Patent Publication Number: US-6910787-B2

Title: Light guard

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This Non-Provisional Utility Patent Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/225,353, filed on Aug. 15, 2000, entitled “LIGHT PROTECTION DEVICE”. 

   THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to lighting accessories and in particular, a light source protector. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Conventional incandescent light fixtures and bulbs have been installed in homes and businesses for many years. The conventional fixture includes a socket that protrudes from the ceiling or wall and that receives an ordinary incandescent light bulb. These fixtures are very inexpensive, and accordingly, are very popular. While finished levels of homes tend to have ornamental globes or covers that surround the light bulb and light fixture, in most basements and modest dwellings the incandescent light bulb remains uncovered. 
   With these conventional fixtures, the light bulb often extends from the fixture in an exposed, unprotected fashion. Accordingly, a ball or other sizable hard object, may contact the light bulb with sufficient force to break or shatter the light bulb. For example, the light bulb also can be broken by a moving ladder or moving furniture. More significantly, small children often break these light bulbs. A ball, or other play object, thrown by the children hits the light and shatters it, exposing the children to falling glass fragments. This event is very dangerous situation for the persons (children) near the breaking light bulb. 
   Despite the risk, a large number of these light bulbs remain unprotected either due to cost or inconvenience. For example, some conventional models of light protective devices include protective wire cages for protecting the light bulb, but also require the installation of a new electrical box and base fixture. These types of light protectors are quite expensive and require a substantial amount of work to install. In addition, these light protectors also absorb a fair amount of light, which would have the effect of dimming the room, which is highly undesirable. Finally, these conventional light protective devices are also aesthetically displeasing. 
   Accordingly, conventional light protective devices for general use in protecting exposed incandescent light bulbs are largely unavailable and/or are quite expensive and awkward to use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A light guard of the present invention protects a light source mounted to a fixed surface. The light guard includes a base flange that is removably mountable relative to the fixed surface and a body portion that extends outward generally perpendicularly from the base flange for extending about and alongside the light source to prevent destruction of the light source. The light guard is separable into two halves to facilitate easy mounting relative to the mounting surface. Each guard half includes a base flange portion and a body portion. Finally, the body includes a means for releasably securing the two guard halves together in the mounted position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan end view of one exemplary embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of  FIG. 1  as taken along lines  3 — 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side view of two halves of one exemplary embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of one guard half of one exemplary embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is partial plan view of two guard halves joined together as part of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a releasable securing means of one exemplary embodiment of the light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a light guard of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
   A light guard of the present invention protects incandescent light bulbs by permitting convenient retrofitting of the light guard to existing or new incandescent light fixtures. The light guard protects the light bulbs and people working or playing near the light bulbs, all at very little expense and with minimal installation time and effort. Finally, existing light fixtures can be used without additional parts or replacement fixtures. 
   To use the light guard of the present invention, an existing incandescent light fixture is first separated from its mounting surface, such as a wall, ceiling, or electrical box. Next, a base of the light guard is slipped between the light fixture and the mounting surface. The light guard includes two halves, so each half is separately fit about the light fixture from opposite sides of the fixture. As the two halves of the light guard are brought together, a base of the light guard is sandwiched between the light fixture and the mounting surface, and a body of the light guard is brought alongside but spaced from the light bulb. In a final step, the two halves of the light guard are releasably secured together by reciprocal snap fit and/or slidably engageable securing members arranged on each guard half. Upon releasably securing the two halves together, the light guard is then secured between the mounting surface and the light fixture using fasteners. Accordingly, this quick installation procedure yields a singular body light guard that is robustly secured relative to the light fixture and the mounting surface so that a body of the light guard remains secured alongside but spaced about the light bulb to protect the light bulb. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , one exemplary embodiment of a light guard of the present invention is shown generally at  20 . Light guard  20  is mounted about an incandescent light fixture  22  with light bulb  24 . Light bulb  24  preferably comprises an incandescent light source, although optionally includes any light source, such as a compact fluorescent light source, or alternative light source. 
   Light guard  20  includes half  26  and half  28 . Together, both guard halves  26 , 28  define base flange  30  and body  32 . Body  32  extends from base flange  30  and is generally transverse to base flange  30  with a majority of body  32  configured to extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of light bulb  24  so that body  32  extends alongside light bulb  24  in a spaced relationship. Body  32  preferably has a length sufficient to extend beyond end  33  of light bulb  24 . 
   Body  32  generally defines a generally cylindrical cage or latticework  50  including generally straight longitudinal members  52  and generally curved transverse members  54 . However, body  32  optionally defines a generally tubular shape having other cross sectional shapes such as hexagons, pentagons, octagons, etc. Moreover, transverse members  54  are preferably generally perpendicular to longitudinal members  52  but can optionally be fixed at other angles (e.g, 30°, 45°) relative to longitudinal members  52 , and even longitudinal members  52  can extend from base flange  30  at angles other than a strictly 90° angle. In short, body  32  defines a number of support members arranged together as a group to extend generally perpendicular from base flange  30  to protect light bulb  24  while letting light shine through body  32 . 
   For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , longitudinal members  52  include a relatively short curved section  56  adjacent outer end  58  of guard body  32  in a position to maintain a generally uniform spaced relationship of body  32  relative to light bulb  24  at end  33  of light bulb  24 . The spacing, between and orientation of, longitudinal members  52  and transverse members  54  defined by latticework  50  is selected to meet the divergent criteria of being small enough to prevent entry of a surface of an external object/force through light guard  20  to contact light bulb  24  yet being large enough to permit sufficient light from light bulb  24  to be dispersed through light guard  20  for illuminating the surrounding environment. Moreover, the thickness, number, and shape of both longitudinal members  52  and transverse members  54  are selected using this same divergent criteria, as well as having sufficient strength, toughness, hardness, and flexibility necessary for preventing crushing, fracturing or undue bending of light guard body  32  when an external force contacts light guard  20 . Finally, any single material or combination of non-metal (resins, polymer materials) and metal materials known to those skilled in the art can be selected to meet these criteria. For example, a metal material such as wire optionally is used to define latticework  50  wherein the wire is welded or otherwise formed into body  32 , and optionally dipped in a polymer material such as urethane. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 1 , outer end  58  of body  32  includes an outermost transverse member  54  that defines a hole  60  for manual access to change light bulb  24  and to permit dispersion of light downward. However, hole  60  is sufficiently small to prevent penetration of most airborne ball-like objects into and past light guard  20 . Alternatively, outer end  58  optionally is extended so that guard halves  26 , 28  will be joined together at outer end  58  without hole  60  to prevent access to light bulb  24 . 
   Finally, light guard body  32  further includes releasable securing means  70  for releasably securing first guard half  26  relative to second guard half  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , removable securing means  70  includes clasps  72  and pins  74 . Releasable securing means  70  is further illustrated and described in greater detail in association with  FIGS. 4-7 . In addition, securing means  70  optionally is not releasable so that once guard halves  26  and  28  are secured together, they cannot be separated without intentionally damaging securing means  70  or otherwise materially altering light guard  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , base flange  30  of light guard  20  is defined by both guard halves ( 26 , 28 ) including a generally semi-annular shaped flange portion  78  having outer circular edge  80 , inner circular edge  86 , and side edges  87  as well as slots  88  which extend outwardly from inner edge  86  at diametrically opposed positions. Slots  88  preferably are disposed at a right angle relative to side edges  87 . When two guard halves  26  and  28  are joined together as shown in  FIG. 2 , side edges  87  of base flange  30  of guard half  26  abut side edges  87  of base flange  30  of guard half  28 . Outer edge  80  of base flange  30  preferably defines a perimeter having an outer diameter that is generally greater than an outer diameter of a base of conventional fixture  22 . Inner edge  86  of base flange  30  defines hole  92  having a diameter that is large enough to permit wires and other supporting electrical equipment to pass through the hole. 
   In use, fixture  22  is fastened against a mounting surface  44  (ceiling, wall, or mobile structure with a mountable surface) as shown in  FIG. 1 , with base flange  30  of light guard  20  sandwiched between fixture  22  and mounting surface  44  to secure light guard  20  against mounting surface  44 , and to secure light guard  20  relative to fixture  22  and light bulb  24 . Fasteners  25  extend through fixture  22  and slots  88  of base flange  30  into mounting surface  44 . The surface area of base flange  30  is sufficiently large to insure a robust mounting of light guard  20  relative to fixture  22 , rendering light guard  20  relatively impervious to being dislodged by external forces contacting light guard from virtually all directions (axial, transverse, angled). In particular, since the large surface area of base flange  30  is aligned generally parallel with mounting surface  44  and with fixture  22 , light guard  20  is extremely stable. Flange  30  has a thickness that is small enough to permit sandwich-type mounting yet great enough to be relatively fracture proof. Slots  88  further insure secure mounting of base flange  30  of light guard  20  by preventing rotational and transverse movement of light guard  20  once fasteners  25  extend through slots  38 . 
     FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of FIG.  1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , mounting surface  44  optionally includes a conventional electrical junction box  100  of the type ordinarily employed to mechanically and electrically support an incandescent light bulb fixture. Electrical junction box  100  includes recess  102  for housing electrical wires (not shown) and outer wall  104  (and optionally inner walls) having an edge  106  that generally forms one or more contact portions  108  that act as mounting surface  44  against base flange  30 . Contact portions  108  generally define a single plane, although the contact portions optionally are formed to define more than one plane, wherein base flange  30  is optionally reciprocally shaped in more than one plane to contact select contact portions  108  on box  100  (or other mounting surface  44 ). Box  100  also commonly includes holes  110  for receiving fasteners  25  that secure base flange  30  of light guard  20  against box  100 . 
   When light guard  20  is installed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , base flange  30  of light guard  20  is positioned between fixture  22  and contact portions  108  of box  100  (and/or mounting surface  44 ). Fasteners  25  extend through holes  112  in fixture  22 , through base flange  30  of light guard  20  (via slots  88 ), into holes  110  of electrical box wall  104 . Fasteners  25  hold base flange  30  in a sandwiched position between fixture  22  and electrical box  100  (and/or mounting surface  44 ). While mounting surface  44  can be limited only to contact portions  108  of electrical box  100 , mounting surface  44  also optionally further comprises a flat sheet of material such as gypsum board. 
   To further illustrate the construction of light guard  20  and it method of use,  FIG. 4  illustrates two guard halves  26 ,  28  prior to their assembly together to form the singular light guard  20  shown in FIG.  1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , guard half  26  and guard half  28  each include side longitudinal members  120 A,  120 B on which multiple removable securing means  70  are disposed. Side member  120 A includes both clasps  72  and pins  74  wherein two clasps are disposed on side member  120 A at generally equidistant positions relative to one another and relative to base flange  30  and outer end  58 . Pins  74  are also positioned on side member  120 A relatively equidistant to each other with two pins  74  being directly adjacent each other near outer end  58  of guard  20  while only one pin  74  is disposed between clasps  72  and between base flange  30  and its nearest clasp  72 . Pins  74  will be received on side member  120 B by a set of reciprocal holes  76  in the opposite guard half  28 , which are shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . Holes  76  on side member  120 B have the same general spacing and position as pins  74  on side member  120 A. 
   More or less than the number of clasps  72  and/or pins  74  (and holes  76 ) shown can be used, as well as their position and shape varied so long as sufficient securing means are available to maintain guard halves  26  and  28  in a selectively fixed position relative to one another when releasably secured with means  70 . 
   Moreover, releasable securing means  70 , such as clasps  72 , pins  74  and holes  76 , optionally can include other shapes and sizes (wires, snaps, pressure sensitive adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, press fits, rods, glues, screws etc.) so long as the alternative structure achieves selective releasable securing of one longitudinal member  52  of one guard half ( 26 , 28 ) relative to one longitudinal member  52  of another guard half ( 26 , 28 ) to form of single light guard  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , when guard half  26  is joined to guard half  28 , then two opposed side members  120 A,  120 B define a single longitudinal member  54  of body  32  with pins  74  releasably press fit into holes  76  and clasps  72  slidably engaged onto an opposed, abutting longitudinal side member  120 A,  120 B. 
   Clasps  72  of releasable securing means  70  are further illustrated in FIG.  7 . Each clasp  72  includes a body  130  with beveled protrusion  132  formed near outer end  134  and on inner side  136  of clasp  72 . Outer side  138  of clasp  72  preferably includes no protrusions. Recessed edge  140  of protrusion  132  is spaced from longitudinal member  52  (e.g. side member  120 A) of guard half  26  sufficiently to permit beveled protrusion  132  to slide past a longitudinal member  52  (side member  120 B) from an opposed guard half  28  until recessed edge  140  seats behind the side member  120 B of the opposed guard half. Clasp  72  is sufficiently resilient to permit slight bending of clasp  72  relative to longitudinal member  52  to permit sliding action of clasp  72  relative to another longitudinal member  52  about which clasp  72  will become lodged. 
   In use, a homeowner or other user can add light guard  20  to protect a light bulb mounted in a conventional incandescent light fixture in several simple steps. First, fasteners  25  holding fixture  22  against mounting surface  44  (such as box  100  and surrounding wall surface) as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  are partially withdrawn to slightly separate fixture  22  from mounting surface  44  (e.g. electrical junction box  100  and/or surrounding wall surface). Base flange  30  of guard  20  is sandwiched between mounting surface  44  and fixture  22 , with each guard half  26  and  28  being slid into place on opposite sides of fixture  22 , aligning slots  38  with fasteners  25 . Guard halves  26  and  28  are advanced until side edges  87  of base flange  30  and edges  120 A,  120 B of body  32  of the respective halves abut each other and until securing means  70  is activated to hold halves  26  and  28  securely against each other to form singular, closed position light guard  20 . In this position, fixture  22  will hold light guard  20  temporarily in place between mounting surface  44  (e.g. electrical box  100 ) and fixture  22 . Fasteners  25  are then advanced back into fixture  22  to securely force fixture  22  and base flange  30  of light guard  20  against mounting surface  44  (e.g. electrical box  100 ) into a fixed position as shown in FIG.  1 . 
   Accordingly, with these simple steps, an ordinary incandescent light fixture is retrofitted with an easy-to-install, yet robust, light guard  20  of the present invention. The existing electrical box  100  (or other mounting surface  44 ) is used and need not be replaced. Moreover, even fixture  22  need not be completely removed to complete the installation. Rather, fasteners  25  only need be slightly loosened to allow slidable insertion of light guard  20  into position about fixture  22 , and then retightened. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment light guard  150  in which two guard halves  152  (only one of which is shown for illustrative purposes) have substantially the same attributes and features as light guard  20  except having a narrower base flange  156  that is designed for direct mounting to mounting surface independent of light fixture  22 . Halves  152  are secured together by releasable securing means  160 , which is generally the same as clasp  72  and/or the complete releasable securing means  70  described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-7 . However, light guard  150  optionally is defined by a single, unitary frame instead of two separate frames halves (e.g., like frame half  152 ) with the single frame having a shape, size and configuration equivalent to two halves joined together and being substantially similar to the frame half shown in FIG.  8 . 
   Like light guard  20 , light guard  150  includes base flange  156  and body  158  where base flange  156  is removably securable against mounting surface  44  for mounting light guard  150  relative to the mounting surface and relative to a light bulb about which light guard  150  resides. Base flange  156  is sized and configured with a central hole  155  having a diameter greater than a diameter of light fixture  22  so that the base flange  156  fits around the outside perimeter of the light fixture  22  instead of between the light fixture  22  and mounting surface  44 . Mounting surface  44  ( FIG. 1 ) preferably comprises a flat panel material such as gypsum board (sheetrock) or other ceiling or wall material (e.g., wood, plaster, etc.). Base flange  156  includes mounting holes  162  configured for receiving fasteners for securely fixing base flange against mounting surface  44 . The fasteners optionally are anchored into mounting surface  44  with an anchor to improve their mechanical strength, thus more securely anchoring light guard  150  against mounting surface  44 . With this embodiment, the fixture need not be loosened from mounting surface  44  to install light guard  150 . Rather, light guard  150  is simply slipped over light fixture  22  and bulb  24 , and then base flange  156  is secured against mounting surface  44  with fasteners  25  (or with an adhesive or other means). 
     FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment light guard  180  in which two guard halves  182 , 184  have substantially the same attributes and features as light guard  20  except being joined by a living hinge  186  of resilient material that permits guard half  182  to pivot relative to guard half  184  in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of a light bulb to be protected. Halves  182  and  184  are secured together by releasable securing means  188 , which is generally the same as clasp  72  and/or the complete releasable securing means  70  described and illustrated in association with  FIGS. 1-7 . Living hinge  186  permits easy access to a light bulb while reducing the number of releasable securing means necessary to join halves  182  and  184 . Like light guard  20 , light guard  180  includes base flange  190  and body  192  where base flange  190  is removable securable between a light fixture (e.g, fixture  22 ) and mounting surface  44  (wall/ceiling/mobile fixture surface) for mounting light guard  180  relative to mounting surface  44  and relative to a light bulb about which light guard resides. Base flange  190  and body  192  carry substantially the same attributes and features as base flange  30  and body  32  of light guard  20  previously described in association with  FIGS. 1-7 . 
   Variations on the described light guards include using glue or adhesive to secure a light guard to fixture  22 . In another aspect, body  52  of light guard  20  is extended to omit hole  60  and optionally define a pivoting bottom portion having an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the bottom portion is releasably secured to the remainder of body  52  and protects light source  24 . In the open position, the bottom portion is pivoted away from the remainder of body  52  to provide access to light source  24  for changing light source  24  within light guard of the present invention. 
   A light protector of the present invention carries numerous advantages. The light guard is easy to install, using existing light fixtures, with no electrical work required. The light guard is costs little yet mechanically protects the light bulb from reasonable mechanical forces such as those created by flying balls, moving ladders etc. The open framework design does not significantly reduce the light generated by the light bulb and allows for ease of changing the light bulb when required. Most importantly, people are protected from falling broken glass shattered from previously exposed and unprotected incandescent light bulbs. 
   Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the chemical, mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, and computer arts will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the preferred embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.