Light systems and light fixtures for use with light strings

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The following invention relates to decorative light systems and light fixtures for use with light strings.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Decorative light arrangements are highly popular in the United States, such as, for example, during November and December, in celebration of Christmas. Indeed, it is reasonable to say that most, if not all Americans, have used decorative lights, or seen them aglow in numerous decorative light arrangements in all sorts of settings.

[0005] As technology has improved in the area of decorative lighting, their use has expanded. The breadth of available products has increased correspondingly and manufacturers and users have become more creative in making and employing decorative light arrangements. However, technological limitations still present problems in reliability and ease of use in many of these decorative lighting arrangements.

[0006] One example of a decorative lighting arrangement is a firework, incorporating elongated light tubes extending from a single node in a plurality of directions. The light tubes are colored to make the clear lights in the tube appear red, blue, or another color. However, such a lighting device has a number of disadvantages. For example, the entire light tube is made of a translucent, colored material that encases light bulbs therewithin. If a light bulb bums out, replacing the bulb requires removing or replacing the entire tube. Similarly, the use of translucent tubes requires all of the lights in a given tube to appear the same color. Also, the tubes are configured to plug into the node and the interface between the tubes and node must be kept dry, which is difficult in outdoor use.

[0007] There is a need for a light system that provides the aesthetic appeal of simulated stars, fireworks, or sparklers, but without many of the problems associated with the prior art.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention includes a light system with a light fixture to retain light strings in a spatial arrangement reminiscent of a star or explosion, with strings of lights extending linearly from a central node in a plurality of directions in multiple planes. The light fixture includes a central member having an internal cavity for retaining a light string controller. The central member also has plurality of wire-ways through which light strings can be routed from the internal cavity, out of the central member, and from an exterior of the central member, back into its internal cavity. A plurality of elongated members is coupled to the central member in a plurality of non-planar radial directions, with openings on proximal ends thereof facing the wire-ways. Wiring for light strings routed through the wire-ways of the central member can be routed directly into and out of the elongated members through the proximal end openings thereof, and can be extendedly retained in the elongated members to achieve the spatial arrangements described above.

[0009] Each elongated member also has an elongated opening along its length through which bulbs of the light strings can project or protrude from the elongated member. The light strings are retained within the elongated member with the bulbs arranged in a row along the length of the elongated opening, with each bulb projecting from the elongated opening.

[0010] In some embodiments of the light system, parallel light strings are routed from an internal cavity of the central member, out through the wire-ways, and back into the central member, repeatedly through a plurality of wire-ways, with a portion of each light string extending out of each wire-way. The portions of light strings extending out of each wire-way are tied, clipped, or otherwise bound, together to form a light bundle, such that a light bundle extends from each wire-way. The bulbs from each light string occupy a distinct position along the length of each of the light bundles, the position being repeated in each light bundle of which the respective light string is a part. With this configuration, controlling power to sequentially illuminate the parallel light strings can control the sequential order of lighting along the length of the light bundle.

[0011] The light bundle is retained in the elongated members in the same way described above for light strings, and the sequential control of the lighting along the length of the light bundle can enhance the effect that the light system has in simulating rays, explosions, or light propagating outward from a node.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the one of the retainer arms of the assembly of FIG. 1, showing one light bundle and one retainer arm, as well as a portion of the sphere to which the retainer arm can be coupled.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the sphere from the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the sphere and a mounting rod from the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating a manner of arrangement of light strings in light bundles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is the wiring diagram of FIG. 5, showing two controllers.

[0018] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, upon reviewing this disclosure one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. In other instances, well known structures associated with decorative light strings and the individual light units thereof, have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Terms in the following description related to orientation such as lower and upper, up and down, and left and right, are only intended to describe the position or orientation of elements in relation to the figures in which they are illustrated, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a light system 10 of the present invention. In overview, the light system 10 comprises a light fixture 11 that includes a central member 12 in the shape of a sphere in the illustrated embodiment, and a plurality of elongated members, or retainer arms 14, that extend radially outward from the central member in a plurality of planes, forming a star-like configuration. Each retainer arm 14 is configured to retain one or more light strings (i.e. a plurality of light bulbs connected on a wire) or a plurality of light strings held together in a light bundle 16, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2. The bulbs 18 are disposed along the retainer arm 14 in a longitudinal row along the longitudinal axis of the retainer arm 14.

[0021] When power is supplied to the light system 10 to illuminate the bulbs 18, the overall arrangement of the light system and configuration of the light fixture 11 provides the appearance of rods or rays of light extending outwardly from a node in a plurality of directions, which can be reminiscent of a star with rays of light, or a burst of light from exploding fireworks. Also, in some embodiments a control system can be provided to allow the bulbs 18 (or groups of bulbs) on the light system 10 to turn on, and shut off, in a progressive chase sequence beginning from the innermost section of each retainer arm to the outermost section thereof. This can enhance the effect of the light system 10 in simulating explosions or fireworks displays. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, other control sequences can also be employed, in any of a variety of sequential orders.

[0022] In some embodiments, the retainer arms 14 retain one or a plurality of light strings, while in other embodiments, the retainer arms retain light bundles 16 formed by a plurality of light strings tied together. FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate one embodiment wherein light bundles 16 are employed. Before discussing the light bundles 16, an overview of the general wiring arrangement is provided. In some embodiments employing light bundles 16, two controllers 32 (FIG. 6) are contained within a cavity of the central member 12 for controlling two sets of parallel light strings 34, 36, 38, and 40. Both controllers can be powered through a single power cord that can be inserted into a power source, such as a standard wall outlet. FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram of one embodiment of the present invention showing the two controllers 32, each with plurality of parallel light strings 34, 36, 38, 40 connected thereto, with the controllers 32 also being connected in parallel to one another. Each of the light strings 34, 36, 38, 40 includes a wire 19a and bulbs 18. Also, each of the light strings is connected to a return wire 19b. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, four parallel light strings are connected to each controller 32, but other embodiments may include a higher or lower number of parallel light strings.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each light string 34, 36, 38, 40 can have a plurality of bulb groups (e.g. groups of four bulbs in the illustrated embodiment) with the bulbs 18 being proximate one another in each bulb group, but with lengths of uninterrupted wire 19a between each bulb group. The light bundles 16, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, are formed by tying or clipping sections of the light strings 34, 36, 38, 40 together using clips 42, with one bulb group from each light string tied into each light bundle 16, and with the bulb groups arranged linearly, in positions A-D. All of the bulb groups from each light string 34, 36, 38, and 40 can occupy the same position repeatedly throughout a plurality of light bundles 16. For example, the bulb groups of light string 40 can always be in position D for each light bundle 16, which is the furthest position from the central member 12 when the light bundles 16 are extended within the retainer arm 14 in a radial direction away from the central member 12. As one skilled in the art will appreciated upon reviewing this disclosure, this configuration involving repeated positioning of the bulb groups for each light string 34, 36, 38, and 40 facilitates controlling the lights in a chase sequence along the length of the retainer arms 14 (e.g. the controller can provide power to each parallel light string sequentially, one after the other, causing the bulbs 18 in positions A-D to turn on sequentially, one after the other).

[0024] To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the light system 10, the wiring of the light bundles 16 (or light strings) can be substantially entirely concealed within the retainer arms 14 and central member 12. This can require routing wires directly from the controllers 32 inside the cavity of the central member 12 into the retainer arms 14 along the axes thereof to supply power to the bulbs 18, as well as returning the wires back from the retainer arms 14 directly into the cavity of the central member 12 before being routed back out of the sphere to another series of bulbs 18 held by another retainer arm, or returning the wires back to the controller as a return wire. In order to accomplish this, a plurality of wire-ways are formed on the sphere that lead directly into a proximal end 22a of the retainer arms 14, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. These wire-ways can be hollow projections, or cylindrical members 26, formed on the surface of the central member 12 in equidistant spaced apart relation from one another. Each cylindrical member 26 has an interior sidewall defining an internal chamber therewithin that extends from the cavity of the central member 12 out to an annular opening 28 at an outer end of the cylindrical member. The light strings 34, 36, 38, 40, or light bundles 16, are routed in or out of the central member 12 through the internal chambers and annular openings 28 of the cylindrical members 26 and directly through a circular opening 22b at the proximal end 22a of the retainer arms 14, that faces the central member 12. As discussed in detail below, the circular opening 22b of the retainer arms 14 can be concealed within the cylindrical member 26 when the light system 10 is fully assembled, so that the wires are substantially completely concealed. Also, it is noted that unlike prior available light systems having elongated light members attached to a central member, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention does not require a break in the wires at the surface of the central member (i.e. no separable interface). Instead, the wires run directly from the internal cavity of the central member 12, out to the light bundles 16 that are retained within retainer arms 14, with no break in the wires therebetween.

[0025] The cylindrical members 26 also serve as coupling members for removably coupling the retainer arms 14 to the central member 12. That is, the proximal end portions 22a of the retainer arms 14 can be slidably inserted into the annular openings 28 to fit snuggly against the interior sidewalls of the cylindrical members 26, to releasably but securely retain the retainer arms 14 therewithin. There can be circumferential stop ridges (not shown) on the interior sidewalls of the cylindrical members 26 that prevent the retainer arms 14 from being inserted too far into the cylindrical members and into the cavity of the central member 12. Also, in some embodiments there can be a raised ridge 30, or radial projection, integrally formed on the interior sidewall of each cylindrical member 26. The raised ridge 30 is configured to be aligned within a portion of a slot 24 (discussed further below) formed on a corresponding retainer arm 14 so that when the retainer arm 14 is inserted in the cylindrical member 26, the raised ridge 30 extends inward through a portion of the slot 24. This engagement prevents the retainer arm 14 from rotating about its longitudinal axis. As discussed supra, the circular opening 22b can be concealed within the cylindrical member 26 so that the surface of the light fixture 11 is substantially continuous and uninterrupted (except for the slots 24, discussed below) to conceal the wiring of the light system.

[0026] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, the embodiments of the central member and wiring configurations disclosed above comprise unique central light systems that can be employed in a variety of the light systems in a variety of configurations. For example, the retainer arms coupled to the central member can take on a variety of shapes in addition to the linear shapes of the illustrated embodiments, and can be either uniform for the entire central member, or different, with each retainer arm having a unique shape. Also, various central light systems can be combined together to form other unique configurations.

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts one particular embodiment of the retainer arms 14 and light bundles 16. As can be seen, each retainer arm 14 can be tubular, with an interior sidewall defining an internal chamber of the retainer arm. The retainer arm 14 has an open proximal end 22a, with a circular opening 22b that faces the central member 12 as discussed above, as well as an opposite outer end, fitted with a cap 25 that covers an opening of the outer end. The aforementioned slot 24, or elongated opening, can extend along substantially the entire length of the retainer arm 14. In some embodiments, the slot 24 is contiguous with the circular opening 22b of the proximal end 22a. The light bundle 16 (or a light string 34,36,38,40) can be inserted through the circular opening 22b to extendedly retain the wires of the light bundle 16 in the internal chamber of the retainer arm 14, with the bulbs 18 arranged in a longitudinal row along the length of the slot 24 and with each bulb protruding past the sidewall of the retainer arm through the slot 24, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the bulbs 18 projecting through the slot 24 can be replaced while the light bundle 16 (or light strings) is retained within the retainer arm 14 without removing the retainer arm from the central member 12.

[0028] The retainer arms 14 can be made of any material that is sufficiently rigid to support the light bundles 16 while maintaining the retainer arms 14 in substantially linear configuration regardless of the radial direction with which the retainer arms extend from the central member 12. In some embodiments, the retainer arms are made of plastic and the thickness of the retainer arm 14 walls can vary depending on the length and the weight of the retainer arm 14 and light bundles 16. Also, the retainer arms 14 can be translucent or opaque.

[0029] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the light fixture 11 can be provided with a mounting rod 20, or pole, that is releasably connectable to the central member 12 by inserting an upper end portion of the mounting rod 20 into an annular coupling stub 23 formed on the central member 12. The annular coupling stub 23 is sized to snuggly receive the upper end portion of the mounting rod 20. In addition, the mounting rod 20 can include a plurality of rod sections 21a that are releasably connectable to one another to allow the mounting rod to be disassembled for storage and transportation. In one embodiment, the rod sections 21a each have a coupling ring 21b fitted coaxially around a lower end of the rod section, and securely attached thereto. An extended portion of the coupling ring 21b extends downward past the lower end of the rod section. The extended portion is configured so that the upper end portion of another rod section 21a can be received therewithin and mated snuggly against the inside wall of the extended portion to connect the rod sections together. In this manner, any number of rod sections 21a having coupling rings 21b can be releasably connected together to form a mounting rod 20 of selectable length.

[0030] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a base platform is provided (not illustrated) to which the mounting rod 20 can be removably coupled. The base platform can be any shape and size sufficient to stably retain the mounting rod 20 in upright position with the central member 12 coupled to the top of the mounting rod 20. The base platform can also have a coupling member that is receivable within one of the extended portions of the coupling rings 21b to couple the base platform with a bottom rod section 21a of the mounting rod 20.

[0031] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the annular coupling stub 23 on the bottom of the central member 12 provides a wire-way and the rod sections 21b can each be hollow. The power cord for supplying power to the controllers 32 can thus be routed out of the central member 12 through the annular coupling stub 23 and down through the rod sections to be pulled out through an aperture (not shown) in one of the rod sections for connection to a power source.

[0032] Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been described supra for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art after reviewing the present disclosure. For example, the light fixture 11 could be hung from above by a cord. The various embodiments described can be combined to provide further embodiments. The described devices and methods can omit some elements or acts, can add other elements or acts, or can combine the elements or execute the acts in a different order than that illustrated, to achieve various advantages of the invention.

[0033] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is determined entirely by the following claims.