Patent Application
20120125161
Presented herein is a bulb changing system. More specifically, a bulb changing system primarily used to change light bulbs in difficult to reach areas.
In the chandelier industry, lighting systems comprise a plurality of light bulbs. While the bulbs are designed to last for years, eventually they burn out and need to be replaced. Chandeliers are generally installed in locations where it is difficult to access the bulbs, even by using ladders. Where the bulbs are readily accessed via ladder, it can be difficult and dangerous to do so.
What is needed in the industry is a system for changing bulbs in chandeliers that is both safe and easy.
Presented herein is a bulb changing system comprising an elongate tube, a drive shaft with a drive handle, a drive gear, a driven gear, and a light receptacle configured to engage an exterior portion of the light bulb.
The drive housing houses the drive gear and the driven gear therein a drive cavity. In one aspect, rotation of the drive handle causes the drive gear to rotate substantially along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube, which in turn, causes the driven gear to rotate, which in turn, causes the light receptacle to rotate. As such, the light bulb is rotated into or out of engagement with a socket, depending upon the direction of rotation.
Other aspects and embodiments of the bulb changing system are described herein. This description is meant to fully describe the bulb changing system, but not limit its design, function, or application.
These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent in the detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawing, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a bulb” can include two or more such bulbs unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Presented herein is an apparatus 10 for changing a light bulb 400. In one aspect, the apparatus 10 comprises an elongate tube 100, a drive shaft 110 with a drive handle 120, a drive gear 210, a driven gear 220, and a light receptacle 300.
The elongate tube 100 defines an interior longitudinal cavity 130 in which the elongate drive shaft 110 is positioned. The drive handle 120 can be positioned at least adjacent the proximal end 101 of the elongate tube. On the other, distal end 103 of the elongate tube, a drive housing 200 is positioned.
The drive housing 200 houses the drive gear 210 and the driven gear 220 therein the drive cavity 205. In one aspect, the drive handle 120 is operatively connected to the drive gear via the drive shaft and is the mechanism by which a user would turn the drive shaft 110. The first face 230 of the drive housing substantially faces the user (i.e. is closer to the drive handle). The second face 240 of the drive housing faces away from the user. In one aspect, at least one of the first or second faces of the drive housing defines a receptacle aperture 250. In another aspect, both faces define a receptacle aperture 250. As can be appreciated, in one aspect, one or both faces of the housing 200 can be substantially normal to the elongate tube.
As illustrated in
The drive gear and driven gear pictured are belt driven. However, other types of gears are contemplated and can be used in this apparatus. For example, and not meant to be limiting, spur gears, bevel gears, worm gears, and the like.
Since, of course, most chandeliers are elevated, one optional design is configured to make the elongate tube selectively extendable and to make the drive shaft telescoping to extend and retract along with the elongate tube. In one exemplified aspect, the elongate tube is extendable from about 20 inches to about 120 inches. In another aspect, the elongate tube 100 is extendable from about 36 inches to about 90 inches.
The drive handle can be merely a handle that is directly connected to the drive shaft 110, whereby rotation of the handle 120 has a direct rotational relationship to the drive handle. In one exemplified aspect, the drive handle can comprise a ratchet mechanism (not shown), as is well known in the art. Thus rotation of the drive handle in a first engaged direction rotates the drive shaft in the first direction, while rotation in a second disengaged direction does not rotate the drive shaft, but merely rotates the handle 120 to position the user to again rotate the handle in the first engaged direction. As can be appreciated, the ratchet mechanism can be configured to selectively change which direction is engaged and which direction is disengaged. In still another aspect, the drive handle can comprise a motorized mechanism to turn the drive shaft 110 or can be configured to accept a common household drill for the same purpose.
As illustrated in
The light bulb changing apparatus can be configured to change light bulbs of various sizes by having a receptacle 300 that is accommodating or by changing out the receptacle to one of a different size. In one exemplified aspect, the light receptacle can engage light bulbs with a diameter from about 0.5 inches to about 5 inches. In another aspect, the light receptacle can engage light bulbs with a diameter from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.
In one aspect, as illustrated in
In one aspect, the receptacle 300 comprises a plurality of retention flaps 360 positioned substantially adjacent the distal end 321 of the receptacle body. The retention flaps 360, as shown in
Although several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.
