IES59370B2 - Method of decorating a lampshade - Google Patents

Description

METHOD OF DECORATING A LAMPSHADE This invention relates to a method of decorating a lampshade having a laminated body with an outer fabric surface.

Over the years many different methods of decorating lampshades have been tried. These methods have generally involved a long and laborious procedure wherein the lampshade surface is decorated prior to being cut to the required shape for attachment to a metal frame. In the case of lampshades having a laminated body with an outer fabric surface, the method of decorating has generally involved first decorating the fabric surface, then attaching the decorated fabric surface to a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) backing layer so as to form a laminate, cutting the laminate to the required shape and finally attaching the laminate to a metal framework to form the finished lampshade.

A common method of decorating a fabric surface made of silk or cotton, is by means of screen-printing. Screen-printing, however, is a laborious process which takes a considerable amount of time to complete, thereby adding to the cost of the finished lampshade.

Additionally, when the laminate has been cut to the required shape, care must be taken, when attaching the laminate to the metal framework, to ensure that the decoration on the fabric surface of the lampshade is correctly aligned, particularly at the seam(s).

There is, therefore, a need for a method of decorating a lampshade which is quick and straightforward and which overcomes the problem of aligning the decoration on the fabric surface of the lampshade during assembly.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method of decorating a lampshade having a laminated body with an outer fabric surface comprising: 859370 a) mounting the lampshade on a revolvable chuck; and i / b) applying decoration to the fabric surface thereof as the i chuck revolves.

The method of the invention removes the problem of aligning the 5 decoration on the fabric surface when assembling the lampshade, as the decoration is applied after the lampshade has been assembled.

The lampshade can be of any suitable shape.

The chuck can be mounted on a hand operated turntable or on an electrically operated potter's wheel. The chuck can be spun at any speed required by the decorator. Preferably, the speed of rotation is in the range 0.13 to 4 revolutions per second.

Because the chuck, and therefore the lampshade, revolves continuously, while the lampshade is being decorated, there is greater control over the application of the decoration. It also speeds up the 15 decorating process.

Preferably, the lampshade is decorated by applying dye to the fabric surface thereof.

Preferably, the dye is a standard water-based pigment emulsion dye.

Further, preferably, the dye is applied by means of a brush or brushes.

The brush(es) used can vary in size and shape depending on the x decoration to be applied, and range from 16 mm pointed to 1000 mm / flat. Brushes made from natural fibres are preferred, although brushes made from nylon fibres can be used.

Paints and inks may also be used to decorate the fabric surface.

Dyes, paints or inks applied using a brush or brushes allow greater artistic freedom and a wider variety of applied patterns. r Preferably, the fabric surface is made of cotton or silk. > The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lampshade mounted on a chuck for decorating in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the chuck used in the method according to the invention; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line DI - III of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings there is shown a lampshade, indicated generally at 10, which is mounted on a chuck 11 for use in a method of decorating the lampshade 10 in accordance with the invention. The lampshade 10 has a laminated body 12 with an outer fabric surface 13 and the method comprises first mounting the lampshade 10 on the revolvable chuck 11 and then applying decoration to the fabric surface 13 of the lampshade 10 as the chuck 11 revolves.

The lampshade 10 has a typical truncated frusto-conical shape and construction and comprises a laminated body 12 mounted over a metal frame, indicated generally at 14. The laminated body 12 is translucent, being made of a fabric surface 13 covering a PVC backing 15. The laminated body 12 is made by a known process.

The metal frame 14 comprises a pair of spaced-apart ring * members 16, 17, forming the top and bottom of the lampshade 10, respectively. Three struts 18 are welded at equidistant points to ring member 16 and extend into the centre of the lampshade 10 where they are connected to a lamp ring 19, by which the lampshade 10 is attached Ί to a lamp (not shown). t The laminated body 12 is stretched between the ring members 16, 17 and secured in position by means of a suitable adhesive.

The chuck 11 (Fig. 2) is made from fired clay. The clay used is a standard pottery clay and the chuck 11 is made and fired in a manner known per se.

The chuck 11 comprises a circular base portion 20, an upstanding concave wall 21 which extends to a truncated frusto-conical 10 shaped portion 22 having a central aperture 23 in which the lampshade 10 is mounted. The lampshade 10 sits securely in the aperture 23 and the laminated body 12 extends over and rests on portion 22.

Thus, the chuck 11 forms a secure support for the lampshade 10 15 which does not wobble while the chuck 11 is spinning.

Different size chucks are used depending on the size of the lampshade to be decorated. Thus, the size of the chuck 11 and the size of the lampshade 10 are chosen so that the lampshade 10 overhangs the 20 lower end 24 of the portion 22 of the chuck 11.

The shape of the side wall 21 of base portion 20 has the advantage that splashes of dye, which fall onto the side wall 21 while decorating one lampshade 10 will not stain the next lampshade 10 when 25 placed on the chuck 11.

The method according to the invention involves mounting the lampshade 10, as described above, on the chuck 11 which is itself mounted on a hand operated turntable (not shown). Alternatively, the • chuck 11 can be mounted on an electrically operated potter's wheel (not shown). The turntable or potter's wheel is then set in motion. The speed of rotation can be varied as desired by the decorator. The decorator can then decorate the lampshade 10 while it rotates together with the chuck 11.

The lampshade 10 is decorated using standard water-based pigment emulsion dyes. These dyes are applied to the fabric surface 13 5 of the lampshade 10 using a brush or brushes as hereinbefore indicated.

The decorated lampshade 10 is dried at room temperature. The water-based pigment emulsion dyes, once dry, are colourfast.

The method according to the invention enables one to decorate a lampshade without the problem of aligning the decoration particularly 10 at the seam(s).

The method according to the invention also has the advantage that the method of decorating the lampshade 10 is faster and also allows the decorator more freedom and control over the application of the decoration.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS: ο I

1. A method of decorating a lampshade having a laminated ί body with an outer fabric surface comprising: a) mounting the lampshade on a revolvable chuck; and 5 b) applying decoration to the fabric surface thereof as the chuck revolves.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the lampshade is decorated by applying dye to the fabric surface thereof.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the paint is 10 applied by means of a brush.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric surface is made of cotton or silk.

5. A method according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in 15 the accompanying drawings.