Modular tree with rotation-lock electrical connectors
First Claim
1. A tree electrical connection system for a multi-section artificial lighted tree, comprising:
- a first electrical connector, including;
a first connector body comprising a generally non-conductive plastic material and including an insulating portion projecting outwardly from a surface of the first connector body;
a first set of electrical contacts, the first set of electrical contacts comprising four electrical contacts for conducting electricity, each of the four electrical contacts secured to the first connector body, the four electrical contacts positioned relative to the insulating portion projecting outwardly from the surface of the first connector body such that the insulating portion projecting outwardly from the surface of the first connector body is between a portion of at least one of the four electrical contacts and a portion of another of the four electrical contacts, thereby separating and at least partially electrically insulating the at least one of the four electrical contacts from the other of the four electrical contacts, thereby reducing the possibility of arcing between the at least one of the four electrical contacts and the other of the four electrical contacts;
a second electrical connector, including;
a second connector body comprising a generally non-conductive plastic material;
a second set of electrical contacts, the second set of electrical contacts comprising four electrical contacts for conducting electricity, each of the four electrical contacts secured to the second connector body;
wherein the first electrical connector is configured to couple to the second electrical connector such that the first set of electrical contacts engages the second set of electrical contacts.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rotation-locking lighted artificial tree that includes a first and second portion. The first portion includes a trunk, first electrical connector, and first wiring harness. The first electrical connector includes a first body portion and a first electrical contact set. The first body portion includes multiple projections electrically isolated from the first electrical contact set. The second tree portion includes a second electrical connector and a second wiring harness. The second electrical connector includes a second body portion and a second electrical contact set, the second body portion including multiple recesses. When the first tree portion couples to the second, the first and second electrical contact sets form an electrical connection and the recesses of the second body portion receive the projections of the first body portion, thereby electrically connecting and mechanically coupling the first tree portion to the second tree portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tree electrical connection system for a multi-section artificial lighted tree, comprising:
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a first electrical connector, including; a first connector body comprising a generally non-conductive plastic material and including an insulating portion projecting outwardly from a surface of the first connector body; a first set of electrical contacts, the first set of electrical contacts comprising four electrical contacts for conducting electricity, each of the four electrical contacts secured to the first connector body, the four electrical contacts positioned relative to the insulating portion projecting outwardly from the surface of the first connector body such that the insulating portion projecting outwardly from the surface of the first connector body is between a portion of at least one of the four electrical contacts and a portion of another of the four electrical contacts, thereby separating and at least partially electrically insulating the at least one of the four electrical contacts from the other of the four electrical contacts, thereby reducing the possibility of arcing between the at least one of the four electrical contacts and the other of the four electrical contacts; a second electrical connector, including; a second connector body comprising a generally non-conductive plastic material; a second set of electrical contacts, the second set of electrical contacts comprising four electrical contacts for conducting electricity, each of the four electrical contacts secured to the second connector body; wherein the first electrical connector is configured to couple to the second electrical connector such that the first set of electrical contacts engages the second set of electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A lighted artificial tree, comprising:
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a first tree portion, including; a first trunk portion; a first plurality of wires, each of the first plurality of wires comprising an insulated conductor; a first electrical connector positioned at least partially within the first trunk portion, the first electrical connector including a first connector body and four electrical terminals secured to the first connector body, the first connector body including first rotation-locking structure, and the four electrical terminals of the first electrical connector mechanically and electrically connecting to the first plurality of wires inside the first trunk portion; a second tree portion, including; a second trunk portion; a second plurality of wires, each of the second plurality of wires comprising an insulated conductor; a second electrical connector positioned at least partially within the second trunk portion, the second electrical connector including a second connector body and four electrical terminals secured to the second connector body, the second connector body including second rotation-locking structure, and the four electrical terminals of the second electrical connector mechanically and electrically connecting to the second plurality of wires; wherein the first rotation-locking structure of the first connector body is configured to engage the second rotation-locking structure of the second connector body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification