Pivotable Bulb Gripper Stake for Decorative Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light stakes are cumbersome to use, particularly when dealing with LED lights, as they often require hammering and can cause discomfort due to sharp corners, and they do not efficiently accommodate both incandescent and LED lights, leading to difficulties in installation and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A stake with a pivotable bulb gripper that can move from a co-linear to a perpendicular position, featuring a U-shaped body with teeth and a curved top surface to securely hold various light sizes, including LEDs, allowing for easy manual insertion without the need for hammering and reducing user discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing light stakes are used with hammering installation, then the stake can be securely installed in the ground, but it causes user discomfort due to sharp corners and potential damage to the stake or user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing sharp corners with rounded surfaces. The stake head features a curved top surface and rounded edges that eliminate sharp corners, allowing manual insertion without hammering while preventing user discomfort and potential damage during installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed position bulb gripper is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate both incandescent and LED lights efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bulb gripper movable rather than fixed. The bulb gripper can pivot between a first position for securing lights and a second position for accessing the light socket, enabling accommodation of both incandescent and LED lights while maintaining manageable device complexity through a simple hinge mechanism.
3Length of stationary object
If the bulb gripper is positioned co-linear with the stake, then the packaging height is minimized, but it is difficult to access the light socket for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the bulb gripper to pivot between positions. When needed for installation, the bulb gripper can be moved to a second position that provides easy access to the light socket. For packaging, it can be positioned in a first location that minimizes the overall height, thus resolving the contradiction between compact packaging and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If manual insertion without hammering is used, then user comfort is improved, but the stake may not be securely installed in hard ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing a rounded stake head with a curved top surface that facilitates manual insertion into the ground without requiring hammering. The curved geometry reduces resistance during insertion while maintaining adequate installation security for typical applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A stake for holding decorative lights has a stake portion having a pointed end and a head attached to the opposite end of the stake portion. The head has an open center and a top portion. A bulb gripper is pivotably attached to the inner surface of the top portion, such that the bulb gripper can be moved from a position which is co-linear with a centerline through the stake portion to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the centerline through the stake. The bulb gripper has a tab sized and positioned to engage another tab on the head when the bulb gripper is in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the stake portion locking the bulb gripper in place.