Decorative lighting strand and method of assembling and installing same

A decorative lighting strand for decorating a surface having a limb with a branch extending from the limb, where the strand has a length of wire connecting a plurality of decorative bulbs and midway the strand there is a hub which can be secured on the limb so that the strand can be extended from the hub along the branch from each side of the limb, and the invention includes multiple such strands electrically connected together each of which can be arranged in a horizontal plane of the surface. The invention also includes the method of decorating a surface with one or more such lighting strands which includes the steps of attaching the hub midway the length of the strand to the limb and extending the strand along one or more branches from each side of the hub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional lighting systems for holiday and similar decoration have many inherent problems, for example:

Safety

The National Fire Protection Association reported that in the years 2000-2004, 1500 Christmas tree fires caused 70 deaths, 105 injuries and $84,000,000 in direct property damage, resulting from real and artificial trees. According to the US Fire Administration Department of Homeland Security, home decorations and holiday season fires resulted in 2,600 fires and loss of $930,000.000.

These losses were in great part attributable to frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear of wires before putting them up. Often these loses resulted from the use of long lengths of light strands, which frequently became tangled, particularly when stored and reused from year to year, and the lights sometimes became shorted when stored or twisted in a conventional fashion damaging the wires as they were applied both vertically and horizontally over the surface of the tree or other areas.

Positioning and Applying of Lights

Conventionally, most holiday decorators start at the top of the tree or other surface. The long strands of lights, which are frequently tangled, are twisted to accommodate the surface on which they are applied, and usually moved circularly around the surface to be decorated and then downwardly on another level of the surface or tree. This positioning of the lights usually requires two hands to accomplish and, even then, the decorator's motions are contortions to accommodate the surface to be decorated. While most fire authorities recommend that only three strands of lights be connected, to fully decorate the surface additional strands are frequently required and they are usually connected in series or from the same outlet, sometimes even those precautions result in an overload and fire hazard, and many people connect more than three strands together.

The alignment of the lights on a strand can also be a problem, because the bulb may not be in a proper position, frequently because the twisting application of the strand on the surface. For example, if the bulb should be oriented vertically, and the wire are twisted, the bulb will certainly be canted in an undesirable position.

A conventional lighting string requires the decorator to find the beginning, middle and end of the strand, and typically, that is not only difficult but also frustrating as the strands are normally intermixed. With the strands embodying the present invention, there is always a focal point or center for decorating a surface, because the hook or hub provides a starting point for the decoration.

Storing of the Lights

To prepare for storage, the wires must be untwisted and followed over the entire surface and that removal process can be difficult and frequently results in unseen hidden damage to the strand of lights, which is often not notices until the decoration job is completed—and then the strands must be removed, repaired or replaced and the tree or surface must be decorated again.

A great deal of damage can be done to conventional light strands when they are stored from year to year. For example, the wires and lights become twisted and often stuck to one another in an undesirable fashion, putting particular stress on the wires and bulbs and making the separating of the strand for application difficult—and sometime hazardous.

Damage caused by storage of conventional light strands may not be noticed from year to year, and if a short result, it may not be seen. Seemingly small shorts in conventional light strands are particularly hazardous when the strand is applied to an artificial tree, because a short can make the entire tree dangerous.

Creativity of Design

The difficulties in handling and designing decorations using conventional light strands is apparent from the foregoing discussion, because such strands are usually very long, and the movement of the decorator in applying the strand around the tree is inconvenient, stressful, and difficult, and the result is often unattractive. An improper arrangement of the lights on the surface will not only be dangerous, but also may not be attractive, especially where hot or empty spots on the decorated surfaces result. These problems are often not visible until the entire surface has been trimmed, and then the job must be done anew.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the present invention, a relatively short light strand, usually able to accommodate only a single branch of a trees or a single surface of the areas to be decorated only in either a selected horizontal or vertical mode, but usually not in both directions. Strands may be bundled together and joined together centrally or in a selected manner, so that they may radiate outwardly from the center of a tree or other surface. Each limb has its own light strand, and the strand is arranged so that lights may radiate outwardly from the innermost part of a tree to the outermost point of a branch. When the lights are arranged in the selected fashion, they are oriented in a desired position

The individual light bulbs in each strand of lights are connected in a series, so that in the event of a loss of a light on the strand. a shunt kicks in and permits the other lights in the strand to be lit. Additionally, each stand may carry a male plug and female socket, so that the strand may be connected to a source of power, and the strand may be connected to another strand. Furthermore, each strand may have a fuse, or circuit breaker to disconnect that strand in the event of an overload, so that there is less danger of an overload or shorting.

The center of grouped strands may be connected by a hub-like device and hook or other means for engaging a selected trunk, limb, tree surface, post or other member. This structure permits the decorator to pull the strand against a hook or the like permitting the strand to be straightened and making the bulbs oriented in an upright position. No electrical connection is required within the novel hub-like device disclosed in this application, and such a hub, as disclosed, may be provided which will not place undue strain on the strand of lights. A soft, twistable, bendable non-conductive plastic tie fastener member may also be arranged adjacent to one or more bulbs on a strand, so that the strand may be attached to a selected surface to be decorated in a selected manner.

The structure and arrangement of the light strand described makes decoration of the surface easier, and permits easy removal of a strand by disconnecting any connected lights and disconnecting the hub from the engaged limb. Once removed, the strand may be hung from a hook or stored in a box or bag for reuse the next season. The strands are not tangled and easy to extend for reuse.

When the strands are used and stored as described, optimal positioning of the lights on the selected surface is provided. The decorator may avoid cross overs to provide better placement. Wires are less noticeable, and only arranged on assigned branches so that the arrangement is cleaner, neater and more symmetrical. If a strand or single bulb must be repaired, only the affected strand or bulb is involved. If multiple colors are desired, either strands of different uniform color may be used or a single strand may be provided with different colored lamps within the strand, leaving all these decorative decisions to the decorator, depending upon the decorator's vision of the completed decoration. By use of the present invention, the decorator is not confined by the light strands, but in fact the strands embodying the present invention liberates the decorator and encourages creativity.

Where the strands of lights are to be used for a predetermined decorative purpose, as for example, to trim a tree of predetermined size and/or shape, the strands may be packaged as a kit, with strands of various lengths and light and plug arrangements, so that the top of the tree may be decorated with a shorter strand and the other parts of the tree may be decorated with strands of longer lengths, and each strand may have included male and/or female plugs for electrically joining the strands together, so that the lowest or end strand can be conveniently connected to a source of power.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel decorative lighting strand of the character described.

Another object is to provide a method of assembling and installing one or more decorative lighting strands of the character described.

Another object is to provide means for removably securing a decorative lighting strand to a limb-like surface on the object to which the strand is applied and to extend the strand vertically or horizontally from said surface.

Another object is to provide a removably securable hub or similar attachment means and multiple decorative lighting strands extending from said attachment means.

Another object is to provide directional elements on such a hub or similar attachment means for selectively directing strands of decorative lighting from said attachment means.

Another object is to orient lights on said decorative lighting strand in a predetermined selected manner.

Another object is to connect like strands of decorative lighting to one another, and to provide breaker or fuse means to prevent electrical overloads or shorts on a strand.

Another object is to provide one or more bulbs, fastener elements or ornaments on a strand of decorative lighting.

Another object is to utilize a strand of lights embodying the invention as a repair kit for pre-lit Christmas trees which require repair.

Another object is to provide strands of decorative lighting which may accommodate specialty decorations on said strand in a predetermined position or arrangements.

Another object is to provide a decorative lighting strand which is easy to produce and use in a safe and efficient manner on a Christmas tree or other surface and which can facilitate removal and storage of the decoration at a selected time, without damage to the strand or its parts.

Another object is to provide a versatile system for easy, efficient and attractive decorating of a Christmas tree or other surface in an expedient and versatile manner.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as this description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings and particularly toFIGS. 1-3, a strand10of lamps11are arranged on electrical wires12, and trained through a hub or spreader13, which preferably may have a hook14for engaging a tree limb or other structure. A number of strands10may be bundled together through the hub13, which pre-separates the wires. The hub may be used to stabilize the strand. A plug15and socket16for connecting the bundle of strands10to another bundle or strands and/or to a source of power may also be provided and arranged connected to the wires12through the hub13The lamps may be oriented relative to the wires12and hub13, so that some lamps11aare extended in the plane of the wires12and other lamps11bare arranged in a plane perpendicular to the wires12.

As shown inFIG. 3, the hub13may comprise a body17and a cover18, which can be snapped together by means of barbed teeth19. With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the body17may also have a series of upstanding ribs20, which may be used to train and pre-separate the wires12of each strand10in a selected direction through the hub13in a manner so the wires12of each strand and those connecting the plug and socket lay in a predetermined selected position.

Alternatives to the hub and related structure shown inFIGS. 1-5are depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7. InFIG. 6, the modified hub23comprises a molded piece which has the wires12secured therein. InFIG. 7, twisted plastic fastener connections24perform the function of the hub13to properly orient the wires12and lamps11.

FIGS. 8-10depict details of the preferred hub13, preferably made of plastic dielectric insulating material. The body17and its cover18may be pendant shaped with beveled sides25for easy handling, and of a size to accommodate the electric wires12in a recess26formed by the body17and cover18when closed. The ribs20are formed on the underside27of the body17and are of a size to reach the inside wall of the cover18, so that the wires12when arranged in the recess26will stay in a selected position. The barbed teeth19are upstanding on the body17and may be snap engaged over cooperating teeth28into apertures29in the cover18; and preferably there are multiple sets of these members to close the body17and cover18, but they may be selectively manipulated to open the recess26for adjustment of the wires12. The hook14preferably has a longitudinally extending central reinforcement30which permits it to be flexible without breaking. Preferably, the hook14and body17and cover18are molded from thermoplastic insulating materials, so that they protect the wires, even under stress when the hook14is assembled on a limb L of a tree or other member.

Alternate hub forms are shown inFIGS. 11-13. InFIG. 11, the hook33has a loop34through which each of the strands10extend; and inFIG. 12, each of the strands10extend from an apertured hook43. InFIG. 13, the central restraining means for holding the bundle of strands10together is a sleeve53which is secured to or wrapped around the strands10. In both theFIGS. 11 and 13embodiments, during manufacture, the strands10may be extended on one side of the hook33or sleeve53, to accommodate the length of a branch B as desired on which it may be mounted or to accomplish a design conceived of by the trimmer.

In each case, the hub or its equivalent13or23or33or43or53is removably secured around a limb L or post P and the strand(s) are extended outwardly substantially horizontally therefrom along a branch B or other structure. To remove the strand10from its limb L or post P, the hook-like member or its equivalent is merely backed up and the strand10is pulled from the branch B or the like. The bundle of strands10can be suspended by the hook-like member from a peg or rolled up for storage until its reused.

InFIGS. 14-16, a trimmed tree T is shown. With reference toFIG. 14, each strand10is connected by a hook14or the like from the trunk-like post P or a limb L and encircles the tree T outwardly from its center. Strands10may be connected together by means of their respective plugs and sockets, and a plug15at the end of a strand10may be exposed for connection to a source of power.

InFIG. 15, a branch B with the wires12of a strand10wound around it is shown, taken from the circle displayed inFIG. 14. Above and part ofFIG. 15is a sketch showing the electric wires10which may be interwoven with a soft plastic tie50. The lamps11may be oriented as the decorator desires.FIG. 16shows a modification of a strand10where the soft tie50or tape my be interconnected adjacent a lamp11, so that the lamp may be bound and secured in a selected position on the limb L.

FIG. 17illustrates another possibility using the novel structure and method disclosed in this application. The lamps11in this modification are arranged in lamp holders51or similar ornaments and are oriented to stand upward when arranged on a tree or other connected surface. In this embodiment decorative members such as small toys or dolls or other ornaments may be connected to a strand10and oriented like the lamp holders51in a selected predetermined position on the wires12, with or without lamps. The arrangement of these ornaments may be predetermined on a strand before the strand10is positioned on a tree or other surface. The strand10need only be extended outwardly from the hub13and hook-like member14on a tree trunk T or a post to place the ornament or any special decoration in proper position.

InFIGS. 18 and 19, a strand10ais shown connected to another strand10bby means of the socket16and plug17arrangements previously describer. The strands10may be extended vertically along a tree trunk T or post, and the lamps11are aligned upright on a limb L or branch B. Each strand10ahas a hook-like member which may be engaged on the trunk T or post, to fully extend the stand in a vertical direction. A plug on the extreme end of a strand may be connected through a extension cord E or the like to a source of power. Likewise, as shown inFIG. 19, multiple light strands10may be removably secured on the trunk T or post and extended outwardly horizontally from the trunk T, with one part of the strand10connected to trunk T. To remove the strands from the trunk T, one need only disconnect the hook-like member14and pull the wires12and connected lamps11toward the hook-like member14, where they can be conveniently bundled without tangling.

A typical circuit for a strand10is shown inFIG. 20. Note that each strand has wires12which connect the lamps11in series and the sets in parallel. This arrangement also permits multiple strands to be connected together through each socket15and plug/socket16of successive strands.

FIGS. 21 and 22show a modified electrical arrangement where a two pole52aand52bcircuit breaker or limit switch52, which may have an optional ground57. So long as the breaker or limit switch52is closed, power will flow through the wires12to the lamps11. If there is a short or overload, the switch or circuit breaker52will open and power will be shut down before there is a dangerous overload or a fire hazard. The plug15or socket16can be provided with an exterior connection button56to the breaker or switch52, so that a open switch can be closed by merely pressing the button once the cause of the overload or short is eliminated. Such an arrangement permits joining multiple strands10and the use of strands without danger of overload or fires or other electrical hazards.

As shown inFIG. 23, the wire configuration comprises six strands10of lamps11and two lengths of connecting wires12, one length60having a male plug61and the other length62having a female socket63, and these strands are secured together at their centers by a novel modified hook64, discussed hereafter. The strands may be assembled into kits with strands10of different lengths and numbers of bulbs11for selected different applications. For example, when trimming a typical Christmas tree, a shorter length of strand10can be provided for the top of the tree and longer lengths of strands10can be used on the girth of the tree, and this arrangement makes for a neater assembly. The plug61and socket63of a strand10may be trained along the central limb of the tree, instead of dangling over the circumference, and the strand on each horizontal level of the tree may be electrically connected to an adjacent level and the lower level strand maybe connected to a source of power so that the connecting wires are not visible from the periphery of the tree.

The novel modified hook64shown inFIG. 24is preferably molded from bendable plastic material, and comprises a hook portion65for connection to a limb, and a section66for encircling a bundle of strands10at any selected point along the length of strands, depending upon the surface to be decorated. This hook section66comprises a length of material preferably having a preformed radius, and has a barb67at one end and a receiving clip68at its other end, so that the barb may be connected to the clip for encircling a bundle of strands10. When storing the strands10for the next year's use, the hook may be removed from the limb and the barb67may be released and removed from the clip68, so that the strands may be conveniently stored and reused as desired, with minimum risk to the bulbs11and the wires12.

Within recent years, pre-lit Christmas trees and similar pre-lit decorations have become popular, but on occasion one or more of the pre-lit lights require repair. In such an event, strands embodying the present invention may be utilized as a repair kit for such pre-lit devices. Such strands easily blend into the pre-lit device in a neat and attractive fashion.

While the novel decorative strands embodying the invention and the inventive method has been show in considerable detail and with many alternatives, it should be understood that other alternatives are possible without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, and, accordingly, it is desired that the invention should not be limited to the exact construction, arrangement of parts and processes described.