IP Library Granted Patent US 8,104,380
Granted Patent B2
US 8,104,380 · App. 12/947,404 · Granted Jan 31, 2012

Customizable light bulb changer

Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,104,380
App. No.
12/947,404
Granted
Jan 31, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.

Claims (43)

1. A light bulb changing tool, comprising:

a. a light bulb holder that is changeable from a non-holding position to a holding position;

b. a mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position, wherein the mechanism is electrically coupled to a control unit; and

c. a pole and one or more arm members, each configured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the light bulb holder is laterally movable at a plurality of locations with respect to the longitudinal axis.

2. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the light bulb holder is changeable to more than one holding position.

3. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position moves along the longitudinal axis.

4. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position comprises a force generator that selectively forces the light bulb against the light bulb holder.

5. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a holding cup.

6. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a plurality of articulated fingers.

7. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the control unit rotates the light bulb holder in a first direction and a second direction and operates the mechanism to change the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position.

8. The light bulb changing tool of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is in remote communication with the light bulb holder.

9. The light bulb changing tool of claim 8 , wherein the control unit wirelessly communicates with the light bulb holder.

10. The light bulb changing tool of claim 8 , wherein the communication between control unit and the light bulb holder is a wired communication.

11. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the light bulb holder removably couples to the extension.

12. The light bulb changing tool of claim 1 , wherein the extension comprises one or more arm members.

13. A light bulb changing tool, comprising:

a. a light bulb holder;

b. one or more arm members;

c. a pole configured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the holder and the one or more arm members are laterally and independently movable with respect to the longitudinal axis; and

d. an adapter configured to receive and hold different sized light bulb holders, one at a time.

14. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , further comprising a mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from a non-holding position to a holding position.

15. The light bulb changing tool of claim 14 , wherein the light bulb holder is changeable to more than one holding position.

16. The light bulb changing tool of claim 14 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position moves along the longitudinal axis.

17. The light bulb changing tool of claim 14 , further comprising a control unit that rotates the light bulb holder in a first direction and a second direction and operates the mechanism to change the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position.

18. The light bulb changing tool of claim 17 , wherein the control unit is in remote communication with the light bulb holder.

19. The light bulb changing tool of claim 18 , wherein the control unit wirelessly communicates with the light bulb holder.

20. The light bulb changing tool of claim 18 , wherein the communication between control unit and the light bulb holder is a wired communication.

21. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position comprises a force generator that selectively forces the light bulb against the holder.

22. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a holding cup.

23. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a plurality of articulated fingers.

24. A light bulb changing tool, comprising:

a. a light bulb holder that is changeable from a non-holding position to a holding position;

b. a mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position;

c. a pole configured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the holder is laterally movable at a plurality of locations with respect to the longitudinal axis; and

d. a control unit that rotates the light bulb holder in a first direction and a second direction and operates the mechanism to change the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position.

25. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the light bulb holder is changeable to more than one holding position.

26. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position moves along the longitudinal axis.

27. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the mechanism for changing the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position comprises a force generator that selectively forces the light bulb against the holder.

28. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a holding cup.

29. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the light bulb holder comprises a plurality of articulated fingers.

30. The light bulb changing tool of claim 24 , wherein the control unit is in remote communication with the light bulb holder.

31. The light bulb changing tool of claim 30 , wherein the control unit wirelessly communicates with the light bulb holder.

32. The light bulb changing tool of claim 30 , wherein the communication between control unit and the light bulb holder is a wired communication.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2010
From: JOHNSON, RONALD L.; GALLEGOS, ROBERT J.; ESCOBAR, STEVEN SIMAS; HUDSON, ANDERS SCOT; RUIZ, IDRISS MANSOURI-CHAFIK; LOCKHART, YUGEN PATRICK; WILSON, HOWARD ALLEN; COLTON, ERIC M.
To: WAGIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 025376/0050 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 12618611 · Nov 13, 2009
Continuation 11893021 · Aug 13, 2007
Continuation In Part 11345710 · Feb 1, 2006
Continuation In Part 10841286 · May 7, 2004
Continuation In Part 10823522 · Apr 12, 2004
Continuation 10218404 · Aug 12, 2002
Related Publication 20110072939A1 · Mar 31, 2011