US3676662A - Christmas tree lights - Google Patents
Christmas tree lights Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3676662A US3676662A US38583A US3676662DA US3676662A US 3676662 A US3676662 A US 3676662A US 38583 A US38583 A US 38583A US 3676662D A US3676662D A US 3676662DA US 3676662 A US3676662 A US 3676662A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- christmas tree
- teeth
- socket
- lamp
- sockets
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 241000191291 Abies alba Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 235000004507 Abies alba Nutrition 0.000 description 21
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 101100511857 Rattus norvegicus Lsamp gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005034 decoration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/10—Fastening devices or clamps for Christmas tree decorations
- A47G33/105—Fastening means for Christmas tree candle holders
Definitions
- This invention provides fluorescent lamp sockets and supports for ornamental Christmas trees.
- Electric Christmas tree lamps are, of course, very old and well known.
- these sockets have an associated clip which facilitates an attachment of the sockets to the tree branches.
- incandescent bulbs are cooler so that they present less fire hazzard. They draw less current when in operation.
- a fluorescent bulb is much heavier, and it requires a stronger tree to support it. The shape is awkward, and not given to easy manipulation in among the branches.
- an object of this invention is to provide new and improved sockets for use in decorating Christmas trees.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a Christmas tree lamp socket which frictionally engages the limbs of a Christmas tree in order to hold the lamp stationary.
- a further object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp socket which makes it easy to insert or remove the bulb.
- Another object is to provide a safe Christmas tree lighting.
- an object is to take advantage of the inherent quality of cooler fluorescent lighting.
- Still another object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp socket which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.
- FIG. I is a front elevation view of the inventive socket shown secured to a Christmas tree limb.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the circuit to the lamps and their respective starters.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the circular fluorescent lamp, shown reduced in size and removed from the inventive socket disclosed in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 1 shows a circular fluorescent light bulb 10, the inventive socket l1, and a power cord 16.
- a plurality of the sockets 11 may be placed at intervals along the cord 16,
- the socket 11 has an arcuate section with a comb of V- shaped tines or teeth dependent therefrom.
- the socket may be made of plastic or other suitable material.
- the arcuate section follows the same general contour as the circular bulb 10.
- the open ends 12 of socket 11 coincide in shape and contour with the cross-section of the ends of the fluorescent bulb 10. These ends are notched, as at 14, to provide a means for an insertion of the bulb terminals 15 at the capped ends 13 of the lamp 10.
- the socket 11 is provided with the plurality of tine or teethlike projections 17, having serrations or teeth 18 along the edges thereof.
- a central projection 19 is also formed on the socket 11 to allow for grasping and manipulation of the socket.
- the sockets 11 are placed over the branches on the Christmas tree so that the tines or teeth 17 project alternately to lay on either side of branches 20.
- the bias naturally occurring from the elasticity of the tine members is selected so that the serrations tend to bite into the branch.
- the socket 11 is secured to the branches 20 in order t0 hold the lamp stationary on the tree.
- the lamp 10 In order to remove a lamp 10 from a socket 11, the lamp 10 is grasped in one hand while the socket is held in the other hand. The lamp is rotated upward to the horizontal position shown by dot-dashed lines. There the terminal pins 15 are aligned with the slots 14. Then the terminals 15 may be slipped side ways in order to remove lamPs 10 from sockets 11. In order to place lamp 10 in socket 11, the terminal pins 15 are slipped side ways into the slot 14, and rotation is in the opposite direction.
- FIG. 2 shows a conventional electric line with a switch 21 for applying power to the bulbs.
- a Christmas tree light comprising a lamp cord having at least one fluorescent lamp socket associated therewith,
- said socket having a first section with oppositely disposed end sockets arcuately positioned with respect to each other,
- said sockets conforming generally to the cross-sectional dimensions of the ends of said circular fluorescent bulb between said lamp cord and said sockets,
- said teeth being spaced and shaped to fit over opposite sides of a Christmas tree branch.
- said serrations on said teeth being oriented to tend to bite into said branch responsive to the natural elasticity of said teeth when positioned over said branch.
- the Christmas tree light of claim 2 and socket means comprising a slot for receiving a pair of pin terminals on the ends of said fluorescent lamp when said pins are aligned with said slot and for retaining said pin terminals when rotated by with respect to said slot.
Abstract
A supporting socket for displaying a fluorescent lamp on a Christmas tree. This lamp support comprises a pair of fluorescent sockets mounted on a plate having a plurality of prongs for grasping the branches of the Christmas tree.
Description
United States Patent Vin Dick [45] July 11, 1972 s41 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS 2,299,733 10/1942 Benander ..240/1o T [72] Inventor: hm Vin Dick, H56 N802. pflgfim 2,244,516 6/1941 Davis ..240/10 Road Menomonee Falls Wis 53051 2,482,656 9/1949 Conroy et al... ...240/l0TX 3,321,730 5/1967 Schlangen ...240/l0T X [22] Filed: May 18, 1970 2,915,620 12/1959 Robinson ..240/l0T APPL 381583 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS pp ication mu 1,028,654 4/1958 Germany ..339/so c [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 759,083, Sept. 11, I968,
abandoned. Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Fred L. Braun 521 0.8. 01 ..24o/1o T, 240151.12 e n W658i? Whites [51] lnLCI. ..A47g33/l6,F21pl/02 58 FieldoiSearch.... .....240/l0R, l0T,5l.l2,59, ABSTRACT 240/6'4 339/50 97 L A supporting socket for displaying a fluorescent lamp on a Christmas tree. This lamp support comprises a pair of [56] References Cited fluorescent sockets mounted on a plate having a plurality of UNITED STATES PATENTS prongs for grasping the branches of the Christmas tree.
2,510,323 6/1950 Taborski ..240/6.4 W X 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL H 1972 3 676 662 Fig.1
2/ #43 To O TO Ll LAMPS F50 NE & STARTERS F .3 INVENTOR.
'] James 14?; Dick CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS This is a continuation of my earlier co-pending application Ser. No. 759,083, filed Sept. ll, l968 now abandoned, and entitled Christmas Tree Light."
This invention provides fluorescent lamp sockets and supports for ornamental Christmas trees.
Electric Christmas tree lamps are, of course, very old and well known. Usually, there is a strand of incandescent bulb sockets attached to an electric lamp wire which may be wound around or distributed over the tree. Very often, these sockets have an associated clip which facilitates an attachment of the sockets to the tree branches.
, There are a number of problems which may be encountered when these strands are used on or in connection with Christmas trees. One problem relates to the fire hazzards which result from hot bulbs, especially when used on a tree after it has dried out. Another problem relates to the relatively heavy current required to operate these incandescent lamps. As a result only a certain maximum number of bulbs may be used on any.given tree or at any given outlet.
One attractive solution to theproblem of using incandescent bulbs is to substitute fluorescent bulbs. They are cooler so that they present less fire hazzard. They draw less current when in operation. However, a fluorescent bulb is much heavier, and it requires a stronger tree to support it. The shape is awkward, and not given to easy manipulation in among the branches.
Aside from these mechanical, electrical, and safety considerations, a fluorescent bulb offers many opportunities for new and unusual decorative effects. The lamps may have surface decorations or attachments which contribute to the overall enhancement of the tree. Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide new and improved sockets for use in decorating Christmas trees.
Another object of this invention is to provide a Christmas tree lamp socket which frictionally engages the limbs of a Christmas tree in order to hold the lamp stationary.
A further object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp socket which makes it easy to insert or remove the bulb.
Another object is to provide a safe Christmas tree lighting. Here an object is to take advantage of the inherent quality of cooler fluorescent lighting.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp socket which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.
These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a study of the following specifications together with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. I is a front elevation view of the inventive socket shown secured to a Christmas tree limb; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the circuit to the lamps and their respective starters; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the circular fluorescent lamp, shown reduced in size and removed from the inventive socket disclosed in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 shows a circular fluorescent light bulb 10, the inventive socket l1, and a power cord 16. A plurality of the sockets 11 (not shown) may be placed at intervals along the cord 16,
as desired to decorate a Christmas tree.
The socket 11 has an arcuate section with a comb of V- shaped tines or teeth dependent therefrom. The socket may be made of plastic or other suitable material. The arcuate section follows the same general contour as the circular bulb 10. The open ends 12 of socket 11 coincide in shape and contour with the cross-section of the ends of the fluorescent bulb 10. These ends are notched, as at 14, to provide a means for an insertion of the bulb terminals 15 at the capped ends 13 of the lamp 10.
The socket 11 is provided with the plurality of tine or teethlike projections 17, having serrations or teeth 18 along the edges thereof. A central projection 19 is also formed on the socket 11 to allow for grasping and manipulation of the socket.
The sockets 11 are placed over the branches on the Christmas tree so that the tines or teeth 17 project alternately to lay on either side of branches 20. The bias naturally occurring from the elasticity of the tine members is selected so that the serrations tend to bite into the branch. Thus, the socket 11 is secured to the branches 20 in order t0 hold the lamp stationary on the tree.
In order to remove a lamp 10 from a socket 11, the lamp 10 is grasped in one hand while the socket is held in the other hand. The lamp is rotated upward to the horizontal position shown by dot-dashed lines. There the terminal pins 15 are aligned with the slots 14. Then the terminals 15 may be slipped side ways in order to remove lamPs 10 from sockets 11. In order to place lamp 10 in socket 11, the terminal pins 15 are slipped side ways into the slot 14, and rotation is in the opposite direction.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional electric line with a switch 21 for applying power to the bulbs.
While a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, the attached claims are to cover all equivalents falling within the true scope and spirit of the invention.
What I now claim is:
l. A Christmas tree light comprising a lamp cord having at least one fluorescent lamp socket associated therewith,
said socket having a first section with oppositely disposed end sockets arcuately positioned with respect to each other,
said arcuate positions corresponding to the general arc of a circular fluorescent bulb,
said sockets conforming generally to the cross-sectional dimensions of the ends of said circular fluorescent bulb between said lamp cord and said sockets,
and a comb of at least three teeth depending from said first section,
said teeth being spaced and shaped to fit over opposite sides of a Christmas tree branch.
2. The Christmas tree light of claim 1 and serrations on at least one of said teeth,
said serrations on said teeth being oriented to tend to bite into said branch responsive to the natural elasticity of said teeth when positioned over said branch.
3. The Christmas tree light of claim 2 and socket means comprising a slot for receiving a pair of pin terminals on the ends of said fluorescent lamp when said pins are aligned with said slot and for retaining said pin terminals when rotated by with respect to said slot.
Claims (3)
1. A Christmas tree light comprising a lamp cord having at least one fluorescent lamp socket associated therewith, said socket having a first section with oppositely disposed end sockets arcuately positioned with respect to each other, said arcuate positions corresponding to the general arc of a circular fluorescent bulb, said sockets conforming generally to the cross-sectional dimensions of the ends of said circular fluorescent bulb between said lamp cord and said sockets, and a comb of at least three teeth depending from said first section, said teeth being spaced and shaped to fit over opposite sides of a Christmas tree branch.
2. The Christmas tree light of claim 1 and serrations on at least one of said teeth, said serrations on said teeth being oriented to tend to bite into said branch responsive to the natural elasticity of said teeth when positioned over said branch.
3. The Christmas tree light of claim 2 and socket means comprising a slot for receiving a pair of pin terminals on the ends of said fluorescent lamp when said pins are aligned with said slot and for retaining said pin terminals when rotated by 90* with respect to said slot.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US3858370A | 1970-05-18 | 1970-05-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3676662A true US3676662A (en) | 1972-07-11 |
Family
ID=21900739
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US38583A Expired - Lifetime US3676662A (en) | 1970-05-18 | 1970-05-18 | Christmas tree lights |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3676662A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911264A (en) * | 1974-07-11 | 1975-10-07 | Albert L Chao | Lighted ring toy |
US4234915A (en) * | 1977-12-09 | 1980-11-18 | General Electric Company | Ornamental attachment for decorative string sets |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2244516A (en) * | 1938-05-10 | 1941-06-03 | Charlotte K Davis | Ornament |
US2299733A (en) * | 1941-01-10 | 1942-10-27 | Monowatt Electric Corp | Electrical connector |
US2482656A (en) * | 1948-02-02 | 1949-09-20 | Hilma A M Conroy | Holding and mounting device for electric light sockets |
US2510323A (en) * | 1947-10-24 | 1950-06-06 | Alfred F Taborski | Novelty device |
DE1028654B (en) * | 1953-07-08 | 1958-04-24 | Merten Geb | Plug device for the transition from one protective contact system to another protective contact system |
US2915620A (en) * | 1956-09-10 | 1959-12-01 | Robinson Sirman | Device for supporting and illuminating christmas trees |
US3321730A (en) * | 1964-09-21 | 1967-05-23 | Donald M Schlangen | Tree lighting apparatus |
-
1970
- 1970-05-18 US US38583A patent/US3676662A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2244516A (en) * | 1938-05-10 | 1941-06-03 | Charlotte K Davis | Ornament |
US2299733A (en) * | 1941-01-10 | 1942-10-27 | Monowatt Electric Corp | Electrical connector |
US2510323A (en) * | 1947-10-24 | 1950-06-06 | Alfred F Taborski | Novelty device |
US2482656A (en) * | 1948-02-02 | 1949-09-20 | Hilma A M Conroy | Holding and mounting device for electric light sockets |
DE1028654B (en) * | 1953-07-08 | 1958-04-24 | Merten Geb | Plug device for the transition from one protective contact system to another protective contact system |
US2915620A (en) * | 1956-09-10 | 1959-12-01 | Robinson Sirman | Device for supporting and illuminating christmas trees |
US3321730A (en) * | 1964-09-21 | 1967-05-23 | Donald M Schlangen | Tree lighting apparatus |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911264A (en) * | 1974-07-11 | 1975-10-07 | Albert L Chao | Lighted ring toy |
US4234915A (en) * | 1977-12-09 | 1980-11-18 | General Electric Company | Ornamental attachment for decorative string sets |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5645342A (en) | Decorative Christmas tree illumination assembly | |
US6457842B1 (en) | Holiday lights line switch | |
US4516193A (en) | Lighting system for artificial Christmas tree | |
US3296430A (en) | Tree lighting system | |
US2414866A (en) | Electric lamp support for christmas trees | |
US3120351A (en) | Christmas tree light bulb mounting means | |
US2465700A (en) | Ornamental lighting fixture | |
US2513565A (en) | Ornamental attachment for electric lamps or the like | |
US2963572A (en) | Lamp unit | |
US3676662A (en) | Christmas tree lights | |
US4573108A (en) | Decorative lighting system | |
US2572382A (en) | Christmas tree lighting bulb socket support | |
US6386728B1 (en) | Decorative light assembly | |
US2145737A (en) | Lamp | |
US6210016B1 (en) | Christmas tree lighting | |
BE859219A (en) | INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMP WITHOUT SOCKET | |
US1637046A (en) | Decorative lighting outfit | |
FR2837905A3 (en) | Xmas tree structure for decoration lamps has branches on gaps around stem and chain of decoration lamps on branches, cable section having several palm-shaped branches | |
US1981663A (en) | Decorative article | |
US2309977A (en) | Artificial tree | |
USRE19836E (en) | Illuminated ornamental device fob | |
EP0829676A1 (en) | Light bulb and decorative lighting system using same | |
US1726585A (en) | Decorative device | |
FR2490400B1 (en) | ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMP HAVING A TENSIONED TENSION CROSS-BODY | |
USRE19859E (en) | Illuminated ornamental device |