TOOL FOR REPLACING OBSTRUCTED, UPWARD-FACING LIGHTBULBS

Abstract

The present invention is a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs. It is comprised of a gripping element, a weight, a flexible rotary shaft having two ends, and an extension pole having two ends. The gripping element, itself, is comprised of a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body having an inner and outer surface and a plurality of flexible, tactile members. The hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body is open at one end and closed at the other. At the open end, the plurality of flexible, tactile members are arranged about a peripheral rim at the opening. When the device is placed over a lightbulb, the flexible, tactile members capture the lightbulb. Rotating the extension pole will cause the lightbulb to rotate.

Claims

1. A device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs comprising: a gripping element comprised of a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body, having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface, an opening, and a peripheral rim surrounding the opening; and a plurality of flexible, tactile members, each flexible, tactile member having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface, an edge, a base, a tip, and a dimple; a weight in proximity with the gripping element; an extension pole having two ends and being continuously extensible between a fully compacted length and a fully extended length; and a flexible rotary shaft connected at a first end to a first end of the extension pole and connected at a second end to the gripping element; wherein the flexible rotary shaft is configured so that, when the extension pole is held horizontal, the peripheral rim is parallel to the ground and when the extension pole is held vertical, the peripheral rim is parallel to the ground; and wherein, when the extension pole is rotated, the gripping element rotates at the same rate, without slippage.

2. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 1, further comprising a semi-annular collar fitted about the outer diameter of a portion of the extension pole.

3. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 2, wherein, when the semi-annular collar is held in a non-rotational manner, the extension pole may be rotated at an angular rate, causing the flexible rotary shaft and the gripping element to rotate at the same angular rate as the pole.

4. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 3, further comprising an adapter, interposed between the extension pole and the flexible rotary shaft; wherein the first end of the extension pole has a threaded termination and the adapter has a threaded receptacle to receive the threaded termination at the first end of the extension pole; wherein the flexible rotary shaft is attached to the adapter; and wherein, when the extension pole is rotated at an angular rate, the adapter and flexible rotary shaft rotate at the same rate.

5. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 3, wherein the weight and gripping element assembly are fabricated as a single piece.

6. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 3, wherein the weight is a discrete weight having a cylindrical inner diameter through which the flexible rotary shaft extends.

7. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 6, further comprising a silicon tube disposed between the cylindrical inner diameter of the weight and the flexible rotary shaft.

8. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 6, wherein the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body is fabricated from at least one of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (“TPU”), Thermoplastic copolyester (“TPC”), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (“ABS”), High Density Poly Ethylene (“HDPE”), Low Density Poly Ethylene (“LDPE”), Polypropylene (“PP”), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (“PET”). thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 8, wherein the base of each of the plurality of flexible, tactile members is a rectangular prism; wherein a transition line separates the base from the concave inner surface of each of the plurality of flexible, tactile members; wherein each of the plurality of flexible, tactile members has an angle of curvature, a radius of curvature, and a height; wherein the angle of curvature is determined by extending a first line orthogonal to the edge of the flexible, tactile member at the transition line between the base and the concave inner surface and second line orthogonal to the edge at the tip, which is aimed at the first line, until the first and second line intersect; wherein the first line and second line are constrained to be the same length; and wherein the radius of curvature is the length of the two lines.

10. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 9, wherein lightbulb type is defined as the shape, diameter, and base of the lightbulb; and wherein the height, radius of curvature, and angle of curvature of each of the equal plurality of flexible, tactile members are configured to make a force fit with a defined lightbulb type when the defined lightbulb type is inserted into the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body.

11. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the tip of each flexible, tactile member of the gripping element has a protruding dimple.

12. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 11, wherein the flexible, tactile members are fabricated from at least one of polylactic acid (“PLA”) or TPU.

13. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 12, where there are three flexible, tactile members.

14. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 12, where the flexible, tactile members are integral to the gripping element and cannot be removed.

15. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 12, where the flexible, tactile members are removable.

16. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 15, wherein the base of each of the plurality of flexible, tactile members fits into a corresponding slot in the peripheral rim.

17. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 12, wherein, extending from the outer surface near the tip of each flexible, tactile member is a counterbalance.

18. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs of claim 12, wherein when the device is lowered over a lightbulb matching the defined lightbulb type, the combined mass of the weight and gripping element are sufficient to seat the device over the lightbulb by having the lightbulb separate the plurality of flexible, tactile members so that the lightbulb fits between the plurality of flexible, tactile members.

19. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs in claim 18, wherein when the devices is seated, the flexible, tactile members provide sufficient friction that the lightbulb may be rotated at the same angular rate as the extension pole, when the extension pole is rotated; and wherein the lightbulb may be removed from a socket by rotating the extension pole in a counter-clockwise direction.

20. The device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs in claim 12, wherein the device may be used to install a lightbulb matching the defined lightbulb type into an empty socket, by placing the lightbulb into the gripping element, lowering the gripping element over the empty socket, engaging the lightbulb base into the socket, and rotating the extension pole in a clockwise direction until the lightbulb base is fully engaged in the socket.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention is illustrated with 15 figures on 14 sheets. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments.

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] FIG. 1 depicts is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a gripping element.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a gripping element.

[0029] FIGS. 3A-C are perspective views of three different embodiments of the flexible, tactile member.

[0030] FIG. 4A is a perspective side view of a discrete, two-part weight, with the two parts separated. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a discrete, two-part weight with the two parts together. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of alternative embodiment of a discrete weight.

[0031] FIGS. 5A-B are perspective views of two different embodiments of a flexible, rotary shaft.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adapter for connecting the flexible, rotary shaft to the extension pole.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an extension pole.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a semi-annular collar.

[0035] FIGS. 9A-B are perspective views of two embodiments of a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a C-shaped lightbulb.

[0037] FIG. 11 is an end view of a second embodiment of the gripping element.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the gripping element.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the gripping element with the flexible, tactile members removed.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a side view of the second embodiment of the gripping element with a first set of flexible, tactile members installed in slots in the peripheral rim of the open end of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body and a second set of flexible, tactile members being stored in slots in the top surface of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the C-shaped lightbulb in the second embodiment of the gripping element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] This detailed description discloses the present invention 1, a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs 1. The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, by offering and illustrating various embodiments. While embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described, the embodiments herein do not represent all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the descriptions, illustrations, and embodiments are intended to teach and inform one skilled in the art without limiting the scope of the invention. When discussing the same or similar structures a common number will be used.

[0043] FIGS. 9A-B show two embodiments of the present invention 1, a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs 1. In FIG. 9A, the device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs 1 comprises an extension pole 18; a semi-annular collar 19 about the extension pole 18; a flexible, rotary shaft 16; a weight 12, and a gripping element 11 with a plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33. Also shown is an adapter 17 that may be required to connect a flexible, rotary shaft 16 to the extension pole 18. The gripping element 11 is shown with a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 11, and a plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33. In this embodiment, there are three flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33. Detail about this particular embodiment of the gripping element 11 will be discussed, below, in reference to FIGS. 1-2.

[0044] In FIG. 9B, the device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs 1 comprises an extension pole 18; a semi-annular collar 19 about the extension pole 18; a flexible, rotary shaft 16; a weight 112, and a gripping element 111 with a plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32 which are gripping a lightbulb 2. Also shown is an adapter 17 that may be required to connect a flexible, rotary shaft 16 to the extension pole 18. The gripping element 111 is shown with a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111, a first plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32 installed to retain a lightbulb 2, and a second plurality of flexible, tactile members 131, 132 that are being stored in slots in the top surface 50 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111. Detail about this particular embodiment of the gripping element 111 will be discussed, below, in reference to FIGS. 11-15.

[0045] FIG. 10 shows a C-Shaped lightbulb 2 having an intermediate base 3 and a tip 60.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention 1, additional weight may be integrally molded into the gripping element 11, 111, creating a unitary weight-and-gripping-element assembly. The gripping element 11, 111 can be made heavier by adding material to the walls of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 11, 111 and the top surface 50. Weight can also be added by insert molding metal slugs.

[0047] However, in practice, providing an additional, discrete weight 12, 112 has proven to be desirable. FIGS. 4A-C disclose embodiments of a discrete weight 12, 112. FIGS. 4A-B show a two-piece discrete weight 12A, 12B. The discrete weight 12 has an inside 74 and a two piece outside 72, 73. The two-piece outside 72, 73 has a parting line 75. An opening 71 allows the flexible, rotary shaft 16 to pass through the discrete weight 12. A silicone tube 14, 15 is bisected by a collar 13, allowing the flexible, rotary shaft 16 to be unencumbered. The collar 13 on the silicon tube 14, 15 prevents the weight from travelling too far up the flexible, rotary shaft 16 if the present invention 1 is inverted. Also visible is the connector end 52, 54 of the rotary shaft 16 intended to mate with the gripping element 11, 111. The interior 74 of the discrete 12 weight can be filled with shot or slugs to get the correct weight through trial and error.

[0048] In FIG. 4C, a fixed discrete weight 112 is shown. This discrete weight 112 has a metal cylinder 114 with a hollow center 115. The flexible, rotary shaft 16 fits through the hollow center 115. This discrete weight 112 has an exterior surface 174 made from foam. The foam rim 175 extends further than the metal cylinder 114 in order to minimize damage as the discrete weight 112 slides.

[0049] A discrete weight 12, 112 has a cylindrical inner diameter through which the flexible rotary shaft 16 extends. The discrete weight 12, 112 fits over the flexible, rotary shaft 16 and is in contact with the top surface 50 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 11, 111 when in use. The discrete weight 12, 112 may be metal, molded from a polymer, or be a combination of both. It may be a fixed weight 112 or it may allow for shot or slugs to be added 12. In order to protect against damage, the exterior of the discrete weight 12 may be foam 174.

[0050] FIGS. 5A-B show two embodiments of a flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116. FIG. 5A shows a flexible, rotary shaft 116 comprised of a flexible cable 153 with aglets 155, 154 and connectors 152, 151, at each end. FIG. 5B shows a flexible, rotary shaft 16 comprised of a plurality of triangular-shaped bearing elements 56. In this embodiment, the plurality of triangular-shaped bearing elements 56 are axially fixed with respect to one another, meaning that they cannot rotate independent of one another. At each end of the flexible, rotary shaft 16 are fittings 52, 55, and connectors 51, 54. At one end, the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116 connects to the top of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 11, 111. At the other end, the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116 connects, directly or indirectly, with the extension pole 18.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, an optional adapter 17 is provided in this disclosure to connect the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116 to the extension pole 18. The adapter 17 is needed if the connector 66 on the end of the extension pole 18 does not mate with the connector 51, 54, 151, 152 at the end of the flexible, rotary shaft 16. The adapter 17 has an exterior surface 84, a top surface 85, and a bottom surface 83. In the top surface is a hole 81 that provides connection to the connector 51, 54, 151, 152 at the end of the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116. In the bottom surface is a hole 82 that provides connection to the connector 66 at the end of the extension pole 18.

[0052] The extension pole 18 has a plurality of extensible segments 61, 62, 63. Retaining rings 64, 65 lock the extensible segments 61, 62, 63 in place relative to one another 61, 62, 63.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a semi-annular collar 19 that fits over the largest extensible segment 61 of the extension pole 18. A user can more easily rotate the present invention by holding the semi-annular collar 19 fixed with one hand while rotating the extension pole 18 with the other hand. The semi-annular collar 19 has an inner surface 87, an outer surface 88, a top edge 89, a bottom edge (not shown), and two lateral edges 86, 90. The semi-annular collar 19 is attached to the extension pole 18 by aligning the two lateral edges 86, 90 with the extension pole and pressing.

[0054] In FIGS. 1-2, a first embodiment of the gripping element 11 is shown, having a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 comprised of solid cylinder 21 on top of a hexagonal prism 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. The hexagonal prism 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 has six segments 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. The six segments 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, each have an outer surface 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and an inner surface 35, 36, 37 (due to the view some of the inner surfaces are not visible), The hexagonal prism 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 is hollow, having an opening 90 with a peripheral rim 30. A plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 are installed. The inner surface 36 in proximity to the flexible, tactile members 33 is textured with dimples 141.

[0055] In FIGS. 11-15, a second embodiment of the gripping element 111 is shown having a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 comprised of hexagonal prism 130, 134, 137, 138, 136, 135 and a plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33. The hexagonal prism 130, 134, 137, 138, 136, 135 has an outer surface 164, 165, 166, 167 with six sides (not all are visible in a single view) and an inner surface 180, 181 with six sides (not all are visible in a single view).

[0056] In FIGS. 11 and 12, a slot 126 into which the base 42 (see FIG. 3A) of the flexible, tactile members 31, 32 fit is visible. The slots 126 are formed in the peripheral rim 40 surrounding the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111.

[0057] In FIG. 11, at the apex of the inner surface is a cylindrical opening 168 into which the tip 60 of a B-, C-, or CA-Shaped lightbulb fits.

[0058] In FIG. 12, the outer cylindrical surface 170 of the opening 168 for the tip 60 of the bulb 2 is visible. On the flat portion of the inner surface 180, 181, in proximity to the slot 126 and/or the flexible, tactile members 31, 32 are a plurality of dimples 141 that retain the bulb 2. The external surface of the connector 171 for the flexible, rotary shaft 16 is also shown in FIG. 12.

[0059] In FIGS. 11 and 13, the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 is visible. In these views, the inner shape of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 is discernible. The inner surface has six flat sides 180, 181 (not all of the six sides are visible in a single view) that transitions to a conical shaped surface 169.

[0060] In FIG. 14, the gripping element 111 with two sets of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33, 131, 132, 133 is visible. A first plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 is installed into the slots 126 in the peripheral edge 40. A second plurality of flexible, tactile members 131, 132, 133 is installed into the slots 126 in the top surface 50 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111.

[0061] In FIG. 15, a C-Shaped lightbulb 2 having an intermediate base 3 and a tip 60 is retained in the interior of a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 by a plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33.

[0062] FIGS. 3A-C show three embodiments of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 (FIG. 3A); 131, 132, 133 (FIG. 3B); and 231, 232, 233 (FIG. 3C). Referring to FIG. 3A, the flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 have a concave inner surface 45, a convex outer surface 47 (shown in FIG. 1), a base 42, a side edge 43, a tip 95, and a dimple 41 located near the tip 95. The flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 is characterized by three dimensions: a curvature radius 46, a curvature angle 48, and a height 49.

[0063] FIG. 3B discloses relatively taller flexible, tactile members 131, 132, 133 when compared to the flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 of FIG. 3A. The flexible, tactile members 131, 132, 133 in FIG. 3B have a concave inner surface 145, a convex outer surface 147, a base 142, a side edge 143, a tip 195, and a dimple 141 located near the tip 195. This flexible, tactile member 131, 132, 133 is also characterized by three dimensions: a curvature radius 146, a curvature angle 148, and a height 149.

[0064] FIG. 3C discloses an alternative embodiment of the flexible, tactile members 231, 232, 233. The flexible, tactile members 231, 232, 233 in FIG. 3C has a concave inner surface 245, a convex outer surface 247, a base 242, a side edge 243, a tip 295, a dimple 241 located near the tip 295, and a small counterbalance 290. The small counterbalance 290 adds mass, and therefore, a retention force due to gravity, to the flexible, tactile members 231, 232, 233. This flexible, tactile member 231, 232, 233 is also characterized by three dimensions: a curvature radius 246, a curvature angle 248, and a height 249.

[0065] The base 42, 142, 242 is a rectangular prism. A transition line is definable between the base 42, 142, 242 and the concave inner surface 45, 145, 245. The angle of curvature 46, 146, 246 is determined by extending a first line orthogonal to the edge 43, 143, 243 at the transition line between the base 42, 142, 242 and the concave inner surface 45, 145, 245 and second line orthogonal to the edge 43, 143, 243 at the tip 95, 195, 295, which is aimed at the first line, until the first and second line intersect. A constraint is that the first and second line are the same length. The length of these lines is the radius of curvature 46, 146, 246. The height 49, 149, 249 is measured from the bottom of the base 42, 142, 242 to the end of the tip 95, 195, 295.

[0066] The flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33, 131, 132, 133, 231, 232, 233 are fabricated from a polymer or thermoplastic elastomer such as polylactic acid (“PLA”) or TPU.

[0067] A lightbulb 2 will have a maximum diameter. For most Bulb Types, such as a C7, the numeric portion of the Bulb Type designation gives the maximum diameter in ⅛″. So a C7 bulb has a maximum diameter of ⅞″. A C9 bulb has a maximum diameter of 1⅛″. For best results, the height 49, 149, 249 of the flexible, tactile members 31, 131, 231 should be sufficient so that the concave inner surface 45, 145, 245 extends from the maximum diameter of the lightbulb 2 to a point near the base 3 of the lightbulb 2, without actually touching the base 3 of the lightbulb 2 (See FIGS. 10 and 15).

[0068] Also, the larger the diameter of the bulb, the more curvature is needed for the flexible, tactile members 31, 131, 231. A relatively straight flexible, tactile members 31, 131, 231 will have a large radius of curvature 46, 146, 246 and a small angle of curvature 46, 146, 246. A highly curved flexible, tactile members 31, 131, 231 will have a relatively small radius of curvature 46, 146, 246 and a relatively large angle of curvature 46, 146, 246. Using height 49, 149, 249, radius of curvature 46, 146, 246, and angle of curvature 46, 146, 246, a flexible, tactile member 31, 131, 231 may be configured to capture a range of specific Bulb Types, by creating a force fit with the lightbulb 2 when the lightbulb 2 is in the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 11, 111.

[0069] The interplay between the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116, the weight 12, 112, and the gripping element 11, 111 is critical. The combined mass of the weight 12, 112, and the gripping element 11, 111 and the length and stiffness of the flexible, rotary shaft 16, 116 dictate the orientation of the gripping element 11, 111 in use. The peripheral rim 40 surrounding the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 defines a plane opening. The plane containing the peripheral rim 40 surrounding the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 should be parallel to the ground, regardless of the angle at which the extension pole 18 is held. When the extension pole is held horizontal, the plane containing the peripheral rim 40 surrounding the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 should be parallel to the ground. When the extension pole is held vertical, the plane containing the peripheral rim 40 surrounding the opening 190 of the hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body 111 should be parallel to the ground.

[0070] To use the present invention 1, a user grasps the end of the extension pole 18 in one hand and holds the semi-annular collar in the other hand. The user positions the gripping element 11, 111 over a lightbulb of the appropriate Bulb Type and lowers it until the plurality of flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 are in contact with the lightbulb 2. The downward force supplied by the mass of the gripping element 11, 111 and the discrete weight 12, 112 allows the lightbulb to force the flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 apart. This is accomplished by having gravity pull the weight-and-gripping-element assembly 11, 111, 12, 112 downward while the lightbulb presses the plurality of flexible, tactile members outward relative to one another. When the weight-and-gripping-element assembly 11, 111, 12, 112 is fitted over a lightbulb 2, the flexible, tactile members 31, 32, 33 and dimples 141 on the inner surface of the gripping element 11, 111 provide sufficient friction that lightbulb 2 may be rotated at the same angular rate as the extension pole 18, when the extension pole 18 is rotated.

[0071] When the device 1 is properly seated, a lightbulb 2 may be removed from a socket by rotating the extension pole 18 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the extension pole 18 is rotated, the gripping element 11, 111 rotates at the same rate as the extension pole 18, without slippage. Likewise, a lightbulb 2 may be placed in a socket by placing the lightbulb into the gripping element 11, 111, lowering the gripping element 11, 111 over a socket, engaging the lightbulb 2 base 3 into the socket, and rotating the extension pole 18 in a clockwise direction until the lightbulb 2 is fully engaged in the socket. A user may remove a lightbulb 2 from the gripping element 11, 111 by pulling it in a direction away from the gripping element 11, 111.