Non-tangling Christmas light assembly

Abstract

Spring coiled holiday light strings are described that can be expanded for stringing on a Christmas tree or other surface and conveniently re-coiled for storage and later reuse.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a section of an extended spring coil light string with a generally rod- or cylindrically-shaped spring coil.

FIG. 2 shows the spring coil light string of FIG. 1 in fully retracted form where the lights are located on the interior of the coil, along with a cylinder for storage.

FIG. 3 shows a section of an extended spring coil light string in which the lights are in the interior of a tube-shaped spring coil.

FIG. 4 shows a section of a partially extended spring coil light string with a generally flat strip spring coil.

Claims

1. A recoilable light string, comprising a flat spring coil, wherin said coil has a diameter of 2 to 12 inches when fully retracted;a plurality of sequentially-linked lights distributed along said spring coil; anda power plug at one end of said spring coil linked with said lights.

2. The light string of claim 1, wherein said flat spring coil comprises spring steel.

3. The light string of claim 2, wherein said spring steel is in the form of a flat coiled strip.

4. The light string of claim 1, wherein said flat spring coil comprises a plastic.

5. The light string of claim 4, wherein said plastic is in the form of a flat coiled strip.

6. The light string of claim 4, wherein said plastic is in the form of a coiled tube.

7. The light string of claim 6, wherin electrical conductors for said lights are located in the interior of said tube.

8. The light string of claim 6, wherein electrical conductors for said lights are located in the side walls of said tube.

9. The light string of claim 6, wherein electrical conductors for said lights are located on the exterior of said tube.

10. The light string of claim 6, wherein said lights are located in the interior of said tube.

11. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights naturally fall on the outside of said coil.

12. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights naturally fall on the inside of said coil.

13. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights naturally alternate between falling on the inside and outside of said coil.

14. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights are LEDs.

15. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights are incandescent lights.

16. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights are halogen lights.

17. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights are neon lights.

18. The light string of claim 1, wherein said lights are optical fiber termini.

19. The light string of claim 1, further comprising a clip on at least one end.

20. The light string of claim 1, further comprising a clip on each end.

21. The light string of claim 1, further comprising a power receptacle connected at the end of said spring coil distal from said power plug suitable for sequential linking of a second spring coil.

22. A packaged light string, comprising a recoilable light string, comprising a flat spring coil, wherin said coil has a diameter of 2 to 12 inches;a plurality of sequentially-linked lights distributed along said spring coil; anda power cord linked with said lights.a tubular container, wherein said container is sized such that the internal diameter of said container is sized to accommodate said recoilable light string when in compact configuration while maintaining stacking of the spring coils,wherein said recoilable light string is contained within said tubular container.

23. The packaged light string of claim 22, further comprising written instructions for storing said light string in said tubular container.

24. A method for decorating a Christmas tree with lights, comprising expanding a recoilable light string and placing said light string on said tree,wherein said light string comprises a flat spring coil, wherin said coil has a diameter of 2 to 12 inches;a plurality of sequentially-linked lights distributed along said spring coil; anda power cord linked with said lights.