EP1152184A1

EP1152184A1 - Lighted frame kit and methods of distributing and assembling same

Info

Publication number: EP1152184A1
Application number: EP00304031A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pui-Hing Tsui
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-03
Filing date: 2000-05-12
Publication date: 2001-11-07
Also published as: CA2308331A1

Abstract

A light frame kit (K) and methods of distributing a lighted frame (L) for connecting a rope light (24) to an ornamental frame (20) are provided and preferably includes an ornamental frame (20) having frame supports of a preselected length and a rope light (24) having a substantially similar preselected length. The ornamental frame (20) and rope light (24) are positioned within a package (P) and shipped to a customer. The kit may include fasteners (30) for connecting the rope light (24) to the ornamental frame (20). Upon receiving the light frame kit, the customer must assemble the lighted frame by connecting the rope light (24) to the ornamental frame (20). The light frame kit (K) advantageously provides a rope light (24) and a frame (20) with frame supports of substantially equal lengths, reducing waste of rope light (24) while assembling the lighted frame (L).

Description

Field of Invention

This invention is related to the lighted ornamental frame industry and, more particularly, to kits and associated methods having all the necessary components for customers to assemble a lighted ornamental frame.

Background of the Invention

Manufacturers of lighted frames or light kits have previously been able to provide their customers with ornamental lighting applications, but only in very limited scope. Current lighted frames or light kits fail to provide customers with choices of ornamental frames, opportunities to customize those frames to the tastes of the customer, and in most cases, the current lighted frames or kits do not allow the customer an opportunity to assemble the finished product in an efficient manner.
In U.S. Patent No. 2,722,317, by Goodwin, titled "Lamp Support," for example, the device is simply a lighted frame. The device in Goodwin fails to allow for customer participation in achieving the finished product of a lighted frame. The lighted frame is preassembled for the customer, thereby eliminating any necessary assembly. A problem with this device is that it prevents the customer from participating in assembling the lighted frame. This lack of participation eliminates the possibility of assembling a custom frame that satisfies customer's liking. A customer using the Goodwin device has no choice but to use the frame as it is provided in an assembled state.
Also, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,191,020 by Miller titled "Decorative Window Lamp Assembly," a "Do It Yourself Candelabra Kit" is provided having components for assembling a candelabra. The purpose of the device in Miller is to convert old Christmas tree lights into a window displayed candelabra. Furthermore, the lights in Miller are not a string of lights, as shown in Figure 2 of Miller. Rather, the lights in Miller are on a continuous wire loop. As can be seen in Figure 2 of Miller, it is either difficult or impossible to simultaneously insert the conical shaped light bases into the top portion of the candelabra and also wire the lights with the continuous wire loop located beneath the top portion of the candelabra. Therefore, the light fixtures are either already connected to the candelabra within the package or receive assembly of lamp socket wire and lamps by the customer. The only assembly left for the customer, therefore, falls into a decorative category. A problem with this device is that the wire loop makes assembly of the candelabra very difficult. Another problem with the device in Miller is that it limits the customer to one type of frame, namely a candelabra frame. A customer using the device in Miller may not choose from a variety of frames in assembling this light kit.
The device in U.S. Patent No. 4,995,181 by Wolf, titled "Luminous Display Frame and Kit" requires significant cutting and assembly of the frame before lights may be inserted into the frame. The device in Wolf requires the customer to cut the frame to the desired shape and insert the lights into the frame. The kit in Wolf is only available in one general shape which must match the window for which it is to be used. The limited availability of the shape of the frame in Wolf does not allow a customer to assemble a custom frame that satisfies their liking. Furthermore, the kit requires complex assembly and a great deal of the customer's time in order to obtain a final product of a lighted frame. Another one of the problems associated with the device in Wolf is that the length of the lights and the length of the frame often will not be similar after the cutting of the frame occurs. This dissimilarity in the length of the frame and length of the rope light results in a finished lighted frame having too many or too few lights. Yet another problem with the device in Wolf is the amount of waste associated with the cutting of the frame. The frame in Wolf must be cut in order to fit into the window. The waste raises the overall cost of the kit.
Currently, customers may also obtain the separate components of an ornamental frame, a length of rope light, and fasteners from an arts and crafts store or other distributor and assemble these components to form a lighted frame. In many cases, the customer presents a frame to a clerk at a store, and the clerk cuts a length of rope light to be connected to the frame. This piece of rope light is often not similar in length to the length of the frame support. Instead, the length of rope light is in excess to the length of the frame. This results in a finished product of a lighted frame with either excess lights, or the rope light having slack when connected to the frame. This also results in excess waste of rope light, thereby increasing the overall cost of assembling a lighted frame. Another problem associated with current lighted frames is that the rope lights are shipped in bulk to a distributor, occupying a great deal of space. Yet another problem associated with assembling a lighted frame by purchasing individual components is an increased labor cost. The rope light must be cut by a clerk, whose cost of labor will be factored into the cost of the light. There is also a limited distribution of this rope light because the clerk must be specially trained to cut the rope light for the customer.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing, the present invention advantageously provides a light frame kit and method of distributing and assembling a lighted frame using the components included in the kit wherein the components include a frame and a rope light, the frame having a frame support length substantially equal to the length of the rope light. There is no longer any guessing required by the customer as to the length of rope light necessary to cover the entire frame. The kit includes a preselected length of rope enough to cover the entire frame, and preferably not providing any substantial excess rope light, thereby causing slack in the rope light when it is connected to the ornamental frame. Another advantage of the kit is that there is a significant reduction in the waste of any excess rope light. Furthermore, since the rope light included in the package has a preselected length, the need for cutting a length of rope light is eliminated.
The present invention also advantageously provides many different frames from which the customer may choose. The different frames have substantially different shapes but advantageously have frame supports of substantially similar lengths. This allows the customer to use one rope light on several different frames. Another advantage of the present invention is that in some cases, the kit can be shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer, thereby eliminating a distributor or retailer and decreasing the cost of the kit.
More particularly, a first embodiment of the light frame kit has components for assembling a lighted frame of ornamental shape. The components include a plurality of frames, with frame supports having substantially rigid material. Each of the plurality of frame supports has a preselected length that defines an ornamental shape. The kit also includes a string of a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor thereby defining a rope light. The rope light has a length substantially equal to the preselected length of one of the plurality of frames. Finally, the kit includes an exterior package having the plurality of frames and the rope light positioned therein. This embodiment may further include fasteners positioned either within the package, along the surface of the frame, or along the rope light, for fastening the rope light to the frame.
Another embodiment of the light frame kit has components for assembling a lighted frame of ornamental shape and advantageously includes a frame with a frame support having substantially rigid material. The frame support has a preselected length that defines an ornamental shape. The kit also includes a string of a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light. The rope light has a length substantially equal to the preselected length of the frame support. This embodiment of the light frame kit also includes a sheet of material having indicia thereon, the indicia defining detailed directions for assembling a lighted frame. The kit further includes an exterior package having the frame, rope light, and detailed directions positioned therein. This embodiment may also have fasteners positioned either within the package, along the surface of the frame, or along the rope light for fastening the rope light to the frame.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a light frame kit having components for assembling a lighted frame of ornamental shape, including a plurality of frames having substantially rigid material. The plurality of frames each have a frame support, wherein at least one of the plurality of the frame supports has a first preselected length and at least one other of the plurality of the frame supports has a second preselected length, the first and second preselected lengths each defining an ornamental shape. The kit further includes a plurality of strings of light, each string having a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor, each string of lights thereby defining a rope light. At least one of the plurality of rope lights has a first preselected length substantially equal to the first preselected length of the frame support, and at least one other of the plurality of rope lights has a second preselected length substantially equal to the second preselected length of the frame support. The kit also includes an exterior package having the plurality of frames and the rope light positioned therein. This embodiment also may further have fasteners positioned either within the package, along the surface of the frame, or along the rope light for fastening the rope light to the frame.
The present invention also provides a method of distributing a light frame kit for assembling a lighted frame. The method includes the step of positioning a frame within an exterior package, the frame having a substantially rigid material and having a frame support. The frame support has a preselected length that defines an ornamental shape. The method also includes the step of positioning a string of a plurality of lights within the same exterior package, the plurality of lights being connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light. The rope light has a length substantially equal to the preselected length of the frame. The method further includes the step of positioning a sheet of material having indicia within the same exterior package. The indicia defines detailed directions for assembling the lighted frame. The method finally includes the step of shipping the package containing the frame, the rope light, and the detailed directions to the customer.
The present invention also advantageously includes a method of distributing the light frame kit to the customer by selecting a frame and a rope light and shipping the components along with detailed directions positioned within a package to the customer. The method may also advantageously include providing fasteners in the same package. The kit arrives to the customer complete with the necessary items for assembling an ornamental lighted frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of a package for a light frame kit according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package for a light frame kit with the top portion open showing the components of the light frame kit positioned within the package according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ornamental frame and a rope light being connected by fasteners according to the present invention;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a fastener used to connect a rope light to an ornamental frame according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of fasteners associated with the surface of the frame for connecting a rope light to an outer frame surface according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of fasteners positioned spaced apart along a rope light for connecting the rope light to the frame according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a completed lighted frame having a rope light connected to an ornamental frame according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an environmental view of rope lights, packages and ornamental frames being stored in a compact space according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a light frame kit having components, including frames of similar sizes, a rope light, fasteners and directions positioned within a package according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a light frame kit having components, including frames of different sizes, rope lights, fasteners and directions positioned within a package according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a light frame kit having components, including a frame, a rope light and detailed directions positioned within a package according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing a frame of ornamental shape having a preselected length and a rope light of a substantially similar preselected length according to the present invention; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view another embodiment of the light kit having components positioned within interior packages with the interior packages being positioned within an exterior package according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The prime and double prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a package P of a light frame kit K containing the components of a frame 20, a rope light 24, fasteners 30 and an instruction manual 34 having detailed assembly directions. The components are assembled by a customer to form a lighted frame L as illustrated in FIG. 6. The lighted frame L is available in the shape of a star, a circle, a heart or any number of different shapes as understood by those skilled in the art.
The package P is preferably rectangular, but may have another shape as understood by those skilled in the art. The package P is preferably made of a cardboard material, but may also be made of plastic, tin, or other material as understood by those skilled in the art. Cardboard is preferable because it is inexpensive but yet strong enough to protect the contents of the package P. The top 37 of the package P preferably has indicia 39 printed thereon. The indicia 39 on the package P preferably describes the light frame kit K, but may also show a picture of the components of the light frame kit K.
FIGS. 3-5 (including FIG. 3A), illustrate fasteners 30 as used to connect a rope light 24 to a frame 20. The fasteners 30 are preferably plastic clips, but may also be a flexible material which can securely connect the rope light 24 to the frame 20 as understood by those skilled in the art. A plastic clip is preferable because the customer can easily connect the rope light 24 to the frame 20. The plastic fastener 30 securely fastens the rope light 24 to the frame 20 by encircling the rope light 24 and frame 20. Fasteners 30 may be provided with the kit K for connecting the rope light 24 to the frame 20. Alternatively, the frames 20 may have fasteners 30 associated with a surface of each of the plurality of frames 20 for connecting the rope light 24 to the frame 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Also alternatively, the rope light 24, may have fasteners 30 positioned spaced apart from each other along the rope light 24 for connecting the rope light 24 to the frame 20. The fasteners 30 may also be mating fasteners. Fasteners 30 associated with the frame 20 may mate with fasteners 30 positioned along the rope light 24 to thereby connect the rope light 24 to the frame 20.
FIG. 7 illustrates the components of a light frame kit K in storage. The light frames 20 may be stacked against a wall occupying very little space. Alternatively, the frames may be stored on a hanger 40, also occupying very little space. The rope lights 24 may be tightly wrapped and stored on a shelf along with the packages P.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the rope light 24 has a plug 32 at one end and a termination point 35 at another end distal from the plug 32. The rope light 34 is connected to an outer surface of the frame 20 to thereby form a lighted frame L. The rope light 24 is defined by a string of a plurality of lights 25 connected along an elongate common conductor 26. The lights 24 may be any number of different colors depending on the taste of the customers as understood by those skilled in the art. The rope light 25 is preferably covered by a clear outer sheath 27 or may also be exposed as understood by those skilled in the art.
The frame 20 is available in many different shapes and has a rigid material. Advantageously, there is no° complicated assembly of the frame 20 necessary. The frame 20 is positioned in the package P as one complete piece. The rigid material of the frame 20 is preferably plastic, but may also be wood, metal or any other material that may be formed into an ornamental shape and easily handled by a customer assembling a lighted frame L. Plastic is a preferable material because it is light in weight and rigid.
A first embodiment of the light frame kit K preferably has components for assembling a lighted frame L of ornamental shape. The kit K has a plurality of frames 20, a string of a plurality of lights 25 connected along at least one elongate common conductor 26 to thereby define a rope light 24, and an exterior package P, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Each of the plurality of frames 20 have frame supports 22 having of substantially rigid material. Each of the plurality of frame supports 22 has a preselected length X that defines an ornamental shape. The preselected length of the ornamental frame X is defined in FIG. 11 as the sum of A+B+C+D+E+G+H+I+J. The rope light 24 has a length R substantially equal to the preselected length of one of the plurality of frames as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this first embodiment of the invention, the rope light 24 is interchangeable with any of the plurality of frames 20. The exterior package P has the plurality of frames 20 and the rope light 22 positioned therein. This embodiment is advantageous because it allows a customer to have multiple frames 20 and still only require one rope light 24 which will be interchangeable with any of the plurality of frames 20. Furthermore, the rope light 24 can be easily removed by the customer from one frame 20 and connected to another of the plurality of frames 20.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a frame 20', a string of a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light 24', a sheet of material having indicia thereon, the indicia defining assembly instructions or detailed directions 34' and an exterior package P' as illustrated in FIG. 10. The frame 20' has a frame support 22' having substantially rigid material. The frame support 22' has a preselected length X' that defines an ornamental shape. The rope light 24' has a length R' substantially equal to the preselected length of the frame 20'. The exterior package P' has the frame 20', the rope light 22' and the detailed directions 34' positioned therein. This embodiment is advantageous because it allows the customer to order the frame 20 that is required according to taste. It is also advantageous because no matter what type of frame is ordered, the rope light 24 of preselected length can be used in the kit K.
One other embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of frames 20", a plurality of strings of light, each string having a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor, each string of lights thereby defining a rope light 24", an exterior package P" having the plurality of frames 20" and the plurality of rope lights 24" positioned therein as shown in FIG. 9. Each of the plurality of frames 20" has substantially rigid material. The plurality of frames 20" each have a frame support 22", wherein at least one of the plurality of the frame supports 22" has a first preselected length X" and at least one other of the plurality of the frames 20" has a frame support with a second preselected length X", the first and second preselected lengths each defining an ornamental shape. At least one of the plurality of rope lights 24" has a first preselected length R" substantially equal to the first preselected length of the frame support X", and at least one other of the plurality of rope lights 24" has a second preselected length R" substantially equal to the second preselected length of the frame support X". In this embodiment of the invention, a rope light 24" having a first preselected length R" is interchangeable with a frame 20" having a first preselected length X". Likewise, a rope light 24" having a second preselected length R" is interchangeable with a frame 20" having a second preselected length X". This embodiment is advantageous because it allows the customer the opportunity to order many ornamental frames 20" of different shapes and sizes along with rope lights 24" of various sizes which are substantially similar to the lengths of the various frame supports 22". This gives the customer a great variety of choices in customizing the frame 20".
Another embodiment of the light frame kit K"' uses interior packaging to secure the components of the kit K'". The components of the light frame kit K' ", being the light frame 20' ", the rope light 24' ", the fasteners 30' ", and the detailed directions 34' ", may each be positioned within an interior package. The frame 20' " is positioned within a frame interior package 50. The frame interior package 50 is shaped similar to the shape of the ornamental frame 20' ", and preferably made of a plastic material. The rope light 24' " is positioned within a rope light interior package 51. The rope light interior package is a conical shape to conform to the shape of the rope light 24' " when it is tightly wrapped, and is preferably made of a plastic material. The fasteners 30' " are positioned within the fastener interior package 52. The fastener interior package 52 is preferably rectangular shaped and preferably made of a plastic material. The detailed directions 34' " are positioned within the detailed directions interior package 53. The detailed directions interior package 53 preferably conforms to the shape of the detailed directions 34' " and is preferably made of a plastic material. Although the preferred material of the interior packages is plastic, the interior packages may also be paper, or another material as understood by those skilled in the art. The packages may be vacuum sealed or may be sealed by some other fashion as understood by those skilled in the art. Each of the interior packages may then be positioned within the main, exterior package P" '.
The present invention provides a method of distributing a light frame kit K for assembling a lighted frame L. The method includes the step of positioning a frame 20 within an exterior package P, the frame 20 having substantially rigid material, the frame 20 also having a frame support 22, the frame support 22 having a preselected length X that defines an ornamental shape. The method also includes the step of positioning a string of a plurality of lights within the exterior package P, the plurality of lights being connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light 24, the rope light 24 having a length substantially equal to the preselected length of the frame X. The method further includes the step of positioning a sheet of material having indicia within the exterior package P, the indicia defining detailed directions 34 for assembling the lighted frame L. The method also includes the step of shipping the package P to the customer. The package P contains the ornamental frame 20, the rope light 24, and the detailed directions 34.
The present invention also advantageously includes a method of assembling a lighted frame L from the components of a light frame kit K. The method includes providing a package P having a light frame 20, a rope light 24, detailed directions 34 and fasteners 30. The customer must remove the light frame 20, the rope light 24, the detailed directions 34 and the fasteners 30 from the package P. The customer must then review the detailed directions 34. Finally, the customer assembles the lighted frame L by connecting the rope light 24 to the frame 20 using the fasteners 30. This method of assembling a lighted frame L is advantageous because it requires the customer to participate in the assembly of the listed frame L. Furthermore, this allows for the assembly of a lighted frame L which is more customized to the customers tastes.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typical preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification and as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A light frame kit having components for assembling a lighted frame of ornamental shape, the kit comprising at least one frame having a frame support comprised of substantially rigid material, the or each frame support having a preselected length that defines an ornamental shape; a string of a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light, the rope light having a length substantially equal to the preselected length of the or one of the frames; and an exterior package having said frame(s) and said rope light positioned therein.

2. A light frame kit having components for assembling a lighted frame of ornamental shape, the kit comprising a plurality of frames comprised of substantially rigid material, the plurality of frames each having a frame support, wherein at least one of the plurality of the frame supports has a first preselected length and at least one other of the plurality of the frame supports has a second preselected length, the first and second preselected lengths each defining an ornamental shape; a plurality of strings of light, each string comprising a plurality of lights connected along at least one elongate common conductor, each string of lights thereby defining a rope light, at least one of the plurality of rope lights having a first preselected length substantially equal to the first preselected length of the frame support, and at least one other of the plurality of rope lights having a second preselected length substantially equal to the second preselected length of the frame support; and an exterior package having said plurality of frames and said plurality of rope lights positioned therein.

3. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of fasteners for connecting the rope light or one of the plurality of rope lights to the frame or one of the plurality of frames.

4. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each frame further comprises fasteners associated with a surface of the or each frame for connecting the rope light(s) to the frame(s).

5. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each rope light comprises fasteners positioned spaced apart from each other along the or each rope light for connecting the rope light(s) to the frame(s).

6. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each rope light comprises a plug at one end and a termination point at another end distal from said plug.

7. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1, including a plurality of the frames, wheren each of the plurality of frames has a substantially different ornamental shape, and wherein the preselected length of the frame support of each of the plurality of frames is substantially the same, and wherein the rope light is interchangeable with each of the plurality of frames.

8. The light frame kit as defined in claim 2, wherein the rope light having the first preselected length is interchangeable with any one of the plurality of frames having the frame support with the substantially equal first preselected length, and wherein the rope light having the second preselected length is interchangeable with any one of the plurality of frames having the frame support with the substantially equal second preselected length.

9. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1, wherein the rope light is connected to an outer surface of any one of the plurality of frames.

10. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each rope light is connected to an outer surface of the or each frame.

11. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each light frame support is substantially solid.

12. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each frame is preassembled and positioned within the package.

13. The light frame kit as defined in claim 1 or 2, comprising a sheet of material having indicia thereon, the indicia defining directions for constructing the lighted frame.

21. The method of claim 19, comprising the step of preselecting a length of the frame from a plurality of frames to be positioned within the exterior package.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of preselecting a length of the rope light, the length of the rope light being substantially equal to the preselected length of one of the plurality of frame.

23. The method of claim 19, comprising the step of positioning the frame, the rope light, and the detailed directions within separate interior packages and positioning said interior packages within the exterior package.

24. A method of assembling a lighted frame from the components of a light frame kit, the method comprising providing a package having a light frame, a rope light, and a sheet of material having indicia thereon, the indicia defining detailed directions for assembling the lighted frame, the lighted frame having a frame support comprised of a substantially rigid material, the frame support having a preselected length, defining an ornamental shape, and the rope light having a preselected length, the preselected lengths of the frame support and the rope light being substantially equal; removing the light frame, the rope light and the detailed directions from the package; reviewing the detailed directions for assembling the lighted frame; and connecting the rope light to the frame support.

25. The method of claim 24, comprising the step of including fasteners within the package for connecting the rope light to the frame, and removing said fasteners from the package.

26. A method of distributing a light frame kit for assembling a lighted frame, the method comprising the steps of positioning a plurality of frames within an exterior package, each of the plurality of frames comprising a substantially rigid material, each of the plurality of frames having a frame support, each of the plurality of frame supports having a preselected length that defines an ornamental shape; positioning a string of a plurality of lights within said exterior package, the plurality of lights being connected along at least one elongate common conductor to thereby define a rope light, the rope light a length substantially equal to the preselected length of any of the plurality of frames; and shipping the package to the customer, said package containing the plurality of frames, and the rope light.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising the step of positioning a sheet of material having indicia within the package.

28. The method of claim 26, comprising the step of positioning fasteners within the package for connecting the rope light to one of the plurality of frames.

29. The method of claim 25, comprising the step of preselecting a length of the rope light, the length of the rope light being substantially equal to the preselected length of the plurality of frames.

30. The method of claim 25, comprising positioning the plurality of frames and the rope light within separate interior packages and positioning said interior packages within the exterior package.