Patent Publication Number: US-9431765-B2

Title: Decorative tree and quick assembly connector therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to Chinese Utility Model Application Number CN 201320579668, filed on Sep. 18, 2013 (issued as Chinese Utility Model Number CN 203521816), the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a quick assembly pre-lit decorative tree and to electrical power connections for use with such decorative trees, and in embodiments, to electrical power connections for use with a decorative tree that are configured for safe and efficient connection and disconnection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Decorative structures, such as decorative trees, are prominently used during a number of celebrations, for example, Christmas or general Winter-themed occasions. 
     Decorative trees often include a base supporting a column or trunk, and may include twigs, leaves, and/or branches extending therefrom. Additional structures, such as branches, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and/or electrical lighting may be disposed along branches or other portions of the decorative tree. In the case of electrical lighting, a decorative tree may require one or more electrical connections to be present in order to transfer electrical power between separate electrically-powered components disposed along portions of the decorative tree, for example, strands of electrical lighting disposed along different branches or sections of the tree. 
     Thus, during assembly or disassembly of the decorative tree, a user may be required to couple or uncouple multiple electrical connections in addition assembling physical components of the decorative tree. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to address challenges presented by the use of existing electrical lighting elements with decorative trees by providing a power connector assembly for use with decorative trees that is configured for safe and efficient assembly and disassembly. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a decorative tree is disclosed, and comprises a base, a vertical column supported by the base and comprising a plurality of interconnected hollow tubes, and a power connector assembly. The power connector assembly comprises a first connector terminal and a second connector terminal. The first connector terminal comprises a raised step including an annular wall with a discontinuity that defines a positioning groove or keyway, and a pair of electrical contacts exposed on the annular wall. The second connector terminal comprises an annular recess configured to receive the raised step, an annular ring disposed within the annular recess, and a pair of conductive terminals extending from the annular ring. Each of the conductive terminals is configured for contact with a corresponding electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts. A positioning key extends from the annular ring and is configured for insertion into the positioning groove or keyway. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a body of the first connector terminal surrounding the pair of electrical contacts is formed of an electrically insulative material. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a body of the second connector terminal surrounding the pair of electrical contacts is formed of an electrically insulative material. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the conductive terminals are each configured for movement relative to the remainder of the second connector terminal. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the conductive terminals each include a resiliently deformable element. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of hollow tubes of the vertical column includes two hollow tubes. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the decorative tree further comprises a connecting tube configured for interconnecting the two hollow tubes. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the first connector terminal defines a hole therethrough for receiving a portion of the vertical column. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the second connector terminal defines a hole therethrough for receiving a portion of the vertical column. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the positioning key is spaced a radial distance between the pair of conductive terminals that is equal to a radial distance at which the positioning groove is spaced between the pair of electrical contacts. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the pair of conductive terminals in each of the first and second connector terminals is outside of the hole in the center of the power connector assembly. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a power connector assembly for use with a decorative tree comprises a first connector terminal and a second connector terminal. The first connector terminal defines a hole extending therethrough for receiving a portion of the decorative tree, and the second connector terminal defines a hole extending therethrough for receiving a portion of the decorative tree. The first connector terminal comprises a raised step including an annular wall with a discontinuity that defines a positioning groove, and a pair of conductive terminals extending from the annular wall. The second connector terminal comprises an annular recess configured to receive the raised step, an annular ring disposed within the annular recess and having a pair of electrical contacts disposed thereon, each configured for contact with a corresponding conductive terminal of the pair of conductive terminals, and a positioning key extending from the annular ring and configured for insertion into the positioning groove. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a body of the second connector terminal surrounding the pair of electrical contacts is formed of an electrically insulative material. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a body of the first connector terminal surrounding the pair of electrical contacts is formed of an electrically insulative material. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the conductive terminals are each configured for movement relative to the remainder of the first connector terminal. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the conductive terminals each include a resiliently deformable element. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the positioning key is spaced a radial distance between the pair of conductive terminals that is equal to a radial distance at which the positioning groove is spaced between the pair of electrical contacts. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the pair of conductive terminals in each of the first and second connector terminals is outside of the hole in the center of the power connector assembly. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a power connector assembly for use with a decorative tree comprises a first connector terminal and a second connector terminal. The first connector terminal defines a hole extending therethrough for receiving a portion of a decorative tree, and the second connector terminal defines a hole extending therethrough for receiving a portion of a decorative tree. The first connector terminal comprises a raised step including an annular wall with a discontinuity that defines a positioning groove, and a pair of electrical contacts exposed on the annular wall. The second connector terminal comprises an annular recess configured to receive the raised step, an annular ring disposed within the annular recess and having a pair of conductive terminals extending therefrom, each configured for contact with a corresponding electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts, and a positioning key extending from the annular ring and configured for insertion into the positioning groove. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each of the conductive terminals is configured for movement relative to the remainder of the first connector terminal. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive terminals each include a resiliently deformable element. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the positioning key is spaced a radial distance between the pair of electrical contacts that is equal to a radial distance at which the positioning groove is spaced between the pair of conductive terminals. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of conductive terminals in each of the first and second connector terminals is outside of the hole in the center of the power connector assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connected power connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the power connector assembly of  FIG. 1  in a detached configuration: 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the detached power connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the detached power connector assembly of  FIG. 1  shown together with a portion of a decorative tree according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a decorative tree including the power connector assembly of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the drawing figures. As described herein, a power connector assembly may be provided configured for safe and quick connection and may be used, for example, on a pre-lit decorative tree, such as a Christmas, Winter, or other holiday or seasonal decorative tree. 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , a power connector assembly  10  includes a male mating connector terminal  1  and a female mating connector terminal  2 . Male mating connector terminal  1  has an annular configuration that defines a central hole  11  extending therethrough. Similarly, female mating connector terminal  2  has an annular configuration that defines a central hole  21  ( FIG. 2 ) extending therethrough. Upon coupling of the male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2 , holes  11  and  21  may be aligned, as shown, so that an interior channel is defined to receive another structure, such as that of a decorative tree, as described further herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the male mating connector terminal  1  includes a raised step  14  formed of an annular wall  13  with a discontinuity that defines a positioning groove or keyway  12 . A pair of conductive contacts  15  is disposed within the annular wall  13  and each of the conductive contacts is exposed on the raised step  14  for transmitting electrical power through the power connector assembly  10 , as described further herein. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , female mating connector terminal  2  defines an annular recess  23  for receiving the raised step  14  of the male mating connector terminal  1 . An annular ring  24  extends along a bottom portion of the annular recess  23 , and includes a pair of conductive terminals  25  extending therefrom for engagement with the corresponding pair of conductive contacts  15  on the male mating connector terminal  1  so that electrical power can be transferred therethrough. In this regard, the male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2  may each have a body surrounding the respective conductive contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25  that is formed of an electrically insulative material, for example, a polymeric material such as plastic, so that a user can manually engage the male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2  without the risk of receiving an electrical shock. 
     As shown, a positioning key  22  protrudes from the annular ring  24  in the annular recess  23 , as shown, and is configured for insertion into the positioning groove or keyway  12  upon coupling of the male mating connector terminal  1  and the female mating connector terminal  2 . In this regard, upon coupling of the male mating connector terminal  1  and the female mating connector terminal  2 , a user can easily and quickly determine a proper rotational orientation of the male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2 , e.g., so that the pair of conductive contacts  15  are aligned with the respective pair of conductive terminals  25 , by rotating male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2  relative to one another until the positioning key  22  is aligned with and inserted into the positioning groove or keyway  12 . 
     Conductive terminals  25  protrude upwardly from the annular groove  24  and are configured for moveable engagement with the pair of conductive contacts  15  so that, upon insertion of the raised step  14  into the annular recess  23 , or vice-versa, the pair of conductive terminals  25  can be moved, for example, further downwardly into the annular recess  23  and/or interiorly into the body of female mating connector terminal  2 . Accordingly, conductive terminals  25  may incorporate structure configured to allow or facilitate forced movement of conductive terminals  25 , e.g., springs or other resiliently deformable elements. 
     In embodiments, it will be understood that the placement of conductive contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25  can be switched, e.g., the pair of conductive terminals  25  may be disposed on the male component connector terminal  1  and the pair of conductive contacts  15  may be disposed on the female component connector terminal  2 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the power connector assembly  10  can be used, for example with a decorative tree  100 . Decorative tree  100 , as shown, can include a base  3  coupled with a vertical column  4 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, vertical column  4  includes a first hollow tube  41  and a second hollow tube  42 . Either or both of first hollow tube  41  and second hollow tube  42  may extend through the holes  11  and  21  defined through the male mating connector terminal  1  and the female mating connector terminal  2  so that the power connector assembly  10  is circumferentially disposed about the vertical column  4 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, a connecting tube  421  is provided to couple first hollow tube  41  and second hollow tube  42 . Connecting tube  421  is optional and may be configured to interfit, e.g., telescopically fit, press fit, friction fit, or interference fit, with one or both of the first hollow tube  41  and second hollow tube  42 . Connecting tube  421  may be disposed through the holes  11  and  21  through the male mating connector terminal  1  and the female mating connector terminal  2 , respectively, or may be disposed along another portion of vertical column  4 . Alternatively, first and second hollow tubes  41  and  42  may fit within each other telescopically or both hollow tubes  41 ,  42  may fit within connecting tube  421  or vice versa. 
     In embodiments, first and/or second hollow tubes  41  and  42  may include additional features, for example, collapsible branches or other structures, and/or additional features disposed independently of or on the branches, such as lights, tinsel, or garland, to name a few, and which are not shown for ease of illustration. It will be understood that in embodiments, vertical column  4  may include a different number of hollow tubes, for example, three or more hollow tubes to vary the height of the decorative tree  100 . Adjacent pairs of tubes may be connected by power connector assemblies  10  so that the entire tree can be electrically connected. 
     In order to transfer electrical power along portions of the decorative tree  100 , for example, to illuminate electrical lights disposed about the decorative tree  100 , a power supply may be placed in electrical communication with the power connector assembly  10  (not shown). Specifically, upon coupling the male mating connector terminal  1  and the female mating connector terminal  2  in the manner described above, respective conductive contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25  are brought into contact so that an electrical circuit is formed. As described above, compression and rotation of the male mating connector terminal  1  and female mating connector terminal  2  relative to one another by a user during assembly will eventually result in the proper alignment of electrical contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25 , respectively, upon alignment and insertion of the positioning key  22  into the positioning groove or keyway  12 . Upon such coupling, one respective pair of the coupled electrical contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25  can be connected to a negative terminal of the power supply and the other respective pair of coupled electrical contacts  15  and conductive terminals  25  can be connected to a positive terminal of the power supply so that upon coupling of the power connector assembly  10  in the manner described above, portions of an electrical circuit located above the power connector assembly  10 , e.g., one or more strands of electrically-powered lights, and portions of an electrical circuit located below the power connector assembly  10 , e.g., one or more other strands of electrically-powered lights, can be interconnected and provided with a single path for electrical communication to a power source, as opposed to separately supplying power to the different portions of the electrical circuit. Further, the power connector assembly  10  allows for quick disconnection by a user, for example, in order to disassemble the decorative tree  100  for storage or to move it to a new location, or in an emergency situation in which disconnection of the flow of electrical power between different electrical components of the decorative tree  100  is necessitated. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.