Decorative light tree set

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6254250
  • Patent Number
    6,254,250
  • Date Filed
    Friday, October 15, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 3, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Husar; Stephen
    Agents
    • Dougherty & Troxell
Abstract
A decorative light tree set for supporting light strings thereon is disclosed. The decorative light tree set includes a rigid central post fixed to and upstanding on ground and a plurality of primary ropes extending from a top end of the central post at a predetermined inclining angle with lower ends thereof fixed to the ground by fasteners. A plurality of light strings horizontally extend between each primary rope and the central post. A number of secondary ropes vertically extend from each primary rope and interconnect the light strings forming a net-like structure whereby the light strings are securely maintained in position between the primary ropes and the central post. Electrical wires having a plug extend along the central post and are electrically connected to the light strings for supplying electrical power energy to the light strings.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention generally relates to a decorative light set, and in particular to a decorative light tree set for supporting decorative light strings thereon. The decorative light tree set mainly comprises a rigid central post, a plurality of primary ropes, and a plurality of secondary ropes, incorporating with light strings, to form a decorative light tree.




2. Description of the Prior Art




Decorative light strings are widely used in holidays and festivals, especially Christmas. A light string usually comprises electrical wires on which a plurality of lamp sockets are mounted for receiving lamps. Since the electrical wires are usually not rigid enough to support themselves in the space, a supporting frame is commonly adapted to support and arrange the light strings into desired shapes.




Conventionally, the frame is made of metal or plastic bars to form a supporting frame for the light strings. An example of the prior art supporting frame for decorative light is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 408,319 issued Apr. 20, 1999, issued to Byers entitled “Decorative Light Tree”. Such a supporting frame requires a great amount of space in storage. Some of the light string supporting frames have a knockdown structure allowing a user to detach/disassemble parts thereof thereby reducing the amount of space required for storage. However, the rigid components of the supporting frame still occupy quite an amount of space in storage.




Another example of the prior art supporting frame for decorative light is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,282 issued Apr. 5, 1988, issued to Ahroni entitled “Decorative Light Assembly with Tree Collar”. Such a decorative light assembly requires a collar adapted to be mounted on a tree trunk near the top of the tree. The collar has a complicated structure comprising a ring-shaped container with slots in its outer wall through which the light string passes to form unlighted retained loops inside the container and outside lighted loops draping from the container.




It is thus desirable to have a light tree set for supporting decorative light strings to overcome the problems discussed above.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a light tree set suitable to support light strings thereon for decorative purposes without need of supporting frame.




The other object of the present invention is to provide a decorative light tree set which is easy to assemble. Furthermore, the decorative light tree set is preferably composed of flexible members thereby facilitating storage thereof.




To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a decorative tree light set comprising a rigid central post adapted to be fixed to and upstanding on a fixed surface such as ground and a plurality of primary ropes extending from a top end of the central post at a predetermined inclining angle with lower ends thereof fixed to the ground by fasteners. A plurality of light strings horizontally extend between each primary rope and the central post. A number of secondary ropes may vertically extend from each primary rope and interconnect the light strings forming a net-like structure whereby the light strings are securely maintained in position between the primary ropes and the central post. Electrical wires having a plug for connection with an electrical power source extend along the central post and are electrically connected to the light strings for supplying electrical power energy thereto. Preferably, an electronic controller incorporating a control circuit therein for controlling the lightening of the lamps arranged on the electrical wires is connected between the light strings and the plug.











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 schematic perspective view of a decorative light tree set in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a schematic perspective view of a decorative light tree set in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is schematic perspective view of a decorative light tree set in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 4

is schematic perspective view of a decorative light tree set in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and





FIG. 5

is a schematic perspective view of a decorative light tree set in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




With reference to the drawings and in particular to

FIG. 1

, a decorative light tree set constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, generally designated with reference numeral


100


, is shown. The decorative light tree set


100


comprises a rigid central post


102


having a lower end adapted to be positioned on a fixed surface (not shown) in an upstanding fashion. A cone section


104


is optionally mounted to the lower end of the central post


102


for supporting the central post


102


on the ground.




Preferably, the central post


102


comprises a plurality of sections that are releasably connected to each other for reducing the space required to store the central post. Alternatively, the sections of the central post


102


may be telescopically connected to each other.




At least one primary rope


106


extends from an upper end of the central post


102


to the ground at a predetermined inclining angle. For example, the primary rope


106


, the central post


102


and the ground form a triangle. Preferably, the primary rope


106


is made of nonconductive natural fibers such as cotton, or synthetic fibers such as plastic fibers, or the mixtures thereof. The primary rope


106


ma~y be attached to the central post


102


by any known means, for example by simply tying the rope


106


on the central post


102


or by clips.




In the embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 1

, three primary ropes


106


extend at a predetermined angle from the upper end of the central post


102


to the ground and is fixed to the ground by fasteners


108


. The three primary ropes


106


are angularly equally spaced from each other about the central post


102


thereby securely retaining the central post


102


on the ground.




A plurality of light strings


110


horizontally extend between each primary rope


106


and the central post


102


. Each light string


110


has a first end attached to the primary rope


106


by any known means, such as a clip or tying a knot and a second end attached to the central post


102


. Each light string


110


comprises electrical wires to which a number of lamps


112


are mechanically attached and electrically connected. The lamps


112


are spaced along the electrical wires, normally equally spaced.




A plurality of secondary ropes


114


vertically extend between and interconnects each primary rope


106


and the corresponding light strings


110


. The vertically extending secondary ropes


114


may be attached to both the primary rope


106


and the light strings


110


by any suitable means, such as clip or tying a knot, for securely retaining the light strings


110


in position.




A power supply cable


116


extends along the central post


102


and is electrically connected to the light strings


110


. The power supply cable


116


may extend through a central bore (not shown) defined in the central post


102


or alternatively, the power supply cable


116


may be received in and coextensive with a longitudinal groove (not shown) defined in the central post


102


or the power supply cable


116


may be fixed to an outside surface of the central post


102


by clips or wires (not shown). The power supply cable


116


has a remote end to which an electrical plug


118


is mounted for connection with a wall outlet (not shown).




An electronic controller


120


comprising a control circuit which is known to those skilled in the art may be used to control the lightening sequence and patterns of the lamps


112


. The controller


120


may be replaced by known flashing control lamps that comprise bimetal contacts that switch on/off based on temperature thereof. This is also well known and no further details will be given herein.




The inclination of the primary ropes


106


from the upper end of the central post


102


to the ground forms the shape of a light tree. A star-shaped hollow member


122


may be attached to the upper end of the central post


102


with a number of lamps


126


mounted therein and powered by the power supply cable


116


.





FIG. 2

of the attached drawings shows a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. A decorative light tree set in accordance with the second embodiment, designated with reference numeral


200


, has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.


1


. In other words, the decorative light tree set


200


comprises a central post


202


supported on the ground. A cone section


204


is optionally mounted to the lower end of the central post


202


for supporting the central post


202


on the ground.




Three primary ropes


206


extend from an upper end of the central post


202


to the ground at a predetermined angle and fixed to the ground by fasteners


208


. A plurality of light strings


210


extend between each primary rope


206


and the central post


202


in a horizontal direction. Each light string


210


comprises electrical wires and lamps


212


mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical wires.




A power supply cable


216


extends along the central post


202


and is electrically connected to the electrical wires of the light strings


210


. The power supply cable


216


has a plug


218


for connection with a wall outlet (not shown).




An electronic controller


220


comprising a control circuit may be used to control the lightening sequence and patterns of the lamps


212


. The controller


220


may be replaced by known flashing control lamps that comprise bimetal contacts that switch on/off based on temperature thereof. A star-shaped member


222


containing a number of lamps therein may be attached to the upper end of the central post


202


.




The difference between the second embodiment shown in FIG.


2


and the first embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

is that the vertically extending secondary ropes


114


of the first embodiment are eliminated in the second embodiment. For a small sized Christmas tree formed in accordance with the present invention, the lamps


212


and the light strings may be effectively maintained in position by properly stretching the primary ropes


206


and the wires of the light strings


210


. Elimination of the secondary ropes does not cause undesired effect on the formation of the tree.





FIG. 3

of the attached drawings shows a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention. A decorative light tree set in accordance with the third embodiment, designated with reference numeral


300


, has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 1

but comprises more primary ropes. In other words, the decorative light tree set


300


comprises a central post


302


supported on the ground by a cone section


304


. Four primary ropes


306


extend from an upper end of the central post


302


to the ground at a predetermined angle and fixed to the ground by fasteners


308


.




A plurality of light strings


310


extend between each primary rope


306


and the central post


302


in a horizontal direction. Each light string


310


comprises electrical wires and lamps


312


mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical wires


312


.




Similar to the first embodiment shown in

FIG. 1

, a plurality of vertically extending secondary ropes (not shown) may extend between each primary rope


306


and interconnects the corresponding light strings


310


for maintaining the light strings


310


in position. The secondary ropes are eliminated as shown in the drawing.




A power supply cable


316


extends along the central post


302


and is electrically connected to the electrical wires of the light strings


310


. The power supply cable


316


has a plug


318


for connection with a wall outlet (not shown). An electronic controller


320


is also used to control the lightening sequence and patterns of the lamps


312


. A star-shaped member


322


containing a number of lamps therein may be attached to the upper end of the central post


302


.




It is apparent to those skilled in the art that more than four primary ropes may be used to connect between the upper end of the central post and the ground. For example, five or six primary ropes may be used. Preferably, the primary ropes are angularly equally spaced about the central post. However, if desired, the primary ropes may be arranged in an angularly un-equally spaced fashion.





FIG. 4

of the attached drawings shows a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 1

, a decorative light tree set in accordance with the fourth embodiment, designated with reference numeral


400


, comprises a central post


402


supported on the ground by a cone section


404


. Three primary ropes


406


extend from an upper end of the central post


402


to the ground at a predetermined angle and fixed to the ground by fasteners


408


.




A plurality of light strings


410


extend between adjacent primary ropes


406


in a horizontal direction thereby forming a pyramid configuration. The light strings


410


may be fixed to the primary ropes


406


by any suitable means as discussed above. Each light string


410


comprises electrical wires and a number of lamps


412


mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical wires.




A number of secondary ropes


414


extend between and interconnect each primary ropes


406


and the light strings


410


in a direction substantially normal to the light strings


410


and are attached to the light strings


410


for firmly maintaining the light strings


410


in position.




The decorative light tree set in this embodiment is also provided with a power supply cable, a plug, and an electronic controller, not shown in the drawing.





FIG. 5

of the attached drawings shows a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention. A decorative light tree set in accordance with the fifth embodiment, designated with reference numeral


500


, has a structure similar to that of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG.


4


. In other words, the decorative light tree set


500


comprises a central post


502


supported on the ground by a cone section


504


. Three primary ropes


506


extend from an upper end of the central post


502


to the ground at a predetermined angle and are fixed to the ground by fasteners


508


.




A plurality of light strings


510


extend between adjacent primary ropes


506


in a horizontal direction. Each light string


510


comprises electrical wires and lamps


512


mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical wires.




The decorative light tree set in this embodiment is also provided with a power supply cable, a plug, and an electronic controller, not shown in the drawing.




The difference between the fifth embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that the secondary ropes


414


of the fourth embodiment


400


are eliminated in the fifth embodiment.




Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A decorative light tree set for supporting light strings, comprising:a rigid central post having an upper end and a lower end adapted to be positioned on a fixed surface with the central post extending therefrom in a first direction; a plurality of primary ropes having first ends attached to the upper end of the central post and extending therefrom at a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction, lower ends of the primary ropes being attached to the fixed surface; a plurality of light strings arranged between each primary rope and the central post;and a plurality of secondary ropes vertically connected between each primary rope and corresponding light strings to securely maintain the light strings in position.
  • 2. The decorative light tree set as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central post comprises a plurality of sections detachably connected to each other.
  • 3. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary ropes are arranged to be angularly equally spaced with respect to the central post.
  • 4. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein three primary ropes are arranged to extend from the upper end of the central post to the fixed surface.
  • 5. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 1, wherein four primary ropes are arranged to extend from the upper end of the central post to the fixed surface.
  • 6. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a star-shaped hollow member attached to the upper end of the central post.
  • 7. A decorative light tree set for supporting light strings, comprising:a rigid central post having an upper end and a lower end adapted to be positioned on a fixed surface with the central post extending therefrom in a first direction; a plurality of primary ropes having first ends attached to the upper end of the central post and extending therefrom at a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction, lower ends of the primary ropes being attached to the fixed surface; a plurality of light strings arranged between adjacent primary ropes and a plurality of secondary ropes vertically connected between each primary rope and corresponding light strings to securely maintain the light strings in position.
  • 8. The decorative light tree set as claimed in claim 7, wherein the central post comprises a plurality of sections detachably connected to each other.
  • 9. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 7, wherein the primary ropes are arranged to be angularly equally spaced with respect to the central post.
  • 10. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 7, wherein three primary ropes are arranged to extend from the upper end of the central post to the fixed surface.
  • 11. The decorative light tree as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a star-shaped hollow member attached to the upper end of the central post.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
3704366 Korb et al. Nov 1972
5712002 Reilly, III Jan 1998
6062701 Hines May 2000