Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-01-30
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
CD11S155000, C248S314000, C362S259000, C362S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179258
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to window-mounted decorative light arrays and is particularly directed to a support frame for attaching linear arrays of decorative lights to a window frame adjacent the window's glass pane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Decorative lights are frequently positioned about windows in businesses or homes. The lights may be permanently installed or removably attached to a support structure, which generally is a window frame. Removable light mounting arrangements are particularly used at Christmas time as a seasonal decoration. Examples of ornamental light frames attached by nails or screws can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,795,121 and 5,580,160, as well as in Des. Patent No. 403,801. U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,832 discloses a decorative light strip holder which is attached to walls or other structures by means of an adhesive. Using nails or screws to mount the light frame renders it more difficult to install and remove the lights, thus rendering this approach impractical for temporary, short term light installations. Using an adhesive tends to be messy and unsightly with each re-installation of the lights involving repeated applications of the adhesive. The use of a tacky surface in mounting the lights is limited in the number of times the lights can be installed.
Whether the decorative light installation is permanent or temporary, it is clearly desirable to allow the lights to be installed in the window regardless of the window's size. Limiting the light support structure to fit only a window of a given size requires a number of different frame sizes to accommodate the wide range of window sizes encountered in various building structures. Requiring a manufacturer to make and stock variously sized decorative light support structures or providing support structures for only a limited range of window sizes would limit the market for these products and render them commercially unattractive to manufacturers. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,357,653 and 4,995,181 disclose allegedly adjustable decorative light frames, but the adjustability of these approaches lies in cutting the frame member down to size. Obviously, once the frame members are reduced in length, they can no longer accommodate larger windows for displaying the decorative lights.
The present invention addresses the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a decorative light support frame which is adjustable in size to accommodate a wide range of window dimensions and is easily installed and removed from the window frame without requiring fasteners such as nails or screws or an adhesive.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to attach decorative lights to a window frame.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support frame for attaching decorative lights to a window frame which is adjustable over a wide range of window heights and widths, is easily installed in and removed from the window frame, is sturdy and durable in construction, provides a full view of the lights disposed about the periphery of the window, and is attractive to view.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a removable, decorative light mounting arrangement for temporary use in a window which employs neither couplers, such as screws or nails, nor an adhesive.
This invention contemplates a support frame for positioning decorative lights about a pane of glass disposed in a window frame, the support frame comprising a plurality of elongated, linear frame members each disposed adjacent to and aligned with a respective peripheral edge of the pane of glass, wherein each of the frame members includes respective first and second opposed ends and wherein the opposed ends of each frame member engage opposed portions of the window frame, each of the frame members further including a plurality of apertures disposed in a spaced manner along the length of the frame member, wherein each aperture is adapted to receive a respective decorative light in a tight-fitting manner; a connecting arrangement for coupling adjacent frame members adjacent a corner of the window frame; and an adjustable arrangement in each of the frame members for establishing the length of each frame member to fit within and engage the inner opposed portions of the window frame in a tight-fitting manner.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4852832 (1989-08-01), Delaney
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patent: 5700083 (1997-12-01), Boeschel
patent: 5873556 (1999-02-01), Reiker
patent: 5954419 (1999-09-01), D'Angelo
patent: 6033088 (2000-03-01), Contigiani
Braun Leslie A.
Emrich & -Dithmar
Landry Walter
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