The present invention relates to pliers that are specially configured to hold and lock a light bulb, yet supple enough to securely hold the light bulb without breaking it. The present invention is well suited for use in changing light bulbs in hard to access locations such as vehicle dashboards.
The prior art includes mechanisms for changing light bulbs located in elevated locations, for example, gymnasium, church and stair well ceilings, etc. These devices tend to be “finger” devices that include a plurality of mechanical fingers located on one end of a pole and an actuator, linked to the fingers, that is located on the operator end of the pole.
The prior art also includes many different types of pliers devices. In general, these devices are not related to light bulb changing, but rather a given mechanical task such as loosening or tightening a nut or bolt. While some of these devices may have a locking function, such as vice grips, the gripping ends are too hard and inflexible for use with glass and will readily break a light bulb.
Hemostats and surgical clamps are devices that also have a locking function, often imparted by the flexible metal material of which the devices are made, permitting a releasable latching at the handle end. Hemostats and surgical clamp structures, however, have not been applied to light bulb changing and related arts. Furthermore, hemostats and surgical clamps tend to taper at their gripping end and do not provide sufficient structure to gently and securely hold a light bulb.
A problem exists related to changing light bulbs in vehicle dashboards or other highly constrained locations. Often the bulbs are small and located in areas too small for a human hand to reach. When it is necessary or desired to change a bulb, a mechanic must remove several layers of the dashboard, requiring a significant amount of shop time to remove and reinstall those layers. Through use of the present invention, a mechanic may access a bulb without removing multiple layers of the dashboard, resulting in more rapid bulb changing and significant cost savings. This also leads to better and safer vehicle operation because the reduced cost of replacement leads to more frequent replacement of burned out lights.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide locking pliers or grips that permit secure yet sufficiently delicate holding and locking to a light bulb.
A pair of pliers or grips in accordance with the present invention may be formed of metal, such as steel or other suitable material that is sufficiently rigid and durable, yet provides some degree of flexibility to permit tension and the holding of a bulb under bias.
The bulb end preferably includes a distributed frame and soft, non-slip material for holding a bulb, while the handle end may include a releasable locking mechanism.
These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a pliers device for changing a light bulb in physically constrained location as described herein.
The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.
Referring to
Device 10 may include first and second longitudinal members 20,30 that are moveably coupled to one another at pivot 15. At the holding or bulb end 21,31, each of the first and second members may have a frame 22,32, oval or circular or otherwise shaped, that extends therefrom and holds a non-slip grommet or pad 23,33 preferably made of rubber or other suitably soft, elastic and/or non-slip material. Frame 22,32 and pads 23,33 serve to more evenly distribute the holding force to a bulb.
Frames 22,32 may have a substantially planar configuration and be disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which longitudinal members 20,30 pivotally move. While frames 22,32 are shown as rings (for example, in
At the handle-end 25,35, finger loops or other finger receiving structures 26,36 may be provided. A releasable locking device 40 may be provided at the handle end 25,35 to permit compressive pads 23,33 to be closed about bulb 12 and locked into a secure holding position.
The releasable locking mechanism 40 may include two oppositely disposed members 41,42 each with a plurality of facing, angled teeth 44.
The longitudinal member 20,30 and the releasable locking mechanism 40 may be fabricated in a manner similar to that in a hemostat, with the longitudinal members being made of a suitably flexible metal (or other material) to impart a bias onto the mating parts of the locking mechanism, causing them to remain clasped. While metal is a preferred material, it should be recognized that the longitudinal members may be made of plastic or another suitably durable, steadfast, yet flexible material. It should also be recognized that other locking mechanisms, such as a pivoting latch with different latch settings or another arrangement could be used.
The handle region 25,35 may be covered in a natural or synthetic rubber coating or plastic or other material and/or shape configuration that facilitates ready holding and operation by a user.
Referring to
Referring to
In the embodiment of
Grommet 23 may be a ring, open in the center as depicted in
Pliers device 10 is preferably formed by creating a mold for each longitudinal member and associated frame and handle and pouring the appropriate molten metal material, such as that used in conventional hemostats, or other suitable material into the mold. Next, those parts are cleaned, polished and machined as necessary. Then, the grommets 23,33 or the like and the handle coatings, if any, are added, after which the longitudinal members are joined at pivot 15 to complete the device.
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/967,143, filed Aug. 31, 2007, entitled “Plier Device for Changing Light Bulb in Physically Constrained Location” and having the same inventor as above.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60967143 | Aug 2007 | US |