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US 4,376,564 AGranted
Lightbulb lock
OwnerKenneth B. Kilbourneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for locking lightbulbs in their sockets comprises an insert member size to project through a hole in the wall of the socket and engage the base of the lightbulb and a collar adapted to encircle the socket and press the insert into tight engagement with the base of the lightbulb.
Claims15
An apparatus for locking lightbulbs in their holders and to prevent lightbulbs from being pilfered comprising:
- (a) at least one polymeric, electrically non-conductive locking insert sized to project through a hole in the wall of the holder and engage the base of a lightbulb mounted therein;
- (b) an electrically non-conductive band adapted to encircle the holder over the insert, the band having an inner surface engaging the holder, the inner surface being sufficiently large to completely cover the insert;
- and
- (c) means for tightening the band around the holder with the insert placed in the hole in the holder for forcing the insert into sufficiently tight engagement with the base of the lightbulb that the bulb cannot be removed from the holder without releasing the tightening means.
1 more element
An article for lighting comprising a lightbulb holder and a lightbulb mounted in the holder, the improvement comprising:
- (a) a polymeric, electrically non-conductive locking member mounted in a hole through the wall of the holder and in locking engagement with the base of the lightbulb;
- (b) an electrically non-conductive, polymeric band encircling the holder over the locking member, the band having an internal surface engaging the holder and the locking member;
- and
- (c) tightening means maintaining the band tightly around the locking member and forcing the locking member into sufficiently tight engagement with the base of the lightbulb to prevent removal of the lightbulb from the holder without releasing the tightening means.
1 more element
A method for securing a lightbulb in a holder comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting a locking apparatus comprising:
- (i) at least one polymeric, electrically non-conductive locking insert sized to project through a hole in the wall of the holder and engage the base of a lightbulb mounted therein;
- (ii) a polymeric, electrically non-conductive band adapted to encircle the holder over the insert, the band having an inner surface engaging the holder, the inner surface being sufficiently large to completely cover the insert;
- and
- (iii) means for tightening the band around the holder with the insert placed in the hole in the holder for forcing the insert into tight engagement with the base of the lightbulb to prevent removal of the bulb from the holder;
- (b) forming a hole sized to fit the insert in the wall of the holder;
- (c) placing the insert in the hole through the wall of the holder;
- (d) placing the band around the holder and over the insert;
- (e) placing a lightbulb in the holder;
- and
- (f) tightening the band with the tightening means a sufficient amount that the insert is forced into tight engagement with the base of the lightbulb to prevent removal of the lightbulb from the holder without releasing the tightening means.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.