Multiple light systems

• US 5,707,136 A
• Filed: 02/26/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerald Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Byers Investments Co.
• Inventors: Byers, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US08/607,225
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249, 362/252, 362/387, 362/396, 362/391, 362/806, 362/145, 362/389, 362/234, 362/226, 362/431, 362/151, 362/152, 362/147, 248/314, 248/223.4, 439/419, 439/533, 439/573, 439/532, 439/540, 439/569, 439/570, 439/571, 206/419, 206/420, 206/421
• US Class Current: 362/145
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/20 with light sources held by or within elongate supports
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0005 of sources having contact pins, wires or blades, e.g. pinch sealed lamp F21V19/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/088 Clips; Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/34 Supporting elements displaceable along a guiding element telescopic mounting of lighting devices F21V21/22
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/004 mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

Improvements in components for decorative light strings that include a plurality of track channels for holding successive segments of a light string, such track channel sections being supportable by snap attachment to pre-positioned snap-fasteners or the like.

Claims

1. Mounting apparatus for securing an electrical wire bundle with spaced lamp sockets in operative disposition on a building structure, comprising:

an elongate track channel having an underside and an upper panel that includes opposite underside panels disposed in a spaced parallel position on the underside of said track channel and opposite side base panels disposed perpendicularly to said respective underside panels and defining a slideway therebetween;

means for securing the electrical wire bundle with lamp sockets to extend along said track channel upper panel; and

means for releasibly securing said track channel carrying the electrical wire bundle with lamp sockets in a selected position on said building structure.

2. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for securing comprises:

a plurality of resilient clips each having a central portion and a tooth flange disposed at generally right angles to the central portion at each end, said tooth flanges serving to grip around said track channel upper panel.

3. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said resilient clips further comprises:

a central portion that includes a middle raised band for positive gripping of the wire bundle.

4. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongate track channel further includes:

a central groove formed on said upper panel for receiving said electrical wire bundle.

5. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for securing comprises:

clamp means having resilient, opposite flanges for gripping a socket and bulb, said clamp means having opposite side tangs for gripping each edge of said upper panel.

6. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for releasibly securing comprises:

an elongate slide channel having opposite side guides for captively receiving opposite outside edges of said base panels.

7. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for releasibly securing comprises:

an elongate slide guide having opposite side guide channels opening outward on each side of said slide guide for captively receiving opposite inside edges of said base panels.

8. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a plurality of elongate track channels supporting an electrical wire bundle with lamp sockets are slidably received within a plurality of elongate slide guides secured to said building structure.

9. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further includes:

plural elongate tabs for firm seating at spaced intervals between roof and shingles to expose plural tab ends having a securing button thereon, which tab end securing buttons are firmly received in said track channel slideways.

10. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein:

said plural tab ends are bent at ninety degrees so that said track channels are disposed in a generally vertical attitude.

11. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for releasibly securing comprises:

a plurality of unitarily formed panels each having one end formed to provide a button to be received in said base panel slideway of respective track channels, with the other end formed into a hook formation for captive positioning over a roof gutter edge.

12. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further includes:

a wireform stake formed of metal rod as a first leg bent 180°

at the center to form a second leg the length of upper panel width and bent at 90°

to form a third leg and bent 90°

to form a fourth leg extending parallel to said first leg and spaced therefrom by the width of said upper panel.

13. Mounting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further includes:

at least one selected ornamental shape formed of light transmissive plastic and extending a lower generally cylindrical portion having a bottom rim with opposed cut-out portions shaped for snap-fit onto said track channel upper panel to envelop at least one lamp socket.