Guide for strand of electric lights

A guide for a strand of electric lights having a plurality of light elements spaced along an electric conductor. The guide includes a tubular body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an oblong shaped passage extending through the tubular body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The passage dimensioned to slidably receive the light elements in a way that causes the light elements to be generally oriented along a major width of the passage as the light elements pass through the tubular body.

BACKGROUND

Decorating a tree with a strand of electric lights is a common way to illuminate a real or artificial tree. One such method for illuminating a tree includes wrapping a strand of electric lights around the tree by walking in a circle around the exterior of the tree while simultaneously disposing the strand of electric lights on the tree's outer branches. However, this method usually appears messy and does not illuminate the interior of the tree. In order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing effect and illuminate the exterior and interior of the tree, one must laboriously weave the strand of electric lights in and out of the interior branches of the tree. However, this is difficult and cumbersome, particularly with real trees, because the individual light elements, which often face in random opposing directions, may catch or snag on tree branches and on the strand itself as the strand is guided into the interior of the tree. This may result in tangled strands and branches and is frustrating to the decorator attempting to guide the strand of electric lights into the interior of the tree.

Some attempts have been made to solve deficiencies in decorating the interior of a tree. Examples include housing a strand of lights in a translucent tube and inserting the combination of the tube and the strand of lights into the interior of the tree. However, such a device is not aesthetically pleasing and fails to provide a traditional look because the plastic tube remains in the tree and about the lights. Another device requires a band with outwardly radiating strands of electric lights to be wrapped around the trunk of a tree. However, such a device does not address the problem of the light elements becoming entangled with the strand and the tree branches when positing the strand of electrical lights on a tree.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concepts in detail, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the details of construction, experiments, exemplary data, and/or the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concepts are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements or steps is not necessarily limited to only those elements or steps and may include other elements, steps, or features not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

Throughout this disclosure and the claims, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to signify that the item being qualified is not limited to the exact value specified, but includes some slight variations or deviations therefrom, caused by measuring error, manufacturing tolerances, stress exerted on various parts, wear and tear, or combinations thereof, for example.

The use of the term “at least one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including but not limited to each of, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and all integers therebetween. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results. Singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular unless indicated otherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, although the inventive concepts disclosed herein are intended to encompass all combinations and permutations including one or more of the features of the embodiments described herein.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-6, a guide10for use in facilitating the installation of a strand of electric lights12on an object, such as a Christmas tree40(FIG. 6), is illustrated. The strand of electric lights12is commonly referred to as a string of miniature Christmas lights and generally includes a plurality of light elements14spaced along an electric conductor16(depicted inFIGS. 4-6). It should be appreciated, however, that the form of the strand of electric lights12may vary and is not limited to the form associated with a string of miniature Christmas lights.

As shown inFIGS. 1-2, the guide10includes a tubular body18constructed for receiving the strand of electric lights12. The tubular body18may be formed in a variety of lengths and widths. In one embodiment, the tubular body18may have a length in a range of about 23 inches to about 30 inches. The tubular body18may be translucent or opaque and includes an interior surface20, an exterior surface22, an inlet end24, an outlet end26, and a generally oblong shaped passage28(best shown inFIGS. 2 and 5) extending through the tubular body18from the inlet end24to the outlet end26. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, the passage28is shown to be oval shaped, with a major width30and a minor width32. It will be appreciated, however, that the passage28may be formed in a variety of oblong shapes, such as an eye, a diamond, and a rectangle, so long as the major width30and the minor width32are dimensioned to slidably receive the strand of electric lights12in a way that causes the light elements14to be generally oriented along the major width30as the light elements14pass through the passage28. In one embodiment, the passage28is straight from the inlet end24to the outlet end26so that the strand of electric lights12efficiently passes through the oblong shaped passage28. However, it should be appreciated that the passage28may also be curved.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the interior surface20of the tubular body18defines the passage28. The passage28may be of a variety of sizes and shapes. However, in one embodiment the passage28is sized such that the minor width32is less than the length of the light elements14, while the major width30is greater than the length of the light elements16. While the exterior surface22of the tubular body18is shown as oval shaped inFIGS. 1-6to facilitate movement through a tree, it should be appreciated that the exterior surface22may be constructed in a variety of shapes, such as circles and hexagons. The tubular body18may be formed of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. By way of example, the tubular body18may formed of a suitable plastic product, metal, wood fiber, or a paper product, such as cardboard.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 3A and 4, the inlet end24and the outlet end26of the tubular body18may be rounded so that light elements14of a light strand pass freely into and out of the passage28without catching or snagging on the inlet end24or the outlet end26.

FIG. 3Bshows another embodiment of a guide10a, which includes a tubular body18a. The tubular body18ais constructed substantially similar to the tubular body18except that the tubular body18adoes not include rounded ends. The tubular body18ainstead includes an inlet end24awith a tubular inlet member34disposed on the inlet end24aand an outlet end26awith a tubular outlet member35disposed on the outlet end26a. The inlet member34and the outlet member35each have a proximal end36and a distal end38. The distal ends38of each inlet and outlet member34and35are rounded so that light elements on a strand of electric lights, such as light elements, pass freely into and out of the passage28without catching or snagging on the distal ends38of the inlet and outlet members34and35. The inlet member34and the outlet member35are constructed to conform to the generally oblong shaped passage of the tubular body18aand may be formed of a suitable resinous or plastic material and sealed or molded to the first end24aand the second end26a, respectively, after the tubular body18ais formed by extrusion, for example.

Referring now toFIGS. 4-6, a method of positioning a stand of lights12to an object, such as the Christmas tree40, using the guide10is described. First, a leading end42of the strand of electric lights12is passed through the tubular body18so that at least a portion of the strand of electric lights12extends from the outlet end26of the tubular body18. In one embodiment, the light elements14of the light strand12are radially aligned (as shown inFIG. 4) as the light elements14pass through the tubular body18.

After the leading end42is passed through the tubular body18, the outlet end26of the tubular body18is positioned at a selected location44of the Christmas tree40. Next, the portion of the strand of electric lights12extending form the outlet end26of the tubular body18is disposed on the Christmas tree40near the selected portion44. An additional portion46of the strand of lights14may then be passed through the tubular body18and from the outlet end26thereof. While passing the additional portion46of the strand of electric lights12through tubular body18, the outlet end26of the tubular body18is selectively moved about the Christmas tree40and its branches. Additional portion46of the strand of lights14may then be disposed on another selected location48of the Christmas tree40near where the additional portions46of the strand of electric lights12emerged from the outlet end26of the tubular body18while it was being selectively moved about the Christmas tree40.

As shown inFIG. 6, the outlet end26of the tubular body18may then be positioned at another selected location52of the tree40. An additional portion54of the strand of electric lights12is passed through the tubular body18and from the outlet end26thereof while the tubular body18is selectively moved about the Christmas tree40to a selected portion56of the Christmas tree40where yet another portion of the strand of electric lights12is disposed near where the strand of electric lights12emerges from the outlet end26of the tubular body18. A trailing end58of the strand of electric lights12extending from the inlet end24of the tubular body18is passed through the tubular body18and disposed on a selected location of the Christmas tree40or plugged into an electric power source such as a wall outlet.

The guide10provides an apparatus for easily and efficiently reaching the interior of the Christmas tree40where the strand of electric lights12is disposed by creating a conduit through which the strand of electric lights12freely passes without interference from the Christmas tree40and without becoming entangled with the strand of electric lights12itself. The guide10further aids a tree decorator in weaving a strand of electric lights12in and out of a section of tree branches while preventing the strand12from entangling with various portions of the strand12and from catching on the branches at undesirable locations. The guide10therefore provides a way to illuminate the interior of a tree with increased ease while maintaining a traditional look of a tree that has been carefully and laboriously lit.

Referring now toFIG. 7, another embodiment of a guide70is shown. The guide70includes a tubular body72constructed for receiving a strand of lights, such as strand of electric lights12. The tubular body72has an external surface74, an internal surface76, an inlet end78, an outlet end80, and a passage82extending through the tubular body72from the inlet end78to the outlet end80. In one embodiment, the passage82is oblong shaped with a major width and a minor width dimensioned to slidably receive the strand of electric lights12in a way that causes light elements on the strand12, such as light elements14, to be generally oriented along the major width of the passage82as the light elements14pass through the passage82. The passage82is shown to be generally eye shaped, but it will be appreciated that the passage82may be formed in a variety of oblong shapes, such as an oval, a diamond, and a rectangle.

The tubular body72may be constructed of substantially similar materials as those of the tubular body18and of substantially similar processes. The length of the tubular body72may be between, but is not limited to being in a range of 23 inches to about 30 inches. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the length of the tubular body72may be about 26 inches. The thickness of tubular body72(from the external surface74to the internal surface76) may be between, but is not limited to being between, about 1/18 inch to about 1/14 inch. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the tubular body72may be about 1/16 inch thick.

As shown inFIG. 7, a tubular inlet member90may be disposed on the inlet end78of the tubular body72, and a tubular outlet member92may be disposed on the outlet end80of the tubular body72.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A-9, the tubular inlet member90may include a collar portion94and a bell portion96. The collar portion94has a shoulder98for abutting the inlet end78to create a substantially flush surface extending from an internal surface100of the bell portion96to the internal surface76of the tubular body72. In this way, the strand of electric lights12may traverse from the internal surface100of the bell portion96to the internal surface76of the tubular body72, and vice versa, without snagging on the inlet end78of the tubular body72.

The internal surface100of the bell portion96flares from the collar portion94towards a mouth102. As such, the tubular inlet member90is flared relative to the tubular body72so that light elements of a variety of shapes and sizes may funnel into the tubular body72through the tubular inlet member90.

The mouth102may have an oblong shape with a major width104and a minor width106. The bell portion96is dimensioned to cause light elements of various shapes and sizes to orient with the major width104of the mouth102so that the light elements are generally oriented along the major width of the passage82as they enter the passage82. The major width104of the mouth102of the tubular inlet member90may be greater than the major width of the passage82, and the minor width106of the mouth portion102may be greater than the minor width of the passage82. In this way, the tubular body72may accommodate the entry of light elements of a variety of shapes and sizes into the tubular body72from the inlet end78.

Referring now toFIGS. 10A-11, the tubular outlet member92may include a collar portion110and a bell portion112. The collar portion110has a shoulder114for abutting the outlet end80of the tubular body72to create a substantially flush surface extending from the internal surface76of the tubular body72to an internal surface116of the bell portion112. In this way, the strand of electric lights12may traverse from the internal surface76of the tubular body72to the internal surface116of the bell portion112, and vice versa, without snagging on the outlet end80.

The internal surface116of the bell portion112flares from the collar portion110towards a mouth118such that the tubular outlet member92is flared relative to the tubular body72. In this way, light elements of a variety of shapes may freely exit the tubular body72through the tubular outlet member92, which facilitates the positioning of a strand of electrical lights on to a branch of a tree.

The mouth116of bell portion114of the tubular outlet member92has a major width120and a minor width122. The major width120of the mouth portion116of the tubular outlet member90may be greater than the major width of the tubular body72. Conversely, the minor width122may be less than the minor width of the tubular body72. In this way, the tubular outlet member92serves as a narrow navigational point relative to the tubular body72and facilitates positioning of the tubular body72in and out a section of tree branches. The bell portion114is dimensioned to cause light elements to orient with the major width120of the mouth116so that the light elements are generally facing the same direction as they exit the tubular outlet member92and are disposed on a branch of a tree.

The tubular inlet member90and the tubular outlet member92may be formed of a suitable resinous or plastic material and sealed or molded to the inlet end78and the outlet end80, respectively, after the tubular body72is formed by extrusion, for example. However, it should be appreciated that the tubular inlet member90, the tubular body72, and the tubular outlet member92may be formed as a single piece.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 12A-12C, the tubular body72has a first end portion130, a second end portion132, and a medial portion134. In one embodiment, the tubular body72is configured so that the oblong passage82has a major width136,138,140and minor width142,144, and146at each of the first end portion130, second end portion132, and medial portion134, respectively. More particularly, when the tubular inlet member90and the tubular outlet member92are so disposed on the inlet end78and the outlet end80, respectively, the tubular body72may be shaped in a way that the major width136of the passage82at the first end potion130and the major width138of the passage82at the second end portion132is greater than the major width140at the medial portion134. Also, when the tubular inlet member90and the tubular outlet member92are disposed on the inlet end78and the outlet end80, respectively, the minor width142of the oblong passage82at the first end potion130and the minor width144of the oblong passage82at the second end portion132may be less than the minor width146of the oblong passage82at the medial portion134. Therefore, the passage82becomes wider and shorter from the inlet end78towards the medial portion134, and the passage82becomes wider and shorter from the outlet end80towards the medial portion134. This change in the major and minor widths of the passage82from the inlet end78to the outlet end80may prevent light elements from becoming wedged inside the tubular body72as the strand of electric lights12is moved back and forth through the passage82.

The size of the major width136at the first end130and the size of the major width138at the second end132may be, but is not limited to being, in a range of about 1¼ inches to about 3¾ inches. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the major width136and the major width138may be about 2¾ inches. The size of the major width140at the medial portion134may be, but is not limited to being, in a range of about 2 inches and about 3½ inches. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the major width140may be about 2 9/16 inches.

The size of the minor width142at the first end130and the size of the minor width144at the second end132may be, but is not limited to being, in a range of about ¾ of an inch to about 2½ inches. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the minor width142and the minor width144may be about 1 13/16 of an inch. The size of the minor width146at the medial portion134may be, but is not limited to being, in a range of about 1 inch and about 3 inches. Specifically, in at least one embodiment, the minor width146may be about 2 inches.

Although the disposition of the tubular inlet member90and the tubular outlet member92about the inlet end78and the outlet end80, respectively, is described in the embodiment herein as being the cause of the changes in the major and minor widths of the passage82, it should be appreciated that the differing major and minor widths at the first end portion130, the second end portion132, and the medial portion134of the tubular body72may be achieved by other processes such as extrusion or molding, for example. It should also be appreciated that the tubular body72may consist of a single piece that flares at an inlet end and that flares at an outlet end without the disposition of the tubular inlet and outlet members on each respective end.

Further, while the embodiments of the guide have been particularly described with respect to positioning a strand of electric lights on a Christmas tree, it should be appreciated that guides constructed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not limited to such a specific application. For example, inventive concepts disclosed herein may be used to position a strand of electric lights or other decorations on objects such as, but not limited to, shrubs, a sculpture, a coat rack, a street sign, or a building structure, such as a house.

From the above description, it is clear that the present inventive concept is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventive concept disclosed and claimed herein.