Abstract:
A posable, bendable, string of decorative lights that can be formed into shapes and scenes by the user that includes a string of electrically circuited light bulb sockets togther with white or colored light bulbs, attached to a bendable, flexiable, wire, of such a type and gauge that the wire is easily bent and positioned without tools and will not break easily, and coated with an insulated protective coating. Can be used indoors or outdoors and can be connected to one another.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    The present invention is a continuation of Disclosure Document Number 484,228 filed on Dec. 26, 2000.  
         FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to holiday decorative lighting. More specifically, the present invention relates to holiday decorative lighting that is bendable and posable.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    The holiday season is a time of fun and happiness for most everyone. A great deal of holiday cheer comes from yearly traditions that are passed from generation to generation. One holiday tradition that is enjoyed by many is decorating with holiday lights both within and without a person&#39;s home and/or business. When it comes to decorative lighting, however, one is limited to either pre-fabricated shapes that can be bought at a store or if one wishes to be creative with a traditional string of lights, one mist incorporate a board or background surface which the lights are shaped and then somehow affixed to ensure that they maintain their shape. This can be messy and time consuming. Consequently, the need has been felt for a string of lights that can be molded and formed without being mounted. The present invention fulfills this need.  
           [0004]    Further, often during the Christmas holiday, due to personal commitments or death, loved ones cannot always be present. Such absence leaves an empty feeling in the hearts of those who missed their loved ones. While some decorations help to alleviate such empty feelings, traditionally there are no special lighted decorations created to represent a missing loved one. Consequently, the need for such device has been felt. The present invention fulfills this need.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The posable string of lights is a device, available in many different colors, depending upon the holiday, either all the same color or multi-colored on the same string, that allows the user to bend, shape, and pose the lights into different shapes. The user can make lighted jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, candy canes for Christmas, and bunnies for Easter. The creative possibilities are limited only by user.  
           [0006]    The posable string of lights is further a device and method by which to remember loved ones during the holiday season. In the event of a new American Indian Tradition, the posable string of lights is spiraled around the trunk of a Christmas tree. The glow from within the interior of the tree reminds the viewer of the spirit of the loved one who is absent physically, but is always present within one&#39;s heart.  
           [0007]    It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a decorative string of lights that can be easily shaped and posed into a variety of creative scenes and shapes.  
           [0008]    It is further object of the present invention to provide a device and method by which loved ones are remembered. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the posable string of lights.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the posable string of lights.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the posable string of lights within a protective plastice tube.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 depicts one possible creation with the posable string of lights.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5. Depicts the posable string of lights spiraled around the trunk of a tree. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The posable string of lights  10  is a string of lights that is capable of being bent and molded into various shapes, designs, and poses.  
         [0016]    As shown in FIG. 1, the posable string of lights  10  includes a string of electrically circuited light bulb sockets  20  together with light bulbs  22  inserted therein (hereinafter referred to as “string of lights  24 ”). The light bulb sockets  20  in the preferred embodiment are sized to receive miniature decorative light bulbs  22 . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the bulb sockets  20  can be sized to receive any size light bulb  22 . A smaller size light bulb  22  is preferred for creating holiday displays or scenes. One of ordinary skill in the art would further recognize that the distance between the light bulb sockets  20  can be any number of distances without altering the purpose and function of the present invention, ie: the light bulb sockets  20  can be as close together as side by side, touching one another, or as far apart as one at each end of the string of lights  24  or at any increment in between. For creating displays or scenes, it is preferred that the light bulb sockets  20  be two inches apart from one another.  
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the light bulb sockets  20  are wired in a parallel circuit to prevent the entire string of lights  24  from ceasing to glow when only one light bulb  22  is blown out. One of the ordinary skill in the art would recognize, however, that the string of lights  24  can be wired in a series circuit. Further, the light bulbs  22  can be any color imaginable. Different colors are preferred for different holidays and/or events. The string of lights  24  can be filled with light bulbs  22  of all the same color or with multicolored light bulbs  22  depending on the creativity of the user.  
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment a posable or stiffening wire  30  is attached to one side of the string of lights  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening wire  30  is adhered with a permanent adhesive or glue (not shown) to the outside of the light bulb sockets  20 . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there are a number of ways in which the stiffening wire  30  can be attached to the string of lights  24 , including, but not limited to soldering the stiffening wire  30  in place. In an alternative embodiment, the stiffening wire  30  is attached to the insulated electrical cored  21  instead of to the light bulb sockets  20 . In the preferred embodiment the stiffening wire  30  is an insulated 10 gauge copper wire in order to provide the correct amount of stiffening and “posability”. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other gauges and types of wires can be substituted for the insulated 10 gauge copper wire and that the gauge is dependent upon the type of wire as well as the performance. It is essential that the stiffening wire  30  is easily posable, bendable with breaking, and that the stiffening wire  30  holds the shape into which it is molded.  
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, after the stiffening wire  30  is attached to the string of lights  24 , the stiffening wire  30  and string of lights  24  “combination” is covered with a protective coating  40  leaving the light bulb sockets  20  and light bulbs  22  uncovered and visible.  
         [0020]    The protective coating  40  is preferably made of rubber. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the protective coating  40  can be made of a number of different materials, including, but not limited to different types of plastics and/or epoxies. In a preferred embodiment, the protective coating  40  is sprayed on, ensuring that the light bulb sockets  20  are not covered. Further, the protective coating  40  must be flexible. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the protective coating  40  can be adhered to the combination in a number of different ways, including, but not limited to a dipping process wherein the combination is dipped into a vat of coating, again without covering the light bulb sockets  20 . It is further recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the string of lights  24  need not be covered with a protective coating  40  and can be left as seen in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    As shown in FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, the posable string of lights  10  is inserted into a pliable translucent shroud herein referred to as a pliable tube  50  for additional protection from the elements when used outdoors. In a preferred embodiment, the pliable tube  50  is constructed of a translucent, transparent plastic that can be easily molded without cracking. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, however, that the pliable tube  50  need not be clear and can be tinted any color imaginable.  
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the posable string of lights  10  is available in a number of different lengths and is fitted with an electrical receiver  60  and electrical plug  62  for plugging one posable string of lights  10  into another posable string of lights  10  and/or into an electrical outlet  63  or extension cord (not shown), etc. See FIG. 4. A traditional string of lights can also be intermingled with the posable string of lights  10 . It is preferred that the linght of the posable string of lights  10  be varied to allow users to be more creative with their designs. Also in a preferred embodiment, the posable string of lights  10  can be used indoors as well as outdoors.  
         [0023]    The posable string of lights  10  molded into the decorative shape of a pumpkin is shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 depicts the posable string of lights  10  after it has be spiraled around a trunk of a tree  70 , creating an inner glow to the tree  70  and reminding the user of loved ones who cannot be physically present.  
         [0025]    Although this invention has certain preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.