Illumination – Light source and modifier – Laser type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-01-30
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Laser type
C362S121000, C362S807000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179442
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to ornamental lighting devices and, more particularly, is concerned with a Christmas star light device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ornamental stars are often employed to celebrate Christmas. Many people display stars on their homes during the Christmas holiday season. It is desirable that stars used for this purpose be large and lighted. These stars are often homemade. Many of these stars, however, are heavy and awkward and, thus, difficult to set up and take down. Also, in daylight, the shapes of these stars are often not discernable and materials used in the construction of the stars may be too visible.
Various ornamental lighting devices, including those which resemble stars, have been developed over the years. Representative examples of ornamental lighting devices and the like are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,317 to Goodwin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,345 to Bushnell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,366 to Claude, U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,367 to Korb, U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,260 to Duncan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,749 to Felski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,646 to Parsons, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,409 to Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,626 to Leffel and U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,770 to Huang. The Bushnell patent discloses a star-shaped frame construction which employs frame members which are substantially identical to one another and connected to one another at their ends. The frame members of the Bushnell device interfit with one another, but must cross one another to achieve a star-like configuration. The Duncan patent discloses two types of members which are connected to one another to form a star. The members of the Duncan device, however, do not interfit with one another. The Leffel patent discloses a plurality of arm braces which interfit with one another to form a star. The arm braces of the Leffel patent, however, have a complicated design and are comprised of a multiplicity of parts.
Consequently, a need remains for an ornamental lighting device which overcomes the aforementioned problems in the prior art without introducing any new problems in place thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a Christmas star light device designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The Christmas star light device of the present invention has a large size but is comprised of a substantially lightweight material and, thus, is easy for a homeowner to handle. The Christmas star light device includes parts which interfit and do not cross one another and which are simple in design. The Christmas star light device particularly includes two sets of five substantially identical members each or ten separate members which make the device cost-effective to manufacture and easy to assemble, disassemble and store. The Christmas star light device makes it relatively easy for a homeowner to lift the device and place the device on a rooftop or a side of a building such that the device is discernable and more attractive to view even in daylight.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a Christmas star light device which comprises: (a) a set of first elongated members each including (i) a pair of opposite ends, (ii) means defined on the first elongated member between the opposite ends thereof for receiving and mounting light elements on the first elongated member; (iii) a straight portion terminating at a first of the opposite ends of the first elongated member having a first cross-sectional size, (iv) an angled portion defining an angle and merging from the straight portion and terminating at a second of the opposite ends of the first elongated member having a second cross-sectional size greater than the first cross-sectional size; and (b) a set of second elongated members each including (i) a pair of opposite ends, (ii) means defined on the second elongated member between the opposite ends thereof for receiving and mounting light elements on the second elongated member, (iii) a straight portion terminating at a first of the opposite ends of the second elongated member having the first cross-sectional size, (iv) an angled portion defining a second angle and merging from the straight portion and terminating at a second of the opposite ends of the second elongated member having the second cross-sectional size such that the first end of each of the second elongated members is insertable into the second end of one of the first elongated members for releasably interfitting therewith and the first end of each of the first elongated members is insertable into the second end of one of the second elongated members for releasably interfitting therewith whereby all of the first and second elongated members fit together in like fashion and form a star without any of the first and second elongated members crossing one another. The straight and angled portions of each of the first and second elongated members and the first ends of the first and second elongated members have the first cross-sectional size.
More particularly, in a first embodiment, each of the first and second elongated members has a tubular configuration whereas in a second embodiment each of the first and second elongated members has a cross-sectionally U-shaped channel configuration. The first angle of the angled portion of each of the first elongated members is an acute angle where as the second angle of the angled portion of each of the second elongated members is an obtuse angle.
Further, the means for receiving light elements are slots defined on and spaced apart from one another along each of the first and second elongated members. Each slot has a central eyelet and opposite elongated portions flanking the central eyelet. The central eyelet is for receiving the light element on a portion of an electrical cord and the opposite elongated portions for receiving the portion of the electrical cord.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2722317 (1955-11-01), Goodwin
patent: 2894345 (1959-07-01), Bushnell
patent: 3184366 (1965-05-01), Claude
patent: 3704367 (1972-11-01), Korb
patent: 4523260 (1985-06-01), Duncan
patent: 4769749 (1988-09-01), Felski
patent: 5077646 (1991-12-01), Parsons
patent: 5213409 (1993-05-01), Fisher
patent: 5430626 (1995-07-01), Leffel
patent: 5526246 (1996-06-01), Liou
patent: 5712770 (1998-01-01), Huang
patent: 6017134 (2000-01-01), Wang
patent: 6019494 (2000-02-01), Lee
patent: 6027228 (2000-02-01), Adams et al.
patent: 6068389 (2000-05-01), Lai
Flanagan John K.
Flanagan John R.
Flanagan & Flanagan
S & S Stars, LLC
Tso Laura K.
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