Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – With elongated hot line stick
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-07-17
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
With elongated hot line stick
C081S441000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260442
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a tool for removing the base of a broken incandescent light bulb wherein the tool includes a resilient deformable head member which is adapted to forcibly engage the base of a broken light bulb for rotating the base to disconnect from a socket member.
BACKGROUND
Various tools have been developed for removing the base of a broken incandescent light bulb from a socket member. Prior art broken bulb removal tools have been characterized by substantially rigid bulb base engaging head parts which are adapted to forcibly grip the remaining glass portion of the bulb retained in the base and/or the metal base member after removal of the glass portion. Tools have also been developed wherein a resilient sleeve member is retained on the tool sleeved over a rigid head part wherein the rigid head part also forcibly engages the bulb base with the resilient sleeve member interposed the rigid head part and the broken bulb base. These prior art tools wherein a rigid member forcibly engages the bulb base and extends within the bulb base tend to break up the remaining portion of the glass bulb disposed in the base or intentionally break out the remaining glass portion which is inconvenient and somewhat dangerous since the glass shards must be dealt with. Such prior art tools also often otherwise deform the bulb base structure so that it cannot be suitably removed from the socket.
Accordingly, there has been a continuing need to provide improvements in broken light bulb base removal tools. The present invention addresses problems associated with prior art bulb base removal tools and provides certain sought after improvements in such tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved tool for removing a threaded base of a broken incandescent light bulb and the like.
In accordance with one important aspect of the present invention, a broken light bulb base removal tool is provided wherein a tool body is adapted to support a resilient tubular head member operable to be inserted within the base of a broken light bulb and resiliently deflected into forcible engagement with the base while minimizing the chance of damaging the base or breaking the remaining portion of the glass bulb secured in the base for effective removal of the bulb base from a socket.
The resilient tubular head member is provided with a distal end portion which is intersected by a substantial opening therein for receiving a bulb filament and associated support structure which may remain attached to the bulb base. The resilient head member provides suitable clearance for the filament and associated support structure while allowing the resilient head member to be substantially torsionally and axially deflected into forcible engagement with the bulb base whereby rotation of the tool will permit removal of the base from threaded engagement with a bulb receiving socket.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a broken light bulb base removal tool is provided wherein only a resilient flexible tubular head member is deformably engageable with the bulb base to minimize the risk of breakage or damage to the base which might result in the inability to remove the base from a socket member.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a broken light bulb base removal tool is provided which includes two resilient tubular base engaging head members, each suitably retained on a generally elongated cylindrical body member and wherein the body members are nested one within the other and forcibly engaged with each other by cooperating axially extending splines.
Still further, the present invention provides an improved broken light bulb base removal tool which includes an adapter for connecting the tool to an elongated handle or pole for use of the tool in hard to reach or overhead operations for removing broken light bulb bases from bulb receiving sockets. The tool adapter is easily connected to and disconnected from the tool body, as needed.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-mentioned features and advantages of the invention, together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1319028 (1919-10-01), Grinnell
patent: 2117017 (1938-05-01), Chadsey
patent: 2516650 (1950-07-01), Shapiro et al.
patent: 3797055 (1974-03-01), Greene
patent: 4485701 (1984-12-01), Hough
patent: 5490438 (1996-02-01), Zupo et al.
patent: 5617602 (1997-04-01), Okada
patent: 5730662 (1998-03-01), Rens
patent: 5809850 (1998-09-01), Tickner
patent: 5829324 (1998-11-01), Secor
Bayco Products, Inc.
Gerrity Stephen F.
Shakeri Hadi
Winstead Sechrest & Minick PC
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