Patent ID: 8256329
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: H01K

Abstract:
1. A tool for removing and replacing a light bulb, comprising: a long handle rod adapted to be held and lifted up to a high place by the hand of an operator; a chuck provided at an upper end portion of the handle rod for chucking or holding a glass sphere of the light bulb; and an operating mechanism provided at a lower end portion of the handle rod for actuating the chuck, the chuck comprising: an arm holder of a substantially cylindrical shape fixed to the upper end portion of the handle rod; the arm holder having a movable bar-holder-block and a first extension spring for urging the movable bar-holder-block upward; the movable bar-holder-block and the first extension spring being housed within the arm holder; the arm holder being formed with at least three vertically extending holes which are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals around a periphery of the arm holder; at least three bearing brackets attached to the arm holder so as to be spaced apart from one another at regular intervals around an outer periphery of the arm holder; at least three chuck arms for chucking or holding the glass sphere of the light bulb; the chuck arms being pivotally supported at lower end portions thereof on the bearing brackets with upper end portions thereof extending to a position higher than the arm holder; each of the chuck arms having a length that allows a tip of the upper end portion of the chuck arm to hold a region of the glass sphere which is adjacent a cap of the light bulb; second tension springs for urging the chuck arms in such a direction that causes the upper end portions of the chuck arms to be closed relative to one another; each of the second tension springs being stretched between adjacent chuck arms; a seat pad attached to an upper end of the arm holder for receiving and supporting a top surface of the glass sphere held or chucked by the chuck arms; and at least three guide bars for causing the chuck arms to be pivoted in such a manner that the upper end portions of the chuck arms are operatively opened away from one another against actions of the second tension springs; each of the guide bars being slidably combined with corresponding one of the chuck arms and supported through corresponding one of the vertically extending holes of the arm holder by the movable bar-holder-block; and the movable bar-holder-block being connected to the operating mechanism via a traction wire, so that when the operating mechanism is operated by the operator, the movable bar-holder-block is moved downward within the arm holder against an action of the first extension spring while allowing the guide bars to be moved downward relative to the chuck arms, to thereby cause the chuck arms to be pivoted against actions of the second tension springs in such a manner that the upper end portions of the chuck arms are operatively opened away from one another.