(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2007/0230174 A1
`Hicks et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 4, 2007
`
`US 20070230174A1
`
`(54) ILLUMINATED ARTIFICIAL TREE
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(76) Inventors:
`
`Larry O. Hicks, Dallas, TX (US);
`bDIzvlgJgnen Hlcks’ Hamsburg’
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Michael A. O’Neil
`Michael A. O’Neil, RC.
`suite 820’ 5949 sherry Lane
`Dallas’ TX 75225
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/691,915
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/744,150, ?led on Apr.
`3, 2006.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`FZIS 13/14
`(52) us. Cl. ..................................................... .. 362/252
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An illuminated arti?cial tree having a center pole With
`mounts thereon for receiving and supporting branches about
`the center pole and means for providing electricity to
`electrical lighting about each branch individually so that the
`electrical lighting about each individual branch can be
`replaced Without a?cecting the electrical lighting about the
`other branches.
`
`Page 1
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`POLYGROUP EX. 1007
`POLYGROUP V. WILLIS
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Oct. 4, 2007 Sheet 1 0f 5
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`FIG. i
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`US 2007/0230174 A1
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`Oct. 4, 2007
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`ILLUMINATED ARTIFICIAL TREE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] Applicant claims priority based on provisional
`patent application Ser. No. 60/744,150 ?led Apr. 2, 2006, the
`entire content of Which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0002] This invention relates to the ?elds of electrical
`lighting and arti?cial trees.
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0003] It is common and Well knoWn to illuminate trees,
`particularly arti?cial trees. It is especially common for
`individuals to seek to illuminate arti?cial trees during the
`Christmas season.
`[0004] Arti?cial trees are often illuminated by Wrapping
`strings of electrical lights about the branches thereof. Typi
`cally, numerous strings of electrical lights are required, each
`string being plugged into the next to form a long, single
`string of electrical lights that is plugged into an electrical
`Wall outlet. If a large number of strings of lights is used it
`may be necessary to form multiple long strings that are each
`plugged continuously end to end into each other and into a
`Wall outlet in order to provide suf?cient current to poWer the
`lights.
`[0005] It is extremely time consuming to illuminate arti
`?cial trees in the manner described above. To achieve the
`appearance of a fully illuminated arti?cial tree each branch
`must be manually Wrapped With electrical lights. A string of
`electrical lights is Wrapped about branches until the entire
`length of the string is utiliZed, and then the string is plugged
`into another string that is similarly Wrapped manually about
`branches, and so on until all the branches of the tree are
`covered.
`[0006] In addition to the extended amount of time required
`to illuminate a tree as described above, it is common for one
`string of electrical lights to fail When multiple strings of
`lights are connected. This requires that the beginning and
`ending of the failed string be located, the string removed
`from the tree, and a neW string put in its place. The
`replacement process is time consuming as Well. Further,
`because the strings of electrical lights are connected one to
`another it is common for the failure of one string to affect
`other strings as Well.
`[0007] There are also safety haZards associated With con
`necting multiple strings together. Often an electrical exten
`sion cord is used to plug the multiple strings into an
`electrical outlet. Although most extension cords are only
`rated for a certain electrical load many consumers are
`unaWare of such load restrictions and the haZards associated
`With failing to practice such restrictions. Overloading elec
`trical extension cords can result in ?res resulting in property
`damage and ultimately loss of life if a ?re occurs in a
`building Where any occupants are unable to escape.
`[0008] It is also Well knoWn for arti?cial trees to be pre-lit
`Wherein strings of lights are placed about the branches
`during manufacture. Heretofore the strings of lights on
`pre-lit arti?cial trees have been connected one to another
`such that the problem of replacing failed strings is not
`avoided. In addition to failed strings of lights such trees
`
`generally require a signi?cant amount of space for storage
`When not in use and/or can be very cumbersome and di?icult
`to assemble and dis-assemble.
`[0009] The present invention addresses the foregoing and
`other difficulties Which have long since been associated With
`the prior art of illuminating arti?cial trees. In accordance
`With the broader aspects of the invention the invention
`comprises a center pole and a plurality of branches that are
`attached to and supported by the center pole. The center pole
`encloses at least one electrical poWer cord that supplies
`poWer to various predetermined points along the length of
`the center pole. Each of the predetermined points comprises
`a mounting ?xture that supports a number of branches
`located at spaced intervals about the center pole.
`[0010] Each mounting ?xture comprises a number of
`cavities each for receiving a branch and suppling electrical
`poWer to the branch via electrical contacts located Within
`each cavity. Each branch comprises a boot at the proximal
`end thereof for engaging the cavity and securing the branch
`Within the cavity. Each boot comprises electrical contacts
`Which engage the electrical contacts Within the cavity
`thereby completing the electrical connection from the poWer
`cord Within the center pole to the boot of each branch.
`[0011] Each branch has a string of electrical lights
`attached therearound. Each string of lights comprises a ?rst
`fusible link plug Which plugs into a matching plug located
`on the boot. The matching plug on the boot supplies poWer
`to the string of lights once the boot is engaged in the cavity.
`The string of lights on each branch is independent from any
`string of lights on other branches; therefore, a failure of one
`string of lights on one branch does not affect any other string
`of lights on the tree. In addition to not causing any other
`lights on other branches to fail, each branch can be indi
`vidually removed from the tree for replacement of the string
`of lights Without removing any other branches or lights from
`the tree resulting in a much easier and less time-consuming
`process to replace lights than the time or effort required in
`the prior art.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0012] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention may be had by reference to the folloWing Detailed
`Description When taken in connection With the accompany
`ing DraWings, Wherein:
`[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW illustrating the method
`of applying lights to arti?cial trees in the prior art;
`[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional vieW of an illuminated
`arti?cial tree comprising one embodiment of the invention;
`[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective vieW of a branch being
`attached to a mount in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;
`[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective vieW of the top and bottom
`halves of the center pole in the embodiment illustrated in
`FIG. 2;
`[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective vieW of the connected center
`pole in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;
`[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional vieW of a mount in the
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2; and
`[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective vieW of the top piece of the
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0020] Referring to the draWings, and in particular to FIG.
`1, there is shoWn a perspective vieW of an individual
`
`Page 7
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`US 2007/0230174 A1
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`Oct. 4, 2007
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`attempting to illuminate an arti?cial tree in the prior art. The
`dif?culties encountered in the prior art include isolating
`branches, individually Wrapping isolated branches With
`strings of electrical lights, isolating a string of electrical
`lights that has failed once failure becomes apparent, and the
`effect of failed strings of lights on other strings.
`[0021] Referring noW to FIG. 2 there is shoWn an arti?cial
`illuminated tree 10 comprising one embodiment of the
`invention. The tree 10 comprises a center pole 12 having a
`plurality of mounts 14 supported thereon, each mount 14
`comprising multiple cavities 16 for receiving branches 18
`therein. Each branch 18 comprises a distal end 20 and a
`proximal end 22, the proximal end 22 comprising a boot 24
`for securing the branch 18 into one of the cavities 16 of the
`mount 14. Electrical poWer is provided to each individual
`cavity 16 via a poWer cord system 30 comprising a plurality
`of poWer cords and Wires located Within and throughout the
`center pole 12. Electrical lights 34 strung around the branch
`18 plug into the boot 24 Which receives poWer from the
`cavity 16. Each cavity 16 supplies electrical poWer only to
`the branch 18 received therein and each string of lights 34
`is independently plugged into the boot 24 of a branch 18, so
`each branch 18 and string of lights 34 about each branch 18
`is therefore independent of other branches 18 and lights on
`the tree 10.
`[0022] The center pole 12 may comprise one continuous
`section or multiple sections in the construction thereof. The
`embodiment shoWn in FIG. 2 comprises tWo sections, a
`bottom portion 40 and a top portion 42, coupled together by
`a plug 44 and having a tree-top 46 coupled to the top portion
`42. As is understood by those skilled in the art, the tree 10
`may be con?gured With additional sections according to the
`desired height of the tree. For the tree 10 comprising tWo
`sections, the poWer cord system 30 comprises at least three
`poWer cords for providing poWer to the sections of the center
`pole 12. A ?rst poWer cord 48 supplies poWer Within the
`bottom portion 40, a second poWer cord 50 supplies poWer
`to the plug 44 that connects the bottom portion 40 to the top
`portion 42, and a third poWer cord 54 supplies poWer Within
`the top portion 42 and the tree-top 46.
`[0023] Referring noW to FIG. 3, there is shoWn a perspec
`tive vieW of one of the mounts 16 that is secured about the
`center pole 12. Completing the electrical connection
`betWeen the cavity 16 and the branch 18 are recessed
`electrical contacts 56 in the cavity Which receive and engage
`electrical contacts 58 of the boot 24. The electrical contacts
`58 of the boot 24 are spring-loaded such that When the boot
`24 is inserted into the cavity 16 the electrical contacts 58 of
`the boot 24 spring outWard and engage the recessed elec
`trical contacts 56 of the cavity 16 once the boot 24 is fully
`received into the cavity 16. The spring-loaded contacts 58
`and recessed receiving contacts 56 safeguard against any
`accidental electrical or physical injuries during assembly
`and disassembly of the branch 18 With the cavity 16. For
`example, a child Will be unable to remove the branch from
`the cavity Without supervision. In addition, having the
`contacts 56 and 58 recessed in the cavity 16 prevent a child
`or anyone from inserting ?ngers or other small items
`betWeen the contacts.
`[0024] In an alternate embodiment, a conductive metallic
`ring may be coupled about the center pole 12 to provide
`electrical contact betWeen the poWer cord system and the
`electrical contacts of the boot.
`
`[0025] Each string of electrical lights 34 comprises a ?rst
`fusible link plug 60 at one end thereof for engaging a second
`plug 62 extending from the boot 24. When the electrical
`contacts 58 on the boot 24 engage the recessed contacts 56
`Within the cavity 16, current is passed through the boot 24
`and onto the string of electrical lights 34 Wrapped around the
`branch 18. The mount 14 shoWn in FIG. 3 has eight cavities
`16 but as Will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
`mounts 14 may be con?gured With varying numbers of
`cavities 16 to receive more or feWer branches 18 according
`to the mount’s location on the center pole 12.
`[0026] Referring noW to FIG. 4, there is shoWn a perspec
`tive vieW of the plug 44 connecting into a female receptacle
`on the bottom portion 40 of the center pole 12 to the top
`portion 42. A sleeve 70 provides additional stability to the
`connection betWeen the bottom portion 40 and top portion
`42 and a safety covering over the plug 44. The sleeve 70
`about the plug 44 prevents the plug 44 from being unplugged
`by a child, pet, or someone unaWare of the haZards, both
`electrical and physical, that may be encountered if removing
`the plug 44 Without supervision. In addition, the sleeve 70
`prevents a child or anyone from inserting ?ngers or other
`small objects into the plug 44.
`[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective vieW of center pole 12
`shoWing the bottom portion and the top portion of the center
`pole connected together.
`[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional vieW of a mount 14
`located about the center pole 12 and the electrical connec
`tions therein. The electrical contacts 56 of each cavity 16 are
`connected With the poWer cord system 30 via a ?rst set of
`Wiring 72 extending from the mount 14 into one cavity 16
`in the mount 14. The other cavities 14 Within the mount are
`connected With additional Wiring 74 that runs betWeen and
`connects all of the cavities 16 of the mount. The second plug
`62 extending from the boot 24 receiving the fusible link plug
`60 from a string of lights 34 is connected With the electrical
`contacts 58 of the boot by Wiring 76 extending through the
`boot 24.
`[0029] As shoWn in FIG. 6 the boot 24 may be molded as
`an integral part of the proximal end 22 of the branch 18.
`Alternatively, the boot 24 may be coupled With the branch
`18 such that the proximal end of the branch may be
`removable from the boot 24.
`[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective vieW of the tree-top 46 that
`attaches atop the center pole 12. The tree-top 46 couples to
`the center pole 12 by a plug 78 Which is received into a
`female outlet 80 recessed in a sleeve 82. The sleeve 82
`provides additional stability to the connection betWeen the
`center pole 12 and the tree-top 46 and a safety covering over
`the plug 78. The sleeve 82 prevents the plug 78 from being
`unplugged by a child, pet, or someone unaWare of the
`haZards, both electrical and physical, that may be encoun
`tered if removing the plug 78 Without supervision. In addi
`tion, the sleeve 82 prevents a child from inserting ?ngers or
`other small objects into the plug 78. Wiring Within the plug
`78 extends therefrom and provides poWer to a light string
`about the tree-top 46 through a receiving fusible link plug 86
`Which received a fusible link plug 88 on the light string 34
`about the tree-top 46.
`[0031] Although preferred embodiments of the invention
`have been illustrated in the accompanying DraWings and
`described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it Will be
`understood that the invention is not limited to the embodi
`ments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
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`Page 8
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`US 2007/0230174 A1
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`Oct. 4, 2007
`
`modi?cations, and substitutions of parts and elements With
`out departing from the spirit of the invention.
`1. An illuminated arti?cial tree comprising:
`a center pole;
`a plurality of branches positioned about the center pole,
`each branch comprising a single string of electrical
`lights mounted thereon;
`a plurality of mounts secured on the center pole, each
`mount for supporting a plurality of branches With the
`branches being positioned at spaced apart intervals
`about the center pole;
`each mount comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity
`for removably receiving one of the branches;
`means Within each cavity for providing electricity to the
`string of lights of the branch associated thereWith so
`that the string of lights can be replaced Without affect
`ing other strings of lights on other branches; and
`means for providing electricity Within the center pole and
`into the cavities of the mounts.
`2. The tree according to claim 1 Wherein the center pole
`comprises a bottom portion and a top portion coupled
`together by a plug, the plug received into a female receiver
`having a sleeve extending therearound.
`3. The tree according to claim 1 Wherein the means for
`providing electricity Within the center pole is a poWer cord
`system, the poWer cord system comprising a plurality of
`poWer cords and Wires.
`4. The tree according to claim 1 Wherein the means Within
`each cavity for providing electricity to the string of lights
`comprises electrical contacts Within each cavity connected
`to the means for providing electricity Within the center pole;
`electrical contacts on one end of each branch; and Wiring
`extending from the electrical contacts on the branch to a
`light string receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on
`the string of lights about the branch.
`5. The tree according to claim 1 Wherein each branch
`comprises a proximal and distal end, the proximal end
`comprising a boot incorporated thereon for engaging the
`branch into the cavity of the mount.
`6. The tree according to claim 5 Wherein the boot com
`prises electrical contacts for engaging receiving electrical
`contacts Within the cavity connected With the means for
`providing electricity Within the center pole, Wiring extend
`ing from the electrical contacts of the boot to a light string
`receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on a string of
`lights strung about the branch.
`
`7. The tree according to claim 5 Wherein the boot is
`removably coupled With the proximal end of the branch.
`8. An illuminated arti?cial tree, comprising:
`a center pole;
`a plurality of branches positioned about the center pole,
`each branch comprising a proximal and distal end, and
`a single string of electrical lights mounted thereon;
`a plurality of mounts secured on the center pole, each
`mount for supporting a plurality of branches With the
`branches being positioned at spaced apart intervals
`about the center pole;
`each mount comprising a plurality of cavities, each cavity
`for removably receiving one of the branches;
`a poWer cord system Within the center pole comprising a
`plurality of poWer cords and Wires for providing elec
`tricity Within the center pole and into the cavities of the
`mounts;
`electrical contacts Within each cavity receiving poWer
`from the poWer cord system and transferring poWer to
`electrical contacts on the proximal end of each branch
`such that a string of lights associated thereWith can be
`replaced Without affecting other strings of lights on
`other branches; and
`a light receiving plug coupled With the electrical contacts
`on the proximal end of the branch for receiving a
`fusible link plug on one end of the string thereby
`providing electrical poWer to the string of lights.
`9. The tree according to claim 8 Wherein the center pole
`comprises a bottom portion and a top portion coupled
`together by a plug, the plug received into a female receiver
`having a sleeve extending therearound.
`10. The tree according to claim 8 Wherein each branch
`comprises a proximal and distal end, the proximal end
`comprising a boot incorporated thereon for engaging the
`branch into the cavity of the mount.
`11. The tree according to claim 10 Wherein the boot
`comprises electrical contacts for engaging receiving electri
`cal contacts Within the cavity connected With the means for
`providing electricity Within the center pole, Wiring extend
`ing from the electrical contacts of the boot to a light string
`receiving plug for receiving a fusible link plug on a string of
`lights strung about the branch.
`12. The tree according to claim 10 Wherein the boot is
`removably coupled With the proximal end of the branch.
`
`*
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