Hinged hanging simulated icicle frame

• US 6,076,938 A
• Filed: 01/31/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abraham Sandford Kinderman
• Original Assignee: Abraham Sandford Kinderman
• Inventors: Kinderman, Abraham Sandford
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nimeshkumar D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOPPER, TODD R
• Application Number:
  US09/017,104
• Time in Patent Office: 871 Days
• Field of Search: 362/151, 362/152, 362/249, 362/252, 362/806
• US Class Current: 362/145
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/004 mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/006 for illumination or simulation of snowy or iced items, e.g. icicle

Abstract

A frame is provided for supporting ornamental lights on a structure. Each frame includes a rod having at least one hoop and at least one peg from which a bar is hinged or pivotally disposed. A plurality of prongs may also be provided to retain an electrical cord with ornamental lights. The bar may also be provided with a plurality of clips to retain the ornamental lights as they are strung along the bar. A plurality of frames may be joined together via the rods to form an assembly. The size of the assembly may vary according to the sizes of the frames used and the number of frames connected. The lengths of the bars may also vary. Shingle-gutter members for attaching and suspending the frame or assembly to the structure are also provided.

Claims

1. A frame for supporting ornamental lights comprising

a. a rod having an adjoining end and a hollow connecting end, the rod further comprising at least one hoop extending from the rod adapted to suspend the frame from a structure and at least one peg projecting from the rod;

and

b. a bar disposed pivotally on the peg.

2. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the frame has a plurality of pegs spaced between the ends of the rod and at least two bars having at least two different lengths, each bar being disposed pivotally on a separate peg.

3. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the frame has a plurality of pegs spaced along the rod between the ends of the rod and at least three bars having at least three different lengths, each bar being disposed pivotally on a separate peg.

4. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the rod has a plurality of prongs spaced along the rod between the two ends for holding an ornamental light cord.

5. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the bar has a plurality of light socket support clips adapted for holding light sockets spaced along its length.

6. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 5 further comprising an electrical cord wrapped down the bar, the cord having light bulbs with sockets in which at least some sockets are held in place by the light socket support clips to simulate an icicle.

7. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the rod has a plurality of prongs along its length between the two ends for holding ornamental light cord and the bar has a plurality of light socket support clips spaced along its length.

8. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 further comprising at least one shingle-gutter member for attaching and suspending the frame from the hoop to a structure, the shingle-gutter member comprising

a. a tongue having a proximal end and a distal end;

b. a spiral body having a curved portion on one side of the body to which the proximal end of the tongue is attached; and

c. an extended projection on a side of the body opposite the tongue, the projection terminating in a hook from which the frame is suspended.

9. A frame for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 1 wherein the rod has a plurality of pegs spaced between the ends and at least three bars each having a different length and each bar being disposed pivotally on a separate peg, the rod also having a plurality of prongs and the bars each having a plurality of light socket support clips spaced along the lengths, the frame further comprising an electrical cord having light bulbs with sockets, wherein the electrical cord is wrapped along the rod and retained by the prongs and further wrapped along the lengths of the bars and wherein at least some of the light bulbs with sockets are held in place by the light socket support clips to simulate icicles.

11. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 9 wherein the frames have a plurality of pegs spaced between the ends of the rods and at least two bars having at least two different lengths, each bar disposed pivotally on a separate peg.

18. An assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 9 wherein the rods have a plurality of pegs and at least three bars each having a different length and each bar being disposed pivotally on a separate peg, the rods also having a plurality of prongs and the bars each having a plurality of light socket support clips spaced along the lengths, the assembly further comprising an electrical cord having light bulbs with sockets, wherein the electrical cord is wrapped along the rods and retained by the prongs and further wrapped along the lengths of the bars and wherein at least some of the light bulbs with sockets are held in place by the light socket support clips to simulate icicles.

10. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights comprising a plurality of flexible frames wherein each frame comprises

a. a rod having an adjoining end and a hollow connecting end, the rod further comprising at least one hoop extending from the rod adapted to suspend the assembly from a structure and at least one peg projecting from the rod;

and

b. a bar disposed pivotally on the peg;

wherein the adjoining end of one rod of one frame is disposed within the hollow connecting end of an adjacent rod of an adjacent frame to connect the frames together.

12. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 10 wherein the frames have a plurality of pegs spaced between the ends of the rods and at least three bars having at least three different lengths, each bar disposed pivotally on a separate peg.

13. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 10 wherein the rods have a plurality of spaced prongs for holding light cord.

14. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 10 wherein the bars have a plurality of light socket support clips spaced along their lengths.

15. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 14 further comprising an electrical cord wrapped along the rods and down the bars, the cord having light bulbs with sockets in which at least some sockets are held in place by the light socket support clips to simulate a plurality of icicles.

16. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 10 wherein the rods have a plurality of prongs along their lengths for holding ornamental lights and the bars have a plurality of light socket support clips spaced along their lengths.

17. A frame assembly for suspending ornamental lights according to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of shingle-gutter members for attaching and suspending the assembly from the hoops to a structure, each shingle-gutter member comprising

a. a tongue having a proximal end and a distal end;

b. a spiral body having a curved portion on one side of the body to which the proximal end of the tongue is attached; and

c. an extended projection on a side of the body opposite the tongue, the projection terminating in a hook from which the assembly is suspended.