

illustrates a typical lamp assembly

10

. The lamp assembly

10

has a body portion

12

, that is most often of an artistic or appealing shape. A threaded tube

14

is installed in the body portion

12

and is secured by a nut

16

. Mounted on the threaded tube

14

at the top of the body portion

12

is a lamp socket assembly

18

. The lamp socket assembly

18

receives a bulb

20

and also provides support for a shade

21

. The threaded tube

14

is secured at the lower end of the body portion

12

(the base portion) by another nut

22

. A stub end

24

of the tube

14

extends beyond the nut

22

. An electrical wire

26

is extended from the lamp socket

18

down through the tube

14

and extends through an aperture

28

in the base portion of the body portion

12

. The electrical wire

26

has a standard plug

30

which is insertable into a standard outlet to supply power to the lamp assembly

10

. Typically a pad

32

, such as felt, is attached to the bottom of the body portion

12

to protect the surface upon which the lamp assembly

10

will be placed. The above describes a typical lamp assembly

10

, however it will be appreciated that there are many variations in design and configuration.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for mounting the lamp assembly

10

on a tilted display shelf without the possibility of the lamp being subject to tipping or toppling off the shelf. In the preferred embodiment, the structure of the lamp assembly

10

is utilized to provide a secure mount of the lamp assembly

10

to a tilted shelf.

The lamp assembly

10

is secured to a tilted shelf

50

as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

. The plug

30

is cut off from the wire

26

. The pad

32

is removed from the base of the body portion

12

to expose the stub end

24

of the tube

14

. The wire

26

is withdrawn through the aperture

28

and the wire

26

extends from the end of the tube

14

. A coupler

36

is slid over the wire

26

and is threadably installed on the stub end

24

of the tube

14

. An extension tube

54

is slid over the wire

26

and is threadably installed in the coupler

36

.

FIGS. 3 and 4

illustrate the lamp assembly

10

mounted on a tilted shelf

50

. The shelf

50

has a slot opening

52

that is aligned with and receives the extension tube

54

. The tube

54

is of sufficient length to extend through the thickness of the shelf

50

. A nut

55

is mounted on the tube

54

to secure the lamp

10

to the shelf

50

in a tilted position. A new plug

30

is installed on the end of the extending wire

26

.

FIG. 5

illustrates another manner of mounting a lamp

10

′ on a shelf

50

. In this embodiment the body

12

of the lamp

10

has an enlarged opening

60

in its base. The wire

26

extends from the socket down through the body

12

loosely as illustrated. A cross member

62

is insertable into the opening

60

and will engage the edges of the opening

60

. The cross member

62

has two legs

64

,

66

that are threadably installed on a tube member

68

that extends below the base. The legs

64

,

66

are rotated on the tube member

68

so that they overlap one another permitting the cross member to be inserted into the base of the lamp. When inserted in the base of the lamp, the legs

64

,

66

are rotated so that they are normal to each other. The lamp

10

′ is installed on the shelf

50

with the tube

68

extending through the shelf

50

and is secured by the nut

55

to retain the lamp

10

′ on the shelf

50

. With this arrangement the wire

26

does not have to be removed from its normal position, or if preferred it can be threaded down through tube member

68

as also shown.

There are occasions where a lamp is displayed on a horizontal shelf but it is desired to tilt the lamp for display purposes. A mounting block

70

shown in

FIG. 6

has an inclined surface

72

at the desired display angle. A slot

74

is provided in the surface

72

to facilitate mounting the lamp

10

to the mounting block

70

in the same manner as the lamp

10

is mounted to the shelf

50

as shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. The mounting block

70

is then placed on a horizontal shelf

76

at a desired position.

Another arrangement for mounting a lamp

10

in tilted attitude is the use of a mounting brace

80

shown in

FIG. 7

that is mountable at any position on the tilted shelf

50

. The brace

80

has an extending lip

82

that engages the edge

51

of the shelf

50

to secure the brace

80

to the shelf

50

. The brace

80

has a slot

84

to facilitate mounting the lamp

10

to the brace

80

in the same manner as shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. The reader will appreciate that whereas the openings shown are in the form of slots, the openings can be any configuration (round, square, etc.) Which will receive the bracket and provide attachment thereof to the support surface.

Some lamps have different configurations and don't lend themselves to be mounted in the manner described. A lamp

90

, for example as shown in

FIG. 8

, is of the type that does not have a center tube

14

extending from the socket assembly

18

. To secure the lamp

90

to a tilted shelf

50

(or mounting brace

80

) a hook

92

is mounted in the slot

52

of the shelf

50

. The hook

92

has a top flange

94

that engages the top surface of the shelf

50

and is secured by a nut

96

. The hook is adapted to encircle the top of the lamp

90

to secure the lamp in the tilted position. The hook

92

is adjustably mounted in a tube

98

that extends from the flange

94

. The hook

92

is held in position by a lock mechanism

100

.

FIG. 9

illustrates another example of securing a lamp

110

to the tilted shelf

50

. Brackets

112

configured to engage the base

114

of the lamp

110

are fitted in the slot

52

of the shelf

50

. The brackets

112

have a threaded stud

116

that extends through the slot

52

. A nut

55

is fitted on the stud

116

to secure the lamp

110

to the shelf

50

. It will be appreciated that the brackets

112

may be used with the block

70

as shown in

FIG. 6

to secure the lamp

110

to the block

70

.

FIGS. 10-12

disclose a concept for displaying multiple tiers of lamps.

FIG. 10

illustrates a customer/viewer

120

viewing an overhead display of lamps at different tiers or heights. As will be appreciated from the drawing, view line

122

is at a relatively shallow angle as compared to view line

124

which in turn is more shallow than view line

126

. If the viewer is going to see these lamps from the same side view, the lamp

128

at the lower tier has to be tilted at one angle a to place the lamp

128

perpendicular to view line

122

, the lamp

130

at a second angle b and lamp

132

at a third angle c.

FIGS. 10-12

provide these varying tilt angles using support brackets

134

best seen in FIG.

12

. The bracket

134

is formed metal sheeting having upper and lower legs

136

,

138

which have inturned upper and lower ends or lips

140

,

142

. The legs

136

,

138

are formed to the desired angle (e.g., angles a, b or c). The inturned lip

140

is secured to a J hook

144

(i.e., having an upturned lip) that is attached to the wall

146

at the desired height as illustrated in FIG.

11

.

With reference to

FIG. 12

, also shown is a system for securing the lamp to a shelf or bracket

134

without the need to remove the plug in

30

. When the lamp is assembled and before wire

26

is inserted through the tube

14

, a coupler

54

, a nut

55

and washer

150

are threaded onto the wire

26

. The bracket

134

is provided with a hole

148

that is configured, e.g., rectangularly. The washer

150

is cooperatively configured so that it can be turned sideways as illustrated and inserted through the opening

148

. With the washer inserted through the opening, the coupler

54

at the threaded end of tube

14

(see

FIG. 2

) is inserted through the opening until the base of the lamp engages leg

136

of bracket

134

. (See

FIG. 11

) The washer

150

is then positioned crossways to the hole

148

and the nut

55

′ is screwed onto the threaded end of the coupler to be abutted against the washer and the bottom of the shelf (leg

136

).

Alternatively, the shelving can be provided as shown in

FIG. 6

wherein the mounting block

70

is configured to have different display angles, e.g., angles a, b and c. In either of these examples a viewer

120

can make a fair comparison of the lamps

128

,

130

,

132

in that he/she has the same side view due to the angles a, b and c being established to accommodate the height difference as between the shelves.

The different embodiments shown are but a few of the ways that a lamp can be secured to a tilted shelf. Other means for achieving such securement can include for example an anchor screwed into the shelf or wall behind the shelf and a thin wire extended from the lamp near or at the socket and secured to the anchor. The lamp base may be receptive to the use of an adhesive and glued to the shelf. Velcro type fasteners may be applied and so on. Preferably the means used for securement is substantially not visible so that a customer can visualize the total design and only the design of the lamp.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the embodiments described and illustrated but is to be determined from the appended claims.