Abstract:
An apparatus for installing a string of decorative lighting, such as Christmas or party lights, in an elevated location without requiring the use of a ladder. The apparatus allows the string of lights to be hung simultaneously with a hanging bracket or clip suitable for hanging the lights from a gutter or shingles. A clamp, actuated between an open and closed position, securely holds the light string by a socket rather than the wire string, while the light string is being hung. The clamp preferably includes prongs oriented in different directions, one direction adapted for hanging a string of lights with a hook-type hanging bracket and the other direction adapted for use with a clip-type hanger. A protective body covers the bulb while the light string is being hung.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This case claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/793,457 filed Mar. 15, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a pole for installing a string of decorative lighting, such as Christmas or party lights, in an elevated location. The pole is particularly useful for hanging light strings using pre-attached hanging clips or brackets that secure the light string to a gutter or to shingles. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Decorative stringed lights are commonly hung from elevated locations, such as gutters or from shingles. Typically, these lights are manually hung using a ladder, requiring the user to repeatedly climb the ladder to hang a single light on the string, climb down and move the ladder to the next location. This is a tedious and dangerous task. Alternatively, these lights may be hung with the assistance of a pole and a hanging adapter. The adapter is generally a two pronged, V-shaped hook that is attachable to common household poles, such as a broom handle or a painter&#39;s pole with a threaded end. The V-shaped hook does not securely hold the light string while it is being hung. The light string can slip off the hook, causing the lights to fall and the bulbs to break. Additionally, the V-shaped hook adapter merely hooks onto the string portion of the lights to lift the string to a clip or bracket already in place on the gutter or shingle. While this type of hanging adapter is helpful, its use requires the clips or brackets to already be in place on the gutter or shingles. If they are not already in place, then the user is required to climb the ladder to install them along the length of gutter or building on which the lights are to be hung, which is again tedious and dangerous. 
     A clamping type hanger, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,584, that is permanently attached to a pole is also known. This hanger has a jaw-like clamp that securely holds the string (wiring) portion of the lights, with the jaw being actuated between an open and closed position by a trigger on the pole handle. This type of hanger may cause damage to the wiring on the light string. Also, like with the V-shaped adapter, this type of hanger is not suitable for hanging a light string on a gutter or from shingles using clips or brackets unless those clips and brackets have already been manually installed using a ladder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The light installation pole disclosed herein may be used to simultaneously install a clip or bracket for hanging a light string on a gutter or from shingles and hang the light string, without requiring the user to climb a ladder. In a preferred embodiment, the light installation pole comprises a handle, a pole of suitable length to reach most gutters and lower roof lines from the ground (and preferably a telescoping pole with suitable extendable length), a head, and a clamp for securely holding a light bulb socket with a hanging bracket or clip pre-attached. According to one preferred embodiment, the clamp is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position by actuation of a trigger disposed on the handle. According to another preferred embodiment, the clamp grasps the socket portion of a light, along with part of a hanging bracket or clip already attached to the light socket on the string of lights rather than grasping the wiring. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the light bulb is inserted inside the head during the hanging operation, providing protection for the bulb. According to yet another preferred embodiment, after a first bulb is hung, the clamp may be used to grasp the socket on subsequent bulbs once they are in an elevated position (because of the wire string attachment to the first bulb that has been hung) without requiring the user to manually insert the socket into the clamp. 
     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The apparatus of the invention are further described and explained in relation to the following drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a light hanging apparatus according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the head and clamp, in the open position ready to grasp a portion of a string of lights having a hanging bracket; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the head and clamp of  FIG. 2 , with the light bulb inserted into the head and the clamp in the closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the head and clamp of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the head and clamp of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the head and clamp of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the head and clamp of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the handle with the trigger in the released position; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the handle with the trigger in the retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one preferred embodiment of a light hanging pole apparatus  10  is depicted. The light hanging pole preferably comprises a handle  12 , a pole  14 , a head  16 , and a clamp  18 . Also depicted in  FIG. 1 , for illustrative purposes, is a portion of a string of decorative lights  20  with a hanging bracket  22  suitable for use in hanging light string  20  from a gutter, for example, pre-attached to the light bulb socket  21 . The particular bulb shape and size and hanging bracket depicted are not intended to be limiting and the light hanging pole apparatus  10  of the invention may be used with different bulb shapes and sizes and other types of hanging brackets or clips. Pole  14  may be made from plastic or metal, and is preferably light-weight but sturdy enough to support the weight of head  16 , clamp  18 , a light bulb and socket  21  from light string  20 , and hanging bracket  22  without significantly bowing. Pole  14  is preferably telescoping to aid in ease of use. Head  16  is retracted to allow insertion of the bulb into head  16  and secure the light socket  21  in clamp  18  (as described in greater detail below). For a telescoping pole  14 , the pole may be retracted while the bulb is being loaded and then extended to install the bracket  22  in the desired location. Pole  14  is preferably long enough, or has sufficient extendable length, to reach the height of most gutters and rook lines from the ground. Head  16  and clamp  18  are preferably made from plastic but other materials may also be used. Head  16  and clamp  18  are preferably sized to accommodate most decorative bulb shapes and socket sizes; however, they may be made in varying sizes to accommodate extremely large or oddly shaped lights. 
       FIGS. 2-7  depict preferred embodiments of head  16  and clamp  18 . Clamp  18  preferably comprises two clamp arms  24  and at least one hinge  50  for connecting clamp  18  to head  16 . Preferably, each clamp arm  24  has a hinge  50 .  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6  depict clamp arms  24  in the open position, ready to have a light bulb and socket  21  inserted.  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  7  depict clamp arms  24  in the closed position, with the light bulb inserted into body  34 , ready to hang this portion of light string  20  by bracket  22 . Each clamp arm  24  preferably comprises a longitudinal portion  25 , recessed area  26 , upper prong  28 , lower prong  30 , elbow  32 , and shoulder  44 . Each clamp arm  24  is preferably unitarily molded as a single part, but may be made as separate parts joined together as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Longitudinal portions  25  are disposed within body  34  substantially along a sidewall of body  34  and spaced apart approximately 180°. Each clamp arm  24  extends forwardly from a hinge  50 , which attaches each clamp arm to neck  46 . 
     Head  16  is preferably attached to pole  14  by a pivoting joint  42 . A push button  40  may be provided to actuate pivot joint  42 . Head  16  preferably comprises body  34 , tab  38 , pivot joint  42 , neck  46 , spring cap disk  52  and spring  56 . Body  34  is substantially cylindrical, with slight tapering from front to back. Body  34  preferably slidably engages neck  46 , allowing body  34  to be disposed in a more forward position (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) or in a more rearward position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Tab  38  is optionally provided as a thumb rest or hook to aid in pivoting head  16 . Forward-most edge  48  of body  34  is the widest part of body  34  and body  34  narrows as it extends back toward tab  38 . Disposed on the interior of body  34  is a spring cap disk  52  at which a string or cable  54  for actuating movement of body  34  terminates. Disk  52  is connected to spring  56 . Cable  54  preferably is inserted through a slot or aperture  55  in disk  52  and the end of string  54  is secured with a crimped tubular ferrule  53  to prevent it from slipping back through aperture  55 . Alternate configurations for running cable  54  through body  34  and connecting a terminal end of cable  54  to body  34  or another component attached to body  34  may also be used as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When cable  54  is retracted, it causes disk  52  to compress spring  56 , moving and holding body  34  in a rearward or retracted position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). When cable  54  is relaxed, spring  56  is allowed to expand, pushing against disk  52  and moving and holding body  34  in a forward position (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). Apertures through which cable  54  runs are preferably disposed at periodic lengths along an interior of pole  14  to guide cable  54 . Cable  54  is preferably made of nylon monofilament, but other materials may also be used. 
     When clamp  18  is in the closed position (as depicted in  FIG. 7 ), each clamp shoulder  44  is substantially disposed inside body  34 , abutting an interior surface of body  34  adjacent forward-most edge  48 . In this way, body  34  holds clamp  18  in the closed position. When clamp  18  is in the open position (as depicted in  FIG. 6 ), clamp shoulders  44  are disposed forwardly of forward-most edge  48  of body  34 , allowing clamp arms  24  to spread apart by hinge  50 . Hinge  50  is preferably a spring type hinge that forces clamp arms  24  outward if not held in a more closed position by the force of body  34  acting on arms  24 , but other configurations allowing arms  24  to pivot between an open and closed position may be used. 
     Body  34  and clamp arms  24  (particularly when clamp  18  is in the closed position) are sized to accommodate most bulb shapes and sizes without any portion of body  34 , or clamp  18 , having to contact the bulb once it is inserted into body  34  and being hung. The bulb is protected while inside body  34  and will not be damaged by contact with the structure from which light string  20  is being hung during the hanging operation. Recessed areas  26  on each clamp arm  24  cooperate to grasp socket  21  when clamp  18  is in the closed position. The string or wire on light string  20  rests on elbows  32 , to hold the string out of the way so that it does not interfere with hanging the bracket  22 . Apparatus  10  does not hold or grasp light string  20  by the string or wire, so there is no risk of damaging the wiring. Upper prong  28  and lower prong  30  extend forwardly of recessed area  26  and shoulder  44  on each clamp arm  24 . Upper prong  28  is disposed relative to lower prong  30  at an angle of approximately 90°, with lower prong  30  being substantially in-line with longitudinal portions  25 , head  16 , and pole  14  (when head  16  is not pivoted out of line with pole  14 ). Lower prong  30  is most useful with hook-type hanger for gutter installations, such as bracket  22  that depicted in  FIGS. 2-3 . When a light bulb is loaded into apparatus  10  for hanging, the hooks of bracket  22  being disposed on the outer side of lower prong  30  (with elbow  32  being disposed on the inside of lower prong  30 , for reference). The clip-type hanger typically used with shingle-type installations, such as that depicted in U.S. Design Patent D675,510, does not have the hooks on the back like bracket  22 . Upper prong  28  is most useful with a clip-type hanger for shingle installations. When installing that type of clip, the clip portion would be disposed on the outer side of upper prong  28  (again with elbow  32  being disposed on the inside of upper prong  28 , for reference). Depending on which type of hanger is being installed, apparatus  10  is rotated so that the appropriate prong, either upper prong  28  or lower prong  30 , is oriented closest to the location where light string  20  is to be hung. 
     A preferred embodiment of handle  12  is depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Handle  12  preferably comprises an actuator or trigger  58 , finger grips  57 , a trigger hinge or pivot joint  60 , and string guide  62 . Actuator or trigger  58  actuates the opening and closing movement of the clamp  18 . Cable  54  passes between guide  62  and over trigger  58 . When actuator or trigger  58  is in the retracted or depressed position (as shown in  FIG. 9 ), cable  54  is retracted causing body  34  to be in the rearward position and clamp  18  to be open (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). When trigger  58  is in the released position (as shown in  FIG. 8 ), cable  54  is relaxed allowing body  34  to be in the forward position and clamp  18  to be closed (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the orientation of clamp  18  as opened or closed relative to trigger  18  being depressed or released may easily be reversed. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the modifications to apparatus  10  necessary to have cable  54  connected directly to clamp  18 , with body  34  being stationary and clamp  18  sliding in and out of body  34 , to actuate opening and closing. Other methods and structure for actuating the opening and closing of clamp  18  will also be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     To hang a portion of light string  20 , clamp  18  should first be in the open position as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Trigger  58  is depressed or retracted, which retracts cable  54  causing compression of spring  56  which causes body  34  to slide rearwardly toward pole  14  and clamp arms  24  to spread apart, opening clamp  18 . The user grasps light string  20  by the rear of socket  21  (closest to the wire or string) or by bracket  22  and inserts the bulb into body  34  between arms  24 , with bracket  22  being on the outer side of lower prong  30  and the string or wire of light string  20  resting on elbow  32 . Once the light is inserted, trigger  58  is released, which causes cable  54  to relax and spring  56  to expand, which causes body  34  to slide forwardly to close clamp arms  24  so that recessed areas  26  grasp the socket  21  and a portion of the bracket  22 . Most preferably, if pole  14  is a telescoping pole, it is in a retracted position while the light is being loaded so that a single user can easily use one hand to load the light and the other hand to depress and release trigger  58 . After the light is loaded and clamp  18  is closed, pole  14  is extended to the appropriate length to reach the location where the light will be hung. The hooks on bracket  22  are hung over the lip of a gutter, for example, and trigger  58  is again depressed, which causes cable  54  to retract and body  34  to slide rearwardly so that clamp arms  24  spread apart releasing socket  21 . The pole  14  is then moved slightly, so that head  16  and clamp  18  are moved away from the hanging area, pole  14  is then retracted again and another light bulb is loaded. Most preferably, the second bulb to be hung is located five or six bulbs down the string from the first bulb, repeating the steps above. The user then goes back and repeats the process for the five or six bulbs in between, only the user is not required to manually insert socket  21  and the bulb into head  16  since they are already at an elevated height. One of the advantages of apparatus  10  is that it allows the user to grasp socket  21  solely using clamp  18  without requiring the user to manually insert socket  21  or the bulb into head  16  for hanging the set of intermediate bulbs. The process is repeated until all of the desired light string is hung. 
     References to front (or forward) and rear (or back) herein generally refer to the direction when the light hanging apparatus  10  is being used to hang a portion of lights string  20 . In use, the end with handle  12  is in the rear direction and the end with clamp  18  is in the forward direction. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate upon reading this specification and the description of preferred embodiments herein that modifications and alterations to the apparatus and methods may be made within the scope of the invention and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor is legally entitled.