WO1993023207A1

WO1993023207A1 - Tool for removal and replacement of light bulbs

Info

Publication number: WO1993023207A1
Application number: PCT/CA1993/000212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Perry A. Castiglione
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-19
Filing date: 1993-05-19
Publication date: 1993-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1994-11-19
Also published as: AU4056893A; CA2068983A1

Abstract

A tool for the removal of a light bulb (15) from a remote socket (16) consists of a flexible cup (13) fitted over one end of a hollow rod (12). The other end of the rod is fitted to a flexible elastomeric bellows (14) adapted to expel its inner air through the cup to allow any object such as a light bulb to be gripped by the cup surface when the bellows is released.

Description

TOOL FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF LIGHT BULBS FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention discloses a flexible member held aloft on a rigid hollow rod for enclosing a light bul within its socket. By imparting a twisting motion to th rod, an operator standing below the bulb with the flexibl member surrounding the bulb, can unscrew the bulb from it socket in an overhead fixture. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In industrial sites where overhead light bulbs are i use and where long step ladders are awkward to use, a cage like device held on a long rod has been used to enclose th bulb and is used to impart the twisting action for remova of the bulb. A cushion material is often fitted to the inne sides of the claws of the cage to prevent breakage of th glass of the bulb when being removed or replace.

It is known that many household accidents are caused b people climbing on chairs or ladders to reach object otherwise out o^ their reach from a floor surface. It i known that many light fixtures are difficult to acces without the use of a ladder or climbing assist such as chair. For old people the danger of climbing to change ligh bulbs is very great and with the recent design of apartment specifically made for older people with safety in mind, th need for a tool to easily change a light bulb for a fixtur has become apparent. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the invention is therefore t provide a tool having a flexible member thereon to surroun a light bulb and which when twisted on the bulb will unscre it from the fixture. Another object of the invention is to position the flexible member on a pole thereby allowing a person to use the flexible member from a position remote from the bulb.

Another object of the invention is to use a hollow rod or pole with the inner body of the flexible member having an opening therein. The flexible member is adapted to interfit over one hollow end of the rod to allow air passage between the rod and the flexible member. A bellows member is adapted to interfit over the lower end of the hollow rod to permit the passage of air into and from the hollow rod. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tool for the removal of a light bulb consists of an elastomeric flexible cup adapted to interfit over the rounded portion of a light bulb and has an opening therein fixed over one end of a hollow rod. A bellows is fixed to the other end of the hollow rod to allow passage of air therethrough to and from the flexible cup. The inner face side of the flexible cup has a soft elastomeric surface thereon to grip the surface of the light bulb. OPERATION OF THE DEVICE

To remove a light bulb with the device, the bellows is depressed to expel the air from it and after the cup has been fitted over the bulb, the bellows is allowed to return to normal whereby a vacuum effect is created in the system and in the space between the cup and the rod opening thereby helping to pull the bulb into engagement with the gripping surface of the cup. The rod is then twisted until the bulb threads are freed from the socket and the tool and bulb falling out of the cup. To replace a bulb it is placed into the cup while the bellows is depressed and then the bellows is released to impart a vacuum assist to the gripping action of the cup surface. The combination, tool and bulb, is then lifted to the socket where, by twisting the rod, it is screwed into place. When the bulb is in place in the socket the bellows is depressed to break the vacuum and thereby release the cup from the bulb. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the foregoing objects in view and such advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the concept which is comprised, embodied and embraced and included in the methods of use of the methods and arrangements, or any new use of the foregoing, herein exemplified in the specific embodiment of the concept, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a view of the tool in use showing the cup in section over a bulb and attached to the rod of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of the flexible cup attached to a rod and shows the rough inner grippin surface of the flexible cup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Numeral 10 in Figure 1 designates the tool of th invention shown in engagement with a light bulb 15 by th gripping action of the elastomeric cup 13 as shown also i Figure 2 where the inner surface of cup 13 is roughened a at 20 to grip the smooth outer surface of the bulb 15. Th cup 13 tapers to a hollow opening where it is fixed to hollow rod 12 in a funnel-like configuration. The hollow ro 12 is open at both ends with the one end aforesaid fitted t the cup and the other end open and fitted to an opening int the interior of a flexible rubber bellows 14. Squeezing o the bellows 14 will expel air out through rod 12" and when the bellows is released after the bulb is fitted to cup 13 a vacuum-like action is created to hold the bulb 1-5 into engagement with cup 13. The bulb 15 is shown in Figure 1 threaded at 17 into a socket 16 which is fixed to a wall or ceiling .

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described above. For example, it may not be necessary to provide a roughened inner surface in the elastomeric cup 13.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A tool for the removal and replacement of light bulbs from their sockets comprising in combination, a flexible cup fixed to a rod adapted to be twisted by an operator when the cup has been fitted around a light bulb, thereby to unthread said bulb from a socket.

2. A tool according to Claim 1 wherein said rod is hollow and fits over a funnel shaped hollow extension of a bottom portion of said cup and wherein said rod has an end remote from the end attached to said cup attached to a bellows means whereby operation of said bellows forces air through said rod and out of said cup or in the alternative when the bellows is released, creates downward pressure into the cup and into the bellows of air suction.

3. A tool according to Claim 2 wherein the cup is made o elastomeric material such as soft rubber.

4. A tool according to Claim 3 wherein the cup has a sof roughened surface on its inner side to grip a glass ligh bulb surface.