JP2000071698A - Linelike light emitting unit connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent each light emitting element from being embedded in a shade of leaves of trees or directed in an undesired direction at the time of mounting a linelike light emitting unit having a plurality of the elements arranged at an electric wire at the tree. SOLUTION: A first connector 11 is provided at one end, a second connector is provided at the other end, and a light emitting element mount 13 is provided at an intermediate part. A plurality of linelike light emitting units 1 and the connectors 10 are prepared. Light emitting elements 6 of the units 1 are mounted at the mounts 13 of the connectors 10. The connectors 11 and second connectors 12 of the connectors 10 are connected, a plurality of the connectors 10 are connected. Thus, the units 1 can be connected to form a netlike state together with the connectors 10. In this manner, at the time of mounting at the tree, the elements 6 are prevented from being embedded in a shade of the leaves of the tree or directed in an undesired direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear light emitting device connector for connecting linear light emitting devices each having a plurality of light emitting elements such as incandescent lamps and LEDs arranged on an electric wire.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a line-shaped light emitting device 1. The line-shaped light emitting device 1 includes a covered electric wire 4 obtained by covering a conducting wire 2 with a covering material 3, and a plurality of sockets 5. And a light-emitting element 6. The sockets 5 are mounted on the electric wires 4 so as to be arranged at appropriate intervals along the electric wires 4. Each socket 5 has a flat portion 5a having a flat shape and sandwiching the electric wire 4, and a substantially cylindrical portion 5b extending in a direction perpendicular to the flat portion 5a. The light emitting element 6
Are composed of incandescent light bulbs. These light emitting elements 6 are respectively mounted on the cylindrical portion 5b of the socket 5 and electrically connected to the conductor 2 of the electric wire 4 via terminals (not shown) provided on the socket 5. The lamp is turned on when a current is supplied from a power supply (not shown) via the conducting wire 2. An end cap 7 is attached to one end of the electric wire 4.

Conventionally, this type of linear light emitting device 1
Is mounted, for example, by being wound around a tree or hanging down from the tree, and is used to light up the tree.

[0004]

However, conventionally, when the linear light-emitting device 1 is mounted on a tree, a large number of light-emitting elements 6 are buried in the shade of the leaves of the tree and hidden from the eyes of the viewer. There is a problem that the light emitting element 6 does not contribute to lighting up at all.

When the linear light-emitting device 1 is mounted on a tree, the direction of the light-emitting elements 6 varies, and many light-emitting elements 6 face in a direction different from the intended direction (viewer's direction). As a result, there is also a problem that the light-up effect is greatly reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and one object of the present invention is to connect a line-shaped light emitting device to form a net and attach it to a tree. It is an object of the present invention to provide a linear light-emitting device connector that can make it difficult for the light-emitting element to be buried in the shade of the leaves of a tree when the light-emitting element is lit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line-shaped light emitting device connector capable of directing all light emitting elements or a large number of light emitting elements in a desired direction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line-shaped light-emitting device connector that can easily connect the line-shaped light-emitting device at a light-up site.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a linear light emitting device connector which can make the size of a net constituted by the linear light emitting device an arbitrary size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a linear light-emitting device connector capable of changing the size of a mesh of a net formed by the linear light-emitting device by preparing connectors of different lengths. To provide.

[0011] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a connecting device for a linear light emitting device comprising an electric wire and a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on the electric wire so as to be arranged along the electric wire. A line-shaped light-emitting device connector for connecting line-shaped light-emitting devices to each other, wherein a first connection portion is provided at one end, a second connection portion is provided at the other end, and a light-emitting element mounting portion is provided at an intermediate portion. The second connection portion is configured to be connectable to the first connection portion of another linear light emitting device connector, and the light emitting element mounting portion is configured to mount a light emitting element of the linear light emitting device. Has become.

According to the present invention, a plurality of line-shaped light-emitting devices and the connecting members are prepared, and each light-emitting element of each line-shaped light-emitting device is mounted on the light-emitting element mounting portion of each connecting member.
By connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of each connecting tool and connecting a plurality of connecting tools, the line-shaped light emitting device can be connected to form a net together with the connecting tools. And by this, the line-shaped light emitting device becomes planar with the connector, so that when the line-shaped light emitting device is mounted on a tree, the light emitting element is less likely to be buried in the shade of the leaves of the tree. Even if the total number is the same as the conventional one, the light-up effect can be significantly improved.

Further, since the line-shaped light emitting device becomes planar with the connecting member, all the light emitting elements or a large number of the light emitting elements can be directed in a desired direction. Can be remarkably enhanced even if the same as in the prior art.

Further, the connection work of the line-shaped light-emitting device can be easily performed at the site where the lighting is performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the size of the net formed by the line-shaped light emitting device and the connecting device can be arbitrarily changed by changing the number of connecting devices and / or the total length of each linear light emitting device 1. It can be large.

Further, if connecting devices of different lengths are prepared, the size of the mesh of the net formed by the linear light emitting device and the connecting device is changed by changing the length of the connecting device to be used. be able to.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

[0019]

3 to 15 show an embodiment of a line-shaped light emitting device according to the present invention. This embodiment is for connecting the linear light emitting device 1 of FIGS.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the line-shaped light emitting device connector 10 has a substantially band shape as a whole and is integrally formed of plastic such as nylon or polypropylene. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8, a first connection portion 11 is provided at one end of the connection tool 10. This first connection part 11
Has a frame portion 11a in the shape of a square frame, and a projection 11b provided on the inner surface of one surface of the frame portion 11a, and the frame portion 11a is opened in the thickness direction of the connection tool 10. are doing. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, 7 and 10, the other end of the connecting tool 10 is provided with a second connecting portion 12. The second connecting portions 12 are connected to the connecting devices 10 respectively.
Piece 12a and opposing piece 12 projecting in the thickness direction
b, the hook piece 12a and the opposing piece 12
b are provided with an interval corresponding to the size of the frame portion 11a of the first connection portion 11 therebetween, and are parallel to each other. A hook 1 is provided at the tip of the hook piece 12a.
2c is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 9, a light emitting element mounting portion 13 is provided at the center of the connecting tool 10. The light emitting element mounting section 13 is provided with a base section 13a.
And a pair of hook portions 13b and a pair of pressing portions 13c. A hole 14 penetrates through the base 13a in the thickness direction of the connector 10. Each hook portion 13b protrudes from the base portion 13a in the thickness direction of the connection tool 10, and a claw portion 13e is provided at a tip portion thereof. Each pressing portion 13c protrudes from the base portion 13a in the vicinity of the hole 14, and each pressing portion 13c is provided with a protrusion 13d protruding in the thickness direction of the connection tool 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, between the first connecting portion 11 and the light emitting element mounting portion 13 and between the second connecting portion 12 and the light emitting element mounting portion 13, respectively. Bands 15 are provided, and these bands 15 have appropriate flexibility due to elasticity. These strips 15
Is provided with a stop hole 16 in the middle portion.

In the connecting device 10, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, the angular relationship between the linear light emitting device 1 and the connecting device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is sandwiched between the flat portions 5a of the socket 5. And the light emitting element 6 is connected to the base portion 1 of the light emitting element mounting portion 13 at an angle relationship such that the electric wire 4 in the portion where the electric wire 4 extends is perpendicular to the length direction of the connecting device 10.
When the flat portion 5a of the socket 5 of the linear light emitting device 1 is pushed between the hook portions 13b of the light emitting element mounting portion 13 so as to be inserted into the holes 14a of the light emitting element 3a, the flat portion 5a connects the hook portions 13b. Since the hook portion 13b is elastically deformed outward by pressing, the flat portion 5a is claw portion 1 of the hook portion 13b.
Pass between 3e. Then, the hook portion 13b returns to the original position due to elasticity as shown in FIG. 12, and the flat portion 5a cannot be pulled out from between the pair of hook portions 13b. In this state, the pressing portion 13c is slightly elastically deformed in a direction (upward in FIG. 12) in which the protrusion 13d is pushed by the flat portion 5a and away from the claw portion 13e of the hook portion 13b. 13c, the projection 13d of the pressing portion 13c and the claw 1
3e. Thus, the socket 5 is mounted on the light emitting element mounting portion 13 without play.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the hook piece 12a and the opposing piece 12b of the second connecting part 12 of another connecting tool 10 are inserted into the frame 11a of the first connecting part 11 of the connecting tool 10. When going, the hook piece 12a is elastically deformed,
As shown in FIG. 14, the claw portion 12c of the hook piece 12a climbs over the projection 11b of the first connection portion 11, and then the hook piece 1
Even if 2a tries to return, the claw portion 12c
b, so that the hook piece 12a and the opposing piece 12b cannot come out of the frame 11a. This allows
The two connectors 10 can be connected in a straight line.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 15, each socket 5 of the plurality of linear light-emitting devices 1 is
0 light emitting element mounting parts 13 respectively,
By connecting the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12 of each connecting tool 10 and connecting the connecting tools, the linear light emitting device 1 can be connected to the connecting tool 10 in a net shape. . As a result, the line-shaped light emitting device 1
Since the light emitting element 6 becomes planar with 0, it is difficult for the light emitting element 6 to be buried in the shade of a tree leaf when the linear light emitting device 1 is mounted on a tree. The light-up effect can be significantly increased.

Further, since the linear light-emitting device 1 becomes planar with the connector 10, all the light-emitting elements 6 or the majority of the light-emitting elements 6 can be directed in a desired direction. Even if the total number of the light emitting elements 6 is the same as the conventional one, the light-up effect can be remarkably enhanced.

Further, the connection work of the line-shaped light emitting device 1 can be easily performed at the site where the lighting is performed.

Further, according to the connecting device 10, the connecting device 1
By changing the number of connections of 0 and / or the total length of each linear light-emitting device 1, the size of the net formed by the linear light-emitting device 1 and the connector 10 can be set to an arbitrary size.

If the connecting devices 10 having different lengths are prepared, the length of the connecting device 10 to be used is changed, so that the mesh of the net of the line-shaped light emitting device 1 and the connecting device 10 is formed. The size can be changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the socket 5 of the linear light emitting device 1 can be removed together with the light emitting element 6 from the light emitting element mounting portion 13 of the connector 10 by elastically deforming the hook 13b outward. Further, the hook pieces 12a of the second connecting portion 12 are elastically deformed toward the facing piece 12b, and the hooks 12c are detached from the protruding portions 11b of the first connecting portion 11, thereby releasing the connection between the connecting tools 10. You can also.

The connecting tool 10 can also be attached to a tree or the like by using nails or staples by using the retaining holes 16.

In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 6 is an incandescent light bulb. However, in the present invention, the light emitting element 6 may be another type of light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED).

[0033]

As described above, the line-shaped light-emitting device connector according to the present invention has the following features. Even if the total number of light-emitting elements is the same as before, it can be hardly buried in the shade of the leaves of the tree, and the light-up effect can be remarkably increased. All light-emitting elements or a large number of light-emitting elements can be oriented in a desired direction, and thereby, even if the total number of light-emitting elements is the same as the conventional one, the light-up effect can be significantly enhanced. It is possible to easily connect the light emitting devices at the site of lighting up. (D) By changing the number of connecting devices and / or the total length of each line light emitting device, By preparing a connecting device having a length of (e) that allows the size of the net constituted by the optical device to be arbitrarily large, the size of the mesh of the net constituted by the linear light emitting device can be reduced. It is possible to obtain excellent effects such as changeable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a line-shaped light emitting device.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the linear light emitting device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the linear light emitting device connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a right side view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a first connection portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a light emitting element mounting portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a second connection portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the light emitting element of the linear light emitting device is inserted into the light emitting element mounting portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where mounting of the light emitting element of the linear light emitting device to the light emitting element mounting portion of the embodiment is completed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before connecting the connecting tools of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which connection of the connecting tools of the embodiment is completed.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state where the linear light emitting devices of FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected in a net shape according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Line-shaped light-emitting device 4 Insulated wire 5 Socket 6 Light-emitting element 10 Line-shaped light-emitting device connector 11 First connection part 11a Frame part 11b Projection part 12 Second connection part 12a Hook piece 12b Opposing piece 12c Claw part 13 Light-emitting element Mounting part 13b Hook part 13c Pressing part 13d Projection part 13e Claw part

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 31, 1998 (1998.
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A linear light emitting device connector for connecting a linear light emitting device having an electric wire and a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on the electric wire so as to be arranged along the electric wire. A first connection portion provided at one end portion, and a second connection portion provided at the other end portion and connectable to the first connection portion of another linear light emitting device connector. A linear light emitting device connector comprising: a light emitting element mounting portion provided in a middle portion and mounted with the light emitting element of the linear light emitting device. 2. The line-shaped light emitting device connector according to claim 1, wherein the whole is integrally formed of plastic and has a substantially band shape as a whole. 3. The light emitting element mounting portion has a plurality of hooks each having a claw portion at a tip portion, and is interposed between the electric wire and the light emitting element in the linear light emitting device. When the socket is pushed between the hook portions, the hook portion elastically deforms outward and the socket passes between the claws, and after this passage, the hook portion returns to its original position by elasticity, 3. The linear light emitting device connector according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element is mounted on the light emitting element mounting portion via the socket when the socket cannot be removed from between the hook portions. 4. 4. The light emitting element mounting portion has a pressing portion, and when the socket is pressed between the hook portions, the pressing portion is pressed by the socket and elastically deforms, and the socket is 4. The linear light-emitting device connector according to claim 3, wherein said connector is held between said pressing portion and said claw portion of said hook portion by elasticity of said pressing portion. 5. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first connection portion has a frame shape.
A projection provided on the inner surface of the frame, wherein the second connection portion includes a hook piece provided with a claw at a tip thereof, and an opposing piece opposing the hook piece at an interval. Having the hook piece and the facing piece of the second connection part of the other linear light emitting device connection tool into the frame part of the first connection part, the hook piece becomes Due to the elastic deformation, the claw portion of the hook piece gets over the protrusion of the first connection portion, and even if the hook piece tries to return, the claw portion is caught by the protrusion, and the hook piece and The line-shaped light emitting device connector according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected when the opposing piece cannot be pulled out of the frame portion. .