GB2312863A

GB2312863A - Light bulb fitting tool

Info

Publication number: GB2312863A
Application number: GB9609874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mathias Rodney Quis Nathaniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-11
Filing date: 1996-05-11
Publication date: 1997-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-11
Also published as: GB9609874D0; GB2312863B

Abstract

A tool for fitting and removing light bulbs comprises a tubular elastomeric element 10 for fitting over and frictionally engaging a light bulb 14, and a handle 2 connected to the tubular elastomeric element for turning the latter.

Description

LIGHT BULB FITTING TOOL The present invention relates to a tool for fitting and removing light bulbs.

A common household and industrial task is the fitting and replacement of electric light bulbs. A great number of bulbs are small e.g. less than 20mm in diameter and are therefore difficult to manipulate, particularly if they are required to be inserted into confined or constricted spaces.

In such circumstances, some form of elongate fitting tool is required.

A number of tools are known with portions for gripping a light bulb so that its connecting part remains exposed to be inserted into either a screw-type or bayonet-type fitting.

However, these known arrangements all comprise elaborate operating mechanisms which are both costly to produce and susceptible to component failure.

I have now devised a simple and effective tool for fitting and removing electric light bulbs, which overcomes the limitations outlined above of existing arrangements.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a tool for fitting and removing light bulbs, the tool comprising a tubular elastomeric element for fitting over and frictionally engaging a light bulb, and a handle connected to said tubular elastomeric element for turning the latter.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the tubular elastomeric element of the tool grips the light bulb firmly, so that upon turning the tool the light bulb is turned relative to its light fitting (whether this is of screw-type or bayonettype).

Preferably said tubular elastomeric element has a tapering internal diameter.

Preferably said tubular elastomeric element is detachably connected to said handle, for example via a conventional square drive or hex drive socket fitting.

The elastomeric material from which the tubular element is formed allows a degree of radial expansion so that the tool may accommodate light bulbs of varying diameters, particularly if the tubular element is also internally tapered. However, for the tool to be capable of more universal application, a selection of detachable tubular elements of different diameters may be provided.

Preferably the inner surface of the tubular elastomeric element is formed with a plurality of projections in order to improve its grip on the light bulb. These projections may comprise two or more circumferentially-extending ridges, or a series of ridges or flutes which extend longitudinally of the element.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a tool according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates the tool of Figure 1, shown with its tubular elastomeric element in section; FIGURE 3 illustrates the tool of Figure 1 being used to fit a light bulb; and FIGURES 4 and 5 are perspective views of a control panel showing the tool of Figure 1 being used to remove a light bulb.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a light bulb fitting tool comprising a handle 2 from which an elongate shaft 4 extends, having an end portion 6 formed as a conventional square-drive. The tool further comprises a tubular elastomeric element 10, which is closed at one end and provided with a socket fitting 8 which receives the square-drive end 6 of the shaft 4. The arrangement allows tubular elastomeric elements 10 of various diameters to be fitted to the shaft according to the dimensions of the light bulb to be fitted. The tubular elastomeric element 10 tapers in internal diameter.

Figure 3 shows a light bulb 14 held frictionally within the tubular elastomeric element 10 of the tool, so that the threaded connecting portion 16 of the light bulb may be inserted into a socket 18 located at the base of a cavity 20 e.g. in a control panel. Clearly, given the dimensions of the cavity 20, it would be difficult to fit the bulb by hand.

Figures 4 and 5 show, in perspective, the action required to remove a recessed light bulb using a tool of the present invention. The tool is first pushed onto the bulb 14 (Figure 4) and then turned to release the bulb 14 from its screw or bayonet fitting (Figure 5). The bulb 14 remains held within the tubular elastomeric element 10 so that it may subsequently be removed from the recess.

Whilst the tool which has been described is primarily intended for small light bulbs e.g. less than 20mm in diameter, it would remain in accordance with the present invention for a similar tool to be used for bulbs of larger diameter, whether to be inserted into a screw or bayonet-type fitting.

Claims

1) A tool for fitting and removing light bulbs, said tool comprising a tubular elastomeric element for fitting over and frictionally engaging a light bulb, and a handle connected to said tubular elastomeric element for turning the latter.

2) A tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said tubular elastomeric element has a tapering internal diameter.

3) A tool as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said tubular elastomeric element is detachably connected to said handle.

4) A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elastomeric material from which the tubular element is formed allows a degree of radial expansion.

5) A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of said tubular elastomeric element is formed with a plurality of projections.

6) A tool as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said projections comprise two or more ridges which extend circumferentially of said element.

7) A tool as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said projections comprise a series of ridges or flutes which extend longitudinally of said element.

8) A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tubular elastic element comprises one of a set of such elements, each element having a different internal diameter.

9) A tool for fitting and removing light bulbs, the tool being substantially as herein described with reference to Claims 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.