ADAPTER FOR CHANGING LED LIGHT BULBS

Abstract

An adapter for changing LED light bulbs can have a threaded fitting for attachment to the pole of an existing light-bulb changer. The adapter has a body, preferably formed of a rigid material such as a rigid plastic. The body has multiple teeth to engage the spaces between the cooling fins of the LED light bulb. The light bulb can then be unscrewed from its socket and lowered using the pole and the adapter. A new light bulb can be placed on the teeth, raised, and screwed into the socket.

Claims

1. A method for removing a light bulb having a plurality of cooling fins from a socket, the method comprising: (a) providing an adapter comprising: a body having a proximal end and a distal end; a mount at the proximal end of the body for attaching the adapter to a pole; and a plurality of teeth extending from the distal end of the body, the plurality of teeth having a number and length adapted to enter spaces between the cooling fins of the light bulb; (b) positioning the adapter such that the teeth are in the spaces between the cooling fins; (c) unscrewing the light bulb by rotating the adapter; and (d) removing the light bulb from the adapter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises mounting the adapter to a pole.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mount comprises a threaded connector for connection to the pole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be set forth in detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the adapter according to the preferred embodiment being brought into engagement with a light bulb;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a view showing the interrelations among the parts of the adapter and light bulb of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the adapter and light bulb of FIG. 1 when they are engaged with each other; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a set of three adapters sized for different light bulbs according to a variation of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] A preferred embodiment and variations thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or steps throughout.

[0017] FIGS. 1-3 show an adapter 200 according to the preferred embodiment. Because the adapter is designed to be used with a particular light bulb, its proportions, including its diameter and the number and length of teeth, are selected for that particular light bulb.

[0018] The adapter 200 has a body 202. At one end of the body 202 is a mount 204, such as a threaded mount, designed to mount the adapter 200 onto the pole 210 of a light-bulb changer, which can be a light-bulb changer now on the market or yet to be introduced. At the other end are teeth 206 for engaging with the light bulb in a manner to be explained below. The teeth 206 extend parallel to the axis B of the adapter 200 for easy engagement and disengagement with the light bulb. Because the end with the mount 204 and the end with the teeth 206 typically have different diameters, the body 202 has a shape such as a cone or a hemisphere, although any other suitable shape can be chosen.

[0019] The adapter 200 can be made in any suitable way, such as by molding or by machining, and out of any suitable material, such as rigid plastic. It is contemplated that the body 202 will have an empty space 208 to reduce both the weight of the adapter 200 and the amount of material used; however, the body 202 could be solid if so desired.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows the engagement of the light bulb 100 and the adapter 200. The light bulb 100 and the adapter 200 are brought into a coaxial arrangement facing each other, and the teeth 206 are inserted into the spaces 108. By turning the adapter 200 (e.g., by turning the pole), the user turns the light bulb 100 to screw it into or unscrew it from the socket. Once the light bulb 100 is screwed in, the adapter 200 can simply be lowered, or once the light bulb 100 is unscrewed and lowered, it can simply be taken off of the adapter. As the light bulb 100 is raised or lowered, the body 202 and the teeth 206 support the light bulb 100 against falling off of the adapter 200.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing three adapters 200a, 200b, 200c according to a variation of the preferred embodiment. The three adapters 200a, 200b, 200c are sized for different light bulbs. Of course, they can be packaged together or sold separately.

[0022] Each adapter 200a, 200b, 200c has a body 202a, 202b, 202c having curved sides. Ribs 402a, 402b, 402c are formed between the body 202a, 202b, 202c and the mount 204a, 204b, 204c. Otherwise, the adapters 200a, 200b, 200c can be formed like the adapter 200 of FIGS. 1-3.

[0023] While a preferred embodiment and variations thereof have been set forth above, those skilled in the art who have reviewed the present disclosure will readily appreciate that other embodiments can be realized within the scope of the invention. For example, the body and the teeth can have any proportions that are compatible with the light bulb to be changed, and the adapter can have any compatible number of teeth. Also, the invention can be used with an LED light bulb or any other similar device. Moreover, any shape of any component (such as the body 200, 200a, 200b, 200c) can be used as long as the adapter still works. Therefore, the present invention should be construed as limited only by the appended claims.