Patent Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus for connecting and disconnecting light bulbs including a suction cup and at least one structure for interrupting suction to the suction cup.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    It is often difficult to change light bulbs where the sockets are significantly above the level of the floor. Although some people use ladders, sometimes the ladders still are insufficient for reaching certain bulbs. Extenders exist, but they are often cumbersome and are difficult to use when dealing with angularly positioned light sockets. The present invention addresses this by providing a suction cup operatively associated with an electromechanical device for grasping a light bulb and subsequently releasing the light bulb. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention uses a pneumatic solenoid valve coupled with a suction cup to grasp and release the surface of a light bulb in the suction cup utilizing air pressure differential. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment, an electric solenoid valve is used in conjunction with a suction cup, whereby applying voltage can either open the valve and let air in releasing suction or it can be open until current applied and than it closes it. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the valve is controlled with a push button that actuates a momentary electrical current that is applied thereby releasing the suction. When the button is not pushed no energy is expanded to keep valve closed, and therefore battery last a long time. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, an additional vacuum is used to allow ease of attachment. 
         [0006]    In addition the suction cups configured in the present invention have small nubs about the perimeter. This prevents hover effect which prevent cup from slipping and allows for placement of cup on center of bulb for better attachment. Without this cup slides off to side and final placement on bulb is eccentric, making its dislodgment more likely. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the Invention utilizes the suction for ease of attachment. The system and method of the invention includes attaching coiled wire to transmit current and allows telescoping of pole. Without this technique undo pressure on electrical connection at top and bottom would result in failure. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment the present invention is an apparatus for connecting and disconnecting light bulbs, said apparatus comprising:
       a suction cup having a mounting surface;   a suction cup support having an angularly flared surface adjacent to and in the direction of said suction cup; and   at least one structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface.       
 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface is a release tab. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface is an air channel operatively associated with a solenoid valve. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the solenoid valve is a mechanical, non-electric valve. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the solenoid valve is an electric valve. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the valve is actuated by an actuator with direct hard-wired connection. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the valve is actuated by an actuator with a wireless connection. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the cup support is constructed and arranges as two congruent half circles that snap fit into a support base. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a support pole. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the support pole is constructed and arranged as a telescoping pole. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the angular flare is between about 5-20 degrees. 
         [0022]    Also contemplated is a method of installing a light bulb, said method comprising the steps of:
       providing an apparatus according to the present invention;   providing a light bulb to be installed in a light bulb socket;   positioning said light bulb onto said mounting surface;   applying pressure from said light bulb in a direction of said mounting surface;   imparting suction upon said light bulb from said applying of pressure;   positioning said light bulb for installation into said light bulb socket;   rotating said assembly in a manner such that said light bulb mates with said light bulb socket; and   introducing air to said suction cup mounting surface by activating said structure constructed and arranged to introduce air to said mounting surface.       
 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing said suction cup with at least one release tab positioned along a perimeter edge. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises applying pressure on said release tab in a direction away from said light bulb. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises providing a solenoid valve and an air delivery channel, whereby said air delivery channel is configured to deliver air to said mounting surface. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises said solenoid valve is a mechanical non-electric valve. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the method further comprises solenoid valve is an electric valve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of components according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 2A  is a separated perspective view of the solenoid and suction cup assembly with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2B  is demonstrative of lightbulb placement in a suction cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a side partial cross-section view of the solenoid and suction cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a side partial cross-section view of the solenoid and suction cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention whereby the solenoid is in an open position. 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a side partial cross-section view of the solenoid of  FIG. 2B  along section line A-A. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a side partial cross-section view demonstrative of the suction cup in a non-aligned position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a separated perspective view demonstrative of a pole and support sub assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is demonstrative of placement of connected components from  FIG. 7 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  demonstrates placement of power supply in the poll according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10A  is an end view of the current seal inner support according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  B is a side partial cross-section view of the cup seal inner support according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  A is a side partial cross-section view of the spacer clamp “C” configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 11  B is an end view of a spacer clamp “C” configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  C is a side partial cross-section view of the spacer clamp “semicircle” configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 11  D is an end view of a spacer clamp “semicircle” configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 12  A is an end view of a suction cup with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 12  B is a side view of a suction cup according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 13  A is an end view of a suction cup point to one embodiment of the present invention showing placement of a release tab. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  B is a side view of a suction cup of corn to one embodiment of the present invention demonstrating placement of a release tab. 
           [0056]      FIG. 14  A is a side view of a suction cup according to the present invention showing indents. 
           [0057]      FIG. 14  B is an end view of a suction cup according to the present invention showing indents. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0058]    The present invention relates generally to a device for reaching light bulbs that are beyond the normal reach of most persons. 
         [0059]    As generally understood, assembly  10  is constructed and arranged for supporting light bulb  30 . Suction cup  16  is dependent upon clamp  24 . When light bulb  30  is affixed to suction cup  16 , suction cup cavity  17  (not necessarily drawn to scale) is a small cavity or void that is operatively associated, as will be described below, with structure to direct air into suction cap cavity  17  as desired and thus release light bulb  30  from suction cup  16 . Cavity  17  envelopes the part of light bulb  30  inserted into suction cup  16  that is light bulb mounting surface  19 , which is understood to be only that part of the light bulb surface defined by placement within the perimeter of suction cup  16 . In one embodiment, spacer clamp  24  as best seen in FIG.  11  B is in a “C-shape” configuration as shown. Positioned adjacent to suction cup  16  and clamp  24  is solenoid valve  14 . Pole  20  is constructed and arranged to incorporate therewith a cup seal inner support whereby said cup where is configured either as where no power supply is incorporated therein  26 A or cup whereby a power supply  36  is incorporated therein. 
         [0060]    In one embodiment, transistor  21  is utilized in the electrical components to account for wire length. 
         [0061]    Pole  20  supports suction cup  16  on a first end and handle  38  on a second end. 
         [0062]    Solenoid suction cup assembly  28  includes in one embodiment a power source  36  with power actuator  18  whereby power cord  33  the levers of electricity from power control subassembly  32  to solenoid valve  14 . First orifice  35  provides for an inner passage from solenoid valve  14  to cavity  17  of suction cup  16  and second orifice  31  provides for an exhaust air passage from the assembly. Angle  50  demonstrates acute angular offset of suction cup  16  from a central axis of assembly  10 . In one embodiment, an internal power cord  33  provides for actuation of power source  36  to solenoid  14  when actuator  18  is activated. 
         [0063]    In another embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 9 , wireless where  34  transmits a wireless signal to wireless switch  37  that initiates and ceases power to solenoid  14 . In one embodiment as demonstrated in  FIGS. 12  A and  12  B suction cup  16  is presented as shown. In another embodiment as demonstrated in  FIGS. 13  A and  13  B release tab  16  a is constructed and arranged along the perimeter of suction cup  16  whereby release tab  16  a is configured to receive a release line whereby section is interrupted and light bulb  30  is released once positioned. In an embodiment demonstrated in  FIGS. 14  A and  14  B, a plurality of nodes  70  is positioned about the perimeter of suction cup  16 . Nodes  70  assist by releasing suction and subsequently releasing attachment a light bulb  30  from suction cup  16 . 
         [0064]    In one embodiment, as demonstrated in the  FIGS. 11A and 11B  spacer clamp  24  is provided in a “C-shaped” configuration. In another embodiment, as in  FIGS. 11C and 11D  clamp  24  is provided as to complementary semicircles constructed and arranged to snug fit into either cup support  26 A and  26 B. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment, surface  25  of either cup seal  26 A and  26 B is angularly flared towards suction cup  16 . This cup seal angular flare, shown in  FIG. 10B  as dimension X, provides support for suction cup  16  when holding and installing light bulb  30 . In one embodiment, dimension X, being cup seal angular flare is between about 5-20 degrees. 
         [0066]    In one embodiment, Solenoid valve  14  is electrically actuated. In another embodiment, solenoid valve  14  is mechanically actuated. 
         [0067]    In one embodiment, a user will position light bowl  30  on two suction cups  16  and apply pressure until suction cup  16  grasps the outer surface of light bulb  30 . Once like bold Bertie is in position a user will attach light bulb  30  to a socket by rotating the entirety of assembly  10 . Once light bulb furry is completely installed, a user will then desire to release suction cups  16  from lightbulb  30 . 
         [0068]    According to the present invention, the desired release is accomplished through various embodiments. 
         [0069]    In one embodiment, a string or other extending member is connected to tab  16   a.  The user will pull the string in the direction away from the first end of assembly  10 , being the end with suction cup  16  and towards the second end of assembly  10 , being the end with handle  18 . 
         [0070]    The tab will lift an edge of suction cup  16 , allow air to enter the space between suction cup  16  and light bulb  30  and subsequently release the suction imparted by suction cup  16  onto light bulb  30 . Once this suction is released, the light bulb detaches. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment, solenoid valve  14  inserts air into the space between suction cup  16  and light bulb  30 . Once they air is inserted into the space the suction is released and the light bulb detaches. 
         [0072]    As stated above solenoid  14  is selectively an electrically operated solenoid or a mechanical solenoid. 
         [0073]    In one embodiment, when an electrically actuated solenoid valve  14  is utilized, a transistor is positioned between the battery and the solenoid such that resistance due to wire length is negated. In this embodiment, this is an important feature because internal wiring in one embodiment is coiled to provide for length differentials when pole support  20  is constructed and arranged as a telescoping pole.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7