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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
First Claim
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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.

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