Patent Publication Number: US-2016230966-A1

Title: Holiday lighting and internally lighted ornaments and systems and methods for shipping and storing lighting and ornaments

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to decorations. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to decorative lighting, such as holiday lighting, and internally lighted ornaments as well as and systems and methods for shipping and storing decorative lights and ornaments. 
     2. Related Art 
     Decorative lighting during holidays or other events is commonly displayed by businesses and home owners alike. Many people find such decorative lighting to substantially add to the ambience of their environment and feel that such lighting adds to the enjoyment of a holiday season. Commonly, such businesses and home owners may place lighting on structures such as stores, offices, and homes, as well as on trees and shrubbery. 
     In addition to lighting, further decor is often employed. Popular decorations in addition to decorative lighting are ornaments. During the Christmas holiday, for example, many people place decorative lighting and ornaments on natural or artificial evergreen trees. Ornaments may also be used during other holidays such as jack-o-lantern ornaments for Halloween, egg-shaped ornaments for Easter, and so forth. 
     As one type of decoration, there may be an ornament which is internally lighted. This combines the benefits of holiday lighting and ornaments by making an ornament appear to glow from the inside. 
     However, such internally lighted ornaments have a number of drawbacks, and thus have not obtained widespread use. For example, internally lighted ornaments are difficult to manufacture such that a light is embedded within the ornament. The light embedded therein must either be battery powered, or the ornament must also have wiring embedded throughout to power the light. Further, once made, such ornaments are cumbersome for shipping and storage due to the light and wiring embedded therein, raising the cost of such ornaments for manufacturers and retailers. For similar reasons, business and home owners may be discouraged from using them for lack of storage space. Additionally, such ornaments are hard to service if a light goes out because the light is embedded within the ornament. 
     SUMMARY 
     Given the foregoing drawbacks, there is a need for decorative lighting with internally lighted ornaments that is not cumbersome and that is easily shipped and stored. The disclosed embodiments have been developed in light of the above, and aspects of the invention may include a strand of holiday lights including a plurality of lights connected by at least one wire, and a plurality of ornaments. The ornaments may include a body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a hollow interior. The ornaments may be at least partially transparent and may be configured to be releasably separable into two halves. When the ornaments are separated, they may receive at least one light of the plurality lights therein. The ornament may then close over the light and releasably hold the light within the hollow space to internally light the ornament. When the strand of lights is not in use, the ornaments may be configured in the open position to be nested together in a stored arrangement. 
     Other aspects of the invention may include an ornament having a connecting projection that extends from the ornament to hold the light within the ornament and to suspend the internally lighted ornament from the strand of decorative lights. The ornament may further include a hinge that facilitates the opening and closing of the ornament when the ornament is separated into two halves. The ornament may also include one or more connectors such as a latch, magnets, threads, an adhesive, or the like to releasably open and close the halves of the ornament. 
     Further aspects of the invention may include apertures to facilitate the wiring from the strand of lights. In this embodiment, the light within the ornament may be suspended by the wires of the strand of lights that pass through the apertures of the ornaments. The apertures may be formed by cutouts on connecting surfaces of at least one of the two halves of the ornaments which define the apertures in the closed position. In this manner, the ornament can close over wires of the strand of decorative lighting. 
     Other aspects of the invention may include ornaments of various shapes and sizes suitable for different holidays, events, or user preferences. The ornaments may be suspended from lights in the strand of holiday lights or may be suspended from the wiring of the strand of holiday lights. Further, the ornaments may include connectors to directly attach one of the ornaments to a tree or other structure. The connectors may also be utilized to allow the ornaments to be hung without being internally lighted. This further increases the versatility of the ornaments. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the ornaments may further comprise a connecting projection extending from the outer surfaces of the ornaments. A cap may be attached over the connecting projection. The cap may receive and hold the embedded light within the hollow space. The cap may also comprise a hanger attached to a top portion thereof. The hanger may be utilized to suspend the ornament from another object. 
     In some embodiments, the two halves of the ornament are releasably connected by a magnetic connection. In other instances, the two halves are connected by a latching connection. The two halves may optionally be joined by, and be movable about, a hinge. 
     According to additional embodiments, an internally lit ornament may include an at least partially translucent ornament body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow space. The ornament body may be separated into two halves. The ornament further may have at least one aperture configured to receive at least one wire connecting to a light. The hollow space of the ornament is configured to receive the light therein. At least one connector may be configured to releasably connect the two halves. When the two halves of the ornament are connected together by the connecter, they retain the light within the hollow space. When the two halves are released by the connector, they may be configured to nest within other ornament halves. 
     In some embodiments, a connecting projection may extend from the outer surface of the ornament body. The light may held within the connecting projection, and the at least one aperture may be disposed in a top of the projection connection. In other embodiments, the at least one aperture is formed by a cutout in at least one of the two halves of the ornament body. Here, the at least one aperture may include two apertures disposed on opposite sides of the connecting projection. 
     A cap may be configured to cover the connecting projection in some embodiments of the invention. The hanger in some instances may connect to the cap. In some embodiments, the at least one aperture may include two apertures where the apertures are configured to suspend the light from the wire within the hollow space. 
     According to some embodiments, an opaque coating may partially cover the at least partially translucent ornament body. The ornament body may take on a variety of shapes such as a spherical shape when it is in the closed position. An optional hinge may connect the two halves of the ornament body. The releasable connector connecting the two halves may be a latching connection. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a strand of holiday lighting with internally lighted ornaments, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a front view of an internally lighted ornament, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a front view of an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a top view of an internally lighted ornament shown in  FIG. 2B , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of decorative lighting and internally lighted ornaments in a stored condition, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A-4Q  show examples of internally lighted ornaments according to various embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 4A  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with a latch-type connector.  FIG. 4B  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4A  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 4C  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with a magnetic connector.  FIG. 4D  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4C  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 4E  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with apertures.  FIG. 4F  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4E  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 4G  shows internally lighted ornaments with apertures for wiring.  FIG. 4H  shows internally lighted ornaments in an egg-type shape with a threaded connector.  FIG. 4I  shows internally lighted ornaments in a hat-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4J  shows internally lighted ornaments in a bell-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4K  shows internally lighted ornaments in a star-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4L  shows internally lighted ornaments in a strawberry-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4M  shows internally lighted ornaments in an icicle-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4N  shows internally lighted ornaments in a cube-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4O  shows internally lighted ornament in a decorative, diamond-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4P  shows internally lighted ornaments in a cloud-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4Q  shows an internally lighted ornament in a snowman-shaped configuration. 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  show internally lighted ornaments with hanging connectors according to various embodiments.  FIG. 5A  shows an internally lighted ornament with a plug connector.  FIG. 5B  shows an enlarged view of the plug connector shown in  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5C  shows an exemplary installation of a plug connector shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIG. 5D  shows another exemplary embodiment of a plug type hanging connector.  FIG. 5E  shows a cap hanging connector according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 5F  shows a hanging connector with internal wiring according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show an alternative plug-type connector according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6A  shows a plug-type connector with an internally lighted ornament.  FIG. 6B  shows a close up view of the plug-type connector according to  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 6C  shows the plug type connector of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  with internal lighting omitted. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an alternative plug-type hanging connector according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7A  shows a plug type connector within an ornament.  FIG. 7B  shows a close up view of the plug-type connector of  FIG. 7A . 
     
    
    
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a strand of holiday lighting with internally lighted ornaments, according to an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 1 , a strand of holiday lights  10  includes wiring  100 , a plurality of lights  110 , and internally lighted ornaments  120 . The plurality of lights  110  may be of any desirable size and color based on a user&#39;s preference. The lights may be for any holiday, or may simply be for decoration, and may be configured to be installed on buildings, trees, and the like. The strand of holiday lights  10  may have internally lighted ornaments  120  installed over one or more lights  110  in a random or periodic pattern, or the strand of holiday lights may be configured such that each light  110  is covered by an ornament  120 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a front view of an internally lighted ornament, according to an exemplary embodiment. The internally lighted ornament  220  comprises an ornament body  221  and a connecting projection  228 . The ornament body  221  is comprised of an at least partially transparent material. In another alternative, the ornament body  221  may be formed of a completely transparent material that has an at least partially transparent coating. The ornament body may be configured to be colored, to include patterns, to have a “frosted” effect, or to be decorated in any other such manner according to a user&#39;s preference. In this embodiment, the ornament  220  is shaped in a spherical manner. The ornament, however, may take on any variety of shapes, some of which will be explained in more detail below. 
     The connecting projection  228  extends from an outside surface of the ornament body  221 . In this embodiment, the connecting projection  228  facilitates the insertion of one of the lights  210  of a strand  200  of holiday lights into the ornament  220 . The connecting projection  228  may also facilitate the hanging of the ornament  220  from a tree or other structure, as will be described in more detail below. 
     The ornament  220  may further comprise a cap  240 . The cap  240  may be formed in a cylindrical shape to cover the projection  228 . In some embodiments, the projection  228  may be include threads  230  that interface with internal threads  244  of the cap  240 . The cap may include an opening  246  in a top portion thereof to facilitate the light  210 . In some embodiments, the light  210  may be a size C9, C7, or other commonly available size, and the opening  246  may be sized to facilitate the light  210 . In other embodiments, the cap may have a connector on a top surface for attaching a hook so as to be able to hang the ornament  220  with the light  210  embedded therein. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a front view of an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration, and  FIG. 2C  shows a top view of an internally lighted ornament shown in  FIG. 2B , according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the internally lighted ornament opens into two halves. The two halves may be connected by a hinge  226 . The hinge  226  may be comprised of a flexible material, such as a plastic material, or may be any other hinge now known or later developed. In this embodiment, the ornament body  221  comprises an outer surface  222  and an inner surface  224 . The inner surface  224  of the ornament body  221  defines a hollow space within the ornament  220  in which the lamp  212  of the light  210  may be positioned. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the connecting projection  228  includes a flange  234  that extends inwardly from top surface  232  of the connecting projection  228 . The flange  234  may act as a retaining device when the ornament  220  is placed into the closed position to retain the light  212  within the ornament  220 . Specifically, the flange  234  may close around a base  214  of a light  210 . The base  214  of the light  210  may also include a corresponding rib or projection about its circumference to retain the base  214  and lightbulb  212  of the light  210  within the ornament, thereby internally lighting the ornament  220 . In another embodiment, the flange may be sized as a standard light clip for any one of a standard sized decorative light. To provide further security, the cap  240  may be placed such that the open lower portion  242  of the cap is placed over the projection to secure the ornament  220  in a closed position and secure the light  210  in place. 
     The ornament body  221  further includes two connection surfaces  225 . The connection surfaces  225  come into contact with one another when the two halves of the ornament body  221  are brought together so that the ornament  220  is in the closed position. The connection surfaces  225  may facilitate a releasable connection between the two halves of the ornament body. Various connections may be used, some of which will be described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 3  shows a view of decorative lighting and internally lighted ornaments in a stored condition, according to an exemplary embodiment. When ornaments  220  in the strand of decorative lights  200  are in the opened position, the strand of decorative lighting  200  may be easily stored and shipped. In one embodiment, once the ornaments are in the opened position, the lights  210  may be easily removed from the ornaments and stored together in a compact fashion. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the ornaments  220  are configured to nest within one another. Specifically, when in the open position, the outer surface  222  of one ornament  220  is configured to rest on an inner surface  224  of another ornament  220 . Thus, the lights  210  of the strand  100  and the ornaments  220  of the strand  200  may be stored in a compact, efficient manner. This allows a manufacturer and retailer to decrease inventory and shipping costs, and allows an end user to decrease storage space when the strand  200  and ornaments  220  are not in use. 
       FIGS. 4A-4Q  show examples of internally lighted ornaments according to various embodiments of the invention. The different types of ornaments may be used in any combination on a particular strand of holiday lights, or a single type or ornament may be used on a strand of lights.  FIG. 4A  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with a latch-type connector.  FIG. 4B  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4A  in a closed configuration. In this embodiment, the ornament  420   a  includes a connecting projection  428   a  that is formed from an outer projection  432   a  and an inner projection  432   b.  When in the closed position, the outer projection  432   a  in configured to wrap partially around the inner projection  432   b  to hold the ornament  420   a  in the closed position. The outer projection  432   a  and inner projection  432   b  are each formed of a resilient material to facilitate the insertion of the inner projection  432   b  into the outer projection  432   a.    
     In addition to or alternatively, the ornament  420   a  includes a latch  427   a  that extends from the outer surface  422   a  of the ornament  420   a  to protrude past the connecting surface  425   a  of one half of the ornament  420   a.  When the connecting surfaces  425   a  are brought into contact with one another in the closed position, the latch  427   a  engages with a corresponding groove or catch  427   b  on the outer surface  422   a  of the ornament  420 . The latch  427   a  and catch  427   b  releasably hold the ornament  420   a  in the closed position. Other variations are also possible. For example, the latch could project outward from the connecting surface  425   a  instead of the outer surface  422   a  to be inserted into a corresponding hole of the corresponding connecting surface  425   a.    
     As in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the connecting projection  428   a  may include a flange (not shown) to hold a light within the interior of the ornament  420   a.  Of course, any other connector, clamp, clip, adhesive, or the like may be used to hold the light within the ornament  420   a  to internally light the ornament. 
       FIG. 4C  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with a magnetic connector.  FIG. 4D  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4C  in a closed configuration. In this embodiment, the ornament  420   c  is generally of the same configuration as the ornament  420   a.  The ornament  420   c  additionally or alternatively includes at least one magnet  427   c  and a corresponding magnet  427   d  or a magnetically attracted material. The magnet  427   c  and corresponding magnet  427   d  are disposed at corresponding connecting surfaces  425   c  of the ornament. In this manner, when the ornament is brought into the closed position where the connecting surfaces  425   c  are brought together, the magnets  427   c,    427   d  are joined by a magnetic force that releasably holds the ornament  420   c  in the closed position. 
       FIG. 4E  shows an internally lighted ornament in an open configuration with apertures.  FIG. 4F  shows the internally lighted ornament of  FIG. 4E  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 4G  shows internally lighted ornaments with apertures for wiring. In this embodiment, an ornament  420   e  includes a releasable connector on a top center of the ornament. The connector is comprised of a projection  432   e  that extends outwardly from the connecting surface  425   e.  The projection  432   e  is received by a corresponding planar surface  432   f  that includes a rib, indent or other feature to releasable lock the projection  423   e  in place. 
     The connecting surface  425   e  further includes cutouts  434   e  and  434   f  in each half of the ornament  420   e  on either side of the top center of the ornament  420   e.  When the ornament  420   e  is placed in the closed position, the cutouts  424   e  and  424   f  each define one half of an aperture  429   e  allowing access to the interior of the ornament  420   e.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4G , when the ornament  420   e  is in the closed position, it may be closed around a wire  402  of the strand  400  of lights. In this manner, a light  410   h  may be suspended from the wire  402  within the ornament  420   e.  It is noted that the size of the aperture  429   e  is configured to facilitate the wire  402 , and the actual size may be different that that shown in the Figures. Furthermore, the ornament with the apertures  429   e  may be combined with any other connection method as described above. As such, the ornament  420   e  may take on a complete round shape, or may include a projection such as projection  228  in  FIG. 2A . For example, the ornament  420   e  may include a projection similar to projection  228  and a cap such as the cap  240 . However, the cap  240  may be fitted with a hanging device instead of the opening  246  to hang the ornament  420   e.  Other combinations are also possible. 
       FIG. 4H  shows internally lighted ornaments in an egg-type shape with a threaded connector. In this embodiment, an ornament  420   h  may have a different shape than a traditional spherical ornament. Here, the ornament  420   h  is shaped similar to an egg. The ornament  420   h  may be separated into two halves to allow convenient storage, as explained above. In this embodiment, the ornament  420   h  does not include a hinge, but instead the two halves of the ornament  420   h  are completely separable. 
     The ornament  420   h  includes a threaded connector to releasably attach the two halves of the ornament  420   h  together. Specifically, one half of the ornament  420   h  comprises male threads  435   h  that are received into female threads  436   h  of the other half of the ornament  420   h.  The ornament  420   h  may also include apertures  429   h  to facilitate the wire  402  of the strand  420 , as described above. 
     In  FIGS. 4A-4H , a number of connections and modification to internally lighted ornaments have been explained. It is noted that further modifications or different combinations are also envisaged and are within the scope of the invention. 
     In addition, ornaments for the strand of lights may include a variety of shapes for different occasions and different user preferences while incorporating one or more of the above-explained features. As a first example,  FIG. 4I  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   i  in a hat-shaped configuration. Such hats may be a green color and may be used during St. Patrick&#39;s Day. As another example,  FIG. 4J  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   j  in a bell-shaped configuration. As yet another example,  FIG. 4K  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   k  in a star-shaped configuration. Furthermore,  FIG. 4L  shows internally lighted ornaments  4201  in a strawberry-shaped configuration. As another example,  FIG. 4M  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   m  in an icicle-shaped configuration. In another embodiment,  FIG. 4N  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   n  in a cube-shaped configuration. It is noted also in this embodiment that lettering  440   n  is included on the ornament  420   n.  The lettering  440   n  may be substantially opaque to allow a user to create any number of signs using the internally lit ornaments  420   n.  Such opaque lettering or other decor may be used in any combination with any of the embodiments of ornaments described herein. In yet a separate embodiment,  FIG. 4O  shows internally lighted ornament  420   o  in a decorative, diamond-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4P  shows internally lighted ornaments  420   p  in a cloud-shaped configuration.  FIG. 4Q  shows an internally lighted ornament  420   q  in a snowman-shaped configuration. 
     The above described embodiments illustrate that the internally lighted ornament may take on any variety of shapes and decor. In each of the above internally lighted ornaments, the ornament is releasably separable into halves to facilitate access to the light as part of the strand of holiday lighting and to allow for easy storage and shipping. Further, each of the ornaments includes a configuration to hold a light within the ornament in the closed position, such as the connecting projection and/or apertures as described above. 
     In each of the above embodiments, the ornaments are shown to be suspended from the strand of decorative lighting via a base of the light within the ornament or via the wiring of the strand of lights. The ornaments may also have connectors to hang directly from a tree or other structure. 
       FIGS. 5A-5F  show internally lighted ornaments with hanging connectors according to various embodiments.  FIG. 5A  shows an internally lighted ornament with a plug connector. In  FIG. 5A  a “plug”  550  is used in conjunction with an ornament  520  that is internally lighted with a light  510 . The light  510  may be one of many lights of a strand of lights and thus connected and electrically powered by wiring  500 . The plug  550  is configured to extend through the connecting projection  528  of the ornament  520 . The plug  550  includes a hanger  560  to hang the internally lighted ornament  520  from a tree, bush, or other structure. 
     In  FIG. 5A , the wiring  500  passes through the connecting projection  528  between an inner surface of the connecting projection  528  and an outside surface of the plug  550 . Though not shown, either the inner surface of the connecting projection  528  or the outside surface of the plug  550  may include grooves to facilitate the placement of the wiring  500  through the connecting projection  528  with the plug  550 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows an enlarged view of the plug connector shown in  FIG. 5A . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the plug  550  may be configured to have a wide bottom end  552 , a tapered body  554 , and a narrow top end  556 . In this embodiment, the bottom end  552  of the plug  550  is configured to be wider than an opening of the connecting projection  528 . In this manner, when the ornament  520  is in the closed position, the plug  550  may not be removed from the interior of the ornament  520 , holding the plug in place. The plug  550  may further include an aperture  558  to facilitate placement of the hanger  560 . In an alternate embodiment, the hanger  560  may be formed integrally with the plug. 
       FIG. 5C  shows an exemplary installation of a plug connector shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In this embodiment, the light  510  and plug  550  are place in the interior of the ornament  520  when the ornament  520  is in an open position. Specifically, the plug  550  and wiring  500  are placed so as to disposed within the connecting projection  520 . The tapered body  554  of the plug  550  allows the plug to be abutted against the inner surface of the connecting projection  520 , and may also be abutted against the flange  534 . When the ornament  520  is brought into the closed position as described above via the hinge  526 , the plug  550  and light  510  are locked within the ornament  520 , and the ornament  520  may be hung by the hanger  560  connected to the plug  550 . 
       FIG. 5D  shows another exemplary embodiment of a plug type hanging connector. In this embodiment, the plug  550  includes a bottom end  552  with a rib  553  extending from a radial surface of the plug  550 . The rib  553  is configured to have a radius greater than an inner radius of the connecting projection  528 . The rib  552  may thus further secure the plug  550  within the ornament  520  when the ornament  520  is in the closed position. It is also noted that with the plug  550 , with or without rib  553 , the ornament may be used as a traditional ornament without the need for internal lighting. Thus the ornament may be versatile to fulfil a user&#39;s needs and preferences. 
       FIG. 5E  shows a cap hanging connector according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the hanging connector being configured on the inside of the ornament  520 , the handing connector is a “cap” connector  570  that is configured to fit over the top of and surround the connecting projection  528  of the ornament  520 . The cap  570  may include a hollow bottom portion  572  that surrounds and attaches to an outside surface of the connecting projection  528 . In this embodiment, the connecting projection includes male threads  535  that connect to female threads  574  of the of the bottom portion  572  of the cap  570 . Other connections now known or later developed may of course be employed to connect the cap  570  to the projection  528 . In  FIG. 5E , the cap  520  and ornament  520  are shown without a light disposed therein. However, the cap  520  may also be configured with apertures to facilitate the wiring  500  so that a light may disposed with the ornament  520  to internally light the ornament  520 . 
       FIG. 5F  shows a hanging connector with internal wiring according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment a plug type hanging connector  580  is configured to be hollow. The area within the connector  580  is defined by an inner surface  585  and is open on a bottom end  582 . The top end  586  of the connector also provides access to the hollow interior such as through one or more apertures  587 . In this embodiment, the wiring  500  and the light  510  are configured to extend into the hollow area of the connector  580  via the hollow bottom end  582  and apertures  587 . A hanger  560  is attached to the top end of the connector  580  and hangs the ornament  520  from a tree or other structure when the ornament  520  is in the closed position surrounding the connector  580 . The connector  580  may be formed to be permanently attached to the light  510  on the strand of lights, or may be configured to be removable therefrom. For example, the connector  580  may also have a clamshell type construction similar to the above described ornaments. In other embodiments, the connector  580  may have a slit extending along a side of the connector  580  that allows the wiring  500  to pass in and out of the connector  580 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show an alternative plug-type connector according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6A  shows a plug-type connector with an internally lighted ornament. In this embodiment, the plug-type connector  650  includes a plate  652  that is configured to fit within the ornament  620 . The plate  652  has a radius that is larger than the connecting projection  628 . Thus, when the ornament  620  is placed in the closed position, the plate  652  is held within the ornament  620 . Wiring  600  may extend around the plate  652  and outside of the ornament  620  through the connecting projection  628  to facilitate a light  610  within the ornament  620  to internally light the ornament. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a close up view of the plug-type connector according to  FIG. 6A . In this embodiment, the connector  650  is formed such that the plate  652  is formed integrally with a hanger  660 . The hanger  660  facilitates the hanging of the ornament from a tree or other structure. The hanger  660  is shown in a hooked shape in  FIG. 6 . However, the hanger  660  may be any suitable shape including a loop, square, U-shaped, or other workable shape. The hanger  660  might also comprise a clip or clamp to secure the ornament  620  to a structure. 
       FIG. 6C  shows the plug-type connector of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  with internal lighting omitted. As before, in this embodiment the connector  650  may also allow a user to use an ornament  620  without the light as an ordinary ornament. This increases the versatility of the use of the ornaments. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an alternative plug-type hanging connector according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7A  shows a plug type connector within an ornament.  FIG. 7B  shows a close up view of the plug-type connector of  FIG. 7A . In this embodiment, the connector  750  is a plate structure having an upper surface  754  and lower surface  752 . The connector includes two apertures  766  to receive a hanger  760 . In this embodiment, the hanger  760  and connector  750  may be more easily manufactured due to the simplicity of the components. Of course, other types of now known or later developed connectors for hanging an ornament may also be employed. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.