Abstract:
An apparatus including an extendable (e.g., telescoping) pole with a handle at a first end and a light-bulb gripping unit at a second end. The gripping unit may include an adhesive member including a series of removal, disposable adhesive sheets having a “tacky” surface for controlling a light bulb during removal and installation. Different gripping units are configured for different light bulb types.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for changing light bulbs in elevated locations such as ceilings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Exterior and indoor elevated lighting systems are very common and popular. One disadvantage of elevated lighting systems, whether exterior or interior, is the inconvenience and danger related to changing the associated light bulbs. For example, using a ladder to change elevated light bulbs is generally unsafe for people inexperienced at such tasks. The changing difficulties relate to any bulb type including incandescent, flood and compact fluorescent. 
     Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus configured to allow users to remove and install elevated light bulbs conveniently and safely. 
     SUMMARY 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus comprising broadly an extendable (e.g., telescoping) pole with a handle at a first end and a light-bulb gripping unit at a second end. In one embodiment, the light-bulb gripping unit comprises an adhesive member for controlling a light bulb. In one embodiment, the gripping unit includes an adhesive member having a series of removal, disposable adhesive sheets having a “tacky” surface for controlling a light bulb during removal and installation. Different gripping units are configured for different light bulb types. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for removing and installing elevated light-bulbs according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a stowed position according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  illustrate a perspective view of various gripping units according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  illustrate various light bulbs of the type which may be removed and installed using the apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates cross sections of various adhesive members according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  illustrate gripping units comprising rippled and balled forms incorporating or coated with adhesives according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
       FIG. 1  shows an apparatus  100  for removing and installing light bulbs, normally from elevated locations such as exterior lights and interior lights recessed in high ceilings. The apparatus  100  comprises broadly a pole  105  with a handle  110  on a first end and a gripping unit  115  at a second end. The handle  110  as shown includes finger indentations  120  to accommodate a user&#39;s hand comfortably. The handle  110  may also include striations  125  or similar tactile elements to improve a user&#39;s grip thereof. 
     A first end of the pole  105  inserts into the handle  110 . As shown, the pole  105  is of a telescoping type including three, tapered pole sections  106 - 1  through  106 - 3  which fit together in a frictional relationship. Other than a frictional telescoping mechanism, other telescoping systems include turn and release and spring loaded systems or other any other suitable telescoping systems. The pole  105  may be comprised of more or less than three sections. As shown in  FIG. 2 , pole section  106 - 3  inserts into pole section  106 - 2  and both pole sections  106 - 3  and  106 - 2  insert into pole section  106 - 1 . A small clip or extension  130  may be integrated in said pole section  106 - 3  to allow a user to extend the pole sections  106 - 1  through  106 - 3  from the stowed position shown in  FIG. 2  to a fully extended position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or points between. The user may also be able to use the gripping unit  115  to extend the pole  105 . Moving from an extended position to the stowed positioned may be accomplished by using the clip  130  or simply pushing on the gripping unit  115  in the direction of the handle  110 . 
     A second end of the pole supports one or more removable gripping units  115 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3   a , the gripping unit  115 - 1  is formed as a parabola having a concave surface  116 - 1  configured to contact a flood light bulb  200  (shown in  FIG. 4   a ).  FIG. 3   b  shows, in another embodiment, an gripping unit  115 - 2  formed as a parabola having a concave surface  116 - 2  (flatter and smaller than gripping unit  115 - 1 ) configured to contact an incandescent light bulb  205  (shown in  FIG. 4   b ).  FIG. 3   c  shows, in another embodiment, an gripping unit  115 - 3  formed with a flat member surface  116 - 3  to contact a top surface of a fluorescent light bulb  210  (shown in  FIG. 4   c ). In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3   d , an gripping unit  115 - 4  includes flat member surface  116 - 4  and side walls  112  configured to grab sides of the fluorescent light bulb  210 . The greater the surface area contact between the gripping unit  115  and light bulb the greater the ability for a user to create torque to remove and install said light bulb. Attaching and removing said gripping units  115  is facilitated by any number of means including two or more spring-biased pins  107 - 1  through  107 - 4  integrated within extensions  108 - 1  through  108 - 4  and positioned to insert into two or more corresponding openings in said pole  105 , namely section  106 - 3 . 
     In one embodiment, the gripping units  115 - 1  through  115 - 4  include an adhesive member formed as a series of grouped sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N having at least one contact surface coated, integrated or incorporated with an adhesive. The series of grouped sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N attach to said surfaces  116 - 1  through  116 - 4 . The adhesive sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N provides means for allowing a user to control the light bulb by placing the surfaces  116 - 1  through  116 - 4  of the gripping units  115 - 1  through  115 - 4  in contact with the light bulb thereby connecting the apparatus  100  to the light bulb. By turning the apparatus  100  via the handle  110 , the user is able to remove or install an elevated light bulb. Once an adhesive layer on an exposed sheet  117 - 1  through  117 -N is worn away, the sheet  117 - 1  through  117 -N may be removed to reveal a new sheet  117 - 1  through  117 -N. Once all sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N have been exhausted, a new series of grouped sheets may be may be joined thereto. The series of grouped sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N may attach to the gripping units  115  using hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, clips, screws or similar fasteners permitting the removal and connection of the grouped sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of gripping unit  115 - 3  having layered adhesive sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N as described above. It is also contemplated that the gripping unit  115  may hold a single adhesive sheet which when exhausted is replaced with a new adhesive sheet. As used throughout this document, the term sheet includes flat, wrinkled, rippled and balled forms of material integrated, coated, incorporated or covered with an adhesive.  FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  show exemplary one time adhesive members in the form of usage sheets in rippled  121  and balled forms  122  on gripping unit  115 - 3 , respectively. In one embodiment, the adhesive sheets  117 - 1  through  117 -N are fabricated of heat resistant materials to prevent damage in the event a user seeks to remove a “hot” light bulb (e.g., incandescent bulb). 
     While a telescoping or extendible pole is detailed throughout this detailed description, in an alternative embodiment, a non-telescoping pole of any length may be used. Alternatively, the handle may attach directly to the gripping unit. In one embodiment, a short pole or no pole and a handle facilitates the removal of light bulbs, for example, by a user on a lift seeking to remove numerous commercial light bulbs. 
     Pressure sensitive adhesive applied to film, cloth, metal, plastic or similar substrate materials produce suitable sheets for facilitating the embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment, heat activated adhesives may be applied to film, cloth, metal, plastic or similar substrate materials produce suitable sheets for facilitating the removal of “hot” bulbs. Applicant has found that hot melt rubber resin used on packing tape manufactured and sold by 3M® is a suitable adhesive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other adhesives are suitable for the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.