Modular light strand kit

• US 7,819,553 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John C. Lexso
• Original Assignee: John C. Lexso
• Inventors: Lexso, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Application Number:
  US12/222,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249.06, 362/249.07, 362/249.14, 362/806, 439/505, 439/679, 439/660
• US Class Current: 362/249.14
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

The modular light strand kit has decorative light strand segments having a plurality of predetermined lengths to achieve a customized length for a desired application. Lighted strand segments have varying lengths and number of lights per strand segment. Strand length is customized by plugging individual strand segments together. Segments are mixed and matched to obtain a customized number of lights. Each strand segment has a male locking waterproof plug on one end and, at the other end, a female locking waterproof receptacle in the same covering that houses the last light on the strand. Lightless wire segments having different predetermined lengths are included and have the same male locking waterproof plug on one end and a straight locking waterproof female plug on the other end. The lightless segments function as spacers where lights are not desired. A common mains adapter plug provides power to all strands in use.

Claims

1. A modular light strand kit, comprising:

a plurality of elongated wire segments, each of the segments having;

an electrically conductive wire strand;

a plug at one end of the wire segment; and

a receptacle at the other end of the wire segment, the plug and the receptacle of each of the segments being electrically connectable to the other wire segments in the plurality of wire segments;

a single light fixture disposed proximate to the end of at least one of the wire segments, the single light fixture being electrically connected to the conductive wire strand, the conductive wire strand having a first length dimension;

a cover housing the light fixture at the end of the wire segment, the electrical receptacle being surrounded by the cover;

a mains adapter plug removably connectable to the wire segment plug, the mains adapter plug being adapted for connecting to a mains voltage source to supply power to a chain of the electrically connected wire segments, whereby the light fixtures are energized; and

additional lighting fixtures, the additional lighting fixtures being disposed between the plug and the end lighting fixture on the wire strand, length of the wire strand being extended to accommodate the additional lighting fixtures.

2. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the cover housing the lighting fixture extends away from the wire segment at approximately ninety degrees, and the portion of the cover surrounding the receptacle extends in substantially axial alignment away from the wire segment.

3. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the wire strand includes two lighting fixtures, the wire strand having a second length dimension.

4. The modular light strand kit according to claim 3, wherein the wire strand includes three lighting fixtures, the wire strand having a third length dimension.

5. The modular light strand kit according to claim 4, wherein the wire strand includes four lighting fixtures, the wire strand having a fourth length dimension.

6. The modular light strand kit according to claim 5, wherein the wire strand includes five lighting fixtures, the wire strand having a fifth length dimension.

7. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the male plug removably locks into the female receptacle, both the plug and the receptacle being water resistant.

8. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the wire segments without lighting fixtures are available in a plurality of predefined lengths.

9. The modular light strand kit according to claim 8, wherein the wire segments without lighting fixtures the predefined lengths correspond to the lengths of the wire strands having the lighting fixtures.

10. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the lights in the kit are pre-wired in a series configuration.

11. The modular light strand kit according to claim 1, wherein the lights in the kit are pre-wired in a parallel configuration.

12. A modular light strand kit, comprising:

a plurality of elongated wire segments, each of the segments having;

an electrically conductive wire strand;

a plug at one end of the wire segment; and

a receptacle at the other end of the wire segment, the plug and the receptacle of each of the segments being electrically connectable to the other wire segments in the plurality of wire segments;

a single light fixture disposed proximate to the end of at least one of the wire segments, the single light fixture being electrically connected to the conductive wire strand, the conductive wire strand having a first length dimension;

a cover housing the light fixture at the end of the wire segment, the electrical receptacle being surrounded by the cover, wherein the portion of the cover housing the lighting fixture extends away from the wire segment at approximately ninety degrees, and the portion of the cover surrounding the receptacle extends in substantially axial alignment away from the wire segment; and

a mains adapter plug removably connectable to the wire segment plug, the mains adapter plug being adapted for connecting to a mains voltage source to supply power to a chain of the electrically connected wire segments, whereby the light fixtures are energized.