IP Library Granted Patent US 6,941,841
Granted Patent B2
US 6,941,841 · App. 10/823,522 · Granted Sep 13, 2005

Motorized light bulb changer

Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,941,841
App. No.
10/823,522
Granted
Sep 13, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

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

Claims (33)

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

a. means for clasping the light bulb, the clasping means configured to have an adjustable dimension for clasping a correspondingly sized light bulb; and

b. means for activating the clasping means, the activating means is configured for remote communication with the clasping means, wherein the activating means sends control communications to move the clasping means in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the control communications are sent wirelessly from the means for activating to the means for clasping.

2. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising means for setting the clasping means in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the setting means is coupled to the clasping means.

3. The tool according to claim 2 wherein the means for setting further comprises a means for varying the adjustable dimension, wherein the varying means is coupled to the activating means.

4. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the clasping means and the activating means are coupled to a tubular member.

5. The tool according to claim 4 further comprising means for selectively adjusting an overall length of the tubular member.

6. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the means for activating is powered by a DC voltage source.

7. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the means for activating is powered by an AC voltage source.

8. A light bulb changing tool comprising:

a. a motorized clasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism configured along an axis and to actuate in a first direction and a second direction; and

b. an electronic drive unit configured for remote communication with the motorized clasping mechanism, wherein the electronic drive unit sends control communications to drive the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the control communications are sent wirelessly from the electronic drive unit to the motorized clasping mechanism.

9. The tool according to claim 8 further comprising an arm member for positioning the motorized clasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the motorized clasping mechanism.

10. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction about the axis.

11. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a plurality of spring urged fingers.

12. The tool according to claim 11 further comprising an adjusting mechanism configured to actuate the motorized clasping mechanism in the second direction, wherein the adjusting mechanism causes at least two of the plurality of spring urged fingers to actuate towards and away from the axis.

13. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism and the electronic drive unit are coupled to a tubular member.

14. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the electronic drive unit is powered by a DC voltage source.

15. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the electronic drive unit is powered by an AC voltage source.

16. A method of assembling a light bulb changing tool, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a clasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, the clasping mechanism having an adjustable dimension;

b. coupling the clasping mechanism to a cylindrical member; and

c. coupling a drive unit to the cylindrical member, the drive unit in remote communication with the clasping mechanism, wherein the drive unit sends control communications to electrically activate the clasping mechanism to actuate in a first direction and a second direction, wherein the control communications are sent wirelessly from the drive unit to the clasping mechanism.

17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of coupling an adjusting arm to the clasping mechanism, the adjusting arm configured to adjust the clasping mechanism to a desired position relative to the light bulb.

18. The method according to claim 16 wherein the cylindrical member is tubular.

19. A light bulb changing tool assembly comprising:

a. a motorized clasping mechanism for engaging a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism rotatable in a first direction and a second direction, the motorized clasping mechanism having a port for engaging to the cylindrical member; and

b. a drive control unit for wirelessly communicating with the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction and the second direction.

20. The tool according to claim 19 further comprising an arm member for positioning the motorized clasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the motorized clasping mechanism.

21. The tool according to claim 19 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction about the axis.

22. The tool according to claim 11 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a plurality of spring urged fingers.

23. The tool according to claim 22 further comprising an adjusting mechanism configured to actuate the motorized clasping mechanism in the second direction, wherein the adjusting mechanism causes at least two of the plurality of spring urged fingers to actuate towards and away from the axis.

24. The tool according to claim 19 wherein the motorized clasping mechanism and the electronic drive unit are coupled to a tubular member.

Assignments (11)
TERMINATION OF INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 18, 2014
From: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
To: WAGIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 033775/0530 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADD MISSING PROPERTY NUMBERS US2005042476 AND US2005015025 WHICH WERE INCORRECTLY REMOVED PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Sep 2, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 033744/0460 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADD PCT NO. 2005042476 AND PCT NO. US2005015025 AND REMOVE PATENT NO. 4745568 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Aug 19, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 033598/0111 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBERS 0015025, 0459967, 0435415, 0268752 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Aug 8, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 033500/0655 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NUMBERS 4745568, 478132, 0542476 AND REPLACE WITH 6739220, 6941841 AND US2005042476 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Aug 6, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 033475/0275 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ALL OF THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jul 31, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 033451/0803 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018597 FRAME 0866. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 032265/0860 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE AND INCORRECT PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017626 FRAME 0753. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 032723/0561 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS AND CITY LISTED FOR ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 018590 FRAME 0873. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. SEE INCORRECT PROPERTIES Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 032723/0613 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 017626 FRAME 0753. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE AS A SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Dec 7, 2006
From: WAGIC, INC.
To: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE
Reel/Frame 018597/0866 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2004
From: JOHNSON, RONALD L.; SUGANO, NORIO
To: WAGIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 015207/0350 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 1021840400 · Aug 12, 2002
Related Publication 20040261582A1 · Dec 30, 2004