Patent Publication Number: US-11391420-B2

Title: Decorative light string

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a decorative light string in which a series of ornamental shrouds, each having a lighting element, are connected by wiring. The present invention further relates to improved light string construction where the wiring is connected to each respective light element in a very simplified manner. The present invention relates even further to an improved light string employing individual LED elements in each shroud and wherein the light string, wiring and shrouds can be assembled efficiently. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Light strings of the type described in connection with the present invention are decorative and meant to be controlled from a battery source by way of intercoupling wiring. An example of an existing light string is found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,064,461 to Roos. One of the drawbacks to existing light strings is the complexity related to the installation of the wiring as well as the complexity pertaining to the shroud construction itself. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved light string in which the wiring is readily connected, without the use of separate fasteners, to each respective shroud. 
     Another object of the present invention relates to improved light string construction where the wiring is connected to each respective light element in a very simplified and economical to assemble. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved light string employing individual LED elements in each shroud and wherein the light string can be assembled efficiently and at a minimum cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a light string of ornamental pieces wherein each ornamental piece is comprised of electrical wiring that provides electrical power to a light element for each ornamental piece and a shroud that is comprised of mated shroud halves that are constructed and arranged to receive the electrical wiring and capture the light element therebetween, the shroud halves each formed with a decorative base and integral neck having a top surface through which the electrical wiring extends, the light element being supported so as to be disposed within the base of the shroud so as to illuminate the base of the shroud. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention each light element is comprised of an LED light source and a support post for supporting the LED light source, the LED light source being wider than the support post; including respective retaining collar halves at a bottom end of the neck and that are adapted to be joined in providing a complete retaining collar when the mated shroud halves are secured together, said retaining collar for fixedly holding the LED support post, and in turn the LED light source, in a fixed position within the shroud; wherein the top surface of the neck has an opening through which the wiring extends and wherein the opening is defined by like smaller slots in the respective shroud halves that together define the opening; wherein each collar half is secured to an inner surface of a wall defining the neck; wherein the respective shroud halves are interlocked by means of engaging posts and holes that are spaced apart around the base of the shroud, wherein at least one post and aligned hole is disposed above the LED light source in the neck of the shroud, and further including switch in the light string for selectively activating the LED light source from a battery. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a light string of ornamental pieces wherein each ornamental piece is comprised of electrical wiring that provides electrical power to a light element for each ornamental piece and a shroud that is comprised of mated shroud halves that are constructed and arranged to receive the electrical wiring and capture the light element therebetween, the shroud halves each formed with a decorative base half and integral neck half, and a cap that is comprised of respective cap halves, each cap half for interlocking engagement with a respective neck half, and respective catch pieces adapted for engagement between the respective cap halves. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention each light element is comprised of an LED light source and a support post for supporting the LED light source; wherein the top surface of the neck has an opening through which the wiring extends and wherein the opening is defined by like smaller slots in the respective cap halves that together define the opening; wherein the cap halves engage with the neck halves by means of a post and hole arrangement which firmly engages both cap halves with respective neck halves; wherein each neck half has a passage for receiving respective catch pieces; wherein the respective catch pieces include a catch on one of the cap halves and a ledge on the other of the cap halves; wherein the one cap half has a pair of opposed position catches and the other cap half has a pair of opposed position ledges; and wherein the one cap half includes an alignment post that engages with a hole in the associated neck half. 
     In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a light string of ornamental pieces wherein each ornamental piece is comprised of electrical wiring that provides electrical power to a light element for each ornamental piece and a shroud that is comprised of mated shroud halves that are constructed and arranged to receive the electrical wiring and capture the light element therebetween, the shroud halves each formed with a decorative base half and integral neck half, and a cap that is comprised of respective cap halves, each cap half for contact with a respective neck half, and a pair of support collars below the neck halves for supporting the electrical wiring and LED light source. 
     In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention respective catch pieces adapted for engagement between the respective cap halves; wherein the top surface of the neck has an opening through which the wiring extends and wherein the opening is defined by like smaller slots in the respective cap halves that together define the opening; wherein each neck half has a passage for receiving respective catch pieces; wherein the respective catch pieces include a catch on one of the cap halves and a ledge on the other of the cap halves; and wherein the one cap half has a pair of opposed position catches and the other cap half has a pair of opposed position ledges. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the present invention of a light string with shrouds that are in the form of a flamingo; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a single shroud construction; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates separate halves of the shroud in an opened position; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the shroud construction illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in which the shroud is in the form of a bulb; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one half of the shroud illustrated in  FIG. 5  with the cap portion exploded away from the shroud; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the same shroud half illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the half cap attached; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the other half of the shroud with half of the cap exploded away; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the other half with the cap assembled; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing the wiring and light element installed between the cap halves; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view with both halves interengaged; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a ghost; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view with the cap halves engaged with the neck of the shroud; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view at the cap end neck; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view showing the shroud halves and the cap halves; 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view; 
         FIG. 21  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the shroud halves engaged; 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that shown in  FIG. 21  but with the cap halves engaged; and 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     There are disclosed multiple embodiments of the present invention. In all of these embodiments there is provided interconnected wiring and some type of a light control device that includes a battery for operating light elements in each of the separate ornamental pieces or shrouds. In all of the embodiments presented herein, the wiring is entered at a top of the shroud such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In one embodiment the wiring is captured by employing separate shroud halves. In another embodiment of the invention a retaining cap is provided where the retaining cap is also provided in halves and engages with a neck of the ornamental piece. 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the present invention of a light string with shrouds that are in the form of a “flamingo”.  FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a single shroud construction.  FIG. 3  illustrates separate halves of the shroud in an opened position.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the shroud construction illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     In this first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a light string  10  that is comprised of a series of ornamental pieces  12  that are each in the form of a hollow shroud construction. Various configurations can be used as far as the shroud is concerned. In the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the shroud is in the form of a “flamingo”. 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates that the wiring  20  connects to a light control member  14  which is schematically illustrated as including a switch at  15  and a battery at  16 . The switch simply controls the circuit so that the LEDs within each shroud can be illuminated or not. Moreover, one can provide a simple timing circuit so that the switch can control a number of different cycles of the LEDs including a steady illumination or a pulse illumination. 
       FIGS. 2-4  illustrate the shroud  22  as comprised of separate shroud halves  22 A and  22 B. Each shroud half is also comprised of a base portion  24  and a neck portion  26 . The neck portion  26  is provided with an opening  27  that may be provided in either or both halves  22 A,  22 B.  FIGS. 3 and 4  also illustrate the lighting element by means of the LED  28  and the support  29 . The wiring  20  connects by way of the support  29  to power the LED  28 . In this first embodiment, the shroud halves are provided with a post on one side and an accommodating hole on the other side. Reference may be made to  FIG. 4  and the post or pin  30  associated with the shroud half  22 A as well as the holes  31  associated with the shroud half  22 B. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  at least four spaced apart pins/holes are provided. 
     The lighting element is preferably secured by means of a retaining collar  21 , portions of which are provided in each shroud half such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In a preferred embodiment there is also provided a lower collar  22 A depicted in dotted outline in  FIG. 3 . Once the shroud halves are assembled together by engaging the post  30  with the holes  31 , then the retaining collar halves  21  engage and firmly support the lighting element in place.  FIG. 3  also shows a second collar  21 A spaced below the upper collar  21 . 
     Reference is now made to a second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 5-13 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention in which the shroud is in the form of a bulb.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one half of the shroud illustrated in  FIG. 5  with the cap portion exploded away from the shroud.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the same shroud half illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the half cap attached.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the other half of the shroud with half of the cap exploded away.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the other half with the half cap assembled.  FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing the wiring and light element installed between the cap halves.  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view with both halves interengaged. In  FIGS. 5-13  only a single shroud is shown but it is understood that a series of shrouds or ornamental pieces are provided coupled by way of the wiring  34  as a manner described in  FIG. 1 . In the second embodiment of the present invention there is illustrated an ornamental piece  32  that is in the form of a shroud  36 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the wiring  34  that connects to the shroud  36 . 
     The shroud  36  includes a shroud base  37  and a neck  38 . Refer to  FIG. 6  that shows a first shroud half  36 A that has a neck half  38 A.  FIG. 6  shows the cap half  40 A exploded away from the neck half  38 A.  FIG. 7  illustrates the cap half  40 A engaged with the neck half  38 A. For this purpose there are provided alignment posts  60  that engage with holes  62  with a firm fit between them.  FIG. 7  also illustrates the catch  56 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8  for an illustration of the other shroud half  36 B which includes the base  37 B and the neck portion  38 B.  FIG. 8  illustrates the cap half  40 B exploded away from the neck  38 B.  FIG. 9  illustrates the cap half  40 B engaged with the neck  38 B by means of the engaging posts  60  and holes  62 . In order to secure the shroud halves together, there is also provided a securing post  60 A and a corresponding hole  62 A as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . Spaced apart posts or pins and corresponding holes may be provided about the interior of the shroud as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
     Reference is now also made to the exploded view of  FIG. 10  which shows the base half  37 A and overlying that the other half  37 B.  FIG. 10  illustrates the pair of catches  56  that will be used for engaging the halves in an assembled manner. In  FIG. 10  there is provided an opening  41  through which the wiring  34  extends to the light element  46 . The light element  46  includes the support post  50  and the LED  48 . Additional retaining collars may also be provided about the support post  50 . 
     Reference is now made to the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 11-13 . The cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate respectively the necks  38 B and  38 A of the shroud as well as the configuration of the cap. In  FIG. 12  the cap half  40 A is illustrated as having extended therefrom, catch elements  56  which terminate in an end catch member  56 A. The other cap half  40 B as illustrated in  FIG. 11  includes the ledge  58 . Reference to  FIG. 13  clearly illustrates the manner in which the end catch piece  56 A engages with the respective ledge  58 . Once the two halves are assembled together, the entire LED lighting element and wiring are retained in place without the use of any separate attachment pieces.  FIGS. 12 and 13  also show an interlocking engagement by means of the pin  64  extending inwardly from the cap half  40 A and a corresponding hole  66  in the neck half  40 A. 
     Reference is now made to a third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a perspective view in the form of a “ghost”.  FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view with the cap halves engaged with the neck of the shroud.  FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view at the cap end neck. This embodiment includes a shroud  70  that is comprised of a shroud base  72  and a neck  74 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the wiring  80  entering through the cap  76  at the passage  81 . Reference may now be made to  FIGS. 15-18  that illustrate the shroud bases  72 A and  72 B as well as the shroud neck halves  74 A and  74 B.  FIG. 15  also illustrates the cap half  76 A and the other cap half  76 B both of which supports a catch  88 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 15  there may also be provided the retaining collar  83 , one associated with each base. The lighting element  82  is shown disposed between the shroud halves and is comprised of a support piece  86  for the LED  84 . The exploded perspective view of  FIG. 18  in particular shows the manner in which the retaining collar  83  supports the light element  82 . The wiring  80  extends through a top wall aperture in the caps  76 A,  76 B. The collars  83  are provided in both shroud halves. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14-18 , the catch  88  is for engagement with a ledge  90  which is adjacent to the hole  91  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . A similar catch and ledge arrangement may be associated with the other neck half  74 A and cap half  76 A. The two shroud halves may be interconnected such as by means of the pin  85  and associated hole  87 . The pin  85  is illustrated as extending from an inner surface of the shroud base  72 B extending into a hole  87  in the shroud base  72 A. In addition to this pin  85 , there may be additional pin or post/hole arrangements disposed spaced about the shroud in a manner similar to that illustrated in the first embodiment in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     Reference is now made to a final embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 19-25 . In this embodiment the shroud is also in the form of a “ghost” and in this embodiment many of the same reference characters are used as described with the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14-18 . Thus, the shroud halves each include a shroud half base  72 A,  72 B and a shroud half neck  74 A,  74 B. Also illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 19  there are provided cap halves  76 A and  76 B. In this embodiment the top wall of each half is provided with a passage indicated at  81 .  FIG. 19  also illustrates the light element  82  as including the support  86  for the LED  84  along with the wiring  80  that connects through the support  86  to the LED device  84 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19 , a somewhat different arrangement is used for interconnecting the two shroud halves, this may include on one side a loop  94  that can engage with a tab  95 . Loop  94  has a center hole that can engage over the tab  95 . This embodiment may also be provided with one or more sets of retaining collars  83  as in the first embodiment previously described. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 18-25 , each of the half is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending catch members. The cap half  76 A is provided with a pair of catch members  97  while the cap half  76 B is provided with a pair of spaced apart catch members  98 .  FIGS. 20-22  also illustrate an additional set of catch members  96 . The catch members  96  are for engagement with a ledge associated with the shroud half  74 B. 
     The catch members  97  and  98  are primarily used for the purpose of securing cap halves to respective neck portions  74 A,  74 B.  FIG. 19  in particular shows a ledge at  98 A to which the end of the catch members may engage. Refer also to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 25  that illustrates the catch members  97  engaged with a ledge of the shroud half  74 A and a pair of catch members  98  that engage with the shroud half  74 B. Thus, the catch members  96  are instrumental in securing the shroud halves together; that is along with the other interconnecting pieces  94 ,  95 . 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.