Granted Patent B2

US 7,255,024 · App. 11/345,710 · Granted Aug 14, 2007

Assignee: Wagic, Inc.

Abstract

Claims (60)

1. A light bulb changing tool comprising:

a. a movable holding cup configured along an axis and configured to engage a light bulb;

b. a force generator, configured to selectively force the light bulb against the movable holding cup;

c. a control unit configured to control the movable holding cup to selectively rotate in a first direction and a second direction around the axis, and configured to activate the force generator to force the light bulb against the movable holding cup; and

d. an arm member coupled to the movable holding cup for positioning the movable holding cup in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is configured to be coupled to an extending member, and further wherein at least a portion of the arm member is laterally movable with respect to the extending member.

2. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the force generator and the movable holding cup are configured to permit manipulation of a light bulb while contacting only a portion of the light bulb that is convex from the socket.

3. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the force generator generates a negative pressure force via one of the following means: pneumatic, hydraulic, or other fluid-mechanical.

4. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the force generator generates a positive pressure force via one of the following means: pneumatic, hydraulic, or other fluid-mechanical.

5. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the force generator and the holding structure are configured to permit manipulation of a light bulb while contacting only some portion of the light bulb that is convex from the socket.

6. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 wherein the extending member is tubular.

7. A light bulb changing tool comprising:

a. a movable holding cup configured along an axis and configured to engage a light bulb;

b. a force generator, configured to selectively force the light bulb against the movable holding cup;

c. a control unit configured for remote communication with the movable holding cup and the force generator, wherein the control unit sends control communications to drive the movable holding cup to selectively rotate in a first direction and a second direction around the axis and/or to activate the force generator to force the light bulb against the movable holding cup; and

d. an arm member for positioning the movable holding cup in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, the arm member coupled to the movable holding cup and adapted to be coupled to an extending member, wherein at least a portion of the arm member is laterally movable with respect to the extending member.

8. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the force generator and the movable holding cup are configured to permit manipulation of a light bulb while contacting only some portion of the light bulb that is convex from the socket.

9. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the force generator generates a negative pressure force via one of the following means: pneumatic, hydraulic, or other fluid-mechanical.

10. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the force generator generates a positive pressure force via one of the following means: pneumatic, hydraulic, or other fluid-mechanical.

11. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the movable holding cup is mechanically rotated and the control communications that drive the movable holding cup are mechanical signals.

12. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the movable holding cup is motorized, and the control communications that drive the movable holding cup to selectively rotate are electrical signals.

13. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the control communications that activate the force generator are electrical signals.

14. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , further including a local control unit configured to control the force generator.

15. The light bulb changing tool of claim 14 , wherein the local control unit is configured on the arm member.

16. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the movable holding cup is configured to engage light bulbs selected from the group comprising recessed type, flood light type, reflector type, regular household type, bent tip decorative type, torpedo shape type, beacon lamp type, track head type, candelabra type, globe type, and compact fixture type lightbulb.

17. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 wherein the extending member is tubular.

18. A light bulb changing tool comprising:

a. a movable holding cup configured along an axis and configured to engage a light bulb;

b. a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the movable holding cup; and

c. a control unit configured for remote communication with the movable holding cup and the force generator, wherein the control unit sends control communications to drive the movable holding cup to selectively rotate in a first direction and a second direction around the axis and/or to activate the force generator to force the light bulb against the movable holding cup;

wherein the movable holding cup includes a torque limiter which limits rotational force which the movable holding cup can apply to a light bulb.

19. A light bulb changing tool comprising:

a. a movable holding cup configured along an axis and configured to engage a light bulb;

b. a force generator, configured to selectively force the light bulb against the movable holding cup;

c. a control unit configured for remote communication with the movable holding cup and the force generator, wherein the control unit sends control communications to drive the movable holding cup to selectively rotate in a first direction and a second direction around the axis and/or to activate the force generator to force the light bulb against the movable holding cup; and

d. a detection circuit configured to detect when a light bulb has been fully inserted into a socket.

20. An improved light bulb changing tool assembly of the type adapted to be coupled to a cylindrical member of the type in which a motorized clasping mechanism for engaging a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism rotatable in a first direction and a second direction has a port for engaging to the cylindrical member, and in which an electronic drive unit for remotely communicating with the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction and the second direction is configured to externally attach to the cylindrical member, wherein the improvement comprises:

a. an adjustable holding cup coupled with the clasping mechanism having an adjustable dimension configurable to engage a light bulb;

b. a force generator, configured to selectively engage the light bulb by forcing the light bulb against the adjustable holding cup; and

c. an arm member coupled to the adjustable holding cup for positioning the adjustable holding cup in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is configured to be coupled to an extending member, and further wherein at least a portion of the arm member is laterally movable with respect to the extending member.

21. A light bulb changing tool for selectively tightening and loosening a light bulb comprising:

a. means for holding the light bulb;

b. means for forcing the light bulb to a held position against the means for holding;

c. means for controlling the means for forcing, configured to selectively control the means for forcing to force the light bulb to a held position or release the light bulb from the held position; and

d. means for coupling, the means for coupling configured to detachably couple to an arm member, wherein the arm member is configured for positioning the light bulb changing tool in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the means for coupling comprises an interconnect, wherein the interconnect is configured to detachably couple a telescoping collar to the arm member.

22. The light bulb changing tool of claim 21 , wherein the means for holding is configured to hold light bulbs selected from the group comprising recessed type, flood light type, reflector type, regular household type, bent tip decorative type, torpedo shape type, beacon lamp type, track head type, candelabra type, globe type, and compact fixture type lightbulb.

23. A light bulb changing tool for selectively tightening and loosening a light bulb comprising:

a. a holding structure, configured to hold the light bulb;

b. a force generator actuable to force the light bulb to a held position against the holding structure;

c. a controller configured to selectively actuate the force generator to force the light bulb to the held position or release the light bulb from the held position; and

d. a coupler, the coupler configured to detachably couple to an arm member, wherein the arm member is configured for positioning the light bulb changing tool in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the coupler comprises an interconnect, wherein the interconnect is configured to detachably couple a telescoping collar to the arm member.

24. The light bulb changing tool of claim 23 , wherein the holding structure is configured to hold light bulbs selected from the group comprising recessed type, flood light type, reflector type, regular household type, bent tip decorative type, torpedo shape type, beacon lamp type, track head type, candelabra type, globe type, and compact fixture type lightbulb.

25. A motorized clasping mechanism for changing a light bulb comprising:

a. a clasping mechanism housing including:

i. an adjustable holding structure configured along an axis and including:

(1) a plurality of fingers; and

(2) a plurality of resilient panels configured between the plurality of fingers;

ii. a motor coupled to the holding structure and configured to selectively actuate the plurality of fingers in a desired direction about the axis in response to an appropriate movement signal from a remotely located control source; and

iii. a force generator coupled with the adjustable holding structure and configured to selectively force a light bulb against the holding structure in response to an appropriate force signal from the remotely located control source;

and

b. an arm member coupled to the clasping mechanism housing and adapted to couple to a tubular member and configured to position the clasping mechanism housing in a desired configuration, wherein at least a portion of the arm member is independently moveable with respect to another portion of the arm member.

Assignments (11)

Continuity (4)