GB2362125A

GB2362125A - Lampshade removing/fitting tool

Info

Publication number: GB2362125A
Application number: GB0030628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Eades
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-15
Filing date: 2000-12-15
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-15
Also published as: GB0030628D0; GB2362125B

Abstract

A tool is configured to engage with a lamp shade retainer member of a light bulb holder and comprises means for facilitating rotational movement of the tool during use; engagement means 315, 316 configurable to enable engagement of the tool with the retainer member; and adjustment means 305 configured to enable correct engagement of the tool with the retainer member.

Description

2362125 TOOL FOR USE WITH LAMPS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of electric lamps which

S hold one or more electric light bulbs. In particular the present invention relates to a tool for effecting removal of a lamp shade from a lamp.

Backaround to the Invention

It is known to mount electric light bulbs in a light bulb holder which thereby enables electric power to be delivered to the light bulb. Electric light bulb holders may be found in a variety of forms such as units made out of brass or plastics.

Lamps as used in buildings may be configured as lamps hanging from ceilings, wall lamps or desk type lamps, etc. Typically such electric light bulb holders are of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an electric is lamp 101 which is mounted from ceiling 102 of a room such as a factory. The lamp may be hung by means of a chain and power cable arrangement 103 which is securely fixed to ceiling 102 and receives electrical power from an AC Mains source such as the National Grid. Lamp 101 further comprises a lampshade 104 and an electric light bulb holder 105 which holds bulb 106. Lampshade 104 is held in position about bulb holder 105 via lampshade securing means 107 which are held in position about bulb holder 105 by virtue of lampshade retaining means 108. Typically lampshade retaining means 108 may comprise a ring threaded onto a portion of the body of bulb holder 105 thus holding the lampshade retaining means 107 securely between the upper portion of the bulb holder body and the retainer member 108.

Fig. 2 further details the known bulb holder 105 as illustrated in Fig. 1. Bulb holder 105 comprises a rear portion 201 which typically further comprises an on/off button 202. Towards the rear portion (the portion comprising button 202) of the device there is a portion 203 configured to effect gripping by human P661.spec fingers. Extending away from portion 203, towards the front portion, is threaded portion 204 upon which is threaded a retaining ring 205. Extending further away from ring 205 is an electric power connection point region 206 which comprises light bulb retaining means 207, typically known as a bayonet fitting, and electric power connection points 208 and 209 respectively.

In use bulb holder 105 must be carefully configured such that retainer ring 205 is tightened so as to firmly hold lampshade 104 in place. Typically lampshade 104 could be made of glass and thus require a secure fixing to hold it in place so as not to present any danger to a passerby passing underneath the lamp. In stately homes, of the type found in many English counties such as Derbyshire, hundreds of such lamps may be utilised through the home and this is also the case in many large factories. For fairly obvious reasons lamps in buildings such as factories and stately homes must be kept in a clean condition is and therefore they require cleaning and/or maintaining periodically. Because of the large number of lamps used in such buildings the task of removing the lampshade 104 from bulb holder 105 becomes a substantial endeavor, particularly in view of the fact that removal of retaining member 108 is, using prior art methods, removed using human fingers. Removal of retaining member 108 using the fingers may become hazardous in that such a repetitive action over many hundreds of lamps by a human worker can become extremely painful and therefore considerably reduce the efficiency of the operation of cleaning/changing such a large number of lampshades. Even to attend to a single lamp can be problematic in that if retainer ring 108 has been over-tightened or incorrectly threaded onto the main body of the bulb holder then its removal may be near impossible using fingers alone. As will be clear from Fig. 1 it is also a further problem that placing a human hand (or a general tool such as pliers) inside certain lampshades is difficult, if not impossible, in certain circumstances depending upon the configuration of the lampshade itself and the positioning of the bulb 106 within shade 104.

In view of the above there is clearly a need to improve the way that lampshades are changed andlor cleaned as compared with the prior art method of utilising direct action on lamp ring 105 by human fingers.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a tool for use with lamps whereby removal of a lampshade is facilitated by use of a tool to simplify removal of a lampshade retainer member.

A further object of the present invention is to speed up the time that it takes to remove a lampshade retainer member and thereby speed up the time it takes to maintain a lamp/lampshade arrangement.

A further object of the present invention is to prevent harm to a person's fingers from repeated use in respect of removing lampshade retainer members.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a tool, configured to engage with a lamp shade retainer member of a light bulb holder, comprises:

means for facilitating rotational movement of said tool during use; engagement means configured to enable engagement of said tool with said retainer member; and adjustment means configured to enable correct engagement of said tool with said retainer member.

Preferably, said means for facilitating rotational movement comprises a 30 handle for use by at least one hand of a human operator.

Preferably said engagement means comprises a member configurable to clamp to said retainer member.

Preferably said engagement member comprises a pair of communicating elongate arms each having a portion configured to effect a grip on said retainer member.

Suitably said portions are arcuate in shape and thus able to securely grip a retainer member in the form of a ring.

Preferably said arms operate together about a pivot.

Preferably said arms operate with a calliper type movement.

Preferably said arms are maintained in a separated relationship to one another by means of a spring.

Preferably said adjustment means configured to effect said correct engagement comprises means configured to alter the amount of force applied by the tool to said retainer ring.

Furthermore it is preferred that said tool comprises a handle, having an outer end and an inner end, and said adjustment means comprises a partly threaded rod extending though said handle, said rod being connected at said outer end to a nut and at the other end to said engagement means and whereby rotation of said nut effects said amount of force applied by said tool to said retainer member.

In a further preferred embodiment said tool is configurable for driving by an electric drill or other similar unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a tool configured to engage with a lampshade retainer member of a light bulb holder comprises:

a handle for use by at least one hand of an operator of said device; through said handle a rod connected at one end of said rod to a nut threaded on said rod; at the other end of said rod a tool head member configured to effect a force upon a said retainer member, said tool head member comprising a pair of elongate arms extending away from said handle and communicating with each other via a pivot formed through the second end of said rod, said arms also being in slideable communication with a resilient end of said handle; and wherein during operation said nut, upon adjustment, forces said arms to move in relation to one another via an action combining said rotation of said nut, a pivoting action about said pivot and a sliding action of each said arm about the end portion of said handle in which said arms are in communication with.

Preferably said arms are kept substantially resiliently separated from each other by means of a spring placed therebetween.

Preferably said resilient handle end means comprises a metallic ring having a pair of chamfers configured for each of said arms to slideably communicate with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool specifically configured to effect a movement of a lampshade retaining member on a lamp bulb holder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates, in cross-section, a known lamp arrangement including a light bulb holder and a lampshade retaining member; Fig. 2 further details the known light bulb holder of the type schematically illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a tool as configured in accordance with the present invention, the tool being configured to engage with a lampshade retainer member of a light bulb holder and the tool comprising means for effecting the required engagement; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 further detail various parts of the tool schematically illustrated in Fig. 3.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, a preferred exemplary embodiment of a tool as configured in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiment illustrated is suitable for use by a hand of a human operator.

Tool 301 is thus suitable for carrying in a work persons tool case or other suitable bag. In the preferred embodiment tool handle 302 is made of wood or plastics based material and may be shaped in a variety of configurations so as to provide a comfortable grip to the user's hand. Extending from handle 302 is a tool head.

Throughout the length of elongate handle 302 there is a partly threaded rod 303 which passes substantially through the central axis along the length of the body of handle 302. Rod 303 may have one or more threaded portions, but in the embodiment of fig. 3 has only one threaded portion configured to engage with nut 305 located at the distal end of handle 302. At a first end of rod 303 there is a pivot retaining means 304 which may suitably be integral with the main rod body 303. Pivot retaining member 304 is suitably configured as a clasp like end of rod 303 so as to enable one or more members to be held by a pivot extending between or through one or more arms portions of member 304. At the non- tool head end of handle 302 (that is at the top or distal end of handle 302 - towards the right of the figure) there is provided a nut 305 on the threaded portion of rod 303, the nut being separated from handle 302 by a suitably sized washer 306.

Nut 305, being threaded on rod 303, is suitably made of metal so as to provide resilient and reliable leverage, by way of the interaction of the threads associated with rod member 303 and nut 305, against washer 306.

In mechanical communication with pivot retaining member 304 are tool member arms 307 and 308 respectively. Each arm 307, 308 is held to pivot retaining member 304 by a metal pivot rod 309 extending through an orifice in pivot retaining member 304 and through a portion of the body of arm 307 and arm 308. Suitably pivot rod 309 is made of steel and is held in place via a thickened head portion which rests upon the outer faces of pivot retaining member 304. Each arm 307 and 308 of the tool head extends in a first direction away from handle 302 and in a second direction towards the handle. The end of the arms 307 and 308 which extend towards handle 302 slideably communicate with end 310 of handle 302.

Handle end 310 may suitably be configured in the form of a resilient brass ring having two slotted portions into which arms 307 and 308 respectively slideably communicate. To aid the sliding motion of arms 307 and 308 upon the body of the resilient end 310, the slotted portions are appropriately shaped with a chamfer. Arms 307 and 308 operate with a calliper type movement and are maintained in a separated relationship to one another by means of a spring 311 placed between the inner edges of member of 307 and 308 as shown. Spring 311 is held in place in relation to each arm 307 and 308 via welded or otherwise spring retaining members 312 and 313 respectively. Thus, as illustrated, retaining member 312 may be configured as a welded boss on the surface wall of arm 307 which faces the inner surface wall of arm 308. The spring 311 effectively prevents arms 307 and 308 from collapsing inwards towards each other and thus maintains the integrity of the tool head portion. The tool head portion may be considered to comprise arms 307 and 308, pivot retaining member 304, pivot 309, spring and bosses 311 - 313 and gripping members 314 and 316.

Towards the ends of arms 307 and 308 there are provided gripping members 314 and 316 respectively which are formed as integral parts of the dual arm assembly. In the preferred embodiment gripping member 316 is configured in an arcuate shape, the arc like member extending substantially perpendicularly to a main axis extending along the length of arm 307. Gripping member 316 is configured similarly such that when gripping members 314 and 316 are brought into contact then a more or less circular gripping region is created. The more or less circular gripping region is required for use with commonly found light bulb holders of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 - these comprising a lampshade 5 retainer member in the form of a ring. Upon the inner faces of gripping members 314 and 316 is provided a gripping surface 315 which may suitably be formed as a ridged surface of the metallic gripping member itself. However, many other configurations and/or surfaces for a suitable gripping member/surface could be envisaged including a surface having some form of rubber covering to prevent scratching etc. Referring back to the end of the device towards the top of the handle, the nut 305 is preferably configured with some form of hole or hook type structure 317 so that the device may simply be hung from a hook in a room such as a workshop.

Clearly, the preferred embodiment schematically illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises arms 307 and 308 to facilitate entrance of gripping members 314 and 316 into a lampshade type arrangement of the type shown in Fig. 1. Thus, arms 307 and 308 effectively enable gripping members 314, 316 to be placed inside a given lampshade and positioned around a given lamp bulb retaining ring as required.

Fig. 4 further details the central rod 303 identified in Fig. 3. Rod 303 is illustrated by way of two elevations in Fig. 4. In the first elevation at 401 the pivot retaining member 304 is seen to comprise first and second arm portions or clasp members 402 and 403 which border a central slot 404. Arms 402 and 403 are substantially planar and extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis extending through the main body of rod 303. Through arms 402 and 403 extend orifices 405 and 406 respectively which are configured to receive metal pivot pin 309 identified in Fig. 3. Rod 303 having pivot retaining member 304 is further detailed in side elevation at 407. Pivot retaining membec 304 in view 407 has thus been rotated by 900 as compared with the view at 401.

Retaining member 304 more clearly depicts orifice 406 through arm 403 of pivot retaining member 304. The shape of the circumference of the planar arm of member 304 is more clearly identified at 407. The planar shape illustrated is curved so as to facilitate movement of arms 307 and 308 about pivot 309, but could be configured in a variety of other shapes.

Fig. 5 further schematically details arm 307 (or 308) of the tool head member of tool 301 shown in Fig. 3. Three views are shown.

Side elevation view 501, plan view plan 502 and end elevation view 503 are illustrated. In elevation 501 arm 307 is seen to comprise of an orifice 504 through which a pivoting pin 309 can be inserted. The arm extends away from pivoting orifice 504 in a first direction forming first portion 505 and a second more elongate section 506. Section 506 terminates in gripping member 314. Portion 506 shown in view 501 can be observed to have a slight curvature as can portion 505. Portion 505 is configured to slideably communicate with handle 310 shown in Fig. 3, its curvature being configured to aid sliding about strengthening member 310. In view 502 and 503 there is a further orifice located on one side of arm 307 generally indicated at 507. Orifice 507 is effectively a slot cut out of arm 307 so as to enable arm 307 to interlock with cooperating second arm 308.

Arms 307 and 308 are identical and are able to operate together as a combined member by virtue of interlocking by way of an orifice of the type shown at 507 configured within each arm. The two arms 307 and 308 thus operate in a scissor or calliper like manner with a rotation effect occurring in the interlocking region formed by bringing the 2 members together at regions 507.

Fig. 6 further details, in perspective view, the tool end of handle 302, this end being represented in Fig. 3 at 310. Through the end of handle 302 is an orifice 601 through which rod 303 extends. The body of the handle is formed around orifice 601 at 602 and upon portion 602 is placed a strengthening ring type structure 603 which may suitably be made of a metal such as brass. Ring structure 603 comprises a first chamfered slot 604 and a second identical S chamfered slot 605. Chamfered slots 604 and 605 are substantially regular grooves other than at the near handle side there is a chamfered (sloped) portion formed as part of the ring structure 603. The chamfered portion for slot 604 is generally indicated at 606. Chamfered portion 606 effectively facilitates slideable movement of arm 307 within slot 604.

Operation of tool 301 by a human operator is now described. Upon a given lamp requiring attention in the form of removal of a lampshade or maintenance of any part of said lamp, the tool 301 is positioned towards the orifice of a lampshade such as lampshade 104 in Fig. 1. Arms 307 and 308 are placed is within lampshade 104 and moved towards lampshade retaining member 108.

Upon gripping members 314 and 316 being placed adjacent to retainer member 108 the operator, holding handle 302, uses his or her other hand to effect a rotation of threaded nut 305 in a direction so as to bring together arms 307 and 308. Arms 307 and 308 are brought together by nut 305 being turned and therefore effecting a tightening action upon washer 306. As the nut 305 tightens against washer 306 pivot retaining member 304 is pulled in a direction towards nut 305 and the handle and arms 307 and 308 slide towards handle 302 through slots 604, 605 with their near-handle ends becoming progressively raised above handle end 310. Because of the curvature of arms 307 and 308 and their movement through slots 604 and 605 respectively, their movement is restricted about pivot axis 309 so as to cause gripping portions 314 and 316 to move towards each other. Upon nut 305 being turned to the required amount gripping portion 314 and 316 will effect the appropriate grip around a ring retaining member 108 under consideration. At this point the operator may simply rotate the whole device, via use of handle 302, in a direction so as to unscrew ring retainer member 109 which is thereby removed and held in the jaws of gripping members 314 and 316.

Once a given ring retainer member 108 is removed it may be displaced from the jaws 314 and 316 of tool 301 via a turning action being affected upon nut 305 in a direction so as to further separate jaws 314 and 316 from each other.

Tool 301 may be used to either remove or loosen a lamp retaining ring or to fit or tighten a lamp retaining ring, in either case human finger contact with the lamp retaining ring 108 not being required.

The skilled worker is to understand that only a preferred embodiment of tool 301 has been disclosed herein, the inventor truly believing this to be the best mode. However other embodiments could be envisaged such as for example a mechanically simpler structure comprising a handle and a rod extending therefrom. At the end of such a rod could be configured a hollowed out cone like member having an internal surface configured to effect a gripping action upon a lamp retainer ring. Such a cone like member could possibly more readily be placed around a bulb holder 105 and by forcing the cone upwards around ring member 108 the required position of the tool could easily be effected. This simpler embodiment would therefore comprise means for facilitating rotational movement of the tool during use, that is a handle, an engagement means configured to enable engagement of the tool with the retainer member - that is the hollowed out cone; and adjustment means configured to enable correct engagement of the tool with the retainer member - that is by way of the cone being hollowed out thereby enabling correct engagement of the tool to be effected by placing the cone simply around a lamp retainer member 108.

The inventor is unaware of any device having ever been developed for use in removing or replacing lamp bulb shade retainer type members. However, various other devices may appear to have some structural similarity in terms of their aesthetic appearance such as for example certain corkscrew devices as used in opening bottles of wine.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described herein the configuration is for use by a human operator's hand. However, it is also envisaged that the assembly shown in Fig. 3 could be equally mounted upon some form of metal rod, rather than a handle 302, having a fitment thereupon suitable for fitting within the end of a motorized unit such as a common power drill. Thus, a handle 302 is not considered to be required, but rather having means for facilitating rotational movement of the tool during use is essential at least for lamp ring retainer members of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Clearly, some form of engagement means is required so as to effect some form of grip on a lamp retainer member 108. Finally, also some form of adjustment means is is required, whether it be by a simple cone type mechanism as described above or by the more complicated version shown in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 3, so as to enable the device to be used with a variety of different size lamp bulb holders and retainer members held thereupon.

Claims

Claims:

1. A tool, configured to engage with a lamp shade retainer member of a light bulb holder, comprises:

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for facilitating rotational movement comprises a handle for use by at least one hand of a human 1.5 operator.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, or claim 2, wherein said engagement means comprises a member configurable to clamp to said retainer member.

4. A tool as claimed in any of claims 1 - 3, wherein said engagement member comprises a pair of communicating elongate arms each having a portion configured to effect a grip on said retainer member.

5. A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein said portions are arcuate in shape and thus able to securely grip a retainer member in the form of a ring.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein said arms operate together about a pivot.

7. A tool as claimed in any of claims 4 - 6, wherein said arms operate with a calliper type movement.

8. A tool as claimed in any of claims 4 - 7, wherein said two arms are 5 maintained in a separated relationship to one another by means of a spring.

9. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adjustment means configured to effect said correct engagement comprises means configured to alter the amount of force applied by the tool to said retainer ring.

10. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool comprises a handle, having an outer end and an inner end, and said adjustment means comprises a partly threaded rod extending though said handle, said rod being connected at said outer end to a nut and at the other end to said engagement means and whereby rotation of said nut effects said amount of force applied by said tool to said retainer member.

11. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, said tool is configurable for driving by an electric drill or other similar unit.

12. A tool configured to engage with a lampshade retainer member of a light bulb holder comprises:

13. A tool as claimed in claim 12, wherein said arms are kept substantially resiliently separated from each other by means of a spring placed therebetween.

14. A tool as substantially described herein with reference to accompanying drawings.

14. A tool as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said resilient handle end means comprises a metallic ring having a pair of chamfers configured for each of said arms to slideably communicate with.

15. A tool specifically configured to effect a movement of a lampshade retaining member on a lamp bulb holder.

16. A tool as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said tool comprises a member extending from said handle, said extending member being configured to adjustably grip a said retaining member.

17. A tool as claimed in Claim 15 or 16, wherein said tool comprises a handle.

18. A tool as claimed in any of claims 16 or 17, wherein said extending member comprises a pair of elongate arms.

19. A tool as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

I IT9 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims:

1. A tool configured to engage with a lamp shade retainer member of a light bulb holder comprises:

means for facilitating rotational movement of said tool during use; engagement means configured to enable engagement of said tool with said retainer member; and adjustment means configured to enable correct engagement of said tool with said retainer member; wherein said tool comprises a handle having an outer end and an inner end, and said adjustment means comprises a partly threaded rod extending through said handle, said rod being connected at said outer end to a nut and at the other end to said engagement means and whereby rotation of said nut effects the amount of force applied by said tool to said retainer member.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for facilitating rotational movement comprises a handle for use by at least one hand of a human operator.

A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein said portions are arcuate in shape and thus able to securely grip a retainer member in the form of a ring.

) 11 6. A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein said arms operate together about a pivot.

7. A tool as claimed in any of claims 4 - 6, wherein said arms operate 5 with a calliper type movement.

8. A tool as claimed in any of claims 4 - 7, wherein said two arms are maintained in a separated relationship to one another by means of a spring.

10. A tool configured to engage with a lampshade retainer member of a light bulb holder comprises:

a handle for use by at least one hand of an operator of said device; through said handle a rod connected at one end of said rod to a nut threaded on said rod; at the other end of said rod a tool head member configured to effect a force upon a said retainer member, said tool head member comprising a pa ry of elongate arms extending away from said handle and communicating with each other via a pivot formed through the second end of said rod, said arms also being in slideable communication with a resilient end of said handle; and wherein during operation said nut, upon adjustment, forces said arms to move in relation to one another via an action combining said rotation of said nut, a pivoting action about said pivot and a sliding action of each said arm about the end portion of said handle in which said arms are in communication with.

11. A tool as claimed in claim 10, wherein said arms are kept substantially resiliently separated from each other by means of a spring placed therebetween.

12. A tool as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said resilient handle end means comprises a metallic ring having a pair of chamfers configured for each of said arms to slideably communicate with.

13. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim when said tool is configured for use in removing a lamp shade retainer member of a light bulb holder which bears a lamp shade.