Light string ornament circuitry

• US RE34,717 E
• Filed: 04/08/1991
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
• Inventors: Sanders, Robert E., Vertreese, John L., Flynn, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MIS, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US07/681,905
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 315/76, 315/179, 315/185 R, 315/185 S, 315/192, 315/201, 315/207, 315/294, 315/312, 315/363, 315/360, 315/186, 315/193, 315/178, 315/210, 315/362, 315/256, 315/257, 428/11, 428/7, 446/242, 446/243, 446/484, 446/485, 446/297, 362/121-123, 362/253, 362/806, 362/252, 362/807, 362/808, 362/810, 362/811, 361/33, 361/56, 361/57, 361/67
• US Class Current: 315/186
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/0827 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0809 involving motion
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0818 specially adapted for emitting sound
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 37/02 Controlling apparatus for performing colour music A63J17/00; regulating light by electrical means without regulating the light source itself G05D25/00; regulating voltage or current G05F; illuminated switch circuits G08B, G08C, H02B15/00; traffic signals G08G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A decorative device is disclosed which includes 9 .Iadd.an electromechanical device, .Iaddend.music module or .[.other electrical loads.]. .Iadd.combinations of such devices .Iaddend. and electrical circuitry and a connector for connection to a selected socket of a string of conventional sockets for connection to an A.C. line. The connector includes an elongated flexible cable and is constructed to permit ready installation and positioning. Lamps may be provided in the device. The electrical circuit .Iadd.optionally .Iaddend.includes a bridge rectifier and Zener diodes connected to insure continuous energization of lamps of the string while protecting against excessive voltages and minimizing safety hazards.

Claims

1. An ornament for installation in a string of lights connected to an AC line voltage source to be in series with the lights of the string, said ornament comprising:

ornamental means for producing attractive visual effects, an electrically operated load device arranged when energized to produce sensory effects augmenting the attractive visual effects produced by said ornamental means, a coupling circuit having a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals and arranged to provide a path for current flow from one input terminal and thence in one direction from one output terminal to the other through a load coupled thereto and then to the other input terminal and to also provide a path for current flow from said other input terminal and thence in said one direction from said one output terminal to the other through load coupled thereto and thence to said one input terminal to thereby provide for AC current flow between said input terminals of said coupling circuit while providing for DC current flow through said load, means arranged for connecting said input terminals of said coupling circuit in said string of lamps in series relation to all other lamps of said string, connection means defining a load which includes said load device and which is connected to said output terminals of said coupling circuit, and protection means operative in the absence of current through said load for insuring a path for current flow of at least a certain magnitude in said one direction from said one output terminal to said other output terminal and insuring AC current flow through all lights of said string, said certain magnitude of current flow being sufficient for energization of all lights of said string at substantially full intensity, and said protection means being effective for limiting the voltage between said output terminals of said coupling circuit, to thereby insure AC current flow through lights of said string irrespective of DC current drawn by said connection means and to protect against excessive voltages between said input terminals of said coupling circuit and across said connection means.

2. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said ornamental means including a lamp, and said connection means including means connecting said lamp and said load device in series relation to each other.

3. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said protection means including a Zener diode connected in said connection means in parallel relation to said load device.

4. In an ornament as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., said protection means including a Zener diode connected in said connection means in parallel relation to said lamp.

5. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said protection means including a Zener diode connected between said output terminals of said coupling circuit.

6. In an ornament as defined in claim 2, said protection means including a Zener diode connected between said output terminals and having a voltage rating greater than the total voltage developed across said lamp and said load device in normal operation.

7. In an ornament as defined in claim 6, said Zener diode being a first of three Zener diodes including a second Zener diode connected across said lamp and a third Zener diode connected across said load device, the total of the voltage ratings of said second and third Zener diodes being less than that of said first Zener diode.

8. In an ornament as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2.Iaddend., timer means arranged to be triggered to energize said load device for a predetermined time interval, and switch means operable by a user to trigger said timer means.

9. In an ornament as defined in claim 8, said protection means including a Zener diode connected in parallel relation to said load device and arranged to maintain current conduction through said lamp and through lamps of said string of lamps when said load device is not energized through operation of said timer means.

10. In an ornament as defined in claim 9, said timer means comprising an integrated circuit having voltage supply terminals connected to said Zener diode with said Zener diode being operative to maintain a substantially constant supply voltage for said integrated circuit.

11. In an ornament as defined in claim 10, a filter capacitor connected in parallel with said Zener diode.

12. In an ornament as defined in claim 11, said connection means including a lamp connected in series with said load device, and said protection means comprising a second Zener diode connected in parallel with said lamp.

13. In an ornament as defined in claim 12, said protection means further comprising a third Zener diode connected to said output terminals of said bridge rectifier and having a voltage rating which is about at least as high as the total of the voltage ratings of the first and second Zener diodes.

14. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said load device comprising a music module arranged to produce a series of musical tones when energized.

15. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said load device comprising, a movable element and electric motor means for effecting movement of said element.

16. In an ornament as defined in claim 15, said movable element being a rotatable disc element, and speed reduction drive means driven by said motor and operative to rotate said disc element at a relatively slow speed.

17. In an ornament as defined in claim 16, said disc element being rotatable about a horizontal axis, and a miniature train supported on said disc element.

18. In an ornament as defined in claim 15, said connection means including a lamp connected in series with said load device, and switch means actuated by said movable element and connected in series with said lamp.

19. In an ornament as defined in claim 18, said protection means comprising a Zener diode connected across the series combination of said switch means and said lamp.

20. In an ornament as defined in claim 15, reciprocable means driven by said movable element.

21. In an ornament as defined in claim 20, said connection means including a lamp connected in series with said load device, switch means actuated by said movable element in synchronism with the operation of said reciprocable means and connected electrically in series with said lamp.

22. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said load means comprising multi-pitch audible tone generating means, a plurality of lamps, and means for energizing said lamps in synchronism with the generation of tones of different pitches by said tone generating means.

23. In an ornament as defined in claim 22, said audible tone generating means comprising a resistance-capacitance timing circuit for controlling the generated pitch, and said load means comprising a plurality of transistors selectively energizable to control the time constant of said circuit and to simultaneously energize one of said lamps.

24. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said connection means including a first lamp connected in series with said load device, at least one lamp in addition to said first lamp, and lamp-energizing means for energizing said lamps in a certain sequence.

25. In an ornament as defined in claim 24, said lamp-energizing means including a free-running multivibrator circuit.

26. In an ornament as defined in claim 24, said lamp-energizing means further including a counter circuit energized from said multivibrator circuit and arranged to control the sequence of energization of said lamps.

27. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, a timer circuit for controlling energization of said load device and having a trigger input terminal, a touch switch contact, capacitance means connected between said touch switch contact and said trigger input terminal, and resistance means connecting said trigger input terminal to one terminal of said rectifier to keep said trigger input terminal at substantially the same potential as said one terminal of said rectifier when said contact is untouched for a substantial length of time with a triggering signal being applied through said capacitor when said contact is touched.

28. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said protection means including first and second Zener diodes connected in parallel relation to each other and to said output terminals of said coupling circuit, said first diode having a voltage rating not substantially higher than the normal DC operating voltage of said connection means, and said second diode having a somewhat higher voltage rating to be normally nonconductive but to become condutive and to provide protection with respect to voltage transients and failure of said first diode.

29. In an ornament as defined in claim 1, said coupling circuit comprising a bridge rectifier.

30. A decorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an open end with a pair of contacts within said housing arranged for engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light and interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of other conventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electrical circuit means which includes electrically energizeable .Iadd.electromechanical .Iaddend.load means producing enhanced sensory effects and a connector for connecting said device to said string, said connector being arranged for connection to a selected socket of .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement of said electrically operated load means on the tree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, first connection means at one end of said cable for connection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventional sockets, said second connection means including a member of insulating material and contact means carried by said member to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect said conductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of said conventional sockets, said load means being thereby connected electrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said load means being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selected one of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iadd.31. A device according to claim 30 wherein said electromechanical load means is a motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A device according to claim 31 wherein said motor is a direct current motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A device according to claim 30 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a lighting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A device according to claim 30, wherein said electrical circuit means includes electrically energizable electroacoustical load means producing enhanced sensory effects. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A device according to claim 34, wherein said electrical circuit means includes lighting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A decorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an open end with a pair of contacts within said housing arranged for engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light and interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of other conventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electrical circuit means which includes electrically energizable electroacoustical load means producing enhanced sensory effects and a connector for connecting said device to said string, said connector being arranged for connection to a selected socket of said string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement of said electrically operated load means on the tree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, first connection means at one end of said cable for connection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventional sockets, said second connection means including a member of insulating material and contact means carried by said member to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect said conductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of said conventional sockets, said load means being thereby connected electrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said load means being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selected one of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A device according to claim 36 wherein said electroacoustical load means comprises a sound transducer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A device according to claim 36 wherein said electroacoustical load means comprises a speaker and wherein said circuit means comprises a music module. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A device according to claim 36 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a lighting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A decorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having a non-circular open end with a pair of laterally spaced contacts within said housing arranged for engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light and interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of other conventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electrical circuit means which includes load means including at least one lamp and at least one light emitting diode producing enhanced sensory effects, a plurality of flexible conductors, and a connector for connecting said device to said string, said connector being non-circular and said connector being arranged for being matably connectable to a selected socket of said string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement of said electrically operated load means on the tree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, first connection means at one end or said cable for connection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventional sockets, said second connection means including a member of insulating material and contact means carried by said member to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of said non-circular conventional sockets and to electrically connect said conductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of said non-circular conventional sockets, said load means being thereby connected electrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said load means being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selected one of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A decorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an open end with a pair of contacts within said housing arranged for engagement with contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light and interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of other conventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electrical circuit means which includes electrically energizable load means producing enhanced sensory effects which vary as function of time and a connector for connecting said device to said string, said electrical circuit means having impedance characteristics which are such as to maintain continuous energization of lights in said string of sockets while energizing said load means in producing said enhanced sensory effects which vary as a function of time, said connector being arranged for connection to a selected socket of said string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide an extensin cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement of said elecrically operated load means on the tree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, first connection means at one end of said cable for connection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventional sockets, said second connection means including a member of insulating material and contact means carried by said member to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect said conductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of said conventional sockets, said load means being thereby connected electrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said load means being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selected one of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A device according to claim 41, wherein said electrical circuit means includes control circuit means operative to develop an output changing as a function of time, and wherein said electrically energizable load means includes means connected to said output of said control circuit means to produce said enhanced sensory effects which vary as a function of time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A device according to claim 42, wherein said electrically energizable load means includes lighting means coupled to said output of said control circuit means to produce lighting effects which vary as a function of time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A device according to claim 43, wherein said lighting means includes light emitting diode means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A device according to claim 42, wherein said control circuit means includes electronic timer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A device according to claim 45, wherein said control circuit means includes a music module and wherein said electrically energizable load means includes a speaker coupled to said music module. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A device according to claim 41, wherein said electrically energizable load means includes an electric motor and wherein said device includes an ornamental structure moved by said electric motor to produce said enhanced sensory effects which vary as a function of time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A device according to claim 41, wherein said electrically energizable load means includes electroacoustical load means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. A device according to claim 41, wherein said electrical circuit means includes voltage limiting means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A device according to claim 49, wherein said voltage limiting means includes Zener diode means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A decorative device for electrical connection in a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, each of said conventional sockets including a hollow housing of insulating material having an open end with a pair of contacts of a conventional miniature Christmas light and interconnected through flexible conductors with contacts of other conventional sockets of said string, said device comprising electrical circuit means which includes electrically energizable load means, said load means comprising motor means having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion, said decorative device including fixed decorative means and movable decorative means, said movable decorative means being operatively connected to said rotatable portion of said motor means to provide movement of said movable decorative means relative to said fixed decorative means for an enhanced sensory effect, and a connector for connecting said device to said string, said connector being arranged for connection to a selected socket of said string of conventional sockets mounted in a stationary position on a tree and said connector being arranged to provide an extension cord to obtain flexibility and mobility in the placement of said electrically operated load means on the tree with respect to said string of stationary conventional sockets, said connector including an elongated flexible cable having at least two conductors, first connection means at one end of said cable for connection of said conductors thereof to said load means, and second connection means at the opposite end of said elongated flexible cable for connection of said conductors thereof to contacts of a selected one of said conventional sockets, said second connection means including a member of insulating material and contact means carried by said member to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within the hollow housing of said one of said conventional sockets and to electrically connect said conductors of said cable with the contacts of said selected one of said conventional sockets, said load means being thereby connected electrically in said string in place of a light which might otherwise be inserted in said selected one of said conventional sockets and said load means being thereby movable to any desired position on said tree within the length of said flexible cable from said selected one of said stationary conventional sockets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The decorative device of claim 51 wherein one of said decorative means is generally spherical and the other of said decorative means moves relative thereto. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The decorative device of claim 52 wherein said spherical decorative means is diaphanous and the other decorative means moves within said spherial means and is visible therethrough. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. The decorative device of claim 52 wherein the other of said decorative means rotates relative to said spherical decorative means. .Iaddend.