Abstract:
A molded-plastic storage apparatus that holds and identifies light bulbs that can vary by wattage and shape. The light bulb holding apparatus consists of a base and a plurality of custom receivers that interface to the various light bulbs. The base has uniform openings spaced apart in a matrix grid that can accept the receivers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    The present invention was not made by an agency of the Unites States Government or under a contract with any agency of the United States Government. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and identifying unused light bulbs such as those commonly stored in home or business environments. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    Interior designers routinely explore new lighting ideas when designing home and business spaces. Additionally, consumers tend to migrate towards energy saving and environmentally friendly light bulbs. The lighting industry responds to these market needs by constantly expanding the number and types of bulbs available. Because of this evolution, most consumers in developed countries require more unique light bulbs than the generation before them. 
         [0008]    Another challenge for consumers is dealing with light bulb packaging that has evolved from space-efficient rectangular boxes that store in small spaces to packaging that is optimized for the retail display but is quite bulky to store at the consumer&#39;s home or business. The quantity of unique bulbs has increased to the point where consumers need a low-cost solution for storing and identifying unpackaged light bulbs. 
         [0009]    Prior light bulb storage inventions have not been widely commercialized due to complexity and other inherent design flaws. Consumers are more likely to accept a customizable light bulb storage system if the price is low enough. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates to a low-cost apparatus for storing and identifying unused light bulbs and in the preferred embodiment, to an apparatus that is customizable and re-configurable to accept a variety of light bulbs. 
         [0011]    The preferred embodiment of the apparatus is comprised of a mounting base, a plurality of custom receivers and an optional cover; a plurality of openings in the base, each opening having identical outlines, each custom receiver being rigidly affixed to the base at each opening, and each receiver having features to interface to prevailing industry-standard light bulb features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the invention—with the optional cover—populated with various light bulbs. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the mounting base. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a representative receiver. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of three representative receiver variations. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a receiver being inserted. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the mounting base with receivers inserted. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-section view of a representative receiver inserted in the mounting base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is not to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0021]    In  FIGS. 1-7  is shown the preferred embodiment of a light bulb storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 1 , the light bulb storage apparatus is shown in conjunction with a plurality of light bulbs  5 . The light bulb storage apparatus  1  comprises of a molded plastic mounting base  2 , a plurality of molded plastic custom receivers  3 , and an optional molded plastic cover  4 . Light bulb  6  is shown above the corresponding receiver  3  so as to illustrate the state of light bulb  6  prior to or after installation. The cover  4  is shown above the populated base system  7  so as to illustrate the state of the cover  4  prior to or after installation. In this embodiment, the cover  4  has a rim  8  that can function as an alternate storage location for additional light bulb packages. The rim  8  will help to resist any package falling from the top. 
         [0023]    Shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting base  2  includes a top  9 , opposing sidewalls  10  and  11 , and opposing sidewalls  12  and  13 . The mounting base  2  has a plurality of openings  14  sharing a common outline. 
         [0024]    Shown in  FIG. 3 , a representative receiver  3   a  intended for a standard  60 -watt light bulb. This receiver conforms to the industry-standard Medium Edison Screw (MES) base of the light bulb. The receiver  3   a  includes features  15  that allow it to snap securely into the mounting base  2 . The receiver  3   a  also has flexible thread features  16  that allow the light bulb to be installed either by screwing in or by pushing in. These thread features  16  are flexible in one direction such that they allow the light bulb to be threaded out but not pulled out. As shown, there are six flexible fingers  16  for engaging the thread of the light bulb base. The receiver  3   a  also shows markings  17  to identify the kind of light bulb that should be inserted. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates three candidate representations of the receiver,  3   a,    3   b,  and  3   c  that show various screw thread standards, from largest to smallest—Medium Edison Screw (MES)  18 , Intermediate Edison Screw (IES)  19 , and Candelabra Edison Screw (CES)  20 ; also shown are various wattages—25-watt  21 , 40-watt  22 , and 60-watt  23 . The receivers can be used as a method for identifying various light bulbs once they are removed from their packaging. The receivers can be made unique and distinguishable by any combination of molded-in labels, adhered labels (stickers), and/or molding the receivers in different colors. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 5 , one of the receivers  3   d  is shown above a partially populated mounting base  2  so as to illustrate the state of the receiver  3   d  prior to or after installation. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a representative custom placement of the receivers  3  into the mounting base  2 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-section of a receiver  3  snapped into one of the common outline openings  14  in the mounting base  2 . Also evident are the flexible fingers  16  that retain the light bulb thread base. 
         [0029]    It is to be understood that while a certain embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown. For example, in the plan view shown in  FIG. 6 , the base could be any size and aspect ratio and have any number of openings for receivers with variations in spacing that stray from the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, the openings in the mounting base could be uniform but follow a shape different than what is shown in the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, the method of securing the receiver to the mounting base could follow a variety of methods such as twist lock, one-way snap, back-side release, and a host of others. 
         [0030]    Additionally, the receiver functionality could be integrated into a single molded base component not requiring the additional receiver parts. 
         [0031]    Additionally, the illustrated embodiment shows only the most popular current light bulb bases (MES, IES, CES), however the collection of receivers could easily be expanded to include other light bulb bases that may become prevalent in the future. Furthermore, this embodiment only shows incandescent bulbs for simplicity of illustration. It is easy to conceive that this invention is equally suited to other light bulb technologies such as compact fluorescent, halogen, high intensity discharge, LED, miniature, and other developing technologies. 
         [0032]    Additionally, the illustrated embodiment shows six thread fingers  16 . Any quantity of at least two could function sufficiently. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the apparatus could include additional features and could serve additional functions or be a component in a larger assembly.