# US 10,374,353 B2 · Magnetic coupling for bulbs and sockets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,353 B2 - Document ID: US10374353B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/570,351 - Filed: 2016-04-29 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-29 - Applicants: Michael Archuleta; Jeri Archuleta - Inventors: Michael Archuleta; Jeri Archuleta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374353B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/6205: {Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet} - F21V 19/006: {of point-like light sources, e.g. incandescent or halogen lamps, with screw-threaded or bayonet base (of sources having contact pins, wires or blades F21V19/0005; of LEDs or sources mounted on printed-circuit board F21V19/001)} - F21V 21/096: Magnetic devices - F21V 23/06: the elements being coupling devices {, e.g. connectors} - H01F 7/0247: {Orientating, locating, transporting arrangements} - H01R 13/622: Screw-ring or screw-casing (H01R13/623 takes precedence) - H01R 31/06: Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) - H01R 33/22: for screw type base, e.g. for lamp - H01R 33/94: Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## 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). ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 1, wherein each groove slopes downward and terminates proximate the position of the respective first magnetic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 2, further comprising, for each groove, a retaining surface disposed proximate the position of the respective first magnetic material and extending inward to retain a respective protrusion within the respective groove. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are comprised of magnets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second magnetic materials is comprised of a magnet and the other is comprised of a magnetic receptive material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a contact assembly coupled to the first adapter for providing electrical contact between a light bulb and a socket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 6, further comprising a second contact assembly coupled to the first adapter for providing a second electrical contact between the light bulb and the socket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light bulb coupling mechanism of claim 1, wherein first adapter has four grooves and the second adapter has four protrusions. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of grooves slopes downward toward the respective termination point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising providing, for each of the plurality of grooves, a retaining surface disposed proximate the termination point and extending inward to retain a respective protrusion within the respective groove. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are comprised of magnets. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein one of the first or second magnetic materials is comprised of a magnet and the other is comprised of a magnetic receptive material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a contact assembly coupled to at least one of the first or second adapters for providing electrical contact between the light bulb and the socket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a second contact assembly coupled to at least one of the first or second adapters for providing a second electrical contact between the light bulb and the socket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein first adapter has four protrusions and the second adapter has four grooves.