Patent ID: 12196395

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.

In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

The present invention is directed to a device10incorporating a clip and seal mounting ring12for mounting holiday lights16and a bulb base secured to a ground stake14as shown inFIG.1. In its most complete form, the device10is made up of the following components: (1) a ground stake14; (2) a mounting ring12that serves as both a mount for attaching the device to a bulb16and a bulb base18at the point of connection, and (3) a sealing ring20that is disposed in the mounting ring12and restricts moisture from weather or other sources from flowing into the bulb base18. These components are connected as follows. The ground stake14and the mounting ring12can be formed together as a single device or structure10. It should further be noted that the device10can be formed of a rigid, lightweight plastic material by, for example, an injection molding machine, and a silicone or rubber sealing ring20that is formed to fit inside the mounting ring12. Once formed, the device10will be fixed and uniform.

A more detailed description of the assembling the disclosed device10consists of the following steps. First, a sealing ring20, as shown inFIG.5, that serves as a seal between the light bulb16to the bulb base18, is inserted into a substantially cylindrically shaped mounting ring12that is secured onto a rectangularly shaped support structure24mounted to the upper end14aof the ground stake14, as shown inFIG.3. The sealing ring20is formed with upper and lower circular surfaces26and28, respectively, at opposite ends of a cylindrical opening30extending therethrough. The upper and lower circular surfaces26and28of the sealing ring20are interconnected by a surface32having a smaller diameter then the upper and lower circular surfaces26and28. The surface32has a more narrow width w than the width x between the upper and lower circular surfaces26and28. The edges26aand28aof the upper and lower circular surfaces26and28have a width so that they can rest against the circular edges12aand12bof the mounting ring12, as shown inFIG.7. The surface32interconnects the narrow width w with a flat surface extending between the section forming the narrow width w and the circular edges12aand12b.

The rectangularly shaped support structure24can serve as a mount for attaching any type of clip or any mounting device for Holiday Lights or other decorative string lighting, or individual light bases. It should further be noted that the clips or other mounting components will be formed with rigid, lightweight plastic material, such as by an injection molding device. A silicone or rubber ring20that is formed to be inserted and fit inside the mounting ring12. Once the silicone or rubber ring20is inserted into the ring12, a light bulb can be inserted into the top end of the rubber ring12and screwed into the bulb base18so that the rubber ring forms a seal between the threaded end of the bulb and the threaded interior of the bulb base.

The device10may also be constructed with one or more of the following features. (1) The ground stake14may be formed to accommodate many types of commercially available light bases including C9s, C1s and any miniature lights in any combination, to attach to the ground stake, at any location on the ground stake. (2) The ground stake14may allow or cause the bulb base18and the bulb16to project at a 45 degree, or other angle so as to point the light in a different direction other than perpendicular to the ground. (3) The ground stake14may allow or cause the bulb16and bulb socket18to be situated horizontally left or right, vertically up or down or perpendicular to the mounting clip and structure24; (4) The ground stake14and mounting/sealing ring12may be formed from separate materials from one another or in any combination of materials. (5) The ground stake14and mounting/sealing ring12may be formed separately and connected together at a later time other than during the connection of the light bases24by any means such as snapping, locking, screwing or some other method to connect them. (6) The ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may be connected at some point along the ground stake other than the top14aof the ground stake. (7) The inner surface of the mounting sealing/ring12may be formed with different materials such as a silicone material for the inner surface and a rigid plastic for the outer surface of the ring. These materials can be formed in one or multiple processes. (8) The stake14that is used for ground contact, can be formed in any shape, with any number of sides, in any length and in any texture for various types of substrate which it is designed to be inserted. (9) The ground stake14and mounting/sealing ring12may designed in any fashion including but not limited to solid, hollowed out, flat, star shaped, curved, singular or made of multiple components. (10) The ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may have one or more integrated or affixed reinforcements to increase strength the device10. (11) The device10, including the ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may be formed from any of, but not limited to the following materials or combination of the following materials: HDPE, LDPE, PP, PE, POM, PA, PBT, PET, PFA, PVDF, PEEK, PPS, PTFE, ABS, PS, PMMA, PETG, PVC, PC, PUR/PU, PPSU, PEI, PSU, PAI, PBI or PI. (12) The device10, including the ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may be formed from any of, but not limited to the following materials or combination of the following rubber and silicone material: AFLAS, Butyl, Chloroprene, EPDM, Epichlorohydrin/ECO, Fluoroelastomer, Fluorosilicone, Hydrogenated nitrile, Hypalon, Karlez, Natural, Nitrile, Perfluoroelastomers/FFKM, Polyacrylic/ACM, Polyurethane EU or AU, Silicone rubber, styrene butadiene/SBR or vulcanized rubber. (13) The device10including the ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may be formed by any, but not limited to the following methods or combination of the following construction methods: Plastic injection molding, Rotational molding, Extrusion blow molding, Injection blow molding, Reaction injection molding, Vacuum casting, Thermoforming or Compression molding. (14) The ground stake14and the mounting/sealing ring12may each be formed in any length or thickness. (15) The ground stake14may contain multiple points creating one or more protrusions for insertion into the ground. (16) The ground stake14and mounting/sealing ring12may have multiple and different types of light connecting clips (C9, C7, minis, etc.) on one or both sides of the mounting clip. (17) The ground stake14preferably provides a weather seal with all commercially available bulbs and bulb bases. (18) The ground stake14may be used in other applications other than going into the ground. (19) A part of the stake14may be curved to accommodate a round bulb base. (20) The device10may be formed into numerous colors or any combination of colors. (21) The device10and its components may be formed in any dimensions. (22) The device10may be formed in two or more separate processes. (23) The device10may be created with some commercially available sealant fabricated within the mold for the device. (24) The device10may be formed to allow the stake14to be hammered into the ground with the mounting/sealing ring12offset from the stake14. (25) The device10may be formed with additional fittings for different types of lights and these fittings may or may not be removable. (26) The device10may be formed with a breakaway or permanent attachment that serves as a depth guide for uniform height installation into the ground. (27) The device may allow the mounting/sealing ring12to be a separate piece that attaches to the device during installation and may work with other similar devices.

The disclosed device10is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides: (1) both an attachment of and weather preventative seal to the bulb16and bulb base18; (2) attachment to the bulb16and the bulb base18by installing the bulb, and does not require an extra step to install; (3) attachment more quickly and securely; (4) an absence of stress on the electrical wire, bulb or bulb base; (4) a secure fit that will not come detached from the bulb and bulb base unless the light bulb is removed from the base; (5) straight and orderly alignment consistently to each bulb and bulb base; and (6) the ability to install, use, remove and store the lights without risk of the stake coming apart from bulb and base during any of these steps.

Similarly, the associated method is unique in that it (1) attaches and seals bulb and bulb base to any mounting device or clip; (2) attaches bulb and bulb base more quickly and securely to any mounting device or clip; and (3) will not come off the bulb and base during application, use, removal or storage.

Similarly, the disclosed method is unique when compared with other known processes and solutions in that it: (1) secures to bulb and bulb base in a straight and orderly fashion; (2) saves time on installation as it is installed simultaneously with attaching bulb to bulb base; and (3) does not put stress on the wires, bulb or bulb base.

The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device10is unique due to the presence of (1) an integrated seal that provides weather protection for the bulb and bulb base connection and attachment to the bulb and bulb base; (2) a round ring-like device formed at the top to secure the bulb and bulb base at the top of the bulb base, not the bottom or sides; and (3) a rigid, uniform construction without tabs or small parts or with parts that are designed to move or parts that could break or come loose.

Furthermore, the process associated with the aforementioned device10is likewise unique. More specifically, the disclosed process owes its uniqueness to the fact that it: (1) provides an integrated seal that provides weather protection for the bulb and16and the bulb base18connection and attachment to the bulb and bulb base; (2) utilizes a round ring like device12to secure the bulb and bulb base at the top of the bulb base, not the bottom or sides; and (3) is formed with a rigid, uniform construction without tabs or small parts, or with parts that are designed to move or parts that could break or come loose.

FIG.1is a diagram showing the ground stake14from the side. The ring like structure12for mounting the bulb16and bulb base is connected at the top12aof the stake. The bottom end of the stake14then points downward, and is designed to penetrate the ground surface. The shape of the stake14is thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom making it easier to place in the ground.

FIG.2is a diagram showing the side of the stake14without the bulb16and the bulb base18as shown inFIG.1. Inside of the mounting ring12is a downward facing sealing ring20that is designed to provide moisture penetration to a light bulb16and the bulb base18. This is accomplished by placing a light bulb16above the mounting ring12, and a light base18on an electrical line below the ring. As a bulb16is secured into a light base18, they compress the upper and lower circular surfaces26and28of the sealing ring together so that they rest against the circular edges12aand12bof the mounting ring12. This ring12is connected to the stake14as a uniform structure. The stake14can be placed into the ground, while holding a light bulb and base in place. When installed, a bulb will point upward and maintain the same uniform direction with multiple lights placed together.

FIG.3is a diagram showing the stake14from the right side. Here the sealing ring20can be seen protruding downward beneath the thick mounting ring12above it. The inner part of the sealing ring20forms the seal with a bulb and bulb base. The outer part of the mounting ring holds a bulb and bulb base in place. The mounting ring is connected to the stake which is placed in the ground sequentially with other bulbs and bulb bases on a string of lights. The sealing ring20that seals a bulb to a bulb base18or socket fits inside of the top of a bulb base by placing a bulb base beneath the mounting ring12. A bulb16is installed above the mounting ring12and the tension between the bulb and a bulb base seals the connection and secures a bulb and bulb base to the stake.

FIG.4is a diagram of the stake14from the top. The outer part of the ring12functions as the connector to the stake. The inner part of the ring forms the seal with a bulb and a bulb base.

FIG.5is a diagram of sealing ring20from the top. The outer part of the sealing ring functions as the connector to the sealing ring12. The inner part of the ring forms the seal with a bulb and a bulb base.

FIG.6is a side view of the sealing ring20. The sealing ring20is formed as a flange to go inside of the sealing ring12and is in the same shape as the bottom of a bulb. This forms the weather preventative seal that restricts moisture from entering a bulb base at this point of connection.

FIG.7is a diagram of the mounting ring12prior to placing the sealing ring20therein.

Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.