Pattern changing luminaire

Abstract

A pattern changing luminaire includes a patterned sleeve having a physical pattern. The pattern changing luminaire further includes an outer sleeve positioned around the patterned sleeve. The pattern changing luminaire also includes a frame having a flange, where the outer sleeve is positioned on the flange. The pattern changing luminaire also includes a compression plate movable to compress the outer sleeve between the compression plate and the flange. The outer sleeve is deformable to have an outer sleeve pattern that conforms to the physical pattern when the outer sleeve is compressed by the compression plate.

Description

[0001] PATTERN CHANGING LUMINAIRE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting solutions, and in particular to a luminaire with a changeable pattern.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A luminaire may have a shade that is positioned around the light source and / or the housing of the luminaire. For example, a pendant luminaire may include a shade that is positioned around the light source of the pendant luminaire. As another example, some chandelier luminaires may have a shade. In some cases, when a consumer wants a shade that has a design pattern that is different from the design pattern of the existing shade, the consumer may be forced to change the entire shade. In some cases, a shade of a luminaire may not be replaceable at all, and changing the design pattern of the shade would require changing the luminaire. Thus, a solution that enables changing a design pattern of the shade of a luminaire without requiring replacing the entire shade or the luminaire may be desirable.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting solutions, and in particular to a luminaire with a changeable pattern. In an example embodiment, a pattern changing luminaire includes a patterned sleeve having a physical pattern. The pattern changing luminaire further includes an outer sleeve positioned around the patterned sleeve. The pattern changing luminaire also includes a frame having a flange, where the outer sleeve is positioned on the flange. The pattern changing luminaire also includes a compression plate movable to compress the outer sleeve between the compression plate and the flange. The outer sleeve is deformable to have an outer sleeve pattern that conforms to the physical pattern when the outer sleeve is compressed by the compression plate.

[0008] In another example embodiment, a lighting device includes a pattern changing luminaire having a cavity. The lighting device further includes a light source positioned in the cavity to emit a light through an opening of the pattern changing luminaire. The pattern changing luminaire includes a patterned sleeve having a physical pattern. The pattern changing luminaire further includes an outer sleeve positioned around the patterned sleeve. The pattern changing luminaire also includes a frame having a flange, where the outer sleeve is positioned on the flange. The pattern changing luminaire further includes a compression plate movable to compress the outer sleeve between the compression plate and the flange, wherein the outer sleeve is deformable to have an outer sleeve pattern that conforms to the physical pattern when the outer sleeve is compressed by the compression plate.

[0009] These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a luminaire with a pattern changing luminaire shade according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the A-A cross-section of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different views of the pattern changing luminaire shade of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate close-up views of a top portion of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates another close-up view of a top portion of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the luminaire shade frame of the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4A and 4B according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates the luminaire shade frame of the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B with the base attached thereto according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the luminaire of FIG. 1 with the pattern changing luminaire shade having different patterns according to an example embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates the B-B cross-section of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 9 A with the outer sleeve compressed by the compression plate according to an example embodiment; FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up view of an upper right comer of the luminaire of FIG. 9A according to an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a patterned sleeve for use with the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B according to another example embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a luminaire that includes the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B including the patterned sleeve of FIG. 12 according to an example embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a patterned sleeve for use with the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B according to another example embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a luminaire that includes the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B including the patterned sleeve of FIG. 14 according to an example embodiment; and

[0026] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the processes of opening the patterned sleeve for insertion and removal of the electrical cable of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment.

[0027] The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or placements may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the figures, the same reference numerals used in different figures may designate like or corresponding and not necessarily identical elements.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the following paragraphs, particular embodiments will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the figures. In the description, well known components, methods, and / or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a luminaire 100 with a pattern changing luminaire shade according to an example embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates the A-A crosssection of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. For example, the luminaire 100 may be a lighting device such as a pendant luminaire, a chandelier luminaire, or another type of lighting device. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some example embodiments, the luminaire 100 includes an outer sleeve 102, a luminaire shade frame 104, and a patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 202 may be positioned around the luminaire shade frame 104. For example, the patterned sleeve 202 may be in contact with the luminaire shade frame 104. The luminaire shade frame 104 may include a flange 204 at or proximal to a light output opening 314 of the luminaire shade frame 104, and the patterned sleeve 202 may be positioned on the flange 204. The outer sleeve 102 may be positioned on the flange 204 and around the patterned sleeve 202 that includes a physical pattern 206 on the outer side of the patterned sleeve 202. For example, the outer sleeve 102 may be in contact with the patterned sleeve 202. When the outer sleeve 102 is uncompressed, the outer sleeve 102 may have a smooth surface as shown in FIGS. 1-3. When the outer sleeve 102 is compressed as described below in more detail, the outer sleeve 102 may have a pattern that conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the luminaire 100 may include a compression plate 106, a compression knob 108, and a compression base 112. For example, the pattern changing luminaire shade of the luminaire 100 may include the outer sleeve 102, the patterned sleeve 202, the luminaire shade frame 104, the compression plate 106, the compression knob 108. The luminaire shade frame 104 may include a top cover 210, and the compression base 112 may be attached to the top cover 210. The compression plate 106 may be positioned on the outer sleeve 102 and above the top cover 210. The compression plate 106 may include an opening 208, and an upper portion of the compression base 112 may extend through the opening 208. The compression knob 108 may be threadedly attached to the compression base 112. That is, the compression knob 108 may be rotatably about the compression base 112. The compression knob 108 may be positioned around a threaded portion of the compression base 112 and above the compression plate 106. For example, the inside surface of the compression knob 108 may be threaded, and the compression knob 108 may be turned while attached to the compression base 112.

[0032] In some example embodiments, the compression plate 106 may be positioned on the outer sleeve 102, and the weight of the compression plate 106 may be supported by the outer sleeve 102. When the compression plate 106 rests on the outer sleeve 102 and no additional compression is applied on the outer sleeve 102, the outer sleeve 102 may support the weight of the compression plate 106 without being deformed. After the knob 108 is turned, for example, clockwise around the compression base 112 and comes in contact with the compression plate 106, additional downward movements of the knob 108 (i.e., by turning the knob 108) may result in the outer sleeve 102 being compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204 of the luminaire shade frame 104. To illustrate, after the knob 108 is in contact with the compression plate 106, additional downward movements of the knob 108 (i.e., by turning the knob 108) may move the compression plate 106 further toward the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104, thereby reducing a space 310 between the compression plate 106 and the top cover 210. Because the compression plate 106 rests on the outer sleeve 102, as the compression plate 106 moves further toward the top cover 210 as a result of the knob 108 being turned, the outer sleeve 102 may become more compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed when the outer sleeve 102 is compressed by the compression plate 106 between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204. For example, the outer sleeve 102 may be made from a metal (e.g., an aluminum alloy) and may be strong enough to adequately support the weight of the compression plate 106 when the compression plate 106 is freely positioned on the outer sleeve 102 without additional compression force being applied on the compression plate 106. For example, the particular thickness of the outer sleeve 102 may be decided based on the maximum expected weight of the compression plate 106. After the knob 108 comes in contact with the compression plate 106 and pushes the compression plate 106 closer to the top cover 210, the additional compression force applied on the outer sleeve 102 between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204 may result in the outer sleeve 102 being deformed. For example, the outer sleeve 102 may be partially deformed where a portion of the outer sleeve has an outer sleeve pattern that conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202 at the corresponding portion of the patterned sleeve 202. As another example, the compression plate 106 may be moved close enough the top cover 210 (e.g., in contact with the top cover 210) such that the force applied on the outer sleeve 102 results in the outer sleeve 102 being mostly or fully deformed, where the outer sleeve 102 has an outer sleeve pattern that conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202.

[0034] In general, by changing the size of the space 310 between the compression plate 106 and the top cover 210 using the compression knob 108, the amount of deformation of the outer sleeve 102 may be changed. For example, the top half portion of the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed such that the outer sleeve pattern on the top half portion of the outer sleeve 102 closely matches the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202 at the top half portion of the patterned sleeve 202 and the bottom half of the outer sleeve 102 has a smooth surface. As another example, the outer sleeve 102 may be fully deformed such that the entirety of the outer sleeve 102 has an outer sleeve pattern that closely matches or conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202.

[0035] In some example embodiments, the luminaire 100 includes a light source 304 (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED) bulb), a socket 306, a conduit 308, and an electrical cable 110. The light source 304 may be attached to the socket 306, and the socket 306 may be attached to the conduit 308 in a cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The conduit 308 may extend through an opening of the compression base 112 that is attached to the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The electrical cable 110 may extend through the conduit 308 and may be used to provide power to the light source 304 that is positioned to the cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The light source 304 may exit a light that is provided by the luminaire 100 through an opening 314 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The conduit 308 and / or the electrical cable 110 may extend above the luminaire 100 and may be used, for example, to suspend or otherwise install the luminaire 100 from a ceiling or another structure.

[0036] In some example embodiments, the luminaire shade frame 104 may be made from plastic and / or another suitable material using methods such as injection molding, 3D printing, and / or other methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The patterned sleeve 202 may be made from plastic and / or another suitable material using methods such as injection molding, 3D printing, and / or other methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The outer sleeve may be made from a metal such as an aluminum alloy or another suitable material using methods such as extrusion, casting, and / or other suitable methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The conduit 308 and the socket 306 may be made from plastic or metal using methods such as injection molding, casting, and / or other methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The compression plate 106, the compression knob 108, and the compression base 112 may each be made from plastic and / or another suitable material using methods such as injection molding, 3D printing, and / or other methods as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

[0037] In some example embodiments, the patterned sleeve 202 may be removed from the luminaire 100 and replaced by another patterned sleeve. To illustrate, the compression knob 108 may be turned, for example, counterclockwise to remove the compression knob 108 from the compression base 112. After the compression knob 108 is removed, the compression plate 106 may be lifted up from the outer sleeve 102. After the compression plate 106 is lifted up, the outer sleeve 102 may be removed or otherwise lifted up or slid off from around the patterned sleeve 202. After the outer sleeve 102 is lifted up, the patterned sleeve 202 may be removed or otherwise lifted up or slid off from around the luminaire shade frame 104. The outer sleeve 102, the compression plate 106, and the compression knob 108 may remain around the electrical cable 110. After the patterned sleeve 202 is removed from around the luminaire shade frame 104, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 2, the patterned sleeve 202 may be opened up to form a gap as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the electrical cable 110 may be passed through the gap thereby completely removing the patterned sleeve from the luminaire 100.

[0038] In some example embodiments, a replacement patterned sleeve may be added to the luminaire 100 by passing the electrical cable 110 through a gap of the replacement patterned sleeve formed in the same manner as described with respect to the patterned sleeve 202 and FIGS. 16 and 17. After the replacement patterned sleeve is positioned around the electrical cable 110, the replacement patterned sleeve may be placed around the luminaire shade frame 104 and on the flange 204 of the luminaire shade frame 104 followed by the outer sleeve 102 being moved down around the replacement patterned sleeve. The compression plate 106 can then be positioned on the outer sleeve 102 with the portion of the compression base 112 extending through the opening 208. The knob 108 may then be attached to the threaded portion of the compression base 112 and may be used to control the compression of the outer sleeve 102 by the compression plate 106 in the manner described above. To illustrate, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed by the compression plate 106 to have an outer sleeve pattern that partially or fully conforms to the physical pattern of the replacement patterned sleeve that may be different from the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202.

[0039] By using the compression knob 108 and the compression plate 106, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern that matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202. By controlling the amount of compression of the outer sleeve 102, the deformation of the outer sleeve 102 may be controlled such that the outer sleeve 102 has an outer sleeve pattern that matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202 on a portion or the entirety of the patterned sleeve 202. By using the patterned sleeve 202 having a pattern, such as the physical pattern 206, that is desired by a consumer, the outer sleeve 102 and thus the luminaire 100 may have a desired. Because the patterned sleeve 202 is field replaceable, the outer sleeve pattern of the outer sleeve 102 may be changed by changing the patterned sleeve 202 by another patterned sleeve that has a physical pattern that is different from the physical pattern 206.

[0040] Although the outer sleeve 102, the luminaire shade frame 104, and the patterned sleeve 202 are shown as having a cylindrical shape, in some alternative embodiments, the outer sleeve 102, the luminaire shade frame 104, and the patterned sleeve 202 may have other shapes without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the compression plate 106 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the physical pattern 206 may be a different pattern than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the light source 304 may be at a different location than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the luminaire 100 may include more light sources than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although the electrical cable 110 is shown in FIG. 2 without the conduit 308, the conduit 308 may be positioned around the electrical cable 110 as the electrical cable 110 extends through the outer sleeve 102, the patterned sleeve 202, the opening 208 of the compression plate 106, and the compression knob 108.

[0041] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different views of a pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-4B, in some example embodiments, the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 includes the outer sleeve 102, the patterned sleeve 202, and the luminaire shade frame 104. The patterned sleeve 202 may be positioned around a wall section 404 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The patterned sleeve 202 may be positioned on the flange 204 of the luminaire shade frame 104. For example, the patterned sleeve 202 may extend between the flange 204 and the top edge of the top cover 210. The outer sleeve 102 may be positioned around the patterned sleeve 202. For example, the outer sleeve 102 may be positioned on the flange 204 and in contact with patterned sleeve 202.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the luminaire shade frame 104 includes the top cover 210 that is attached to the wall section 404. The pattern changing luminaire shade 400 may include the compression base 112. The compression base 112 may be attached to the top cover 210. For example, the compression base 112 may be attached to the top cover 210 at an opening of the top cover 210. The pattern changing luminaire shade 400 may include the compression plate 106 and the compression knob 108. The compression plate 106 be positioned on and supported by the outer sleeve 102. A portion of the compression base 112 may protrude through the opening in the top cover 210 and through the opening 208 in the compression plate 106. The compression knob 108 may be threadedly attached to the portion of the compression base 112 protruding through the opening 208 in the compression plate 106 and may be positioned above and / or on the compression plate 106. The compression knob 108 may be threadedly attached to the compression base 112 such that turning the compression knob 108, for example, clockwise may result in moving the compression plate 106 vertically down closer to the top cover 210 and thereby resulting in compressing the outer sleeve 102.

[0043] In some alternative embodiments, the compression base 112 may include an opening 402. For example, the electrical cable 110 and the conduit 308 may be routed to and from the cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104 through the opening 402. The luminaire shade frame 104 may include the opening 314 at an opposite end of the luminaire shade frame 104 from the top cover 210.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the luminaire shade frame 104 may have slots in the wall section 404 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the wall section 404 may be mostly slots that are between pillars segments that extend between the flange 204 and the top cover 210. In some alternative embodiments, the wall section 404 may have non-cylindrical shape without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 may include other components without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, one or more components of the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0045] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate close-up views of a top portion of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates another close-up view of a top portion of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in some example embodiments, the compression base 112 includes an externally threaded portion 602, a middle portion 608, and a lower portion 610. The middle portion 608 may be between the externally threaded portion 602 and the lower portion 610 and may extend through the opening 208 of the compression plate 106. The threaded portion 608 may be on the opposite side of the compression plate 106 from the lower portion 610 and may be positioned such that the compression knob 108 can be threadedly attached thereto. In some example embodiments, the conduit 308 may include a threaded portion 604 that is used to threadedly attach the conduit 308 to the compression base 112 as the stem extends through the opening 402 of the compression base 112. For example, the compression base 112 may be internally threaded at a portion of the opening 402, and the threaded portion 604 of the conduit 308 may be threadedly attached to the internal threads of the compression base 112. The conduit 308 may include a stoppage structure 606 that limits the vertical position of the conduit 308 as the conduit 308 extends through the opening 402 of the compression base 112. For example, the stoppage structure 606 may abut against the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104 inside the cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104 thereby preventing the conduit 308 from further vertical movement through the opening 402 of the compression base 112. To illustrate, the stoppage structure 606 may limit location of the light source 304 in the cavity 312 such that the light source 304 is not too far from the opening 314 of the luminaire shade frame 104.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates the luminaire shade frame 104 of the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of FIGS. 4 A and 4B according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in some example embodiments, the luminaire shade frame 104 includes the wall section 404, the top cover 210, and the flange 204. For example, the top cover 210 and the wall section 404 may define the cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The top cover 210 may include an upper section 704 and a lower section 706. The lower section 706 may include an opening 708 that is sized to receive a portion of the compression base 112 as shown, for example, in FIG. 6. The lower section 706 may be shaped and sized to receive the lower portion 610 of the compression base 112, where a protruding portion of the lower portion 610 extends into the opening 708. The lower section 706 may also include fastener holes such as fastener holes 710, 712 that may be used to securely attach the compression base 112 to the luminaire shade frame 104 using fasteners such as screws.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments, the luminaire shade frame 104 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the wall section 404 may have a non-cylindrical shape. In some alternative embodiments, the lower section 706 and the opening 708 may have shapes other than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the top cover 210 may include more or fewer fastener holes than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the fastener holes such as the fastener holes 710, 712 may be at different locations including at the upper section 704 of the top cover 210 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates the luminaire shade frame 104 of the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B with the compression base 112 attached thereto according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, in some example embodiments, the compression base 112 is positioned in the lower section 706 of the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104. To illustrate, the lower portion 610 of the compression base 112 may be positioned in the lower section 706, where a protruding portion of the lower portion 610 extends into the opening 708 in the lower section 706. The opening 402 of the compression base 112 may provide a passageway into the cavity 312 of the luminaire shade frame 104 shown, for example, in FIG. 3. For example, the conduit 308 may extend through the opening 402 with the electrical cable 110 being routed in the conduit 308.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the compression base 112 may be securely attached to the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104 using fasteners such as screws 806, 808. For example, the fasteners may extend through holes in the lower portion 610 of the compression base 112 and through corresponding holes such as the holes 710, 712 in the lower section 706 of the compression base 112 to securely attach the compression base 112 to the luminaire shade frame 104. The lower portion 610 of the compression base 112 may be positioned in the lower section 706 of the top cover 210 such that the top of the lower portion 610 is flush with the upper section 704 of the top cover 210. For example, after the compression plate 106 is pushed down by the compression knob 108 and comes in contact with the upper section 704 and the lower portion 610, the upper section 704 and the lower portion 610 may together provide a balanced resistance against further downward movement of the compression plate 106.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the middle portion 608 of the compression base 112 may include one or more flat sides 802, 804 that match flat sides of the opening 208 of the compression plate 106. As more clearly shown, for example, in FIG. 6, the middle portion 608 may extend through the opening 208 of the compression plate 106, and the flat sides 802, 804, in contrast to curve sides, may prevent the compression plate 106 from freely rotating about the middle portion 610 of the compression plate 106. For example, when the compression knob 108 is turned about the threaded portion 602 of the compression base 112 to move the compression knob 108 vertically, the compression plate 106 may rotate along with the compression knob 108 unless prevented from rotating by the flat sides 802, 804 of the compression base 112 and the matching sides of the opening 208 of the compression plate In some alternative embodiments, the compression base 112 may have a different shape than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the compression base 112 may be attached to the top cover 210 using more or fewer fasteners than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the fasteners such as the screws 806, 808 may be at different locations than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0050] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 with the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B having different patterns according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-9B, in some example embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern 902 that closely matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202. As described above, the compression knob 108 may be turned about the compression base 112 such that the compression plate 106 compresses the outer sleeve 102 resulting in the outer sleeve being deformed. The compression knob 108 may be turned to a position such that the outer sleeve 102 is deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern 902 that fully or almost fully matches or conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202 as shown in FIG. 9A.

[0051] In some example embodiments, the compression knob 108 may be turned to a position such that the outer sleeve 102 is deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern 904 that closely matches or conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202 on a portion (e.g., upper portion) of the patterned sleeve 202 as shown in FIG. 9B. For example, in FIG. 9B, the compression knob 108 may have been turned to a position such that the outer sleeve 102 is compressed less than in FIG. 9A. To illustrate, starting from the smooth surface of the outer sleeve 102 shown in FIG. 1, the compression knob 108 may be turned, for example, clockwise about the compression base 112 such that the outer sleeve 102 is compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204 thereby being deformed to have the outer sleeve pattern 904.

[0052] In some alternative embodiments, after the outer sleeve 102 is compressed such that the outer sleeve 102 has the outer sleeve pattern 902 shown in FIG. 9 A, the compression knob 108 may be turned, for example, counterclockwise about the compression base 112 such that the outer sleeve 102 is less compressed, where the outer sleeve 102 is deformed to have the outer sleeve pattern 904 matching the physical pattern 206 on a corresponding portion of the patterned sleeve 202. As shown in FIG. 9B, a bottom portion of the outer sleeve 102 has returned to the smooth surface shown in FIG. 1 from the outer sleeve pattern 902 shown in FIG. 9 A. The outer sleeve 102 may have the smooth surface shown in FIG. 1, for example, when the compression knob 108 has not moved the compression plate 106 closer to the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104. For example, the outer sleeve 102 may have the smooth surface shown in FIG. 1 when the outer sleeve 102 is supporting the weight of the compression plate 106 without additional compression caused by the compression knob 108. In some example embodiments, after having the outer sleeve pattern 902 or the outer sleeve pattern 904, the outer sleeve 102 may return to having the smooth surface shown in FIG. 1 upon the removal of the compression caused by the compression knob 108. As described above, the compression of the outer sleeve 102 caused by the compression knob 108 may be reduced or removed by turning the compression knob 108, for example, counterclockwise about the compression base 112.

[0053] In some alternative embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 may be compressed to match the physical pattern 206 at a different portion of the patterned sleeve 202 than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates the B-B cross-section of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 9 A with the outer sleeve 102 compressed by the compression plate 106 according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 11 illustrates a close-up view of an upper right corner of the luminaire 100 of FIG. 9 A according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1-4, 9 A, and 10, in some example embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 may have the outer sleeve pattern 902 resulting from the outer sleeve 102 being compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204. As described above with respect to FIG. 9A. To illustrate, in FIGS. 9A and 10, the compression knob 108 may have been turned about the compression base 112 causing the compression plate 106 to move down and come in contact with the top cover 210 of the luminaire shade frame 104 and thereby exert additional compression on the outer sleeve 102 beyond the weight of the compression plate 106. As described above, the outer sleeve pattern 902 closely matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 206 of the patterned sleeve 202.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the compression plate 106 may include an overhang 1102 extends around the perimeter of the compression plate 106. For example, the overhang 1102 may be positioned around a top edge of the outer sleeve 102 and may prevent unwanted deformation of the outer sleeve 102. In some alternative embodiments, the overhang 1102 may be omitted or replaced by another structure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 12 illustrates a patterned sleeve 1202 for use with the pattern changing luminaire shade of FIGS. 4 A and 4B according to another example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 12, in some example embodiments, the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 may include the patterned sleeve 1202 instead of the patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 1202 may be made from the same material and using the same methods as described with respect to the patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 1202 may have a physical pattern 1204 on the outside surface of the patterned sleeve 1202. The patterned sleeve 1202 may be positioned around the wall section 404 of the luminaire shade frame 104 and on the flange 204 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The outer sleeve 102 of the luminaire 100 may be positioned around the patterned sleeve 1202 and on the flange 204. The compression knob 108 may be turned such that the outer sleeve 102 is compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204 in the manner described above with respect to the outer sleeve 102 and the patterned sleeve 202. As the compression knob 108 is turned about the compression base 112, for example, in a clockwise direction pushing down the compression plate 106 on the outer sleeve 102, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed such that the outer sleeve pattern of the outer sleeve 102 matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 1204.

[0057] In some alternative embodiments, the patterned sleeve 1202 may each have a different physical pattern than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 13 illustrates a luminaire 1300 that includes the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B including the patterned sleeve 1202 of FIG. 12 according to an example embodiment. In general, the luminaire 1300 corresponds to the luminaire 100 of FIG. 9 A with the exception that the luminaire 1300 includes the patterned sleeve 1202 instead of the patterned sleeve 202. In FIG. 13, the outer sleeve 102 of the luminaire 1300 is deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern 1304 that closes matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 1204 of the patterned sleeve 1202 of FIG. 12.

[0059] FIG. 14 illustrates a patterned sleeve 1402 for use in the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of FIGS. 4 A and 4B according to another example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 14, in some example embodiments, the luminaire 100 of FIG. 1 may include the patterned sleeve 1402 instead of the patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 1402 may be made from the same material and using the same methods as described with respect to the patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 1402 may have a physical pattern 1404 on the outside surface of the patterned sleeve 1402. The patterned sleeve 1402 may be positioned around the wall section 404 of the luminaire shade frame 104 and on the flange 204 of the luminaire shade frame 104. The outer sleeve 102 of the luminaire 100 may be positioned around the patterned sleeve 1402 and on the flange 204. The compression knob 108 may be turned such that the outer sleeve 102 is compressed between the compression plate 106 and the flange 204 in the manner described above with respect to the outer sleeve 102 and the patterned sleeve 202. As the compression knob 108 is turned about the compression base 112, for example, in a clockwise direction pushing down the compression plate 106 on the outer sleeve 102, the outer sleeve 102 may be deformed such that the outer sleeve pattern of the outer sleeve 102 matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 1404.

[0060] In some alternative embodiments, the patterned sleeve 1402 may each have a different physical pattern than shown without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates a luminaire 1500 that includes the pattern changing luminaire shade 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B including the patterned sleeve 1402 of FIG. 14 according to an example embodiment. In general, the luminaire 1500 corresponds to the luminaire 100 of FIG. 9A with the exception that the luminaire 1500 includes the patterned sleeve 1402 instead of the patterned sleeve 202. In FIG. 15, the outer sleeve 102 of the luminaire 1500 is deformed to have an outer sleeve pattern 1504 that closes matches or otherwise conforms to the physical pattern 1404 of the patterned sleeve 1402 of FIG. 14.

[0062] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the processes of opening the patterned sleeve for insertion and removal of the electrical cable 110 of the luminaire of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the patterned sleeve 202 may be removed from the luminaire 100. For example, the patterned sleeve 202 may be replaced by another patterned sleeve such as the patterned sleeve 1202 of FIG. 12 or the patterned sleeve 1402 of FIG. 14. To illustrate, after the compression knob 108 and the compression plate 106 are removed and slid up the electrical cable 110 and / or the conduit 308 on the outside of the luminaire shade frame 104, the outer sleeve 102 may be removed from the patterned sleeve 202 by sliding off the outer sleeve 102 from the patterned sleeve 202. After the outer sleeve 102 is removed from the patterned sleeve 202, the patterned sleeve 202 may be removed from the luminaire shade frame 104 by sliding off the patterned sleeve 202 from the luminaire shade frame 104. After the patterned sleeve 202 is removed from around the luminaire shade frame 104, for example, to the position shown in FIG. 2, the patterned sleeve 202 may be spread (e.g., pushed or pulled) apart at a joint 1602 to form a gap 1702 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. For example, a person may use hands 1604, 1606 to push or pull the patterned sleeve 202 apart at the joint 1602. After the gap 1702 is formed, the electrical cable 110 and / or the conduit 308 may be passed through the gap 1702 thereby completely removing the patterned sleeve from the luminaire 100. In some example embodiments, after the patterned sleeve 202 is removed, a replacement patterned sleeve (e.g., the patterned sleeve 1202 or the patterned sleeve 1402) may be added to the luminaire 100 by passing the electrical cable 110 and / or the conduit 308 through a gap of the replacement patterned sleeve. The gap of the replacement patterned sleeve may be formed in the same manner as described with respect to the patterned sleeve 202. The patterned sleeve 202 may have enough elasticity to reclose the gap 1702 with minimal external force after the electrical cable 110 and / or the conduit 308 is / are passed therethrough. In some alternative embodiments, the replacement patterned sleeve, such as the patterned sleeve 1202 or the patterned sleeve 1402, may have adequate elasticity to reclose the gap without an external force after the electrical cable 110 and / or the conduit 308 is / are passed therethrough.

[0063] In some example embodiments, the patterned sleeve 202 may be reused with another luminaire. In some alternative embodiments, the patterned sleeve 202 may be cut to remove from the luminaire without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0064] Although particular embodiments have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features, elements, and / or steps may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pattern changing luminaire (400), comprising: a patterned sleeve (202, 1202, 1402) having a physical pattern (206, 1204, 1404); an outer sleeve (102) positioned around the patterned sleeve; a frame (104) having a flange (204), wherein the outer sleeve is positioned on the flange; and a compression plate (106) movable to compress the outer sleeve (102) between the compression plate and the flange, wherein the outer sleeve is deformable to have an outer sleeve pattern (902, 904, 1304, 1504) that conforms to the physical pattern when the outer sleeve is compressed by the compression plate.

2. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 1, further comprising a compression base (112) and a compression knob (108), wherein the compression base is fixedly attached to a top cover (210) of the frame, wherein the compression knob is rotatably attached to the compression base, wherein the compression plate (106) is positioned between the top cover (210) and the compression knob (108), and wherein the compression plate is moveable toward the top cover by turning the compression knob about the compression base (112).

3. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 2, wherein the compression base (112) is attached to the top cover (210) by fasteners (806, 808), wherein the compression base extends through an opening (208) of the compression plate (106) such that a portion (602) of the compression base (112) is on an opposite side of the compression plate from the top cover (210), and wherein the compression knob (108) is attached to the portion of the compression base (112).

4. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 2, wherein the frame (104) has a cavity (312) for positioning a light source (304) therein.

5. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 4, wherein the compression base(112) has an opening (402) for routing an electrical cable (110) into the cavity (312).

6. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 1, wherein the patterned sleeve (202, 1202, 1402) is removable from the frame (104) by detaching the compression knob (108) from the compression base (112), moving the compression plate (106) away from the frame (104), sliding the outer sleeve (102) off from the patterned sleeve, and sliding the patterned sleeve off from the frame.

7. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve (102) is compressible by the compression plate (106) such that the outer sleeve pattern (904) conforms to the physical pattern (206) on a portion of the patterned sleeve.

8. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 1, wherein the patterned sleeve (202, 1202, 1402) is positioned on the flange (204).

9. The pattern changing luminaire of Claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve (102) has a smooth surface when uncompressed.

10. A lighting device (100, 1300, 1500), comprising: a pattern changing luminaire shade (400) having a cavity (312); and a light source(304) positioned in the cavity to emit a light through an opening (314) of the pattern changing luminaire shade, wherein the pattern changing luminaire shade comprises: a patterned sleeve (202, 1202, 1402) having a physical pattern (206, 1204, 1404); an outer sleeve (102) positioned around the patterned sleeve; a luminaire shade frame (104) having a flange (204), wherein the outer sleeve is positioned on the flange; and a compression plate (106) movable to compress the outer sleeve (102) between the compression plate and the flange, wherein the outer sleeve is deformable to have an outer sleeve pattern (902, 904, 1304, 1504) that conforms to the physical pattern (206) when the outer sleeve is compressed by the compression plate (106).

11. The lighting device of Claim 10, wherein the pattern changing luminaire shade (400) further comprises a compression base (112) and a compression knob (108), wherein the compression base is fixedly attached to a top cover of the luminaire shade frame, wherein the compression knob is rotatably attached to the compression base, wherein the compression plate (106) is positioned between the top cover (210) and the compression knob (108), and wherein the compression plate is moveable toward the top cover by turning the compression knob about the compression base (112).

12. The lighting device of Claim 11, wherein the compression base (112) is attached to the top cover (210) by fasteners (806, 808), wherein the compression base extends through an opening (208) of the compression plate (106) such that a portion (602) of the compression base (112) is on an opposite side of the compression plate from the top cover (210), and wherein the compression knob (108) is attached to the portion of the compression base (112).

13. The lighting device of Claim 11, further comprising an electrical cable (110) extending into the cavity through an opening (402) of the compression base (112), wherein a portion of the electrical cable is located outside of the cavity (312).

14. The lighting device of Claim 13, wherein the patterned sleeve (202, 1202, 1402) is removable from lighting device by detaching the compression knob (108) from the compression base (112), moving the compression plate (106) away from the luminaire shade frame (104), sliding the outer sleeve (102) off from the patterned sleeve, sliding the patterned sleeve off from the luminaire shade frame (104), spreading the patterned sleeve open at a joint (1602) of the patterned sleeve to provide a gap (1702), and passing the electrical cable (110) through the gap.

15. The lighting device of Claim 10, wherein the outer sleeve (102) is compressible by the compression plate (106) such that the outer sleeve pattern (904) conforms to the physical pattern (206) on a portion of the patterned sleeve.

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