Patent Publication Number: US-11662089-B2

Title: Lighted decorative article

Description:
CLAIM OF THE PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/149,842, filed Feb. 16, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to decorative articles and, in particular, to a lighted decorative article. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Lighted decorative articles, such as stockings, are popular holiday decorations. Such stockings are often hung, such as on a fireplace mantle, and filled with treats and/or small gift items. Lighted stockings that provide an attractive and unique appearance are especially desirable. In addition, economical and efficient production of such stockings is also desirable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the lighted decorative article of the disclosure in the form of a lighted stocking; 
         FIG.  2    is a side perspective view of the lighted stocking of  FIG.  1    with the cuff raised and the battery pack removed from the battery pack holder pocket; 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged side perspective of the battery holder pocket of  FIG.  2    with the battery pack positioned therein; 
         FIG.  4    is a side perspective view of the lighted stocking of  FIGS.  1  and  2    turned inside out; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged side perspective view of the batting layer of the stocking of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the light source wiring harness of the lighted stocking of  FIGS.  1 - 4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view illustrating a light source of the light source wiring harness of  FIG.  6    prior to insertion into a light source aperture of the batting layer of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view illustrating a light source of the light source wiring harness of  FIG.  7    after insertion into a light source aperture of the batting layer of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view illustrating the light sources of the light source wiring harness of  FIG.  6    after insertion into the light source apertures of the batting layer of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the light source wiring harness of  FIG.  9    after being secured to the batting layer. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto. 
     In one aspect, a lighted decorative article including an outer layer of material and a batting layer attached to the outer layer, where the batting layer includes a number of light source apertures. A light source wiring harness includes a plurality of light sources operatively connected by electrical wire. The plurality of light sources are positioned within the plurality of light source apertures and the electrical wire is secured to the batting layer. A liner is secured to the batting layer so as to cover the wire. 
     In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a lighted decorative article includes the steps of: forming a plurality of light source apertures in a batting layer; securing the batting layer to an outer layer; inserting a plurality of light sources into the light source apertures of the batting layer; securing wiring operatively connected to the plurality of light sources to the batting layer; and securing a lining to the batting layer so that the wiring is sandwiched between the batting layer and the lining. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the lighted decorative article of the disclosure in the form of a lighted stocking is indicated in general at  20  in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . While the invention is described in terms of a lighted stocking, the lighted decorative article of the invention may take other forms. 
     The stocking  20  includes a body  22  and an annular cuff  24 . The cuff includes an exterior surface  26  ( FIG.  1   ) and an interior surface  32  ( FIG.  2   ). The body  22  includes an outer layer having an exterior surface  28 . As is known in the art, the body defines an interior that is accessible via an opening  34  in the top of the stocking. 
     As is illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the top edge of the body  22  is attached to an edge of the cuff  24  via stitching  36  so that the cuff surrounds the stocking opening  34  ( FIG.  1   ). In an alternative embodiment, the cuff portion  24  may be integrally formed with the body portion  22  so that the two portions share a single piece of cloth. In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the cuff  24  may not completely surround the opening  34  of the body  22  of the stocking. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the cuff  24  folds down over the top portion of the stocking body  22  in an overlaying fashion so that the interior surface  32  ( FIG.  2   ) of the cuff lays against the top portion of the outer layer exterior surface  28  of the body  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a loop  62  is secured to the top portion of the body  22  so that the stocking may be easily hung for display and use. 
     As will be explained in greater detail below, the body  22  of the stocking is provided with a number of light sources, such as light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, that are visible through the exterior surface  28 . This may be accomplished by the outer layer (featuring exterior surface  28 ) being constructed of a sheer cloth, such as cotton sheeting, with the light sources being positioned underneath the cloth (as in the illustrated embodiment and described below). Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior surface  28  may be provided with openings so that the light sources are visible, or the light sources may be attached on top of the exterior surface  28 . Alternative types of light sources known in the art may be used in place of the LED bulbs. The light sources may be of a single color or multiple colors. 
     Power for the light sources is provided, with reference to  FIG.  2   , by a battery pack  42 . As an example only, the battery pack may hold a number of replaceable battery cells  48  that provide electrical power to the light sources via electrical wire  52 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a battery pack holder in the form of a pocket  54  having an opening  56  is provided on the top portion of the body portion  22  of the stocking and is sized to receive and hold the battery pack  42  so that it is concealed under the cuff  24  when it is overlaying the top portion of the body  22  (as illustrated in  FIG.  1   ). This permits easy replacement of the batteries. The battery pack may include a power switch to activate the light, as well as other features such as a timer and/or blinking selector. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the pocket may be formed on the interior surface  32  of the cuff  24 . In addition, alternative arrangements for the battery pack holder for securing the battery pack under the cuff  24  may be used in place of the pocket  54 . These may include hook and loop fasteners, one or more straps, netting, webbing, etc. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the stocking of  FIGS.  1  and  2    after being turned inside out. As a result, the lining  64  of the body  22  is visible. As an example only, the lining  64  may be constructed of polyester fabric. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates the interior of the stocking body  22  with a portion of lining  64  removed and prior to the installation of the LED lighting and corresponding wiring. A batting layer  66  is visible and features light source apertures  68 . While eight light source apertures are illustrated, the batting layer  66  may feature an alternative number of such apertures. As an example only, the batting layer  66  may be constructed from cotton batting. 
     The outer layer (which includes the exterior surface  28  of  FIG.  1   ) and the batting layer  66  of  FIG.  5    may be quilted together prior to installation of the light sources and associated wiring. In addition, the quilted fabric may be garment washed and/or subjected to other cloth conditioning processes to improve the appearance of the completed stocking. 
     After the outer layer and batting are quilted and washed/processed, the lighting sources and corresponding wiring may be added thereto. 
     A light source wiring harness is indicated in general at  72  in  FIG.  6   . The wiring harness  72  includes a number of light sources  74 , which are LED bulbs in the illustrated embodiment, operatively connected by electrical wire  76 . While eight LED bulbs are illustrated in  FIG.  6   , and alternative number of light sources may be provided. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  7 - 9   , each light source  74  is inserted into a corresponding aperture  68  of the batting layer  66  so as to be positioned between the batting layer and the outer layer ( 28  of  FIG.  1   ). With reference to  FIG.  1   , an end of the wire  76  is provided with a connector  78  that is routed through an opening  82  formed in the batting layer and the outer layer of the stocking body  22  so that an operative connection may be made between the battery pack  42  ( FIG.  1   ) and LED bulbs  74  ( FIGS.  6  and  7   ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the wiring  76  is secured to the batting layer  66  with tape  84 . As a result, the LED bulbs are secured within the apertures  68 . In an alternative embodiment, the wiring  76  may be sewn to the batting layer  66  or secured thereto by staples or other fastening arrangements known in the art. 
     After the light source wiring harness is secured within the stocking, the lining  64  ( FIG.  4   ) is sewn into the stocking. As a result, the light source wiring harness is covered by the lining material so that the wiring and light sources are not damaged by items placed within the stocking or while the stocking interior is being accessed. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.