CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/715,953 filed on Oct. 19, 2012, now pending, which is hereby incorporated into this specification by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lighting fixtures such as menorahs are widely used by people to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. Small menorahs are commonly used in homes while larger menorahs are used public venues such as shopping malls or town squares. Conventional large size menorahs are difficult to transport in vehicles such as cars insomuch as the size of the menorah can range from a few feet to ten or more feet. Moreover, conventional large size menorahs are made from aluminum or steel and as such are heavy and cumbersome to transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture in the form of a large size menorah that can be easily stored, transported, assembled, and disassembled.
The present invention is a collapsible lighting fixture comprising a central support member engaged with a base. The lighting fixture further comprises an arm assembly removably engaged with the central support member. The arm assembly comprises eight arm members. The arm assembly is moveable between open and closed or collapsed positions. In the open position, the first, second, third, and fourth arm members are substantially perpendicular to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth arm members. In the closed position, the first, second, third, and fourth arm members are substantially less than perpendicular to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth arm members. The lighting fixture further comprises a plurality of light holders removably engaged with the upper end of the central support member and arm members. Unlike conventional devices, the collapsible lighting fixture of the present invention can be easily stored, transported, assembled and dissembled. The collapsible lighting fixture is made from simple and widely available parts that can be procured and fabricated at a low cost. Still further, the ability of the arm assembly to be collapsed allows a greater number of lighting fixtures to be shipped in a single container thereby reducing shipping and freight costs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description of the invention will be further understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible lighting fixture according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the collapsible lighting fixture showing a central support member removably attached to a base, and a collapsible arm assembly removably attached to the central support member;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the arm assembly shown in the open position;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the arm assembly shown in the open position;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the arm assembly shown in the closed or collapsed position;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the arm assembly shown in the closed or collapsed position;
FIG. 7 is a rear exploded view of the arm assembly;
FIG. 8 is a cross section view showing a first arm member of the arm assembly pivotally engaged with a seventh arm member of the arm assembly by a fastener; and
FIG. 9 is a front cut-away view of the light holders.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a collapsible lighting fixture 10 that can be easily transported, assembled, and disassembled. In the embodiment shown, lighting fixture 10 is a large size Ramban style menorah that may be used indoors and/or outdoors. Lighting fixture 10 generally comprises a central support member 16 securely and removably engaged with a base 12; an arm assembly 28 removably engaged with central support member 16; a light holder 234 removably engaged with central support member 16; and light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230 and 232 removably engaged with arm assembly 28. Arm assembly 28 can be easily opened or closed (collapsed) in accordion fashion. Unlike conventional devices, lighting fixture 10 allows a large size Ramban style menorah to be easily stored, transported, assembled, and dissembled. Lighting fixture 10 is made from simple and widely available parts that can be procured and fabricated at a low cost. Moreover, the ability of arm assembly 28 to be collapsed allows a significant number of lighting fixtures 10 to be shipped in a single container thereby reducing shipping and freight costs.
Referring to FIG. 2, base 12 comprises a plurality of legs 14. Central support member 16 comprises a lower end 18 securely and removably attached to legs 14 of base 12 by conventional removable fastening means such as bolts and wing nuts (not shown) passing through clearance holes (not shown) in legs 14 and lower end 18. Central support member 16 further comprises an upper end 20 having a clearance hole 26 adapted to removably receive ninth light holder 234 (FIG. 1). Central support member 16 further comprises clearance holes 22 and 24 adapted to receive fasteners 174 and 182, respectively, to securely and removably connect arm assembly 28 to central support member 16. Clearance holes 22 and 24 are spaced such that arm assembly 28 must be connected to central support member 16 in an open position (to be described). In the embodiment shown, each of fasteners 174 and 182 comprise a bolt 176, a washer 178, and a wing nut 180 which are widely available. In the embodiment shown, legs 14 of base 12 and central support member 16 are made from 0.75 inch by 2.5 inch (1×3 inch) wood planks. Central support member 16 has a length of six (6) feet and legs 14 are of sufficient length to provide adequate stability. Base 12 and central support member 16 may be made from a variety of materials such as aluminum, plastic or steel.
Referring to FIGS. 3-6, arm assembly 28 is shown removed from central support member 16. Arm member 28 may be moved or pivoted between an open position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and a closed or collapsed position (FIGS. 5 and 6) by fasteners 184, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 in an accordion fashion. Fastener 182 (FIG. 6) may be attached to prevent arm assembly 28 from opening during transport and/or storage. Arm assembly 28 generally comprises a first arm member 30, a second arm member 48, a third arm member 66, a fourth arm member 84, a fifth arm member 102, a sixth arm member 120, a seventh arm member 138, and an eighth arm member 156. As best shown by FIG. 3, first arm member 30 comprises first and second ends 32 and 34, and a forty-five degree beveled edge 36 formed at second end 34. Beveled edge 36 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 36 is substantially horizontal. As best shown by FIG. 5, first arm member 30 further comprises a clearance hole 46 formed at second end 34 that is adapted to removably receive first light holder 214. Second arm member 48 comprises first and second ends 50 and 52, and a forty-five degree beveled edge 54 formed at second end 52. Beveled edge 54 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 54 is substantially horizontal. Second arm member 48 further comprises a clearance hole 64 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 52 that is adapted to removably receive second light holder 220. Third arm member 66 comprises first and second ends 68 and 70, and a forty-five degree beveled edge 72 formed at second end 70. Beveled edge 72 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 72 is substantially horizontal. Third arm member 66 further comprises a clearance hole 82 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 70 that is adapted to removably receive third light holder 222. Fourth arm member 84 comprises first and second ends 86 and 88, and a beveled edge 90 formed at second end 88. Beveled edge 90 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 90 is substantially horizontal. Fourth arm member 84 further comprises a clearance hole 100 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 88 that is adapted to removably receive fourth light holder 224. As best shown by FIG. 4, fifth arm member 102 comprises first and second ends 104 and 106, and a beveled edge 108 formed at second end 106. Beveled edge 108 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 108 is substantially horizontal. Fifth arm member 102 further comprises a clearance hole 118 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 106 that is adapted to removably receive fifth light holder 226. Sixth arm member 120 comprises first and second ends 122 and 124, and a beveled edge 126 formed at second end 124. Beveled edge 126 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 126 is substantially horizontal. Sixth arm member 120 further comprises a clearance hole 136 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 124 that is adapted to removably receive sixth light holder 228. Seventh arm member 138 comprises first and second ends 140 and 142, and a beveled edge 144 formed at second end 142. Beveled edge 144 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 144 is substantially horizontal. Seventh arm member 138 further comprises a clearance hole 154 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 142 that is adapted to removably receive seventh light holder 230. Eighth arm member 156 comprises first and second ends 158 and 160, and a beveled edge 162 formed at second end 160. Beveled edge 162 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 162 is substantially horizontal. Eighth arm member 156 further comprises a clearance hole 172 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 160 that is adapted to removably receive eighth light holder 232. Arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 may be fabricated from a variety of different sizes and materials such as wood, aluminum, plastic or steel. In the embodiment shown, each of arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 are made from 0.75 inch by 2.5 inch (1×3 inch) wood planks. The spacing “S” between arm members 30 and 48; arm members 66 and 48; arm members 84 and 66; arm members 102 and 120; arm members 120 and 138; and arm members 138 and 156 were calculated to be approximately 2.5 times the actual plank width. In the embodiment shown, arm spacing “S” is equal to 2.5×2.5 inches or 6.25 inches. Arm spacing S was chosen to be 6.0 inches for all subsequent calculations. The factor 2.5 is considered approximate as it may vary according to aesthetic taste in the following manner. Values much less than 2.5 tend to give the menorah a feel of solid block of wood. Values greater than 2.5 tend to give the menorah an open, less substantial feel. Once the value S is decided (6.0 inches in the embodiment shown) the lengths of the 8 menorah arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 are calculated also according to taste. In the embodiment shown, fourth and fifth arm members 84 and 102 are approximately 5×S in length or thirty (30) inches. Third and sixth arm members 66 and 120 are next calculated to be exactly S inches longer than whatever was chosen for the fourth and fifth arm members 84 and 102, in this case they become thirty-six (36) inches each. Second and seventh arm members 48 and 138 are exactly S inches longer than third and sixth arm members 66 and 120 or forty-two (42) inches in the embodiment shown. First and eighth arm members 30 and 156 are then calculated to be S inches longer than second and seventh arm members 48 and 138 or forty-eight (48) inches in the embodiment shown.
Referring to FIG. 7, arm members 30, 48, 66, and 84 are pivotally engaged with arm members 102, 120, 138, and 156 between the open position (FIGS. 3 and 4) and the closed or collapsed position (FIGS. 5 and 6) by fasteners 184, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 further comprises a clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42 and 44. Clearance hole 38 is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 174 (FIG. 2). Clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44 are equally spaced from each other so that arm members 102, 120, 138, and 156 can be pivoted to the open position (FIGS. 3 and 4) relative to arm members 30, 48, 66, and 84, namely, substantially forty-five (45) degrees to the vertical. In the embodiment shown, hole 40 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from clearance hole 38; hole 42 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from hole 40; and hole 44 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from hole 42.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 further comprises holes 56, 58, and 60. Holes 56, 58, and 60 are spaced the same distance from first end 50 of second arm member 48 as holes 38, 42, and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 further comprises holes 74, 76, and 78. Holes 74, 76, and 78 are spaced the same distance from first end 68 of third arm member 66 as holes 38, 40, and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 further comprises holes 92, 94, and 96, and a clearance hole 98. Clearance hole 98 is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 182 (FIG. 2). Holes 92, 94, and 96 and clearance hole 92 are spaced the same distance from first end 86 of fourth arm member 84 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, fifth arm member 102 further comprises clearance holes 110, 112, 114, and 116. Clearance hole 116 is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 182 (FIG. 3). Clearance holes 110, 112, 114, and 116 are spaced the same distance from first end 104 of fifth arm member 102 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, sixth arm member 120 further comprises clearance holes 128, 130, and 132. Clearance holes 128, 130, and 132 are spaced the same distance from first end 122 of sixth arm member 120 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40 and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, seventh arm member 138 further comprises clearance holes 146, 148, and 150. Clearance holes 146, 148, and 150 are spaced the same distance from first end 140 of seventh arm member 138 as clearance hole 38 and holes 42 and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, eighth arm member 156 further comprises clearance holes 164, 166, 168, and 170. Clearance hole 164 is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 174 (FIG. 3). Clearance holes 164, 166, 168, and 170 are spaced the same distance from first end 158 of eighth arm member 156 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is pivotally engaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 184. Fastener 184 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 40 of first arm member 30. As best shown by FIG. 8, bolt 186 of fastener 184 passes through clearance hole 146 of seventh arm member 138 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 40 of first arm member 30. Washer 188 is disposed between bolt 186 and seventh arm member 138.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is also pivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 192. Fastener 192 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 42 of first arm member 30. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 192 passes through clearance hole 128 of sixth member 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 42 of first arm member 30. Washer 188 of fastener 192 is disposed between bolt 186 and sixth arm member 120.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is also pivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 194. Fastener 194 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 44 of first arm member 30. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 194 passes through clearance hole 110 of fifth arm member 102 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 44 of first arm member 30. Washer 188 of fastener 194 is disposed between bolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is pivotally engaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 196. Fastener 196 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 56 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 196 passes through clearance hole 166 of eighth arm member 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 56 of second arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 196 is disposed between bolt 186 and eighth arm member 156.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is also pivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 198. Fastener 198 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 58 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 198 passes through clearance hole 130 of sixth arm member 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 58 of second arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 198 is disposed between bolt 186 and sixth arm member 120.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is also pivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 200. Fastener 200 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 60 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 200 passes through clearance hole 112 of fifth arm member 102 and engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 60 of second arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 196 is disposed between bolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is pivotally engaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 202. Fastener 202 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 74 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 202 passes through clearance hole 168 of eighth arm member 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 74 of third arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 202 is disposed between bolt 186 and eighth arm member 156.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is also pivotally engaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 204. Fastener 204 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 76 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 204 passes through clearance hole 148 of seventh arm member 138 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 76 of third arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 202 is disposed between bolt 186 and seventh arm member 138.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is also pivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 206. Fastener 206 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 78 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 206 passes through clearance hole 114 of fifth arm member 102 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 78 of third arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 206 is disposed between bolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is pivotally engaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 208. Fastener 208 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 92 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 208 passes through clearance hole 170 of eighth arm member 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 92 of fourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 208 is disposed between bolt 186 and eighth arm member 156.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is also pivotally engaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 210. Fastener 208 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 94 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 210 passes through clearance hole 150 of seventh arm member 138 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 94 of fourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 210 is disposed between bolt 186 and seventh arm member 138.
With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is also pivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 212. Fastener 208 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attached within hole 96 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt 186 of fastener 212 passes through clearance hole 132 of sixth arm member 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 96 of fourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 212 is disposed between bolt 186 and sixth arm member 120.
Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the open position, first arm member 30 is substantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the open position, second arm member 48 is substantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the open position, third arm member 66 is substantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the open position, fourth arm member 84 is substantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. The distance between clearance holes 22 and 24 (FIG. 2) so that arm assembly 28 is mounted to central support member 16 with arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 in the open position is based upon the arm spacing S between clearance hole 38 and hole 40 which is common to all other holes, and can be calculated by the following equation: distance between holes 22 and 24=S×3×square root of 2. In the embodiment shown, S is equal to six (6) inches and the square root of 2 is equal to 1.414 if a calculator is not handy. As such, the distance between holes 22 and 24 is about 25.5 inches.
Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the closed position, first arm member 30 is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the closed position, second arm member 48 is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the closed position, third arm member 66 is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the closed position, fourth arm member 84 is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156.
Referring to FIG. 9, each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 comprise a cup portion 216 and a stem portion 218. Stem portion 218 of first light holder 214 removably engages or drops into clearance hole 46 disposed at second end 34 of first arm member 30. Stem portion 218 of second light holder 220 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 64 disposed at second end 52 of second arm member 48. Stem portion 218 of third light holder 222 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 82 disposed at second end 70 of third arm member 66. Stem portion 218 of fourth light holder 224 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 100 disposed at second end 88 of fourth arm member 84. Stem portion 218 of fifth light holder 226 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 118 disposed at second end 106 of fifth arm member 102. Stem portion 218 of sixth light holder 228 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 136 disposed at second end 124 of sixth arm member 120. Stem portion 218 of seventh light holder 230 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 154 disposed at second end 142 of seventh arm member 138. Stem portion 218 of eighth light holder 232 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 172 disposed at second end 160 of eighth arm member 156. Stem portion 218 of ninth light holder 234 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 26 disposed at upper end 20 of central support member 16. Each cup portion of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 is adapted to receive a light source such as a candle. Each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 is made from glass. In other embodiments, each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 may be an electrical light socket adapted to receive an incandescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, a light emitting diode (LED) light bulb or any other conventional or futurely developed light source. Electrical wiring may be provided from a power source such as an electrical outlet or battery to each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234.
Lighting fixture 10 has been described with reference to arm assembly 28 having eight arm members (4×4 Ramban style menorah). Lighting fixture 10 has a height of about 5.50 feet measured from base 12 to second end 34 of first arm member 30. In the open position, lighting fixture 10 has a width or span of about 5.65 feet measured from second end 34 of first arm member 30 to said second end 160 of eighth arm member 156. In other embodiments of the present invention, arm assembly 28 may have a different number of arm members such as four arm members (a 2×2 Ramban style menorah) or six arm members (3×3 Ramban style menorah) and/or different heights and widths.
Unlike conventional devices, lighting fixture 10 allows a large size Ramban style menorah to be easily stored, transported, assembled and dissembled. Lighting fixture 10 is made from simple parts that can be procured and fabricated at a low cost. The ability of lighting fixture 10 to be collapsed allows a significant number of additional units to be shipped around the world in a single container thereby drastically saving shipping costs.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.
