Powered tree construction
First Claim
1. A lighted artificial tree, comprising:
- a first tree portion, including;
a first trunk portion,a first power distribution subsection, anda first electrical connector, the first power distribution subsection and first electrical connector housed at least in part within the first trunk portion, the first electrical connector including;
a first body portion; and
a first electrical contact set, the first electrical contact set in electrical connection with the first power distribution subsection,the first body portion including a plurality of ridges;
a second tree portion, including;
a second trunk portion;
a second power distribution subsection; and
a second electrical connector, the second power distribution subsection and second electrical connector housed at least in part within the second trunk portion, the second electrical connector including;
a second body portion; and
a second electrical contact set, the second electrical contact set in electrical connection with the second power distribution subsection,the second body portion including a plurality of grooves,wherein the first tree portion is configured to couple to the second tree portion such that the first electrical contact set and the second electrical contact set form an electrical connection and the plurality of grooves of the second body portion receive the plurality of ridges of the first body portion, thereby electrically connecting the first power distribution subsection to the second power distribution subsection and mechanically coupling the first tree portion to the second tree portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections.
258 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A lighted artificial tree, comprising:
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a first tree portion, including; a first trunk portion, a first power distribution subsection, and a first electrical connector, the first power distribution subsection and first electrical connector housed at least in part within the first trunk portion, the first electrical connector including; a first body portion; and a first electrical contact set, the first electrical contact set in electrical connection with the first power distribution subsection, the first body portion including a plurality of ridges; a second tree portion, including; a second trunk portion; a second power distribution subsection; and a second electrical connector, the second power distribution subsection and second electrical connector housed at least in part within the second trunk portion, the second electrical connector including; a second body portion; and a second electrical contact set, the second electrical contact set in electrical connection with the second power distribution subsection, the second body portion including a plurality of grooves, wherein the first tree portion is configured to couple to the second tree portion such that the first electrical contact set and the second electrical contact set form an electrical connection and the plurality of grooves of the second body portion receive the plurality of ridges of the first body portion, thereby electrically connecting the first power distribution subsection to the second power distribution subsection and mechanically coupling the first tree portion to the second tree portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A lighted artificial tree, comprising:
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a first tree portion, including; a first trunk portion; a first power distribution subsection; and a first electrical connector, the first power distribution subsection and first electrical connector housed at least in part within the first trunk portion, the first electrical connector including; a first electrical contact set, the first electrical contact set in electrical connection with the first power distribution subsection; and a first plurality of teeth, the first plurality of teeth electrically isolated from the first electrical contact set; and a second tree portion, including; a second trunk portion; a second power distribution subsection; and a second electrical connector, the second power distribution subsection and second electrical connector housed at least in part within the second trunk portion, the second electrical connector including; a second electrical contact set, the second electrical contact set in electrical connection with the second power distribution subsection; and a second plurality of teeth, wherein the first tree portion is configured to couple to the second tree portion such that the first electrical contact set and the second electrical contact set form an electrical connection and the second plurality of teeth receive the first plurality of teeth, thereby electrically connecting the first power distribution subsection to the second power distribution subsection and mechanically coupling the first tree portion to the second tree portion such that rotation of the first tree portion about an axis of the lighted artificial tree with respect to the second tree portion and rotation of the second tree portion about the axis of the lighted artificial tree with respect to the first tree portion are substantially prohibited. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An artificial tree, comprising:
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a first trunk section comprising a first electrical connector, the first electrical connector comprising; a central electrical contact located along a central axis of the first trunk section; and a first alignment mechanism comprising; a first plurality of distinct, axially extending projections, each axially extending projection of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending projections comprising first and second angled surfaces, wherein the proximal ends of the first and second angled surfaces are set apart by a first predetermined distance and the distal ends of the first and second angled surfaces are connected to form a point; and a first plurality of recesses, wherein each recess of the first plurality of recesses comprises an area separating adjacent projections of the first plurality of distinct, axially extending projections by a second predetermined distance; a second trunk section comprising a second electrical connector, the second electrical connector comprising; a central void located along a central axis of the second electrical connector and having an electrical contact disposed therein, the central void configured to engage the first electrical connector such that the central electrical contact of the first electrical connector engages the electrical contact disposed within the central void of the second electrical connector; and a second alignment mechanism comprising; a second plurality of distinct, axially extending projections, each axially extending projection of the second plurality of distinct, axially extending projections comprising first and second angled surfaces, wherein the proximal ends of the first and second angled surfaces are set apart by the first predetermined distance and the distal ends of the first and second angled surfaces are connected to form a point; and a second plurality of recesses, wherein each recess of the second plurality of recesses comprises an area separating adjacent projections of the second plurality of distinct, axially extending projections by the second predetermined distance, wherein the engagement of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector results in an electrical connection capable of conducting electricity between the first trunk section and the second trunk section, and wherein engagement of the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector constrains rotation of the first trunk section with respect to the second trunk section. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of electrically and mechanically coupling a first tree portion of a lighted artificial tree to a second tree portion, the method comprising:
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positioning a first tree portion, the first tree portion having (i) a first generally hollow trunk portion having a first trunk wall and (ii) a first electrical connector having a first alignment mechanism with a sloped engagement portion, upright along a vertical axis; aligning a second tree portion, the second tree portion having (i) a second generally hollow trunk portion having a second trunk wall and (ii) a second electrical connector having a second alignment mechanism with a sloped engagement portion, with the first tree portion and along the vertical axis; causing the second tree portion to move axially such that the first tree portion receives an end of the second tree portion and the first trunk wall is engaged with the second trunk wall; causing the second alignment mechanism'"'"'s sloped engagement portion to initially contact the first alignment mechanism'"'"'s sloped engagement portion at a first rotational alignment; and allowing the second electrical connector to rotate relative the first electrical connector, thereby rotating the second tree portion into a second rotational alignment and a final engagement position such that the first tree portion and second tree portion are mechanically coupled and electrically connected. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification