Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – With elongated hot line stick
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-03
2003-04-29
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
With elongated hot line stick
C081S064000, C294S019200, C056S332000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06553872
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for use in changing light bulbs, which are sometimes called electric lamps, in elevated or hard to reach locations such as high ceilings where direct handling of the light bulbs cannot readily be done by the light bulb changer.
The prior art shows the use of suction attachments and capturing attachments at the end of a pole or telescoping tube to reach and engage the light bulb, so that the light bulb can be screwed in or out by rotating the pole or telescoping tube.
The problem with all the prior devices has been the danger of the light bulb disengaging from the suction or capture attachment resulting in the light bulb falling. Due to the height of the light bulb, when it falls and shatters the glass shards may cause injury to the light bulb changer as well as any other individual in the immediate area. As the height of the light bulb to be changed increases, small movements by the installer will induce a greater movement at the end of the pole affixed to the light bulb. The unsteady pole movement often results in the bulb striking against the socket, ceiling, fixture or recess wall and dislodging the light bulb or breaking the vacuum seal, resulting in the bulb falling. Additionally, dust and grime build-up on the surface of a light bulb creates an imperfect suction coupling, leading to a premature detachment of the light bulb while it is being held by the suction attachment. The falling light bulb creates a hazardous and dangerous projectile. The invention provides an apparatus and method to catch a falling light bulb which will eliminate the hazard of the falling light bulb and takes the danger out of replacing hard-to-reach overhead light bulbs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The danger of light bulbs falling when removing and installing light bulbs using extension devices are solved with the invention herein. The invention incorporates a canopy which captures any light bulb which may become dislodged and fall. The canopy is opened prior to removing or installing a light bulb. The canopy in its preferred mode is of a transparent material or open mesh fabric which allows the light bulb changer to view the light bulb from a location beneath the canopy. The canopy operates with expandable ribs to allow adjustment of canopy size and tension as well as provide ease for storage by allowing the canopy to collapse into a closed position.
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patent: 6223628 (2001-05-01), Barron
Tse David T.
Tse Jeffrey David
McQueeney Patricia E.
Shakeri Hadi
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