Quick Connect Light Bulb

Abstract

A push-in or quick-connect light bulb provides for at least one spring-loaded metal tabs built into the bulb's base that are configured to retract when a user pushes the light bulb into a light socket, thereby allowing an electrical connection to be made between the light bulb's base and the light socket. In some embodiments, the one or more metal tabs, the bulb's base, or both the metal tab(s) and the bulb's base are configured to conduct electricity from the socket to the present invention's filament or other illumination element.

Claims

1. A quick connect light bulb, comprising: at least one base, the at least one base having at least one side surface, at least one cavity, at least one upper side; and at least one bottom portion; at least one base connection, wherein the at least one base connection is fixedly connected to the at least one bottom portion; at least one bulb portion, wherein the at least one bulb portion extends from the at least one upper side, wherein the at least one bulb portion comprises: at least one transparent portion; and at least one illuminating element inside the at least one bulb portion, wherein the at least one illuminating element is configured to shine light through the at least one transparent portion; and at least one spring loaded tab, wherein the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to retractably extend out of the at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to retract when the at least one base is inserted into at least one light socket, wherein the retraction of the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to provide a removable connection between the at least one base and the at least one light socket, and wherein when the at least one base is in a removable connection with the at least one light socket, the at least one base is configured to conduct electricity via at least one conduit from the at least one light socket to the at least one illuminating element.

2. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one base connection provides the point of electrical coupling between the at least one base and the at least one light socket.

3. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to conduct electricity into the at least one conduit.

4. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one bulb portion is configured as an incandescent light bulb.

5. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one bulb portion is configured as a fluorescent light bulb.

6. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one bulb portion is configured as a compact fluorescent light bulb.

7. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one bulb portion is configured as a halogen light bulb.

8. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is at least one LED.

9. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, the at least one base comprising at least two cavities and at least two spring loaded tabs extending therethrough.

10. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, the at least one base comprising at least three cavities and at least three spring loaded tabs extending therethrough.

11. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, the at least one base comprising at least four cavities and at least four spring loaded tabs extending therethrough.

12. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one base connection is conical.

13. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one base connection is shaped as one or more plug-shaped protrusions.

14. The quick connect light bulb of claim 1, wherein the at least one base is cylindrical.

15. The quick connect light bulb of claim 14, wherein the at least one side surface has one or more grooves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a zoomed-in perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side by side top-perspective and bottom-perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective quick connect light bulb.

[0023] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

[0024] It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment or an embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

[0026] As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0027] In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific detail. Well-known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

[0028] In some embodiments, the present invention may comprise a quick connect light bulb that has at least one base with at least one side surface, at least one cavity, at least one upper side, and at least one bottom portion. The at least one base may be fixedly connected to, or one piece with, at least one base connection. The at least one base connection may be configured to removably mate with and electrically couple with at least one light socket. The present invention may also provide for at least one bulb portion connected to and extending from the at least one upper side, wherein the at least one bulb portion has at least one transparent portion and at least one illuminating element inside the at least one bulb portion, wherein the at least one illuminating element is configured to shine light through the at least one transparent portion. Furthermore, the present invention may provide for at least one spring loaded tab, wherein the at least one spring loaded tab may be configured to retractably extend out of the at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to retract when the at least one base is inserted into at least one light socket, wherein the retraction of the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to provide a removable connection between the at least one base and the at least one light socket. This orientation may cause the at least one base to be in a removable connection with the at least one light socket, and therefore to enable the at least one base to conduct electricity via at least one conduit from the at least one light socket to the at least one illuminating element.

[0029] In some embodiments, the at least one base connection may provide the point of electrical coupling between the at least one base and the at least one light socket. In some embodiments, the at least one spring loaded tab is configured to conduct electricity into the at least one conduit. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the at least one bulb portion is configured as an incandescent light bulb. In some embodiments, the at least one bulb portion is configured as a fluorescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent light bulb, a halogen light bulb, and/or at least one illumination element is at least one LED. Additionally, in some embodiments, the at least one base my provide for at least two cavities and at least two spring loaded tabs extending therethrough, at least three cavities and at least three spring loaded tabs extending therethrough, and/or at least four cavities and at least four spring loaded tabs extending therethrough. Moreover, in some embodiments, the at least one base connection may be conical, and/or shaped as one or more plug-shaped protrusions. It is contemplated that the plug shapes may be any known in the art. And, in some embodiments, the at least one base may cylindrical, and in some similar embodiments, the base's at least one side surface may provide for one or more grooves.

[0030] Turning attention to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive quick connect light bulb 100, spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, bulb 103, and base 104.

[0031] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that spring-loaded tab 101 may be metal, and may be fixedly connected to at least one metal spring inside of base 104. In other embodiments, spring-loaded tab 101 may be made of another electricity-conducting material, or a non-conductive material such as a plastic.

[0032] It is contemplated that base connection 102 may, in some embodiments, present one of the at least one points of electrical connection between quick connect light bulb 100 and a light bulb socket (not pictured). In some embodiments, at least one of spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, and base 104 may conduct electricity.

[0033] It is contemplated that bulb 103 may be of any size or shape known in the art. By way of illustration and not limitation, bulb 103 may be bulbous, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. In other embodiments, bulb 103 may be cylindrical, spear shaped, pill-shaped, shaped as a star or other fanciful shape, shaped as a letter or a face, and so forth. Any shape is contemplated. Additionally, bulb 103 may be as small as a miniature light bulb or of large industrial size. To any practicable extent, as well, spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, and base 104 may also be of any size or shape known in the art.

[0034] It is also contemplated that quick connect light bulb 100 may be of any type of light bulb, including but not limited to, an incandescent light bulb, a light bulb having one or more light-emitting diodes (LED's), a fluorescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent light bulb, a halogen light bulb, a floodlight, any configuration of a LED lightbulb, such as but not limited to an edge-lit bulb having a light guide, and any other type, shape, or form of lightbulb capable of practice with the present invention or otherwise known in the art.

[0035] With respect to FIG. 2, a zoomed-in perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive quick connect light bulb 100, spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, bulb 103, and base 104. In FIG. 2, a viewer may perceive more detail regarding the contours of quick connect light bulb 100, particularly with respect to base connection 102. As any of the elements of quick connect light bulb 100, including but not limited to spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, bulb 103, and base 104, the shapes and sizes of said elements are not limited to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2.

[0036] With respect to FIG. 3, a side by side top-perspective and bottom-perspective view of a quick connect light bulb in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive quick connect light bulb 100, spring loaded tab 101, base connection 102, bulb 103, and base 104. FIG. 3 provides more detail concerning the present invention, particularly with respect to bulb 103. As mentioned previously, quick connect light bulb 100, and bulb 103 may take any shape known in the art. Hence, the bulbous nature of bulb 103 as depicted in FIG. 3 may vary in alternative embodiments, along with the interior portions of bulb 103, which are shown in FIG. 3 for purely illustrative purposes.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0037] Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

[0038] All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0039] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function or step for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112.

[0040] While the quick connect light bulb generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.