Magnetic Bulb Holder Clip for Easy Seasonal Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulb holder clips lack secure attachment and detachment mechanisms, making them difficult to install and remove from holding structures, and do not allow for flexible positioning and storage of light bulbs.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic bulb holder clip with tubular body and integrated magnets that can attach to magnetic or non-magnetic surfaces, allowing easy installation and removal, and enable adjustable spacing and positioning for decorative lighting designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical mounting methods are used for bulb holder clips, then the clips can be securely attached to holding structures, but the installation and removal processes become time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mounting systems (screws, clips, or adhesives) with a magnetic mounting system. Magnets are embedded in the bulb holder clip to provide attachment force, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fastening mechanisms and enabling simple attachment by bringing the clip near the mounting surface and removal by pulling away.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical interlocking to magnetic attraction. By utilizing magnetic field strength as the attachment parameter instead of mechanical engagement, the system achieves both secure attachment during operation and easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and ease of installation/removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bulb holder clips use fixed mounting positions, then they provide stable support, but they lack flexibility for different lighting design configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic positioning capability through magnetic attachment. Unlike fixed mechanical mounting positions, the magnetic system allows the bulb holder clips to be freely positioned at any location on the mounting surface and easily repositioned or removed. The magnetic force maintains secure attachment regardless of position, enabling flexible lighting design configurations while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If bulb holder clips are designed for permanent installation, then they provide stable support, but they cannot be easily removed for storage or reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent mechanical fastening systems with reversible magnetic attachment. The magnetic force provides sufficient holding strength for the duration of use (lighting season) but allows easy removal by overcoming the magnetic attraction through simple pulling motion. This enables annual installation and removal for storage without damage to components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent supports periodic installation and removal cycles corresponding to seasonal lighting needs. The magnetic attachment system is designed to maintain secure attachment throughout the lighting season (duration of action) while enabling easy removal at the end of each season for storage and reuse the following year.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure, removable attachment of light bulbs to surfaces, facilitates easy storage, and allows for flexible design and spacing of lighting elements, reducing the risk of bird interference and simplifying seasonal setup and teardown.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more magnets can be used to releasably mount the bulb holder clip to a compatible mounting surface of a holding structure. If the mounting surface is formed of a magnetic material, the one or more magnets can be used to mount the bulb holder clip onto the magnetic surface. If the mounting surface is formed of a non-magnetic material (for example, an outer surface of an aluminum gutter) a steel or other magnetic holding member can be placed on a backing surface of the mounting article whereby the one or more magnets of the clip attract the magnetic holding member
Data Source
AI summary
A bulb holder clip includes a tubular body and a slot. The body surrounds an interior volume and extends to an open end of the body. The slot is formed in the body and enables a bulb socket attached to a wire to be received into the body. The socket while held in the body receives and holds a light bulb inserted into the socket from the open end of the body. At least one magnet is attached directly to the body or to an end wall closing a closed end of the body to support the clip while holding the socket and bulb against a holding surface for display.