Patent Application
20170299157
It is often difficult to change light bulbs where the sockets are significantly above the level of the floor. Although some people use ladders, sometimes the ladders still are insufficient for reaching certain bulbs. Extenders exist, but they are often cumbersome and are difficult to use when dealing with angularly positioned light sockets. The present invention addresses this by providing a suction cup operatively associated with an electromechanical device for grasping a light bulb and subsequently releasing the light bulb.
The present invention uses a pneumatic solenoid valve coupled with a suction cup to grasp and release the surface of a light bulb in the suction cup utilizing air pressure differential.
In one embodiment, an electric solenoid valve is used in conjunction with a suction cup, whereby applying voltage can either open the valve and let air in releasing suction or it can be open until current applied and than it closes it.
In one embodiment, the valve is controlled with a push button that actuates a momentary electrical current that is applied thereby releasing the suction. When the button is not pushed no energy is expanded to keep valve closed, and therefore battery last a long time.
In one embodiment, an additional vacuum is used to allow ease of attachment.
In addition the suction cups configured in the present invention have small nubs about the perimeter. This prevents hover effect which prevent cup from slipping and allows for placement of cup on center of bulb for better attachment. Without this cup slides off to side and final placement on bulb is eccentric, making its dislodgment more likely.
In one embodiment, the Invention utilizes the suction for ease of attachment. The system and method of the invention includes attaching coiled wire to transmit current and allows telescoping of pole. Without this technique undo pressure on electrical connection at top and bottom would result in failure.
In one embodiment the present invention is an apparatus for connecting and disconnecting light bulbs, said apparatus comprising:
In one embodiment, the structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface is a release tab.
In one embodiment, the structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface is an air channel operatively associated with a solenoid valve.
In one embodiment, the solenoid valve is a mechanical, non-electric valve.
In one embodiment, the solenoid valve is an electric valve.
In one embodiment, the valve is actuated by an actuator with direct hard-wired connection.
In one embodiment, the valve is actuated by an actuator with a wireless connection.
In one embodiment, the cup support is constructed and arranges as two congruent half circles that snap fit into a support base.
In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a support pole.
In one embodiment, the support pole is constructed and arranged as a telescoping pole.
In one embodiment, the angular flare is between about 5-20 degrees.
Also contemplated is a method of installing a light bulb, said method comprising the steps of:
In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing said suction cup with at least one release tab positioned along a perimeter edge.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises applying pressure on said release tab in a direction away from said light bulb.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing a solenoid valve and an air delivery channel, whereby said air delivery channel is configured to deliver air to said mounting surface.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises said solenoid valve is a mechanical non-electric valve.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises solenoid valve is an electric valve.
The present invention relates generally to a device for reaching light bulbs that are beyond the normal reach of most persons.
As generally understood, assembly 10 is constructed and arranged for supporting light bulb 30. Suction cup 16 is dependent upon clamp 24. When light bulb 30 is affixed to suction cup 16, suction cup cavity 17 (not necessarily drawn to scale) is a small cavity or void that is operatively associated, as will be described below, with structure to direct air into suction cap cavity 17 as desired and thus release light bulb 30 from suction cup 16. Cavity 17 envelopes the part of light bulb 30 inserted into suction cup 16 that is light bulb mounting surface 19, which is understood to be only that part of the light bulb surface defined by placement within the perimeter of suction cup 16. In one embodiment, spacer clamp 24 as best seen in FIG. 11 B is in a “C-shape” configuration as shown. Positioned adjacent to suction cup 16 and clamp 24 is solenoid valve 14. Pole 20 is constructed and arranged to incorporate therewith a cup seal inner support whereby said cup where is configured either as where no power supply is incorporated therein 26A or cup whereby a power supply 36 is incorporated therein.
In one embodiment, transistor 21 is utilized in the electrical components to account for wire length.
Pole 20 supports suction cup 16 on a first end and handle 38 on a second end.
Solenoid suction cup assembly 28 includes in one embodiment a power source 36 with power actuator 18 whereby power cord 33 the levers of electricity from power control subassembly 32 to solenoid valve 14. First orifice 35 provides for an inner passage from solenoid valve 14 to cavity 17 of suction cup 16 and second orifice 31 provides for an exhaust air passage from the assembly. Angle 50 demonstrates acute angular offset of suction cup 16 from a central axis of assembly 10. In one embodiment, an internal power cord 33 provides for actuation of power source 36 to solenoid 14 when actuator 18 is activated.
In another embodiment, as demonstrated in
In one embodiment, as demonstrated in the
In one embodiment, surface 25 of either cup seal 26A and 26B is angularly flared towards suction cup 16. This cup seal angular flare, shown in
In one embodiment, Solenoid valve 14 is electrically actuated. In another embodiment, solenoid valve 14 is mechanically actuated.
In one embodiment, a user will position light bowl 30 on two suction cups 16 and apply pressure until suction cup 16 grasps the outer surface of light bulb 30. Once like bold Bertie is in position a user will attach light bulb 30 to a socket by rotating the entirety of assembly 10. Once light bulb furry is completely installed, a user will then desire to release suction cups 16 from lightbulb 30.
According to the present invention, the desired release is accomplished through various embodiments.
In one embodiment, a string or other extending member is connected to tab 16a. The user will pull the string in the direction away from the first end of assembly 10, being the end with suction cup 16 and towards the second end of assembly 10, being the end with handle 18.
The tab will lift an edge of suction cup 16, allow air to enter the space between suction cup 16 and light bulb 30 and subsequently release the suction imparted by suction cup 16 onto light bulb 30. Once this suction is released, the light bulb detaches.
In another embodiment, solenoid valve 14 inserts air into the space between suction cup 16 and light bulb 30. Once they air is inserted into the space the suction is released and the light bulb detaches.
As stated above solenoid 14 is selectively an electrically operated solenoid or a mechanical solenoid.
In one embodiment, when an electrically actuated solenoid valve 14 is utilized, a transistor is positioned between the battery and the solenoid such that resistance due to wire length is negated. In this embodiment, this is an important feature because internal wiring in one embodiment is coiled to provide for length differentials when pole support 20 is constructed and arranged as a telescoping pole.
