Lighting system for decorating trees

• US 8,376,584 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barbara C. Grant, Sarah A. Jenko
• Original Assignee: Barbara C. Grant, Sarah A. Jenko
• Inventors: Jenko, Sarah A., Grant, Barbara C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US12/730,845
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 362/123, 362/249.16, 362/249.18, 362/249.19, 439/505, 439/541, 439/527, 439/586, 439/593
• US Class Current: 362/249.18
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/15 the cables forming a grid, net or web structure
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees

Abstract

A light system for decorating a tree featuring a flexible elongated band moveable between an attached position wherein the band is folded onto itself and an unattached position; an attachment means for securing the band in the attached position; a plurality of lights radiating outwardly from an outer surface of the band, the light strands each comprise a cord portion and a plurality of lights disposed along the cord portion; a first power plug and a second power plug, both power plugs being disposed on the band, wherein the first power plug functions to engage an electrical outlet or a second power plug of a second light system and the second power plug functions to accept a first power plug of a third light system; and a wire disposed in the band, the wire operatively connects each light strand to the first power plug and to the second power plug.

Claims

1. A light system for decorating a tree, said system comprising:

(a) a flexible elongated band having a first end and a second end, the band can move between an attached position wherein the band is folded onto itself and an unattached position wherein the band is elongated and the first end and the second end are free;

(b) an attachment means for securing the band in the attached position;

(c) a plurality of lights radiating outwardly from a plurality of apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge of the band on an exterior facing outer surface of the band, the light strands each comprise a cord portion and a plurality of lights disposed along the cord portion;

(d) a first power plug and a second power plug, both power plugs having wires extending from apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge on an interior facing inner surface of the band, wherein the first power plug functions to engage an electrical outlet or a second power plug of a second light system and the second power plug functions to accept a first power plug of a third light system; and

(e) a wire disposed in the band, the wire operatively connects each light strand to the first power plug and to the second power plug.

2. The system of claim 1 comprising at least five light strands.

3. The system of claim 1 comprising at least ten light strands.

4. The system of claim 1 comprising at least fifteen light strands.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism, a snap mechanism, a button mechanism, a clasp mechanism, a hook mechanism, a clamp mechanism, a cinch mechanism, a tie mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or a combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a first half attachment means is disposed on the first end of the band that engages a second half attachment means disposed on the second end of the band.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a first half hook-and-loop fastener is disposed on the first end of the band that engages a second half hook-and-loop fastener disposed on the second end of the band.

8. A kit comprising a first light system, a second light system, and a third light system, each light system comprising:

(a) a flexible elongated band having a first end and a second end, the band can move between an attached position wherein the band is folded onto itself and an unattached position wherein the band is elongated and the first end and the second end are free;

(b) an attachment means for securing the band in the attached position;

(c) a plurality of lights radiating outwardly from a plurality of apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge of the band on an exterior facing outer surface of the band, the light strands each comprise a cord portion and a plurality of lights disposed along the cord portion;

(d) a first power plug and a second power plug, both power plugs having wires extending from apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge on an interior facing inner surface of the band, wherein the first power plug functions to engage an electrical outlet or a second power plug of a second light system and the second power plug functions to accept a first power plug of a third light system; and

(e) a wire disposed in the band, the wire operatively connects each light strand to the first power plug and to the second power plug.

9. The kit of claim 8 further comprising a fourth light system.

10. The kit of claim 9 further comprising a fifth light system.

11. The kit of claim 10 further comprising a sixth light system.

12. A method of decorating a tree, said method comprising:

(a) obtaining a first light system comprising;

(i) a flexible elongated band having a first end and a second end, the band can move between an attached position wherein the band is folded onto itself and an unattached position wherein the band is elongated and the first end and the second end are free;

(ii) an attachment means for securing the band in the attached position;

(iii) a plurality of lights radiating outwardly from a plurality of apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge of the band on an exterior facing outer surface of the band, the light strands each comprise a cord portion and a plurality of lights disposed along the cord portion;

(iv) a first power plug and a second power plug, both power plugs having wires extending from apertures centrally disposed between a top edge and a bottom edge on an interior facing inner surface of the band, wherein the first power plug functions to engage an electrical outlet or a second power plug of a second light system and the second power plug functions to accept a first power plug of a third light system; and

(v) a wire disposed in the band, the wire operatively connects each light strand to the first power plug and to the second power plug;

(b) wrapping the band around a trunk of the tree to encircle the trunk of the tree, and securing the band in the attached position via the attachment means;

(c) laying the light strands on branches of the tree or wrapping the light strands around branches of the tree; and

(d) engaging the first power plug with an electrical outlet to provide power to the first light system and illuminate the light strands.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising obtaining a second light system and wrapping the band of the second light system around the trunk of the tree and securing the band of the second light system in the attached position.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising laying the light strands of the second light system on branches of the tree or wrapping the light strands around branches of the tree, and engaging the first power plug of the second light system with the second power plug of the first light system.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising obtaining a third light system and wrapping the band of the third light system around the trunk of the tree and securing the band of the third light system in the attached position.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising laying the light strands of the third light system on branches of the tree or wrapping the light strands around branches of the tree, and engaging the first power plug of the third light system with the second power plug of the second light system.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising obtaining a fourth light system and wrapping the band of the fourth light system around the trunk of the tree and securing the band of the fourth light system in the attached position.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising laying the light strands of the fourth light system on branches of the tree or wrapping the light strands around branches of the tree, and engaging the first power plug of the fourth light system with the second power plug of the third light system.