Claims
- 1. A decorative string light, comprising:
a power chord adapted at a first end for engagement with an AC power source; at least one socket assembly connected to said power chord, said socket assembly having a top wall, a bottom wall, a center cavity, and sidewalls; said center cavity dimensioned for mounting an electric means for light emission therein in a mounted position; means to communicate electrical power from said power chord, to said electric means for light emission when in said mounted position; and said socket assembly composed of substantially transparent or translucent material wherein light generated by said means for light emission is diffused and transmitted and through said top wall, said bottom wall, and said sidewalls.
- 2. The decorative string light of claim 1 further comprising:
said means for light emission being an LED; said means to communicate electrical power from said power chord being a pair of wires communicating between said power chord and said LED; and circuit means to limit said total electrical power communicated to said LED during each AC cycle, between a predetermined minimum power level and maximum power level.
- 3. The decorative string light of claim 2 additionally comprising:
said top wall of said socket assembly removably engaged with said socket assembly. a plurality of electrical contacts communicating electrically connected to the power cord; each of said pair of wires communicating between said one of said electrical contacts and said LED; and said LED removably engaged in an inverted position in said center cavity when in said mounted position, whereby said top wall may be removed and said LED replaced.
- 4. The decorative string light of claim 2 additionally comprising:
a casing attached to said socket assembly; and said casing formed of a wall of substantially transparent or substantially translucent material, said material allowing light transmitted from said LED through said socket assembly to transmit through said casing.
- 5. The decorative string light of claim 3 additionally comprising:
a casing attached to said socket assembly; and said casing formed of a wall of substantially transparent or substantially translucent material allowing light communicated from said LED through said socket assembly to transmit through said casing.
- 6. The decorative string light of claim 4 additionally comprising:
said casing having an upper section and a lower section; said upper section removably engageable with said lower section; and means for light diffusion formed in said wall forming said casing thereby diffusing light communicated from said LED through said socket assembly.
- 7. The decorative string light of claim 5 additionally comprising:
said casing having an upper section and a lower section; said upper section removably engageable with said lower section; and means for light diffusion formed in the wall of said casing thereby diffusing light communicated from said LED through said socket assembly.
- 8. A decorative string light, comprising:
a power chord adapted at a first end for engagement with an AC power source; said power chord having a first wire, a second wire, and a having third wire communicating between said first wire and said second wire; at least one socket assembly attached to said third wire, said socket assembly having a top wall, a bottom wall, a center cavity, and sidewalls; electric means for light emission; said center cavity dimensioned for mounting said electric means for light emission therein in a mounted position; means to communicate electrical power from said third wire, in series, through said electric means for light emission when in said mounted position; and said socket assembly composed of substantially transparent or translucent material, wherein light generated by said means for light emission is transmitted and through said top wall, said bottom wall, and said sidewalls.
- 9. The decorative string light of claim 8, additionally comprising:
a casing attached to said socket assembly; and said casing formed of a wall, said wall substantially surrounding said socket assembly and formed of substantially transparent or substantially translucent material, said wall diffusing light transmitted from said LED through said socket assembly, when transmitted through said casing.
- 10. The decorative string light of claim 8 further comprising:
said means for light emission being an LED; said means to communicate electrical power from said third wire, in series, through said electric means for light emission, being said LED electrically communicating in series between gaps in said third wire; and circuit means to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED wired in series with said third wire, during each AC cycle, between a predetermined minimum electrical power level and maximum electrical power level.
- 11. The decorative string light of claim 9 further comprising:
said means for light emission being an LED; said means to communicate electrical power from said third wire, in series, through said electric means for light emission, being said LED electrically communicating in series between gaps in said third wire; and circuit means to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED wired in series with said third wire, during each AC cycle, between a predetermined minimum electrical power level and maximum electrical power level.
- 12. The decorate string light of claim 10 further comprising:
said LED being inverted in said mounted position.
- 13. The decorate string light of claim 11 further comprising:
said LED being inverted in said mounted position.
- 14. The decorate string light of claim 10 additionally comprising:
said least one socket assembly attached to said third wire with said first and second wires fractionally engaged on said side walls; and said third wire communicating with a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to engage said LED in a series electrical connection with said third wire whereby light transmitted from said LED through said top wall, and said bottom wall, and portions of both sidewalls, is unimpeded by said first wire and said second wire.
- 15. The decorate string light of claim 11 additionally comprising:
said least one socket assembly attached to said third wire with said first and second wires fractionally engaged on said side walls; and said third wire communicating with a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to engage said LED in a series electrical connection with said third wire whereby light transmitted from said LED through said top wall, and said bottom wall, and portions of both sidewalls, is unimpeded by said first wire and said second wire.
- 16. The decorate string light of claim 12 additionally comprising:
said least one socket assembly attached to said third wire with said first and second wires fractionally engaged on said side walls; and said third wire communicating with a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to engage said LED, in an inverted position in said center cavity in a series electrical connection with said third wire whereby light transmitted from said LED through said top wall, and said bottom wall, and portions of both sidewalls, is unimpeded by said first wire and said second wire.
- 17. The decorate string light of claim 13 additionally comprising:
said least one socket assembly attached to said third wire with said first and second wires fractionally engaged on said side walls; and said third wire communicating with a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to engage said LED in an inverted position in said center cavity in a series electrical connection with said third wire whereby light transmitted from said LED through said top wall, and said bottom wall, and portions of both sidewalls, is unimpeded by said first wire and said second wire.
- 18. The decorative string light of claim 14 additionally comprising:
a locking plug engaged through said bottom wall; said locking plug maintaining said led in said series electrical connection with said electrical contacts attached to said third wire; and said LED removable by removing said locking plug, whereby said LED may be removed and replaced by removing said locking plug and inserting a replacement LED and re engaging said locking plug.
- 19. The decorative string light of claim 15 additionally comprising:
a locking plug engaged through said bottom wall; said locking plug maintaining said led in said series electrical connection with said electrical contacts attached to said third wire; and said LED removable by removing said locking plug, whereby said LED may be removed and replaced by removing said locking plug and inserting a replacement LED and re engaging said locking plug.
- 20. The decorative string light of claim 16 additionally comprising:
a locking plug engaged through said bottom wall; said locking plug maintaining said LED inverted in said mounted position and in said series electrical connection with said electrical contacts attached to said third wire; and said LED removable by removing said locking plug, whereby said LED may be removed and replaced by removing said locking plug and inserting a replacement LED and re engaging said locking plug.
- 21. The decorative string light of claim 17 additionally comprising:
a locking plug engaged through said bottom wall; said locking plug maintaining said LED inverted in said mounted position in said series electrical connection with said electrical contacts attached to said third wire; and said LED removable by removing said locking plug, whereby said LED may be removed and replaced by removing said locking plug and inserting a replacement LED and re engaging said locking plug.
- 22. The decorative string lights of claim 2 additionally comprising:
said circuit means to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED wired in series with said third wire, during each AC cycle, between a predetermined minimum electrical power level and maximum electrical power level comprises: means to interrupt current flow in proportion to the voltage communicated through said third wire and said LED in series, for durations of time during each AC cycle, to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED between a minimum power level and a maximum power level; and said means to interrupt current flow interrupting said current flow during each AC cycle for longer durations when said voltage is higher and shorter durations when said voltage is lower, to thereby limit said total power communicated through said LED from said third wire.
- 23. The decorative string lights of claim 10 additionally comprising:
said circuit means to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED wired in series with said third wire, during each AC cycle, between a predetermined minimum electrical power level and maximum electrical power level comprises: means to interrupt current flow in proportion to the voltage communicated through said third wire and said LED in series, for durations of time during each AC cycle, to limit said total electrical power communicated through said LED between a minimum power level and a maximum power level; and said means to interrupt current flow interrupting said current flow during each AC cycle for longer durations when said voltage is higher and shorter durations when said voltage is lower, to thereby limit said total power communicated through said LED from said third wire.
- 24. The decorative string lights of claim 4 additionally comprising:
at least one spacer positioned upon said power chord between each socket assembly and any adjacent socket assembly; and said spacer adapted to receive light transmitted from said casings mounted upon adjacent socket assembles and retransmit said light.
- 25. The decorative string lights of claim 9 additionally comprising:
at least one spacer positioned upon said power chord between each socket assembly and any adjacent socket assembly; and said spacer adapted to receive light transmitted from said casings mounted upon adjacent socket assembles and retransmit said light.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/472,670 filed May 21, 2003. This invention relates to string lighting in which a plurality of lights provides illumination and receives power through an elongated power chord communicating with a power source, commonly called decorative light sets. More particularly it relates to decorative type lighting which conventionally is provided in long strings such as Christmas tree lights, Christmas house decoration lights, or strings of lights used in landscaping, decoration or other illuminated means of ornamentation. The device as disclosed replaces the incandescent or resistance style light bulbs used in conventional string lights with a novel component housing and a light emitting diode or other light source. Pluralities of such component housings are attached to the elongated electrical cabling providing power and thereby provide decorative or illuminating lighting in strings. These light strings may use conventional house current, low voltages through a transformer, or batteries.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60472670 |
May 2003 |
US |