IP Library Granted Patent US 8,869,655
Granted Patent B2
US 8,869,655 · App. 13/896,130 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Customizable light bulb changer

Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson (San Jose, CA); Robert J. Gallegos (Fremont, CA); Steven Simas Escobar (San Jose, CA); Anders Scot Hudson (Campbell, CA); Idriss Mansouri-Chafik Ruiz (San Jose, CA); Yugen Patrick Lockhart (Palo Alto, CA); Howard Allen Wilson (Santa Clara, CA); Eric M. Colton (Torrance, CA)
Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
H01K3/32H01J9/003
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,869,655
App. No.
13/896,130
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
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 (24)

1. A light bulb changing tool, comprising:

a. a light bulb holder electrically coupled to a control unit for controlling the lightbulb holder, and that is changeable from a non-holding position to a holding position in response to control signals received from the control unit; and

b. a pole configured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the light bulb holder is laterally movable 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 the 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 pole.

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

13. 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 pole configured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the holder is laterally movable with respect to the longitudinal axis; and

c. a control unit electrically coupled to the light bulb holder that rotates the light bulb holder in a first direction and a second direction and operates a mechanism to change the light bulb holder from the non-holding position to the holding position, wherein the control unit wirelessly communicates with the light bulb holder.

14. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , wherein the light bulb holder is changeable to more than one holding position.

15. 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 moves along the longitudinal axis.

16. 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.

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

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

19. The light bulb changing tool of claim 13 , wherein the control unit is in remote communication with the light bulb holder.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2013
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 030432/0175 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 13339270 · Dec 28, 2011
Continuation 12947404 · Nov 16, 2010
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 20130247723A1 · Sep 26, 2013