Patent Publication Number: US-6340233-B1

Title: Decorative tube light with multiple branches

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a decorative light string, and more specifically to a decorative tube light incorporating with multiple branches by means of branch members. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A conventional decorative light string usually is composed of a plurality of bulb sockets and an electrical wire. Each of the bulb sockets may receive and hold a light bulb thereon. An electric plug may be provided at one end of the light string for connection with an external power source. This kind of conventional decorative light string does not have water-proof configuration, so that it is not suitable to be used in outdoors. 
     For this reason, a tube light string typically made of water-proof material and formed with a hollow inner tube therein is developed. The conventional tube light string primarily includes a power line section and a plurality of light strings to become an extending tube light string. A plug is connected to an end of the power line for supplying electric power thereto. Those tube light strings are waterproof, electrically safe and easily to be arranged, so that they are widely used outdoors for decorating especially in festivals. 
     However, the structure of the both light strings mentioned above are like wires, which are soft and linear figure. So it usually just be simply hung or wound on the trees, doors, windows, or ground. If the conventional light strings are needed to have a branch structure, that can be done by binding the light strings with ropes to form some special branch shape. But it is not easy to bind the light strings in an expected branch shape very well, and the structure of the light strings by binding is not very firm. The light strings are easily sliding or falling off. Besides, it will be very trouble to unwind all the ropes winding on the light strings. 
     Thus, it is desired to have an improved decorative tube light that can incorporate with specific branch members to have a multiple branches for overcoming the problems discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a decorative tube light with multiple branches having a power line section with a plug, a fuse section, at least one branch member, and a plurality of tube light branches. The fuse section comprises a fuse retained inside in a replaceable or non-replaceable way. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative tube light with multiple branches. Incorporating with at least of one branch member, the fuse section may be connected with a number of tube light branches to become a multiple-branch tube light string assembly. The branch member may be L-shaped, T-shaped, Y-shaped, or multiple output ends. The branch member may be formed with a central through hole for hanging the branch member on supporting articles for decorating in various ways. 
     To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a decorative tube light comprising a power line section, a fuse section, at least one branch member, and a plurality of tube light branches. The power line section has a first end connected with an electrical plug and a second end. The fuse section has a first end that can be connected to the second end of the power line section and a second end. The branch member has an input end connected to the second end of the fuse section, and at least one output end connected to a tube light branch. Each tube light branch has a first end and a second end. The first end of the tube light branch is connected to the output end of the branch member for receiving electric power conducted from the plug and forming a multiple-branch structure. The second end of the tube light branch may be connected with the first end of the next tube light branch for elongating, or be connected another branch member for forming more branches. Finally, an end cap is mounted onto each tail end of the tube light branches for protecting and waterproofing. 
     Furthermore, the branch member may be formed with a central through hole for hanging the branch member on a supporting article for decorating in various ways. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a decorative tube light with multiple branches assembly comprising a branch member and a number of tube light branches constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the power line section and the fuse section of FIG. 1 being separated; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the fuse section being connected between a power line section and an tube light branch in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a T-shaped branch member and the tube light branches of FIG. 1 being separated; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit connection in the branch member shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the end cap in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the L-shaped branch member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the U-shaped branch member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the Y-shaped branch member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the branch member having one input end and three output ends in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the branch member having one input end and five output ends in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a decorative tube light with multiple branches being arranged on an umbrella. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a decorative tube light with multiple branches in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a power line section  1 , a fuse section  2 , a plurality of tube light branches  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , a branch member  4 , and a plurality of end caps  5   b  and  5   c . The tube light branches  3   b  and  3   c  are connected to the tube light branch  3   a  via the branch member  4 . 
     The power line section  1  has a first end connected with an electrical plug  10  and a second end  11 . A pair of conductive wires  14   a  and  14   b  are spaced from each other and parallelly extended inside the power line section  1  from the electrical plug  10  to the second end  11  for supplying electric power. 
     The fuse section  2  has a first end  21  that can be connected to the second end  11  of the power line section  1  and a second end  27 . A pair of conductive wires  24   a  and  24   b  are also spaced from each other and parallelly extended inside the fuse section  2  and a fuse  25  is connected to one of the connective wires, such as  24   b , in series. 
     Each of the tube light branches  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  has a first end and a second end. A pair of conductive wires are parallelly extended between the first end and the second end and a plurality of light emitting elements are electrically connected across the conductive wires. The first end of the tube light branch  3   a  is connected to the second end  27  of the fuse section  2  by a coupling ring  26 . 
     The branch member  4  has an input end  41  connected to the second end  27  of the tube light branch  3   a , and two output ends  42  and  43  connected to tube light branches  3 B and  3   c  respectively. Each of the first ends of the tube light branches  3   b  and  3   c  is respectively connected to the output ends  42  and  43  of the branch member  4  for receiving the electric power conducted from the plug  10 . The second ends of the tube light branches  3   b  and  3   c  are mounted with an end caps  5   b  and  5   c  respectively for protecting. 
     With reference to FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, a pair of conductive wires  14   a  and  14   b  are spaced from each other and parallelly extended inside the power line section  1  from the electrical plug  10  to the second end  11  for supplying electric power. The second end  11  of the power line section  1  comprises two sockets  12   a  and  12   b  formed thereon. Each of the sockets  12   a  and  12   b  retains a conductive sleeve  13   a  and  13   b  therein and the conductive sleeves  13   a  and  13   b  are electrically connected to the corresponding conductive wires  14   a  and  14   b.    
     In accordance with a preffered embodiment of the present invention, the fuse section  2  has a first end  21  that can be connected to the second end  11  of the power line section  1  and a second end  27 . A transparent tube  20  is formed between the first end  21  and the second end  27  of the fuse section  2 . A pair of conductive wires  24   a  and  24   b  are spaced from each other and parallelly extended inside the transparent tube  20 . A fuse  25  is retained in a fuse retaining hole formed in the transparent tube  20  and electrically connected to one of the conductive wires, such as the conductive wire  24   b , in series. 
     Corresponding to the structure of the second end  11  of the power line section  1 , the first end  21  of the fuse section  2  comprises a pair of conductive rods  22   a  and  22   b  protrusive to an end portion thereof. Each of the conductive rods  22   a  and  22   b  is electrically connected to the corresponding conductive wires  24   a  and  24   b  extending inside the transparent tube  20 . 
     Same to the structure of the second end  11  of the power line section  1 , the second end  27  of the fuse section  2  comprises two sockets  28   a  and  28   b  formed thereon. Each of the sockets  28   a  and  28   b  retains a conductive plate therein and the conductive plates are electrically connected to the corresponding conductive wires  24   a  and  24   b.    
     When connecting the power line section  1  and the fuse section  2 , the conductive rods  22   a  and  22   b  on the first end  21  of the fuse section  2  will be inserted into the sockets  12   a  and  12   b  formed on the second end  11  of the power line section  1 . The conductive rods  22   a  and  22   b  will contact with the conductive sleeves  13   a  and  13   b  retained inside the sockets  12   a  and  12   b , and the electric power will be conducted from the plug  10  to the fuse section  2 . 
     Also referring to FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, the first end  21  of the fuse section  2  is formed with an outer thread  23 . A coupling ring  15  formed with an inner thread  16  is used to couple the first end  21  of the fuse section  2  onto the second end  11  of the power line section  1  by screwing the coupling ring  15  onto the first end  21  of the fuse section  2 . An inward rib  17  is formed at one end of the coupling ring  15  and a stop rib  18  is formed on the second end  11  of the power line section  1 . When the coupling ring  15  is screwed onto the first end  21  of the fuse section  2 , the coupling ring  15  may be limited by the stop rib  18  for firmly locking the power line section  1  and the fuse section  2  preventing from fall off. The same structure is also formed on the second end  27  of the fuse section  2 , the output ends of the branch member  4 , and the second ends of the tube light branches  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c.    
     With accordance to FIG.  4  and FIG. 5, the branch member  4  comprises an input end  41  removeably connected to the second end  32  of the tube light branch  3   a  and two output ends  42  and  43 . A pair of conductive wires  44   a  and  44   b  are spaced from each other and extending from the input end  41  to both output ends  42  and  43 . The first output end  42  comprises two sockets  42   a  and  42   b  formed thereon. Each of the socks  42   a  and  42   b  retains a conductive sleeve therein and the conductive sleeves are electrically connected to the corresponding ends of the conductive wires  44   a  and  44   b . The second output end  43  also comprises two sockets  43   a  and  43   b  formed thereon. Each of the sockets  43   a  and  43   b  retains a conductive sleeve therein and the conductive sleeves are electrically connected to the corresponding ends of the conductive wires  44   a  and  44   b.    
     The input end  41  of the branch member  4  comprises a pair of conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b  protrusive to an end portion thereof. Each of the conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b  is electrically connected to the conductive wires  44   a  and  44   b  respectively. 
     The same as the fuse section  2 , each of the tube light branches  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  has a pair of conductive rods formed on its first end and the conductive rods are protrusive to an end portion thereof. Two sockets are formed on the second end of each extending tube light. Each of the sockets retains a conductive plate therein and the conductive plates are electrically connected to the corresponding conductive wires extending inside each extending tube light. 
     When connecting the branch member  4  with the tube light branches  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , the conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b  on the input end  41  of the branch member  4  will be inserted into the sockets  31   a  and  31   b  respectively formed on the second end  32  of the tube light branch  3   a . The conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b  will contact with the conductive sleeves retained inside the sockets  31   a  and  31   b . Incorporating with a coupling ring  61 , the input end  41  of the branch member  4  and the second end  32  of the tube light branch  3   a  will be firmly locked. 
     With reference to FIG. 6, the end cap such as  5   b  comprises a protrusive portion having a horizontal through hole  51  formed thereon. A mooring rope  53  is fastened between the horizontal through hole  51  of the end cap  5   b  and the tail end  302  of the tube light  3   b  for preventing from the end cap  5   b  losing. The end cup  5   b  is also formed with an outer thread  52 . The end cap  5   b  may be locked on the tail end  302  of the extending tube light  3   b  by a coupling ring  54  provided with an inner thread  55 . 
     The branch member  4  in accordance with the present invention may be in various forms. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the branch member which is in a form of L-shaped structure. In this embodiment, the branch member  4  has an input end  41  adapted to be connected onto the second end of the tube light branch. The input end  41  also includes a pair of conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b , and an outer thread  41   c . The conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b  is protrusive to an end portion thereof and electrically connected to the conductive wires arranged in the branch member  4  respectively. The output end  42  comprises two sockets  42   a  and  42   b  formed thereon. Each of the socks  42   a  and  42   b  retains a conductive sleeve therein and are electrically connected to the corresponding conductive wires arranged in the branch member  4 . The output end  42  is also provided with a stop rib  42   c  for a coupling ring  62 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the branch member which is in a form of U-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the branch member in this embodiment is similar to that of the branch member  4  shown in FIG.  7 . The input end  41  of the branch member  4  is also provided with a pair of conductive rods  41   a  and  41   b , and an outer thread  41   c . The output end  42  of the branch member  4  is also provided with two sockets  42   a ,  42   b , a stop rib  42   c , a coupling ring  62 . 
     It is to be understood that the branch member of the present invention may include an input end and a number of output ends with similar structure as mentioned in the previous embodiments. For example, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the branch member having one input end  41  and three output ends  42 . FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the branch member  4  having one input end  41  and five output ends  42 . It is noted that the branch member  4  is further provided with a central through hole  71  in the central body  7  thereof. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a decorative tube light with multiple branches being arranged on a supporting article, such as an umbrella. The branch member  4  as shown in FIG. 11 is particularly adapted to be hanged on a central tip  82  extended from a central post  81 , so that the light branches  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  3   d  are supported on the top surface  83  of the supporting article and angularly spaced from each other about the central post  81 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that a variety of modifications, variations and substitutions may be done without departing from the scope of the present invention that is intended to be defined by the appended claims.