Patent Application
20050111221
The present invention relates generally to decorative lights, and more particularly to strings of decorative lights having candle shaped bulbs. The invention further relates to strings of decorative lights that are readily adapted for display at different holidays, occasions and seasons.
It is common for people to decorate their homes, offices and other locations for festive occasions such as holidays or even entire seasons. Such displays increase the festive atmosphere of the occasion and allow people to express their creativity and artistry.
Many holiday or seasonal displays include decorative lights which may be arranged individually or in strings. For example, decorative lights shaped as individual candles may be used to provide a room with the aesthetics and ambience of an actual candle flame, but without the associated risks or bother. According to one known construction of such candle lights, a 6 or 7 watt glass bulb may be coated with silicon gel, which may contain colored pigment or scent to further enhance the ambience.
Although individual decorative candle lights such as the above-described silicon construction are known in the art, such decorative lights have not heretofore been provided in strings. Moreover, due to the relatively high power consumption ratings of the bulbs typically used for such decorative candle lights, strings of such lights could not be provided without creating a potential fire hazard.
In view of the forgoing, it would be advantageous to provide candle shaped lights in strings. Moreover, it would further be desirable to provide strings of candle shaped lights that are readily adaptable to different occasions, holidays or seasons.
The present invention relates to strings of decorative lights having candle shaped bulbs and methods for making such light strings.
According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a decorative light string assembly comprises a string of light bulb sockets electrically interconnected by an electrical cord and a plurality of decorative light bulbs mated with the sockets. The electrical cord has at least one end terminated by an electrical connector. Each decorative light bulb comprises a plain light bulb covered by a flexible outer coating in the shape of a candle flame.
According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a decorative light string assembly kit comprises a string of light bulb sockets electrically interconnected by an electrical cord and at least two sets of decorative light bulbs. The electrical cord has at least one end terminated by an electrical connector. Each decorative light bulb comprises a decorative portion and a base portion configured for mating with one of the sockets. Each decorative portion comprises a plain light bulb covered by a flexible outer coating in the shape of a candle flame. Each set of light bulbs includes a color or scent associated with a different holiday or season.
According to a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for making a decorative light string assembly includes coating a plurality of plain light bulbs with a polymeric gel to form a like plurality of decorative light bulbs having flexible outer coverings in the shape of candle flames. Each plain light bulb draws between about 1 watts and 4 watts when energized. The method further includes mating each of the decorative light bulbs in a light bulb socket of an extension cord to electrically interconnect the decorative light bulbs. The electrical cord has at least one end terminated by an electrical connector.
These and other benefits and features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, presented in connection with the following drawings in which like reference numerals are used to identify like elements throughout.
Before explaining several preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail it is noted that the invention is not limited to the details of construction or the arrangement of components set forth below or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also noted that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in a manner that is believed to provide the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and concepts of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary to provide a fundamental understanding of the present invention. The description of the invention taken with the drawings is believed sufficient to make it apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
Turning now to the drawings and referring initially to
Referring now to
As best illustrated by
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, particles of colored pigments 32 and/or scents 34 are interspersed throughout substance 30 to alter or enhance the ambience provided by light string assembly 10. As persons skilled in the art will appreciate, particles 32 and/or 34 may be in either liquid or solid form. Moreover, particles 32 and/or 34 could be applied to the exterior surface of substance 30 rather than interspersed therein.
Turning now to
In addition to color, each of the forgoing light bulb sets 36, 38, and 40 or other sets could be provided with scents representative of particular holidays, seasons or occasions. As one example, the light bulbs in set 40 could be scented with evergreen or peppermint to enhance the association with Christmas. As another example, the light bulbs in set 38 could be scented with pumpkin pie to enhance the association with Halloween in particular or the fall harvest season in general.
It is important to note that the above described and preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, various substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention which is defined by the following claims.
