Christmas tree light ring

• US 5,746,504 A
• Filed: 07/05/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Esther L. Dodson
• Original Assignee: Esther L. Dodson
• Inventors: Dodson, Esther L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPARK, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US08/700,723
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 362/123, 362/252, 362/249, 315/185 S
• US Class Current: 362/249.19
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/088 Clips; Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees

Abstract

A Christmas tree light ring including a securing clamp for snugly securing to the trunk of a tree, a circular power member with an opening larger than the securing clamp, and a plurality of support posts connecting at their upper ends to the securing clamp and at their lower ends to the circular power member. The support posts extend downwardly and outwardly from the securing clamp to the circular power member to support the circular power member at a position spaced radially outward from the tree trunk. The circular power member has a plurality of electrical connector sockets therein, and a plurality of light strands have electrical connector plugs which are removably connectable to the sockets of the circular power member so that the light strands may depend therefrom. Optionally, a tree topper ornament is provided for the placing on the top of the tree trunk and is also adapted to draw power from the circular power member. A power supply cord provides power to the circular power member from a wall electrical outlet.

Claims

1. A Christmas tree light ring system for mounting on a tree having a central trunk and radiating branches, said system comprising:

a securing clamp for securing about the central trunk of a tree, said securing clamp having an aperture for snugly receiving and embracing the trunk of a tree;

a circular power member having a plurality of electrical connector sockets therein and a central opening for receiving a portion of the trunk of a tree upon which said securing clamp is mounted, said central opening being sufficiently large such that said central member is located at a radially spaced relationship to said tree trunk;

a plurality of light strands, each said light strand having a plurality of lights thereon and an electrical connector plug for connecting to one of said electrical connector socket of said circular power member; and

a plurality of substantially stiff support posts,

each said support post being connected at an upper end to said securing clamp and at a lower end to said circular power member, said supports posts extending in an downward and radially outward relationship from said securing clamp to said circular power member to support said circular power member at a position spaced radially outward from the trunk of said tree without requiring support for said circular power member from the branches of said tree;

wherein the securing clamp comprises a first semicircular clamp half and a second semicircular clamp half and fastener means for removably fastening said first and second clamp halves together.

2. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 wherein each half of the securing clamp further comprises a spaced end portions and a securing flange mounted at each end portion.

3. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 wherein the circular power includes electrical wire means electrically connecting the electrical connector sockets of said power member, and a power supply cord electrically connected to said electrical wire means.

4. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 additionally comprising a tree topper ornament having a power supply cord with an electrical connector plug for connecting to an electrical connector socket of said circular power member.

5. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 wherein said tree topper ornament includes a substantially conical mounting member for receiving the top tip of the central trunk of a tree, and wherein said tree topper ornament is adapted to rest upon the securing clamp when clamped on the central trunk of a tree.

6. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 wherein said electrical connector sockets are substantially uniformly spaced along the circumference of said circular power member.

7. The Christmas tree light ring system of claim 1 wherein the circular power member comprises a tubular structure housing said electrical wire means therein.

8. A Christmas tree light ring system for mounting on a tree having a central trunk and radiating branches, said system comprising:

a securing clamp for securing about the central trunk of a tree, said securing clamp having an aperture for snugly receiving the trunk of a tree;

a circular power member having a plurality of electrical connector sockets therein and a central opening for receiving the trunk of a tree upon which said securing clamp is mounted, said central opening being sufficiently large such that said central member is located at a radially spaced relationship to said tree trunk;

a plurality of light strands, each said light strand having a plurality of lights thereon and an electrical connector plug for connecting to one of said electrical connector socket of said circular power member; and

a plurality of substantially stiff support posts, each said support post being connected at an upper end to said securing clamp and at a lower end to said circular power member, said supports posts extending in an downward and radially outward relationship from said securing clamp to said circular power member to support said circular power member at a position spaced radially outward from the trunk of said tree without requiring support for said circular power member from the branches of said tree;

wherein the securing clamp comprises a first semicircular clamp half and a second semicircular clamp half, and fastener means for removably fastening said first and second clamp halves together;

wherein each half of the securing clamp further comprises a spaced end portions and a securing flange mounted at each end portion;

wherein the circular power includes electrical wire means electrically connecting the electrical connector sockets of said power member, and a power supply cord electrically connected to said electrical wire means;

a tree topper ornament having a power supply cord with an electrical connector plug for connecting to an electrical connector socket of said circular power member; and

wherein said electrical connector sockets are substantially uniformly spaced along the circumference of said circular power member;

wherein the circular power member comprises a tubular structure housing said electrical wire means therein; and

wherein said tree topper ornament includes a substantially conical mounting member for receiving the top tip of the central trunk of a tree, and wherein said tree topper ornament is adapted to rest upon the securing clamp when clamped on the central trunk of a tree.