Abstract:
A multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment is set forth. This equipment comprises an ornamental lighting load connected to form a plurality of branch circuits; a function controller formed of a variety of electric and electronic components operable for various prescribed functions, and having a power supply input terminal and an output terminal to the multi-branched circuit; a protective housing for enclosing the function controller; a connector unit connected with the protective housing and admitting to joint a plurality of conductors within it, one terminal of the conductors being connected to the output terminal of the function controller, while the other terminal thereof being connected to the ornamental lighting load; and a power supply connected to the input terminal of the function controller. With this scheme, when the power is supplied to the ornamental lighting equipment by the energized function controller via the connector unit, the lighting equipment is capable of rapidly reaching at a starting position ready for variably changing its state.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment, and more particularly, to an ornamental lighting equipment which includes a function control unit and conductor connecting means to provide the ornamental lighting load with a function to rapidly reach in a starling position to perform a variety of light changing states.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the prior alt  
         [0004]     The ornamental lighting equipment which creates a joyful atmosphere is usually composed of strings of incandescent lamps or LEDs as a light source with its one end connected to a power source and resting the assembly on a supporting frame such as a Christmas tree, or a picturesquely styled stand.  
         [0005]     In order to enhance the light variation, a function controller is provided between the power source and the lighting equipment to control the flashing fashion of the lighting equipment. In the prior arts, there were many analogous ornamental lighting equipment disclosed or put into practice such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,757 “Apparatus and Method for Providing Synchronized Lights”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,605 “Synchronous Multiple Serial Lamp Sets”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,964 “Ornamental Lighting Device with a flexibly Separable Light Emitting Tube Capable of Portraying User&#39;s Designed Signs in a Flickering Manner”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,901 “Flashing Light String Assembly with a Pair of Sub-light Strings per Plug”, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,964 “Joy Light Structure” etc.  
         [0006]     All the aforesaid cited cases provided their individual features in the interconnection scheme of the ornamental lamps, but there is a significant shortcoming of disorganization in the fastening and assembling manners especially when the number of the electric conductors and lumped lamps is increased.  
         [0007]     In view of such a defect inherent to the prior art, an improvement is seriously required.  
         [0008]     The inventor has dedicated great efforts for years to studying and improving this defect and come up with a novel multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment as provided in this invention whose structure is sure to eliminate the defect mentioned above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment which is composed of an ornamental lighting load, a function controller, a plug to the power source, and a plurality of other connecting means such that the lighting load is capable of rapidly reaching in a starting position to perform a variety of light changing state according to jointed actuation of the function controller and the connecting means.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment in which the assembly of the lighting equipment can be neatly and simply constructed and operated easily and conveniently through jointed actuation of the function controller and the connecting means.  
         [0011]     The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic layout view of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a three dimensional assembly view of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a three dimensional exploded view of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a three dimensional exploded view in another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a three dimensional assembly view in another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a three dimensional exploded view showing mating of a plug with a receptacle in another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a schematic view in which a fuse element is inserted between the plug and receptacle connector and the function controller.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a schematic view in which a protector is inserted between the plug and receptacle connector and the function controller.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view in which a fuse element is inserted between the plug and receptacle in another embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is an electric circuit diagram of the function controller.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary view showing the function controller of the present invention is compatibly connected with an electronic device such as a computer for application in another embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     For understanding the multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment of the present invention, please refer to  FIGS. 1 through 3  simultaneously. The lighting equipment of the present invention is composed of an ornamental lighting load  1 , a function controller  2  together with its protective housing  3 , a connector unit  4 , and a power supply  5 .  
         [0024]     The ornamental lighting load  1  is connected with a plurality of branch circuits each formed of a light string containing several lamps, and then these light strings are connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to configurate into a desired figure, picture, or character(s) so as to appear as flexible ornamental lighting products or rope lighting products. The unit lighting element may be an incandescent lamp or a LED.  
         [0025]     The function controller  2  is a multi-electronic composition formed of a plurality of ICs and a variety of electric and electronic components so as to be functional as a switching device, time counting device capable of rapidly bringing the ornamental lighting load  1  to a starting position to variably changing its state. Moreover, the function controller  2  is provided with an electronic synchronizing device and a prescribed IR/RF signal transmitting/receiving device. The former is functional for synchronizing operation and the latter is capable of transmitting and receiving the prescribed signal in the manner of remote control by means of coding or decoding, and capable of compatibly connecting with a computer, wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, wireless internet, distributor, wireless internet card, and portable cellular phone for practical application. One terminal of the function controller  2  is connected to the power input terminal, and the other terminal is an output terminal to the multi-branch circuits.  
         [0026]     The protective housing  3  is an enclosure of the function controller  2 . A hole is reserved for assembling a replaceable extra functional module for special application in the case the capability of the function controller has to be improved or supplemented. The replaceable extra functional module is a memory module, scrambler module, coder or decoder module, SIM module or internet module. Respective conductors, plugs, male and female terminals or contactors are reserved for the replaceable extra functional module and the function controller  2  itself.  
         [0027]     The connector unit  4  connected with the protective housing  3  admits jointing a plurality of conductors within it. One terminal of the conductors is connected to the output terminal of the function controller  2 , while the other terminal thereof is connected to the ornamental lighting load. The way of connection is a plug and receptacle coupling by providing a plurality of male/female terminals in the plug and receptacle coupling mated fixedly with a fastener. The mated portions may be configurated into protuberances and recesses in planar or curved contact surfaces of a variety of sizes and shapes so as to assure a precise position when assembling. Besides, the mated portion may be formed of annular flanges and fissures of various sizes, shapes and numbers for discrimination so as to assure a precise and reliable combination. The above mentioned replaceable extra functional module is sandwiched between the male and female terminals of the plug and receptacle. The replaceable extra function module is a memory module, scrambler module, coder or decoder module, SIM module or internet module, Respective conductors, plugs and receptacle and the replaceable extra functional module so as to interconnect the power source and the multi-circuit lighting load. A protector is provided in the connector unit  4  to protect the lighting load. The protector may be replaceable fusing element being installed in the male terminal of hot line conductor (plus side) to protect the circuit after the plug and receptacle are coupled together.  
         [0028]     The power supply  5  is connected to the input terminal of the function controller  2 . The power supply  5  is a socket to admit the insertion of the plug blades of the function controller  2  protruded out of its protective housing  3 , or has conducting blades to insert into and fixed in the protective housing.  
         [0029]     For further understanding the detailed construction of the protective housing  3  and the connector unit  4 , please refer to the following description in conjunction with the  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The protective housing  3  is composed of an upper housing  31  and a lower housing  32 . Two via holes  33  are provider on the top surface of the upper housing  31  for installation of an adjusting switch. A breach  34  is formed at the front and rear side surface at the contact portion of the upper and lower housing  31 ,  32  to allow passing a conductor  61  connected to the power source and a conductor  62  connected to the ornamental lighting load and at the same time, both conductors  61 ,  62  are in connection with the function controller  2  accommodated in the protective housing  3 , that is, the conductors  61  and  62  are respectively connected to the input and output terminals of the function controller  2 .  
         [0030]     The connector unit  4  is, as a matter of fact, a plug  41  and receptacle  42  combination in which a plurality of conductors passes through with a replaceable extra functional module  43  sandwiched therebetween. The two sides of the plug and receptacle combination  41 ,  42  are provided with two fasteners  44 ,  45  to securely grip the functional module  43  between the plug  41  and receptacle  42  such that the functional module  43  is able to control the variation of the lighting effect through controlling the electric signals passing through the conductors with its prescribed capability.  
         [0031]     The multi-functional ornamental lighting equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in which none of the extra function module is inserted between the plug  41  and the receptacle  42 . After mating the plug  41  and receptacle  42 , the coupled  41  and  42  are fixed by the fastener  45  by passing it through the plug  41  and screw combined with the threads provided around the outer surface of the receptacle  42 , the load side conductor  62  is inserted into the protective housing  3  from the breach  34  formed between the upper and lower housings  31  and  32  and connected with the function controller  2 . On the other hand, the source side conductor  61  is connected with the function controller  2  from the other side thereby completing assembly of the second embodiment.  
         [0032]     As for the connector unit  4 , please refer to  FIG. 6  in which an annular flange  40  is formed around the bottom portion of a receptacle  42 A to be inlaid into the wall of the protecting housing  3  such that the two components are conjoined together with the aid of a positioning planar face  46 , a protruded stria  47 , a fissure  48  and a flat face  49 . Furthermore, a fastener  50  passes the plug  41 A and is screw combined with the threads provided around the outer surface of the receptacle  42 A.  
         [0033]     Besides, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a protector  7  may be installed between the connector unit  4  and the function controller  2 . The protector  7  is composed of outer case and an inner replaceable fuse element  71 . One end of the protector  7  is connected to the function controller  2  which being connected to the power supply  5  with the source conductor  61 . The other end of the protector  7  is connected to the coupled plug  41  and receptacle  42  which is fixed with the fastener  50  by screwing.  
         [0034]     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , an annular ring formed in one end of the receptacle  42  is inlaid into the wall of the protective housing  3 , while the other end of the receptacle  42  is connected with a multi-circuit output terminal  22  of the function controller  2 . One fuse element  71  is contained per male terminal contactor  411  of the plug  41  so that all the fuse elements  71  are enclosed by the male and female terminal contactors  411  and  421  when the plug  41  and receptacle  42  are coupled together so as to protect the ornamental lighting load. Meanwhile, the fuse element should be installed on the hot line (Plus) side conductor.  
         [0035]     The detail construction and the operational principles about the function controller  2  are illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the function controller  2  includes an IC unit  81  for receiving power supply, signals and operating according to a prescribed mission and delivering a control signal; several auxiliary components  82  for the IC unit  81  for adjusting and varying the intensity and strength of the electric device; a power input terminal  21  for connecting the IC unit  81 , and its auxiliary component  82  with the powering supply  5 . The IC unit  81 , which has the synchronizing effect, is composed of a quartz oscillator  811 , a capacitor  812  and a resistor  813  to form an oscillating circuit and generate a reference frequency required for operating the components for the IC unit  82  so as to achieve a synchronizing effect. The auxiliary component  82  for the IC unit  81  includes a rectifier  821 , a capacitor  822 , a Zener diode  823 , a SCR  824 , a switch  825 , and connector terminals for varying, regulating, stabilizing, pushing and actuating the operation of the ornamental lighting load, and interconnecting and protecting all the components in the IC unit  81 .  
         [0036]     There is an additional signal transmitter/receiver  84  in which a signal generator  841  and a signal receiver  842  are combined in an integral unit. The operative wireless signals include infrared ray (IR) and radio frequency (RF).  
         [0037]     With this scheme, the power is introduce to the IC unit and its auxiliary components by the conductor to operate the light strings to produce turn on/off effect, and then any one of the IC unit generates signals to each IC unit so as to start or reset each of the lamp strings with a similar prescribed electric function thereby enabling a plurality of lamp strings to operate synchronically.  
         [0038]     It is not so important that either the IC unit possess a memory function or not. The important thing is that all the lamp strings connected to the same power supply source and the signal transmitter may turn on or off synchronically after being energized from the same power supply source. All the working lamp strings energized form the same power supply output a frequency of similar wave form to the IC unit being rectified by the rectifier and modified by the register so as to obtain a standard frequency for aligning the operation of the lamp strings to the same initiation point during an interrupted time interval thereby regulating the deviation between the characteristic of the quartz oscillator and the auxiliary IC component resulting in unanimous twinkling of the lamps.  
         [0039]     Alternatively, the IC unit and its auxiliary components together with the signal transmission wires may be removed and replaced by a signal transmitter and receiver so as to perform the signal transmission in wireless manner by infrared ray or microwave RF. The signal transmitter and receiver may be combined integrally in one piece. For practicability, the IC unit may be offered prescribed switching or restart function using automatic or manual switching means.  
         [0040]     With this scheme, the IC unit provides control signals to the signal transmitter which then transmitted to the signal receivers for all lamp strings so as to start or re-start each lamp string, even a farmost one will not fail to keep synchronous operation.  
         [0041]     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , wherein one end of the protective housing  3  is connected to the conductor  61 , and the other end thereof is connected to the conductor  62  via plug and receptacle coupling  41  and  42  fixed by the fastener  50 . The IR or RF signal/transmitter accommodated in the function controller  2  enclosed in the protective housing  3  may transmit or receive the prescribed signal for performing remote control by means of an encoder or decoder. Similarly, the assembly can be compatibly connected with a computer  9 , a mouse, a wireless keyboard, a wireless internet, a distributor, an internet card, or a cellular phone.  
         [0042]     Other embodiments of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art in light of the above disclosure. It is of course also understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be determined by the foregoing description, but only by the following claims.