Patent Publication Number: US-11389937-B2

Title: Light installation tool

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to trailer equipment maintenance tools, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a clearance light installation tool configured to provide installation of lights on a trailer or other commercial vehicle such as but not limited to in particular a trailer for commercial tractor trailers or other commercial equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of tractor trailers, also known as eighteen wheelers traverse the roads on a daily basis. Additionally commercial vehicles such as but not limited to various types of heavy equipment like dump trucks are utilized by thousands every day. These tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles serve a vital function in our economy by delivering a plurality of goods everyday. There are numerous different type of trailers and commercial vehicles that can include but are not limited to conventional box trailers, tank car trailers, dump trucks, cranes and other vehicles. Regardless of the type of trailer or commercial vehicle, all trailers are required to have a minimal amount of lighting. This lighting is most often integrated into the frame and/or structure of the trailer or vehicle and the lights function to provide either illumination during braking as well as mark the perimeter and/or corners of the trailer. 
     The aforementioned lights require routine maintenance wherein the most common task is the replacement thereof. The clearance lights eventually burn out and it is necessary to replace. Most of these lights are single assemblies and are manufactured as such to maintain the water resistance of the unit. Due to the structure of these clearance lights they present a challenge during the removal and replacement thereof. While the removal can most often be accomplished with a prying action utilizing a conventional tool such as but not limited to a screwdriver, the reinstallation is significantly more challenging. Current methodologies for reinstallation are cumbersome and often can result in damage to the trailer or to the light assembly. 
     It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide an installation tool for a clearance light to facilitate the installation thereof wherein the present invention is operable to offer a simplified installation process of a replacement clearance light assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the present invention includes a handle assembly having a first lever wherein the first lever is movably mounted to a handle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the first lever is operably coupled to a plunger assembly. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the plunger assembly includes a rod having a first end and a second end and wherein the plunger assembly is movable in a first and second direction. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the second end of the rod includes an engagement knob secured thereto. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the present invention further includes a base plate wherein the rod of the base plate is movably journaled therethrough. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the base plate has a light insertion member operably coupled thereto. 
     Another object of the present invention is to a provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the light insertion member is annular in shape having an outer wall and an interior volume. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the light insertion member has an opening distal to the base plate. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the outer wall of the light insertion member is comprised of a plurality of longitudinal segments. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the light insertion member further includes an o-ring mounted to the exterior surface of the outer wall thereof. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a clearance light assembly tool configured to install a clearance light on a trailer or other commercial vehicles wherein the light insertion member is configured to be journaled into the interior volume of a clearance light on a trailer. 
     An alternative objective of the present invention is to provide an installation tool configured to install clearance light assemblies into trailers or other commercial vehicles wherein the light insertion member is operably coupled to the plunger rod. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the present invention operably coupled with an exemplary clearance light; and 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the present invention during installation of a clearance light. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated light installation tool  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the drawing submitted herewith, the light installation tool  100  includes a body  10 , wherein the body  10  is manufactured from a durable lightweight metal such as but not limited to aluminum. The body  10  includes a handle  15  wherein the handle has a first end  16  and second end  17 . The handle  15  is manufactured of a sufficient size and length so as to be operably engaged with a hand of a user. Operably coupled to the handle  15  is lever  20 . Lever  20  is elongated in form and includes a first end  21  and second end  22 . The lever  20  is biasly mounted to the handle  15  proximate the second end  17  thereof utilizing a suitable element such as but not limited to a spring  27 . The lever  20  is pivotally moved with a user&#39;s hand so as to advance the plunger rod  40  as is further discussed herein. The lever  20  is operably coupled at second end  22  utilizing fasteners  24 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners  24  could be various conventional mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to rivets. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the lever  20  could be formed in various sizes and shapes and still achieved the functionality as described herein. 
     The lever  20  is operably coupled with the drive mechanism  30 . The drive mechanism  30  is surroundably mounted the plunger rod  40  and is configured to provide forward movement thereof with each movement of the lever  20  towards the handle  15 . The drive mechanism  30  is configured to engage the plunger rod  40  wherein each movement of the lever  20  results in an incremental discrete forward movement of the plunger rod  40 . Operably coupled to the second end  42  of the plunger rod  40  is an engagement knob  45 . Engagement knob  45  is secured to the second end  42  utilizing suitable techniques and is operable to provide a means for a user to return the plunger rod  40  to a first position. In the first position of the plunger rod  40  the drive plate  60  is proximate the bottom  71  of the light insertion member  70 . During installation of a light  99 , the plunger rod  40  is advanced forward wherein the drive plate  60  traverses through the interior volume of the light insertion member  70  towards opening  72 . Ensuing installation of a light  99 , the user will depress plunger lever  38  so as to disengage the drive mechanism  30  from the plunger rod  40  and use the engagement knob  45  to return the plunger rod  40  to its first position. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the engagement knob  45  could be formed in various alternate sizes and shapes. 
     The body  10  includes base plate  50  wherein the base plate  50  is annular in shape and is manufactured from a rigid material such as but not limited to metal. The base plate  50  is secured to the top end  9  of the body  10  and has an aperture (not particularly illustrated herein) that allows the plunger rod  40  to be moveably journaled therethrough. The base plate  50  is configured to have a light insertion member  70  operably coupled thereto. As illustrated herein in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the light insertion member  70  is operable to have a light  99  placed into the interior volume thereof and subsequently be inserted into the light receptacle  98  interior volume  97 . The light insertion member  70  is provided in a plurality of diameters so as to accommodate lights  99  of alternate sizes. The light insertion member  70  is cylindrical in shape having a wall  73 . The wall  73  is divided into a plurality of elongated segments  77  wherein the segments  77  extend from the perimeter edge  74  to terminate proximate the bottom  71 . The segments  77  are independently movable with respect to each other which is facilitated by gaps  78  that are present intermediate each adjacent segment  77 . The plurality of segments  77  allow for both a slight expansion and compression movement of the wall  73 . The aforementioned movement provides the ability for the light insertion member  70  to accommodate a light  99  into the interior volume thereof and additionally provides an improved insertion into the interior volume  97  of the light receptacle  98 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the wall  73  could be comprised of various quantities of segments  77 . Ensuing placement of the light  99  into the interior volume of the light insertion member  70 , the drive plate  60  will operably engage the light  99  and traverse the light  99  outwards from the light insertion member  70  via the opening  72  during the installation process of the light  99  into the light receptacle  98 . While the wall  73  is illustrated herein as including a plurality of segments  77 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the wall  73  could be formed from a solid material wherein the material possesses a slight pliable and/or flexible characteristic so as to achieve the compression and/or expansion previously discussed herein. 
     An o-ring  80  can be mounted to the exterior surface of the wall  73  as illustrated herein in  FIG. 1 . The o-ring  80  is a conventional o-ring and is operable to maintain a slight inward bias on the plurality of segments  77  of the wall  73 . The presence of the o-ring  80  can provide a slight inward bias to assist in the initial placement of the light insertion member  70  into the light receptacle  98 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the light insertion member  70  can be utilized either with or without the o-ring  80 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.