Abstract:
A decorative light structure having a plurality of lights electrically connected for hanging along a power wire, the lights fixed at vertically spaced intervals inside a case enclosing the lights.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to decorative light displays, and more particularly, to decorative light displays having one or more hanging light enclosures, each enclosure having a plurality of lights electrically connected to a power wire and fixed at respective vertically spaced intervals on the inner surface of the enclosure encasing the lights so as to illuminate the length of the enclosure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various conventional devices for displaying hanging lights are known, for example, Christmas tree ornaments which allow for insertion of a single standard tree light, see U.S. Pat. No. 2,042,905 to McCluskey and U.S. Pat. No. 2,067,018 to Pretzfelder. Also, an external frame for supporting standard strings of lights are known, see U.S. Pat. No. Des. 386,445 to Odierna. 
     None of these devices, however, provide an enclosure for a plurality of lights arranged at respective vertically spaced intervals along a hanging enclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative light display which allows a plurality of lights to be housed inside of a case or enclosure. 
     A further object is to provide means for mounting the lights at vertically spaced intervals within the case or enclosure. 
     One object of the invention is to provide a decorative light structure having a power wire including one or more electrical connectors; a plurality of lights electrically connected and arranged in one or more groups at spaced intervals along the power wire; and at least one case for enclosing the lights. The case has an inner surface and an outer surface and the lights of one group are fixed at vertically spaced intervals to respective light holders formed on the inner surface of the case. The case can be formed from two symmetric half parts and the outer surface can be formed to simulate an icicle. Also, each case can be formed to hang down from a portion of the power wire. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a decorative light structure wherein each light holder has a first arm spaced from a second arm and a spacer formed between the first arm and the second arm, the spacer abutting at least a part of the light to prevent the illuminating part of the light from touching the inner surface of the case. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a decorative light structure having power wire means including electrical connecting means; lighting means electrically connected and arranged in one or more groups at spaced intervals along the power wire means; and encasing means having an inner surface and an outer surface, the lighting means of one group being fixed at vertically spaced intervals to light holding means located in the inner surface of the encasing means. 
     Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a decorative light case to retain a plurality of lights having a base and an illuminating part, the decorative light case having a first case part having connectors which attach to complementary connectors of a second case part, each case part having an interior portion and an exterior portion; a cap which fits over one end of the case; and a plurality of light holders formed along the interior portion, each light holder having a brace provided as a pair of arms, the arms being spaced apart approximately the diameter of one of the light bases to engage the base, and a spacer formed between the arms to prevent the illuminating part of a light from touching the interior portion of the case part. The cap can have an opening for allowing passage of a power supply wire into and out of the case. Also, the light holders can be spaced at vertical intervals along the length of the case to provide even lighting along the decorative light case. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a view of the interior of two case parts according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view of a decorative light structure according to an embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of cases; and 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a light holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a decorative light structure  20  comprising a power wire  19  having a male electrical connector  25  and a female electrical connector  21 ; lights  18  arranged at spaced intervals along the wire  19  in series or parallel; and at least one case  10 . The power wire  19 , in one embodiment, is a twisted pair. 
     Each case  10  is formed in the shape of an inverted cone so as to resemble an icicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the case  10  has two symmetric half parts  11 . The interior of each half part  11  includes a series of light holders  12  arranged at vertically spaced intervals along the inner surface  26  of the half part  11 . The lights  18  are respectively fixed in the light holders  12  to form a vertical column of lights  18  in each case  10 . The vertical column of lights  18  provides lighting along the entire length of the case  10 . 
     A light holder  12  includes two arms  14  spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to allow a light  18  to become removably attached between the arms  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the arms  14  are rectangular in shape. A spacer  15  is located at the center of each light holder  12 . The spacer  15  is provided to abut the side of the base  31  of a light  18 , and thereby, prevent the illuminating portion  32  of the light  18  from touching the inner surface  26  of the case  10 . In one embodiment of the present invention, each spacer  15  is a short cylinder molded to the inner surface  26  of the half part  11 . 
     Each half part  11  also includes pegs  16  and receptacles  17  at respective opposite sides of the half part  11  and fixed at vertically spaced intervals along the sides of the half part  11 . When the case  10  is closed, each receptacle  17  receives the peg  16  with which the receptacle  17  is aligned. The case  10 , pegs  16 , the receptacles  17 , and the light holders  12 , in one embodiment, are formed from lightweight material, such as a plastic material, and can be molded to the inner surface  26  as part of the half parts  11 . 
     The outer surface  27  of a case  10 , can in one embodiment, include ridges  23  to create a rough or chiseled appearance. In addition, the case  10  can include glitter  24  sprinkled over the outer surface  27  to cause the case  10  to sparkle when the lights  18  are turned on. The case  10  is translucent to allow the light rays from the lights  18  to be seen through the case  10 . In one embodiment, the case  10  includes a separate white cap portion  22  located at the top of the case  10  so as to resemble snow. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, each decorative light structure  20  may include more than one case  10  suspended like icicles in the downward vertical direction from the wire  19 . Each case  10  may be located at horizontally spaced intervals along the wire  19 , the wire  19  passing into and out of a hole in the cap  22 . 
     While this invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, this invention, including this disclosure and appended claims, is not so limited and is to be construed in accordance with the full spirit and scope of the invention including alternatives and modifications made apparent to those of skill in the art.