Electrical connectors – With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint – Conductor gripped outside connector housing by distinct clamp
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-01-30
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With stress relieving means for conductor to terminal joint
Conductor gripped outside connector housing by distinct clamp
C362S396000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179647
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light set arrangement simulating lighted icicles. In this invention, the lights are arranged on downwardly dangling wires to simulate icicles where the lights are generally parallel to the wires. One such arrangement employs improved light connectors with retaining clips designed to reduce damage to the insulation surrounding the electrical wires.
Christmas lights, as well as other decorative lights, have gained increasing popularity in recent years. Such lights are used as indoor and outdoor decorations, and are typically provided as assemblies having electrical wires or segments thereof to which light sockets and bulbs are attached. These assemblies are placed on building structures, trees, or other forms to provide lighted shapes particularly in the shape of icicles.
In the past, simulated icicles formed from electrical wires with light bulbs attached failed to fully reflect the linearity of an icicle. This was because the light bulbs and sockets were spaced along the electrical wires at intervals but were haphazardly attached to the wires so that the bulbs were displayed in a random arrangement with respect to the electrical wires and generally not parallel to the wires. Typically, the bulbs were displayed on opposite sides of or extending at angles from the wires. This problem was further exacerbated by the failure of the sockets holding the light bulbs to be attached to the electrical wires so that they remain fixed and generally parallel to the wires. Often the light sockets and attached electrical wires were twisted and bent around straight-edged clips causing abrasion and other damage to the insulation surrounding the electrical wires.
There is a need for a light set arrangement and light set connectors that provide a fixed arrangement of lights to more realistically or linearly simulate icicles. There is also a need for a light socket arrangement that reduces damage to the insulation of the electrical wires. The present invention satisfies these needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect of the invention, a light set arrangement is provided. The light set arrangement includes a plurality of decorative lights and connectors, each decorative light and connector extending along a longitudinal axis. At least one electrical wire connects the plurality of decorative lights to each other. The arrangement also includes a plurality of retaining members wherein each retaining member retains the electrical wire connected to the decorative light and connector so that the longitudinal axis of each decorative light and connector is generally parallel to the electrical wire.
In a second aspect, a light connector is provided including a light bulb holder adapted for holding a light bulb, and a socket body. The socket body has a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an opening to receive the light bulb holder. The socket body has an interior region with opposing electrical contacts adapted to receive electrical wires and make an electrical connection between the electrical wires and a light bulb. At least one projection extends from the outer surface of the socket body in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket body. The projection has a distal end terminating in at least one clip. The clip has a rounded throat with rounded edges forming a space within which at least one electrical wire is adapted to be disposed and a lip associated with the throat, the lip having rounded edges and extending into the space. The lip is adapted to retain the electrical wire in place and to maintain the longitudinal axis of the socket body in a direction generally parallel to the electrical wire.
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Duverne J. F.
J. Kinderman & Sons, Inc.
Nguyen Khiem
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