Patent ID: 6109951
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: F21S,F21V,H01R

Abstract:
A connecting member for connecting Christmas lamp cords into a net-like structure, comprising:(a) a holding box including a pair of opposite first walls and a pair of opposite second walls connected with said first walls to form an interior space therebetween, each of said first walls having a tapered locating recess formed in an internal surface thereof and extending substantially from a top edge to a bottom edge of said first wall;(b) a connecting part removably received within said interior space of said holding box and including:(i) a connecting part body having a top surface and a pair of side surfaces at opposing ends of said top surface,(ii) a first tapered protrusion having a portion extending longitudinally along said top surface and portions extending along said pair of side surfaces of said connecting part body, each of said portions of said first tapered protrusion extending over a respective one of said side surfaces being engaged within a corresponding one of said tapered locating recesses of said first walls of said holding box,(iii) a pair of cord receiving recesses formed within said connecting part body, and(iv) a pair of conducting chips, each secured within a respective one of said cord receiving recesses, each said conducting chip having an outer part exposed on said top surface of said connecting part body;(c) a covering part adapted for sliding engagement with said holding box, said covering part including:(i) a top portion and a pair of walls extending along side edges of said top portion, and(ii) a second tapered protrusion extending longitudinally along an internal surface of said top portion of said covering part in substantial alignment with said portion of said first tapered protrusion extending along said top surface of said connecting part body;(d) a first cord including a pair of electrically insulated first wires, each of said first wires being received within a respective one of said cord receiving recesses of said connecting part body and being electrically coupled to a respective conducting chip; and(e) a second cord including a pair of electrically insulated second wires, each of said second wires extending in a respective channel defined between said top surface of said connecting part body and said internal surface of said top portion of said covering part by said first and second tapered protrusions, said outer part of each of said conducting chips respectively penetrating through electrical insulation of said second wires to thereby electrically couple said first and second cords.