Patent Application
20210276175
The invention relates, generally, to a light bulb extractor for removing and replacing light bulbs from a light bulb socket and is especially configured for removing broken light bulbs from high-hat light fixtures disposed in a ceiling. An anti-loosening pole adapter is provided for preventing the light bulb extractor from unscrewing from a pole while the light bulb is extracted.
A typical residential or commercial lighting device consists of a socket that holds a replaceable light bulb threaded into the socket. Such lighting devices require replaceable light bulbs that have different sizes and/or shapes which vary depending on a number of different factors. The different sizes and/or shapes of the light bulbs can become problematic during routine replacement of the bulbs, particularly when the location of the socket is in an elevated location such as on a wall or a ceiling. Particular difficulties occur with a type of light known as a high-hat light fixture which is a light that is recessed into a ceiling where the ceiling may be 15-20 feet high in relation to the ground floor. In addition, should the bulb's glass casing have shattered, the difficulty of extracting the light bulb has increased exponentially.
A number of different prior art devices have been proposed to accommodate different light bulbs of different sizes and shapes. Generally these devices include a bulb gripper on an extension pole, where the bulb gripper can grip or hold a bulb with a gripping force such that rotation of the extension pole applies a rotational force to the bulb so that the bulb is threadably secured to and/or unsecured from a light socket. As used herein the term “gripping force” refers to the force applied by the device to temporarily hold the bulb in a desired position before/after/during installation, while the term rotational force refers to the application of torque to the bulb during installation/removal.
U.S. patent publication No. 2018/0308654 to Harrington et al. teaches such a light bulb replacement device. Harrington teaches that a top region of the handle is widened and holds multiple sized holding devices for holding and removing various sized bulb. In addition, the top region is provided with teeth for assisting in removing a broken bulb and has a catch or widened region for catching broken glass.
U.S. patent publication No. 2012/0247285 to Eyre teaches a utility grip for extracting broken glass bulbs. The utility grip either has a tip or a flared opening for engaging into a broken light bulb so that an appropriate rotational force can be applied to the light bulb for removing the light bulb. The utility grip is configured for receiving an extension pole so that the utility grip may be used for removing light bulbs in a high ceiling.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,319,028 to Grinnell discloses a device for removing broken light bulbs. The device has a tubular structure with a head disposed at one end of the tubular structure. The head has a plurality of angled clutch members for engaging in a base of a light bulb. The head has a reaming member for crushing remaining or interfering glass so that the angled clutch members can engage in the metal base of the light bulb so that a rotational force can be applied for removing the light bulb.
A problem with removing a broken light bulb from a high-hat light fixture, which is disposed 15-20 feet above the floor, is that centering of the bulb base engaging member becomes difficult as the weight of the light bulb removing device causes an individual to shake/sway the light bulb removing device as he/she extends the light bulb removing device toward the broken light bulb. The shaking/swaying of the light bulb removing device increases as the light bulb removing device is extended further away from the individual holding the light bulb extending device. There is a need for a self-centering device which once engaged inside of the high-hat light fixture self-centers the bulb base engaging device into the broken bulb base.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 9,070,544 to Shaps et al., discloses a light bulb installation and removal tool including one or more attachment heads that are connected to an optional pole using interlocking threads (e.g., external male threads on the pole that cooperate with internal female threads of a handle of the attachment head). There is a need, however, for an adapter that reduces the chances of an attachment head becoming loose on, or falling off of, a threaded pole, during pole rotation when removing a light bulb.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a broken light bulb extractor and a light bulb changer that overcome the herein-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type, which is configured to self-center itself and align with the base of a broken light bulbs housed in a high-hat light fixture, and/or which will not be loosened on an extension pole during pole rotation.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a light bulb remover for extracting a broken light bulb from a socket of a high-hat light fixture. The light bulb remover has an extension pole with first and second ends and an extractor head attached to the extension pole. The extractor head has a guide which defines an outer circumference of the extractor head. The extractor head has a bulb extractor configured for engaging in a base of the broken light bulb and creates a friction connection with the base of the light bulb. The bulb extractor is surrounded by the guide, and the guide has a diameter being less than a diameter of the high-hat light fixture and dimensioned so that when the light bulb remover is disposed within the high-hat light fixture the bulb extractor is self-aligned with a middle area of the base of the broken light bulb.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the guide is cylindrically shaped and completely surrounds the light bulb extractor. Because of the snug fit and cylindrical shape of the light bulb remover, the bulb extractor is automatically centered in the base of the broken light bulb which assists in removal of the broken light bulb as the user merely has to apply pressure (e.g. push) upward towards the high-hat light fixture.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the bulb extractor has a plurality of blades and a point of intersection of the blades defines a tip for jabbing into the base of the broken light bulb.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, each of the blades has a first end tapering towards the second end, and the tip is formed where the second ends of the blades meet. Because the blades are tapered they can fit into various sized light bulbs and only one bulb extractor is necessary for variously sized light bulbs.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention, the extractor head has a circularly shaped bottom.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, each of the blades has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion extends up from the circularly shaped bottom, and the upper portion has a first side extending from the lower portion and a second side defining the tip. Ideally, the upper portion is formed from a softer material than the lower portion. In this manner the tip of the extractor head can be squished into the base of the light bulb creating a greater frictional fit between the tip and the base and thus making it easier to extract a broken light bulb.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the first end of the extension pole is a threaded first end and the circularly shaped bottom of the extractor head has a threaded central core for engaging with the threaded first end of the extension pole.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the extension pole is a telescopic extension pole. Therefore, the user can adjust the length of the extension pole as desired.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an adapter is provided for use between the threaded end of the extension pole and a threaded central core of the extractor head. More particularly, in the present embodiment, the adapter is a separate part that has at one end a female thread and, at the other end, a male thread. In the present preferred embodiment, the adapter is an anti-loosening pole adapter configured to oppose loosening of the extractor head from the extension pole. To this end, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the thread directions for the male thread of the adapter and the female thread of the adapter are opposite to one another. For example, if the male thread is a left-handed thread (running counterclockwise), the female thread is a right-handed thread (running clockwise). In this manner, when connected between the extension pole and the extractor head, the adapter will prevent the extractor head from loosening or becoming unscrewed from the extension pole when the pole is rotated to extract the bulb.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the guide is disposed distally from the bulb extractor and forms a pocket for receiving broken glass from the broken light bulb. In this manner, the guide prevents glass from falling down and injuring the user.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the bulb extractor extends vertically from the circularly shaped bottom and has a first height, and the guide extends vertically from the circularly shaped bottom and has a second height, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the guide is within ¼-¾ inch of the diameter of the high-hat light fixture. The difference in diameter is chosen so that once the light bulb remover fits inside the high-hat light fixture the tip of the bulb extractor is aligned generally in the central area of the base of the bulb. In this manner the tip is always automatically aligned with the base as the guide is always in close engagement with the walls of the high-hat light fixture.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is further provided, in accordance with the invention, a light bulb replacing system for replacing a light bulb from a high-hat light fixture. The light bulb replacing system includes an extension pole having first and second ends, a bulb attachment head connected to the extension pole and has first and second sides, an optional anti-loosening pipe adapter and a double-sided ring. The double-sided ring has a first side adhesively attached to the second side of the bulb attachment head and a second side with an adhesive layer for attaching to the light bulb to be replaced.
In accordance with an added embodiment of the invention, the first end of the extension pole is a threaded first end and the bulb attachment head has a circular base plate and a threaded cylindrical core extending from the circular base plate. In one embodiment, the threaded cylindrical core engages with the threaded first end of the extension pole. In another embodiment, the threaded cylindrical core engages a male thread of an anti-loosening pole adapter of the system, while a female thread of the anti-loosening pole adapter engages the threaded first end of the extension pole. In a particular embodiment, the male thread of the adapter is a left-handed thread, while the female thread of the adapter is a right-handed thread, and the adapter prevents the extractor head from becoming loose on the extension pole when the pole is rotated to remove a light bulb.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of one embodiment of the invention, an extractor head is attached to the second side of the double-sided ring. The extractor head has a guide defining an outer circumference of the extractor head. The extractor head has a bulb extractor configured for engaging in a base of a broken light bulb and creates a frictional connection with the base of the broken light bulb. The bulb extractor is surrounded by the guide and the guide has a diameter being less than a diameter of the high-hat light fixture. The guide is dimensioned so that when the light bulb replacing system is disposed within the high-hat light fixture the bulb extractor is self-aligned with a middle area of the base of the broken light bulb.
Other characteristic features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a broken light bulb extractor, a light bulb changer and an anti-loosening pole adapter, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In all the figures of the drawing, sub-features and integral parts that correspond to one another bear the same reference symbol in each case.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
By configuring the bulb extractor device 6 with the bulb attachment head 10, the double-sided adhesive ring 11 and the attached extractor head 9, the bulb extractor device 6 is configured for replacing a broken light bulb 4 residing in the high-hat light fixture 1.
The bulb extractor 25 is formed of four (4) blades 27 disposed at 90° intervals (e.g. 3, 5, 6 or 8 blades are also feasible). The four blades 27 meet at a center point 28 which defines a digging point or tip 28 for digging into a base of the broken light bulb 4. Each blade 27 is formed with a curved shape or arching taper 29 as best shown in
The blades 27 can be formed from various materials which each have their own advantages and disadvantages. More specifically, the blades 27 can be formed completely from a hard plastic. In this manner the digging tip 28 can penetrate deeply into the base 4′ of the broken light bulb 4. A rotational force and a pushing force is applied to the extension pole 7 and the broken light bulb 4 is loosened in the light socket 3 and removed. However, due to the use of a hard plastic, frictional forces are reduced and slippage between the bulb extractor 25 and the broken light bulb 4 may occur upon turning of the extension pole 7.
In a second alternative embodiment, the blades 27 can be formed from a more elastic material. In this manner, the digging tip 28 can be squished into the base 4′ of the broken light bulb 4 and has a more frictional engagement with the base 4′ of the broken light bulb 4 for removing the broken light bulb 4. Furthermore, such an elastic tip 28 can deform to fit into various sized bases of the broken light bulb 4.
In a third embodiment, a bottom base 31 of the blades 27 is formed of a harder plastic and an upper section 32 is formed of a more flexible plastic or rubber, see
In all three embodiments the guide 26 forms a pocket 34 into which broken glass can be collected and centers the tip 28 for engaging into the base 4′ of any sized light bulb 4 that fits in the respective high-hat light fixture 1. The guide 26 has a height H that ideally extends approximately half way up a height h of the blades 27 which provides adequate centering ability and a deep enough pocket 34 for collecting sizable glass pieces that may break off. In addition, the guide 26 can be made of either a hard plastic or a flexible material as with the blades 27.
By configuring the extractor device 6 with only the bulb attachment head 10 and the adhesive ring 11 (e.g. without the extractor head 9), the bulb extractor device 6 is configured for replacing an unbroken bulb 4 in the high-hat light fixture 1. As shown in
In essence, the bulb extractor device 6 is configured for replacing undamaged burned out light bulbs and damaged light bulbs. The bulb extractor device 6 is ideally formed to remove broken light bulbs fitted in high-hat light fixtures 1 as it automatically centers the bulb extractor in the base of the damaged light bulb.
Referring now to
Like the, the bulb removal/replacement head 8, bulb removal/replacement head 8′ of
Because of the different handedness of the threads 15 and 16′, 33′ an adapter is required to connect the bulb removal/replacement heads 8′, 9′ to the extension pole 7. In accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention, an adaptor 60 is provided which includes an adapter body including an internal/female, right-handed thread 65 and an external/male, left-handed thread 66. The female, right-handed thread 65 is configured to mate with the male, right-handed first threaded end 15 of the extension pole 7. The male, left-handed thread 66 of the adapter 60 is configured to mate with the female, left-handed thread 16′, 33′ of the bulb removal/replacement heads 8′, 9′. Thus, counterclockwise rotation of the extension pole 7 while extracting a bulb, will not unscrew the head 8′,9′ or 10 from the pole 7, but rather, will cause the head 8′, 9′ or 10 to tighten onto the pole 7, via the adapter 60.
In one particular embodiment of the invention, the outside diameter of the female end of the adapter 60 is 1.05 inches and the thread size is 0.29 inches. Additionally, in one embodiment the total length of the adapter 60 is 2.38 inches, while the length of the adapter section including the female thread is 1.35 inches. Further, in one particular embodiment, the wall thickness T1 of the adapter 60 in the area of the male thread is 0.06 inches and the wall thickness T2 of the adapter 60 in the area of the female thread is 0.12 inches. Further still, in one particular embodiment, the male thread 66 is an ACME ¾-5 male, left-handed thread and the female thread 65 is an ACME ¾-5 female right-handed thread. As discussed above, the male, right-handed threads of the threaded end 15 are configured to mate with the female, right-handed thread 65 and the female, left-handed threads 16′, 33′ of the heads 8′, 9′ or 10 are configured to mate with the male, left-handed thread 66 of the adapter 60.
Although the foregoing embodiment of adapter 60 is described as having a male, left-handed thread and a female, right-handed thread, it should be understood that these can be reversed without departing from the spirit of the invention if the male pole thread is left-handed and the head thread is a right-handed thread. Such an embodiment would be particularly useful when screwing in replacement bulbs, rather than extracting them. Additionally, it should be understood that other modifications can be made to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, as discussed above, the adapter can be used with other types of light bulb installation and removal heads, without being limited only to the particular bulb removal/replacement head or extractor head 8, 8′, 9, 9′ shown. Further still, it can be seen that, if both the extension pole and bulb removal/replacement head have oppositely handed male threads, the adapter can be modified to have two, oppositely handed female threads, instead of a male thread and an oppositely handed female thread, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, if both the extension pole and the bulb removal/replacement head have oppositely handed female threads, the adapter can be modified to have two, oppositely handed male threads, instead of a male thread and an oppositely handed female thread, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that within the embodiments certain changes in the detail and construction, as well as the arrangement of the parts, may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/657,350, filed on Oct. 18, 2019, entitled Broken Light Bulb Extractor and Light Bulb Changer, that application being incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16657350 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Child | 17328557 | US |
