Abstract: An ornamental fixture having a support structure and a plurality of ornaments mounted to the support structure in a substantially completely spherical arrangement of ornaments. The ornaments may be glass crystal ornaments, for example, octagonal glass crystals, and a light may be mounted within the fixture. The support structure may include an upper support ring and at least one lower support ring vertically spaced from the upper support ring and a plurality of arcuate sector assemblies removably mounted to the upper support ring and the at least one lower support ring. The sector assemblies retain the ornaments to provide a substantially continuous 360-degree array of ornaments. The sector assemblies can also be disassembled from the support structure for maintenance, servicing, relamping, and cleaning of the fixture. For example, the disassembled components of the fixture may be washed in a dishwasher without damaging the ornaments or the support structure.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for mounting decorative ornaments and fixtures having decorative ornaments are disclosed. The decorative ornaments may be, for example, beads, crystals, or gems. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided including a frame having an aperture and at least one ornament mounting post projecting from the frame, wherein the ornament is retained by the mounting post when the ornament is mounted on the mounting post. The ornament is mounted to the post by first deflecting the post to a first position, mounting the ornament, and then deflecting the post to its original position whereby the ornament is retained by the post and the aperture. In one aspect, ornaments may be mounted to apertures in a frame by means of one or more wires, for example, a wire passing through a plurality of ornaments. The arrangements and methods may be used for ornamental fixtures, for example, chandeliers and lamps.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for connecting and mounting decorative ornaments, for example, beads, crystals, or gems, are disclosed. The arrangements and methods are particularly useful in mounting ornaments in decorative fixtures, such as chandeliers. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided that includes a first ornament having two mounting apertures and a second ornament having at least one mounting aperture; and at least one connector for connecting the first ornament to the second ornament whereby when hung the two apertures of the first ornament are laterally disposed from each other. Multiple pre-formed connectors are disclosed for use in connecting ornaments, such as ornament chains. Mounting hooks, mounting devices, and mounting arrangements are also provided for attaching ornaments to a support. Aspects of the invention may be used for large fixtures, such as large chandeliers, to minimize or prevent the twisting of long chains of ornaments and to support the loading of larger ornaments.

Abstract: When displaying decorative ornaments in vertical chains, that is, as ornament curtains, for example, in light fixtures, gaps or voids between the ornaments can detract from the overall visual appeal. Methods and apparatus of the present invention minimize the gaps and voids in an ornament display to provide a denser display of ornaments than the existing art. According to aspects of the invention, the denser ornament display is achieved by mounting ornament chains in gallery rings that suspend the ornament chains in staggered relationship either in multiple planes or within the same plane whereby the ornaments fill the gaps and voids in the visual field of the viewer. The invention also includes improved gallery rings and ornament chains that are adapted to be mounted to the improved gallery rings. Aspects of the invention may be used in many types of ornamental light fixtures, such as, chandeliers.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for mounting decorative ornaments and fixtures having decorative ornaments are disclosed. The decorative ornaments may be, for example, beads, crystals, or gems. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided including a frame having an aperture and at least one ornament mounting post projecting from the frame, wherein the ornament is retained by the mounting post when the ornament is mounted on the mounting post. The ornament is mounted to the post by first deflecting the post to a first position, mounting the ornament, and then deflecting the post to its original position whereby the ornament is retained by the post and the aperture. In one aspect, ornaments may be mounted to apertures in a frame by means of one or more wires, for example, a wire passing through a plurality of ornaments. The arrangements and methods may be used for ornamental fixtures, for example, chandeliers and lamps.