Modular tree with locking trunk and locking electrical connectors

• US 10,098,491 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2016
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willis Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Willis Electric Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Johnny
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US15/239,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20170042358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 439680, 362123
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/007 Artificial trees
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/122 involving electricity
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An artificial tree that includes a first trunk body having a first elongated projection that extends axially from a first end toward a second end and forms a first keyway; a first electrical connector anchored within the first end of the first trunk body; a second trunk body, including a second elongated projection that extends axially, the second elongated projection forming a second keyway, the second elongated projection configured to be received by the first keyway; and a second electrical connector anchored within a first end of the second trunk body. The second elongated projection is received by the first keyway, and first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector make electrical connection with first and second electrical terminals of the second electrical connector, when the first end of the first trunk body is coupled to the first end of the second trunk body.

Claims

1. A keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree, the tree comprising:

a first tree portion defining a first central vertical axis, including;

a first generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the first central vertical axis and defining a first end and a second end,

a first electrical connector adjacent the first end of the first trunk body, the first electrical connector including a first non-conductive connector body defining a first outer surface and including a non-conductive projection portion, a first conductive electrical terminal and a second conductive electrical terminal, the non-conductive projection portion radially displaced from the first central vertical axis, located at a periphery of the first non-conductive connector body, and projecting from the periphery of the first non-conductive connector body, thereby forming a first key of the first electrical connector;

a first set of electrical wires at least partially inside the first generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector;

a first plurality of branches connected to the first generally cylindrical trunk body by a first plurality of first branch support structures, each of the first plurality of branches pivotable about one of the first plurality of first branch support structures, the first plurality of branches including a first branch connected to the first trunk body at a first location of the first trunk body and a second branch connected to the first trunk body at a second location, the first location axially displaced from the second location such that the first branch and the second branch are also axially displaced from one another;

a first light string wrapped about the first plurality of branches, including wrapped about the first branch and the second branch, the first light string comprising first light-string wiring and a first plurality of light-element assemblies, the first light string wiring electrically connected to the first set of electrical wires, each light-element assembly including a light element comprising a light-emitting diode (LED), the plurality of light-element assemblies electrically connected in a series-parallel configuration and having multiple groups of LEDs, the LEDs of each of the multiple groups being electrically connected in a parallel configuration;

a second tree portion defining a second central vertical axis and configured to couple to the first tree portion such that the first and second central vertical axes are aligned, the second tree portion including;

a second generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the second central vertical axis and defining a first end and a second end, the second end of the second generally cylindrical trunk body configured to couple to the first end of the first generally cylindrical trunk body of the first tree portion;

a second electrical connector adjacent the second end of the second trunk body, the second electrical connector including a second non-conductive connector body defining a projection-receiving portion configured to receive the non-conductive projection portion of the first electrical connector to thereby form a first keyway in the second non-conductive connector body, a third conductive electrical terminal and a fourth conductive electrical terminal, the third and fourth conductive electrical terminals projecting axially and supported by the second non-conductive connector body,

a second set of electrical wires at least partially inside the second generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the third and fourth electrical terminals of the second electrical connector;

a second plurality of branches connected to the second generally cylindrical trunk body by a second plurality of second branch support structures, each of the second plurality of branches pivotable about one of the second plurality of second branch support structures, the second plurality of branches including a third branch connected to the second trunk body at a third location of the second trunk body and a fourth branch connected to the second trunk body at a fourth location, the third location axially displaced from the fourth location such that the third branch and the fourth branch are also axially displaced from one another;

a second light string wrapped about the second plurality of branches, including wrapped about the third branch and the fourth branch, the second light string comprising second light-string wiring and a second plurality of light-element assemblies;

wherein the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to connect with the third electrical terminal of the second electrical connector to make electrical connection with the third electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to connect with the fourth electrical terminal of the second electrical connector to make electrical connection with the fourth electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, when the first tree portion and the second tree portion are coupled together, thereby electrically connecting the first tree portion to the second tree portion, and the non-conductive projection portion of the first electrical connector is received by the projection-receiving portion of the second electrical connector, thereby inserting the first key of the first tree portion into the first keyway of the second tree portion and preventing rotation of the first tree portion relative to the second tree portion.

2. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising a third three portion coupled to the second tree portion, wherein the second light string is wrapped about branches of the third tree portion.

3. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first light-string wiring of the first light string is not twisted about itself.

4. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive projection portion includes an arcuate portion defining a curvature that is substantially the same as the curvature of an outer circumferential surface of the first non-conductive connector body.

5. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first tree portion includes a second key and the second tree portion includes a second keyway configured to receive the second key of the first tree portion.

6. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 5, wherein a first trunk wall of the first generally cylindrical trunk body forms the second key and a second trunk wall of the second generally cylindrical trunk body forms the second keyway.

7. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second conductive electrical terminals are radially displaced from the first central vertical axis.

8. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first outer surface is a radially-extending outer surface, and the non-conductive projection portion projects transversely to the radially-extending surface in an axial direction.

9. A keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree, the tree comprising:

a first tree portion defining a first central vertical axis, including;

a first generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the first central vertical axis and defining a first end, a second end, and a radius, the first generally cylindrical trunk body including a first trunk wall;

an axially-extending first key portion located adjacent to the first end of the first generally cylindrical trunk body and radially displaced a radial distance from the first central vertical axis, the radial distance being greater than the radius of the first generally cylindrical trunk body;

a first electrical connector adjacent the first end of the first trunk body, the first electrical connector including a first non-conductive connector body, a first conductive electrical terminal and a second conductive electrical terminal, the first and second conductive electrical terminals projecting axially and connected to the first non-conductive connector body;

a first set of electrical wires at least partially inside the first generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector;

a first plurality of branches pivotally connected to the first generally cylindrical trunk body;

a first light string wrapped about the first plurality of branches and including first light-string wiring and a first plurality of light-element assemblies,

a second tree portion defining a second central vertical axis and configured to couple to the first tree portion such that the first and second central vertical axes are aligned, the second tree portion including;

a second generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the second central vertical axis and defining a first end and a second end, the second generally cylindrical trunk body including a second trunk wall, the second end of the second generally cylindrical trunk body configured to couple to the first end of the first generally cylindrical trunk body of the first tree portion such that the first trunk wall and the second trunk wall are overlapping;

a first keyway of the second tree portion located adjacent to the second end of the second generally cylindrical trunk body configured to receive the axially-extending first key portion of the first tree portion, wherein the first keyway encircles the axially-extending first key portion upon insertion of the first key portion into the first keyway, thereby preventing rotation of the first tree portion relative to the second tree portion;

a second electrical connector adjacent the second end of the second trunk body, the second electrical connector including a second non-conductive connector body, a third conductive electrical terminal and a fourth conductive electrical terminal, the third and fourth conductive electrical terminals configured to respectively connect with the first and second conductive electrical terminals;

a second set of electrical wires at least partially inside the second generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the third and fourth electrical terminals of the second electrical connector;

a second plurality of branches connected to the second generally cylindrical trunk body

a second light string wrapped about the second plurality of branches and including second light-string wiring and a second plurality of light-element assemblies;

wherein the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to make electrical connection with the third electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to make electrical connection with the fourth electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, when the first tree portion and the second tree portion are coupled together, thereby electrically connecting the first tree portion to the second tree portion.

10. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 9, wherein the first plurality of branches are pivotally connected to the first generally cylindrical trunk body by a first plurality of first branch support structures, each of the first plurality of branches pivotable about one of the first plurality of first branch support structures, the first plurality of branches including a first branch connected to the first trunk body at a first location of the first trunk body and a second branch connected to the first trunk body at a second location, the first location axially displaced from the second location such that the first branch and the second branch are also axially displaced from one another, and the first light string extends from the first branch to the second branch.

11. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 10, wherein each light-element assembly of the first plurality of light assemblies includes a light element comprising a light-emitting diode (LED), the plurality of light-element assemblies electrically connected in a series-parallel configuration and having multiple groups of LEDs, the LEDs of each of the multiple groups being electrically connected in a parallel configuration.

12. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 9, wherein the first tree portion includes a second key portion and the second tree portion includes a second keyway configured to receive the second key portion of the first tree portion.

13. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 12, wherein the first trunk wall of the first generally cylindrical trunk body forms the second key portion and the second trunk wall of the second generally cylindrical trunk body forms the second keyway.

14. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 9, wherein each of the first and the second conductive electrical terminals are radially displaced from the first central vertical axis.

15. A keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree, the tree comprising:

a first tree portion defining a first central vertical axis, including;

a first generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the first central vertical axis and defining a first end and a second end, the first generally cylindrical trunk body including a first trunk wall;

a first electrical connector adjacent the first end of the first trunk body, the first electrical connector including a first non-conductive connector body including a first arcuate projection portion and a second arcuate projection portion, a first conductive electrical terminal and a second conductive electrical terminal, the first and second conductive electrical terminals projecting from the first non-conductive connector body in an axial direction, the first and second arcuate projection portions, thereby forming respective first and second keys of the first electrical connector;

a first set of electrical wires at least partially inside the first generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector;

a first plurality of branches connected to the first generally cylindrical trunk body,

a first light string wrapped about the first plurality of branches and comprising first light-string wiring and a first plurality of light-element assemblies, the first light string wiring electrically connected to the first set of electrical wires,

a second tree portion defining a second central vertical axis and configured to couple to the first tree portion such that the first and second central vertical axes are aligned, the second tree portion including;

a second generally cylindrical trunk body aligned along the second central vertical axis and defining a first end and a second end, the second generally cylindrical trunk body including a second trunk wall, the second end of the second generally cylindrical trunk body configured to couple to the first end of the first generally cylindrical trunk body of the first tree portion such that the first trunk wall and the second trunk wall are overlapping;

a second electrical connector adjacent the second end of the second trunk body, the second electrical connector including a second non-conductive connector body defining a first arcuate projection-receiving portion configured to receive the first arcuate projection of the first electrical connector and a second arcuate projection-receiving portion configured to receive the second arcuate projection of the first electrical connector to thereby forming first and second keyways in the second non-conductive connector body, a third conductive electrical terminal and a fourth conductive electrical terminal, the third and fourth conductive electrical terminals configured to respectively make contact with the first and second conductive electrical terminals;

a second set of electrical wires at least partially inside the second generally cylindrical trunk body and electrically connected to the third and fourth electrical terminals of the second electrical connector;

a second plurality of branches pivotally connected to the second generally cylindrical trunk;

a second light string wrapped about the second plurality of branches;

wherein the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to make electrical connection with the third electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is configured to make electrical connection with the fourth electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, when the first tree portion and the second tree portion are coupled together, thereby electrically connecting the first tree portion to the second tree portion, and the first and second keys of the first tree portion are received by the first and second keyways of the second tree portion when the first tree portion and the second tree portion are coupled together, thereby preventing rotation of the first tree portion relative to the second tree portion.

16. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of branches are pivotally connected to the first generally cylindrical trunk body by a first plurality of first branch support structures, each of the first plurality of branches pivotable about one of the first plurality of first branch support structures, the first plurality of branches including a first branch connected to the first trunk body at a first location of the first trunk body and a second branch connected to the first trunk body at a second location, the first location axially displaced from the second location such that the first branch and the second branch are also axially displaced from one another, and the first light string extends from the first branch to the second branch.

17. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 15, wherein the first trunk wall of the first generally cylindrical trunk body forms a third key of the first tree portion and the second trunk wall of the second generally cylindrical trunk body forms a third keyway of the second tree portion.

18. The keyed, rotation-locking artificial tree of claim 15, wherein each light-element assembly of the first plurality of light assemblies includes a light element comprising a light-emitting diode (LED), the plurality of light-element assemblies electrically connected in a series-parallel configuration and having multiple groups of LEDs, the LEDs of each of the multiple groups being electrically connected in a parallel configuration.