Abstract:
The light emitting diode (LED) light string system includes a plurality of lamp systems. Each lamp system includes a single LED, a base, and a globe to cover the LED. The LED light string system appears similar to the conventional incandescent light string system, but instead illuminates via LEDs. Each LED is covered by the globe similar to those available in incandescent systems, which provides refraction of the illuminated LED to produce an LED light string that has the look of a conventional incandescent light string.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/024,009, filed 28 Jan. 2008, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light string system and, more particularly, a light emitting diode (LED) light string system. 
         [0003]    Conventional light strings are known in the art. Conventional light strings are predominantly used during the holiday season for decorative purposes, e.g., Christmas tree lights, outdoor holiday lights, and icicles light sets. Conventional light strings commonly comprise a plurality of light systems that include conventional light sources, i.e., preferably incandescent light bulbs having filaments. 
         [0004]    A rather recent development in the design of conventional light strings is to include light emitting diodes as a light source. Advantages of light emitting diodes over incandescent light bulbs include, but are not limited to, lower power consumption, longer lifespan, lower heat generation, smaller size and weight, robustness, faster switching time, and being available in a number of colors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Briefly described, embodiments of the present invention include a light emitting diode (LED) light string system. The LED light string system has the look of the conventional incandescent light string systems, but illuminates via light emitting diodes instead. 
         [0006]    In an exemplary embodiment, a lamp system for a light string system including a plurality of lamp systems. Each lamp system comprises a light assembly, a socket assembly, and a refractive assembly. The light assembly includes a light emitting diode. The socket assembly includes a socket dimensioned to receive via insertion a portion of the light assembly. Further, the socket assembly includes a pair of contacting members on opposing sides of the socket. The refractive assembly covers a majority of the light assembly enabling refraction of an illuminated light assembly. 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp system for use in a light emitting diode (LED) light string system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a light assembly illustrating exemplary refraction and reflection of an illuminated light emitting diode, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of embodiments of the invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementations in illustrative embodiments. In particular, embodiments of the invention are described in the context of being a light emitting diode light string system. 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the invention, however, are not solely limited to use as a light emitting diode light system. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used wherever a circuit or other system with an illuminating characteristic is needed or desired. 
         [0012]    The material described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example. 
         [0013]    Referring now in detail to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a lamp system for use in a light emitting diode (LED) light string system. The LED light string system comprises a plurality of lamp systems  100  connected to one another, in either parallel or series, wherein each lamp system  100  comprises a light assembly  200 , a socket assembly  300 , and a refractive assembly  400 . Each light assembly  200  comprises an LED  210  and a base  220  in communication with the LED  210 . Each socket assembly  300  comprises a socket  310  adapted to receive a portion of the light assembly  200 . Each refractive assembly  400  can partially or fully encapsulate the light assembly  200  including the LED  210  to provide brilliant refraction of an illuminated light. 
         [0014]    The light assembly  200  of the lamp system  100  comprises the LED  210  and the base  220  in communication therewith. The LED  210  is adapted to illuminate when energized. In an exemplary embodiment, conductors can be in electrical communication with the LED  210 . The conductors enable energy to the LED  210  for illumination purposes. The conductors of the LED  210  can extend down through the base  220 , wherein exemplarily the conductors can be in communication with a pair of lead wires  222  external the base  220 . In one embodiment, the conductors and the lead wires  222  can be the same wire/conductor. The lead wires  222  extend through a bottom of the base  220 , and are a pair of wires that can be wrapped around the base  220  extending upwardly in the direction of the LED  210 , adjacent the base  220 . 
         [0015]    The light assembly  200  further includes the base  220 . The base  220  can be integrally formed with the LED  210 . The base  220  can be a unitary element of the LED  210 , or a separate element. Exemplarily, the base  220  communicates between the LED  210  and an associated socket  310 , complimenting and facilitating the seating of the light assembly  200  to the socket  310 . 
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment, the base  220  can incorporate at least one ridge  226  to ensure a snug fit with the socket  310 , preventing the accidental disengagement of the light assembly  200  from the socket assembly  300 . Other mechanical mechanisms can be used with the base  220  and the socket assembly  300  to ensure a tight fit. 
         [0017]    Each socket can include contacting members  320  on opposing sides for interacting and being in electrical communication between the wires  222  of the LED  210  and the wires  314  between the lamp systems  100 . 
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment, the light assembly  200  can further comprise a locking assembly  330  to secure the light assembly  200  to the socket assembly  300 . The locking assembly  330  may be exterior, or designed within the socket assembly  300  to fasten and/or couple the connection of the light assembly  200  to the socket assembly  300  internally. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking assembly  330  is external and can include cooperating light assembly elements  224  and socket assembly element  304 . These elements  224  and  304  can be formed as a clasp and a lock to insert the clasp. For example, the base  220  of the light assembly  200  can include the element  224  that extends approximately normal to the base  220  and can define an aperture. On the other end of the locking assembly  330  can be the element  304 , which extends outwardly from the socket  310 , and can be inserted into the element  224  of the base  220 . As the element  304  of the socket  310  is inserted into the element  224  of the base  220 , the locking assembly is complete. In another example, the clasp can be coupled to the base  220  of the light assembly  200  and the receiving portion can be coupled to the socket  310 ; as a result, the element  304  can define the aperture to receive the element  224 . 
         [0019]    Stringent Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requirements recently require that lights and sockets fit tightly together; this requirement may ultimately decrease the value of the locking assembly  330  in the lamp system  100 . Advantageously, the improvement in injection molding machines now enables the production of sockets and lamp assemblies that have a tight, snug fit. 
         [0020]    Wires  314  connect lamp system  100  to one another, in either electrical series or electrical parallel relationship. The lead wires  222  of the light assembly  200  are in electrical communication with the wires  314 , such that power flowing through the wires  314  can be transferred to the lead wires  222  and thus activate the LED  210 . For example, one of the lead wires  222  is in communication with one of the contacting member  320 , which is in communication with the wire  314 ; the same can be true for the opposing lead wire  222 . 
         [0021]    Light strings, such as the decorative light string system disclosed herein, are typically arranged with lamp systems  100  being electrically connected in series, rather than in a parallel arrangement. Unfortunately, there are disadvantages to designing a light string in series. When even a single light assembly is removed from a socket assembly, the entire series of lights is rendered inoperable. Because each light assembly within its respective socket completes the electrical circuit, when a light assembly is removed or the filament of the bulb burns out, a gap is created in the circuit; that is, an open circuit is formed. Thus, electricity is unable to continue to flow through the circuit. 
         [0022]    To overcome this dilemma, in an exemplary embodiment, the socket assembly  300  can include a shunting device  350  to enable the energy flowing through the light string system to continue to flow even when a light assembly  200  is absent from the socket  310 . For example and not limitation, the light string will remain illuminated even though there may exist: for example, a faulty light emitting diode, faulty socket, or simply because the LED is not properly mounted in its respective socket, or is entirely removed or falls out of its respective socket. For instance, the bypass activating system described in Massabki et al., U.S. Ser. No. 11/849,423, filed Sep. 4, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, can be used as the shunting device  350  herein. 
         [0023]    The refractive assembly  400  can include a refraction layer  405  to protect the LED  210  of the light assembly  200 . In an exemplary embodiment, the refraction layer  405  can be a globe  410  for covering most, if not all, of the LED  210 . The globe  410  is in communication with, and terminates at the base  220 . The globe  410  comprises an open bottom end  412 , such that the open bottom end  412  is in communication with a top portion of the base  220 , and a closed top end  414 . The open bottom end  412  can receive and encapsulate a portion of the LED  210 . As a result, the LED  210  is protected from harsh elements, including inclement weather (e.g., water) and other debris. 
         [0024]    The globe  410  can be made of conventional translucent or transparent material such as plastic, glass, and the like. The globe  410  defines a hollow interior enabling protection of and receiving the LED  210 . Unlike other LED light string systems, the globe  410  provides the look of conventional incandescent light systems. Further, unlike conventional incandescent-based light strings, if the globe  410  were to break, the LED  210  will remain illuminated and protected. 
         [0025]    The globe  410  can be either removably attached to the base of the light assembly or alternatively permanently attached. The globe  410  can be provide protection the LED  210 , such that the LED  210  and the interior of the base  220  and the socket  310  are further protected from its elements, including being waterproof. 
         [0026]    In addition, the globe  410  can refract or change the direction of light emitting from an illuminated LED  210 . Unlike conventional LEDs, which illuminate more like a spotlight and fail to illuminate light in a large direction, the globe  410  enables the LED  210  to appear and thus illuminate as a conventional light source having a filament. For example and not limitation, by incorporated the globe  410 , the LED  210  can now shine up to 270 degrees, rather than in a single directed direction. 
         [0027]    Exemplarily, as shown in  FIG. 2 , when the globe  410  covers an illuminated LED  210 , light from the LED  210  not only illuminates upwardly, but also partially about the sides  415  of the globe  410 . The closed top end  414  of the globe  410  not only refracts the light, but also reflects the light to back within the hollow cavity, as illustrated by the exemplary light paths shown in  FIG. 2 . Likewise, the sides  415  of the globe  410  can also reflect the light about and within the hollow cavity. 
         [0028]    While the invention has been disclosed in its exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.