Magnetic coupling for bulbs and sockets
OwnerMichael Archuleta, Jeri Archuletainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for easily and securely coupling objects together. In some examples, a coupling mechanism enables a user to install, remove, or replace conventional light bulbs (116) in conventional light bulb sockets (114), without the need to rotate the light bulb (116) several revolutions. A coupling mechanism uses a first adapter (112) threaded onto a conventional light bulb (116) and a second adapter (110) threaded onto a conventional light bulb socket (114). The first and second adapters (112, 110) use a combination of mechanical and magnetic coupling techniques to secure the light bulb (116) to the socket (114).
Claims16
A light bulb coupling mechanism comprising:
- a first adapter configured to attach to a light bulb socket, the first adapter having a cavity with a plurality of grooves formed in the cavity;
- for each of the plurality of grooves, a first magnetic material coupled to the first adapter in the proximity of a respective groove;
- a second adapter configured to attach to a light bulb, the second adapter having a plurality of protrusions extending from the second adapter;
- and
- for each of the plurality of grooves, a second magnetic material coupled to the second adapter in the proximity of a respective protrusion, wherein the first and second magnetic materials attract each other to bias the first and second adapters in a position where each of the plurality of protrusions are positioned in a respective groove proximate the respective first magnetic material.
A method of coupling light bulbs to light bulb sockets comprising:
- providing a first adapter, the first adapter having a plurality of protrusions extending radially outward from the respective adapter, each of the plurality of protrusions including a first magnetic material;
- providing a second adapter, the second adapter having a cavity with a plurality of grooves formed therein, each of the plurality of grooves having a termination point with a second magnetic material in the proximity of the respective termination point, wherein the first and second magnetic materials attract one another;
- attaching one of the first or second adapters to a light bulb and attaching the other to a light bulb socket;
- and
- placing the first and second adapters together such that each protrusion is positioned proximate a termination point of a respective groove and each first magnetic material is positioned proximate a respective second magnetic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.