Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS
Scope of the Invention
This invention relates to lighting strings for
Christmas trees and, more particu].ar].y, to a novel
configuration for a Christmas tree light assembly.
Background of the Invention
In the past, Christmas tree lighting assemblies
have been known which provide a plurality of discrete
dependent strings of series connected lamp elements which
extend downwardly from a collar mounted about the top of a
Christmas tree. Known systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent
3,770,951 to Corelli and U.S. Patent 3,723,723 to Learner.
2~
Devices in accordance with these patents suffer a
number of disadvantages. In each numerous electrical
connections are required between strings of lights connected
in parallel. The considerable number of connections
provides a centralized location where overheating may arise.
In view of this requirement, each of the patents require a
substantial and rather unique coupling assembly to
accomodate the numerous connections. Such coupling
assemblies are expensive and inconvenient to manufacture.
Summary of the Invention
To at least partially overcome the disadvantages
of previously known devices, the present invention provides
a Christmas tree light assembly having a collar to couple
strings of series and parallel connected lights together
with junctures to connect the light strings together to be
conveniently spaced from the collar so that only pre-
insulated wire need pass through the collar supporting the
light strings.
An ob~ect of this invention is to provide a
Christmas tree light assembly of simple and economical
construction whereby a string of lights can easily be
arranged on a Christmas tree.
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Another object is to provide a simple construction
for a Christmas tree light assembly which utilizes simple
and inexpensive commercially available receptacles and
junctures to connect lights in series and in parallel
without the need for special junctions or terminals and
without the need to conceal or locate any terminals or
junctures within a collar to support the assembly about a
tree.
Another object is to provide a simple and
economical configuration whereby a number of strings each
comprising series connected lights may conveniently be
connected in parallel so as to provide on a single light
string a sufficient number of conventional lights adequate
to entirely light a typical Christmas tree.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present
invention provides a Christmas tree light assembly
comprising:
collar means adapted to removably surround the
trunk of a Christmas tree near the top of the tree,
the collar means having a first end; a second end,
support passageway means defined circumferentially
therewithin extending substantially from the first end to
the second end; and a row of circumferentially spaced
apertures opening into the passageway means,
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light wiring circuit means supported by the collar
means and comprising:
a first string of series connected lamps between
two insulated connector lead wires connected to a plug
connector for a wall outlet; and
a second string of series connected lamps between
two insulated juncture lead wires;
the second string connected to the first string in
parallel by the wire juncture leads at two junctures,
said junctures comprising a pair of three-wire
lamp receptacles in the first string,
the first and second strings otherwise than in
said junctures substantially comprising a plurality of
double lamp :Light receptacles spaced by segments of single-
5 strand insulated wire connecting adjacent receptacles,
the receptacles of each string arranged in a
plurality of loops with wire segments of each loop coupled
together to provide each loop as a discrete elongate strand
of a plurality of spaced receptacles extending to a remotely
0 locatable free end of the strand,
the strands extending from the passageway out the
apertures to the free ends with wire segments connecting
strands together passing through the passageway retained
therein,
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said junctures being provided on strands of the
co llar
first string at locations proximate the cou-~ing means but
spaced therefrom with the wire juncture leads connecting -the
second string to the first string passing through the
passageway substantially retained therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Further objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description of
preferred embodiments of the invention described with
reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a pictorial view showing the position
of the mounting collar and dependent strands of lights on a
Christmas tree, and including an opt.ional tree top
decoration;
Figure 2 is a schematic enlarged pictorial
representation of the mounting collar from Figure 1 and
showing upper portions of the strands extending therefrom;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of one
embodiment of a wiring circuit and the mounting collar in
accordance with this invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic pictorial representation
of a prior art two-wire lamp receptacle with a lamp
therefor;
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Figure 5 is a schematic pictorial representa~ion
of a prior art three-wire lamp receptacle wit'n a lamp
therefor; and
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a second
embodiment of a wiring circuit and mounting collar as shown
in Figure 1 and including an optional extension socket.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Reference is made first to Figure 1 which shows a
Christmas tree light assembly generally indicated as 10 in
accordance with the present invention in place decorating a
Christmas tree 12. Mounting collar 14 removably wraps
around -trunk 16 of tree 12 near i-ts top and preferably is,
to some exten-t, hidden by the surrounding branches.
Mounting collar 14 suspends strands oE lights of which four
strands are visible as 50, 51, 52 and 53. Collar 14 may
substantially bear the weight of the strands. Each strand
has a number of lamps generally indicated as 20 spaced along
its length. Each of these strands extend from the mounting
collar 14 to a remotely loca-table free end 22 of the
strand. A power cord 24 extends from mounting collar 14 to
a plug connector 26 for a known electrical wall outlet. A
switch 28 may be provided in the power cord.
In use of the assembly in accordance with the
present invention, mounting ring 14 is secured about the
trunk 16 of the Christmas tree near the top of the tree.
Discrete individual s-trands can then individually be placed
in and about the branches of the tree so as to generally
extend downwardly. The provision of the discrete strands
with their remotely locatable free ends 22 facilitates and
speeds up light placement.
Figure 1 also shows an optional tree top ornament,
namely, an electrically lighted star 30. While not clearly
shown, as will later be described with reference to
Figure 6, a power cord 32 from star 30 has a plug connector
for electrical connection to an optical socket connector 36
provided on the embodiment of the invention of the present
application shown in Figures 1 and 6.
Reference is now made to Figure 3 showing a
schematic representation of a preferred wiring diagram in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention. In F`igure 3, the straight black lines represent
lengths of continuous insulated single-strand wire. A
plurality of double wire lamp receptacles are generally
indicated as 38. In Figure 3, there are also shown only two
triple wire lamp receptacles 40 and 42. All the remaining
lamp receptacles in Figure 3 are double wire lamp
receptacles 28. To assist description of the wire in the
circuits, at selected bends and junctures of the wire,
reference numerals A to Y have been provided and different
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lengths of the wire in a circuit will be described by
reference to these letters.
Figure 3 is a schematic view showing not only the
wiring circuit of the assembly, but also the relative
location of different elements comprising the wire assembly
as juxtapositioned relative to mounting collar 14 with
openings to mounting collar 14 effectively shown at one
end 44 and along one side 45 a plurality of spaced downward
opening apertures 46.
The wiring circuit comprises a first string of
series connected lights represented by the wiring segment
outlined by following letters A to 0 in sequence through B,
This first light string has its receptacles whether double
wire lamp receptacles 38 or the -two triple wire lamp
receptacles 40 and 42 connected in series. The first light
string is connected to plug connector 26 by two insulated
connector lead wires being wire segments AB and N0. Along
each of wire segments CE, GE and KM, the first light string
comprises a plurality of lamp receptacles spaced by
individual smaller segments of single-strand insulated wire
which connects the adjacent recptacles. The receptacles of
the first light string are arranged into three loops shown
as CEF, GHI and JKL. While not shown in Figure 3, the wire
segments and receptacles comprising each loop are coupled
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g
together so as to provide each loop as a discrete elongate
strand, namely, strands 50, 51 and S2 corresponding to the
strands shown generally as 18 in Figure 1. Each strand
includes a plurality of spaced receptacles and extends to a
remotely locatable free end as at E, H and K. Preferably,
the wire segments of each loop may be coupled together as by
a simple twisting as, for example, of wire segments CEF
about the wire segments and receptacles provided along
lengths DE and EF. Strand 50 is coupled to strand 51 by
wire segment FG. Similarly, strand 51 is coupled to strand
52 by wire segment IJ. Wire segments BC and MN connect
strands 50 and 52 to the wire juncture leads AB and NO. The
circuit includes a second light string of series connected
lamp receptacles comprising circuitry formed by wire segment
DPQRSTOVWL. This second circuit, as shown in Figure 3, is
entirely made up of series connected double wire lamp
receptacles also indicated 38. The receptacles of second
string are arranged in three loops, JKL, PQR and STU. The
wire segments of each loop are coupled together to provide
each loop as a discrete elongate strand of a plurality of
receptacles extending to a remotely locatable free end,
indicated as poin-ts Q, T and V, respectively. The wire
segments in each loop may be coupled together as being
twisted to form individual strands indicated 53, 54 and
55. Wire segments RS connect strands 53 to strands 54 and
wire segment UV connects strand 54 to strand 55. Wire
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strand PD and LYX are insulated wire juncture leads which
couple the strands of the second light string to the first
light string at three-wire lamp terminals 40 and 42,
respectively. By such coupling, the second light string is
connected in parallel with the first light string. As seen
in Figure 3, each of strands 50 to 55 extend out from
mounting collar 14 through an aperture 46 to the respective
discrete ends of the strands~ Portions of the wire segments
which connect the strands together, pass internally through
the mounting collar 14 from one aperture 46 to another via a
passageway generally indicated 56 within the mounting
collar. Thus, wire segments FG, IJ, RS and UV are within
mounting collar 14. The wire segments which substantially
extend from the ends of the strands of the second light
string to the triple wire receptacles 40 and 42 oE the first
light string, namely, wire segments PD and XYL are also
within mounting collar 14 as are the wire segments CB and
MN, which connect the strands of the first light string to
the connector lead wires.
Use of the triple wire lamp receptacles 40 and 42
provides an advantageous system for coupling of the second
light string to the first light string in a parallel
relation. Preferably, both the triple wire receptacles 40
and 42 are disposed on strands 50 and 51 of the first light
string close to mounting collar 14 so as to minimize the
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extent to whlch wire segments PD or XYL extend from mounting
collar 14.
The particular arrangement of the wire segments as
shown in Figure 3 advantageously permit merely preinsulated
wires to pass through and be received within mounting collar
14 so that all electrical junctions are made outside of
mounting collar 14. This facilitates the use of
conventional coupling junctures such as the double and
triple wire lamp receptacles. This also eliminates the need
for any particular specialized juncture or configuration
within mounting collar 14 in order to advantageously pass
Canadian Standards Association electrical certification and
approval.
Reference is now made to Figure 2 which shows an
enlarged pictorial view Oe the mounting collar partially
open to show its construction. ln Figure 2, strands 50 to
55 may clearly be seen to extend out of apertures 46 in the
mounting collar 14. The mounting collar may be seen to
comprise a planar sheet of flexible material 58 such as
polyproplylene or sonic weldable vinyl which is provided
with circular apertures 46 along its longitudinal center
fold line 60. The side edges 61 and 62 of the sheet are
folded upwardly to overlie each other and be secured
together at least along these edges so as to form a
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longitudinally extending passageway 64 open at a first end
44 and also at each of the apertures 46. More preferably,
pre-folded vinyl sheets may be sealed tocether over the
entirety of the surfaces to effectively capture and retain
the wire segments laid therebetween.
Coupling devices may be provided so as to couple
the first end 44 of the mounting collar to its second end
45. A preferred coupling system is a touch fastening system
such as the well-known VELCRO trade mark touch fastening
system with a hook forming pad 66 disposed at a first end 44
and eyelet forming pad 68 provided at a second end 45.
Reference is made now to Figure 6 which shows a
second embodiment of a wiring circuit in accordance with the
present invention.
Figure 6 is identical to Figure l other than in
three features. The first feature, an off/on electrical
switch 28 is disposed in the power cord for a matter of
convenience. Secondly, the three-wire lamp receptacle 40
has been replaced by a conventional three-way coupling
generally indicated as a solid dot 82.
A third parallel line generally indicated 84 has
been added coupled in parallel to second light string 56.
To accomodate this third light string, the lamp receptacles
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of strands 53 and 55 closest to collar 14 have been replaced
by three-wire lamp receptacles 70 and 72. Wire segments 74
and 76 substantially extend from these lamp receptacles
through apertures 46 and within mounting collar 14 to where
they pass through upwardly directed aperture 78 in the
mounting collar as extension lead wires for socket connector
36 adapted to receive a conventional plug from a Christmas
top decoration such as that of top cord 32 from star 30 as
seen in Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a preferred type of a prior art
-two-wire lamp receptacle 38 for use in accordance with the
present invention~ Such receptacles have a removable lamp
20. The lamp 20 preferably has an internal shunt in
parallel with the filament which carries current when a
filament ~pens so that upon failure o-E the filament, the
burnt out lamp does not render the series circuit
incomple-te. The receptacle receives two wire segments 80
and 82. Figure 5 shows a known prior art type of a similar
three-wire lamp receptacle identical to the receptacle of
20 Figure 4 but permitting connection of two wires 84 and 85 to
one side of the lamp and one wire 86 to the other side. The
lamps 20 have connection wires 88 on each side for contact
with plates 90 in each receptacle.
The preferred embodiments show the collar as a
flexible sheet of plastic which requires its ends to be
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attached to couple the collar about the tree. The collar
may take many forms including resilient C-shaped collars
which may be flexed to fit about the tree and due to their
resiliency would remain about the trunk.
A collar having a number of tabs or hook-like
portions such as that shown in USP 4,720,773 may be used, in
which case the passageway is conceptionally formed by the
wires being engaged behind the tabs.
In the preferred embodiment, the lamps are each
2.5 volt with 16 lamps on each strand for a total of 48
lamps on each string representing 120 volts total. While
only two parallel strings are shown, third additional
strings can be provided in parallel with the first and
second string. The number of lamps and their voltages may
be adjusted as desired, as may the number of strands per
each string.
The assembly can be fashioned either for indoor or
outdoor use.
While the invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, it is not so limited.
Any modifications and variations will now occur to those
skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention,
reference is made to the appended claims.
