Modular lighted tree

• US 8,936,379 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willis Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Willis Electric Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Johnny
• Primary Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harris, William N
• Application Number:
  US13/240,668
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 362/567, 362/568, 362/654, 362/249.19, 362/405, 362/123, 428/18
• US Class Current: 362/249.19
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/005 luminous or luminescent
• CPC Class Codes: A41G 1/007 Artificial trees
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/06 Artificial Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0028 Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/04 for Christmas trees
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 17/00 Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by their form
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/20 Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/92 Holders formed as intermediate parts for distributing energy in parallel through two or more counterparts at least one of which is attached to apparatus to be held
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.

Claims

1. A modular artificial tree, comprising:

a first trunk portion having a first elongated trunk body defining a first cavity for receiving a first wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a second trunk portion having a second elongated trunk body defining a second cavity for receiving a second wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a first trunk connector insertable into the first trunk body along a central vertical axis, and securable to the first trunk body in at least four rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis, including at a final insertion position, the first trunk connector being entirely located within the first cavity at the final insertion position

a first electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the first trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the first wiring harness, respectively;

a second trunk connector insertable into the second trunk body along the central vertical axis, and securable to the second trunk body in at least four rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis, including at a final insertion position;

a second electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the second trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the second wiring harness, respectively; and

wherein connecting the first and second trunk portions causes the first electrical contact set to be electrically connected to the second electrical contact set.

2. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first trunk portion comprises a tree base.

3. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising:

a third trunk portion having a third elongated trunk body, the third trunk portion defining a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of any portion of either the first or second elongated trunk body, the third elongated trunk body being coupled to the second elongated trunk body by a third trunk connector, the third trunk connector comprising a first portion insertable into the second elongated trunk body, and a flanged portion extending outside of the second elongated trunk body and abutting an end of the second elongated trunk body.

4. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, wherein a portion of the second elongated trunk body is receivable within the first inner cavity when the first and second trunk portions are connected, and an outside surface of the portion of the second elongated trunk body contacts an inside surface of the first elongated trunk body.

6. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the second trunk connector is partially located within the first cavity at the final insertion position, such that a portion of the second trunk connector extends beyond an end of the second elongated trunk body.

7. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, further comprising a first light string in electrical connection with the first wiring harness, the light string including a connector, and detachably coupled to a wall-mount connector engaged with a curvilinear surface of a trunk wall of the first elongated trunk body, a portion of the wall-mount connector located within the first cavity of the first elongated trunk body.

8. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first wiring harness is detachably coupled to the first trunk connector.

9. The modular artificial tree of claim 3, wherein the second trunk portion includes a branch-support ring attached to the second elongated trunk body and a plurality of branches are coupled to the branch-support ring, such that the plurality of branches of the second trunk portion are indirectly coupled to the second elongated trunk body and are configured to pivot about the branch-support ring, and wherein the third trunk portion includes a plurality of branches directly coupled to the third elongated trunk body.

12. The modular artificial tree of claim 1, wherein the first trunk connector forms an interference fit with the first elongated trunk body.

13. The modular artificial tree of claim 8, wherein the first wiring harness is detachably coupled to the first trunk connector inside the first cavity.

14. The modular artificial tree of claim 8, wherein the first two wires of the first wiring harness extend longitudinally from the first trunk connector within the first trunk body, and are detachably coupled to the first trunk connector.

5. A lighted modular artificial tree, comprising:

a first tree section including a first elongated trunk defining a vertical axis, a plurality of branches coupled to the first trunk, and a first plurality of lights, the first elongated trunk enclosing a first wiring harness configured to supply power to the first plurality of lights;

a second tree section including a second elongated trunk, a plurality of branches coupled to the second trunk, and a second plurality of lights, the second elongated trunk housing a second wiring harness;

a connector assembly configured to connect the first tree section to the second tree section along the vertical axis, the connector assembly including a first trunk connector located at least partially within the first trunk, a second trunk connector located at least partially within the second trunk, a first pair of electrical contacts electrically connectable to a second pair of electrical contacts;

a top tree section including a vertically extending top portion, a plurality of branches coupled to the top portion, and a third plurality of lights, and

a top connector connecting the top tree section to the second tree section and including;

a top connector body having a first portion insertable into the second trunk, a flanged portion coupled to the first portion, and a receiving port for receiving a portion of the vertically extending top portion, and

wherein the first plurality of lights are electrically connected to the second plurality of lights through the connector assembly, and the second plurality of lights are electrically connected to the third plurality of lights and,

wherein the flanged portion of the top connector body is outside the second trunk body and abutting a top edge of the second trunk portion.

10. The lighted modular artificial tree of claim 5, wherein the first light string is detachably coupled to a connector engaged with a curvilinear surface of a trunk wall of the first trunk.

11. The lighted modular artificial tree of claim 5, wherein the first wiring harness is detachably coupled to the first trunk connector.

15. The modular artificial tree of claim 5, wherein the first trunk connector forms an interference fit with the first elongated trunk body.

16. The modular artificial tree of claim 11, wherein the first wiring harness is detachably coupled to the first trunk connector inside the first cavity.

17. The modular artificial tree of claim 5, wherein the first trunk connector is insertable into the first trunk body along a central vertical axis at a plurality of rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis, including a final insertion position, the first trunk connector being entirely located within the first cavity at the final insertion position, the plurality of rotational alignment positions comprising four or more rotational alignment positions.

18. A modular artificial tree, comprising:

a first trunk portion having a first elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first trunk portion receiving a first wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a second trunk portion having a second elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first end including a first portion, a second portion, and an angled transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the second portion, the first portion being configured to fit into the second end of the first trunk portion, and the second trunk portion receiving a second wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a first trunk connector configured to be received by the first trunk body, the first trunk connector being entirely located within the first trunk portion;

a first electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the first trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the first wiring harness, respectively;

a second trunk connector configured to be received by the second trunk body at the first portion of the first end;

a second electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the second trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the second wiring harness, respectively; and

wherein inserting the first portion of the first end of the second trunk portion into the second end of the first trunk portion causes the first electrical contact set to be electrically connected to the second electrical contact set and the first wiring harness to be electrically connected to the second wiring harness, and the second end of the first trunk portion contacts the angled transition portion to form an interference fit with the second trunk portion.

19. The modular artificial tree of claim 18, wherein the first electrical connector is receivable by the first trunk portion along a central vertical axis at a plurality of rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis, the plurality of rotational alignment positions comprising four or more rotational alignment positions.

20. The modular artificial tree of claim 18, wherein the first electrical contact set is detachably connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the first wiring harness inside the first trunk body.

21. The modular artificial tree of claim 18, wherein the angled transition portion forms an angle with a horizontal plane of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, the horizontal plane being perpendicular to a central vertical axis of the first elongated trunk body.

22. The modular artificial tree of claim 18, wherein the first trunk connector forms an interference fit with the first elongated trunk body.

23. The modular artificial tree of claim 18, wherein the first and second ends of the first trunk portions define an equal diameter.

24. A modular artificial tree, comprising:

a first trunk portion having a first elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first trunk portion receiving a first wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a second trunk portion having a second elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first end including a first portion, a second portion, and an angled transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the second portion, the first portion being configured to fit into the second end of the first trunk portion, and the second trunk portion receiving a second wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a first trunk connector configured to be received by the first trunk body, an outside surface of the first trunk connector adjacent an inside surface of the first elongated trunk body and forming an interference fit with the first elongated trunk body;

a first electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the first trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the first wiring harness, respectively;

a second trunk connector configured to be received by the second trunk body at the first portion of the first end;

a second electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the second trunk connector and electrically connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the second wiring harness, respectively; and

wherein inserting the first portion of the first end of the second trunk portion into the second end of the first trunk portion causes the first electrical contact set to be electrically connected to the second electrical contact set and the first wiring harness to be electrically connected to the second wiring harness set, and the second end of the first trunk portion contacts the transition region to form an interference fit with the second trunk portion.

25. The modular artificial tree of claim 24, wherein the first electrical connector is receivable by the first trunk portion along a central vertical axis of the first trunk body at a plurality of rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis.

26. The modular artificial tree of claim 24, wherein the first electrical contact set is detachably connected to the first electrical wire and the second electrical wire of the first wiring harness, inside the first trunk body.

27. The modular artificial tree of claim 24, wherein the angled transition portion forms an angle with a horizontal plane of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, the horizontal plane being perpendicular to a central vertical axis of the first trunk body.

28. A modular artificial tree, comprising:

a first trunk portion having a first elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first trunk portion receiving a first wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a second trunk portion having a second elongated trunk body including a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to couple to the second end of the first trunk portion, and the second trunk portion receiving a second wiring harness including a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire;

a first trunk connector configured to be received by the first trunk body;

a first electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the first trunk connector, the first electrical contact set detachably connected to the first wiring harness within a first cavity of the first elongated trunk body;

a second trunk connector configured to be received by the second trunk body;

a second electrical contact set including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact engaged with the second trunk connector and detachably connected to the second wiring harness inside a second trunk cavity of the second elongated trunk body; and

wherein coupling the second trunk portion to the first trunk portion causes the first electrical contact set to be electrically connected to the second electrical contact set and the first wiring harness to be electrically connected to the second wiring harness.

29. The modular artificial tree of claim 28, wherein the first electrical connector is receivable by the first trunk portion along a central vertical axis of the first elongated trunk body at a plurality of rotational alignment positions about the central vertical axis, the plurality of rotational alignment positions comprising four or more rotational alignment positions.

30. The modular artificial tree of claim 28, wherein the first end of the second elongated trunk body includes a first portion, a second portion, and an angled transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the second portion, the first portion being configured to fit into the second end of the first trunk portion, thereby forming an interference fit between the first elongated trunk body and the second elongated trunk body.

31. The modular artificial tree of claim 30, wherein the angled transition portion forms an angle with a horizontal plane of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, the horizontal plane being perpendicular to a central vertical axis of the first elongated trunk body.

32. The modular artificial tree of claim 28, wherein the first trunk connector forms an interference fit with the first elongated trunk body.