LIGHTING SYSTEM AND DECORATIVE ARTICLE INCLUDING SAME

• US 20160178172A1
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geek My Tree Inc.
• Original Assignee: Geek My Tree LLC
• Inventors: BOYINK, BRADLEY R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,523,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/023 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/15 the cables forming a grid, net or web structure
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/008 the casing being outside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/045 the sensor receiving a signal from a remote controller
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0028 Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

A lighting system comprises a crown including a plurality of connectors for engaging a plurality of light strands. The lighting system further comprises a plurality of light strands extending between first and second ends. The first ends of the light strands are removably engageable with the connectors of the crown. Each of the light strands includes at least one lighting element. Finally, the lighting system also comprises a controller in electrical communication with the crown for selectively controlling the lighting elements of the light strands. The present invention additionally provides a decorative article including the lighting system.

Claims

1. A lighting system, comprising:

a crown including a plurality of connectors for engaging a plurality of light strands;

a plurality of light strands extending between first and second ends, said first ends of said light strands being removably engageable with said connectors of said crown;

wherein each of said light strands includes at least one lighting element; and

a controller in electrical communication with said crown for selectively controlling said lighting elements of said light strands.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein each of said light strands includes a plurality of lighting elements.

3. The lighting system of claim 2 wherein said controller is configured to individually control each of said lighting elements of said light strands for selectively controlling said lighting elements.

4. The lighting system of claim 3 wherein said controller is configured to individually control at least one of luminosity and color of said lighting elements of said light strands for selectively controlling said lighting elements.

5. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said crown comprises a cable extending between opposite plug ends which engage one another such that when said opposite plug ends are engaged said crown is generally circular.

6. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said lighting elements of said light strands independently comprise light-emitting diodes.

7. The lighting system of claim 1 further comprising a transformer in electrical communication with said controller for converting alternating current to direct current.

8. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said controller includes a storage device and is configured to be programmable by a user for selectively controlling said lighting elements of said light strands.

9. The lighting system of claim 8 wherein said storage device of said controller comprises a removable storage device.

10. The lighting system of claim 8 wherein said controller is configured to be in communication with an external device for programming and selectively controlling said lighting elements of said light strands.

11. The lighting system of claim 9 wherein said controller is configured to be in wireless communication with the external device for programming and selectively controlling said lighting elements of said light strands.

12. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said second ends of said light strands are further defined as pass-through terminating ends.

13. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said controller is in electrical communication with said crown via an electrical cable.

14. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said controller further includes at least one timer for selectively controlling a frame rate of said lighting elements of said light strands.

15. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to transmit data to said crown and said lighting elements of said light strands via digital data transmission.

16. The lighting system of claim 15 wherein the digital data transmission is asynchronous.

17. A decorative article including the lighting system in accordance with claim 1.

18. The decorative article of claim 17 comprising an ornamental tree.

19. A lighting system comprising:

a controller including a digital control device and a controller connector operatively connected to the digital control device;

a first electrical cord having first and second ends, a primary electrical connector at one of the ends, and a plurality of secondary electrical connectors between the first and second ends, the primary electrical connector adapted to be operatively connected to the controller connector; and

a plurality of second electrical cords each having first and second ends, an electrical connector at the first end, and a plurality of individually controllable lights between the first and second ends, each of the electrical connectors adapted to be operatively connected to one of the secondary electrical connectors on the first cord, whereby the lights can be individually controlled by the controller when (a) the electrical connectors on the second cords are operatively connected to the secondary connectors on the first cord and (b) the primary connector on the first cord is operatively connected to the controller connector.