Patent Publication Number: US-2022238322-A1

Title: Multi-configuration lamp manipulation tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments relate generally to lamp manipulation tools. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Humans, animals, and plants, as well as other creatures, may be highly responsive to light. A quantity (e.g., number of lumen-hours) of light per day experienced by a given creature may affect biorhythms and various physiological functions. Light color, temperature, position, and proximity may also determine the effect of light on a creature. 
     Artificial light may be provided by a variety of sources. Residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and medical facilities, for example, may all be provided with various luminaires. The luminaires may, for example, be installed at construction or retrofitted. Each luminaire may be provided with one or more lamps. 
     Various luminaires may be provided, for example, with replaceable lamps. The replaceable lamps may, for example, be powered by electrical energy. The lamps may, for example, be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, LED, infrared, laser, or some combination thereof. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lamp manipulation tool (LMT) having a bellows engaged within a container and fluidly connected to a vacuum source disposed in the container, the vacuum source being configured to apply a suction such that the bellows is releasably coupled to a lamp when the lamp occludes an aperture of the bellows. In an illustrative example, the bellows may have a first aperture into the bellows and a second aperture within the bellows. The first aperture may, for example, be larger than the second aperture. The vacuum source may, for example, be operated by a remote switch. The container may, for example, be coupled to a handle. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a single LMT that allows a user to manipulate a variety of lamps beyond the user&#39;s normal reach. 
     Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, various embodiments may advantageously permit a user to manipulate a variety of lamps with a single bellows without requiring replacement or adjustment of the bellows. Various embodiments may advantageously allow a user to replace an out-of-reach light bulb without a ladder. Various embodiments may, for example, advantageously allow a user to manipulate a hot light bulb without touching it and/or waiting for it to cool. Various embodiments may advantageously allow a user, for example, to manipulate a light bulb without breaking the bulb by engaging the bulb with a flexible bellows. 
     Various embodiments may, for example, advantageously provide a user with a self-contained LMT such that the user may change a lamp without plugging in and manipulating a power cord to power the vacuum source. Various embodiments may advantageously allow a user to operate the LMT by a user&#39;s choice of handle, for example. Various embodiments with a releasably coupled handle may, for example, advantageously come apart for storage. Various embodiments may, for example, provide a locking element which may advantageously prevent rotation of a threadedly engaged handle during operation (e.g., rotation) of the LMT. 
     Various embodiments may advantageously allow a user to, for example, remotely operate the vacuum source. A user may, for example, advantageously position the LMT in a desired orientation and position before activating the vacuum source. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce inadvertent damage, for example, to a lamp and/or other objects while positioning the LMT. Various embodiments may advantageously, for example, extend a charge life of a battery. 
     Various embodiments may advantageously, for example, provide an increased amount of friction between the bellows and a target object when a suction is applied. Various embodiments may, for example, advantageously provide adjustable vacuum pressure to control a level of engagement between the bellows and a target object. 
     The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary lamp manipulation tool (LMT) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario with a remote control module. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective cutaway illustration of an exemplary internal configuration of the LMT of  FIG. 1  with no remote control module. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective cutaway illustration of an exemplary internal configuration of the LMT of  FIG. 1  with the remote control module. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bellows of the exemplary LMT of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-section plan view of the exemplary bellows of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  depicts the exemplary bellows of  FIG. 4A  as applied to various replaceable lamps. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary LMT with an exemplary bellows and exemplary internal pneumatic configuration. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary LMT. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, to help introduce discussion of various embodiments, an exemplary lamp manipulation tool (LMT)  105  is introduced with reference to  FIG. 1 . Second, that introduction leads into a description with reference to  FIGS. 2-7  of various exemplary implementations and embodiments of exemplary LMTs. Finally, the document discusses further embodiments, exemplary applications and aspects relating to LMTs. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary lamp manipulation tool (LMT) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario with a remote control module. In the exemplary lamp changing scenario  100 , an LMT  105  is aligned with a lamp  110  and a remote control module  115  operated to engage the lamp as shown in scenario  101 . A bellows  120  releasably couples to the lamp  110  when the remote control module  115  is activated. The bellows  120  is partially disposed within and engaged with a container  125 . A handle  130  is coupled to the container  125 . The handle  130  is held in a user&#39;s first hand  135 . The user&#39;s second hand  140  holds and operates the remote control module  115 . A vacuum source (not shown) is disposed within container  125  and pneumatically connected to the bellows  120 . When the vacuum source is activated and the lamp  110  occludes an opening of the bellows  120 , the LMT  105  is thereby releasably coupled to the lamp  110 . 
     In the depicted example, the user aligns  100  the LMT  105  such that the lamp  110  occludes the bellows  120 . The user operates the remote control module  115  to releasably couple  101  the LMT  105  to the lamp  110  and operate the handle  130  in a first rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to, for example, unscrew the lamp  110 . Similarly, the user may install a new lamp by releasably coupling the lamp to the bellows  120  (e.g., by activating a vacuum source), lifting the lamp into place with the handle  130 , and operating (e.g., turning via handle  130 ) the LMT  105  in a second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) to install the new lamp. Accordingly, a user may advantageously, for example, employ the LMT  105  to replace a light bulb without a ladder. The LMT  105  may, for example, be self-contained. The user may advantageously, for example, manipulate a hot light bulb without touching the bulb. The user may advantageously, for example, manipulate a light bulb without breaking the bulb by engaging the bulb with a flexible bellows  120 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective cutaway illustration of an exemplary internal configuration of the LMT of  FIG. 1  with no remote control module. In the depicted scenario  200 , the bellows  120  is disposed within the container  125 . A vacuum pump  205  is disposed within the container and pneumatically connected to the bellows  120 . The vacuum pump  205  is electrically operated by a switch  210 . Operation of the vacuum pump  205  draws air  215  through into the distal end of bellows  120  and through an aperture  220  in a proximal end of the bellows  120 . Accordingly, when the lamp  110  occludes the distal end of the bellows  120 , a suction is drawn within the bellows  120 , which is thereby coupled to the lamp  110 . 
     An energy storage module (e.g., a battery)  225  is electrically connected to the vacuum pump  205  via the switch  210  and may, for example, provide operational energy to the vacuum pump  205 . The battery  225  is electrically connected to a charging port  230 . The charging port  230  may, for example, be configured to electrically and releasably couple the battery  225  to an energy source (not shown) such as, by way of example and not limitation, a charger, a wall receptacle, an auxiliary energy storage apparatus, or some combination thereof. The charging port  230 , the battery  225 , or some combination thereof, may, for example, include a charge control circuit. Accordingly, the LMT  105  may, for example, advantageously be operated by a user to change a lamp  110  without requiring plugging in and manipulating a cord to power, for example, the vacuum pump  205 . 
     The container  125  is provided with a coupling member  235 . The coupling member  235  may, for example, be integrally and unitarily formed with the container  125 . The coupling member  235  may, for example, receive and releasably couple to a handle  130 . As depicted, the coupling member  235  may, by way of example and not limitation, be threaded. The threads may, for example, be standard ACME threads. Accordingly, a user may advantageously thread a handle such as, by way of example and not limitation, an existing handle (e.g., broom handle, mop handle, paint roller handle, extension handle), a purpose-built handle, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, a locking element (e.g., a set screw), not shown, may engage the handle  130  when it is inserted into the coupling member  235 . For example, the locking element may advantageously prevent a threadedly engaged handle  130  from disengaging from the container  125  during operation (e.g., rotation) of the LMT  105  by the handle  130 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective cutaway illustration of an exemplary internal configuration of the LMT of  FIG. 1  with the remote control module. In the depicted scenario  300 , a relay  310  is electrically coupled to the switch  210 . The relay  310  may, for example, be controlled by the remote control module  115  and the switch  210 . A user may, for example, activate the switch  210  to selectively enable the relay  310  by selectively providing power to the relay  310  from the battery  225 . The user may then, for example, operate the remote control module  115  and thereby operate the vacuum pump  205 . Accordingly, the user may advantageously position the LMT  105  in a desired orientation and position before activating the vacuum pump  205 . Accordingly, the user may advantageously avoid releasably coupling the bellows  120  to an object other than the lamp  110 . Selectively operating the vacuum pump  205  may, for example, advantageously reduce inadvertent damage to the lamp  110  and/or other objects while positioning the LMT  105 . Selectively operating the vacuum pump  205  by the remote control module  115  may advantageously, for example, extend a charge life of the battery  225 . The switch  210  may advantageously enable a user to prolong a charge and/or useful life of the battery  225  by deactivating the wireless function of the relay  310  and thereby reducing or eliminating power draw when the LMT is not in use. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary bellows of the exemplary LMT of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-section plan view of the exemplary bellows of  FIG. 4A . The bellows  120  is defined by a flexible wall  402 . The flexible wall  402  defines a cavity  404 . The flexible wall  402  defines a first aperture  405  into the cavity  404  at the distal end of the bellows  120 . The flexible wall further defines a second aperture  410  within the cavity  404  and proximal to the first aperture  405 . As depicted, both the first aperture  405  and a second aperture  410  are annular. In various embodiments, the apertures may, by way of example and not limitation, be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or otherwise curvilinear. 
     The first aperture  405  is defined, in this depicted example, by first diameter  415 . In this depicted example, the second aperture  410  is similarly defined by second diameter  420 . As shown, the first diameter  415  is greater than the second diameter  420 . In the depicted example, the wall  402  monotonically decreases in diameter from the first aperture  405  to the second aperture  420 . In various embodiments a cross sectional area of the first aperture  405  is greater than a cross sectional area of the second aperture  410 . In various embodiments, by way of example and not limitation, the first diameter  415  may be approximately 80 mm, less than 80 mm, or greater than 80 mm. In various embodiments, the second diameter  420  may be approximately 32 mm, less than 32 mm, or greater than 32 mm. In various embodiments, the cavity  404  may, by way of example and not limitation, be approximately 50 mm in height (from the first aperture to the top of a coupling element  425 ) in an un-collapsed configuration, less than 50 mm, or greater than 50 mm. In various embodiments, by way of example and not limitation, the wall may have a minimum thickness of approximately 2-3 mm (e.g., 2.3-2.7 mm, 2.5 mm), less than 2 mm, or greater than 3 mm. 
     The outlet aperture  220  at the proximal end of the bellows  120  is defined by the coupling element  425 . The coupling element  425 , as depicted, is provided with a plurality of engagement features  426  which engage with the bellows  120 . For example, the engagement features may be ring barbs configured to be inserted into the bellows in one direction and resist movement in a reverse direction. In various embodiments, the wall  402  may, by way of example and not limitation, be molded over the coupling element  425 , the coupling element  425  may be assembled with the wall  402 , or some combination thereof. 
     The coupling element  425  may, for example, be releasably couplable to the vacuum source  205 . The coupling element  425  provides fluid communication between first cavity  404  and the vacuum source  205 . The coupling element  425  may, by way of example and not limitation, be provided with inner threads  427 . For example, the coupling element  425  may be configured to threadedly receive an M8 fitting, another metric fitting, a national pipe taper fitting, a British pipe fitting, another threaded fitting, or some combination thereof. The coupling element  425  may, for example, be provided with a flange at a distal end. The flange may, by way of example and not limitation, with a maximum width of approximately 45 mm, less than 45 mm, or greater than 45 mm. 
     In the depicted example, the flexible wall  402  of the bellows  120  alternately increases and decreases in cross sectional area along a longitudinal axis running through the aperture  220 , the first aperture  405 , and the second aperture  410 . Accordingly, the bellows may, for example, collapse along the longitudinal axis. For example, the bellows may longitudinally collapse when a suction is drawn on the cavity  404  by occlusion of at least one of the first aperture  405  and the second aperture  410  when the vacuum source  205  is operated to apply a suction to the outlet aperture  220 . When the bellows  120  collapses, a distance between the first aperture  405  and the second aperture  410  decreases. Accordingly, a greater portion of the flexible wall  402  may, by way of example and not limitation, come into contact with a target object occluding the selected aperture. An amount of friction between the bellows  120  and the target object may accordingly be advantageously increased. In various embodiments a vacuum pressure maybe adjusted to advantageously control a level of engagement between the bellows  120  and a target object. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the exemplary bellows of  FIG. 4A  as applied to various replaceable lamps. In the depicted example  500  a bulbous lamp  505  is aligned to occlude the second aperture  410 . The light bulb  505  may, by way of example and not limitation, be an A19 (US) or A60 (metric) bulb. A cross sectional area of the second aperture  410  may, for example, advantageously be configured to engage a range of sizes of lamps. For example, the second aperture  410  may engage a bulbous portion of any light bulb having a major diameter greater than the diameter  420  of the second aperture  410 . 
     In the depicted example  501  a substantially flat faced lamp  510  is aligned to occlude the first aperture  405 . The lamp  510  may, for example, be a standard residential floodlight bulb. A cross sectional area of the first aperture  405  may, for example, advantageously be configured to engage a range of sizes of lamp faces. For example, the first aperture  405  may engage a face portion of any light bulb having a face with a diameter greater than the diameter  415  of the first aperture  405 . Accordingly, a single bellows  120  may advantageously allow an LMT  105  to engage and operate a variety of shapes, sizes, and types of lamps. A user may advantageously manipulate a variety of lamps with a single bellows  120  without requiring replacement or adjustment of the bellows  120 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary LMT with an exemplary bellows and exemplary internal pneumatic configuration. An LMT  600  is provided with a bellows  605 . The bellows  605  is partially disposed within and engaged with a container  610  shown in cross section. The container  610  is provided with a threaded coupler  615 . By way of example and not limitation, the threaded coupler  615  may threadedly receive a handle (e.g.,  130 ). For example, the coupler  615  may have internal threads (as depicted), external threads, or some combination thereof. In the depicted example, the threaded coupler  615  is provided with a locking element  616 . The locking element  616  may, for example, be a set screw threadedly traversing a well of the coupler  615 . The locking element may, for example, be tightened against a handle (e.g.,  130 ) threadedly coupled into the coupler  615 . The locking element  616  may advantageously prevent rotation of a handle relative to the coupler  615  and container  610 . 
     The bellows  605  is provided with the first aperture  620  having a first diameter  621  and a second aperture  625  having a second diameter  626 . As depicted, the first diameter  621  is greater than the second diameter  626 . The first diameter  621  may, by way of example and not limitation, be approximately 80 mm, less than 80 mm, or greater than 80 mm. The bellows  120  has a height  630 . By way of example and not limitation, the height  630  may be approximately 37 mm, less than 37 mm, or greater than 37 mm. The bellows  120  is further provided with a plenum section  635  having a height  636 . By way of example and not limitation, the height  636  may be approximately 10.5 mm, less than 10.5 mm, or greater than 10.5 mm. 
     Attached to a proximal end of the plenum section  635  is a vacuum coupling element  640 . The vacuum coupling element  640  is defined by a height  641 . By way of example and not limitation, the height  641  may be 25 mm, less than 25 mm, or greater than 25 mm. Releasably coupled to the vacuum coupling element  640  is a fluid coupling member  645 . Fluid coupling member  645  may, for example be a length of tubing (e.g., flexible, rigid) connected to the coupling element  640  (e.g., friction fit, compression-fit, barb-fit, threaded, adhered, molded). A vacuum source, not shown, is coupled to the bellows  605  via the fluid coupling member  645 . When the vacuum source is activated, air  650  may be drawn into the bellow  605  through the first aperture  620 , through the plenum  635 , through the coupling element  640 , through the fluid coupling member  645  and thereby into the vacuum source. Accordingly, when at least one of the apertures  620  and  625  are occluded by a target object, the bellows  620  may thereby be releasably coupled to the target object. In various embodiments the fluid coupling member  645  may be provided with a relief aperture (not shown) operable to allow air to enter the fluid coupling member  645  at a controlled rate. The relief aperture may advantageously allow suction to be released once a vacuum source is deactivated and/or disengaged. In some embodiments, a relief aperture may be provided in one or more locations including a bellows, plenum, container wall, fitting, coupling member/element, or some combination thereof. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary LMT. In the depicted LMT system  700 , a LMT unit  105  (e.g., as depicted in  FIG. 3 ) is provided. The LMT unit  105  includes a vacuum pump  705  fluidly connected to a bellows  710 . The vacuum pump  705  is operated by electrically connecting the vacuum pump  705  to an electrical storage module (e.g., battery)  715 . The vacuum pump  705  is electrically connected to the electrical storage module  715  by a switch  720 , by a relay  725  (e.g., electromechanical, solid state), or both. The electrical storage module  715  is electrically connected to a charging port  730 . The charging port  730  electrically connects the electrical storage module  715  to a charging module  735 . The charging module  735  may, for example, be a circuit configured to regulate electrical power received from a power source via the charging port  730  as required by the electrical storage module  715 . As depicted, the charging module  735  is external to the LMT  105 . In various embodiments the charging module  735  may be disposed at least partially within the LMT  105 . 
     The relay  725  is wirelessly operated by a remote switch  740  via a communication module  745 . The remote switch  740  may, for example, be a circuit configured to generate one or more predetermined wireless signals upon receiving input from a user. In various embodiments, the remote switch  740  may, for example, be an app running on a remote device (e.g., smartphone, tablet). The communication module  745  may be a circuit configured to operate the relay  725  based on wireless inputs received from the remote switch  740 . The communication module  745  may, for example, be integral to the relay  725 . As depicted, the switch  720  electrically connects the relay  725  to the battery. Accordingly, the relay  725  may be selectively enabled by a user such that the wireless function of the relay is only active when the user has activated the switch  720 . The relay  725  controls power to the vacuum pump  705 , such as by receiving a predetermined signal from remote switch  740  via communication module  745 . In some embodiments, the switch  720  and relay  725  may, for example, be connected in parallel. Accordingly, a user may advantageously operate the vacuum pump  705  of the LMT  700  even when the switch  120  is not in convenient reach of the user. 
     Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, in various embodiments, bellows (e.g.,  120 ,  605 ) may be constructed entirely or partially of a flexible material. The flexible material may, for example, be an elastomeric material. The material may, by way of example and not limitation, comprise silicone, polyurethane, rubber, or some combination thereof. The flexible material may, by way of example and not limitation, have a Shore A durometer of approximately 20-60. In some embodiments, the flexible material may have a Shore A durometer of approximately 30-50. In some embodiments, the flexible material may have a Shore A durometer of approximately 40. 
     In various embodiments a bellows (e.g.,  120 ) may be coupled within a container (e.g.,  125 ). By way of example and not limitation, the bellows may be threadedly coupled, adhesively coupled, fastened in by mechanical coupling elements (e.g., pins, screws, rivets, bolts), may be elastically coupled (e.g., stretched over or press fit into a coupling element(s)), or some combination thereof. The bellows may, for example, be replaceable in the field by a user. For example, a first bellows configured to fit one range of sizes and/or shapes of lamps may be replaced with a second bellows configured to fit another range of sizes and or shapes of lamps. By way of example and not limitation, the first bellows may be unscrewed from the container and the second bellows screwed into the container. In various embodiments, a means of coupling the bellows to the container may also provide fluid communication of the bellows to a vacuum source, or separate means of coupling the bellows to the container and fluidly coupling the bellows to the vacuum source may be provided. Accordingly, a single LMT (e.g.,  105 ) may be advantageously used for a wider variety of lamps than a single bellows may otherwise permit. 
     In various embodiments, an outlet for the vacuum source may be provided. For example, the vacuum source may exhaust through an outlet aperture in the container (e.g.,  125 ). The outlet aperture may, by way of example and not limitation, be provided as part of a means of coupling to a handle (e.g.,  130 ) such as coupling member  235  in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the vacuum source may, for example, exhaust around an outside of the bellows (e.g.,  125 ). Accordingly, a vacuum source may advantageously continuously move air as necessary to maintain a desired level of suction pressure within a bellows. 
     In various embodiments, although exemplary LMTs (e.g.,  105 ,  600 , and  700 ) have been described with reference to the figures, other implementations may be deployed in various industrial, scientific, medical, commercial, and/or residential applications. For example, an LMT  105  may advantageously be used to releasably couple to and engage target objects other than lamps. Various embodiments may, by way of example and not limitation, be configured to advantageously manipulate mechanical and/or electrical components, camera positions (e.g., security cameras), wall hangings, and/or other desired objects. 
     In various embodiments, a bellows may, for example, be provided with at least one degree of freedom relative to a handle (e.g., via a knuckle, pivot joint, U-joint, ball and socket joint, telescoping pole). The degree(s) of freedom may, for example, be controllable by a user (e.g., via cables, linkage elements, remotely operated power actuators) to manipulate a position of a bellows (e.g., by manipulation of the container in which the bellows is engaged) into a desired position relative to a handle. Various such embodiments may, for example, advantageously allow a user to navigate around an obstacle, to engage a target object (e.g., lamps) not directly accessible by a straight LMT (e.g., in a chandelier or sconce), or some combination thereof. Various embodiments may be provided with a means of rotating the bellows (e.g., via the container in which the bellows is engaged) relative to the handle, for example. A means of rotating the bellows may include, by way of example and not limitation, a powered (e.g., electric, hydraulic, pneumatic) rotational actuator, a linkage configured to allow a user to manually rotate the bellows without rotating a handle by which the user is supporting the LMT, or some combination thereof. Accordingly, a user may advantageously rotate the bellows (e.g., to remove or install a lamp) without rotating the handle by which the user is supporting the LMT. 
     In various embodiments a bellows (e.g.,  120 ) may be coupled within a container (e.g.,  125 ) via an interference fit. For example, an outer diameter of the bellows may be slightly greater than an inner diameter of the container wall, such that when the bellows is fitted within the container, the bellows will resist being axially decoupled (e.g., pulled out). The interference fit of the bellows within the container may, for example, rotationally secure the bellows within the container such that when the container rotates (e.g., by a user rotating a handle  130  in an unscrewing or screwing motion), the bellows rotates with it. Accordingly, a user may advantageously manipulate a target object (e.g., a lamp  110 ) via manipulation of the bellows via the container. In various embodiments the bellows may, for example, be configured with an interference fit over the container, or over some portion of the container (e.g., an inner protruding wall). 
     In various embodiments a connection between a bellows (e.g.,  120 ) and a vacuum source (e.g., pump  205 ) may be mechanically decoupled from torsional, azimuthal, and/or axial forces that may impinge on a section of the bellows external to a container (e.g.,  120 ). For example, the interference fit described previously may advantageously mechanically isolate a pneumatic coupling (e.g.,  640  and/or  645  of  FIG. 6, 220  of  FIGS. 4A-B ) of the bellows to a vacuum source from forces experienced by a portion of the bellows external to the container (e.g., during manipulation of a lamp  110 ). In various embodiments a bellows with an at least partially flexible wall may further permit mechanical isolation/decoupling of the pneumatic joint(s) and an external bellows portion. Accordingly, in various embodiments a combination of a rigid container, a flexible bellows, and/or the bellows being partially disposed and mechanically coupled (e.g., by an interference fit) within the container may advantageously provide mechanical decoupling of the external portion (e.g., including first aperture  405  and second aperture  410 ) from the pneumatic joint (e.g.,  640  and/or  645  of  FIG. 6, 220  of  FIGS. 4A-B ) and thereby may advantageously provide a more robust, durable pneumatic connection of the bellows and a vacuum source. 
     In various embodiments, some bypass circuits implementations may be controlled in response to signals from analog or digital components, which may be discrete, integrated, or a combination of each. Some embodiments may include programmed, programmable devices, or some combination thereof (e.g., PLAs, PLDs, ASICs, microcontroller, microprocessor), and may include one or more data stores (e.g., cell, register, block, page) that provide single or multi-level digital data storage capability, and which may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination thereof. Some control functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of any of them. 
     Temporary auxiliary energy inputs may be received, for example, from chargeable or single use batteries, which may enable use in portable or remote applications. Some embodiments may operate with other DC voltage sources, such as, for example, one or more batteries with nominal capacity of 1.5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, other appropriate capacity, or some combination thereof. Alternating current (AC) inputs, which may be provided, for example from a 50/60 Hz power port, or from a portable electric generator, may be received via a rectifier and appropriate scaling. Provision for AC (e.g., sine wave, square wave, triangular wave) inputs may include a line frequency transformer to provide voltage step-up, voltage step-down, and/or isolation. 
     In various embodiments, other hardware and software may be provided to perform operations, such as network or other communications using one or more protocols, wireless (e.g., infrared, radiofrequency) communications, stored operational energy and power supplies (e.g., batteries), switching and/or linear power supply circuits, and the like. One or more communication interfaces may be provided in support, for example, of various operations. 
     In some implementations, one or more user-interface features may be custom configured to perform specific functions. Various embodiments may be implemented in a computer system that includes a graphical user interface. To provide for interaction with a user, some implementations may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information to the user, a keyboard, and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer. 
     In various implementations, the system may communicate using suitable communication methods, equipment, and techniques. For example, the system may communicate with compatible devices (e.g., devices capable of transferring data to and/or from the system) using point-to-point communication in which a message is transported directly from the source to the receiver over a dedicated physical link (e.g., fiber optic link, point-to-point wiring, daisy-chain). The components of the system may exchange information by any form or medium of analog or digital data communication, including broadcasting to devices that are coupled together by a communication network, for example, by using omni-directional radio frequency (RF) signals. Other implementations may transport messages characterized by high directivity, such as RF signals transmitted using directional (i.e., narrow beam) antennas or infrared signals that may optionally be used with focusing optics. Still other implementations are possible using appropriate interfaces and protocols such as, by way of example and not intended to be limiting, USB 2.0, Firewire, ATA/IDE, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, 802.11 a/b/g, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, IrDA, FDDI (fiber distributed data interface), token-ring networks, multiplexing techniques based on frequency, time, or code division, or some combination thereof. Some implementations may optionally incorporate features such as error checking and correction (ECC) for data integrity, or security measures, such as encryption (e.g., WEP) and password protection. 
     In various embodiments, an LMT or some component(s) associated therewith may include Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT devices may include objects embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity which enable these objects to collect and exchange data. IoT devices may be in-use with wired or wireless devices by sending data through an interface to another device. IoT devices may collect useful data and then autonomously flow the data between other devices. 
     Various examples of modules may be implemented using circuitry, including various electronic hardware. By way of example and not limitation, the hardware may include transistors, resistors, capacitors, switches, integrated circuits, other modules, or some combination thereof. In various examples, the modules may include analog logic, digital logic, discrete components, traces and/or memory circuits fabricated on a silicon substrate including various integrated circuits (e.g., FPGAs, ASICs), or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, the module(s) may involve execution of preprogrammed instructions, software executed by a processor, or some combination thereof. For example, various modules may involve both hardware and software. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.