FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for suspending lights, more particularly, the present disclosures relates to the apparatus for suspending lights for decoration purpose on buildings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
It is known that decorative lights are used for decoration purpose on buildings for many reasons. For example, the decorative lights are used to decorate the buildings during the Christmas season. At the time of unpacking or packing the decorative lights, one must be careful as the decorative lights may get tangled. If the decorative lights get tangled, then it is time consuming to untangle the decorative lights. Further, some of the decorative lights may get damaged. In another example, bulbs may get damaged due to fluctuation in voltage or physical environment and so on when the decorative lights after installing on the building. In such a case, one must climb a ladder to fix or to replace the bulbs.
In order to overcome the problems of tangling and replacing the bulbs without much difficulty, several designs have been proposed in the existing art. One such design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,092 of Taylor. In '092 of Taylor, an elongated storage unit having an opening at bottom surface is disclosed. The elongated storage unit is used to removably couple a light-emitting assembly, i.e., decorative lights. In order to put the decorative lights, user may couple the light-emitting assembly to the elongated storage unit thereby allowing the user to easily and quickly decorate the building with the decorative lights.
It should be understood that the above design has several problems. The decorative lights when suspended from the elongated storage unit may get tangled. Further, it is difficult to fit the elongated storage unit to different structures such as doors, walls in the buildings.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,739 B2 of Cooper discloses an Interlocking System for Hanging Decorative Lights and Fixtures in an elongated lighting bar with lights descending downward therefrom, where the elongated bar has internal electrical wiring and distal end, which can mate with corresponding distal ends of an adjacent elongated lighting bar, to lengthen the length of the combined elongated lighting bars. However, Cooper '739 shows permanent wall attached brackets in FIGS. 6 to 9, except for FIG. 8, which shows a “U-shaped” clip 804 to be used to attach the bracket to an outdoor roof gutter. Other than FIG. 8 of Cooper '739, which needs a vertically extending member to drape over, the brackets of FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 of Cooper '739 appear to need screws or other permanent mounting fasteners.
Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for suspending lights for decoration purpose on buildings.
It is one object of present invention to provide an apparatus comprising an elongated tube structure. The apparatus comprises at least one light suspending from the elongated tube structure. The elongated tube structure comprises a wire to draw current from a power source.
It is one object of present invention to provide a flexible or moldable elongated tube structure such that the elongated tube structure is adhesively but removably fitted to a glass window pane, window frame, door or any structure in a building. It is another object of present invention to easily attach or detach the at least one light to the elongated tube structure.
It is another object of present invention to attach two or more lights in series, i.e., as a net of lights and in parallel with varied height, length, width and color.
It is yet another object of present invention to make decorating lights easy, and storing the lights without tangling,
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for suspending decorative pendant lights upon a window pane, window frame, door or wall. Preferably, an elongated tube structure used is supported at each end by an apparatus that attaches it to an existing surface or object; this mounting structure is the subject of the instant invention.
Since the suspending lights may be used only seasonally, the mounting is not permanent. It is desirable that no tools be required for mounting a lighting tube and that no nail or screw holes, marks, or sticky adhesive residue are left at the site when a mount is removed. Convenience and ease of use are of paramount importance.
3M® Corporation developed and currently markets a line of COMMAND™ brand adhesive mounting strips and associated clips and hooks. The strips are designed with integral release liners on both front and back surfaces. They are available in a variety of sizes for suspending picture frames or decorations. These strips are ideal for attaching the mount of this invention to the desired supporting structure such as a wall or window pane. With the introduction of COMMAND OUTDOOR CLIPS™, 3M® Corporation reveals an outdoor version of their removable strip adhesive which is also usable at a wider temperature range, water resistant, and UV resistant. Each mounting strip has a release tab sticking out of one end; just pull it to remove the strip from both supporting structure and the object itself without leaving any mark or smudge.
The mount of this invention is comprised of two separate parts, a mounting plate and a tube clip. The mounting plate is a flat preferably square plate with a central region formed on the front surface into a socket by virtue of four low walls defining a square box open at the top. The tube clip is preferably cubic in shape with the addition of a pair of springy clamping arms sized to grasp the outside diameter of an elongated tube for suspending lights. Two faces of the tube clip, one below the clamping arms, and one 90 degrees away adjacent the clamping arms, fit into the socket of the mounting plate. Latch features keep the tube clip attached to the mounting plate until pulled out with some force. The assembled mount supports one end of the elongated tube. The mount itself is attached to a supporting structure using a pair of 3M COMMAND® mounting strips attached to the back surface of mounting plate. It is noted that the mount can attach a lighting tube to surfaces which are 90 degrees apart such as a window pane and an inner window frame by selecting the appropriate orientation for engaging the tube clip with the socket of the mounting plate.
For example, in one orientation, an elongated light tube with lamps and a power cord is attached to a glass window pane by one mount near each end. The number of mounts can be as few as a single, centrally located mount, or a plurality of spaced apart mounts in excess of a pair of mounts. The lighting tube can also be attached at a ninety degree orientation from that of the window pane, where the lighting tube is attached to the vertically extending planks of the side members of the window frame, at a different orientation than when attached to a glass window pane.
In another mounting clip embodiment, two pivoted parts are provided attachable to a mounting plate. The base plate can be rotated 90 degrees when changing from mounting the lighting tube from the glass window pane to the side window frame. Once an elongated lighting tube is grasped by a spring clip, it is prevented from further rotation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an apparatus for suspending decorative lights, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a cross-sectional view of an elongated tube structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for suspending decorative lights wherein the decorative lights are inside a transparent elongated tube.
FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus for suspending decorative lights, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 shows a front view of a window with two elongated light tubes supported by mounts in two orientations.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an assembled mount with a tube clip snapped into a mounting plate.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mounting plate.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a mounting plate.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of a mounting plate.
FIG. 10 is a back view of a mounting plate with two 3M COMMAND® mounting strips attached.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tube clip.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tube clip of the second mounting embodiment.
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the second mounting embodiment of this invention including a bolt, which is the swivel axle, and a retaining nut.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of two mounts of the second mounting embodiment attached to two different supporting surfaces oriented 90 degrees apart from each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description is intended to provide example implementations to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not intended to limit the invention to the explicit disclosure, as one or ordinary skill in the art will understand that variations can be substituted that are within the scope of the invention as described.
The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for suspending decorative lights. The apparatus comprises an elongated tube structure that can be coupled to a window, door or other fixtures in a building. The elongated tube structure comprises individual lights or a net of lights. The decorative lights may be coupled to the elongated tube structure via openings provided in the elongated tube structure or using claw structure provided on the elongated tube structure. The elongated tube structure comprises a wire within to draw power. The wire may be coupled to decorative lights for supplying current.
Various features and embodiments of the apparatus for suspending decorative lights are explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1-4.
Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for suspending decorative lights is shown. The apparatus 10 comprises an elongated tube structure 11. In one example, the elongated tube structure 11 may be made up of a transparent material. In another example, the elongated tube structure 11 may be made up of a translucent or an opaque material. Further, the elongated tube structure 11 may be made up of a flexible material. The elongated tube structure 11 comprises a first end 12 and a second end 13. In one example, the first end 12 is coupled to a first end cap 14a having a connector 14c therein. Further, the second end 13 is coupled to a second end cap 14b having a second connector 14d therein. In one example, either the first end cap 14a or the second end cap 14b is removed to extend the length of the apparatus 10. In order to increase the length of the apparatus 10, a user may unscrew the first end cap 14a and connect additional elongated tube structure to the elongated tube structure 11 by a connector 14c therein connectable to a second connector 14d of an adjacent second tube structure 11 being connected to the elongated tube structure 11.
In one implementation, the elongated tube structure 11 comprises an insulated two conductor wire 16 drawn through therein. The wire 16 is retractable within the inner surface of the elongated tube structure 11. Specifically, the wire 16 is drawn through the first connector 14c under first end cap 14a, inner portion of the elongated tube structure 11, and through the second connector 14d under end cap 14b. The wire 16 may comprise a plug 15 at one end, which can be used to connect to a power source (not shown) to draw electricity. Further, the elongated tube structure 11 comprises a plurality of light members 17. The plurality of light members 17 may be provided as a single light or in a net of lights or a series of lights as shown in FIG. 1, In other words, the plurality of light members 17 may be provided as an individual light or a net of lights in series, i.e., suspended from the elongated tube structure 11. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plurality of light members 17 coupled to the elongated tube structure 11 in several different ways is explained. Referring to FIG. 2A, a cross sectional view of the elongated tube structure 11 having a plurality of openings 18a is shown. The plurality of openings 18a may be preferably spaced at equal distances along the length of the elongated tube structure 11. However, the plurality of openings 18a may be spaced at varied distances along the length of the elongated tube structure 11. In the current example, each of the plurality of openings 18a may be provided with light member holding clips 19. Each of the clips 19 is coupled to the wire 16 to draw power. In order to couple the plurality of light members 17 to the elongated tube structure 11, the plurality of light members 17 may be slid up into the light member holding clips 19. In the current example, bumps (not shown) may be provided in the light member holding clips 19 in order to hold the plurality of light members 17 from falling down.
Now, referring to FIG. 2B, a cross-sectional view of the elongated tube structure 11 having a plurality of openings 18b is shown. The plurality of openings 18b may be preferably spaced at equal distances along the length of the elongated tube structure 11. However, the plurality of openings 18b may be spaced at varied distances along the length of the elongated tube structure 11. In the current example, each of the plurality of openings 18b may be provided with substantially U-shaped claws 20 into which the plurality of light members 17 may be inserted. The claws 20 may preferably have a left side 20a and a right side 20b made up of a flexible material so that light socket of the plurality of light members 17 may be inserted between the left side 20a and the right side 20b and thus held thereby. In order to couple the plurality of light members 17 to the elongated tube structure 11, the plurality of light members 17 may be glided up into the claws 20. Further, the plurality of light members 17 may be slid down in order to remove the plurality of light members 17 from the claws 20. Each of the claws 20 is coupled to the wire 16 to draw power. It should be understood that the plurality of light members 17 is secured to the elongated tube structure 11 without the need for clips 19 as shown in FIG. 2A.
Referring to FIG. 3, an apparatus 30 for hanging decorative lights is shown. The apparatus 30 comprises an elongated tube structure 31. The elongated tube structure 31 may be made up of a flexible material. The elongated tube structure 31 comprises a first end 32 and a second end 33, in one example, the first end 32 is coupled to a first end cap 34 having a connector 34a therein. Further, the second end 33 is coupled to a second end cap 35 having a second connector 35a therein. In the current implementation, the elongated tube structure 31 comprises a wire 36 drawn through therein. Specifically, the wire 36 is drawn through the first end cap 34 and first connector 34a, an inner portion of the elongated tube structure 31, and through the second end cap 35 and second connector 35a. In one example, the wire 36 comprises a plug 37 that can be used to connect to a power source (not shown). In the current embodiment, the elongated tube structure 31 comprises lights 38 provided in series and coupled to the wire 36 in a series arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3. The lights 38 may be provided at an equal distance or at varied distance from each other. It should he understood that the elongated tube structure 31 is made using transparent material such that the lights 38 can be seen when electricity is provided through the power source.
As specified above, the elongated tube structure can be made up of a flexible material and can be connected to any structure at a building. Referring to FIG. 4, an elongated tube structure 40 provided at a window W is shown. Specifically, a user may place desired length of the elongated tube structure 40 to fit to the window W. The elongated tube structure 40 comprises a first end cap 41 having a connector 41a at one end and a second end cap 42 having a second connector 42a at another end. The elongated tube structure 40 comprises a wire 43 drawn through therein. In one example, one end of the wire 43 comprises a plug 44 which can be connected to a power source (not shown) to draw power or electricity. The wire 43 may be retractable into the inner surface of the elongated tube structure 40. Specifically, one end of the wire 43 comprising the plug 44 can only be pulled in one direction. On the other hand, the wire 43 may be pulled or refracted into the surface of the elongated tube structure 40 to desired length. The elongated tube structure 40 comprises a plurality of light members 45 suspending from bottom surface of the elongated tube structure 40. The plurality of light members 45 may be provided as a single light or in a net of lights as shown in FIG. 4. As explained above, the plurality of light members 45 is coupled to the elongated tube structure 40 in several different ways using clips or claws or any other known mechanisms. It should be understood that the current embodiment is presented to illustrate flexibility of the elongated tube structure 40 that can be shaped to connect to any shape in the building.
The elongated tube structure can be coupled to any structure due to its flexibility and the elongated tube structure can be molded to any shape. Further, the length of the elongated tube structure may be extended by connecting an additional elongated tube structure at the first or second connector provided at one end of the elongated tube structure. Further, openings or claws may be provided in the elongated tube structure to attach and detach the decorative lights. With the present disclosure, a user may replace a single bulb if it is found to be defective without much effort. Further, a user may have a single or multiple decorative lights in series in varied height, length, and width. Furthermore, a user may pack or unpack the decorative lights easily and can store without much difficulty.
In FIGS. 5-15, the elongated light tube 55 is connectable by a removable pivoting connector mount to a surface 52 extending in a plane parallel to an axis of said elongated light tube or the elongated light tube 60 is removably connected to a surface extending in a plane not parallel to an axis of said elongated light tube. For example, the elongated light tube 55 can be connected to a glass window pane, a solid door or other display planar surface, having a surface parallel to an axis of the elongated light tube. In another example, the elongated light tube 60 can be connected to a surface 51 by a connector mount not parallel to the axis of the elongated light tube, such as to vertically extending window frame walls 51 which extend typically outward perpendicular to an axis of the elongated light tube 60. In a further alternate embodiment, the elongated light tube 60 could be connected by a connector mount to a surface also not parallel to the axis of the light tube, but extending outward at a slanted angle less than the ninety degrees perpendicular plane of a window frame, door or other display surface, such as for example, to curved or slanted walls (not shown) extending less than ninety degrees outward from a glass window pane.
For example, FIG. 5 shows window 50 with glass window pane 52 and frame 51. An elongated light tube 55 with lamps 56 and power cord 57 is attached to window pane 52 by one removable pivoting connector mount 65 near each end. The number of mounts can be as little as a single, centrally located mount, or a plurality of spaced apart mounts in excess of a pair of mounts shown in FIG. 5. As also shown in FIG. 5, further down window 50 is lighting tube 60 with lamps 61 and power cord 62. Lighting tube 60 is wider, reaching almost from frame 51 on the left to frame 51 on the right. It is attached to frame 51 using two removable pivoting connector mounts 65 (one on each window frame side) which are at a different orientation than the upper example.
FIG. 6 shows an assembled removable pivoting connector mount 65 with the two parts engaged. Here tube clip 67 has been inserted (snapped-in) in mounting plate 66.
FIG. 7 shows mounting plate 66 with low walls 71 on base plate 70 defining the perimeter of open box 72.
FIG. 8 is a side view of mounting plate 66 also showing a 3M COMMAND adhesive layer 74 with release tab 75 attached to the flat underside of base plate 70.
FIG. 9 is a cross section view of removable pivoting connector mount plate 66. Note the round dimple 73 which is a latch feature used in these illustrations to retain tube clip 67 attached to mounting plate 66. Other types of retaining features such as edge latch members can be used.
FIG. 10 shows the underside of mounting plate 66 with two 3M COMMAND® mounting strips 74 attached. 3M COMMAND® strips have very strong tensile and shear holding strength but low peel resistance which is induced by pulling on release tab 75, hence the clean, easy removal. As such, they are restricted as to length, width, and thickness ratios. In the current application for mounting light tubes, a pair of picture frame strips is workable.
FIG. 11 shows tube clip 67 with a cubic body 80 having spring clip arms 81 attached to grasp the outside diameter of a lighting tube. Low dome-shaped bumps 82 and 83 in strategic locations mate with round dimples 73 on the inside walls 71 of mounting plate 66. Two of the four bumps 82 are shown; these mate to create a mount 65 for use in holding lighting tube 55 in the proper orientation in FIG. 5 (engagement at face A). Two of the four bumps 83 are shown; they are used for holding lighting tube 60 when attaching to window frame 51 (engagement at face B). The orientation of mounts 65 can differ on both ends of a lighting tube. Also, depending on the strength of the grasp of arms 81, a single mount 65 may suffice to attach a lighting tube especially if grasped near the middle instead of one end. Note that an elongated lighting tube can be easily removed from mounts 65 and then returned without moving the mounts.
FIGS. 12-15 show details of a second mounting embodiment of a mount with two pivoted parts. FIG. 12 shows removable pivoting connecting mounting plate 90 with base plate 91, and attached extension 92 with pivot hole 93 adjacent the distal end. FIG. 13 shows tube clip 95 with C-shaped spring clip 97 attached to bracket 96 which has pivot holes 98. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of removable pivoting connector mount 100 which is an assembly of mounting plate 90 and tube clip 95 joined together by bolt/axle 101 and retained with nut 102. It is noted that this second mounting embodiment also uses temporary adhesive strips, such as 3M COMMAND® adhesive strips 74, on the back side of base plate 91.
FIG. 15 shows two details of removable pivoting connector mounts 100 engaged in elongated light tube 55 and 60 (here shown in dashed phantom lines) from FIG. 5. These are top views looking straight down on the head of bolts 101. It is noted that supporting surface 52 is the glass window pane from FIG. 5 and supporting surface 51 is the window frame. It is noted also that spring clip 97 has not changed its orientation in the two detail views of FIG. 15, but base plate 91 has been rotated 90 degrees from the upper to the lower detail views. Once an elongated lighting tube is grasped by spring clip 97, it is prevented from further rotation.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention, Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention, it is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.